Present:
Mr Senior (Chair), Mrs Aylott, Mrs Elphick, Mr Hardy, Mrs Hathaway, Mr Pickering, Mr Sale, Mr Watson and Mrs Williams. District Councillor Keith Baker. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 4 members of the public.

Public Forum
Mrs Rae Maynard attended the meeting on behalf of the School Governors in order to inform the Parish Council that the Safer Routes to School project had been resurrected and to ask the Parish Council for its support. Areas of concern were crossing points between the Memorial Hall car park and the school and also from the Maltings across Chapel Street, together with parking problems around the school and footpaths. The Parish Council unanimously gave the project it’s support. Mrs Maynard would keep the Council informed of any progress with the bid.

Mr Hodgson was concerned about the off-site parking which continued at the Truckstop facility and urged the Parish Council to ensure that parking tickets and subsequent fines should be imposed on any offending vehicles. It was agreed that a site visit should be arranged with the owners together with Highways, HDC, PCSO Gemma Clarke and Councillor Baker. Clerk to organise. Mr Hodgson might also attend this meeting.

Mrs Key complained about ball games being played on the small grassed area behind her property on the Great North Road and the abuse she had received from youths when she had politely asked them to stop. It was agreed that the Housing Association responsible for this piece of land should be made aware of the problems and PCSO Gemma Clarke should also be asked to visit the area. Mrs Key also complained about small motor bikes being used along the path next to her property. Clerk to contact PCSO Gemma Clarke.

It was reported that notices had been torn off notice boards in the village and that there had also been some vandalism to cars and thefts from cars. Neighbourhood Watch had been made aware.

219. Apologies for Absence
Apologies received from Mrs Adams.

220. Councillors' Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
Mr Senior declared a personal interest in agenda item 235 as he owned a property on Bramble End.

221. To sign and approve minutes of previous meeting held on 31st March 2009.
Minutes from 31st March were proposed by Mrs Aylott and seconded by Mr Sale. Minutes duly approved and signed.

222. Resignation - Mrs Vivienne Dyer
It was reported with much regret that Mrs Dyer had resigned from the Parish Council. The work she had carried out over the past 7 years was acknowledged - being the representative for CPALC and RAF Molesworth, the first editor of the Parish Newsletter and her help with gaining Quality Status and the original Safer Routes to School project. It was agreed that she would be sorely missed. Mr Senior suggested it might be helpful if a representative from RAF Molesworth was invited to a Parish Council meeting rather than arranging a Parish Councillor to attend their meetings. Clerk to organise.

223. The Sports & Social Club/Eagle Scout Project
The Parish Council had been contacted by Zach Perdomo who wished to carry out a project in the village on behalf of the Eagle Scouts. It was suggested that he might be able to help with clearing the area at the bottom of the Sports & Social Club playing field. Mrs Elphick confirmed that Mrs Dix, whose property was adjacent to this area, was in agreement. If Zach did not take on this project it was suggested that Skanska might be contacted. The other possible scout project might be another notice board. Mr Senior to contact Zach accordingly.

224. Additional Mineral and Waste Development Proposals
A temporary site had been proposed adjacent to the A1 southbound on the boundary between Alconbury and Stukeley Parishes. This would serve the roadworks whilst the A14 was being modified. Mr Watson would obtain further information such as possible increase in traffic and would report back to councillors by e-mail. Comments needed to be made by 12 May.

225. Provision of Allotments - Mr Sale/Mrs Aylott
(Standing Orders were relaxed for this agenda item)
Clerk had written to all local farmers in a further attempt to find some suitable land. So far, two negative replies had been received. Mr Steve Womersley attended the meeting, and explained the research he had carried out concerning the setting up of an Allotment Association. It was agreed that a meeting should be held as soon as possible, inviting Karen Kenny of the Allotments Regeneration Initiative to assist with setting up the Association. The meeting would be open to all residents. 29th May was suggested. Clerk to contact Karen Kenny immediately with a view to advertising the meeting in the forthcoming Newsletter.

226. Planning Matters - Mr Watson
Mr Watson reported on changes to the planning system and the emphasis being placed upon clear reasons for either recommending or rejecting planning applications. A Planning Information Pack was to be issued to assist Parish Councils and Forums would be held shortly.

227. Flood Matters - Mr Senior/Mr Pickering
The Parish Council's letter to the Environment Agency had been sent expressing its concerns in the light of the Flood Alleviation Scheme not going ahead. The Brook had been de-silted in places in Alconbury Weston but this work would not be carried out in Alconbury. The Environment Agency 'drop in' session had been arranged for May 27th between 3 and 7pm in the Memorial Hall. Alconbury Weston residents had also been invited. Representatives from HDC would also attend the meeting to discuss government grants available for individual properties at risk. Clerk to contact Jonathan Djanogly about the planned ‚ 'drop in' session.

