The PCC of Great Gidding is proposing to replace the outer doors to the south porch of St. Michael’s Church with new glazed doors of similar design. To do this we need to obtain a faculty (i.e. permission) from the Diocese of Ely. A condition for granting a faculty is that the PCC has consulted parishioners on the proposal. Hence this note.
If you wish to object
If you wish to object to any of the works or proposals you should write stating the grounds of your objection to:
The Diocesan Registrar, The Bishop of Ely’s Registry, 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3JT;
so that it reaches the Registrar no later than: 10th February 2022
A letter of objection must include your name and address and state whether you live in the parish and/or your name is entered on the church electoral roll of the parish or any other basis on which you have an interest in the matter.
For further information
If you require any further information please contact John De Val on johnedeval@hotmail.com
St Michael’s Church is now closed until further notice.
This is to enable large scale restoration work to take place at the east end of the north aisle. It is anticipated that this work will last until early March. Access to the church will be for authorized personnel only. The scale of the work does not permit us to set aside a limited space in the church for private prayer and quiet.
Little Gidding Church open
However, please note that St John’s Church, Little Gidding is open seven days a week between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
Services in the Baptist Church
The Baptist Church has very kindly offered the use of their building during this period. Therefore on Sunday 16th January, there will be a service of Evensong in the chapel, taken by our churchwarden John De Val and starting at 4pm.
Enquiries
If you have any enquiries regarding the closure or services, please contact John De Val, telephone number: 01832 293417
The First Communion of Christmas takes place, on Christmas Eve, in St Michael’s Church, starting at 9pm. The seating at this service will be ‘socially distanced’. Again, we seek your support in asking that you keep your masks in place when singing carols during this service.
The following day, Christmas Day, there is a service of Holy Communion at Hamerton Church, starting at 9.30am Finally, a very happy Christmas to everyone.
Our thanks to those people who decorated St Michael’s Church. This was very much a case of people ‘doing their own thing’ and results were stunning. Thank you so much.
Sadly, it has been decided to CANCEL the Family Carol Service in St Michael’s Church, scheduled for this Saturday 18th December.
The decision was not taken lightly, but inevitable in the light of rapidly increasing COVID infections. We hope you understand the difficulty in making that decision but being safe came out as the top priority for our community.
There will be an Act of Remembrance in St Michael’s Church this coming Sunday 14th November. The service will start at 10.45 am.
Everyone is very welcome, but we would seek your assistance in maintaining COVID 19 safety guidedance. We would request you to, please, wear your face covering whilst in church, and especially when singing. We would also seek your help in respecting social distancing. There is hand sanitizer in the church porch. Thank you.
Minutes of the meeting held at Great Gidding Village Hall on Tuesday 17th August 2021
Present: Cllrs Hodson, Cotton, Hill, Pudney, Maciag and Bolton, County Councillor Gardener, District Councillor Alban and the Clerk.
059.21 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting
060.21 There were no apologies for absence
061.21 There were no Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests
062.21 No members of the public or press attended this meeting
063.21 The Minutes of the meeting held on 20th July 2021 were agreed
Proposed by Cllr Hill and seconded by Cllr Pudney
064.21 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that would not be discussed later as an agenda item.
065.21 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
County Councillor Gardener:
County Council meetings are to be held every quarter, rather than monthly, which has resulted in much longer meetings, often discussion of the matters on the agenda is not completed, which is leaving members of the public disgruntled.
The new Mayor of the Combined Authority is continuing with the proposed Demand Response Transport Scheme, as proposed by the former Mayor Palmer. This is designed to meet the needs of inhabitants of West Hunts villages wishing to make journeys to various locations in and around Huntingdon. “Customers” will be able to book journeys by App or phone. Existing bus services will continue during the 6 month trial period.
County Council will fund a Flood Action Programme to assist those areas that were affected by flooding in December 2020.
Cllr Gardener is working with our local MP to present a series of safety improvements for the A14 between Ellington and Keyston. A meeting will be held in September to discuss and highlight issues.
