This meeting will take place on Tuesday 20th April 2021
Starting at 7.30PM via ZOOM
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.
Due to Government restrictions regarding meetings held in person an Annual Parish Meeting was not held in 2020.
The Chairman’s Annual Report from the Parish Council
Update on current tasks within the Parish and plans for 2021-22.
For members of the public to present, discuss and resolve any other matters related to Great and Little Gidding Parish. Please submit any questions to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting on ggparishcouncil@outlook.com or through the Parish Office letterbox by Friday 16th April.
Minutes of the online meeting held, via Zoom, on Tuesday 19th January 2021
Present: Cllrs Hodson, Hill, Cotton, Maciag and Pudney and the Clerk
147.20 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present at the meeting. Cllr Dear has resigned from the Parish Council as she is soon to move out of the village, Cllr Hodson wished to express his thanks to her for all that she has done for the village and villagers, both prior to and during her time as a Councillor – Clerk will send her a letter of thanks.
148.20 Apologies were received from:
County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting, plans to join later
District Councillor Alban – at other meetings
149.20 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
150.20 No members of Public & Press were present.
151.20 Minutes of the meeting held on 15th December 2020 were confirmed by Cllr Hill and seconded by Cllr Pudney
152.20 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item –
there were none.
153.20 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS:
Cllr Hill – has heard nothing further on works related to the LHI bid
Cllr Hodson – allotments were under water/extremely wet.
Asked that “Roles and Responsibilities” be added to the next agenda
Cllr Pudney – whilst the village itself suffered no flooding incidents during recent heavy rainfall, he had found most roads leading to the village were impassable or heavily flooded and this was a matter of concern for access to the village. Clerk advised that District Councillor Alban was compiling details of the recent flooding incidents and there was to be a meeting with District Councillor Simon Bywater and Sawtry Parish Councillors to collate information, discuss options and actions.
There were no further Councillor reports.
154.20 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements
b) to note the Budget control statement and the cash flow forecast – Cllr Hodson advised that the grass cutting expenditure was much less than anticipated, the contract is due for renewal and this will be discussed at the next meeting.
c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS – to approve online payments in respect of the following:
Who
What for
Amount
VAT
Authorised
Authorised
50
J R Trolove
Wages for November – 27 hours
£xxx
NONE
JRT
PH
VH
Fenland Fire Appliance LLP
Annual inspection
118.02
N/A
JRT
PH
Payments were agreed by Cllr Hill and seconded by Cllr Pudney.
d) to approve Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 31st December ( 23 hours)
155.20 Planning matters:
a)Ref: 20/00243/ENTRÉE 65 Main Street – removal of hedgerow (Andrea Dollard, Enforcement Officer at HuntsDC) – nothing further heard
b)Report no 34428 (Zaria Bettles) Blocked public footpath (No 6) between Chapel End and Mill Road reported online – Parish Clerk has given details of field owners to Footpath Officer to enable her to pursue this matter. Clerk will contact Zaria Bettles for an update ready for February meeting.
c) 2 Gains Lane – aerial removed, conservatory still in situ
d) land adjacent to 21 Mill Road – Andrea Dollard, to follow up with Hunts DC colleague – nothing further heard from HuntsDC, Clerk will request an update.
e) Neighbourhood Plan – a letter of “approval” has been received from HuntsDC, which enables the process to commence. Clerk advised that the next step was to seek volunteers to form a research group. Cllr Maciag recommended that this be delayed until after lockdown and better weather, to allow for volunteers to meet together.
f) Cllr Macaig has completed the planning application form in respect of the MUGA for the Recreation Ground, a couple of queries required clarification. Cllr Pudney suggested that, if the storage container were moved to the other side of the toilet unit, this would enable the MUGA to be sited closer to the hedgerow. Cllr Hodson confirmed that the container could be easily moved to enable this and Cllr Maciag will rework the site plan and share with Councillors before submission to HuntsDC.
