We have learnt of the death of David Capp of Winwick. David was a much-loved neighbour of Great Gidding and will be sadly missed.
His funeral takes place on Wednesday 25th May at Huntingdon Crematorium at 1pm.
Michael Keck
There will be a service of Choral Evensong in St Michael’s Church on Sunday 15th May, starting at 4pm. The singing will be led by the Peterborough Chamber Choir; the service will be conducted by the Benefice Rector, Revd Mandy Flaherty.
All are very welcome. There will be wine and nibbles after the service.
It is hoped that the bells will be rung for the first time for nearly two years.
The restoration work to the east end of the north aisle has now been completed and the Church has had a thorough clean and is now open to visitors once again.
Read about the works undertaken
Enquiries
If you have any enquiries regarding the Church or services, please contact John De Val, telephone number: 01832 293417
Following Palm Sunday, this week is Holy Week, leading up to Easter Sunday (17th April).
Compline
On Maundy Thursday (14th), there will be a service of COMPLINE in St Michael’s starting at 9pm; the service will be led by John DeVal. Pre-COVID, there was a tradition of holding such a service in the church during Holy Week. This short 20 minutes or so service provides the opportunity for a quiet period of reflection and prayer, prior to the events of Good Friday and Easter.
Good Friday Walk
The Good Friday Walk (15th) around the Benefice, calls into St Michael’s at 1.20pm for a fifteen minute period of reflection, reading and prayer. Please feel free to join the walkers at that time as they do like to meet people as they visit the various churches in the Benefice. If you would like to take part in the walk (you don’t have to walk the whole distance), then please contact Revd Mandy Flaherty (tel: 01480/896541).
St Michael’s restoration
Delighted to report the restoration work in St Michael’s is complete. Next Tuesday the church will be thoroughly cleaned, and the following day the organ builders pay a visit to tune the organ.
Easter Day Holy Communion
So, St Michael’s should sparkle visually and sonically as we celebrate the completion of the work, and what better occasion could there be than Easter Day (17th). Our service of Holy Communion is at 4pm.
Great and Little Gidding Parish Council
This meeting will take place on Tuesday 19th April 2022
Starting at 7.30PM
At Great Gidding Village Hall
This is not a formal Parish Council meeting. It is an opportunity for residents of Great and Little Gidding to find out more about the work that the Parish Council are doing, to raise any issues they wish regarding the village and comment on plans for the coming year.
All are welcome to join.
AGENDA:
- Chairman’s welcome
- Minutes of the meeting, held via Zoom, on 20th April 2021
- The Chairman’s Annual Report from the Parish Council
- Update on current tasks within the Parish and plans for 2022-23
- For members of the public to present, discuss and resolve any other matters related to Great and Little Gidding Parish.
Present: Cllrs Hodson, Bolton and Pudney, County Councillor Gardener and the Clerk.
154.21 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.
155.21 There were no apologies for absence
156.21 There were no Member’s declarations of Disclosable Interests
157.21 No members of the Public or Press attended the meeting
158.21 Minutes of the meeting, held on 18th January 2022, were confirmed as a true and correct record. Acceptance proposed by Cllr Bolton and seconded by Cllr Pudney.
159.21 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.
160.21 Reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Clerk enquired of County Councillor Gardener details of the proposed change of Parliamentary Constituency boundaries, whereby our Parish may become part of South Peterborough (currently North West Cambridgeshire). This is a process that takes place from time to time as area populations increase to level up the constituency areas – consultation period has now closed and decisions are awaited.
County Councillor Gardener
Councillor Steven Ferguson is now Chairman of the County Council.
The County Council element of Council Tax will increase by 1.99%, and Adult Social Care to increase by 3%. The income generated is anticipated to be £6.9m and this will be allotted to Council Reserves.
There will be an increase of £20 to those persons receiving Universal Credit.
Cllr Gardener left the meeting after advising on item 163.21a
161.21 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account
b) Annual Finance review – a list of spending to date, together with a budget spreadsheet were shared at the meeting. Cllr Hodson explained about precept/income and expenditure/assets and budgets to Parish Councillors.
c) PAYMENTS of the following items was approved by Cllrs Bolton and Pudney
| Who | What for | TOTAL | VAT | Authorised | Authorised | |
| Catalyst Design | Setting up Noticeboard page on website and training of Clerk | 336.00 | 56.00 | JRT | PH | |
| CAPALC | Annual subscription | 57.00 | ~ | JRT | PH | |
| J R Trolove | Wages for December (18 hours) | Xxx | ~ | JRT | PH | |
| WAVE/AWA | Final invoice for Rec Ground toilet unit | 5.06 | ~ | Direct debit | PH | |
| Paul Hodson | Capping off Toilet unit supply | 15.92 | ~ | JRT | JP |
d) Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 31st January (29 hours) approved by Cllr Bolton and Pudney.