Gillian Beasley, Chief Executive of the County Council is to retire, and the decision has been made not to replace her in the combined role for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, but to revert to individual (two) roles.
In the 7 days to 11th August, 17 people tested positive in Sawtry and the Giddings.
Cllr Gardener left the meeting, to attend the Hail Weston Parish Council meeting.
District Councillor Tim Alban:
Cllr Alban shared photos that he had just received of furniture dumped on the Bullock Road (not in our Parish), for which he would complete online reports immediately – he advised that it is hoped there will be co-operation between villages in the area and the Police to enable a picture of “hotspots” and other issues such as vandalism, to be targeted. The preferred means of reporting matters to the Police is via the website. Report a crime or incident | Police.uk (www.police.uk)
Planning Department of Huntingdonshire District Council are struggling to maintain staffing levels, resulting in delays and backlogs.
District Council have set aside £3m to address climate change issues, including works to Pathfinder House and Ramsey Leisure Centre, and improving the carbon footprint of the District Council in the process.
District Council Alban left the meeting at this point, to attend the Folksworth Parish Council meeting.
Cllr Cotton advised that the water leak on Luddington Road had been assessed by Anglian Water, who had confirmed it was their responsibility to repair the damage and it is anticipated that the works will be carried out in the next couple of weeks.
Cllr Bolton had checked out vegetation along The Jitty and advised that it was trees/shrubs along the field boundary that were dropping debris. The Jitty is a County Council owned footpath, bordered by fields on one side owned by Milton Estate (Peterborough) – Clerk will remind the Highways Department and Milton Estates
Clerk has complied with the request from the Internal Auditor to advise the Monitoring Officer at Huntingdonshire District Council (through the Code of Conduct link) of the current position regarding Parish Councillors potential conflict of interest as they also hold the position of Village Hall Trustees and Gidding Charity Trustees – response awaited from the Monitoring Officer.
066.21 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Barclays Bank statements – shared and noted
b) Cashflow spreadsheet and budget forecast – shared and noted
Cllr Bolton enquired about the budget for emptying the “new” waste bin at the crossroads.
c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS –online payments in respect of the following were approved by :
Who
What for
TOTAL
VAT
Authorised
Authoriseded
25
Bradgate Fencing (No 145)
Grass Cutting
199.32
33.22
JRT +
PH
26
Information Commissioners Office
Data Protection subscription
40.00
NONE
JRT
PH
27
Broxap
Waste bin at bottom crossroads
274.74
45.79
JRT
PH
28
J R Trolove
Wages for May
Xxx
NONE
JRT
PH
29
Inkwell Printing
Gidding News
26.00
None
JRT
PH
d) Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 31st July ( 34 hours) – agreed by those present
067.21 Planning Applications
Reference: 21/01777/LBC Proposal: Demolition of 9″ thick garden wall and reinstatement to match existing with amended capping detail to part wall length. Site Address: 80 Main Street Great Gidding PE28 5NU (rear of Fox and Hounds)
This was a revised application for the same site where originally a wooden fence was proposed as a replacement for the wall. As the applicant is now complying with the request for the wall to be rebuilt, approval was recommended.
068.21 Recreation Field Update:
a) discussion to retain or remove the toilet unit on the Recreation Field – the unit has been vandalised and requires ongoing maintenance to keep in good order and is little used. Cllr Hill proposed removal of the existing toilet unit and to hire in a toilet unit for future events, seconded by Cllr Hodson. Ways and means of removal and disposal were discussed, Clerk to request a skip company to quote for removal. AWA will then be requested to cap off water supply at stopcock in Chapel End (at the end of the entrance footpath).
b) MUGA – environmental statement has been carried out and a revised drawing sent to the Planning Department showing the wildflower bank (created from the topsoil removal).
c) insurance claim for replacement spring toy – a second quote is awaited and, on receipt, will be sent to the Insurers.
