Present:
Mrs. Watkin (Chair), Mrs Adams, Mr Brown, Mr Dawson, Mrs Dix, Mrs Elphick, Mrs Turner. Mr Vanbergen and Mrs Williams.
County Councillors Sir Peter Brown and Ms. Elaine Kadic. District Councillor Mrs. Sarah Vanbergen. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 12 members of the public.

Alconbury Flood Alleviation Scheme
Mr. Nigel Woonton, the Area Flood Defence Manager of the Environment Agency attended the meeting in order to update the Parish Council and the general public on the progress of the Alconbury Flood Alleviation Scheme. Mr Woonton had sent a letter to the Parish Council explaining that due to a shortfall in funds, the Scheme which had been programmed to commence in 2005/2006 was to be deferred. In spite of this setback, some work such as obtaining planning permission for the Scheme would go ahead. He considered work on the implementation of the Scheme could possibly commence in 2007/2008.

Members of the public and councillors expressed their concern that after raising the hopes of residents in the village, there was to be yet a further delay with the Scheme. They were especially concerned that due to the changes constantly made to the point scoring system which governed the allocation of funds, there was no guarantee that the Scheme would meet the given criteria in the near future.

Mr Woonton assured the meeting that the Scheme was still being progressed and that as soon as additional funds became available, the flood defence improvements would be implemented. Mrs Watkin thanked Mr. Woonton and he left the meeting.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Mrs. Dyer and Mr Senior.

2. Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 25th May, 2004 were approved and signed.

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

As this was the final year of office for Mrs Watkin, Mrs Adams took the opportunity of thanking her on behalf of the Council for all her hard work over the last three years. The Parish Council unanimously expressed their appreciation.

4. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
The Annual Audit for 2004/2005 had been called for 1st July and Draft Accounts had been circulated to all Councillors. The Annual Return had been completed by 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.

No Section 106 money had been received during the year and the balance stood at £13,540 which was still pledged to the possible development at the ASSC. During the year the Parish Council had met further expenditure on behalf of the Old Memorial Hall Committee which brought their total indebtedness to £2373. This would be reimbursed as soon as satisfactory sale of the land had been completed.

Two grants had been made available to Alconbury during the year – the Parish Plan Grant for a total of £2198, of which £1099 had been received, and a Local Network Fund grant to the Youth Group of £6940. Expenditure on the Youth Group had been very slow. Consequently the planned expenditure of a further £4000 put into the Precept for youth matters had not taken place. Because of grants not yet being spent and the 106 monies still reserved, the accounts showed a balance carried forward of £40,884 which the RFO felt was too high. She anticipated that once the youth group had become more active and the position with the reserved 106 monies had been resolved, there would not be such a high balance at the end of the next financial year.

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

6. Public Discussion
Mr Hodgson asked whether the Parish Council had any details of the planned housing development on Alconbury Airfield. The Clerk explained that the only information received to date by the Parish Council was a representation from ADL to the East of England Regional Assembly suggesting that 2000 dwellings might be built on the airfield. No planning applications had been received.

Mr Hodgson also asked the Parish Council if they had any details of the planned development of the A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton. They had received no specific details of any effect on the village but would monitor the situation.

Mr. Wade enquired whether there had been any developments with the survey of speeding traffic in the village, in particular along the Great North Road. Clerk had received no further information but would chase.

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

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