228. The Youth Group - Mr Senior/Mrs Aylott
Mr Senior had attended the last Youth Group meeting together with Mrs Aylott and Mrs Adams and he had agreed to help with fund raising for the Ball Park. It has also been agreed, from June, to start charging £1 per head for attendance at the youth group. The group would like to meet twice a month but there were not enough helpers to make this possible. Mr Murphy was seeking further grants towards day to day running expenses.

229. Compost Giveaway
This would take place from the Memorial Hall car park on Friday May 22nd from 3pm onwards. Clerk and Mrs Adams to attend.

230. The Annual Report
It was agreed that the same format as last year would be used. The report would be produced after the AGM on 26th May. Mrs Aylott had already begun preparation of the report.

231. The Bi-monthly Newsletter
Mr Sale had produced the first proof as Editor. It would be finalised within the next few days for distribution at the beginning of May.

232. Duck Posters
Book tokens to the two winners had been sent out and the posters had been laminated. Mrs Aylott suggested a 'winner' banner be fixed to the two winning posters. The posters would be displayed within the next few days.

233. Training in The Power of Well Being
There was an offer of a training session from Huntingdon Town Council in conjunction with CPALC. It was decided due to the existing heavy work load not to go ahead with this. Clerk to respond accordingly.

234. The Memorial Hall - Mrs Hathaway
The website was near completion. The last two public functions held had been very successful. During the Easter holidays there had been some external damage to the pre-school playhouse. Dogs had been fouling on the grass. The Committee were looking into facilities for discarded cigarettes outside the hall. Users were being urged to take their own rubbish home.

235. Committee Reports
(a) Planning Applications Received
0900385FUL - Erection of dwelling, land adjacent 2 Great North Road - no observations
0900391FUL - Erection of metal clad steel frame over roof - Research Centre, Woolley Road - no observations.

Applications Determined by HDC Planning:
0900066FUL - Erection of grain drying building - Weybridge Farm - permission granted.

(b) Clerk's Infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Clerk to obtain quotation for clearing stumps from ground leading down to the Brook.
Village Green: The grass cutting was of a much higher standard. Clerk had passed on these favourable comments to the contractor.
General: Fly tipping reported under the flyover and in Globe Lane.
Highways Agency had visited Field Close. Report awaited.
The problems with nuisance dogs had been reported to PCSO Gemma Clarke.

(c) Bramble End: Monthly inspection: Carried out by Mrs Williams. Wetpour surface had again shrunk in the dry weather.
It was agreed to get a quotation for tidying up the area recently cut back by a resident on the boundary fence as it was feared it might have been left in a dangerous condition.

Re-development (Mrs Williams and Mr Watson):
Mrs Williams had obtained drawings of the planned improvements which could be used to show to residents in the area. Mrs Williams and the Clerk would draft a letter to residents inviting them to inspect the plans on Sunday 10th May between 4 and 5pm Any councillors available at this time would be welcome to attend. The total cost of the new equipment and safety surface would be £15,167 excluding VAT. The old equipment would also need painting. Quote to be obtained. The fund application would be finalised for the May meeting. Mr Senior again thanked Mr Watson and Mrs Williams for their work on this project. The Clerk reported that old documentation had been obtained concerning the ownership of the area.

236. Correspondence
JFMI Bid 2009/2010 - this had been submitted for traffic calming measures in Rusts Lane but unfortunately had again been unsuccessful. The competition had been high with only a limited budget - schemes in total were successful out of 49 bids.

Tree Preservation Order - placed by HDC on a willow tree in the garden of 7, The Maltings.

CPALC - Service Level Agreement. It was agreed membership should be renewed. There was also an invitation to contact Came & Company for a competitive insurance quote. Clerk to action.

Reply from EERA concerning Arup Report. The Parish Council had made observations on the planned 20,000 dwellings for Alconbury Airbase. EERA had replied that formal objections could not be registered at present as at this stage it was not in the review of the East of England Plan. Parish Councils would have the opportunity to write formally to the Assembly during its public consultation on the options in September 2009. Councillor Baker confirmed that HDC were very much against any such proposals.

237. Responsible Finance Officer's Report
Draft Accounts for the financial year ending 31st March 2009 had been circulated to all councillors. The Clerk also handed round copies of the Annual Governance Statement which would have to be completed by the Council when the Annual Return was signed at the May meeting. The accounts were now with the Internal Auditor in order for him to complete his section of the return.

Cheques for signature:
Demon - Webhosting April 09 (paid by direct debit) - £11.50
CPALC - Affiliation Fees - £418.28
H M Revenue & Customs - PAYE/NI - £382.01
Clerk's Salary April 09 - £419.41
Petty Cash Top Up - £27.44

Payments were proposed by Mr Watson and seconded by Mrs Hathaway.

Cleared Balances:
C/A £2,663.13 D/A £26,933.31 Youth Group £741.27

238. Date of Next Meeting - Annual Parish Meeting and Annual General Meeting
26th May 2009 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall (main hall).

Return to top.

Close this window