PRESENT: Cllrs Maciag, Bolton, Downer, Nankivell, Hargrave and Hodson, County Councillor Gardener and 1 member of the public
0028.25 Cllr Maciag, as Chairperson, welcomed those present to the meeting
0029.25 To receive apologies and reasons for absence:
District Councillor Alban – at another meeting, he has sent a report
0030.25 Declarations of Disclosable Interests received from Cllr Nankivell for 0037.25
0031.25 Member of the public present in respect of 0037.25
0032.25 Minutes of the meeting held on 17th June 2025 were confirmed as a correct record by all Cllrs.
0033.25 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.
County Councillor Gardener advised that the Combined Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor will take on extra responsibilities, possibly from March 2026.
Community Right to Buy, in respect of Community Assets, will be implemented at the time of the Council re-organisation – further details to follow.
County Council voted for an 11% increase in Councillor allowances at a recent meeting.
Cllr Downer thanked County Cllr Gardener and his colleague Dan Wiggs for attending and advising on footpath issues in the Parish.
County Cllr Gardener left the meeting at 20.09 and will next attend in October.
Clerk read out District Councillor Alban’s report re Anaerobic Digester planning application, Hunts DC parking enforcement, Local Government re-organisation, proposed date of 10th September for Districtwide Parish Council meeting with a Highways Officer in attendance.
Cllr Nankivell had reported (via telephone) damage to Black Bridge leading to the Gallops – it has not been repaired yet. Clerk advised that the reporting page on the CambsCC website has recently been completely changed – she intends to check that all outstanding issues are still recorded correctly and will add a report for the bridge if this is not listed.
Cllr Bolton asked if an Adobe Acrobat subscription could be purchased as agenda and documents are not appearing in the correct order, when sent on by the Clerk – Clerk will try and find another means of sending the agenda and documents prior to a meeting.
Cllr Hargrave gave a report of recent Village Hall Committee events and actions –
a recent pop-up café was very successful.
The front door of the Village Hall was difficult to close in very hot weather – will be checked out.
25 people have booked for the upcoming Games Night.
Investigating a hearing loop or similar system, and the working of the PA system
Cllr Hodson thanked the Village Hall committee for their activities.
Cllr Hodson declared an interest as an allotment holder – he advised that Gidding Charity, as owner of the allotment site, had been in dispute with Anglian Water/WAVE regarding invoices for water usage. A formal complaint has been raised, but the outcome is awaited. If it is proved that the invoices are correct due to a considerable increase in water use, it may be that rental fee of the allotments to the Parish Council will increase.
Cllr Maciag – Neighbourhood Plan interim report was ready to share with residents, prior to its next submission to the District Council, and it was agreed that this should be shared via the village website and 3 copies printed. A printed copy will be available to view in Great Gidding, Winwick and Hamerton and arrangements made to view it.
0034.25 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank
a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank (not received as at 11/7/2025 – website check)
- Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 11/7/2025 £9838.83 (includes £500 bequest)
- Parish Council Deposit Account (Business Premium Account interest rate reduced to 1.2% from 12/8/2025) – balance as at 20/6/2025 £21755.36
- Defibrillator account – balance as at 2/6/2025 – £102.96
b) PAYMENTS – approved by Cllrs Hodson and Maciag
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised |
| Staff costs | Wages for MAY(36 hours) | Xxx | NIL | JRT | |
| Catalyst | Website hosting | 322.11 | NIL | ||
| Bradgate Maintenance | Invoice no 3018 | 210.86 | 42.17 | ||
| Milton Estates (Peterborough) | Invoice for access route to Rec. Field | 1.00 | NIL | ||
| Section 137 request | Payment at a future meeting |
- Clerk’s working hours for JUNE – a total of 32, approved by Cllrs Hargrave and Hodson.
- Review of Financial Regulations – it was agreed that no further amendments were required.
- Review of Standing Orders – it was agreed that no amendments were required.
0036.25 PLANNING applications and matters:
There are no new applications (as at 11/7/2025)
0037.25 Section 137 funding request in respect of softball team.
Member of the public confirmed that insurance was in place for the group, a constitution was being devised and a bank account applied for. 25 regular attendees, most of those from the village.
Cllr Hodson requested the constitution include a clause to state that all equipment and assets will be transferred to the Village Hall should the venture discontinue. Also some of the items listed in the budget are day to day expenses and will not be included as part of the Section 137 grant.
