Present:
Mr. Brown (Chairman), Mr Senior, Mrs Adams, Mrs Aylott, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mrs Hathaway, Mrs Watkin, Mr Watson and Mrs Williams. County Councillors Sir Peter Brown and Elaine Kadic. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 6 members of the public.

The Parish Council had been very shocked and sad to learn of the sudden death of Barry Stock on New Year’s Eve. A letter of condolence had been sent to his widow.

Public Forum
Clerk had received a ‘phone call from Mr Read thanking the Parish Council for organising the removal of the bus shelter. He also expressed his grave concern about the A14 development and its impact on the village in terms of noise and air pollution.
Mr Baldwin expressed his concern (as a user of the Memorial Hall) over the time it had taken to renew the shutters in the lounge and also complained that the Hall was not cleaned properly and that invoices for hire of rooms were delayed. Mrs Adams would report this to the Memorial Hall Committee.
Residents from the Great North Road reported that they had not been contacted by CCC regarding the proposed speed restrictions. The Parish Council understood that they should have been. Clerk to investigate.
Residents complained that the new pathway near the Heritage Bridge was very slippery in bad weather. Clerk to make enquiries with Highways.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from District Councillor Keith Baker.

2. Councillors’ Interests
Mr Brown and Mrs Adams registered a prejudicial interest in Planning Application 0604143LBC.

3. Minutes of the Previous Meetings held on 28th November 2006 and 16th January 2007
Proposed by Mrs Aylott and seconded by Mr Senior. Duly approved and signed.

4. Alconbury Flood Alleviation Scheme
The Parish Council had written to the Environment Agency and had received a full reply concerning the cancellation of the Flood Alleviation Scheme. It was agreed that nothing more could be done other than to closely monitor the maintenance of the Brook. Mr Pickering offered to speak with the EA for further clarification of the situation. This offer was accepted by the Parish Council. Mr Richard Coulson had suggested that both Alconbury and Alconbury Weston Parish Councils might, as a joint venture, look at carrying out some remedial work down stream of the village. Clerk to ask for details.

5. A14 Development
Grave concern was expressed over the proposed re-routing of the A14 and the impact it would have on the village. It was feared that, should the viaduct in Huntingdon be removed, large volumes of traffic, especially HCV’s, travelling to either RAF Alconbury or Truckstop would use the A1 northbound and then the Alconbury, single carriage way, slip road. There was also concern that there was no provision to increase the A1 section between Alconbury and Brampton Hut to 3 lanes to cope with this increase in traffic. Mr Watson had attended a presentation at HDC offices and voiced these concerns when it had been made clear that RAF Alconbury and Truckstop had played no part in the planning of the new route. Mrs Aylott had also attended the public exhibition and received the same response. Clerk confirmed that she had written to Brampton PC who is also concerned about the widening of the Al saying that Alconbury PC would support their views. Sir Peter Brown suggested that he should organise a representative from the Highways Agency to attend the next Parish Council meeting on 27th February. This was agreed. In the mean time a leaflet explaining the potential problems and advertising the meeting to the public would be prepared and distributed with the Annual Report. Clerk to ascertain numbers of HCV’s using both RAF Alconbury and Truckstop.

6. Quality Council Status
Mrs Watkin and the Clerk had attended a Quality Workshop in December. This had confirmed that to attain Quality Status was the right way forward for the Parish Council. Clerk had attended the first training session for the CiLCA qualification. She explained that 25 modules in total needed to be completed. The first course had covered 3 modules – Roles, Duties and Responsibilities, Employment Issues and Continuing Professional Development. £200 Clerk’s bursary had been received towards training costs.

7. Alconbury Sports & Social Club
Notification had been received that the ASSC were ready to start implementing their extension plans and that they had been given permission to proceed with the land purchase. Consequently they had requested the £13,540 106 money set aside for this purpose. Cheque raised accordingly. WREN had also agreed to allocate significant funds to the project. It was anticipated that the project might take a year to complete after the initial draw down of funds from the Football Foundation.