069.21 Local Highways Improvement grant 2022-23 – deadline for submission 30/9/2021
Cllr Hill updated on the current scheme along Main Street and the next approved scheme on Mill Road and Luddington Road. He offered to compile the 2022-23 submission, which was gratefully accepted. Suggestions were for a second speed camera, an extension to the footpath along Main Street to Hemington Lodge Road, and improved signage and road markings around the Little Gidding junction – the latter was the preferred option.
Speed awareness sign – Cllr Hill and Hodson had installed the sign and the information gathered by the unit(21st July to 9th August) has been shared prior to the meeting. The figures were showing that, over the 19 days between installation and readings taken, some 6700 had travelled into the village and a similar number travelled out, 98% at or around the speed limit coming into the village, 85% were travelling at or below 31mph, the excessive speeds were mainly late at night.
071.21 Training opportunities for Parish Councillors and Clerk – Clerk will send out dates again to Councillors
072.21 Clerk’s annual appraisal review had been carried out by Cllr Hodson, details were read out – this document will be signed
073.21 Correspondence received since 20th July 2021 (other than that discussed in agenda items above). Emails have been shared immediately with Parish Councillors
Email dated 22/7/2021 – consultation from Hunts DC on Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles
Email from Steph Webb, Youth coordinator for CambsCC
Via email from CambsACRE – Cambs Home Energy Support Services (CHESS)
Email from Cambs & Pboro Combined Authority – Demand Responsive Transport
Email from Road Safety Officer at Cambs CC, with summer newsletter
There were no observations regarding specific items of correspondence but observations and ideas on how this information is shared with all Parishioners, ideas discussed with no firm conclusions, but a request for Councillors to give this further consideration.
074.21 Items for decisions at next meeting:
Prepare for Co-option of Parish Councillor
LHI bid for 2022 – 23
Method(s) of sharing correspondence with Parishioners
075.21 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 21st September 2021
starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding
Minutes of the meeting held at Great Gidding Village Hall on Tuesday 20th July 2021
Present: Cllrs Hodson, Hill, Maciag, Bolton and Pudney, and the Clerk.
042.21 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting
043.21 Apologies were received from:
County Councillor Gardener – attending another meeting
District Councillor Alban – attending other meetings
Councillor Cotton – holiday
044.21 There were no Declarations of Interest.
045.21 No Press or Public were present.
046.21 Minutes of the meeting held on 15th June 2021 were accepted.
Proposed by Cllr Hill and seconded by Cllr Pudney.
047.21 Matters arising that will not be discussed later in the meeting:
Cllr Hill – Signage associated with the LHI bid has been erected at either end of Main Street, the speed awareness sign is ready to be installed and the batteries charged – the sign will be in operation in the near future.
Cllr Bolton enquired about the 40MPH sign that was facing the wrong way on entering the village from Glatton. Cllr Hill advised that this had been “caught” by farm machinery, Jo Challis of Highways Dept has been informed and advised that the sign may be too close to the road – she has responded that this will be addressed.
It was noted that the white gate adjacent to Townsend Pond now necessitates walkers to step out into the road, as the grass verge is now “blocked”, and a suggestion was made to make a footpath inside the post and rail fence (see 056.21a).
Cllr Pudney thanked Cllr Hill for all his work on the LHI projects.
048.21 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Clerk advised that CambsACRE have a new website and will share the new password via email.
Cllr Hodson advised that another allotment may become available. Cllr Pudney enquired about allotments that were tenanted by people from outside the village – Cllr Hodson advised that this dates back several years when no one came forward to take on vacant allotments and, when someone from another village enquired, they were offered an allotment and later took on a second, it was at this time that the Orchard project was proposed too. It is only in very recent times that a waiting list (currently 2 households) has been necessary.