156.20 Recreation Ground – Wicksteed are still to carry out the annual inspection of play equipment – weather conditions/lockdown may have caused a delay
157.20 Bins – litter and dog waste bins/bag dispensers
With Councillor Dear leaving the village, one of her roles was to empty and maintain all bins within the parish, this was discussed and the following decisions made:
The dog waste bin at Little Gidding will be removed within the next couple of days (Clerk had asked for a volunteer amongst Little Gidding residents but, as they are not permitted to keep dogs, therefore no volunteer was found).
The litter bin opposite the shop is constantly full, mainly alcohol bottles, and is heavy and cumbersome – this will be removed as soon as possible.
Dog waste bins at the end of The Jitty between Main Street and Gains Lane, the Jubilee Wood, and Chapel End Pond – notices will be attached, seeking volunteers to take on responsibility of each bin, 10 days given for volunteers to contact Parish Clerk, after that date bins will be removed. Situation will be monitored and reported back at February meeting.
Clerk will request a further waste bin from HuntsDC to be sited close to the shop (there is already one bin opposite the Fox and Hounds PH, any waste can be deposited in this bin, and it is regularly emptied by HuntsDC)
Cllr Hodson asked that parishioners are encouraged to continue reporting fly tipping incidents to HuntsDC.
158.20 Gidding News – an issue will be compiled, ready for the February meeting, particularly to promote completion of Census forms, share details about the proposed MUGA, CARESCO activities that may benefit residents. Cllr Hill offered to compile the final copy and Clerk will forward content to him.
159.20 Parish Pond opposite Recreation Field. Possibility of creating bio diversity habitat and applicable grant application –Lucy Jenkins from FWAG had visited the site at the end of December, her response is awaited.
160.20 Correspondence received since 15th December 2020 (other than that discussed in agenda items above). Due to COVID 19 restrictions emails have been shared almost immediately.
CENSUS 21
Post Office Van – village visiting times (to include this in the Gidding News)
Cambs County Council – flood risk reporting flowchart
161.20 Items for decisions at next meeting:
Roles and responsibilities for Parish Councillors
Grass cutting contract
Bins – update on volunteers and/or removal of bins
Annual parish meeting – start preparation
162.20 Date of next meeting – Tuesday 16th February 2021,
Minutes of the online meeting held, via Zoom, on Tuesday 15th December 2020
Present: District Councillor Alban, Cllrs Hodson, Hill, Cotton, and Pudney and the Clerk
132.20 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present at the meeting
133.20 Apologies were received from:
County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting
Cllr Dear – Clerk was unable to contact via telephone
Cllr Macaig
134.20 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
135.20 Public & Press participation session:
Cllr Alban – he had contacted the enforcement officer in Hunts DC Planning Department, requesting an update regarding the potential “dwelling” adjacent to 21 Mill Road. He had received advice that this matter was still ongoing. He advised that all Departments of the Council are working to the best of the ability, given the circumstances that COVID presents. Cllr Hodson enquired about Sawtry Leisure Centre re-opening but Cllr Alban advised that, as the property/business is no longer owned by the District Council, he was unable to answer this, Cllr Pudney advised that through his children’s attendance at Sawtry College, he was aware that it was the intention to re-open the Leisure Centre as soon as virus restrictions and compliance allow. Cllr Alban gave his best wishes to all for Christmas and New Year.
Cllr Alban left our meeting to rejoin Folksworth Parish Council meeting at 19.38.
136.20 Minutes of the meeting held on 17th November 2020 were confirmed by Cllr Hodson and seconded by Cllr Cotton
137.20 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.
Cllr Hodson thanked those who submitted items and compiled the newsletter, all copies have been distributed to residents of the parish.
