Present:
Mr Senior (Chair), Mrs Aylott, Mrs Adams, Mr Hardy, Mrs Hathaway, Mr Lay, Mr Pickering and Mr Sale, County Councillors Peter Brown and Laine Kadic, Mrs Lancey (Clerk), 1 member of the public.

Public Forum
Mr Hodgson had attended the recent 'drop in' session held by the Environment Agency and had considered the event to be a total waste of time and money. Mr Pickering pointed out that not only the Environment Agency but the Internal Drainage Board and HDC had attended the event in an attempt to explain why the funding for a flood Alleviation Scheme was not available, and also to help look at individual property schemes for those at risk of flooding. He explained that the Environment Agency had to justify spending public money to the Government, and that Alconbury did not score enough points to warrant a Scheme. Different methods of helping individual households such as non return valves were discussed.

20. Apologies for Absence
Apologies received from Mrs Elphick, Mr Watson, Mrs Williams and District Councillor Keith Baker.

21. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
Mr Senior declared a personal interest in agenda item 40 (c) living in close proximity.

22. To sign and approve minutes of previous meeting held on 26th May 2009.
Minutes proposed by Mr Hardy and seconded by Mrs Aylott. Minutes duly approved and signed.

23. Declaration of Acceptance of Office - Jerry Lay
Mr Lay signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and provided the Clerk with his Registration of Financial and Other Interests. Mr Senior welcomed him to the Parish Council.

24. The Heritage Bridge
Clerk reported that further damage had been done to the bridge. CCC did not consider the damage warranted closure, but were arranging for repairs to be carried out. It was not known at this time when the repairs would be carried out or how long the bridge would be closed, but it had been agreed that the Parish Council would see drawings showing the extent and scope of the works to be carried out. Mrs Aylott considered residents should be canvassed on their opinion about permanently closing the bridge or restricting its width. Mr Hardy said that closure would be a decision taken by Highways under Road Traffic Regulations and not the Parish Council. It was agreed that views of residents might be sought after the plans for repair had been obtained. Councillor Laine Kadic to enquire about the necessary process involved when closing a public highway.

25. Truckstop - update from Clerk
Clerk reported that the manager at Truckstop had not been able to attend an on site meeting with the Parish Council, but that he would be pleased to meet with PCSO Gemma Clark, and this meeting had been arranged. Clerk had requested Gemma to express the Parish Council’s concerns over off-site parking and the resulting litter problem. She had also been able to help with details of siting of directional signs. The Heys Group had also asked the Parish Council's opinion of an idea to convert the old motel into a community centre providing say a dentist, optician, doctor, pharmacy, hairdresser etc. This was discussed. Clerk to circulate e-mail from Mr Heys in order for councillors to make further comment.

26. Provision of Allotments - Mr Sale/Mrs Aylott
The meeting with Karen Kenny of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners had been a great success and an Allotment Association. had been formed with a full committee of 11 people. The first committee meeting had also been held and fund raising events were already being planned. Everyone concerned was very enthusiastic. The main concern remained the availability of suitable land. The Parish Council had written to Mr Ayres whose land they hoped to be able to lease/purchase but as yet had not received a reply. Mr Sale to try to arrange a meeting with him. Clerk would continue to maintain the waiting list whilst liaising with the Secretary of the Association. It had also been suggested that the other small piece of land adjacent to the field in question might be used as a community orchard and also as access to the allotments.

27. The Environment Agency 'Drop In' Session
Mr Pickering had drafted a letter to the Environment Agency thanking them for organising their 'drop in' session. He had been able to put forward some ideas of how to help at-risk residents now that the Scheme was not going ahead which included an improved flood warning service. Flooding would be an important item in the Emergency Plan. The current state of the brook in the centre of the village was also discussed with the idea of getting the channel back to a more natural, aesthetically pleasing water course without adversely increasing any flood risk. This would be an agenda item for September. HDC had also advised that Alconbury had not been successful if the first round of bids for individual property-level flood protection grants. A further bid would be made to DEFRA later this year.28. Adoption of Revised Standing

The change had been made to enable a Chair to stand for a maximum of 4 years rather than 3. Change proposed by Mr Sale and seconded by Mrs. Adams. Revised Standing Orders duly adopted.

29. The Annual Report - Mrs Aylott
This had been printed and distributed. Clerk to write letter of thanks to Lodge Printers.

30. The Horse Chestnut - Village Green
The large horse chestnut on the corner of the village green between the heritage bridge and the bus shelter was suffering from bleeding canker and the advice from both HDC and tree surgeons was to fell the tree immediately. Three quotes had been obtained. Options of possibly leaving a stump as a deadwood habitat were discussed, but it was decided that as the tree was in such a prominent position, it should be felled and replaced with another species. It was decided to accept the quotation from Global Tree Solutions in the sum of £1000 but Clerk to ask for a reduction if cut timber was left on site for use by residents of the village.

31. The Youth Group - Mrs Aylott/Mrs Adams
The first meeting with children paying to attend (approx. 100) had been held. Fund raising was going ahead for the Ball Park which included a car wash on July 4th in the Memorial Hall Car Park. Mr Senior (as a parent member of the committee) had begun work on obtaining a grant for the Ball Park – initially favouring the Big Lottery Fund. Consultation had to take place with children and local residents.

