Present:
Mr Senior (Chair), Mrs. Aylott, Mrs Adams, Mr Brown, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mr Hardy, Mrs Hathaway, Mrs Watkin, Mr Watson and Mrs Williams. District Councillor Keith Baker. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 1 member of the public.

Public Forum
Mrs King enquired whether there was any progress on the re-surfacing of the footpaths in School Lane. Enquiries were also made as to whether the footpaths in Spinney Lane would be resurfaced. Clerk to chase Highways.

104. Apologies for Absence
Apologies had been received from County Councillors Peter Brown and Laine Kadic.

105. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
Mr Watson and Mrs Williams declared a prejudicial interest in item 109 on the agenda – Small Scale Scheme – Maypole Square, both being residents in close proximity to the scheme.

106. To sign and approve minutes of previous meetings held on 25th September and 17th August 2007
Proposed by Mrs Williams and seconded by Mr Watson. Minutes duly approved and signed. Mr Senior thanked Mrs Aylott for chairing these meetings in his absence.

107. A14 Re-alignment
Notification had been received from Highways that the Orange Route would go ahead as the preferred route and that the CHUMMS Strategy of the existing A14 being replaced by a local road and the Huntingdon viaduct being removed would also go ahead. Councillor Peter Brown had contacted the Clerk with a view to organising the promised working party to monitor the development. Mrs Aylott, Mr Brown and Mr Watson to attend. Clerk to organise. District Councillor Keith Baker also to attend. Mr Richard Scott had also copied the Parish Council with his concern that the A1 would not be widened between Brampton Hut and Alconbury.

108. The Brook Clearance – 29th September 2007
Mrs Dyer reported that the day had been a great success with many willing volunteers. It had been suggested that the strip of land owned by the Parish Council alongside the brook between the heritage bridge and the bottom ford might be improved for wildlife with planting of wetland trees. It would have to be cleared first. This could be an on- going community project, possibly involving airbase personnel. It was agreed this could be a worthwhile project. Mrs Dyer to contact the Green Light Trust for further information. Clerk to check whether the Parish Council would in future be responsible for the insurance paid for by RiverCare for the brook clearance.

109. Small Scale Scheme – Maypole Square (Mr Watson and Mrs Williams left the meeting for this agenda item having declared a prejudicial interest.)
The Project Engineer responsible for the scheme had retired. Clerk had contacted his replacement who had requested an on-site meeting to re-evaluate the scheme. Mr Brown, Mrs Dyer and Mrs Watkin to attend. Clerk to organise and also make clear that the Parish Council had not yet had an explanation of the £1000 fees and that a time extension might be required because of the delays caused by HDC.

110. Planning for Emergencies
After the recent incident concerning telephones being out of use in the village and the emergency services being unaware of the situation, Mr Senior suggested that a group should be formed consisting of representatives from different local associations who could be called upon in any such emergency situation. It was decided that in the first instance a meeting should be arranged with Mr Frank Cannon (HDC) together with Mr Senior, Mrs Adams, Mrs Elphick and Mr Hardy. Clerk to organise.

111. Land at Hawthorn End – update from Clerk
Mr. Goddard had received a reply from the Treasury Solicitor explaining why they had taken the decision to sell the land at Hawthorn End and he did not intend to take the matter further.

112. The Parish Plan – report from Mrs Watkin
The working party was up to date with issues from the Action Plan which were under the control of the Parish Council. Any projects with budgetary implications had been highlighted for next year’s Precept. At the time of the original Parish Plan questionnaire, a great many respondents had supported the idea of new groups being established. However, despite extensive publicity only a few individuals had attended the initial meeting in the Memorial Hall and subsequent groups had also been poorly supported. Next year the Parish Plan group would oversee the Council’s application for Quality Status.

113. The bi-monthly Newsletter
Mrs Dyer was due to relinquish her duties as editor after the next issue. Mr Senior suggested that this might become a dual role with someone else working with Mrs Dyer for 6 months, and then Mrs Dyer being replaced by another Councillor, so giving everyone a chance to work on the publication. Mrs Williams volunteered to work with Mrs Dyer for the next six months. It was agreed that the Newsletter should be on the next agenda in order to clarify it’s objectives. Mr Senior was having difficulties delivering the November issue. This would be spread between Councillors. Mr Senior thanked Mrs Dyer for the excellent job she had carried out so far.

114. Quality Status
The meeting to discuss Quality Status was set for 7th November. Mr Senior would join the group for this meeting.

