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Cllrs Alexander, Hayden, Hill, Hodson, Stapleton, Titmus, Wells,
District Cllr Garner; Clerk & Mrs Sally Dalley.
Comments and observations from members of the public and the County & District Councillors
Cllr Garner informed Council of items which will be covered in his Annual Report to Sawtry but which were also relevant to Great Gidding such as under funding by Central Government of the new Senior Citizen Bus Pass which comes into effect on April 1, 2008 and the need for all tiers of government to become more thrifty. He also informed Council that Huntingdonshire District Council had been directed to provide twenty travellers sites in the Huntingdonshire district. Cllr Alexander questioned the recent decision to decrease the number of Councillors representing Great & Little Gidding from 8 to 7 and Cllr Hayden questioned the recent boundary changes and the decision to put Steeple Gidding with Hamerton rather than Great & Little Gidding. Cllr Garner explained that although Great & Little Gidding Parish Council did not experience difficulties in getting people to stand as Councillors other small councils were not as fortunate and the rules had been altered and would apply to all. In respect of Cllr Hayden’s query he explained that it was merely a formalising of a situation which already existed and that the attachment to Hamerton was only for electoral purposes.
2008/43 Apologies for Absence
District Cllr Tuplin
2008/68 Declarations of Interest for Agenda items only
Cllrs Hill and Hodson declared an interest in Agenda Item 2008/75 as they were both allotment holders.
2008/69 To approve and sign the Minutes of meeting dated January 8th, 2008
The minutes were approved and signed
2008/70 Matters Arising from previous minutes (for information only)
None
2008/71 Police Report
The police report was received
2008/72 Great & Little Gidding Charities
The Clerk informed Council that she had received a response from the Charities Commission who confirmed it was possible to merge the three Charities as long as there was no land involved. The Clerk had responded that two of the Charities did in fact hold land and was awaiting their response as to whether or not an exception could be made.
2008/73 Affordable Housing in Great & Little Gidding
Adoption of policy. The following was adopted unanimously as policy:-
The parish council should not offer or suggest any sites to HDC for expansion. This will be done by the landowners anyway.
Single dwellings are assessed on there individual merits.
If larger sites are put forward:
‘Off road’ development proposals should only be accepted where there is benefit to the parish, which do not compromise sustainability or infrastructure.
In line with the parishioners’ responses, we should welcome some roadside development and infill with consideration to individual plot restraints.
We should try to restrict over expansion of either village whilst accepting the need for some growth. Some green space between housing is a major benefit to the character of the parish. As a conservation area the character of Gt. Gidding should be preserved through careful siting of new builds.
Work proactively with the planners in the design of development so that it fits in with the local vernacular styles.
Where there is a potential benefit to the parish a public meeting should be called to get the agreement of the parish on a course of action.
Oppose any purely rental developments, regardless of site or position, within the villages due to lack of infrastructure and support. A mix would be more suitable in an isolated rural environment
In line with the Rural Exception sites guidelines and local wishes accept 2/3 bed properties (starter homes/ small family homes) with consideration to individual plot restraints.
All proposed development must meet the government’s requirements of sustainability. If proposals do not meet this requirement they should be opposed.
2008/74 Parish Land Rental Review
Cllr Hodson suggested it would be a good idea to obtain a professional valuation of the two pieces of rented land. Cllr Titmus made the point that the cost of obtaining such a valuation could well outweigh any benefit of additional rent obtained. The Clerk was asked to obtain the cost of a valuation from a land agent and Cllr Hill also said he would ask Milton Estates for their valuation as a local agent.
2008/75 Allotments
Cllrs Hill and Hodson declared an interest in this item at the start of the meeting but as it was not a pecuniary interest they remained in the room and took part in the debate and subsequent vote.
The Clerk informed Council that she had received two letter from allotment holders regarding the new regulations governing the site and that two applications for allotments had been made. Some discussion ensued as to whether or not the following amendments to the regulations should be allowed.
1. To Allow Mr Scott to take his dog on to his allotment – unanimously agreed provided the dog was kept on a lead at all times.
2. To allow Mr & Mrs Jarvis to keep their glasshouse on their site even though it was slightly larger than the dimensions for buildings in the new rules – unanimously agreed
3. To continue to allow the 10 plots on the left hand side of the allotment site to be cultivated as one plot and to allow a green crop of horse feed to be grown for personal and not commercial use: A proposal to this effect was put forward by Cllr Stapleton and seconded by Cllr Alexander. All councillors with the exception of Cllr Hodson voted in favour. Cllr Hodson voted against the proposal and made it very clear that he was not happy with the decision.
2008/76 Signage for Parish Property and Open Spaces
It was agreed that two new signs were required for the gates at the Recreation Field and at the Allotments. The Clerk was asked to work on the required wording and once agreed Cllr Alexander would ask the company who made the parish office sign to quote for the work.
2008/77 Village Hall Car Parking Area owned by Milton Estates
It was unanimously agreed that this area should continue to be rented from Milton Estates and that who pays the rent in the future would be one of the items discussed with the Village Hall and Amenities Committee when deciding future roles and responsibilities.
2008/78 Village Hall & Amenities Committee
Feedback on meeting held on January 31st, 2008
The Councillors who attended felt it was a very positive meeting and that they should work together for the good of the village. It was important to establish roles and responsibilities for both the Committee and the Council in respect of the Village Hall and Recreation Ground and to this end a Working Party of the Council was set up consisting of Cllrs Alexander & Hodson who agreed to meet and work out a future policy which would be ratified by Council at their next meeting. In the meantime the VH & A committee would also work out what their running costs were and how they saw their future roles and responsibilities with the aim that the two views would be merged to form a new working policy agreeable to both sides. Council was informed that the VH & A Committee had applied to the Charities Commission for a copy of their constitution and had also asked to have an Agenda item every quarter.