8. CALC Liaison Meeting/Parish Boundary and Electoral Review.
HDC had issued Draft Proposals for a Parish Electoral Review. The implications for Alconbury were that the portion of RAF Alconbury currently within Alconbury Parish Council would pass to The Stukeleys and that the number of Councillors for Alconbury’s electorate would decrease from 11 to 9. It was decided that whatever happened to RAF Alconbury, because of its proximity to the village, the Parish Council would wish to be consulted, especially with a view to the increase in traffic in the village due to the A14 development. Secondly, the workload of the Council was too great to contemplate a reduction in members. Clerk to respond accordingly, copying all Councillors. Mrs Dyer confirmed that this had been one of the main topics discussed at the recent CALC Liaison meeting where many Councillors expressed the same concerns about the proposed reduction in members.
A new Crime and Disorder Committee was also discussed at the Liaison Meeting. This Committee would enable the general public to express any dissatisfaction if they felt the District Council, having had problems brought to its attention, had not done enough to address problems such as anti social behaviour and drug, alcohol and substance abuse.

9. Parish Path Partnership
Not to be pursued at this time.

10. The Youth Group
Mr Murphy updated the Parish Council on Youth Group activities. Monday night meetings had been suspended due to lack of staff. The Friday meetings were was so well attended they had been split into two age groups. A Youth Worker was still being recruited. He felt they had been badly let down in this area by CCC. Because of this it was possible that some of the original grant would have to be returned. Clerk had contacted HDC Planning concerning the proposed Ball Park. They had requested some preliminary drawings which Mr Murphy presented to the Parish Council. He also explained the need for a Scout Store which was shown on the same plans. It was agreed the Clerk would contact HDC Planning with the drawings.

11. The Memorial Hall
The broken shutters in the Lounge were being replaced and the sound proofing was in hand. The Abba Night had been a great success raising £820. The hall had been re-painted. A commemorative plaque to Derek Cox was in place.

12. The Parish Plan/Annual Report
Mrs Watkin presented the Annual Report which also contained the Action Plan (resulting from the Parish Plan). It was unanimously agreed that this was a very worthwhile document which had been very well presented. All Councillors would help to distribute the Report. Clerk to organise. Clerk to contact Cambridgeshire ACRE concerning progress of the Parish Plan and to distribute the Report to HDC and similar bodies as appropriate. Work would also begin on the bi-monthly Parish Newsletter which would be discussed at a Parish Plan Committee meeting set for 19th February. Mrs Dyer to contact village groups to ascertain forthcoming events which would also appear in the Newsletter.

13. Neighbourhood Watch
Mrs Aylott had attended the AGM in December. Inspector Pickles together with Rebecca Williams (Community Policing) also attended. Alconbury was policed from Huntingdon with one PCSO in the area. Information was presented on distraction burglaries. It was again stressed that any incidents must be reported and all households had received a fridge magnet containing the contact number – 0845 456 456 4. Every attempt was being made to prioritise incidents, especially anti-social behaviour.

14. Matters Arising
The Bus Shelter – The Parish Council’s agreement to go ahead with the replacement bus shelter had been passed to the Community Safety Partnership. It was expected to go ahead within the next few weeks.

Hinchingbrooke Hospital – comments made by the Parish Council that no closures to the hospital were acceptable had been noted.

Planning – Contribution towards Junior School – The Parish Council had queried why no contribution towards Alconbury Junior School had been requested on the planning application for the development in The Maltings. HDC had replied that at the end of Sept 2006 the number of pupils in the village school was under capacity and the projection was downwards.

Land at Field Close – Clerk still liaising with HDC concerning ownership and permanent maintenance.

CARESCO – Letter of thanks for donation received.

Resurfacing to Spinney Lane/School Lane – Clerk had been advised that this was on the bid list but it was uncertain whether it scored enough points. In the meantime it would be maintained to a safe standard.

Bridges at the bottom of Polecat Lane – Clerk had reported that these were slippery and dangerous in bad weather. CCC would obtain quote for a bitumen coating with grit overlay.

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

Village Green: Horses had again been galloping on the green. Clerk to cost permanent signs prohibiting access. Mrs Watkin had apprehended three persons digging up the green after using metal detectors. Peter Rowlings had been pruning trees.

