Community

Present:  Councillors Maciag, Moody, Hargrave, Bolton and Hodson and the Clerk.  

One member of the Public joined the meeting (CB)

0164.24 Cllr Maciag, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting

0165.24 Apologies received:

  County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting

  District Councillor Alban – family commitment     

0166.24 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests relating to items on the Agenda

0167.24 One member of the public was present (CB) to enquire about an update on the broadband provision for the village, which he presented to the January meeting. Cllr Moody had carried out very comprehensive research and presented copies of her findings to those present and explained the content.  It was confirmed that we have superfast broadband in the village, if the “service” is to be improved, the following options will be followed:

              a) Parish Council to contact Gigaclear for an up to date position regarding supply to our village, and clarify if any surrounding villages are being considered, and request a statement for our village newsletter.  Also to write to the head of Connecting Cambridgeshire, also requesting a statement for the newsletter.

              b) via the village newsletter, provide contact details and request villagers to register with Project Gigabit/Gigaclear/City Fibre (all have an involvement with this project), to show there is a need.

              c) Parish Council and villagers to write to Sam Carling, MP for our area, asking for support with this request.

              Parishioner thanked the Parish Council and left the meeting.       

0168.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 21^st January 2025 were confirmed by Cllr Hodson and seconded by Cllr Bolton.

0169.24 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.

Cllr Hodson requested that a note of thanks be sent to Milton Estates, following clearance of debris from the ditch alongside Chapel End, it would appear to have alleviated the problem.

Cllr Hargrave regarding Village Hall:

Fees are to be increased and simplified (re. electricity)

Vibrant Communities grant of £772.60 has been received, this in respect of recent coffee mornings and photographic competition and forthcoming wine tasting event.

Net Zero Villages grant has been applied for and are now obtaining quotes for insulation of the roof etc (deadline 28^th February).

Future events are Wine Tasting (Village Hall committee to organise) and Treasures in the Attic and Open Studios (organised by others).

Cllr Maciag advised that he is working on maps to accompany the Neighbourhood Plan and it is hoped that this can be resubmitted to HuntsDC at the end of March.

Clerk: 

1. the village website has been amended, Parish Council is now a standalone drop

     down list

• Clerk attended the online Hunts DC meeting regarding changes to planning policy.  A link to the meeting and slides has been sent to Parish Councillors.
• As requested by Cllr Maciag, an email has been sent to County Cllr Gardener regarding the school site.  Clerk was requested to remind him for a response.

0170.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) December bank statements from Barclays Bank are attached.

            Interest rates decreasing from 1.4% to 1.35% with effect from 11 March 2025

• Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/02/2025 £380.29  (includes £500 bequest)
  • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/2/2025  £26,583.01
  • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/2/2025  – £251.64

b) PAYMENTS – the following payment was approved:

Who	What for	TOTAL	Invoice includes this VAT amount	Authorised	Authorised
J R  Trolove	Wages for December (21 hours)	Xxx	NIL	JRT

• Clerk’s working hours for January – a total of 26, were approved.
• Cllr Hodson’s balance sheet and budget spreadsheet shared with Councillors prior to the meeting – there were no questions.
• Clerk will transfer fund from Interest account to current account to cover expenses to the end of the financial year.
• Confirmation of Precept from Huntingdonshire District Council has been received.

0171.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

              There were none as at 14^th February

0172.24  Recreation Ground – 

a)           Clerk will seek quotes for grass cutting contract for 2025.

              Perimeter hedge behind swings has been cut back by hand –by Cllr Hodson, the Clerk and M Trolove.

0173.24 Village Maintenance –

a) dog fouling around village, both on footpath and grass verges was highlighted on village newsletter (February 2025) and it is hoped has been noted by dog owners.

b) list of outstanding jobs (Clerk) – no change

c) LED street lamp replacement – Gidding Main Street is scheduled for May 2025           

d) 3 quotes for tree work at Pound, Recreation Field and Village Pond shared with Parish Councillors prior to meeting.  After discussion, it was agreed that the 3 dead elms should be removed from the Pound, together with any branches that are encroaching on overhead cables (but not those originating from surrounding land) but, if the use of traffic lights was still required, then contractor must confirm price.  All other proposed works will be postponed.

DECISION – to appoint ……………… as contractor for this project. NO DECISION as work required revised and requires further discussion with contractors.

e) Road surface gritting treatment – Main Street is top of the list for 2025.

0174.24 Correspondence received since 21^st January 2025 :

              a) NALC newsletters – dated                         Chief Executives Bulletin                   NALC events,

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads, reminder of the 20MPH funding scheme, the Library Presents spring programme for March to July 2025, Highways events planned for March – there are none in this area, micro surfacing programme by Highways Department – none for this area.

