Present: Councillors Hodson, Maciag, Hargrave, Moody and the Clerk.
5 members of the public joined the meeting (1 taking written notes).
097.23 Councillor Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present
098.23 To receive apologies and reasons for absence:
County Councillor Gardener – ill health
District Councillor Alban – at another meeting
Councillor Bolton – work commitment
Councillor D Altilia – work commitment
Councillor Sanders – late arrival
099.23 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
100.23 Members of the Public were present in respect of item 105.23(a) of the agenda
101.23 Minutes of the meeting held on 19th September 2023 were confirmed as a correct record by Councillors Maciag and Hargrave
102.23 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item:
Councillor Maciag gave a report on the District Wide meeting, led by District Councillor Tim Alban at which Clara Kerr of Huntingdonshire District Council Planning Department was present. Information was shared regarding future development in Huntingdonshire, the Local Plan and Call for Sites, Planning Department workload and plans for Parish Council training (see 112.23 below). As a result of what was heard Cllr Maciag recommended a design statement for the future of the village.
103.23 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Cllr Maciag advised that the next Neighbourhood Plan meeting takes place on 18th October.
104.23 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account.
Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 4 /10/2023 £8,278.07
Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/10/2023 £26,104.89 (£10,000 transfer made, 1.85% interest applicable)
Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/10/2023 – £247.05
b) PAYMENTS – the following were approved for payment:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised | |
| J R Trolove | Wages for August (33 hours) | Xxx | NIL | |||
| Bradgate Ground Maintenance Invoice no 1531 | Grass cutting | 216.00 | 36.00 | |||
| Chris Knott Insurance Renewal date 15/10 – holding email sent | Renewal of allotment insurance | £80.00 | NIL |
- Clerk’s working hours for September were approved as a total of 41 (Cllrs Maciag and Hargrave).
- Precept request received from Huntingdonshire District Council – Clerk has updated the Budget spreadsheet for year to 1st October 2023, to enable discussion of the Precept and shared prior to the meeting.
Proposal – to increase the Parish Precept for Great & Little Gidding by 5% for 2024-2025. This will result in a rise in the precept from £11052 to £11605.
Proposed by Cllr Maciag and seconded by Cllr Hodson
- PLANNING applications and other planning matters:
- Hemington/Luddington/THurning Parish Clerk emailed this Parish Clerk (15/9/2023) to advise of a Waste and Mineral Application, through North Northamptonshire Council, in respect of an anaerobic digester to be sited at Rectory Farm, on the junction of Gypsy Lane and Hemington Lodge Road, using the B660 as its vehicular access. We were invited to join them in considering this application, to make a joint or individual response to the application, and to use Gidding Village Hall for a Public Meeting. This meeting was “advertised” to Lutton Parish Council, Glatton Parish Council, Winwick Parish Meeting, all District Councillors and County Councillors involved in this area, Highways Department of Cambridgeshire County Council and Planning Department (DMAdmin) of Huntingdonshire District Council.
Clerk has requested a paper copy of the application and accompanying documents from the applicant/consultants – this will be made available for public viewing at the Village Hall on 21st,28th October, 4th November.
Cllr Maciag gave a resume of his notes from the public meeting.
Cllr Hargrave doubted the green credentials of the project and cited planning condition LP10 – detrimental to rural aspect
Members of the public were greatly concerned about transport related matters and the impact on local roads.
Comments and observations on this application will be compiled and sent to North Northants Council.
- Enforcement/Conservation Officer response received re. 65 Main Street – further correspondence sent regarding the stone wall – still outstanding
- School – School photos, taken 1/9/2023, are on a USB stick, can be borrowed
- Councillor Maciag and Mr Ian Nott, representing Milton Estates, met with Mark Freer of Cambridgeshire County Council – they viewed the site, photographs but not measurements were taken. Cllr Maciag felt that there were possibilities for using the School House as a community building but a considerable amount of work would be required. Portacabins are to be removed from the site. There was discussion around essential work, what could be achieved, would this encourage community use and activities – parishioners would have to show their support. Further consideration will be given over the coming months.
- Clerk submitted form and map to register site as an Asset of Community Value on 6th October (8 weeks before decision received) – response received from Environmental Health Dept of HuntsDC advising that a decision would be made in the next couple of weeks
106.23 Policy Documents
Risk Management Policy – this is a work in progress, Clerk will share at a future meeting.
107.23 Parish Council owned property – Clerk has coloured a map of the Parish to enable assessment of what works/contractors are required and has drawn up a list of tasks that require completion. She will share with Councillors and then seek contractors for the various works identified.
108.23 Allotment renewal notices – sent out 11th September via email, some hand delivered. All have been paid in full (banked 17/10/2023), therefore no vacant allotments.
109.23 Act of Remembrance – MA will install poppies on tree guards opposite the shop. Poppy wreath is available to be presented in Church, service starts 10.45AM on 12th November.
110.23 latest read out/charts from speed awareness camera were shared prior to the meeting and some of this information will be included in a future Gidding News
111.23 Recreation Field:
Skip has been filled and taken away (including many items from the Village Hall).
Fields in Trust – changes to policy and fees https://www.fieldsintrust.org/field-change-request/fees
112.23 Correspondence received since 19th October 2023:
a) NALC newsletters –NALC events list, Legal update, Consultation to update the Model Financial Regulations,
b) Cambridgeshire County Council –
- Cambridgeshire Matters monthly newsletter INCLUDING item on
- County Councillor Steve Count’s email regarding weeds on footpaths and highways – further email with request for feedback.
- Traffic Management Centre – reports for incidents in September
- Falls Prevention – posters and advice for residents
- Public Rights of Way Officer appointed – introduction to Dan Wiggs
- c) Huntingdonshire District Council –
- press release re. activities for keeping people stronger for longer and Community Health Prevention Project details.
- Press release – Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Dog Control in Huntingdonshire extended to 3 years
- Garden waste subscription scheme (for green bins) – invitations sent out to online discussions – Clerk not available to attend. Survey available for completion before 27th October https://letstalkhuntingdonshire.net/garden-waste-subscription
- The Development Management (aka Planning Department) Training Event will take place in the District Council’s Civic Suite (adjacent to Pathfinder House) between 18:00 – 20:00 on both the 30th October and 6th November. Either in person of via ZOOM (link and spreadsheet sent to Councillors on 18/10/2023)
- Elections.Public – Review of Polling Districts and Polling Stations (our Parish is not affected).
- http://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bins – bin collection dates for December 2023
d) CAPALC – various training courses available, including Resolving Workplace Conflict on 19th October
e) Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority –
f)Greater Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnerships
update on Cambridge sustainable travel zone
g) Neighbourhood Alert/ECOPS etc –
News from the Courts emails,
Sharpen up your cyber safety
October newsletter
h) Cambridgeshire ACRE
i) Parish Online newsletter
j) Slow Ways National Walking Network – forwarded to Councillor D’Altillia and Paul H, who had expressed an interest in mapping walks around the Parish.
K) poster for Great Fen Apple Day on 21st October at Ramsey Heights Centre
l) Electrical Safety Fund – grants available for home electricity safety
m) National Gas Transmission – Route walking in early November
113.23 Items for next meeting:
114.23 The next meeting will take place on
Tuesday 21st November 2023 at Great Gidding Village Hall
MEETING CLOSED at 21.31
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