049.21 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements
b) to note the Cashflow spreadsheet
c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS – the following payments were approved for payment
Who
What for
TOTAL
VAT
Authorised
Authoriseded
20
Bradgate Fencing (No 100)
Grass Cutting
199.32
33.22
JRT
PH
21
J R Trolove
Postage stamps
13.02
NONE
JRT
PH
22
WAVE/Anglian Water
Water rates for Rec. Field
26.68
NONE
Direct Debit
23
J R Trolove
Wages for May
Xxx
NONE
JRT
PH
d) Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 30th June ( 33 hours) – approved.
050.21 Litter Picking in the Parish – District Councillor Alban had forwarded an offer from Sawtry Litter Pickers offering to attend a future meeting to discuss setting up a litter picking programme in the Parish – it was felt that the occasional and individual efforts to remove litter from the Parish were adequate. Cllr Hodson remarked that even after the removal of waste bins (due to no volunteers coming forward to empty them) there had been few incidents of litter being found around the Parish.
051.21 Planning Applications
a) Planning application to be considered : 21/00393/FUL – MUGA installation at Great Gidding Recreation Field. – HuntsDC granted extension for response. Approval was recommended as all Councillors were in favour feeling that this would be an asset for the village, improving sporting and recreation activities for all ages which is greatly needed in a rural village.
b) CambsCC – provision of signage for a disabled parking space – 30 Main Street – there were no observations or objections made.
052.21 Training for Parish Councillors and Clerk – no suitable training available at present.
053.21 Recreation Ground Update:
MUGA planning application – Planning Department of HuntsDC had asked for more detail regarding materials to be used in the construction – after discussion it was agreed that it would be a green playing surface of asphalt/concrete with green netting, the door being in the corner nearest the entrance to the Rec. Field entrance. There would be no encroachment on current football pitch areas and no lighting would be installed. The storage container would be moved further along the Field boundary
A biodiversity report will be obtained and, to mitigate any loss of habitat, the spoil from the MUGA will be used to form an earth bank which will be planted with wild flowers.
On the evening of 11 July between 8PM and 11PM, the Octopus seesaw spring toy (purchased in January 2014 for £520) was set alight and destroyed, other than the metal framework, graffiti was added to the roundabout, storage container and toilet unit. This took place during the football cup final and, whilst young people were heard on the Rec Field, nothing was seen by local residents. The matter was reported to Police the following evening by the Clerk (Incident reference number is: INT/35/VHTP/1272021). Clerk will obtain and complete a claim form to replace the item. Cllr Hodson had purchased graffiti removing liquid and was spending time in removing this. The question was raised whether a toilet was needed on the site now that there were no regular activities on the Rec. Field and only very occasional use by the School, as this was not the first time that it had been vandalised, although it could be used more frequently when the MUGA is installed – this will be added to the agenda for further discussion at the August meeting.
054.21 Discussion of renewable/clean/green energy projects for the Parish – Cllr Hill had been advised that, through the website www.energyhub.org.uk, funding is available for residents/businesses/individuals through the Combined Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Authority. This information will be added to Gidding News.
055.21 Gidding News – add an item with link regarding energy initiative.
056.21 Correspondence received since 15th June 2021 (other than that discussed in agenda items above). Emails have been shared immediately with Parish Councillors
a) Email – Cambs CC – Local Highways Improvement applications for 2022/23 – this will be discussed at the August meeting.
b) email – Hunts DC – consultation on licencing for Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Policy – no observations were made
c) Information Commissioners Office – Data Protection Fee – this will be paid at the August meeting
d) Milton Estates Ltd – Forestry works in Chapel End Spinney – noted
e) Broxap Ltd – order for replacement bin – due 9th August.
g) SBA – pfk Littlejohn – AGAR – acknowledgement of exemption
057.21 Items for decisions at next meeting:
Recreation Ground toilet unit – to keep or to remove
Local Highways Improvement Bid – ideas for submissions – deadline 30th September 2021
Prepare for Co-option of Parish Councillor
058.21 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 17th August 2021
starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding
Minutes of the meeting held at Great Gidding Village Hall on Tuesday 15th June 2021
Present: Cllrs Hodson, Hill, Cotton, Maciag and Pudney, District Councillor Tuplin, County Councillor Gardener and the Clerk. 1 member of the Public
023.21 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting
024.21 District Councillor Alban sent his apologies as he was attending another Parish Council meeting
025.21 Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
Cllr Cotton in respect of 031.21 a)
Cllr Maciag in respect of 031.21 b)
026.21 There was no Public or Press participation session
Member of the public was given a copy of the minutes of the May meeting.