County Planning, Minerals and Waste – an email dated 27^th January, with 32 pages of notes and guidance on revision of the Local Validation List for planning applications

c) Huntingdonshire District Council – Town and Parish Council newsletter, press release about tree planting in Priory Park, St Neots,  Launch of Public Engagement on Active Travel – invitation to visit venues for presentation and online survey to be completed,

https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/news/council-launches-public-engagement-on-active-travel/

d) CAPALC –newsletter, future training dates, Railway 200 events during 2025

e) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for January/February, presentation on Rural Housing Needs,

f) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – bus franchising introduced in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area by the Mayor.

g) email from Ron Bailey, Parliamentary Safety advisor to the charity Electrical Safety First, about the safety of lithium batteries.

h) Keep Britain Tidy – the 10th Great British Spring Clean will take place from 21 March – 6 April

i) request to share the letter from Teversham Parish Council to Matthew Pennycook MP – regarding surveys and lengthy documents that Parish Councils are now asked to consider.

j) CARESCO – letter requesting funding/donation.  After some discussion, it was agreed to bring this to the next meeting.  Clerk will note in Minutes when a donation has been made to Charity – to date in 2024/25 donations have been made to Village Hall for the purchase of pickleball equipment and Gidding Charity towards the grass cutter.

0162.24 Items for next meeting:

              Donations to Charities

              Annual Parish Meeting – speaker and content

0163.24 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18^th March  starting at 7.30pm

              in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

Village Hall payments were approved.

The meeting closed at 21.19

Present:  Councillors Maciag, Moody, Hargrave, Bolton and Hodson, County Councillor Gardener and the Clerk.  One member of the Public joined the meeting (CB)

0150.24 Cllr Maciag, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting

0151.24 Apologies and reasons for absence:

              District Councillor Alban – attending another Parish Council meeting        

0152.24 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda

0153.24 1 member of the public was in attendance regarding his communications with Gigaclear (see 161.24(i)).  He is unhappy with the internet signal to his home and requested the Parish Council to insist that CambsCC implement their programme for the village, as defined in Connecting Cambridgeshire.  Cllr Moody will research the subject and report back at the February meeting.  Resident left the meeting.

0154.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 17^th December 2024 were accepted by Cllr Bolton and seconded by Cllr Maciag.

0155.24 Reports  from Councillors and Clerk:

            County Councillor Gardener

            It is likely that the current structure of local government will be replaced.  Cambridgeshire will include Peterborough area, but there is the possibility of 2 unitary authorities.  Further details to follow, with a decision to be taken in Autumn 2025.

            Highways Dept are revising their online reporting page and follow up systems.

            Applications for 20MPH LHI bids are being accepted between 27^th January and 25^th March.

            TING community bus is now known as TIGER, operating Monday to Friday between 6.30AM and 7.00PM – bookings can be made on 01480 595440.

            Consultation is ongoing regarding remote access to meetings.

            Cambs County Council portion of Council Tax will increase by 4.99%

            Fire authority will increase their Council Tax apportionment by £4.95.

            Kimbolton Fire station – the whole service is still being considered but more people have volunteered for the role of fire fighter.

            He will be asking questions of CambsCC regarding the new school at Sawtry as, it was assured that when Great Gidding School closed in July 2023, the displaced children could transfer to this new school – building has not yet commenced.

            Cllr Gardener left the meeting to attend another Parish Council meeting.

            Cllr Hodson:

            A working day, and ongoing works, in Jubilee Wood has resulted in groundcover being cut back extensively.

            Parishioners will be asked, via village social media, for donations of money to make up the shortfall in funding for the replacement grass cutter and for donations of time and work to keep areas of the Wood tidy.

Cllr Hargrave:

Village Hall are holding a coffee morning (25^th January) to complete the Photographic Competition (70+ entries).

Small Hall will be decorated on weekend of 1^st-2^nd February (postponed).

Application for grant to improve insulation in the Main Hall is to be submitted to Cambs Net Zero project.

Also considering submission of a Vibrant Village Hall grant.

A newsletter requires content, for publication in early February.

Dog fouling is increasing around the Parish – how can this be improved/resolved.

Cllr Maciag:

Compilation of the Neighbourhood Plan design guide is progressing.

Mr Nott of Milton Estates (Peterborough) has advised that no progress is being made in respect of the school house site, due to lack of engagement from CambsCC (the previous contact no longer employed) and only a consultant who has no authority to discuss/decide matters.  He has requested Parish Council to try to move this forward.  After discussion, it was agreed to request Cllr Gardener to intervene, obtain contact details and an update.  If this fails, a formal complaint will be raised with CambsCC as this site is perceived as deteriorating and vulnerable.