2008/79 Recreation Field Under-Swing Safety Surface – Update
Cllr Hill informed Council that he had found a product that could be utilised to make the area under the swings safe but that at the moment he wasn’t certain that this had been approved. In the meantime the Clerk was asked to see if she could obtain quotes from other safety surface manufacturers to compare with that of Wicksteed. The Clerk said she would need to get the Wicksteed quotation back from the VH & A committee to use their specification for the new quotes.
2008/80 Letter of Support for Disabled Car Parking Provision.
Cllr Stapleton informed Council that the resident had approached Luminus who appeared to be in favour. Council agreed that should Luminus or Cambs County Council approach them for their views a letter of support would be sent.
2008/81 Adoption of Revised Standing Orders & Chairmanship
These were formally adopted
2008/82 Adoption of Revised Financial Regulations
With one change to 2.2 these were formally adopted
2008/83 Adoption of Complaints Procedure
This policy was formally adopted
2008/84 Adoption of Revised Model Code of Conduct
The revised Code of Conduct was formally adopted
2008/85 Adoption of Freedom of Information Policy
This policy was formally adopted
2008/86 Appointment of New Clerk
Mrs Sally Dalley was introduced to all Councillors following her successful interview with Cllrs Alexander and Stapleton. Her appointment was unanimously ratified.
2008/87 Members items & reports
77/01 Tree warden (IS). Cllr Stapleton informed Council that he had planted all the trees and had also pruned those that needed it with the help of Michael Trolove. Council thanked Cllr Stapleton for the splendid work he had done.
77/02 Press and Public Relations (AT) – nothing to report
77/03 Planning Matters (IS) – nothing to report
77/04 Village Hall Representative/Leisure & Amenities (SS & AA). Covered in Agenda Item 2008/78
78/06 Finance Matters (PH). Cllr Hodson informed Council that he felt the interest rates received on Council funds were possibly not the best that could be obtained. Council asked whether it would be prudent to change banks immediately but Cllr Hodson felt that with a new Clerk about to start now probably wouldn’t be the best time. Cllr Hodson was asked to look into other banks compared with Barclays and to report back to the next meeting.
79/07 Any other reports
2008/88 Bertha Green Bequest – Update on Bench placing and Plaque
No Update
2008/89 To receive the Financial Report and sign the Balance Sheet
The Financial Report provided by the Clerk was accepted. The Clerk provided Balance Sheets for January and February as copies of the missing statements had now been received. The Balance Sheets were approved as an accurate record and signed.
2008/90 To approve the following payments made between meetings
The following payments were approved
| 100608 |
1407 Pub Company Ltd |
Recycling Credits |
£254.73 |
| 100609 |
Mrs J Stanbridge |
Salary, additional hours
& Refund for Stationery/Postage |
£582.90 |
2008/91 To approve the following payments and sign the cheques
The following payments were approved and cheques signed.
| 100610 |
Harrod UK Ltd |
Replacement Goals
It was unanimously agreed to order the new goals and pay for them. The Football Foundation have agreed to pay half the cost and the VH & A committee alsoagreed to make a donation. The asset would belong to the Parish Council.
|
£851.58 |
| 100611 |
CALC |
Workshop Fee |
£45.00 |
| 100609 |
Mrs J Stanbridge |
Salary + add. hours |
£462.88 |
There was some discussion regarding the amount of additional hours the Clerk was being asked to work to complete all outstanding projects before the new clerk took over. As the additional hours would incur extra costs additional to those budgeted, Council unanimously agreed to authorise an additional sum of not more than £1000. Cllr Alexander explained that as Council had been several months without a Clerk the funds were available from previous budgets.
2008/92 Notices & Correspondence
Correspondence sent on behalf of Council
1. Letter to CCLA regarding Council’s investments
2. Letter to Barclays re cheque paid into Charity Acc instead of Current Account
3. Letter to Charity Commission
4. Letter to Allotment Holders
5. Letter to Cambs Constabulary
6. Letter to VH & A Committee re Trustees
7. Holding Letter to Mr Tony Scott
8. Letter to CCLA re Investments
9. Further letter to Barclays Bank requesting copies of missing statements
10. Letter to Luminus Housing re events in Great Gidding
Correspondence Received
1. List of Archived Documents received from County Archive
2. HDC Letter confirming proposed reduction in number of councillors
3. HDC letter confirming proposed boundary changes
4. HDC Parish Charter
5. Audit Commission Letter confirming appointment of External Auditor
6. COPE Newsletters
7. Letter from Sector Inspector Cambs Police in response to Council letter
8. HDC Precept confirmation
9. Letter from Chief Constable in response to Council letter
10. Cambs CC Trading Standards magazine
11. Letter from Mr Tony Scott re allotments
12. East Northants Council – Rural North, Oundle & Thrapston Plan
13. CPRE Planning Workshop Information
14. Letter from Barclays confirming change of mandate
15 Neighbourhood Watch Information
16. HDC Planning Portal information
17. Letter from Charity Commission re proposed changes
18. CCLA Investment Information
2008/93 Closure of meeting and confirmation of next meeting date
The meeting closed at 9.20pm with the next meeting scheduled for March 11, 2008.
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