Present:
Mr Senior Mrs Aylott, Mrs Elphick, Mr Hardy, Mrs Hathaway Mr Lay, Mr Pickering, Mr Sale, Mr Watson and Mrs Williams. District Councillor Keith Baker. County Councillor Sir Peter Brown. County Councillor Laine Kadic. Mrs Sharp-Clerk. 3 Members of the Public.

Public Forum
Mr Senior expressed the concerns of a resident on Brookside regarding a waste bin in the area. He reported that it had been used for dog waste and as it was an open top bin the smell had become extremely unpleasant and also children had been seen playing in the area and therefore it was unhygienic. It was agreed that a sign be purchased and placed near the bin to discourage the disposal of dog waste.

184. Apologies for Absence
Apologies received from Mrs Adams

185. Councillors' Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
Mr Senior expressed a personal interest in item 194 (c) as a resident of Bramble End.
Mr Lay expressed a prejudicial interest in item 191 as an allotment holder.
Mr Watson and Mr Hardy expressed prejudicial interests in item 194 (a) (iii) as members of the ASSC committee.

186. To sign and approve minutes of previous meeting held on 23rd February 2010.
Minutes for meeting on 23rd February 2010 proposed by Mrs Williams, seconded by Mr Sale.

187. Heritage Bridge-Update from Mr Senior
Mr Senior advised that the mortar applied to the Heritage Bridge during the works in December had not set properly and therefore there had been many reports of mortar and bricks falling off the bridge. He advised that Cambridgeshire County Council had agreed to remedy the problem but not until the weather improved and frosts ceased.

Mr Senior also advised that a vehicle had hit the Heritage Bridge and caused further damage. He reiterated the concerns of the Parish Council over larger vehicles using the bridge on a regular basis due to the damage sustained from collisions. He suggested that the Clerk contact Stagecoach in order to arrange a mutually convenient meeting in the village to discuss the possibility of alternatives to large buses using the bridge. County Councillor Kadic kindly offered to attend such meeting but advised that a re-route may not be possible and the Parish Council should be careful to avoid putting too much pressure on Stagecoach to avoid the loss of the bus service altogether. Clerk to contact Stagecoach.

Mr Pickering suggested that as the most recent collision on the bridge had been by an unknown vehicle, maybe the Parish Council would consider putting a note in the next newsletter asking people to be vigilant and watch for any collisions on the bridge.

188. A14 Re-alignment - Update from Mr Watson
Mr Watson advised that further to the last meeting where he had outlined the Parish Councils concerns over the proposed A14 realignment plans, there had been communication from CCC informing of a public enquiry. There was to be a pre-enquiry meeting on 24th May 2010 at which the Parish Council are not required to attend. The full public enquiry was expected to be held sometime in July or September. Mr Watson advised that the Parish Council would be asked if they wanted to attend the enquiry in order to reiterate its concerns. The Parish Council all agreed that this would be the best course of action and would finalise details nearer to the time of the enquiry.

189. Election - Mr Senior
Mr Senior advised that the Parish Council election would be held on 6th May 2010 unless the General Election was to be called for that date, in which case the Parish Council elections would be on 27th May. He requested that any Parish Councillor not wishing to stand again contact him personally as soon as possible. Mrs Aylott advised that she would be stepping down as Vice Chair and therefore the position would be vacant. Clerk distributed nomination forms and requested that they were returned by 5th April.

County Councillor Brown advised that if the General Election was to be held on 6th May and therefore Parish Council elections on 27th May, the Parish Council would need to organise polling cards to distribute.

190. DEFRA Flood Grant - Mr Senior
Mr Senior advised that, following the unsuccessful bid to receive a DEFRA flood grant last year, the Parish Council had been awarded a smaller grant of £220,000. The original bid had been for £400,000 and Mr Senior advised that the Environment Agency had also contributed to make the total up to just over £400,000. This money would be used to provide flood defences in the most vulnerable houses in Alconbury. Mr Senior stressed that the Parish Council would have no say in or control over the distribution of the funds or the decision as to who would receive them. MR Senior wished to thank Chris Allen from Huntingdonshire District Council for his help in securing the grant for Alconbury.

