Present: Mr. Brown (Chairman), Mr Senior, Mrs Adams, Mrs Aylott, Mr Dawson, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mrs Watkin and Mrs Williams. Mrs Lancey (Clerk) 6 members of the public.

Public Forum
Mrs Horner, on behalf of the Over 60's, enquired about restrictions that appeared to be in place on the new Huntingdon Concessionary Bus Fare Scheme. Clerk to investigate.

Mr Hodgson expressed concern that numerous articles concerning the support of further flying from Alconbury airbase had been appearing in the local press. He also enquired whether there was any further information concerning the new safety gateway in the perimeter of the base opposite the Admiral Windows site. Clerk to contact HDC Planning Department.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from County Councillors Sir Peter Brown and Elaine Kadic, District Councillor Mrs. Vanbergen, Mrs. Dix and Mr. Vanbergen.

2. Councillors' Interests
None recorded.

3. Minutes of the Previous Meetings held on 28th February 2006 and the Planning Sub Committee meeting held on 16th March 2006.
Approved and signed.

4. Committee Reports
(a) Clerk's infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Nothing to report
Village Green: Metal seat along Brookside had been repaired and replaced.
Horses were still galloping on the green and damaging the turf. Clerk to contact Mrs. Ayres asking her to contact her riders. Parish Council to offer to provide letters to be distributed to riders as appropriate. If necessary, notices should be displayed.
Mrs. Elphick reported that water continued to break through the bank of the Brook. Clerk to contact Anglian Water.
General: Fly tipping (white goods) under the flyover had been reported. Mrs. Williams commented on the amount of refuse left around after the bins had been emptied. Clerk to contact HDC.

(b) Planning
New Applications:
0600783FUL- Erection of 4 dwellings and shop, 1 Bell Lane
0600784CAC - Demolition of shop and existing outbuildings, 1 Bell Lane
These applications were discussed at length in conjunction with letters that had been received from neighbouring properties. The Parish Council recommended approval for both applications, acknowledging the importance of retaining the village shop and Post Office which were both seen as a vital part of the community. They did, however, have some reservations over the actual plans, expressing their concerns over insufficient parking for the proposed dwellings and the resulting increase in volume of traffic in a busy and somewhat dangerous part of the highway. There also appeared to be insufficient space for 3 refuse bins per property. It was also felt that the height of the proposed dwellings would mean they might overlook neighbouring properties. The Council was also sympathetic to the request from the residents of 2 Chapel Street that the existing brick wall between the properties should be retained. It was also felt important that the shop/post office should remain open during any development work.

The possibility and problems of a community run shop were also discussed. It was agreed that this could be looked at more closely in the future if necessary.

The Parish Council also wished to see appropriate measures taken to restrict the size and operation of demolition vehicles on the site, bearing in mind that the site was on a major route to the school with many vehicles and pedestrians passing between the hours of 9-10am and 3-4pm and was also on a major bus route. Clerk to respond to HDC accordingly.

0600849TELDET - Erection of 12 mtr. Telecommunications pole and microwave dish unit - The Surgery, School Lane - No observations.

New and Allocated Mineral Sites - Site 28, Weybridge Farm (Sand and Gravel) - No observations.

Applications Determined by Huntingdonshire District Council:
0600278FUL - Continuation of use of building as independent dog handling unit - Permission granted.

(c) Bramble End Playground
ROSPA inspection due in April 2006.

5. Matters Arising
The Village Shop
Clerk reported that a team of helpers had volunteered to work in the shop to alleviate staff problems. The Post Master had been very appreciative. Thanks were expressed to Mrs Aylott for organising this.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Life Education Centre
Several Councillors had visited the Centre and were most impressed. Appreciation of Parish Council funding support had been expressed during the visits.

The Memorial Hall
Apologies had been received from the Hall Committee for the lack of heating during the last Parish Council meeting. All efforts had been made to repair the system, but it had unexpectedly failed again on the day of the meeting.

Nightowl
Further to the letter from the Parish Council, a large bin had been installed at the exit of the truck park (where vehicles have to stop at barriers) which would hopefully help with refuse disposal.

Speeding
A letter had been received from Mr Wade concerning the continued problem of speeding along the Great North Road. Traffic Police had been in the area and monitors had been installed for a few days. Clerk reported that no details were yet available concerning the Minor Improvement Scheme but she would pursue with CCC. Mr Wade's letter to be copied to CCC.

The Bus Shelter
Clerk to enquire from Community Safety whether a second quotation for lighting in the shelter had been obtained.

6. Correspondence (A list of correspondence had been circulated to all)
Election Notices and Nomination Papers
Notices had been displayed and nomination papers distributed. Clerk reminded Councillors that completed Nomination Papers had to be with HDC by noon on Monday 3rd April 2006.

Seminar on Understanding “soundness”: The next stage of consultation on the Core Strategy 25th April.
No one available to attend.

Consultation of Public Path Order Applications
Passed to Mrs Watkin.

