Community

Held on Tuesday 21^st October, in the Village Hall, Great Gidding – starting at 7.30PM

Minutes approved at meeting held on 18th November 2025

PRESENT: Cllrs Maciag, Hargrave, Hodson, Bolton, Downer, Nankivell, County Cllr Gardener and District Councillor Alban, the Clerk and 21 members of the public

0067.25 Cllr Maciag, as Chairperson, welcomed those present to the meeting

0068.25 There were no apologies for absence                                   

0069.25 There were no Member’s declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda

0070.25 No members of the Press were present.  Members of the Public were in attendance in respect of item 0074.25b Highways application in respect of Hemington Lodge Road and its junction with B660 – CambsCC application no CCC/25/107/FUL – there followed considerable comment and discussion regarding all aspects of this application, particular concerns were raised regarding the increased heavy goods vehicle and agricultural vehicle traffic that will impact on travel through the village and on the local road network.  Cllr Gardener read out additional notes provided by Planning Dept of CambsCC (these were added to the village website on 22/10/2025) and encouraged both Parish Councillors and concerned residents to attend the planning committee session at which this application will be discussed (Date and details to follow when known).  Parish Councillors will write a response to the application, setting out their objections and highlighting the concerns of parishioners.

0071.25 Minutes of the meeting held on 16^th September  2025 were confirmed as a correct record by Cllrs Bolton and Hargrave.

0072.25 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.

              Cllr Alban reported:

  He has sent an objection to the planning application regarding the re-aligned access to     Hemington Lodge Road.

Local Government reorganisation – Option E, a standalone Huntingdonshire authority is still an option to be considered.

Civil Parking enforcement is being carried out in towns but has not yet spread out across the whole district.

Clara Kerr, head of Planning Department, will attend a District Wide Parish Council meeting to discuss the next stage of the Local Plan procedure.

Cllr Alban left to attend another Parish Council meeting.

Cllr Gardener reported:

Cambs CC have chosen Option A (Peterborough, Huntingdonshire and Fenland) as the preferred option for the Local Government reorganisation – Cllr Gardener will vote for Option E (Huntingdonshire as a standalone authority).

The revised Highways reporting system is up and running, we should check that all reports have been transferred, are relevant and update them to reflect the current state of any highways issues – anyone can report an issue, it will be assessed/triaged and auctioned accordingly.  Cllr Gardener will hold regular meetings with the Highways Maintenance Manager.

The next round of the LHI scheme is open between 10^th November and 16^th January for bids to be submitted. 20MPH scheme bids are open between 26^th January and 26^th March (Little Gidding scheme remains “on the list”).

Cambridgeshire County Council funds Healthy You, a service that provides free NHS Health Checks for adults aged 40-74 to screen for conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. See https://healthyyou.org.uk/ to book an appointment

Cllr Hargrave:

Over £500 raised at the McMillan coffee morning

38 bookings already for the Quiz and Fish and Chip Supper in November

Clerk – Remembrance Sunday, there are no details yet of a service at Great Gidding.  Poppies will be placed at bottom crossroads.

0073.25 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank (not yet received)

• Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/10/2025 £8700.29 (includes £500 bequest and £2500 grant)
  • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/10/2025  £21827.57
  • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/10/2025  – £211.27

b) PAYMENTS – Cllrs Hargrave and Bolton approved the following payments and clerk’s working hours

Who	What for	TOTAL	Invoice includes this VAT amount	Authorised	Authorised
Staff costs	Wages for August (29 hours) HMRC National Insurance	Up to £500 (figure not available at meeting)	NIL	JRT
Viking	Print cartridges, paper and other stationery	135.59	22.60
Bradgate Grounds Maintenance	Invoice no 3285	253.03	42.17
Karl Morgan Maintenance	Painting of 2 x benches	339.00 (less £23 for paint)	NIL
Julie Trolove	Paint for benches – reimbursement	23.00	NIL
Ady Pendred signs	Noticeboard and installation	1440.00	240.00
CAPALC	Training sessions for 2 x Councillors	150.00	NIL

