Present:
Mr. Brown (Chairman), Mr Senior, Mrs Adams, Mrs Aylott, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mrs Hathaway, and Mrs Williams. County Councillor Sir Peter Brown, District Councillor Keith Baker. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 7 members of the public.

Public Forum
A resident from Field Close complained that the trees alongside her property were overhanging her garden, blocking out the street lights and that the tree roots were causing damage to the road surface. She had tried, without success, to find out who owned the piece of land where the trees stood. The clerk explained that the Parish Council were also trying to find out who owned this strip of land and assured the resident that some action would be taken to resolve the issue with the trees.

Mr Deller enquired whether the Parish Council had been approached concerning a donation towards a wreath for Armistice Day. The Clerk confirmed that a cheque would be raised at this meeting.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Mrs Watkin, Mr Watson and County Councillor Elaine Kadic.

2. Councillors’ Interests
None recorded.

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 26h September 16th October 2006 (Planning Sub Committee Meeting)
Proposed by Mrs Williams and seconded by Mr Senior and were duly approved and signed.

4. Matters Arising
Monthly Newsletter – Environment Agency - The second newsletter on the proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme had been received and placed on notice boards. The Clerk confirmed that there was no date yet for the public exhibition, but that it could possibly be sometime in February 2007.

Village Milestone – Milestone 66, opposite the old police houses on The Great North Road, was being renovated with the help of The Milestone Society. A small group of residents and councillors had carried out the work, which was almost complete. An article would be written for the Parish Pump. Clerk to write a letter of thanks to the Milestone Society.

Land at Field Close - As discussed under “Public Forum” Clerk confirmed that this was being investigated.

Alconbury Brook Walk - Mr. Ray Pickering had kindly walked alongside part of the Brook out of the village towards the Race Course with a group of residents and council members, in order that they might hear his views on what measures might be taken in this area which could affect flooding in the centre of the village. He was of the opinion that the fords would definitely impede flow of heavy water and agreed that they should be removed. He acknowledged that some work further down stream just outside of the village might also assist, but was of the opinion that the further out of the village, the less value there would be in carrying out any flood alleviation work.

Speed Restrictions – Great North Road - Mr Wade had again written to Highways concerning the proposed speed restrictions. Clerk confirmed that there had been no further developments and would continue to chase.

Collection of Large Rubbish Items – Following an enquiry from an Alconbury resident Clerk had ascertained that HDC would collect up to 6 large rubbish items (such as furniture) for a sum of £23. Stilton Parish Council who carry out their own collections had confirmed that they had three collections a year at a cost of £1000 per collection. The Parish Council could not justify this expense and asked the Clerk to inform the resident accordingly.

Provision of Allotments – The Clerk had received further enquiries about allotment provision in the village, and explained that the problem was finding suitable land. Mr Baker suggested two other areas in the village, firstly the field adjacent to Polecat Lane which the Parish Council was already considering, and secondly a field on the A1 link road. Clerk to pursue.

A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Improvement – Further public consultation was to be carried out, but no dates of exhibitions were yet available. County Councillor Sir Peter Brown and District Councillor Keith Baker agreed to make enquiries about the Parish Council’s concern that more traffic would be routed onto the Alconbury slip road leading to the Airbase and Truckstop as a result of the A14 improvements.

5. Committee Reports
a) Clerk’s infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Nothing to report.

Village Green: Horses had again been galloping on the green. Clerk to contact local stables.
Branch of tree near the lower ford needed attention.

General: A lot of vandalism had taken place on 26th September including flower pots around the pump being broken. All incidents had been reported to the Police
A fallen tree across the Brook had been removed by the Environment Agency.
A school bus parked during the day at the end of Lark Way which obstructed pedestrians and traffic had been reported.
Tree overhanging the footpath along the Great North Road was being dealt with.
The footpath behind Coulson Way needed cutting back.
Polecat Lane was overgrown and needed cutting back.

b) Planning
New Applications:
0603290FUL – Change of use of agricultural building to use as car repairs and agricultural contractors with associated parking – Woolley Leys Farm - No observations.
0603280OUT – Erection of agricultural grain and implement storage building – Land at Great North Road – Concern was expressed that access to the public footpath might be impeded with this development. It was also noted that this application was necessary due to the proposed development in The Maltings, the outcome of which had yet to be determined.