Parish Electoral Review Consultation
Public meetings planned for the end of May.

Speed Restrictions at Brampton Hut
Mrs Vanbergen had informed the Parish Council that speed restrictions would be in place with a view to considering installation of traffic lights. Parish Council agreed this would be an improvement.

Speeding in the village
Mrs Vanbergen had passed on concern expressed by Mr. Djanogly about speeding in the village, in particular in the High Street/shop area, and also his suggestion that a mirror might be installed at the junction of Rusts Lane and the High Street. Clerk to action. Mrs Watkin also expressed concern over parking on the pavement in Rusts Lane. Clerk to action.

The Village Affair
Permission had been requested of the Parish Council to use the village green for the Village Affair on 15th July 06. Permission granted. Clerk to respond to Neighbourhood Watch accordingly and also check public liability insurance. It was suggested that the Parish Council might possibly have a stand at the fete.

Complaints concerning Dogs
Complaints had been received concerning the intimidating behaviour of dogs kept at a residence bordering the footpath in Bell Lane. Clerk to speak with HDC.

Proposed New Footpath
Clerk had met with members of West Highways Division to discuss the possibility of re-routing the footpath leading from the footbridge, to cross the road opposite 21 High Street, rather than across the bridge towards the bus shelter. New pram crossings would also be created across Mill Road and across the High Street to the bus shelter. A contribution of £2000 towards this work would be required from the Parish Council. After some discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council might afford £1500. It was also considered necessary for a barrier to be erected along the kerb of the existing crossing in order to force people to use the new path. Clerk to contact West Highways Division with these proposals.

Directional Signs for the Recreation Field
A quotation had been obtained from West Highways Division for directional signs to the Recreation Field in the sum of £768.46. The Parish Council considered that people visiting the Sports & Social Club should not be encouraged to come through the village, as shown on these plans, but to use the by-pass. Clerk to contact West Highways concerning these changes, and it was then anticipated that the Sports & Social Club might be asked to contribute half of the quoted price.

7. The Parish Plan
Mr. Brown reported on the recent sub committee meetings where key areas of concern from the Plan had been identified. It was agreed that the sub committee should continue to evolve the 5 Year Action Plan, but that because of the volume of work involved this could not be completed and printed in time for distribution before the Annual Parish Meeting in May. In the meantime Clerk to circulate notes on the progress so far to all Councillors.

8. The Youth Group
Mrs Aylott and Mrs Adams reported that problems were still being experienced with availability of youth workers in the village, which was proving very frustrating for the Youth Group. The meetings for the older children were being split into two mini groups. The group for younger children was almost at full capacity with 53 present at the last meeting. There was no further news on the proposed siting of the multi user games pitch. Training was being organised for helpers together with CRB checks. As agreed at the last meeting the younger children had drawn pictures alerting drivers to the ducks in the village. Mrs. Adams would laminate these and the Clerk would arrange for them to be displayed. An ice skating trip was being organised for the younger children.

9. Rights of Way
Mrs Watkin reported on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Cambridgeshire. Circular walks were the most popular and dead end paths found inconvenient and annoying to walkers (two of which are in Alconbury Parish). A high proportion of paths are arable and therefore muddy in winter. Many complaints were received from walkers concerning dog mess on paths. The possibility of opening the “flood relief road” (leading from School Lane) to walkers was discussed, as being concrete, this would prove very popular in winter. Clerk to investigate with The Church Commission.

10. The Memorial Hall
Mr Senior reported that he would be attending the Regular User Group Meeting which would be followed by the AGM on 31st March. Councillors requested that at the Regular User Group meeting he should mention the unacceptable noise levels in the Lounge when activities are taking place in the main hall, and the possibility of some kind of soundproofing across the door way. The contact number displayed on the front door and the notice board also caused difficulties for those trying to book the hall.

11. Responsible Finance Officer's Report
Payment of Accounts
Cheques for signature (notified along with Correspondence List):
Burleigh Tree Surgery - work on village green - £1527.50
Peacock Engineering - repair to seat on village green - £277.30
Demon - Web Hosting March - £11.75
S Lancey - internet calls March.- £17.28
Clerk's Salary - March 06 - £346.38 - 42.5 hrs. @ £8.15 per hr.
Petty Cash Top Up - £28.15

Payments Proposed: Mrs Aylott. Seconded: Mrs Elphick.
Cleared balances - Current Account £11,070.11 and Deposit Account £18,408.67. Year End Bank Statements had not yet been received. Clerk was awaiting details for the year end balances for the Parish Plan and Youth Group accounts.

Clerk would now commence work on the year end accounts in readiness for the call to audit. Reserves of approx. £6,000 were anticipated, but £3.000 of this would be required for the extra grass cutting costs incurred in the coming financial year. Final reserves would be put on deposit.

12. Any Other Business
It was agreed that Mr Brown would organise for the Clerk to be connected to Broadband.

13. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held at 7.45pm on Tuesday 25th April 2006 in the New Memorial Hall.

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