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, Ms. Elaine Kadic. District Councillor Mr Keith Baker. Mrs. Lancey (Clerk ), 5 Members of the Public.

The Clerk explained that the purpose of the Annual Parish Meeting was for the Council to report to its electorate on what had been accomplished during the past year and to hear reports from County and District Councillors. Members of the public were permitted to ask questions and to make statements on relevant matters during the meeting.

1. Apologies for Absence
None

2. Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 31st May, 2005 were approved and signed.

3. Chair’s Report
The Chair welcomed all Parish Councillors and Parishioners and presented his report as attached to these minutes.

4. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
The Annual Audit for 2005/2006 had been called for 1st August and Draft Accounts had been circulated to all Councillors. The Annual Return was with the Internal Auditor, Mr. David Armstrong and would be signed by the Parish Council at the June meeting. Mrs. Lancey took the opportunity of thanking Mr. Armstrong for his continued support.

Draft Financial Regulations had been prepared for Alconbury Parish Council. These would be available for Councillors at the June meeting.

No Section 106 money had been received during the year and the balance remained at £13,540 which was still pledged to the possible development at the ASSC.

One unusual major expenditure item had occurred during the financial year being the re-surfacing to Bramble End Playground at the cost of £8,797. This had been paid from Council reserves. However, reserves at the year end still remained high due to the money set aside for the Youth Group which was still unspent. It was anticipated that once the current recruitment problems came to and end the money would be put to its intended use.

5. Reports from District and County Councillors
A report had been prepared by District Councillor Sarah Vanbergen which was circulated to all Councillors and made available to members of the public.

Sir Peter Brown summarised his report which was also circulated to Councillors and made available to the public.

6. Public Discussion
Mr Mistry, the Postmaster, expressed his disappointment over the refusal of his planning application for development of the shop and post office. He felt that many of the reasons given by Huntingdonshire District Council were invalid and he was disappointed that even though the Parish Council had agreed to the development in principle, they had still made several objections to the plans. One objection in particular was that the shop unit was not large enough. He argued that the present shop was too big and he was unsure that a unit any larger than the one shown on the original plans would be a viable business proposition. If this proved to be the case he would have no option other than to convert it to another residential dwelling and then the village would lose an important amenity. He had met with members of the HDC Planning Department and would be re-submitting his plans. The Chairman stressed that it was important that the Parish Council was involved with these new plans as early as possible before re-submission. Given that parishioners had strongly expressed the desire to retain the village shop and post office in the recently published Parish Plan, the Parish Council would do everything possible to support the development.

Mr Aylott expressed his appreciation of the recently published Parish Plan. He was also concerned that the grant obtained for speed reduction in the village only covered the Great North Road. The Clerk explained that the original bid included other parts of the village as well, in particular High Street, Chapel Street and Rusts Lane. Further bids would continue to be submitted as and when grants were available. He also expressed concern over through traffic in the village. Clerk explained that Mrs. Dyer continued to be the RAF Molesworth liaison representative for the Parish Council and that every effort was being made to re-educate personnel driving between RAF Molesworth and RAF Alconbury to use the by-pass and not come through the village.

The standard and increase in the cost of grass cutting in the village was also discussed. The Clerk explained that it was the decision of the previous contractor to discontinue work with many smaller Parish Councils. Three quotations had been sought and the resulting costs were far higher than those previously being paid. The new contractor was slowly getting the grass to an acceptable standard.

As there were no other matters to be discussed, the meeting was duly closed.

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