Present:
Mr. Senior (Chairman), Mrs Aylott, Mrs Adams, Mr Brown, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mr Hardy, Mrs Hathaway, Mr Watson and Mrs Williams. County Councillor Laine Kadic. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 5 members of the public.

Public Forum
Mr Hodgson expressed his grave concerns about what would happen to the Truckstop site once it was officially closed on 31st August, and whether it would be allowed to become an unofficial park for vehicles with all the inevitable health and safety problems associated with lack of driver facilities. The Parish Council agreed to contact both the police and the land owners to try and ensure that the premises were kept secure. It was also suggested that Highways might be contacted to ensure that adequate signage was in place to indicate that the site was now closed.

Mr Hodgson also noted that the mounds of earth placed on the area where the travellers settled in Ermine Street would be inadequate to deter another visit. The Parish Council was in agreement. Clerk to contact CCC accordingly.

As Councillor Kadic had to leave to attend another meeting, it was agreed that she should give an update on the parking situation outside the school. She had contacted Highways who had suggested that the best way forward was to work with the school to provide road safety education and had also suggested extending the dropped kerbs at the crossing point outside the Memorial Hall, providing hedgehog pavement crossing details to encourage children to cross there. The Clerk had also written asking that the process for installation of yellow lines be put in motion, but as yet had received no reply. It was agreed that the Parish Council should comply with Highway’s requests concerning road safety education. in spite of not feeling this was what was needed to solve the problem, and to continue to monitor the situation.

68. Apologies for Absence
Apologies received from County Councillor Peter Brown and District Councillor Keith Baker.

69. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
Mr Watson and Mrs Elphick registered a prejudicial interest in item 73 - development of the village shop – being residents in close proximity.
Mr Watson and Mrs Williams registered a prejudicial interest in Item 77 - Maypole Square - being residents in close proximity.

70. To sign and approve minutes of previous meetings held on 31st July 2007
Proposed by Mrs Hathaway and seconded by Mrs Elphick. Minutes duly approved and signed.

71. Land at Hawthorn End – update from Clerk
It had been ascertained that ADL who currently operate on the airbase had no connection with the ownership of this piece of land and had been notified accordingly. Mr Goddard had been in correspondence with the Treasury solicitor outlining the situation, and had requested that the Parish Council might also contact them with a view to adopting the land. It was agreed the Clerk should proceed with this process.

72. The Brook Clearance – update from Mr Senior
RiverCare had suggested Saturday 29th September between 11am and 1pm for the brook clearance. Regrettably, the airbase personnel were unable to attend on this date. The Environment Agency had confirmed this would not conflict with any reed cut. The Wildlife Trust were also available to organise events such as pond dipping for the children. RiverCare would produce posters advertising the day, and also arrange for a press release after the event. Clerk to contact all those who had expressed an interest in helping on the day. Unfortunately Mr Senior would not be available on 29th, and it was agreed that Mrs Dyer would be the co-ordinator on the day. Mr Hardy and the Clerk would arrange for refreshments to be provided. It was felt important to state on any posters that children of all ages must be accompanied by an adult. Clerk to liaise with HDC concerning collection of any debris taken out of the water.

73. The Village Shop and Post Office – update from Clerk (Mrs Elphick and Mr Watson left the meeting for this agenda item)
HDC Planning had refused the planning application on several grounds, including an unacceptable Flood Risk Assessment and an objection from Highways concerning the increase in traffic in Bell Lane. Clerk to circulate the Officer Report to all councillors. It was understood that further plans had been submitted, but no application had yet been received from HDC Planning.

74. Land at Field Close
It was estimated that between £700-£800 would be needed to tidy up the trees and land in this area. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact the Treasury Solicitor to try yet again to ascertain ownership before any decision on expenditure was made.

75. The Bus Shelter
The sides and seat had been installed by HDC as agreed. However, the Clerk had received a strong letter of complaint and dissatisfaction from a resident which was read to the Parish Council. It was agreed that the Clerk should acknowledge receipt of the letter and pass the comments to HDC.

76. Pathway – Bell Lane to Beech End
A quotation for clearing the whole stretch had been received for £200. It was agreed the Clerk should accept this.

77. Maypole Square enhancement (Mr Watson and Mrs Williams left the meeting for this agenda item)
Paul Milward the Project Engineer had now retired. Clerk had not yet received a breakdown of HDC’s fees from his replacement (Grant Weller) who was now responsible for the scheme. The scheme needed to be completed in the current financial year to obtain funding. Clerk to chase.

