Present:   Cllrs Alexander (Chairman), Hayden (Vice Chairman), Hodson, Howden, Trolove, Giddens, James, clerk and 3 members of the public.

981.12 Apologies for absence – none

982.12 Minutes of 16^th October 2012 were agreed and signed

983.12 Matters arising (information only)

984.12 Members declaration of interest for agenda items – Cllrs Giddens and Hayden 996.12

985.12 PCC request for partnership with PC on churchyard maintenance at Great Gidding – Revd Mary Jepp and Churchwarden Lois Jordan represented the PCC and following a lengthy discussion it was agreed that the clerk would forward details of the contractor used by the PC for grass cutting and that the PCC would find out the cost of servicing the church lawnmower and forward to the PC

986.12 Rural Broadband – Get Cambridgeshire connected update 58 signed up in Great Gidding and 1 in Little Gidding. It was noted that fibre optic had been provided to the school from the Winwick exchange.

987.12 Recreation Ground – Fields in Trust – QE2 dedication update

988.12 BT account review –annual payment of line rental to receive discount has to be paid by card over the phone but clerk to enquire if BACS payment would be acceptable.

989.12 Village Hall request for donation towards replenishing car park gravel – the hall committee provided a quote of £323 +VAT for a load of 18-19 tonnes spec 20 – 25mm washed gravel.   It was agreed to fund this with money from S137 (3 abstained from vote)

990.12 Mobile Post Office – reliability of visits – Cllr Hayden reported that he had received several complaints about the service being unreliable – clerk to speak to neighbouring parishes for their views and report back.

991.12 Jointly Funded Minor Highway Improvements scheme 2013/14.   Our 2012/13 application had been successful but was last on the list so subject to the budget running out before getting to our scheme.   It was therefore agreed to resubmit for 2013/14 and consider submitting a second scheme – to be discussed at the next meeting

992.12 The Potting Shed – offer from Anglian Water on Water Butts £29.99 or 2 for £45.   It was agreed not to take up this offer as there were no suitable locations/benefits

993.12 Precept – agree budget for next financial year.   This was discussed and agreed not to increase the amount of precept requested from HDC would remain at £10,835

994.12 Representative reports

Rights of Way – It was reported that some footpath signs had gone missing/ been taken down and that some brambles needed trimming back.

Tree warden & Jubilee wood – Ash dieback was present in the village and had been reported – awaiting official word on how to deal with this

Highways & Police – House breakins had occurred in neighbouring villages

Finance & Charities – Finance covered in 993.12 and nothing to report on charities.

Village Hall & Recreation Ground – Replacement external doors were the next project for the hall – a request will be issued asking for volunteers to organise events in support of the hall.   The pavilion on the Recreation Ground is holding its own

Allotments – the water leak had been fixed

School Liaison – It was noted that in the School newsletter sent to all parents they had been requested to leave gaps when parking on Main Street to allow passing places especially when attending functions at the school – School Christmas Fayre Friday 23^rd December

995.12 Reconciliation of accounts and payment of cheques

S Dalley (clerk)                                                                  £295.70

CGM grass cutting October                                               £152.56

Village Hall (History Society –annual hire charges)         £100.00 (S137)

996.12   Planning –application 1201708REP replacement permission 0901576FUL for proposed residential development (3 dwellings) 61 Main Street, Great Gidding – recommend approval however the condition of the existing farmhouse is now a matter for concern as there are loose roof tiles and as the property abuts the pavements and highway this may be a hazard to pedestrians and vehicles. – application 1201738FUL Erection of 1 ½ storey detached dwelling, 47 Main Street, Great Gidding – recommend approval.

997.12   Community Hub stake holder meeting 18^th October inc notes from Julie Trolove – these were noted and clerk to thank Julie for attending and representing the Parish.

998.12   HMRC -Getting your business ready for PAYE Real Time Information – Clerk currently using Basic PAYE tools.

999.12   Correspondence received

.   Invitation for Councillors and Clerk to visit District Council offices and staff – Cllrs Alexander and James interested in attending – clerk to co-ordinate suitable date.

.   Magpas – request for donation – The PC consider this is up to individuals to donate.