Applications Determined by Huntingdonshire District Council:
0602183FUL – Change of use of outbuildings to two self catering holiday units – Coulson Way – granted.
0602567FUL – Extension to dwelling and erection of garage – 17 Great North Road – refused.
0602621FUL – Change of use of agricultural building to storage – Brooklands Farm – granted.
0602549FUL – Erection of dwelling and garage – 15 Great North Road – refused.

c) Bramble End Playground
Nothing to report.

6. Correspondence
Donation Request - CARESCO
Donation agreed of £150.

Hinchingbrooke Hospital
Letter received from Jonathan Djanogly MP requesting support against potential closures at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. Parish Council support agreed. Clerk to write to Strategic Health Authority.

Small Scale Environmental Improvement Schemes
Working Party to meet and discuss before any submission by 24th November. Councillors to form Working Party: Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mrs Williams and possibly Mrs. Watkin.

Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act – Dog Control Orders.
Parish Council confirmed their agreement that HDC should go ahead and carry out drafting work and that the Parish Council would not wish to make their own orders.

Changes to the Registration Service in Cambridgeshire
Proposed changes agreed by Parish Council. Clerk to confirm.

Donation towards poppy wreath for Armistice Day
Donation of £10 agreed. Clerk to action.

Review of Highways Budgets
Notification received that no funds available this financial year from Traffic Management Discretionary Budget due to a review of budgets. Clerk confirmed, however, that this would not affect the traffic calming scheme along the Great North Road or the re-routing of the pathway from the heritage bridge.

7. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Cheques for signature (notified on Agenda):
Demon – Web Hosting - £11.75
A.C. Green – Maintenance to Memorial Hall hedge - £20.00
Grafton Projects – stationery - £27.00
J. Holliday – Maintenance to village pump - £20.00
Pipex Broadband - £14.99
H.M. Revenue/Customs – tax - £133.24
Clerk’s Salary – October - £331.55
Poppy Appeal – wreath - £10.00
Payments were proposed by Mr Senior and seconded by Mrs Elphick.

Cleared Balances:
Current Account: £14,291.16 Deposit Account £26,686.55
Youth Group Account: £5293.44

As discussed at the last meeting, a councillor should be appointed to periodically look over financial matters with the Clerk. Mrs. Aylott agreed to carry out this responsibility.

A meeting to discuss the Precept Budget for 2007/2008 was arranged for Monday 20th November at 7.30pm.

8. The Parish Plan
The final draft of the Action Plan together with the proposed accompanying report had been circulated to all Councillors. With the exception of one minor change to information concerning youth groups in the report, these documents were agreed. Clerk to forward Action Plan to Cambridgeshire ACRE prior to arranging a meeting between Stan Rees and the Parish Plan Working Party.

9. The Freedom of Information Act
A Publications Scheme had been circulated to all Councillors. This was agreed by the Council and adopted under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Declaration Form signed accordingly.

10. The Youth Group
Mrs Adams reported that the meetings for the 9-13 age group were still very successful – 41 attendees at the last meeting, with the older ones staying on later into the evening, but that the meetings for the older age group were no longer being held due to lack of support staff. A detached youth worker was being made redundant. The post of youth worker was being advertised yet again. Nigel Murphy was looking into the possibility of extending the period within which the grant monies had to be spent, and also enquiring whether this money could be used for courses and equipment in place of salaries.

11. The Sports & Social Club
The Committee were still in negotiation with the Football Foundation with regard to their grant application. The Club would become non-smoking as from 1st January 2007.

12. CALC
Mrs Dyer reported on the recent AGM/EGM. Affiliation fees had been agreed to rise to 32.4p per elector. The importance of Quality Council status had again been emphasised.
Changes within CALC were discussed at the EGM and the resolution to adopt the new constitution (as presented) was passed. Keith Barrand (County Secretary) was to be re-titled Chief Executive Officer and was to be a full voting member. The changes adopted were long term – having a 10 year time scale.

Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 28th November 2006 in the Memorial Hall, starting at 7.45pm.

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