32. The Bi-monthly Newsletter (Standing Orders relaxed for this item)
Advice had been sought from CPALC on promoting events in the Newsletter. They had suggested that if all the proceeds from an event were not going towards a community venture or charitable group, then they should be treated as a business concern. They suggested that a political organisation was not a community group. Councillors agreed that these were reasonable and adequate guidelines and should be implemented immediately. Mr Hodgson wanted to know why the Parish Council had suddenly decided that it was necessary to make such definitions. Mr Senior replied that it was inappropriate to spend public money on promoting an event which did not fall into the category outlined by CPALC.

33. Neighbourhood Panel Meeting - Mr Hardy
At the meeting, Mr Hardy had raised the vandalism experienced at Bramble End, the continued problems with off site parking at Truckstop and the necessary repairs to the heritage bridge. Riders of mini mopeds had been apprehended. The person responsible for several burglaries in the area had also been apprehended. Mrs Aylott reported that Neighbourhood Watch had informed her that they would be taking part in Speedwatch, and that members were being trained in the use of speed guns. Warning letters would be sent to anyone caught speeding. Dates for implementation were not yet available.

34. The Eagle Scout Community Project
Eagle Scout Zak Perdomo had decided to carry out some weed clearing from the fence at the bottom of the ASSC playing field and erecting benches and planting bulbs as his Community Project.

35. The Proposed Scout Store
Smiths Gore (on behalf of the Church Commissioners) had confirmed that the plans for the Scout Store were acceptable and that on receipt of a cheque from the Parish Council for £125 + VAT they would issue a Consent Letter. The Parish Council approved this expenditure.

36. Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Scheme - 2010/2011 Bidding Round
Various projects were discussed. It was agreed to look at creating a proper pathway along High Street between Coulson Way and Rusts Lane. Mr Lay and Mr Sale to prepare bid. They would report back at the July meeting.

37. The Clerk's Appraisal
Arranged for 8th July at 7.30pm at Mrs Aylott's house.38. Registration of Financial and Other Interest

It was confirmed that apart from Mr Senior there were no changes to Councillors’ Financial and Other Interests. Clerk to complete form for HDC accordingly

39. New Resident Package
The idea of producing a New Resident Package was discussed. Mr Senior to produce a sample pack. Clerk to ascertain whether details of new arrivals in the village could be obtained from HDC. Advisory note to be added to each Newsletter.

40. Committee Reports
(a) Clerk's Infrastructure Report
Churchyard: nothing to report

Village Green: remaining duck posters to be removed. Clerk to ask if grass cutting contractor could remove more growth from the edge of the brook. Clerk to arrange for a grass cut prior to The Village Affair.

General: more plants to be purchased for Maypole Square. Clerk to speak with Mrs Elphick. Hedge was in need of cutting outside empty property at the bottom of The Maltings. Clerk to organise. Mrs Aylott complained of litter generally in the village. The Youth Group to be asked to carry out a litter pick as part of their fund raising. Trees along the Maltings needed to be cut back. Clerk to speak with Highways.

(b) Planning Applications Received
0900682FUL – Demolition of extension and erection of two storey extension and replacement of flat roof with pitched roof – Weybridge Lodge, Woolley Road – No observations.

Planning Applications Determined by HDC Planning:
0803128FUL - Erection of Post Office with flat over, erection of 2 houses - Bell Lane - permission granted
0803129CAC - Demolition of shop and outbuildings - Bell Lane - consent given.

(c) Bramble End: Monthly inspection: Clerk reported this had been carried out by Mrs Williams. Nothing to report. Clerk had arranged for swing shackles to be lubricated.

The wetpour surface under the helicopter had been vandalised and emergency repairs had been effected. PCSO Gemma Clarke to speak with those responsible.

A quotation for tidying the area along the perimeter fence which had been cut down by a resident had been received in the sum of £70. The Parish Council approved this quotation. Resident concerned should be advised of the cost incurred.

Re-development:
Clerk reported that Mr Watson had submitted the grant application

41. Correspondence
Complaints of SpeedingTraffic - Chapel Street - property owner had particularly complained of speeding buses. Clerk to contact bus company pointing out this was a well used school route and acknowledge complaint letter.

Means of Enclosure - 2 Frumetty Lane - resident had complained about erection of fence encroaching on the highway at 2 Frumetty Lane. This had been passed to the Planning Enforcement Officer.

Complaint concerning untidy gardens and lack of property maintenance - Resident complained in particular about properties in Manor Lane/Spinney Lane/Bramble End areas, and had pointed out that the Title Deeds to her property contained covenants pertaining to the maintenance of both garden and building. The problem in general was discussed but it was considered there was little the Parish Council could do unless plants from unkempt gardens were obstructing the highway. Clerk to respond to resident accordingly.

42. Responsible Finance Officer's Report
Cheques for signature:
Pipex Internet May 09 (paid by D/D) - £14.67
Demon Webhosting June 09 (paid by D/D) - £11.50
Came & Company ‚Äì Insurance renewal - £475.51
Smith Gore ‚Äì Scout Store Assent Letter - £143.75
Norton Anti Virus Renewal ‚Äì Clerk‚Äôs computer - £54.99
Boyd Sport & Play Ltd. ‚Äì wetpour repair, Bramble End - £345.00
National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Membership - £63.35
Clerk‚Äôs Salary June 09 - £419.41
Petty Cash Top Up - £28.54

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

Cleared Balances:
C/A £241.46 D/A £42,436.62 (Precept had been received)

43. Date of Next Meeting
28th July 2009 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall

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