.   HDC arrangements for dealing with standards allegations under the localism act 2011 -noted

.   HDC Ash Dieback Chalara fraxinea advice and guidance – Cllr Trolove is dealing with this

.   Local Policing update – A representative will be attending the Parish Council Meeting in Feb or Mar 2013

.   Winter Gritting service 2012/13 – noted. Councillors requested to check bins and inform clerk of any defects.

Present:   Cllrs Alexander (Chairman), Hodson, Howden, Giddens, James, Trolove, District Cllr Tuplin, Julie Byard (School Governor) and clerk

963.12 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Hayden and accepted

964.12 Minutes of 18^th September 2012 were agreed and signed

965.12 Matters arising (information only)

966.12 Members declaration of interest for agenda items – none

967.12 New Standards Regime and Code of Conduct – All Cllrs present had completed their disclosure forms.   Training had been offered by the District Council on the new Code of Conduct

968.12 Rural Broadband – Get Cambridgeshire connected update – 53 had signed up from Great Gidding and 1 from Little Gidding – residents are still being urged to join in the campaign

969.12 Fields in Trust – QE2 dedication of Great Gidding Recreation Ground – paperwork was proceeding and it was hoped to receive the commemorative plaque soon

970.12 BT account review – the clerk had amended the BT contract to make a saving on the broadband payments from £19.30 down to £12 per month.   It was also agreed to pay the line rental in advance to make another saving over the year.

971.12 Recording Wildlife near you project – this will be advertised on the noticeboards for any volunteers to take up

972.12 Mobile Post Office – reliability of visits not discussed – agenda item for next month

973.12 History Group – hire of hall for meetings.   It was agreed to use the S137 already allocated to the History Group for the hire of the hall up to the sum of £100

974.12 Community Hub stake holder meeting 18^th October 5 – 7pm Sawtry College – no one was available to attend this meeting

975.12 Representative reports

Rights of Way – Cllr Giddens – nothing to report

Tree warden & Jubilee wood – Cllr Trolove had applied to participate in the Parish Planting Scheme 2012 run by the District Council

Highways & Police – It was
noted that the road surface was being damaged by the development at the Sewage Works – clerk to inform the County Council.   Cllr James agreed to contact the County Council to hasten the clearance of leaves and branches along the Jittty

Finance & Charities (Precept planning November) Cllr Hodson suggested that some of the S137 not allocated this year could be used to top up the gravel at the hall car park. Village Hall committee to obtain price for discussion at next meeting

Village Hall & Recreation Ground – Cllr Howden reported that the hall was receiving bookings and the next stage of improvements would be the replacement of some external doors.   Recreation Ground had received a safety check and all was in order for the winter – tap needed lagging.

Allotments – Cllr Howden reported that allotment holders were tidying up for the winter.   It was agreed to leave the one spare plot to receive more manure and allow bonfires. Cllr Alexander had turned off the water in preparation to repair the leak.

School Liaison – Julie Byard updated the Council on the increase in numbers at the school from 43 last year to 61 this year enabling the return to three classes..   They had received another excellent Ofsted and there had been some change in staff.   Parents were being encouraged to lift share and 2 staff had now made arrangements to park in residents drives to help alleviate the parking outside the school.   Cllr James suggested the school contact the Safer Schools scheme for possible improvement in signage.   The school asked for the Parish Councils support by writing to Sir Phillip Naylor Leyland who has agreed to repair the Bell Tower if the community are behind the work.   It was agreed that the clerk write a letter in support of this.   Cllr Giddens offered to help steward the parking when the school hosted an event and to help in the classroom/assembly.

976.12 Reconciliation of accounts and payment of cheques

S Dalley (clerk)                                                                  £295.70

CGM grass cutting August/September                              £343.83

977.12   Planning –notification of permission granted for erection of two glass reinforced plastic kiosks to house electrical and control equipment and widening of site access Great Gidding Sewage Treatment Works, Back Lane, Great Gidding

978.12   Correspondence received

.Victim Support – request for contribution towards essential work in Cambridgeshire – none allocated

. Living Sport funding advice event 25^th October 7 – 9pm Willingham – noted

. Community Action issue 2/Autumn 2012 for ACRE members – noted

979.12   Trustee meeting – it was agreed to hold a Trustee meeting following the next Parish Council meeting

980.12   Date on next meeting –as the clerk was not available on the third Tuesday of November it was agreed to change the date of the next meeting to Tuesday 13^thNovember