Present:
Mr. Brown (Chair), Mr Senior (Vice Chair), Mrs Adams, Mr Dawson, Mrs Dix, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mrs Watkin and Mrs Williams. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 1 member of the public.

Public Forum
No matters were brought to the Council’s attention.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Mr Vanbergen, District Councillor Mrs Vanbergen and County Councillor Mr Brown.

2. Councillors’ Interests
Mrs Watkin had already expressed her personal and prejudicial interest in planning applications 0501086FUL and 0500573CAC and her personal interest, along with Mrs. Dix in the decision regarding 106 money pledged to the ASSC. There were no new Councillors’ Interests to declare. Mr. Senior informed Councillors that he had approached HDC concerning the felling of a tree on his premises, and that they had raised no objections.

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 31st May 2005
The Clerk explained that Mrs Watkin had queried the donation to Vitalise of £50 as indicated in the last minutes. It was agreed that this should go ahead. The Minutes were then approved and signed.

4. Committee Reports
(a) Clerk’s infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Clerk reported that the matter of the overgrown boundary was to be discussed at the next PCC meeting. Mrs Watkin enquired whether any clearance work would also include gravestones in the area that were overgrown. Clerk to discuss with the Churchwarden.

Village Green: The Clerk reported that she had spoken again with London House Signs concerning the repair to the village sign. Difficulties were being encountered due to the original materials used to manufacture the sign and it could not be guaranteed that the renewed paintwork would not crack and peel again. The repaired sign would, however, be returned to the village within the next few weeks. A complaint had been received that the strip of land alongside the Brook on the opposite side to the High Street between the heritage bridge and the bottom ford was not being maintained by the Parish Council. It was felt that this area was too narrow to maintain and might cause health and safety problems were it to be strimmed. Clerk reported that Mr. Pinner had offered to clear the bottom ford, free of charge, in order that horses might cross the Brook. She had spoken to the Environment Agency and had been advised to find out exactly what work Mr Pinner intended to carry out. This had to be done before they would be able to consent to the clearance. Clerk to action. Horses were still cantering on the green. Clerk to investigate. The damaged seat along Brookside had not been repaired. Clerk to action. The grass at the bottom of Sharpes Lane had not been re-seeded as promised by HDC. Clerk to chase. She would also enquire as to who was responsible for cutting this piece of grass.

General: The Clerk reported that the broken stiles on public footpath No. 10 were to be replaced with kissing gates. A notice requesting people not to place dog waste into the waste paper bin in Chapel Street had been displayed. The new bus shelter was in place outside the New Memorial Hall. Clerk to ascertain whether a seat would be provided. Clerk was still awaiting visit from HDC to inspect the proposed siting of a bin in The Maltings. Clerk to chase. Peter Rowlings, the Tree Warden, had complained about pruning of trees along the Great North Road which he felt to be unnecessary. Rubbish had also been left on the verge. Clerk to investigate. The bridge over the Brook in Church Meadow had still not been repaired. Clerk to chase. Mrs Elphick had complained about the quality of the road surfacing in The Maltings leading down to Ducks Nest where tarmac had been laid over mud Clerk to speak with HDC. Clerk reported that resurfacing to footways and kerbing works would be carried out along the Great North Road – planned start 4th July. Clerk to enquire whether this would also include the improvements planned as part of the Safer Routes to School Scheme. Many paths in the village recently surfaced with reconstituted tyres were breaking up and weeds were growing through. Clerk to report to HDC. It was reported that a van parked on Maypole Square had an out of date tax disc. Clerk to report to PCSO’s.

(b) Planning
New Applications:
0501733FUL - Extension to dwelling, erection of garage and change of use of land to garden - Brooklands Bungalow and adjacent land Brooklands Lane - No observations

Clerk reported that she had requested a time extension from HDC concerning applications 0501086FUL and 0501573CAC – erection of dwelling at land behind 29 High Street, but that it had not been possible to obtain this. The Planning Sub Committee had subsequently met and agreed that the Clerk should reply to HDC saying that the Parish Council had reservations concerning the felling of the horse chestnut together with neighbouring trees and would welcome sight of HDC’s survey. They were also conscious of this development being in a conservation area and also on a flood plain. She reported that HDC’s survey on the chestnut had been received and that the recommendation to fell the tree had been agreed, albeit on structural grounds rather than on the health of the tree. HDC, however, had concerns about the lack of a flood risk assessment. She had agreed with HDC that under the circumstances, the Parish Council had neither approved or rejected the applications.