138.20 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS:
Clerk advised the following:
a) the annual CIL tax return has been submitted to Hunts DC
b) the annual Precept request has been submitted to Hunts DC
c) a VAT return was submitted to HMRC – a total of £356.04, and this amount was paid into the bank account on 15 December 2020.
d) AGAR report has been received from external auditor, PKF Littlejohn. There were no comments regarding the report, and this will be published on the village website.
Clerk had attended an online Society of Local Council Clerks meeting and advised that there is the possibility that Parish Councils could become involved with the rollout of the COVID vaccination programme, details not yet known. Also Parish Councils will be asked to assist with the 2021 census returns – details to follow, and see 144.20 – Correspondence received.
Cllr Hodson – Due to avian flu outbreaks, all poultry on the allotments is now housed indoors and undercover. The allotments and Jubilee Wood are very wet underfoot due to excessive rain but there are many people walking around the wood and making use of the facility. Michael Trolove continues to remove blackthorn when time and weather conditions allow.
Cllr Hill – had met with Jo Challis to confirm the siting of the post at the Glatton end of Main Street, but it had been difficult to find a suitable site for a second post at the Winwick end of Main Street due to the proximity of housing to the road, required sight lines etc. Cllr Hill had requested that the project go ahead with just one post for the camera for now, to ensure that the installation project was not delayed, and further thought and investigation will be given to a second post in the future. The Clerk had consulted Holme Parish Clerk, as their parish has had speed cameras for a few years and recently installed another post, it was confirmed that moving the camera from time to time was beneficial and reflected in the results obtained from their camera.
There were no further Councillor reports.
139.20 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements
b) to note the Budget control statement and the cash flow forecast – Cllr Hodson explained that, whilst the forecast shows an overspend on website provision, this was an essential expense to bring the website into line with current legislation.
c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS – to approve online payments in respect of the following:
Who
What for
Amount
VAT
Authorised
Authorised
50
J R Trolove
Wages for October – 29 hours
£xxx
NONE
JRT
PH
51
Bradgate Fencing
Grass cutting Invoice no 8550
99.66
16.61
JRT
PH
48
Viking Stationers
Paper and print cartridge
59.95
9.99
JRT
PH
49
Cambs ACRE
Annual subscription
57.00
NONE
JRT
PH
52
PKF Littlejohn
External Auditor
240.00
40.00
JRT
PH
CH
J R Trolove – refunded for National Tool Hire
Hire of heavy duty wood chipper
192.95
N/A
JRT
PH
53
Inkwell Printing
Printing of newletter
23.00
NONE
JRT
PH
Payments were agreed by Cllr Pudney and seconded by Cllr Cotton.
d) to approve Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 30th November ( 27 hours)
Pay scales for Parish Clerks have increased, this Clerk is on SCP14 of the pay scale, which has increased to £12.00 per hour
Cllr Pudney proposed the increase in hourly rate and this was agreed by Cllr Cotton.
140.20 Planning matters:
a)Ref: 20/00243/ENTRÉE 65 Main Street – removal of hedgerow (Andrea Dollard, Enforcement Officer at HuntsDC) – nothing further heard
b)Report no 34428 (Zaria Bettles) Blocked public footpath (No 6) between Chapel End and Mill Road reported online – Parish Clerk has given details of field owners to Footpath Officer to enable her to pursue this matter. Nothing further heard but Cllr Hodson has walked the footpath and, once again, the gate was tied with string, although no further dumping of vegetation.
c) 2 Gains Lane – aerial removed, conservatory still in situ
d) land adjacent to 21 Mill Road – Andrea Dollard, to follow up with Hunts DC colleague – see District Cllr Alban’s report at 135.20
e) Neighbourhood Plan update – it was agreed by all that the letter and accompanying map should be sent to Hunts DC to start the process.
f) proposed telecommunications mast – application to site at Luddington in the Brook, although objection refers to sites “offered” around Great Gidding parish – East Northants DC Planning Dept have advised that planning permission is not required as this application falls under Permitted Development . No further action or information.
g) Cllr Macaig has completed the planning application form in respect of the MUGA for the Recreation Ground, once this has been shared with other Councillors, it can be forwarded to Hunts District Council Planning Department. It was agreed by Councillors that it would be courteous to inform residents adjacent to the proposed site and then inform all villagers of the plans through an issue of the Gidding News in Spring 2021 or, if permitted at an event in the Village Hall.