0156.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) December bank statements from Barclays Bank were shared prior to the meeting.

            Interest rates decreasing from 1.4% to 1.35% with effect from 11 March 2025

• Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/01/2025 £1196.74  (includes £500 bequest)
  • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/1/2025  £26,583.01
  • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/1/2025  – £251.64

Cllr Hodson had provided his monthly summary of the accounts and pointed out that, as the unspent Neighbourhood Plan grant monies had been refunded to Govt, there was currently no budget in respect of the Plan until Govt release further funding.

b) PAYMENTS – to approve online payments in respect of the following:

***Clerk’s wage slip was not available, therefore payment up to the sum of £300 was approved.

Who	What for	TOTAL	Invoice includes this VAT amount	Authorised	Authorised
J R  Trolove	Wages for November (26 hours)  ***	Xxx	NIL	JRT
J R TROLOVE	REPLACEMENT MOUSE	5.99	NIL
Cambs ACRE	Annual subscription	65.00	Invoice awaited
Wicksteed	Rec Field Inspection	180	30.00

• to approve Clerk’s working hours for December – total of 21
• Precept information from Huntingdonshire District Council was viewed

0157.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

1. Application ref: 25/00018/FUL – installation of solar panels to 24 – 34 Main Street.  Response required by 29^th January.  Councillors agreed this was a great idea and unanimously approved.
2. It was noted that the plot between 65 and 67 Main Street will be known as Grain Dryer Barn, 65A Main Street.

0158.24  Allotments:

              a) renewal of short term lease between The Gidding Charity and Great & Little Gidding Parish Council – renewal with the payment to remain at £400 per annum was approved by Cllrs Moody, Hargrave and Maciag

              b) advisory note – one tenant of a joint tenancy has died and the tenancy has changed to a sole tenant.

0159.24 Village Maintenance –

a) list of outstanding jobs (Clerk) – ongoing

              b) Chapel End dyke – Milton Estates to carry out some work

c) Winwick Road – Clerk has reported vegetation overhanging onto the highway – Highways reporting via online report.           

d) Quote for tree work at Pound and Village Pond from Manor Farm Tree Services, comparative quotes sought.  Clarify areas for cutting with Councillor Maciag.  Further quotes have been requested

e) Clerk had a conversation with representative of DEFRA/Flood Management group re. Parish Pond on Winwick Road – his report is awaited.

f) Road surface gritting treatment – Main Street is top of the list for 2025.

0160.24 Section 137 Funding request

Councillor Hargrave – request for funding for the Village Hall to purchase equipment for Pickleball  (https://www.pickleballengland.org/) – approved by all.

0161.24 Correspondence received since 17^th December 2024:

              a) NALC newsletters – dated                         Chief Executives Bulletin                   NALC events,

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads, Stay Well this Winter information packs available, Traffic Management events – 11^th January – Straw bear festival,

c) Huntingdonshire District Council – Town and Parish Council newsletter (forwarded to Parish Councillors),  details of Band D Council Tax will not be confirmed until after Friday 17^th January (our precept return has already been submitted, but there may be some slight changes),

d) Cambs ACRE – Rural Affordable Housing letter and document, Staying in Touch newsletter,

e) CAPALC –newsletter, future training dates, Railway 200 events during 2025

f) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for November.

g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – nothing

h) Parish Online newsletter for December and January.

i) letter from parishioner regarding broadband connection in the parish (Cllrs IG and TA have been sent copies). 

0162.24 Items for next meeting:

              Cllr Moody to report on Connecting Cambridgeshire research.

0163.24 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18^th February starting at 7.30pm

              in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

Present:  Councillors Maciag, Moody, Hargrave, Bolton and Hodson, District Councillor Alban and the Clerk.  

0137.24 Cllr Maciag, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.

0138.24 Apologies for absence were received from County Cllr Gardener due to ill health.         

0139.24 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests.

0140.24 No members of the Press or Public were present.

0141.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th November 2024 were confirmed as a correct    record by Cllr Moody, seconded by Cllr Hargrave

0142.24 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.

            District Councillor Alban:

The district-wide Parish Council meeting was attended by the Operations Team – it would appear that few Councils have taken up the offer of 10 “communal” green bins and the use of the Saturday freighters is to be assessed

He had advised full Council of the District Council that the Local Plan portal was difficult to use and therefore many may not have submitted comments.  The Call for Sites exercise continues until mid 2025.

Following the recent Government announcement proposing changes to the set up of Councils, there are likely to be changes ahead which may affect local elections in 2025.