Clerk reported that the Appeal by the Ely Diocesan Board concerning the erection of 2 dwellings on the land adjacent to the Vicarage, Church Way, had been dismissed.

An Appeal had been made concerning the erection of a replacement agricultural dwelling at Home Farm, Rusts Lane, which would take the form of a “hearing”.

Applications Determined:
0501528FUL – extension to dwelling – 4 Oak End – permission granted
0501534S73 – renewal of permission for continuation of use of former classroom as domestic storage – Alconbury House – permission granted.

(c) Bramble End Playground
Mr Senior reported that he and Mrs Williams had analysed the three quotations received for the resurfacing of the play area in Bramble End and that he had also done some research into the types of surfacing on offer. They had reached the conclusion that the best quotation was from Sportsequip. He had negotiated a discount from the company which resulted in the total price being £8797 plus VAT. Clerk reported that there were sufficient funds in the deposit account to meet this expenditure. Some concern was expressed that the new surfacing might not completely cover the dangerous base of the helicopter supports. It was agreed that Mr Dawson and the Clerk should meet a representative from Sportsequip to double check that the coverage would be acceptable. Providing there were no problems with this, it was unanimously agreed to go ahead with the resurfacing and that the quotation from Sportsequip should be accepted. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the residents in and around Bramble End to let them know what was happening, and it was suggested that a notice might be displayed in the Hairdressers and also in the School Newsletter to keep everyone informed of the intended work. When meeting the representative from Sportsequip, the Clerk would ascertain whether a coat of paint might also be applied to the helicopter.

5. Matters Arising
The Fair
Mrs Watkin reported that she had been contacted by Thurstons to say that unfortunately, due to a family accident, they would not be bringing the fair to the village this year. It was hoped that the Parish Council might be contacted over the coming winter either by Thurstons or Mannings with a view to arranging a visit to the village next year.

The Old Memorial Hall Committee
Mrs Watkin reported that they had exchanged and completed the contract of sale of the land of the Old Memorial Hall site and that they would shortly receive £85,852.04 which would be passed to the New Memorial Hall Committee. The final accounts would then be prepared and the Charity closed down. The outstanding debt of £2373.58 would be repaid to the Parish Council. Mrs Watkin was congratulated on bringing this matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

Parish Council Representative – New Memorial Hall
Clerk reported that Mr Senior had agreed to be a representative on the New Memorial Hall Committee. Clerk would notify the New Memorial Hall Committee accordingly and arrange to update the website. It was noted that there was still only one Parish Council Representative on the Youth Group. It was hoped that when a new Councillor was appointed they might be prepared to carry out this responsibility. It was suggested that some leaflet drops, advertising the vacancy might be carried out. Clerk would look into this once HDC had given the consent for the Parish Council to co-opt a further member.

The Flood Forum
Mrs Elphick reported on the recent Flood Forum. There had been no further information on the delay of the Alconbury Flood Alleviation Scheme. In view of this delay she had asked that the Brook be cleaned out to a higher standard than in previous years. Environmental issues had seemed to be of prime importance.

106 Money Pledged to the Sports & Social Club
A reply had been received from the ASSC as to the proportion of children participating in sporting activities at the Club who did not live in the village. This had been circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting. It was agreed that the grant offer of £13,540 Section 106 money should remain in place until the ASSC had carried out their review which was expected in August. Clerk to request that the ASSC should keep the Parish Council informed of any developments relating to the Football Foundation Grant.

6. Correspondence (A list of all correspondence had been circulated to all)
The Clerk requested that the circulation of correspondence be speeded up.

