Present:
Mr. Brown (Chair), Mr Senior (Vice Chair), Mrs Adams, Mrs Dix, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mr Vanbergen and Mrs Williams. Mrs Lancey (Clerk) 3 members of the public.

Public Forum
Mr Stock expressed his concern over the amount of time taken for the village sign to be repaired. Clerk explained that she was waiting for a return date from the suppliers. It was agreed that if this deadline was missed, a warning should be given that legal proceedings would commence within 28 days.

Mr Stock also brought to the Council's attention that it was their duty under Sections 66 and 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to maintain the strip of land owned by the Parish Council that was alongside the Brook between the Heritage Bridge and the ford adjacent to Bell House. The reason for this was because the site was both next to a listed building (ie the bridge) and in a conservation area. The Parish Council had previously considered this and decided that if cleared, the area could possibly prove to have difficult health and safety issues due to its location. It was agreed that the Clerk and Mr. Senior would inspect the area and report back at the September meeting.

Mr Stock also remarked upon the great improvements recently made to the surfacing at the Bramble End playground.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Mr Dawson, Mrs Watkin and District Councillor Mrs Vanbergen.

2. Councillors' Interests
None were recorded.

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 27th July 2005
Clerk reported that there was an error on the balance of the Parish Plan account which should have read £210.55. This error had been corrected on the noticeboard and prior to publication on the website. The Minutes were then approved and signed.

4. Committee Reports
(a) Clerk's infrastructure Report

Churchyard: Nothing to report.

Village Green: Emergency tree surgery had been carried out on the willow tree near the Heritage Bridge, damaged by summer drop. As a result of this the Tree Warden, Peter Rowlings, was to carry out an audit of all trees on the village green.
Complaints had also been received about vandalism to the same willow tree caused by young girls in the village. The incidents had been reported to the Police but concern had been expressed that no remedial action was taken. The Clerk had been informed that from October Sawtry and Yaxley would be getting their own PCSOs leaving Alconbury as the largest village on the current PCSO's patch. Hopefully this would mean more time would be spent in the village. Mrs Adams would pursue this via the Youth Group and the Clerk would report back to the resident who made the complaint.
Clerk had contacted Fergusons requesting they cut the grass right down to the flyover towards Lordsway Park.
Highways had considered the idea of a dropped kerb on the village green opposite Rusts Lane to be worthy and the Clerk agreed to let them have an exact location.
The Clerk had spoken to Highways concerning the provision of a new path along the High Street from Lordsway Park to Rusts Lane and had agreed that no decision could be made on this until the planning application for the Flood Alleviation Scheme had been received.

General:
Mrs Dix requested that the Clerk should again contact Highways about clearing the grips at the top of Polecat Lane.
Councillors complained about the broken and uneven pathway between Alconbury and Alconbury Weston and also the fact that the hedgerows were overgrown. Clerk to speak with Highways.
The Clerk reported that Red Lion Close was to be resurfaced.
The Clerk has been informed that the new bus shelter outside the Memorial Hall was too narrow for a seat. Councilllors felt this was unsatisfactory and asked the Clerk to try and rectify.
Pot holes had been reported in Spinney Lane. Clerk to investigate.

(b) Planning
New Applications:
0502272FUL - Erection of Conservatory - 25B, Great North Road - No observations
0502414FUL - Erection of Conservatory - 6 The Maltings - No observations.

Applications Determined:
0501941FUL - Extension to dwelling - 4, Hawthorn End - permission granted
0501733FUL - erection of dwelling, erection of garage and change of use of land to garden - Brooklands Bungalow and adjacent land Brooklands Lane - permission refused.

Clerk reported that weekly planning lists and determinations would from now on be sent via an HDC website.
Complaints had been received that planning permission for a conservatory being erected in School Lane had not been obtained. Clerk to investigate.

(c) Bramble End Playground
Mrs Williams reported that the re-surfacing at Bramble End was now complete other than a very small amount of work to be done on the edges to the helicopter, which, together with taking away a rubbish skip, should be done within the next few days. The Clerk reported that she had received several complaints that the work took longer than anticipated and was in the school holidays, but that the finished job was more than satisfactory. Payment would be made when all minor jobs had been completed. She would now organise a ROSPA inspection.

5. Matters Arising
Parish Council Vacancy
The Clerk had received two applications for the Councillor vacancy. A copy of both applications was given to each Councillor and a vote taken. It was decided to offer the vacancy to Mrs. Aylott. Clerk to write to Mrs Aylott with all necessary information and to reply to the unsuccessful applicant accordingly.

Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Schemes
The Clerk had been informed that this Scheme would be the best way forward with both the speeding and the “through traffic” problems in the village. The Sub Committee would meet and discuss the submission prior to the September meeting.

The Old Memorial Hall Committee
Mrs Watkin had commenced close down of the Old Memorial Hall Charity.

Group Training - CALC
Monday 7th November (7 -10pm) had been booked for the CALC Group Training. Clerk to book a venue.

Calligraphic Roll of Honour
The Friends of St Peter & St Paul had pledged a total of £100 towards this restoration, leaving the Parish Council with a contribution of £420.

Clerk's Appraisal
Mr Brown and Mr Vanbergen had carried out the Clerk's appraisal. As a result of the appraisal Mr Vanbergen had reviewed the meeting procedures of the Parish Council (to be reported at Item 9).

Changes to the Mobile Library
The feedback on the proposed changes would be assessed early Autumn.

HCV Access and the A14
The Clerk had contacted Mr Roweth the newly appointed County HCV Route Manager concerning the A14 development, and he had suggested meeting with the Parish Council/residents. Clerk to arrange ASAP.

6. Correspondence (A list of all correspondence had been circulated to all)
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act - Fixed Penalty Notices and Dog Control Orders. HDC wished to know to what extent the Parish Council might be interested in exercising these new powers. Clerk reported that this new Act was to be the main discussion topic at the Hunts. District Association (CALC) meeting on 21st September. It was decided to leave any response until after this meeting when more information would be available. Clerk had also asked Mrs. Vanbergen for feedback from the District Council. It was decided that 2 places should be booked for 21st (Mrs. Dyer plus ANO) Clerk to organise.

Request for Allotment
Clerk had responded that unfortunately Alconbury did not have any allotments, but had passed on contacts of neighbouring parishes who may be able to help.

The Bulletin - Circulated to all Councillors.

Vitalise - A letter of thanks received for the Council's recent donation.

Disability Information Service Huntingdonshire Trustees - this organisation was looking for Parish Council support in the form of a letter sent to the HDC Strategic Partnership concerning the expiry of the grant (via the Lottery). Clerk to write accordingly.

CALC AGM - 15th October 2005 - Passed to Mrs. Dyer who would attend.
Huntingdon Local Development Framework: Background Paper on the Draft Statement of Community Involvement - circulated to Planning Committee.

Alconbury Weston Parish Council - A donation of £500 had been gratefully received to go towards the costs of the Youth Worker in the Alconburys.

7. Responsible Finance Officer's Report
Clerk reported that the accounts for the year ending March 2005 had been approved by the External Auditors and a notice had been placed on the board to that effect. A mid-year budget statement would be prepared for the next meeting.

Payment of Accounts
Cheques for signature (now notified along with Correspondence List):
Tim Dillistone - £620 - Calligraphic Roll of Honour
S Lancey - £10.99 - internet calls
Clerk's Salary - August 05 - £346.38 - 42.5 hrs. @ £8.15 per hr.
Moore Stephens - £293.75 - Audit
Boyd Sport & Play Ltd. - £10,336.48 - Bramble End

Cleared balances - Current Account £7753.04 and Deposit Account £18163.29

Accounts proposed by Mrs Adams and seconded by Mrs Dix

As agreed the cheque for Lodge Printers (Parish Plan expense) had been raised in between meetings.
Cleared balances - Parish Plan Account - £217.86
- Youth Group Account - £5682.95
Clerk would complete a VAT return ASAP in view of the large amount being paid on the Boyd Sport & Play invoice.

8. The New Memorial Hall
Mr Vanbergen reported that £82.5K had been received by the New Memorial Hall from the sale of the Old Village Hall site. He had been appointed Chair of the management group overseeing the expenditure of this money. It was envisaged that approx. £10K might be spent in the near future on minor necessary work to the fabric of the building and that the interest on the balance of funds would ensure the long term up-keep of the Hall.
There was to be a 60's/70's Night on October 15th.

9. The Format of Parish Council Meetings
Mr Vanbergen presented a discussion document outlining his proposals for streamlining Parish Council meetings. He considered that the Parish Council could not spend enough time discussing major projects such as The Parish Plan or the Youth Group because monthly meetings were already too long and covered too much ground. He proposed that 12 sub committee meetings should be held which would be divided into two main groups with 5 Councillors in one group and 6 in the other. The sub committees would report back to a main Council meeting every other month. Some discussion took place but it was decided that Councillors should have more time to consider his proposals and the item would again be on the Agenda for the September meeting.

10. The Parish Plan
Due to Mr. Dawson's absence, there was no discussion.

11. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 27th September 2005 in the New Memorial Hall and will start at 7.45.

Return to top

Close this window