*** Clerk phoned Cllr Dear, no response
141.20 Recreation Ground Update:
Safety report – Cllr Hodson had checked the field (report to follow) – the replacement bench slats still to be addressed.
Wicksteed will be asked to carry out the annual safety inspection.
Funding of MUGA – to be discussed at a future meeting
142.20 Public Footpaths –
a) Clerk has obtained National Farmers Union signs to be used on Public Footpaths, which includes a reminder to dog owners to clear up after their dog.
b) following a resident’s request for the Parish Council to address the increased incidents of dog fouling on grass verges and public property, an article was added to Gidding News (distributed early December) to remind dog owners.
c) Dog waste bins – as Cllr Dear was not present at the meeting, we did not have any information or update.
143.20 Parish Pond opposite Recreation Field. Possibility of creating bio diversity habitat and applicable grant application – the Clerk was aware of a flood prevention scheme associated with the Alconbury Brook which is adjacent to the pond, this scheme is linked with the Environment Agency and the first point of contact is Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. Clerk has contacted the representative sending initial information and a site map and, during the course of the meeting, received advice that a visit will be made to site in the next few days by Lucy Jenkins from FWAG.
144.20 Correspondence received since 20th November 2020 (other than that discussed in agenda items above).
Due to COVID 19 restrictions emails have been shared almost immediately.
CENSUS 21 – advice – it was agreed that the next issue of Gidding News, in February 2021 would promote this exercise.
145.20 Items for decisions at next meeting:
146.20 Date of next meeting – Tuesday 19th January 2021,
Robin’s funeral service will be held on Monday, 15 March, 2021at2.00p.m. at St. Michael’s Church, Great Gidding.
Covid restrictions
Sadly, Covid regulations restrict numbers attending the service to 30.
Around the village
However, if you would like to show your appreciation for one of Gidding’s great characters, you will be able to do so on the day as Robin’s journey to the church will be preceded by a final circuit of the village he so loved and where he spent his entire life.
Starting at approximately 1.40p.m., first passing Flittermere Gate, the hearse will travel from the Glatton end of the village, down Main Street, then up Chapel End, Mill Road and back to Main Street before arriving at St. Michael’s.
Kind words
Gill wants to thank everyone for their very kind words, emails and notes of support. She is extremely grateful for your kindness and hopes that as many people as possible will take a moment to pause and pay their respects, either standing by your gate or at the roadside, as the hearse passes by.
Donations
If you would like to make a donation in Robin’s memory you can do so through Crowson’s Funeral Directors or direct to the charity.
In response to the current lockdown, Great Gidding Parochial Church Council has unanimously agreed to suspend public worship for the months of January and February. This means there will be no services of Holy Communion or Evensong at either St Michael’s or St John’s Church for the next two months.
Services continue online
However, services will be continued to be streamed on line. Details of services, and how to access them, can be found on the North Leightonstone website at www.norleigh.org.uk
This coming Sunday (17th January) there will be a service of Morning Prayer, starting at 9.30am, led by our Lay Reader, Jim Hogg. This will be via a ZOOM link. If you would like to join this service, then contact Jim. He, in turn, will email you a link you can click on, and thereby, you can take part in this service. His email address is: james.hogg@norleigh.org.uk
St Michael’s still open twice a week for private prayer
Whilst public worship is suspended, St Michael’s Church, Great Gidding will continue to be open twice a week for private prayer i.e. Thursday (9.30am – 1pm) and Sunday (1pm – 4pm).
St John’s Church, Little Gidding remains closed until further notice.