Cllr Moody had carried out considerable research of the Autospeed watch device and recommended that this was not installed in our village at this time (see https://bringtonmolesworth-pc.gov.uk for further details)

Cllr Moody also requested an amendment to the village website, to make Parish Council pages easier to find.  Clerk will discuss with website designers.

Cllr Hargrave gave an update of Village Hall matters:

The Quiz night was successful, a spreadsheet of income and expenditure was provided.

Photo competition is planned for January 2025.  Picture rails or similar are to be installed for this event, and for future use.

All Cllrs supported the application for “greening” the village hall, the possibility of replacing the roof, thereby enabling further insulation to be installed was discussed – Cllrs Hargrave and Maciag to complete the expression of interest form – deadline 26^th January.

Clerk – closure of Main Street on 2^nd December did not happen, no future date has been received for works to be carried out.

We have received the go-ahead to co-opt persons to Parish Councillor roles.

0143.24FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) November bank statements from Barclays Bank were shared prior to the meeting.

                 Interest rates decreasing from 1.4% to 1.35% with effect from 11 March 2025

• Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/12/2024 £2565.27  (includes £500 bequest)
  • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/12/2024  £26,583.01
  • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/12/2024 – £251.64

b) PAYMENTS – Cllrs Moody and Hargrave approved the following payments:

Who	What for	TOTAL	Invoice includes this VAT amount	Authorised	Authorised
J R  Trolove	Wages for October  (32 hours) +backdated to April	Xxx	NIL	JRT
M Allgood	Hedge cutting around Recreation Ground	114.00	19.00
Cambs ACRE	Annual subscription	65.00	Invoice awaited

• Clerk’s working hours for November, a total of  26, were approved by all

0144.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

1. Planning application amendment requested to existing approval in respect of 65-67 Main Street (extension of time for response granted) – Councillors had no comments to make regarding the amendments.
2. CIL notice and payment in respect of approval of 65-67 Main Street.  Clerk will make enquiries about the process to claim this and when is it is due to Parish Council.

0145.24 Recreation Field – note that the Planning permission for MUGA will expire in 26 May 2025.        Due to the costs involved, it was agreed that this project should lapse

              Hedge behind swing frames and alongside cycle track will need cutting by hand – a working party will be arranged for early in 2025 but this will be weather dependent.

0146.24 Village Maintenance – the Clerk had compiled list of outstanding jobs.  It is hoped to find a company to carry out most of these tasks, one or two may require specialist trades.

              Chapel End dyke – Milton Estates had visited and cleared a small section.  Water was still being held back by debris and it was felt that clearance using a digger and back to the junction with the culvert from Gaines Lane is required to be successful.

              Quote for tree work at Pound and Village Pond forwarded to Councillors prior to the meeting.  Due to the cost of the quote, further contractors will be asked to submit their figures.  Also,  concerns were expressed that the quote was not reflective of work that needs doing, may include Milton Estates owned trees, should include the scrubby area opposite the Parish Pond (CambsCC Highways owned verge).  Cllr Maciag will liaise with Clerk to move this forward.

0147.24 Correspondence received since 15^th November 2024:

              a) NALC newsletters – dated                         Chief Executives Bulletin                   NALC events,

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads, Stay Well this Winter information packs available,

c) Huntingdonshire District Council – Town and Parish Council newsletter,  press release regarding Park, Town and Parish Forum notes and documents from the meeting are shared, Community Health and Wealth Building Strategy for rural Huntingdonshire, St Neots skate park upgrade, Civil Injunction order for St Neots town centre, details of Band D Council Tax will not be confirmed until after Friday 17^th January (our precept return has already been submitted, but there may be some slight changes), electric vehicle charging Infrastructure – offers withdrawn, Civil Parking Enforcement taking place throughout Huntingdonshire, Net Zero villages grants available, the WorkWell programme to assist individuals back to work or to stay in work,

d) Cambs ACRE – Rural Affordable Housing letter and document, Staying in Touch newsletter,

e) CAPALC –newsletter, future training dates, f) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for November.

f) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership –

g) UKCE – cycling event on Saturday 8^th March 2025 – it is believed this will not entail the closure of Main Street

h) Tagmaster Ltd – road safety and sustainable traffic monitoring – forwarded to Cllr Moody – see report above

i) SLCC email dated 10 December regarding the growing number of consultation documents, lengthly paperwork etc that Parish Councils are being requested to consider/read/complete – Clerk will continue to complete surveys that affect/impact/involve our rural area and will forward consultation documents to Councillors on the same basis.

0148.24 Items for next meeting:

              Ideas for a speaker/event for Annual Meeting

0`49.24 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 21^st January, starting at 7.30pm

              in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

Village Hall payments for co-authorisation were approved.

Meeting closed as 21.12