162.21 Planning Applications and Planning matters: NONE received as at 11/2/2022
163.21 Highways and Footpaths:
a) LHI bid for 2022-23 – Nick Hill had submitted a presentation to Parish Council and Cambridgeshire County Council. A response from CambsCC indicated that there would be minimal improvement to traffic calming/road safety if the proposed measures were implemented. County Cllr Gardener advised that the proposal could still be submitted, but would be unlikely to gain sufficient support to be successful based on the County Council comments. Cllr Gardener has had considerable experience of the Local Highways Bid Scheme and suggested an approach for a future bid for the Little Gidding junction. He offered to arrange an on-site meeting with a Highways officer to consider the options.
Based on these comments, Cllr Hodson proposed that the current application be withdrawn, with a revised proposal to be submitted for 2023/24 bid. This proposal was seconded by Cllr Bolton.
b) Parishioner requested discussion of condition of various public footpaths + another enquiry. Emails have been received with concerns regarding aspects of various footpaths in the Parish. CambsCC have contacted the Clerk regarding one of the enquiries and the Clerk has requested a meeting or discussion with a CambsCC representative to address other issues regarding public footpaths.
164.21 Training opportunities for Councillors and Clerk
February 16th – Councillor Training, split session – 6.30 to 9PM
23rd – Councillor training, split session – 6.30 to 9PM
More online training options are now being offered by CAPALC and details are shared on their monthly newssheet, a copy of which is forwarded to Councillors.
165.21 Recreation Ground:
Mole problem will be addressed by Arrestapest
Toilet unit has been disconnected from the Main Sewer and final invoice received from WAVE/AWA. The toilet will be removed when ground conditions allow. The concrete base that the toilet stood on will remain in situ.
166.21 Correspondence received since 18th January 2021 (other than that discussed in agenda items above).
See attached list, discussion on the following items:
j) Cllr Hodson and the Clerk will attend a meeting to share thoughts and ideas with District Councillor Alban and other local Parish Council Chairmen and Clerks on Wednesday 9th March.
l) CambsCC response dated 7/2/2022 to request for a further grit bin on Chapel End. A price has been quoted and CambsCC would need to identify a site where road visibility was not impaired. Councillors discussed and agreed that this bin would not completely solve the problem of ice on the roads and footpaths in this area. A request has been made on the most recent parish newsletter for volunteer footpath gritters and, at this stage, a grit bin will not be ordered.
p) following a request for the provision of equipment for litter picking around the parish, the Clerk will research prices and submit to the March meeting.
167.21 Items for decisions at next meeting:
Prepare for Co-option of Parish Councillor
168.21 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 15 March 2022
starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding.
Over the Jubilee Bank Holiday we would like to display any photographs/newspaper cuttings/certificates, in fact anything that reminds us of events that have happened in the Giddings, over the last 70 years……it may be pantos, various clubs, sporting activities, groups, societies, fetes, community picnics and dances to name just a few.
Have you anything that we could use and put on display? Please help us if you can by making sure any personal memorabilia you have is clearly identifiable with the date and event name and also clearly marked with your name and contact no. The cut off date for getting those memories out of the attic and over to us is the end of April so there’s not much time.
All will be brought together for the Jubilee Bank Holiday and displayed at the Village Hall for everyone to come along and share the memories….
Sue on Tel 293271 email: jartrap@aol.com
Julie on TEL: 293591 Email: julie.trolove@gmail.com
for more details about collection/delivery of memorabilia.
Thank you.
Details of the event will follow soon.
Notification has been received this evening that work will commence on roads around the parish to complete the next stage of the Local Highways Improvement programme. The work starts tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd February, and is anticipated to take place until Friday. This will affect Chapel End, Main Street, Mill Road, Luddington Road and Milking Slade Lane at various times over the next few days.
From Cambridgeshire County Council Highways Department:
To ensure works are carried out safely and efficiently, stop/ go boards will be used as part of the traffic management between 07.30 am and 17.30 pm.
Access will be maintained for properties and businesses, however, there might be some delays depending on the activities being carried out on site. Traffic management operatives will be on site to assist anyone.