Request from Alconbury Colts for assistance in obtaining a grant for new goalposts. Clerk to refer the Colts to Mr Watkin, ASSC

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Minerals & Waste Development Plan
Mr Brown informed the meeting that this document did not affect Alconbury. No observations to be made.

BT’s Proposal to Re-align the Payphone Provision
There were no objections to making the payphone usable for cards and emergency calls only – not cash. Clerk to respond accordingly.

“Pointers to Good Practice” – booklet circulated to all Councillors.

HDC Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report – circulated to all Councillors

Huntingdonshire Local Development Framework: Consultation on Core Strategy Preferred Options – passed to Mr. Brown.

“Stopping Up the Highway” – Clerk reported that CCC wished to stop up part of Globe Lane (in front of the garage and adjacent property) which was incorrectly designated as highway. This meant highway rights over this piece of land would be extinguished. There were no objections.

Amendments to A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Consultation These did not appear to directly affect Alconbury.

Thankyou Letter from Alconbury Primary School – this had been received in respect of the Parish Council’s donation towards the Life Education Centre mobile bus.

Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 – upon implementation Parish Councils would be able to issued Fixed Penalty Notices for litter, graffiti, fly-posting and dog offences and to introduce dog control orders.

Huntingdonshire District Guide 2005/2006 – passed to Mrs Watkin for amendment by 1st September 2005.

Scout Group BBQ and Meeting on the Green 18th July – no objections

CALC Workshop for New Councillors – it was agreed the Clerk should try to arrange a group training session with CALC.

Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Schemes – 2007/08 – it was agreed a sub committee should be formed to look into the possibility of making a bid concerning speeding traffic in the village. Clerk to first obtain an update from the Police on their traffic survey.

7. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
(a) The Annual Return 2004/2005 This was duly signed by the Chair and the RFO for submission to the External Auditors on 30th June 2005.

(b) Payment of Accounts
Cheques for signature (now notified along with Correspondence List)
Citizens Advice Bureau - £200 – donation
Alconbury Methodist Chapel - £7.50 – room hire
Demon – £11.75 – Web Hosting
S. Lancey - £29.04 – Anti Virus Update
Grafton Projects – £4.99 – stationery
Clerk’s Internet Calls - £12.24
Clerk’s Salary – June 05 - £346.38 – 42.5 hrs. @ £8.15 per hr.
Petty Cash Top Up - £39.35

Cleared balances – Current Account £8911.32 and Deposit Account £26,836.45

Youth Group Account
Cheques for signature:
Cambs. County Council - £1000 – Detached Youth Work
Julie Read - £18.91 – Litter Bins
Nigel Murphy - £227.54 – equipment and BBQ
ADCHD - £60.00 – Hall Hire

Balance of Youth Group Account - £5651.36
Balance of Parish Plan Account - £810.55
Payments were proposed by Mrs Watkin and seconded by Mr Senior

8. The Youth Group
Mrs Adams reported that the times of meetings had been slightly changed in order that the different age groups did not overlap. The next Youth Forum was 1st July and the next Committee Meeting 11th July. A youth worker had been appointed for Sawtry/Alconbury. The possibility of a youth shelter in the village was still being discussed.

9. The New Memorial Hall
As Mr Vanbergen was unable to be in attendance at the PC meeting, he had prepared a short report on the recent AGM, which Mrs. Watkin read out on his behalf: Mr Read remained the Chairman, with Mrs Smith the new Treasurer and Mrs Pike the new Secretary. The Committee were looking forward to receiving funds from the sale of the land of the Old Memorial Hall. A sub committee was to be set up to deal with the expenditure of the fund – which would be for capital expenditure only and would not be able to be spent with less than 12 weeks notice.

10. CALC
Mrs Dyer reported on the recent CALC meeting which had dealt primarily with licencing and Temporary Event Notices.

11. The Parish Plan
Mr Dawson reported that all the questionnaires had been delivered and responses awaited. A meeting was to be held to discuss participation at The Village Affair.

12. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 26th July 2005 in the New Memorial Hall and will start at 7.45. It was decided that there would be an August meeting.

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