If you have any questions, then please contact the churchwarden, John De Val (tel: 01832/2934170)
Need a chat or help?
Finally, if you are aware of anyone who would welcome a phone call for a chat, or needs any help, then once again please contact John.
Minutes of the online meeting held, via Zoom, on Tuesday 17th November 2020
Present: Cllrs Hodson, Hill, Cotton, Maciag and Pudney and the Clerk, Cllr Dear joined via phone link
115.20 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting
116.20 Apologies were received from County Councillor Gardener and District Councillor Alban, both were attending other Parish Council meetings.
117.20 There were no member’s declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
118.20 There was no Public & Press participation.
119.20 Minutes of the meeting held on 20th October 2020 were accepted as correct by all present.
120.20 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.
Cllr Hodson thanked Cllr Cotton for offering to present the wreath at the Remembrance Service. The service did not take place due to lockdown restrictions and the wreath will be stored for 2021 event.
Cllr Hodson advised that the work on the website has been completed and its content is now accessible to all.
Cllr Pudney – requested that articles for the next issue of Gidding News are submitted to him that are “ready to go” to enable him to compile the content. Cllr Hill will write a piece on the Village Hall and Clerk will submit further items to Cllr Hill for wording/layout.
121.20 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS:
Cllr Hill – had corresponded with Jo Challis of CambsCC Highways Dept, she has been seconded to another team during lockdown and therefore there would be a delay on starting the works.
Cllr Hodson – allotments are very wet, the new allotment holder has started preparing his allotment, a sculpture has been donated and installed on the orchard site. In the Jubilee Wood the blackthorn undergrowth is being cut back by Michael Trolove, the thinnings will be chipped and used as mulch on the orchard site.
Cllrs Cotton, Maciag, Pudney and Dear – nothing to report.
122.20 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements
b) to note the Budget control statement and cashflow forecast
c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS – to approve online payments in respect of the following:
Who
What for
Amount
VAT
Authorised
Authorised
44
J R Trolove
Wages for September – 32 hours
£xxx
NONE
JRT
PH
43
Bradgate Fencing
Grass cutting Invoice no 8465
99.66
16.61
JRT
PH
45
Royal British Legion
Remembrance wreath
38.50
NONE
JRT
PH
46
Catalyst Design Partnership
Making village website accessible to all
480.00
80.00
JRT
PH
d) Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 30th October (29 hours) were approved.
123.20 Precept – the precept amount of £11,052 was approved and will be forwarded to Huntingdonshire District Council. The proposed future budget shows overspends in years to come, some of this funding will be met by general reserves and additional funding from outside organisations.
Cllr Pudney proposed acceptance of the 3 year budget, as discussed at the October meeting, this was seconded by Cllr Cotton.
124.20 Planning matters:
a) 65 Main Street – removal of hedgerow (Andrea Dollard, Enforcement Officer at HuntsDC) – a request has been made to re-instate a mixed woodland hedge on the site. Ms Dollard will update the Parish Council in 4 weeks time.
b) Report no 34428 (Zaria Bettles) Blocked public footpath (No 6) between Chapel End and Mill Road reported online – Parish Clerk has given details of field owners to Footpath Officer to enable her to pursue this matter.
c) London and Luton Airport Authority – proposed holding area for aircraft. Documents regarding this matter had been forwarded to Councillors by email. Cllr Hill had carried out further research and advised that there would appear to be no noise impact implications for our parish, due to a flying height of 8000ft being imposed in the nearest zone to Great & Little Gidding. Cllr Hodson agreed that information regarding the flying height appeared to imply negligible effect on this parish. County Councillor Gardener had requested our comments on this proposal and the Clerk will forward details to him.
d) 2 Gains Lane – Chorus Homes had responded and advised that both aerial and conservatory issues would be addressed. Cllr Hodson advised that the aerial has been taken down.