Please note that due to the nature of our works, there will be some noise generated when carrying out the works. This is unfortunately unavoidable, however, we will endeavor to complete them in a timely manner in order to minimise disruption to the residents.
We thank you in advance for your co-operation and understanding during this time. If you have any further queries or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Project Delivery
Cambridgeshire Highways
T: (+44) 1480 372170
M: (+44) 7776 679371
Minutes of the meeting held at Great Gidding Village Hall on Tuesday 18th January 2022
Present: Cllrs Pudney, Bolton and Macaig, and the Clerk. District Councillor Alban joined later in the meeting.
139.21 Cllr Pudney, Vice Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.
140.21 To receive apologies and reasons for absence
Cllr Hodson – ill health
141.21 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
142.21 No members of the Public & Press were present
143.21 Minutes of the meeting held on 21st December 2021 were confirmed as a true and correct record by Cllr Pudney and seconded by Cllr Macaig
144.21 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.
145.21 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Clerk – Gidding Parochial Church Council plan to hold a service to commemorate the Queens Jubilee and had offered to attend a meeting to discuss plans for other events.
Cllr Macaig proposed a Queen’s Jubilee event based on 1952, he suggested involving the Pub in plans too.
Clerk – an email had been received from the Enforcement Officer from HuntsDC Planning Department regarding 65 Main Street, Councillors expressed their disappointment at this decision and asked that this be fed back to Planning Department. This was mentioned to District Councillor Alban when he joined the meeting, he requested sight of all correspondence on this matter.
Clerk – volunteer gritters required for footpaths – an item will be added to Gidding News.
Cllr Pudney advised, in recent days a Parishioner has slipped on ice in Chapel End, resulting in a badly broken leg, another Parishioner had broken her arm last year as a result of slipping nearby. Cllr Pudney suggested a further salt bin, to be sited near the crossroads or on the green to enable residents to grit this area, the existing salt bin is on the bend, necessitating a climb up the icy road – Clerk will make enquiries. There is a constant water leak/spring leak that makes an area of Chapel End wet and icy, Anglian Water have dug up the road to investigate and/or repair, but the problem remains. Clerk was requested to report to Anglian Water.
Cllr Pudney added details of the forthcoming closure of Luddington Road (between 15 – 17 February) to Facebook.
No further Councillor reports.
146.21 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Bank statements for Parish Council account were viewed – no comments
b) to note the Cashflow spreadsheet and Budget Forecast – Councillors requested an item on the February agenda to discuss Finance.
c) the following payments were approved for payment by Cllrs Pudney and Macaig:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | VAT | Authorised | Authorised | |
| 48 | Viking | Stationery and office supplies | 153.73 | 25.62 | JRT | |
| 47 | J R Trolove | Wages for November (24.5 hours) | Xxx | ~ | JRT |
d) Clerk’s working hours between 1st and 31st December (18 hours) – approved by Cllrs Pudney and Macaig
*** District Councillor Alban joined the meeting at this point and gave his report. He advised that District Council will set the annual budget in February.
The District Council are likely to introduce Civil Parking Enforcement to alleviate problems with parking on yellow lines in urban areas and around schools etc.
Proposed plans for another distribution park at Junction 17 (Haddon Services) off the A1/A605 and a solar park at Morborne are causes for concern for many parishes in the vicinity.
District Councillor Alban will follow up the enforcement issue for Mill Road, in addition to enquiring about 65 Main Street (See 145.21)
District Councillor Alban left the meeting.
147.21 Planning Applications and Planning matters:
a) Proposal: Ash T1 – Crown lift to 5.4m above ground level. crown reduce to be in line with pavement and give a minimum 50cm gap to adjacent lamppost.
Site Address: 6 Dells Close Great Gidding Huntingdon
Reference: 21/02777/TREE
There were no observations for or against this application.
b) CambsCC email dated 12/1/2022 outlining 40 MPH limits around village, connected with LHI bid – it was felt that as this Parish Council proposed the changes, we could not comment.
148.21 Recreation Field Update
Grass cutting contract – Councillors agreed to continue with Bradgate as the contractor, for 12 cuts a year, with additional cuts as and when requested.
Cllr Macaig requested Planning Department of HuntsDC to update him on the MUGA planning application and was advised that further contact would be made by the end of January.
Cllr Macaig will collect oak to make replacement bench slats.