Cllr Hargrave proposed that the group be supported in principle and seconded Cllr Hodson’s proposal to donate £800 to enable the group to set up.
DECISION to grant £800 to softball team – proposed by Cllr Hodson and seconded by Cllr Hargrave
0038.25 Village Maintenance – Clerk and Councillor Downer met with Dan Wiggs, Footpath Officer for CambsCC and Cllr Ian Gardener – discussion of Footpath No 6 (Mill Road to Chapel End) and The Jitty. The surface of the Jitty has since been swept since that meeting. Mr Weekes is to supply a definitive border of what is Highways responsibility and neighbouring landowner responsibility in respect of the Jitty. Clerk will write to landowners regarding specific issues and copy in Mr Weekes and Cllr Gardener.
Cllr Downer submitted the following amendment to this agenda item, to be approved at the meeting held on 19th August 2025:
I believe that in respect of minute 0038.25 the following should be recorded:
- The CCC Fotpath Oficer has undertaken to contact the Landowner regarding the fallen tree blocking the pedestrian gate on Footpath 6.
- The CC Footpath Officer has undertaken to contact the Landowner regarding replacing the gate, at the Chapel End of Footpath 6, with a more accessible one.
- Councilor Gardener has recommended that GGPC write to the Landowner of the small gate, at the Mill Road End of Footpath 6, and ask the they replace the rope used to secure the gate with a removable chain.
- Councilor Gardener has recommended that GGPC write to the Landowners of land on Footpath 6 seeking their permission for the overgrown vegetation impeding access, to be cut back.
Noticeboard – quotes are being sought for the board + installation. Hunts DC have paid the grant monies and have supplied a logo for inclusion on the board.
0039.25 A recent email from CAPALC outlined the requirement for changes to Parish Council IT provision – dedicated email addresses (.gov.uk) for Clerk, councillors, use of gov.uk website etc. The email had been shared with Councillors prior to the meeting and, it was agreed that, until more is known about the reorganisation of Councils, it would be preferable to wait to see what requirements came from that exercise that may impact on parish councils, their IT requirements and not to incur additional expense etc.
0040.25 Hunts DC survey on reorganisation proposals – Cllr Hodson had completed the survey and felt that the questions were tailored for responses from individuals. The Clerk has completed the form.
0041.25 Correspondence received since 17th June 2025 :
a) NALC newsletters – dated Chief Executives Bulletin NALC events,
b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition for May, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads (5 in Huntingdonshire during last month), Highways events planned – none locally, various emails about Public Rights of Way hierarchy survey,
Food Waste volunteer required for each Parish in advance of introduction of weekly food collection.
Summer Holiday activities and food for children.
c)Huntingdonshire District Council – offer their Pest Control Maintenance services, Town and Parish Council newsletter for June, Road Closures in July – various in Huntingdon, nothing locally, Water system management event on 10th July,
PRESS RELEASES:
Civil Parking enforcement starts 28th July
Digital screens in local towns
Great Ouse valley Trust – study to explore landscape designation benefits
Waste Education newsletter – includes information about workshops and visits
Redevelopment of Hinchingbrooke Park – plans approved
Update on Net Zero Villages – Great Staughton Village Hall project
d) CAPALC – nothing received, their website is still inactive
e) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for June, invitation to Rural Housing event
f) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – new TIGER bus routes announced – around Cambridge and Newmarket
g) Huntingdonshire Community Policing meetings – invitations to join online meetings on 24/9 and 15/12, both at 7pm.
h) Parish Online monthly newsletter
0042.25 Items for next meeting:
Neighbourhood Plan revised document – feedback and comments
The next meeting will commence at 7.30pm on 19th August 2025 in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.
Village Hall payments for co-authorisation were approved by all:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Authorised | Authorised |
| British Gas Lite To 23 May 2025 | Electricity (paid by Direct Debit) | 63.12 | Direct Debit | |
| A C Cleaning Services | Invoice no 1073 to 10th July | 45.00 | ||
| A B Hargrave | 21.00 (TEN) 33.91 (flyers) | 54.91 | ||
| P Jarvis | repair stage flats/ boards | 99.33 | ||
| PPL/PRS | Annual licence | 170.32 |
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