e) adjacent to 21 Mill Road – Clerk has received no response and suggested that District Cllr Alban should be contacted for advice. This was agreed.
f) Neighbourhood Plan requirements – Clerk has checked the District Council website and advised that few parishes have started this process, so far it is mainly the towns and larger villages, and/or villages where large scale development is proposed, that currently appear on the list. The process requires a Parish to register their interest in setting up a Neighbourhood Plan via the District Council. Funding is available to assist and support the Parish in this project which appears to have a 4/5 year timeframe. Clerk has been in conversation with Sawtry Parish Clerks, who have recently started on a Neighbourhood Plan for their Parish, this is led by a sub committee made up of Parish Councillors and interested residents, who report back to their Parish Council as the project progresses. Cllr Maciag advised that the current Government White Paper which proposes changes for planning practice, whereby there will be greater local level involvement in planning consultations, would indicate that it is better to have a planning policy in place rather than being forced into a “situation” in the future. Cllr Maciag recommended registering an interest with the District Council.
Cllr Hodson proposed that the Parish Council register an interest in devising a Neighbourhood Plan with Huntingdonshire District Council, this was seconded by Cllr Maciag. Clerk will complete the paperwork
125.20 Recreation Ground Update:
Cllr Maciag advised that the development of a Multi Use Games Area would cover an area of 30m2. A planning application to Huntingdonshire District Council is required and the cost, where a Charity is involved, would be £462.00. The application with Great Gidding Village Hall and Recreation Ground Trustees as the applicant. Clerk will liaise with Cllr Maciag to provide required information and maps. The start date for this project is likely to be spring of 2021.
126.20 Vice Chairman – Cllr Hodson proposed Cllr Pudney as Vice Chairman. There were no further nominations, this was accepted by all and Cllr Pudney accepted the role.
127.20 Correspondence received since 20th October 2020 (other than that discussed in agenda items above).
Clerk: NO letters have been received since the last meeting. Due to COVID 19 restrictions emails have been shared almost immediately.
128.20 Items for decisions at next meeting:
Dog fouling within the Parish
Planning matters – update on all outstanding issues.
131.20 Date of next meeting – Tuesday 15th December 2020,
Minutes of the online meeting held, via Zoom, on Tuesday 20th October 2020
Present: Cllrs Hodson, Hill, Cotton, Maciag and Pudney and the Clerk
098.20 Councillor Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed all to the meeting
099.20 Apologies and reasons for absence:
County Councillor Gardener
District Councillor Alban – another meeting
Councillor Dear – unable to access internet
100.20 There were no Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests in respect of items on the Agenda
101.20 No member of the Public or Press has requested to join the meeting
102.20 To confirm and accept minutes of the meeting held on 22nd September 2020
Councillor Hill proposed acceptance, seconded by Councillor Cotton
103.20 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item:
There were none
104.20 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS:
Councillor Hill advised that nothing further has been received from the County Council regarding the LHI bid or speed camera
Councillor Pudney had nothing to report
Councillor Maciag had nothing to report
Councillor Cotton had nothing to report
Councillor Hodson – all allotment rent renewals have been paid. There is a new allotment holder – the boundaries of his allotment had been brought back into alignment with other allotments. There is one person/family on the waiting list for an allotment.
Cllr Hodson also advised that Michael Trolove has been undertaking work in the Jubilee Wood to cut back blackthorn and, in the near future, a chipper will be hired in to deal with the trimmings, the resulting mulch will be used for the orchard site.
Clerk advised that a Remembrance Service on Sunday 8th November would be held, subject to COVID restrictions, and Cllr Cotton offered to lay the wreath on behalf of the Parish Council (exact details of the service to follow). Following a request from a parishioner, large poppies have been obtained and these will be displayed on the tree guards on the green, opposite the shop.