General: Diverted pathway at bridge had been completed together with new pathways along The Great North Road. Path from Bell Lane to Rusts Lane had been cut back. Damaged lamp post on the corner of High Street had been repaired.
Mrs Elphick asked if the large trees on the corner of Mill Road could be cut down as they caused visibility problems. Clerk to contact Highways. The lamp post had still not been replaced next to Bell House. Clerk to pursue.

b) Planning
New Applications:
0604143LBC – Conversion of barn to dwelling and demolition of existing barn and brick store – The Maltings – No further observations.

Applications Determined by Huntingdonshire District Council:
0603002OUT – Layout and access for erection of 15 dwellings – Transport Depot, Sharps Lane – Refused.
0603280OUT – Erection of agricultural grain and implement storage building – land at Great North Road - Withdrawn.

0602549FUL/0602567FUL – Erection of dwelling, 15 Great North Road and Extension to dwelling and erection of garage, 17 Great North Road – Appeals lodged. Decision pending.

c) Bramble End Playground
Monthly inspection carried out. Damaged swing replaced. Quotation for building up soil around playground equipment edges for £250 accepted. Clerk to organise work before the ROSPA inspection.

16. Correspondence
Tree Work
Quotation of £600 received from Burleigh Tree Surgery for necessary tree work identified by Peter Rowlings, Tree Warden. Quotation accepted. Clerk to action.

Base Community Relations
Clerk had been contacted by the Airbase Community Relations Officer who was keen for service personnel to help with a community project in the village. It was agreed that a brook clearance in the summer would be an ideal joint venture. Clerk to organise. It was agreed this would also be an ideal topic for the Newsletter.

Huntingdonshire Local Development Framework/Housing Land Availability Assessment
Mr Watson to attend briefing on 8th February 2007.

Temporary Signs for Community or Charity Events
Guidelines passed to Committee Representatives

Changes to Registration of Financial and Other Interests
Passed to Councillors for completion s necessary.

RECAP Waste Consultation
Mrs Watkin to attend on 28th February 2007.

Huntingdonshire Design Guide/Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment/Sustainability Appraisals
Circulated to Planning Committee.

Donation Request – Victim Support - £100 agreed.

Donation Request – Citizens Advice Bureau - £100 agreed.

The Bus Shelter – New Memorial Hall
Clerk had received another request for a seat to be installed in this shelter, but HDC had again said the shelter was too narrow. A seat outside the shelter was not considered appropriate. It was agreed the Clerk should contact District Councillor Keith Baker with this issue.

Distraction Burglary & Rogue Trader Task Force
It was agreed this should be a topic for the forthcoming Newsletter.

CCC Budget 2007/08
Government grant for Cambridgeshire is below the average of other councils. Clerk to contact Jonathan Djanogly to express the Parish Council’s concern.

17. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Cheques for signature:
Pipex Internet - £29.98
Demon – Web Hosting - £23.50
A.C. Green – village maintenance - £100
Alconbury C of E Primary School – Room Hire - £20
Cambs. County Training Partnership – CiLCA - £320
Alconbury Over 60s Club – donation - £200
Cambs. Police Shrievalty Trust – donation - £200
H.M. Revenue & Customs – tax - £197.74
Clerk’s Salary – January 07 - £331.55
ASSC – 106 money - £13,540
ADCHC – Room Hire – The Youth Group - £135
ADCHC – Room Hire – The Youth Group - £37.50
ADCHC – key deposit – The Youth Group - £30
Cambs. County Council – Youth Worker – The Youth Group - £204
Payments were proposed by Mrs Aylott and seconded by Mrs Adams.
Cleared Balances:
Current Account: £9,039.62 Deposit Account £13,280.66
Youth Group Account: £3946.88
Clerk reported that the Precept for 2007/2008 of £24K equated to £43.40 per annum for a Band D property. Last year’s Precept of £19.5K equated to £35.33 per annum for a Band D property.

18. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 27th February 2007, starting at the earlier time of 7.00pm to accommodate the guest speaker from Cambridgeshire Highways. Venue to be announced.

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