115. RAF Molesworth/Alconbury Liaison Meeting
As Mrs Dyer was unable to attend the next meeting on 21st November, Mrs Watkin would take her place. It was agreed that Mrs. Watkin should raise the profile of the problems experienced with US personnel driving through the village.

116. Sports & Social Club
Mr Brown reported that the development of the newly acquired area was still progressing satisfactorily with project managers being sought. All funding was still in place. Fencing of the new land had been discussed and also whether the club was entitled to a share of the harvest proceeds from the land. Dog Control Orders had been discussed. Clerk to send copy of amended orders to Mr Rickard. There would be a fireworks display on Friday 2nd November at 7pm.

117. Trees on the Village Green
Mr Rowlings had suggested two new trees for the village green to replace the dead rowan along Brookside and the dead cherry along the High Street. These trees could be obtained free of charge from HDC. It was agreed that Mr Rowlings should go ahead with these plans. Mrs Williams also offered to purchase a tree for the village green. This offer was gratefully accepted. Clerk to liaise with Mr Rowlings. Clerk reported that the poplar tree along the High Street was badly split and in need of urgent pollarding. This had been inspected by Global Tree Solutions Ltd. who had quoted £450 for the work. It was agreed this urgent work must go ahead.

118. Royal British Legion Remembrance Wreath – donation request
A request for £25 had been received from the Royal British Legion. It was unanimously agreed that an increased amount of £50 should be donated.
(Section 137)

119. Victim Support – donation request
It was agreed to donate £100 as in previous years. (Section 137)

120. Committee Reports
a) Clerk’s infrastructure Report
Churchyard: No observations.

Village Green: Damaged lamp post had been repaired along the High Street. The manhole cover had again overflowed on the corner of the village green. Anglian Water had again said the problem was in the pumping station in Rusts Lane and had repaired the fault. It was agreed that this was unsatisfactory and that Environmental Health should be contacted. The Chairman had been asked if metal detectors could be used on the village green. The persons in question had been asked to write to the Parish Council. Graffiti was reported under the flyover.

General: Spinney Lane had been resurfaced. (Footpaths covered in Public Forum above) HCVs continued to get lost and come into the village. It was agreed this should be an agenda item for the next meeting and that someone from Highways should be invited to attend.

b) Planning
New Applications
0703264OUT – Erection of agricultural and general purpose building – Land at Great North Road. After some discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council should recommend approval of the outline planning but with the stipulation of extensive landscaping especially along the Great North Road side of the building.
Applications Determined by HDC:
0702813FUL – Extension to dwelling – 7 Rusts Lane – refused.
0702982FUL – Erection of Dwelling and Garage – Land at 15 Great North Road - refused

The appeal for an extension – 4 Maple End had been dismissed.

Notification had been received that the buildings known as The Avionics Building and Hardened Aircraft Shelters at Alconbury Airfield had been included in the list for special architectural or historic interest.

c) Bramble End Playground
Monthly inspection carried out with nothing specific to report.
£4000 had been set aside in the 2008/09 Precept to go towards new play equipment for the area. Mrs Williams and Mr Watson to begin to research this project and report back to the Parish Council in February 08.

121. Correspondence
The Bus Shelter
Copy letter of complaint from Mr Salmon had been acknowledged by Claudia Waters.

Invitation to first Health Forum in Huntingdonshire
Mrs Watkin to attend – 19th November 2007.

122. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Next Year’s Precept 2008/2009
A Draft Precept – following the discussions at the 17th October meeting – had been circulated to all. The total proposed was £31,000. Mrs. Dyer objected to the increase from £24,000 (07/08) to £31,000 (08/09) feeling this was much too high. Other councillors felt the increase represented an important investment in the community. A vote was taken. 10 councillors were in favour of the proposal with 1 against. It was therefore agreed to submit the proposal to HDC.

Cheques for signature:
Pipex Internet - £14.99
Demon – Web Hosting - £11.75
Grafton Projects – photocopying £32.51
Global Tree Solutions Ltd. – tree work on village green - £705.00
Inland Revenue/Customs – PAYE/NI - £335.33
Clerk’s Salary October (including extra for training) - £485.24
Petty Cash Top Up - £18.99
Youth Worker plus resources – Youth Group Acct. - £552.09
Memorial Hall Bookings – Youth Group Acct. - £50.00
Payments were proposed by Mrs Adams and seconded by Mrs Aylott

Cleared Balances:
Current Account: £20,033.25 Deposit Account £13,523.07
Youth Group Account: £3,011.96

123. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 27th November 2007 at 7.45 in the Memorial Hall.

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