149.21 Training opportunities for Councillors and Clerk
January 29th Councillor training 9AM to 3.30PM
February 16th – Councillor Training, split session – 6.30 to 9PM
23rd – Councillor training, split session – 6.30 to 9PM
More online training options are now being offered by CAPALC and details are shared on their monthly newssheet, a copy of which is forwarded to Councillors.
150.21 Gidding News – Cllr Bolton had made some amendments to the draft and offered to resolve the layout on “Publisher”.
Clerk is awaiting prices for a 4 page issue
Cllr Macaig requested further detail be added to the Neighbourhood Plan item, with an indication that this process will start in Summer 2022.
151.21 Correspondence received since 21st December 2021 (other than that discussed in agenda items above). There were no comments or observations on the following items.
a) email dated 4/1/2022 from CAPALC – introducing Nimble e-learning
b) email dated 5/1/2022 from CambsCC – flood risk information – 15 page document, please ask Clerk if you wish to see a copy
c) email dated 6/1/2022 from Police & Crime Commissioner – increase precept to cover policing costs also email from CambsCC dated 13/1/2022
d) email dated 6/1/2022 – ACRE briefing on COVID requirements for community buildings
e) email dated 6/1/2022 from Economic Development Huntingdonshire.gov.uk weekly briefing
f) email dated 11/1/2022 from Road Victims Trust – outline of their charity and support available – 15 pages of articles and photographs, please ask Clerk if you wish to see a copy
g) email dated 12/1/2022 from NALC – update
h) email dated 13/1/2022 from North Northamptonshire Council re.Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) – seeking sites for development
i) email dated 12/1/2022 from Think Communities Huntingdonshire – latest news, 12 page document, please ask Clerk if you wish to see a copy
152.21 Items for decisions at next meeting:
Finance review
Prepare for Co-option of Parish Councillor
Queens Jubilee 2022 – discussion of ideas
153.21 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 15 February 2022
starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding.
The meeting closed at 20.40
Minutes of the meeting held at Great Gidding Village Hall on Tuesday 21st December 2021
Present: Cllrs Hodson, Hill, and Pudney, and the Clerk. 1 Member of the public present
124.21 The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting
125.21 Apologies were received from:
County Councillor Gardener and District Councillor Alban – ill health
Parish Councillor Bolton – health grounds
126.21 Member’s declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda:
The Parish Clerk declared a financial interest for 132.21 (see below) and will leave the meeting for this discussion, a Parish Councillor will minute this item.
All Parish Councillors declared an interest in item 132.21 as they know the applicants but as there is no personal financial gain, and no other means of hearing the planning application, they continued.
127.21 There were no members of the Press present. Andrew Middleditch of Messrs Bletsoes attended for item 132.21
128.21 Minutes of the meeting held on 16th November 2021 were confirmed as a true and correct record – agreed by Councillor Hill and seconded by Councillor Pudney
129.21 There were no matters arising from those Minutes.
130.21 Reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Councillor Pudney has recently reported the bags of rubbish that have been deposited in Back Lane and advised that the sewage/slurry that was dumped some weeks ago has still not been cleared (the incident was reported to HuntsDC (?) by a member of the public on Saturday 20th November, the day that it occurred), Clerk will follow this report (* this was reported to DEFRA, Clerk completed online HuntsDC report on 22/12/2021)
Councillor Hill – nothing to report
Councillor Hodson advised that the bell has been replaced on the School roof today.
As this was to be Councillor Hill’s last Parish Council meeting, he thanked him for his time, input and support over the last few years.
131.21 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements
b) to note the Cashflow spreadsheet and Budget Forecast – Cllr Hodson explained that the entries in respect of the Allotment rental had been assigned to the Contingency Budget, and will be included as a separate Allotment budget in the next financial year.
Cllr Pudney confirmed that he has been approved as a signatory on the bank accounts for the Parish Council, Village Hall & Recreation Ground but also The Gidding Charity – this latter item was an error by Barclays, but it was agreed that he should remain as a signatory on the Charity account.
c) The following online payment was approved:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | VAT | Authorised | Authorised | |
| J R Trolove | Wages for October (27.5 hours) | Xxx | ~ | JRT | PH |
d) Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 30th November (24.5 hours) were approved by Cllrs Hill and Pudney
132.21 Planning Applications and Planning matters:
The Parish Clerk left the meeting at this point …
Andrew Middleditch of Messrs Bletsoes shared information regarding the application and answered questions from Parish Councillors.