027.21 To confirm and accept minutes of the meeting held on 18th May 2021
Cllr Pudney proposed and Cllr Hill seconded
028.21 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as agenda item.
029.21 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
District Councillor Gardener:
He advised that in the County Council elections held on 6 May, he had been returned as the County Councillor for our area. 43% of the local population voted on that day. As there was no overall control of the County Council a pact has been formed by Labour/Liberal Democrats and Independent Councillors, this arrangement will be reviewed every 6 months and Council meetings will be held quarterly. One of the first decisions taken was to abolish the Health Committee and this now forms part of the Adults Committee (looks after the interests of those aged 18+, includes Social Care and has the largest spend).
His Councillor remit is to cover Planning Committee, Pensions Committee, Environment Committee and Fire Authority.
He advised that Jo Hudson, the Highways Officer covering our area, is currently covering the St Ives area too and this may create delays regarding Local Highways initiative bids.
***Cllr Hill has been in correspondence with Jo Challis and Calvin Mugemuzi regarding the LHI bids for this Parish, whilst a start has been made on the projects, both a lack of sign availability and sub contractors (SKANSKA) lack of labour are likely to add to the delays.
County Councillor Gardener left the meeting at this point to attend another Parish Council meeting.
District Councillor Tuplin had been invited to the meeting to share his knowledge of Planning matters, to assist Councillors to assess and give valid planning reasons for acceptance or objection to Planning Applications.
Councillor Hodson thanked District Councillor Tuplin for attending and providing useful information and insight into the Planning process.
Councillor Tuplin left the meeting.
Councillor Pudney – asked the Clerk about landowner responsibilities for trees adjacent to The Jitty (Main Street to Gains Lane) – Clerk advised that there were several landowners, including Milton Estates and, as it was felt that the trees on Milton Estates land were needing attention – Clerk will request an on-site meeting with the Land Agent to assess what can be done. Cllr Hodson advised that a tree survey has been carried out by Ayres Tree Services (approx. 2 years ago) of all trees in the Parish.
Parents of children attending the village school have expressed concern about the speed of vehicles driven by USAF Molesworth staff – they pass by the school at the end of the school day, not complying with the 30MPH restrictions and, due to their uniforms and vehicles, it is obvious where they have travelled from – the Clerk will write to the Base Commander and bring it to their attention.
Councillor Hill – emails have been received from Jo Challis (CambsCC Highways Dept) regarding the siting of the speed activation device – it should be in situ for 4 weeks and then removed or moved to another post every 4 weeks, this would appear to be a legal requirement. Cllr Hill enquired in the Parish wished to proceed with a device and the decision to continue was agreed by all present.
Cllr Hill was requested to respond to the Highways Department to enquire:
As the Parish will only have one post for the device initially, could it by turned through 180 degrees, thereby taking readings from a different positon.
It is difficult to find a suitable site for a second post near to the bottom crossroads, could a site be found between the School and Church Farm.
Cllr Hodson enquired if the device would continue to take speed readings when it was not “flashing”?
Councillors Cotton, Maciag and Hodson had nothing to report.
