Present:
Mr. Brown (Chair), Mrs Adams, Mrs Aylott, Mr Dawson, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mr Vanbergen, Mrs Watkin and Mrs Williams. Mrs Vanbergen – District Councillor. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 7 members of the public.

Presentation
Mr. Robert Roweth, the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Route Manager from Cambs. County Council was welcomed to the meeting. He explained his role within the Council and how, through the formation of Freight Quality Partnerships, he was working with all stakeholders to ensure that both environmental and economic aspects of freight transport could be met in Cambridgeshire. He stressed that no decisions as yet had been reached concerning the upgrade of the A14. He also stressed the importance of Alconbury Airfield as a commercial development within the county. He assured the Parish Council that he was available as their point of contact for any problems which would undoubtedly arise concerning these two important issues.

Public Forum
Residents from Lordsway Park complained about the amount of debris left under the flyover and in the Brook and expressed their concern that children might get hurt whilst playing in this area. It was agreed that Mrs. Adams would alert the Youth Group of these concerns.
Mrs Horner thanked the Parish Council for the money she had won in the Parish Plan Prize Draw.

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

2. Councillors’ Interests
None were recorded

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 25th October 2005
Approved and signed.

4. Committee Reports
a) Clerk’s infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Nothing to report.

Village Green: The tree along Brookside which was overhanging the footpath had been pruned by Peter Rowlings.

General: Re-surfacing of the footpath running from Bell Lane to Rusts Lane had been carried out. Highways Division had been thanked for an extremely good job. Anglian Water had again been called out because the ditch along the Great North Road had flooded. Maypole Bridge had been repaired. The next footbridge over a culvert needed some attention.
The residents of Lordsway Park had been contacted concerning their complaint about excessive traffic noise and provided with an address to which they could put their complaints in writing. The Clerk had had little success with directional signage to the Park but had ensured that all emergency services knew of its location. The strip of grass leading up to the flyover would be included in the grass cutting with the rest of the village green next season. Fly tipping in Polecat Lane and the road leading from Alconbury to Woolley had been reported. Peter Rowlings had also carried out some pruning to the damaged tree in Bramble End Playground. Faulty street lights were reported in The Paddocks, Rusts Lane and Mill Road. Clerk to report.

b) Planning
New Applications:
0503386TELDET– Erection of 12 metre steel telecommunications pole and microwave dish – the Surgery, School Lane – No observations.

Applications Determined:
0502834FUL – Insertion of 3 Velux windows and 1 fire escape window – 5 Church Way - Permission granted.
0502861FUL – Erection of dwelling, land adjacent 2 Great North road – withdrawn.

c) Bramble End Playground
ROSPA Inspection had been arranged.

5. Matters Arising
The Post Office
Clerk reported that the Post Office would not be closing over the period when the Postmaster would be on holiday but would not be manned full time. With this compromise the financial differential could be met by the Postmaster and he had consequently withdrawn his resignation. The petition to keep the post office open had over 400 signatures.

The Bus Shelter/Youth Group
The Clerk reported that an e-mail had been received from a resident complaining about the anti social behaviour from youngsters in the bus shelter on the village green. As a result, Claudia Waters the Community Safety Team Leader had asked to meet with the Parish Council to discuss the possible demolition of the bus shelter. It was agreed a separate meeting should be arranged to discuss this in mid January. Clerk to organise.

Mrs Aylott reported that the Youth Group were very disappointed with the recent letter sent to them by the Parish Council. It was pointed out that the letter had not been meant as a criticism of the Youth Group but rather dismay at the lack of support received from CCC youth service. It was agreed the Clerk should write to the Youth Group accordingly. It was reported that the Youth Group remained very positive and that it was hoped to recruit two youth workers who between them would be employed for 8 hours per week. It was envisaged that this arrangement would cover a 2 year period. The meetings for the younger children were a great success, and it was acknowledged that this would help the general situation as the children grew older. The older ones would be meeting on a weekly basis. Nigel Murphy would remain as Chair, even though he was working out of the area.

CALC Training
It was agreed that the recent CALC group training had been very informative. It was also agreed that the Council should adopt Financial Regulations as outlined by CALC and that a working party should be set up to organise this. This working party would consist of the Clerk, the Chair, Mrs. Watkin and Mr. Vanbergen. Clerk to organise initial meeting.
It was agreed that items concerning Risk Assessment should be considered as a separate agenda item in the near future.

ASSC/Football Foundation
It was reported that a meeting between the ASSC and the Football Foundation to discuss the proposed development of the sports facilities had been arranged for 12th December. It was suggested that a representative from the Parish Council might attend this meeting. It was agreed that the Clerk should be this representative.

The Old Memorial Hall
It was reported that the Charity had been removed from the Central Register of Charities with effect from 28th October 2005. Mrs. Watkin was thanked for bringing this matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

Tree Work on the Village Green
Two quotations had been received for tree work as specified by Peter Rowlings, the Tree Warden. These were from Fergusons in the sum of £1360 + VAT and Burleigh Tree Surgery in the sum of £1300 + VAT. After some discussion it was agreed to accept the quotation from Burleigh Tree Surgery. Clerk to action.

