Present: Councillors Maciag, Hargrave, Bolton and Hodson, and the Clerk. Also County Councillor Gardener and 2 members of the public.
Agenda of the Annual Parish Council Meeting
- To elect Parish Council Chairman
- To elect Parish Council Vice Chairman
- Completion of Acceptance of Office forms and Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests forms
There were no other nominations for Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. Cllrs Hodson and Bolton proposed and seconded the following:
Cllr Maciag as Chairperson
Cllr Hargrave as Vice Chairperson
0001.25 Cllr Maciag, as Chairperson, welcomed those present to the meeting
0002.25 Apologies and reasons for absence:
District Cllr Alban – at another meeting
0003.25 There were no Member’s declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
0004.25 2 x members of the public were present to find out more about Parish Council, with a view to becoming a Councillor.
0005.25 Minutes of the meeting held on 15th April 2025 were confirmed as a correct record by Councillors Maciag and Hargrave
0006.25 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.
County Councillor Gardener:
He advised that the County Council was now Liberal Democrat controlled.
He had been re- elected and was now assigned to Highways/Planning/Staffing and Appeals and Fire Authority committees
The Local Government re-organisation is ongoing with the potential that all will be completed by 2028, with new unitary authorities in place by 2027. It is not known how boundaries will be redefined or if any changes will be made to election dates.
In response to the resident’s question regarding footpaths (at the Annual Parish Meeting), he will liaise with the Clerk and the Footpath Officer (Dan Wiggs) and Highways Officer (Sarah Budd) to assess these matters.
Councillor Gardener left to attend another meeting.
Cllr Hargrave:
The recent coffee morning had raised £476 for Dementia UK
Any items for the next newsletter are required by 27th May.
Cllr Hodson:
Soil improver for the allotments, delivered by Hunts DC, had been used within 48 hours and allotment holders are keen to receive a further supply. Clerk confirmed that she had made the request to Hunts DC, currently there is none available for delivery.
Clerk:
Notification of the resignation of Cllr Moody had been received, an email of thanks has been sent.
0007.25 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank
- Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 2/5/2025 £12572.23 (includes £500 bequest)
- Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 2/5/2025 £ 21676.65
- Defibrillator account – balance as at 2/5/2025 – £102.59
b) PAYMENTS – to approve online payments in respect of the following
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised |
| Staff costs | Wages for March (27 hours) | Xxx | NIL | JRT | |
| Ecclesiastical Insurance | Parish Council insurance *** | 842.38 | NIL | ||
| Viking | Office supplies and telephone/answer machine | 161.96 | 26.99 |
*** Clerk had checked with insurers and has been advised that there is no cover for Data Protection and this type of cover is not available.
- Clerk’s working hours for April, a total of 27, were approved by Cllrs Maciag and Hargrave
- The Precept for 2025/26 of £11837 has been paid into the bank account
- VAT refund paperwork completed and refund received – £158.91
- AGAR (annual audit) paperwork had been shared prior to the meeting.
DECISION TO approve the AGAR documents for the 2024/25 financial year
Proposed and seconded by Cllrs Hargrave and Bolton.
- AGAR signed by Parish Council Chairman and the Clerk.
- Independent internal auditor to be appointed – Clerk had emailed CANALBS, but no response. She hopes to resolve this in the next few days.
0008.25 PLANNING applications and matters:
Application 25/00749 HHFUL The Mill, Mill Road, Great Gidding – render outbuilding, internal alterations and replacement windows and doors.
There were no objections to the changes proposed (Listed building and Conservation Area)
School site – Parish Council’s response to the Section 77 notice was sent on 17th April 2025. Nothing further has been heard.
CIL funding – Huntingdonshire District Council are inviting applications for funding. Clerk is uncertain of the process and will make enquiries with Planning Department.
0009.25 Recreation Ground – Cllr Hodson proposed that a gate be inserted at the opposite corner to the entrance gate, to enable safer walking to Kings Wood on Winwick Road.
0010.25 Village Maintenance – Cllr Hargrave and Clerk compiled a grant application in respect of a replacement noticeboard – a grant of £2500 has been awarded. Quotes will be obtained.
0011.25 Donations to Charities – Cllr Moody had written a policy document and submitted for consideration. Questions arose, the Clerk will check out details.
0012.25 Correspondence received since 15th April 2025 :
a) NALC newsletters – dated Chief Executives Bulletin NALC events,
b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads (3 in Huntingdonshire during May), Highways events planned – none locally, Resurfacing of Bullock Road at Elton mid June.
Cambridge Flood and Water – advice on flooding and use of water.
c)Huntingdonshire District Council –
LOCAL PLAN – Additional Sites Land Availability Assessments will be available for you to view and comment between the following dates:
Start date: 23/04/25 10:00
End date: 04/06/25 23:59
Please select the following link to view this event:
Town and Parish Council newsletter forwarded to Parish Councillors , update on waste minimisation, electrical recycling points
Communities Service team notice,
Press release about CIL funded projects
Advance notice of the Town and Parish Council Forum on 19th June at Burgess Hall, St Ives, a reminder has been sent to book tickets
Survey about play areas in Huntingdonshire completed
d) CAPALC – nothing received
e) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for May
f) CPRE spring newsletter available
g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – nothing due to election
h) Huntingdonshire Community Policing meetings – invitations to join online meetings on 24/9 and 15/12, both at 7pm.
i) The Pensions Regulator requested an updated renewal of the PAYE scheme – this was completed on 25th April 2025
j) Clear Councils Insurance (now known as Ecclesiastical) newsletter – articles about tree roots and terrorism
013.25 Items for next meeting:
Co-option of Parish Councillors
Budget update for 2025/26
Means by which the Parish Council’s share information.
Update on findings regarding CIL payments
Spreadsheet of issues regarding Highways, Byways and Footpaths
Update on “Donations to Charities” policy wording
The next meeting will commence at 7.30pm on 17th June 2025 in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.
Village Hall payments were approved by Cllrs Bolton and Maciag
The meeting closed at 21.28
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