Parish council

GREAT & LITTLE GIDDING PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the online meeting held, via Zoom, on Tuesday 17^th 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 20^th 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:

d)  Clerk’s hours worked between 1^st and 30^th 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 20^th 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 15^th December 2020,

starting at 1930 hours ONLINE via ZOOM

The meeting closed at 20.06

GREAT & LITTLE GIDDING PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the online meeting held, via Zoom, on Tuesday 20^th  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 22^nd 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 8^th 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:

d)  to approve Clerk’s hours worked between 1^st 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 22^nd 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 17^th 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.

Meeting closed at 21.00

GREAT & LITTLE GIDDING PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the online meeting held, via Zoom, on Tuesday 22^nd September 2020

Present:  Cllrs Hodson and Pudney and the Clerk at the Village Hall, Great Gidding and Cllr Hill joined the meeting via Zoom.  There were two members of the public present at the Village Hall.

081.20 Cllr Hodson, Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting

082.20 To receive apologies and reasons for absence

            Cllr Dear – unable to attend

            District Cllr Alban – attendance at another meeting

            County Cllr Gardener – hoped to join the meeting via ZOOM

083.20 Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda

            There were none

084.20 Public & Press participation session with respect to items on the Agenda

              Members of the public were in attendance for 089.20

085.20 To confirm and accept minutes of the meeting held on 18^th August 2020

              Cllr Pudney proposed acceptance, and this was confirmed by Cllr Hodson.                                   

086.20 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.

               There were none      

087.20 To receive reports from Councillors:

Cllr Hill – to confirm that the 2021-22 Local Highways Initiative bid has already been submitted to Cambridgeshire County Council.  At present more details of the 2020-21 project are awaited.

Cllr Pudney – confirmed that the broken limb has been removed from the tree in Chapel End.  He also confirmed that fly tipping  online reports have resulted in the rubbish being removed but he has noticed a general increase in litter, both in the parish and the wider landscape and suggested a litter picking event (see 095.20(b)).

Cllr Hodson – acknowledged that renewal date for allotments is not due until 1^st October and that one plot has “changed hands” thereby reducing the waiting list to one name/family, but suggested that where a tenant holds 2 plots, those tenants should be given 12 month’s notice to vacate the plot, to allow the second name on the waiting list to become an allotment holder.  Clerk will update Councillors, once it is known if all tenants are to renew their rental of their plot, Clerk will check with the remaining name/family on the waiting list to ensure they are still interested and then further steps will be considered.

Cllr Hodson has removed lower branches from the walnut tree that is growing close to the entrance to the allotments/Jubilee Wood to enable ease of access and allow more light into the surrounding area.

088.20 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

a) to note Barclays Bank statements

b) to note the Budget control statement – a copy will be sent out with the Minutes together with cash flow forecast and budget reserves details.

c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS – the following payments were agreed.

d)  to approve Clerk’s hours worked between 1^st and 31^st August (34 hours) – approved by Cllrs Hodson and Pudney.

089.20 Co-option of Parish Councillors – Ms Anne Cotton and Mr Jan Maciag were welcomed to the meeting.  They both signed an “Acceptance of office” as co-opted members of the Parish Council and will complete and return the Register of Interest forms.

090.20 Planning matters:

65 Main Street – removal of hedgerow – the Planning Enforcement Officer, Huntingdonshire District Council had emailed to advise that she has still to establish owners of the hedge and properties either side.  The Clerk has emailed details to the Planning Enforcement Officer

7 Mill Road – removal of 2 x oak trees, (no facility to make comment on this application, therefore email sent to Conservation Officer). Clerk has checked the application online and Parish Council comments are linked to the application but there is no indication if the application is approved or otherwise.

Blocked public footpath between Chapel End and Mill Road reported online – to date no response received from CambsCC.

Reform of Planning matters – NALC document on Planning Policy reform and completion of questionnaire – Cllr Maciag will read through the documents and make recommendations to Councillors at the October meeting.

091.20 NALC website accessibility statement requirements.  Catalyst Design will commence the work and report. *** an email was received during the meeting and forwarded to Councillors immediately following the meeting.  This outlined actions that are required and how corrections could be put in place.

092.20 Recreation Ground Update:

Multi Use Games Area – Cllr Pudney presented proposed site plans for the area, two of which were at the Winwick end of the Rec. Ground and another which was close to the entrance off Winwick Road.  Whilst the site close to the entrance may necessitate the storage container being moved (overall area is approximately the size of a tennis court with access around), it was agreed by those present that this would be the preferred site.  A planning application will be prepared by Cllr Maciag for submission to Huntingdonshire District Council.  Once planning requirements have been met, this will enable grant applications to be completed.

093.20 Parochial Church Council for St Michaels – it was agreed that any discussion/arrangements in respect of “Operation London Bridge” should be shared with the PCC.  Clerk will liaise with the PCC.

094.20 The list of opportunities for volunteers to engage with tasks within the Parish (discussed at the August meeting) will be shared with Parishioners via a flyer.  Other items to be included in the flyer:

            Welcome of new Parish Councillors, and request for one more.