105.20 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements
b) to note the details of the Cash Control forecast
c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS – to approve online payments in respect of the following:
Who
What for
Amount
VAT
Authorised
Authorised
38
J R Trolove
Wages for August – 34 hours
£xxx
NONE
JRT
PH
39
Bradgate Fencing
Grass cutting Invoice no 8375
99.66
16.61
JRT
PH
40
Catalyst Design
Website update and accessibility requirement
288.00
48.00
JRT
PH
Chris Knott Insurance Brokers
CHARITY – Insurance for allotments
85.00
NONE
JRT + PH PAID prior to meeting
J R TROLOVE paid by credit card
CHARITY -Buckingham Nurseries – infill plants for Jubilee Wood
199.99
NONE
Plants ordered 15/10/2020, to be delivered when lifted
d) to approve Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 30th September (32 hours)
106.20 Precept – discussion of the annual budget to allow precept application to be sent to Huntingdonshire District Council
A copy of the budget had been sent to Councillors and was available to view during the meeting – discussion followed as to spending requirements for the coming year and the updated budget forecast is attached.
As regards the precept, it was agreed by all Councillors that this should remain at £11052 for the 2021-22 financial year.
107.20 Planning matters:
65 Main Street – removal of hedgerow – report from Andrea Dollard, Enforcement Officer at Huntingdonshire District Council. She will request the householder to replace the hedge.
7 Mill Road – removal of 2 x oak trees – Parish Council had made comment on this application and, as requested, only one tree has been felled.
Blocked public footpath between Chapel End and Mill Road reported online – The Footpath officer has requested further information and details to be added to a map to enable her to pursue this matter. Cllr Hodson has recently walked along Footpath 6 and cut back vegetation and advised that, as before, there was a rope securing the gate.
NALC document on Planning Policy reform – Cllr Maciag had written a resume of the documentation which will be forwarded to Councillors. He suggested that a Neighbourhood Plan and Design Guide might assist future planning considerations within the Parish.
Cllr Pudney enquired if anything further had been heard regarding the proposed mast and base station site in Luddington in the Brook – Clerk advised that as this was outside our parish boundary we would be unlikely to receive further correspondence. District Councillor Alban has offered to liaise with East Northants District Councillor if required.
108.20 NALC website accessibility statement requirements. Catalyst Design have sent an outline of options for the website and, in the mean time, have updated the Parish Council website pages and added a statement in respect of accessibility updates. The preferred option for updating the website, agreed by all Councillors, was option 2 – to make necessary amendments to all pages on the website. Cllr Maciag suggested that a new website could be budgeted for in say 3 years’ time.
109.20 Recreation Ground Update:
Multi Use Games Area – Cllr Pudney advised that the next step was to submit a planning application to Huntingdonshire District Council and Cllr Macaig will complete the necessary paperwork to be viewed at the November meeting.
110.20 Charity update – Cllr Hodson advised that the Charity was now a standalone entity, the Charity Commission website has been updated, showing Cllrs Hodson and Hill, and the Parish Clerk as Trustees of the Charity. The next step will be to obtain insurance cover and devise a constitution and financial regulations, together with all other necessary administration. In the future members, and more Trustees, will be sought to join the Charity
111.20 The Clerk and Cllr Pudney had made a start on the next issue of the Gidding News, which will include suggested tasks for volunteers, information regarding bonfires, general updates of Parish Council activities. A draft will be circulated to Councillors for amendment/approval by email as soon as it is available. This will be sent to Inkwell Printers of Barnwell.
112.20 Correspondence received since 22nd September 2020 (other than that discussed in agenda items above).
Clerk: NO letters have been received since the last meeting. Due to COVID 19 restrictions emails have been shared almost immediately.
113.20 Items for decisions at next meeting:
Vice Chairman’s role
Update on all planning matters, including adjacent to 21 Mill Road and 2 Gains Lane
114..20 Date of next meeting – Tuesday 17th November 2020,
starting at 1930 hours. It is likely that this meeting will take place online due to virus restrictions, details will be confirmed on the agenda.