Reference: 21/02188/OUT
Proposal: Residential Development of up to 9 dwellings.
Site Address: 91 Main Street Great Gidding Huntingdon
*** Parish Clerk returned to the meeting.
There were no objections heard or received in respect of the proposed development.
Parish Councillors wished to submit approval of the application, with the following comments:
The proposed development retains the character of the village.
The type of housing proposed, and the families that live in those properties, will bring benefit to village amenities, such as the school.
Clerk will submit the response to Huntingdonshire District Council.
133.21 Recreation Field Update:
a) Anglian Water have acknowledged the instruction to terminate the water supply to the toilet unit and advised that this will be carried out within 90 working days (Customer Ref: 230118301)
b) annual safety inspection – nothing heard from Wicksteed
134.21 Training opportunities for Councillors and Clerk
January 29th Councillor training 9AM to 3.30PM
February 16th – Councillor Training, split session – 6.30 to 9PM
23rd – Councillor training, split session – 6.30 to 9PM
135.21 Gidding News – draft copy was made available prior to the meeting. Clerk requested that any additional items/information be sent to her ASAP to enable this issue to be approved and then printed immediately after the January meeting. As there are now 3 vacancies for Parish Councillors this will be a focus of the newsletter.
136.21 Correspondence received since 16th November 2021 (other than that discussed in agenda items above).
a) Email dated 17/11/2021 – Highways Dept confirmation of Mill Road/Luddington Road scheme – Cllr Hill will continue his involvement with Local Highways Initiative bids and the speed sign.
b) email dated 17/11/2021 – via CambsACRE, details of Fenland Rural Touring Scheme – live performance, cinema screenings, arts events
c) from HuntsDC – COVID-19: Weekly Bulletin 18/11, 25/11, 2/12 and 9/12/2021
d) email dated 19/11/2021 – NALC legal update (copy available on request), weekly updates, NALC Events, (forwarded to Councillors),
e) email dated 19/11/2021 – Neighbourhood Watch regarding hacking, online shopping scams, lottery scams, New Police and Crime Plan For Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Keep Burglars Away this Christmas , December newsletter (copies available on request) and other emails throughout the month
f) email dated 19/11/2021 – Hunts DC One Leisure active lifestyle PSI classes – information
g) email dated 22/11/2021 – Hunts DC confirmation of receipt of CIL return and notification of publication
h) email dated 22/11/2021 – Hunts DC regarding 2022 elections, Council Tax and more
i) email dated 23/11/2021 – Hunts DC dates for bin collections altered by bank holidays
j) email dated 23/11/2021 – via Cambs ACRE, forwarding details on Charity Commission guidance on safeguarding
k) email dated 23/11/2021 – Huntingdonshire Communities newsletter
l) email dated 26/11/2021 – Greater Peterborough Partnership Making Connections: have your say on greener travel in Greater Cambridge – consultation process ended 20th December
m) email dated 29/11/2021-Hunts DC “Huntingdonshire District Council launch Growth Grant Scheme” – copy available on request
n) email dated 30/11/2021 – East Anglian Childrens Hospice request for donation
o) email dated 30/11/2021 – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority update issue 8 – copy available on request
p) email dated 1/12/2021 – CambsCC Highways Dept inn response to report of surface erosion of Milking Slade Lane
q) email dated 1/12/2021 – Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority – “Have YOUR Say on our budget and our new way of working” – deadline 31/12/2021
r) email dated 3/12/2021 – commemorative ware for Queens Jubilee
s) email dated 8/12/2021 – Cambs CC – free places for children at Christmas holiday schemes.
t)email dated 10/12/2021 – CambsCC details of Cambs Local Councils Conference on 14/1/2021 – Parish Clerk will attend (virtually).
u) email dated 10/12/2021 – via CAPALC, detail of Household Support Fund, open until 31st March 2022
v) email dated 29 November from Hunts DC re. Christmas tree collections for this postcode area
w) email dated 15 December from CambsCC – Cambridgeshire Matters newsletter
x) email dated 24 November from Hunts DC re list of Parish Councillors to appear on their website
y) email dated 16/12/2021 – from CambsACRE – updated COVID requirements for Community buildings.
z) email dated 17/12/21 – Police and Crime Commissioners Christmas card.
137.21 Items for decisions at next meeting:
Prepare for Co-option of Parish Councillor
Queens Jubilee 2022 – tree planting, village event, other ideas.
Gidding News
138.21 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18 January 2022
starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding.
Meeting closed at 21.00