191. Allotments - Mrs Aylott
Mr Senior relaxed standing orders for item 191.

Mrs Aylott reported that the allocation day on 6th March had been extremely successful with all plots being allocated and paid for. The final breakdown was 35 full plots and 8 half plots along with 1 community plot. She reported that the income from the rent received until the new rents were requested in November 2010 was £1510. Once the new rents had been collected for 2010-2011, along with the precept monies the income would be over £2000.

Mrs Aylott reported that there had been a complaint from a member of the public about the temporary fencing erected around part of the allotment site. This was due to the fact there is a public right of way running through the allotments which is in the process of being diverted. Mrs Aylott had attended a meeting with the public rights of way officer and members of AAGA at the site. It had been agreed by the Rights of Way officer that it would be acceptable to erect a temporary fence right around the full perimeter of the allotment site, providing there was a gap left either side at the point of the right of way. The temporary fencing was estimated to be at a cost of around £1500 plus labour costs. It was also agreed that a self closing gate be purchased ASAP to be placed on the right hand side of the fencing at a cost of £120. This would give access to the Public Right of Way until the path was permanently diverted.

Mrs Aylott reported that the landowner was to purchase a new gate for the entrance to the Allotment field at Lordsway Park. This was to be a large gate with smaller gate within for pedestrians. It was also agreed by the Parish Council that a sign be purchased at a cost of £39+VAT to be placed at the same entrance showing people exactly where the allotments were situated.

Mrs Aylott advised that a survey had been carried out by TMH in order to assess the suitability for a possible borehole. The survey results showed that a borehole could be used at a total cost of £4295 which would include pump and power packs. There had been contact with Anglian Water in order to assess the suitability of using mains water; however, this would cost £507 to get water to the entrance along with excessive extra costs for piping and taps to get the water to the allotments. Mr Womersley from AAGA advised that the costs for TMH would be a one off whereby the costs for Anglian Water would incur running costs for water and servicing. Mr Lay would look into grants and funding possibilities for a borehole.

Mrs Aylott advised that the Parish Council had received an invoice from Warrens Boyes and Archer solicitors for the lease services. She advised that whilst the invoice total was not unreasonable, there were concerns that the Parish Council had never received a letter containing terms of business, or an outline of fees expected. This was contrary to the Solicitor’s code of conduct and it was agreed that the Clerk should write to Mr Archer when sending the payment cheque to express the concerns of the Parish Council.

192. Youth Group - Clerk
Clerk reported that there had been a good turnout at the last Youth Group session with no reports of any older children trying to enter the Memorial Hall grounds over the fence. She also reported that as the financial year end reports were due to be compiled, the new Youth Group treasurer would take over fully once these were done. Clerk to confirm when the youth workers’ invoice is due.

193. Community Orchard - Clerk
Clerk reported that the second planting day had been a great success and the Parish Council wished to express their thanks again to Sue Lancey for organising this. Mr Senior asked if anyone would be prepared to check the orchard on a monthly basis to ensure that all was well and did not require attention. Mrs Elphick agreed to do this.

194. Committee Reports
(a) Clerk's Infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Nothing to report
Village Green: Nothing to report
General: Clerk advised that the anti slip coatings on footbridges on Polecat Lane were due to be installed at the end of April.
Highways Agency has agreed to attend to the damaged footpath on Spinney Lane. They have also agreed to have a look at the blocked drain in Hawthorn End.
The missing pane of glass from the Bus Shelter on High St was re-reported to HDC who advised that this was actually the Parish Council‚'s responsibility. Mr Senior requested that the Clerk look further into this.
Signs at ASSC (Mr Hardy and Mr Watson left the room for this.) The Parish Council agreed that as the ASSC were responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of land at ASSC, the Parish Council would not agree to pay for new signage.
Mrs Aylott requested that a litter pick be organised along Gt North Road. Clerk to action.