030.21 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Barclays Bank statements shared prior to the meeting.
b) Cashflow spreadsheet shared prior to the meeting
c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS –
Who
What for
TOTAL Amount
VAT
Authorised
Authoriseded
15
Bradgate Fencing
Grass cutting
199.32
33.22
JRT+PH
16
Milton Estates
Footpath Rental
£1.00
NONE
JRT+PH
17
J R Trolove
Wages for April – 36 hours
£xxx
NONE
JRT+PH
18
Catalyst Design
Website hosting + domain name renewal
132.77
22.13
JRT+PH
Payments were approved by Cllrs Pudney and Cotton.
d) Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 31st May ( 31 hours) – approved by Cllrs Hill and Maciag
e) Update of signatories on Barclays Bank accounts – Cllr Pudney will become a signatory in place of Cllr Hill – forms signed and will be sent to Barclays. Approved by Cllr Maciag.
031.21 To view the AGAR documents prepared for the Internal Auditor’s visit.
Proposal to agree and sign the AGAR for the year 2020/21.
To view the Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21.
All Councillors had been sent copies of the AGAR and associated documents prior to the meeting and approved the content. Cllr Hodson and Clerk signed the documents.
032.21 Planning workshop with District Councillor Dick Tuplin – see 029.21
033.21 a) Planning application to be considered – : 21/00790/HHFUL
6 Luddington Road – deadline 23 June 2021 (Cllr Cotton declared an interest)
No observations in favour or against.
b) Planning application to be considered – 21/01169/HHFUL
The Old Chapel, Main Street – deadline 2 July 2021 (Cllr Maciag declared an interest)
No observations in favour or against
034.21 Training for Parish Councillors and Clerk – Clerk had forwarded dates of future training dates and encouraged Councillors to attend. Cllrs Maciag and Pudney will attend when work commitments permit.
035.21 Recreation Ground Update:
Refurbishment of the seat – Cllrs Pudney and Macaig to order parts and commence required work.
Monthly safety checks – Cllr Hodson has removed waste bins (stored in the container).
He found the door handle and lock on the toilet unit had been vandalised again, and the window broken with additional minor damage. He will purchase and replace the door handle, replace the glass in the window with Perspex too.
Clerk will request an update regarding the MUGA planning application.
037.21 Allotment Lease Agreement was signed by Cllr Pudney for the Parish Council and Cllr Hodson for the Charity Trustees.
038.21 Co-option of Parish Councillor – member of the public expressed an interest in joining the Parish Council and signed a Co-option form at the meeting. Cllr Hodson welcomed him to the Parish Council.
039.21 Correspondence received since 18th May 2021 (other than that discussed in agenda items above). Emails have been shared immediately with Parish Councillors
a) email from Dr Nick Johnson – Combined authority proposal for St Ives
b) email from Huntingdonshire DC, Healthy Lifestyles – various activities available
c) email from Cambridgeshire CC – street lighting attachments
d) email from Neighbourhood Alert regarding suspicious emails/scams
040.21 Items for decisions at next meeting:
Prepare for Co-option of Parish Councillor
Approval of the content of the issue of Gidding News before sending to printers – include use of the Defibrillator (YouTube or other online link) or in person workshop.
Renewable Energy potential in the parish
Queens Jubilee in 2022 – event in the Jubilee Wood, tree planting areas, other suggestions.
041.21 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 20th July
starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding
WHEN:This coming Saturday, 23rd October from 10.30AM
WHERE: in the Orchard at Jubilee Wood, so wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather
(if it is too wet/windy/cold we will relocate to the Village Hall)
Bring along your apples and pears for a morning of peeling/chopping/crushing and make fresh juice. You may want to bring along a seat/chair and a container to take juice home
Other activities are planned (weather and venue dependent).
If you have apples or pears to spare, and can’t attend on the day, please drop them off at Manor Site Farm/87 Main Street.
There have been requests to repeat the display of poppies on the fence opposite the Fox and Hounds. If you would like to make/craft poppies to add to the display please deliver them to Manor Site Farm/87 Main Street on or before 29th October. Last year many poppies were made from wool, the schoolchildren made a big poppy from their hand prints, others were made from wood, and some from recycled materials – can’t wait to see what is made for this year.
Poppies will appear on the fence between 1st and 11th November.