78. Alconbury Sports & Social Club – report from Mr Watson
The request for tree planting at the bottom of the playing field had been put to the committee. It was considered this was unsuitable as it was already planned to reclaim this area by cutting it back and using it for more purposes related to sports activities. However, it had been suggested that the trees would be more than acceptable on the new land purchased on the opposite side of Polecat Lane and the ASSC would welcome advice and help from Mr Rowlings with this matter. Clerk had passed this information to Mr Rowlings and the Scouts.

Mr Rickard would attend the new user group meeting on 29th September. Negotiations were underway with the electricity company to move telegraph poles from both the existing and the new site. Clerk to contact ASSC concerning when the new land might be transferred to Parish Council ownership.

Reminder - Family Fun Day – Saturday 1st September.

79. The Memorial Hall – update from Mrs Adams
The new Hall/Booking Manger was very efficient and had instigated a new hire agreement which stipulated applicants had to be over 18 years of age. A sub committee had been formed to look at charges with the possibility of changing the current session rate to an hourly rate. A representative would attend the new user group meeting on 29th September. Mrs Adams to chase progress of sound proofing for the lounge.

80. Matters Arising from Previous Minutes (for information only)
The Closure of Truckstop – covered under Public Forum
Parking – School Lane – covered under Public forum

81. Committee Reports
a) Clerk’s infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Parish Council were appalled to hear of the recent thefts from Warren Hay’s grave.

Village Green: Clerk to chase further repairs needed on the footbridge next to the Heritage Bridge.

General: Japanese Knotwood had been reported in the brook and would be cleared by the Environment Agency. Clerk to chase repairs needed on the footbridge at the bottom of Polecat Lane. Rubbish had been cleared from the gulley in the Maltings. Mrs Elphick requested that work be carried out to clear the brook at the bottom of Polecat Lane. A manhole had been leaking at the bottom of Willow End. To be monitored. Water was still leaking from the bank at the bottom of Frumetty Lane. Clerk to chase. Speed reduction meansure along the Great North Road were still not complete. Clerk to chase.

b) Planning
New Applications
0702326FUL – Erection of Greenhouse – Kiln Barn, 1aThe Maltings – recommend approval.
0702415FUL – Erection of glazed shelter – Research Centre – Woolley Lane – No observations

Applications determined by HDC Planning:
0701632FUL – Erection of two houses, shop with flat over. Demolition of existing shop, outbuildings and part of existing dwelling - refused.

c) Bramble End Playground
Monthly inspection carried out by Mrs Williams. No apparent problems.

82. Correspondence
Dog Control Orders
Draft copies received from HDC for comment. Orders split into several sections. It had been noticed that the ASSC was not included on some maps. Clerk to query with HDC. Draft Orders to be circulated to all councillors and discussed at September meeting in time for response to HDC by 1st Oct.

Polling district and Places Review
Current arrangements (Memorial Hall) considered satisfactory. Clerk to query whether a back-up facility would be appropriate.

Local Development Framework – Core Strategy
Mr Watson to attend discussion meeting on 12th September.

HDC Questionnaire on Facilities for the Disabled
To be completed by the Clerk and Mrs Adams.

83. On-going Activities
Mr Senior explained that at the Clerk’s appraisal it had been agreed that a list of on-going activities should be circulated to all Councillors every month along with the correspondence list. This was to ensure that no projects were mistakenly forgotten. A preliminary list had been circulated this month and it was agreed that this could prove very useful.

84. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Next Year’s Precept 2008/2009
Clerk reminded Councillors that any bids for funds to go into the Precept for next year should be received in time for the September meeting. All on-going activities (as explained in item 83 above) needed to be considered. A comparison of actual spend year-to-date versus budget would also be produced for the September meeting.

Cheques for signature:
Pipex Internet - £14.99
Demon – Web Hosting - £11.75
Grafton Projects – stationery £27.00
A C Green – repairs to bench on green - £100
Clerk’s Salary August (including extra for training) - £384.43

Payments were proposed by Mr Hardy and seconded by Mrs Adams.

Cleared Balances:
Current Account: £12,165.17, Deposit Account £13,523.07
Youth Group Account: £3,590.99

85. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 25th September 2007 at 7.45 in the Memorial Hall. Mr Senior will not be present. Mrs Aylott will take the Chair.

Close this window