(b) Planning Applications Received:
1000184FUL-Erection of orangery to rear of Admiral Conservatories Ermine Street Alconbury Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE28 4FL - No Observations

Applications determined by Huntingdonshire District Council/Appeal:
1000071LBC/1000071/FUL-Erection of conservatory to rear of 37 High Street Alconbury Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE28 4DP - WITHDRAWN.

(c) Bramble End
Monthly Inspection Report - Nothing to report
Development of the Play Area - Mrs Williams reported that the new playground was coming along really well and would soon be complete with only the Tiger Mulch surface left to do. She expressed concern that the security fencing had not been fully secure and children had been seen to be playing in the incomplete play area. Mrs Williams advised that not only had she been into an assembly at the School to ask children to stay away until completion, she had also been to see the head teacher to request that she reiterates the importance of staying off the equipment until it is complete. Mr Senior requested that the Clerk contact the contractors ASAP in order to ensure that the security fencing was secure around the whole site over the forthcoming Easter Holidays.

Mr Senior suggested that a 'grand opening' be arranged once the Parish Council receives a completion date. He suggested that this would be on a Sunday afternoon and include refreshments and activities. Clerk to enquire as to the availability of someone from WREN to come and open the playground officially.

Mr Senior advised that he had received a new offer to paint the old equipment at Bramble End. Clerk to enquire as to cost and suitability of metal paint in order to get painting auctioned ASAP.

195. Request from Neighbourhood Watch to use Village Green for Fete on 10th July.
All agreed that this would be fine.

196. Dog Bin Requests - Clerk
Clerk advised that the Parish Council would be unable to purchase specific dog waste bins due to HDC being unable to empty these types of bins. The Parish Council did agree that 3 covered waste bins could be purchased to be placed in the village. It was suggested that these should be places opposite the Mill PH, next to the Bramble End playground and also along The Maltings.

197. Grit Bin request from residents for High St
Mr Senior expressed concerns as to the lack of suitable locations near the Village Shop for a grit bin. It was agreed that it could possibly be situated opposite the shop on the corner of the green. It was agreed by all that this issue should be readdressed in August in order to assess how many additional grit bins should be purchased for the Village for the next winter period.

198. Duck Poster Competition
Mr Senior reported that the competition had opened with details in the current newsletter. Mr Senior and Mr Pickering had agreed to erect the winning signs complete with a winners’ banner on them. Small prizes would be provided again this year.

199. Correspondence
Application for Diversion or Footpath Number 9-Comments welcomed
All agreed that Clerk should contact Cambridgeshire County Council to reiterate that this would be welcomed ASAP.
Reviewed map of trees on village green following 2 new plantings
Noted
Cambridgeshire's Local Transport Plan
Mr Watson will have a look at this to find out if it ties in with the A14 realignment proposals.

200. Responsible Finance Officer's Report
*The Parish Council has been called to audit on 1st June 2010*

Cheques for signature:
- Demon - Web Hosting March 10 (paid by D/D) - £11.50
- Jo Sharp-Clerk Salary for March - £404.68
- Sue Lancey-Salary for March - £80.84
- Grafton Projects-Stationary - £64.15
- Andy‚Äôs Electric-Xmas Tree Lighting - £80.00
- Sue Lancey-Orchard Expenses - £11.03
- TMH Water Solutions-Borehole Survey - £450.00
- Cawdell Agricultural-Fencing for Allotments - £585.27
- Robert Hose-Allotment Fencing - £11.47
- Petty Cash - £29.14
- Jo Sharp-O2 Broadband - £35.00
- Warrens Boyes & Archer-Allotment Solicitor - £578.75
- Sue Sheppard-Allotment Refund - £39.00
- Alconbury Over 60‚Äôs - £250 donation
- Church Flower Festival - Donation - £100

Cleared Balances
Deposit Account - £32,949.52
Current Account - £1702.36
Ball Park Fund - £1810.81
Youth Group Account - £419.40

201. Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 27th April 2010 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall

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