• Clerk’s working hours for September   – a total of 28 hours – approved, see above
• Review of finance and budget to date, with a view to setting 2026/27 precept – this will be on the November agenda

0074.25  PLANNING applications and  matters:

              a) 25/01714/HHFUL  Two storey and single storey rear extensions 6 Winwick Road Great Gidding Huntingdon PE28 5PB

              DECISION – a retrospective application as this was built some time ago, in the Conservation Area, but does not impact on visual street scene.

              b) Highways application in respect of Hemington Lodge Road and its junction with B660 – CambsCC application no CCC/25/107/FUL

              DECISION –  objection due to increased traffic through village and on local, unsuitable road network, and resulting safety issues

              Copy of residents correspondence (x4) to CambsCC regarding this application was shared with Councillors prior to the meeting

              c) Baptist Chapel – information sent to Tim Alban from the Conservation Officer

              d) School site – Cambs CC (Mark Freer) advised that demolition and dismantling work starts on Monday 20^th October (already started on Thursday 16^th October)

              e) District Councillor Alban has arranged a District wide Parish Council meeting to take place on Wednesday 5^th November, with Clara Kerr Head of Planning in attendance and particularly to discuss the next stage of the Local Plan – Cllr Maciag will attend.

0075.25  Local Government re-organisation. Introduction of option E – to retain Huntingdonshire as a standalone unitary authority. – see Cllr reports above

0076.25 Village Maintenance – 

1. The newt trail (Cllr Downer to report) – he advised that the gate has not been replaced and requested an update from the Footpath Officer – Clerk to send email
2.  Rec ground maintenance – ongoing grass cutting contract.  Contractors had miscounted and carried out 2 extra cuts and requested payment – Cllrs reluctantly agreed.  Bradgate had also suggested that cutting should continue to end of October – over the next few months Cllrs will consider how to manage grass cutting, revise the areas to be cut and frequency of cuts, taking into account users of the Rec Field, and the Winwick Road properties.
3. Noticeboard installed – Clerk has added Hunts DC logo, acknowledged the grant given and will send a photograph as requested by the terms of the grant.  Refund of unspent monies will follow.  (Smartwater on this item)

0077.25 Allotments – Renewal letters were sent out – all paid, except for Plot No 10 which became vacant and has been offered to the first name on the waiting list.  Clerk requested clarification of terms of tenancy, this will be revised and tenant will be advised.

0078.25 Correspondence received since 16^th September 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 (4 in Huntingdonshire during last month),

Highways events during coming months – nearest is a Remembrance event in Sawtry. 

Community Food initiative small grants available in respect of food poverty, 

   Local Highways Initiative – 2026/27 expression of interest

  The Local Nature Recovery Strategy for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough region

Information about replacement Highways asset management system, known as Aurora – clerk has attended online information session. 

Waste Education Newsletter

c) Huntingdonshire District Council –

• Town and Parish Council Newsletter (includes weekly food waste collection from April 2026),
• Request for volunteers for the Winter Gritting season.
• Press release about Paxton Pits Nature Reserve
• invitation to Annual Climate Conference takes place on Wednesday 5^th November at Burgess Hall – looking for attendees and stall holders, 
• next CIL round funding starts 27^th October for applications to be submitted,
• online events to encourage residents to stand in May 2026 polls
• Dr Bike sessions to be held during November

d) Cambs &Pboro Combined Authority – monthly newsletter, includes buses

e) Cambs ACRE

f) CAPALC – adverts for job vacancies

g) Society of Local Council Clerks – advert for a Deputy CEO

h) Parish Online monthly newsletter

i)  Huntingdon Archives – request for return of legal documents loaned some years ago.

0079.25  Items for next meeting:

Review of finance and budget to date, with a view to setting 2026/27 precept

Information Technology – website and email addresses

Rec Field – management of grass cutting, areas and frequency

 The next meeting will commence at 7.30pm on 18^th November 2025

 in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.