Footpath – Bell Lane/Rusts Lane/Beech End
A quotation had been received from A. Green for £150 for trimming the verges and pruning the hedgerows along the path from Bell Lane to Rusts Lane together with clearing weeds along the footpath from Rusts Lane to Beech End. It was agreed that this quotation should be accepted.

Litter Bin – Polecat Lane/the Maltings
A letter from Alconbury Weston Parish Council had been received requesting a litter bin at the Maltings end of Polecat Lane. Clerk had explained that this had already been looked at but was not possible as the collection vehicle could not get down this narrow part of the lane. She had subsequently followed up the suggestion of a bin in the Maltings but HDC were of the opinion that this would be filled with dog waste only, and not general litter as well as dog waste, and was therefore not a viable proposition. They wished to wait for the new Dog Control Orders to come into effect before any further decision was made. It was agreed that the Clerk should look into the cost of dog waste only bins.

6. Correspondence (A list of correspondence had been circulated to all)
Milestone 66 – The Great North Road
Notification had been received from the WI concerning the poor condition of Milestone 66 (listed monument) on the Great North Road. They had provided details of those responsible within HDC for the preservation of such monuments. It was agreed that the clerk should pursue this.

CARESCO – Request for Donation
It was agreed that a donation should be made of £100. Clerk to action.

Macmillan Cancer Relief in Cambridgeshire – Request for Donation
It was agreed that a donation should be made of £100. Clerk to action.

Huntingdonshire NHS Trust
Huntingdonshire NHS Trust were seeking a letter of support from the Parish Council for the retention of the Primary Care Trust. After some discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should write a letter of support.

Design and Location of Major Waste Management Facilities
This report had been circulated to the Planning Committee. Although no observations were made on the content of the report, it was felt the clerk should complain about the fact that it was received in the format of a CD which was not easy to access and not suitable for all Councilllors who may not have the use of a PC.

Cambridgeshire County Council – Draft Statement of Community Involvement – Passed to Mrs Watkin.

7. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Payment of Accounts
Cheques for signature (now notified along with Correspondence List):
Church Commissioners – Memorial Hall Rent - £58.75
Demon - £11.75 – Web Hosting November
S Lancey - £11.14 – internet calls
Clerk’s Salary – November 05 - £346.38 – 42.5 hrs. @ £8.15 per hr.
Grafton Projects – stationery - £4.67
CALC In House Training - £254.38
Clerk’s Salary – December 05 - £346.38 – 42.5 hours @ £8.15 per hour.

Cleared balances – Current Account £13,818.29 and Deposit Account £18,314.46
The Parish Plan – cheque for £31.65 – stationery
The Youth Group – clerk explained that a cheque had been raised in between meetings for £200 for funds required to organise a Christmas party and a petty cash float. Nigel Murphy to keep Clerk informed of balance of petty cash.
Cleared balances – Parish Plan Account - £186.21
- Youth Group Account - £5510.89

The Precept 2006/2007
A first draft of the Precept Budget had been circulated to all Councillors. This was discussed at great length. No decision could be reached as to whether the total should be increased over last year’s budget which was £17,000. There were also two areas which still needed clarification. The first was whether there was any anticipated spend in connection with the Parish Plan. The second was how much money would be required by the Youth Group to finance their two year plan as had been outlined earlier in the meeting.

It was decided that Mrs. Adams and Mrs Aylott would produce figures required by the Youth Group in time for the next meeting on 6th December when the Parish Plan would be presented. The Precept would then be discussed again after the Parish Plan presentation when further information should be available for both areas in question. The Precept could then be finalised in time for submission to HDC by 16th December 2005.

8. The Parish Plan
Mr Scotney the Chair of the Parish Plan Steering Committee attended the meeting and explained that he had given the Clerk draft copies of the Parish Plan for circulation to all Councillors prior to the presentation planned for 6th December. The copies were distributed. This presentation unfortunately clashed with the AGM of the WI but it was considered impossible to make other arrangements at this point in time. Any Parish Councillors unable to attend the presentation should make their thoughts known to the Clerk.

9. RAF Molesworth
Mrs Dyer reported on the last meeting with RAF Molesworth when base traffic going through Alconbury village rather than using the by-pass had been discussed. Ministry of Defence Police had recently carried out a survey of vehicles going through the village and registration numbers had been recorded. Drivers of these vehicles had since been encouraged to use the by-pass. The issue was taken seriously by the base leadership and all newcomers were directed via the by-pass. It had been suggested that a review of village signs might be worthwhile. Clerk to investigate.

10. Any Other Business
Mr Vanbergen suggested that in view of the excessive noise in the main hall during Parish Council meetings, the Parish Council might like to consider holding their meetings in the Methodist Chapel. The question of soundproofing was discussed. Mr. Vanbergen would bring this topic up at the next New Memorial Hall Committee Meeting.

11. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 6th December 2005 in the Playgroup Room in the New Memorial Hall and will start at the earlier time 7.30. This would primarily be a presentation by the Parish Plan Steering Group followed by budget discussions. The next meeting proper would be on 31st January 2006.

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