            Village Hall update re. repairs and request for committee members

            Litter pick event around Great and Little Gidding (obtain information pack from HuntsDC)

            Proposal for MUGA on Recreation Ground

            Update on the proposed telecommunications mast and base

            Reminder of any COVID related contact details – include Face/Hands/Distance/6 if space allows

            Orchard structure photograph

            Invite interest for members of Gidding Charity (see Gidding Charities meeting 021.20)

            Clerk and Cllr Pudney will liaise regarding content and layout before sending to Councillors for amendments and approval.

095.20 Correspondence received since 18^th August 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.

            a) Email from Cambs ACRE – invitation to join their ZOOM AGM on Weds 30^th September, must register at least one week before.

b) Hunts DC email – community litter picking events – information pack online.

096.20             Items for decisions at next meeting: 

                        Precept – discussion of annual budget to enable the precept to be applied for.

97.20               Date of next meeting – Tuesday 20^th October 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.

Meeting closed at 20.50

GREAT & LITTLE GIDDING PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the online meeting held, via Zoom, on Tuesday 18^th August 2020

Present:  Cllrs Hodson, Pudney and Dear at the Village Hall, Great Gidding and District Councillor Alban joined the meeting via Zoom.

064.20 Cllr Hodson as Chairman welcomed those present

065.20 To receive apologies and reasons for absence:

            Cllr Hill – holiday

066.20 Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda – there were none

067.20 Public & Press participation session with respect to items on the Agenda

              There was none

068.20 Minutes of the meeting held on 21^st July 2020 were confirmed and accepted by Cllr Pudney, seconded by Cllr Dear                        

069.20 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.

            Highways Department of CambsCC have displayed a Public Notice throughout the village, notifying residents of the extension of the speed limit area with a 40MPH “buffer” zone.  This is part of the LHI Bid project.

            The Internal Auditor’s report has been received, following a telephone consultation held with the Clerk.  The required audit papers will now be forwarded to the External Audidtor. 

070.20 COUNCIL ISSUES TO NOTE:

To receive reports from Councillors:

District Councillor Alban advised that the Small Business Grant is available until midnight on Sunday 23^rd August and, if any small businesses were known to require extra funding due to COVID 19, they should be encouraged to apply.

He advised that the Eat out to Help Out scheme was operational during August.

Huntingdon District Council will be revisiting their budget in the near future – difficult decisions will have to be made to reduce spending and he will keep us informed.

Cllr Pudney asked about fly tipping as there had been a spate of incidents recently and was advised by Cllr Alban that, since District Council refuse tips re-opened to the public, the Environmental Enforcement Team had been pro-active and, where information was found regarding the person(s) who tipped the waste, fixed penalty notices and prosecutions were being made. 

Cllr Pudney has reported 3 incidents of fly tipping to the District Council in recent weeks.

Cllr Dear reported a limb of an ash tree was damaged in the storm at the weekend.  Clerk will contact the field owner to ask them to resolve this as the branch is hanging very close to the road.

Cllr Pudney advised that a tree on the corner of Back Lane has also lost a limb – Clerk will advise the landowner.

Cllr Hodson reminded the Clerk about the parishioner’s request regarding a display of large poppies for Remembrance Sunday.

He advised that, having cleared vegetation from the blocked footpath that runs between Chapel End and Mill Road, the vegetation has again been used to block the footpath and the gate had been tied with string.  Clerk has completed another online report to Cambridgeshire County Council (via their website online reporting form) –

 Reference: 00344828
Date reported: 12/08/2020
Fault type: Obstruction on path
Address: GREAT GIDDING FOOTPATH 6, GREAT GIDDING
Location: Report no 335958 is the same location – between Chapel End and Mill ,,
Description of fault: This has been reported on 335958, Parish Council has removed the vegetation and untied the rope restricting access on 2 occasions, but it had been replaced. Parish Council has received several reports/comments regarding this blockage of the Public Right of Way

071.20 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

a) to note Barclays Bank statements

b) to note the Budget control statement

c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS – to approve online payments in respect of the following:

d)  to approve Clerk’s hours worked between 1^st and 30^th July ( 32 hours)

072.20 Planning matters:

65 Main Street – removal of hedgerow.  The Enforcement Officer for the Planning Department of Huntingdonshire District Council has been out to the site, she is to consult other District Council colleagues, make contact with the land owners and will report back to the Parish Council on 15^th September

7 Mill Road – erection of fence, boundary satisfactorily re-instated following a meeting between Cllr Hodson and Mr Craven of Milton Estates but, more recently a planning application has been made to have 2 trees removed that are growing along this boundary.  The Parish Council have not been consulted and asked to comment on this application, but it is known that there is a delay within the Planning Department due to lockdown, therefore Councillors discussed and agreed that an email should be sent to Planning Department, advising that the Parish Council is in agreement with removing the smaller of the 2 trees but would request that the larger of the two, an oak, be retained.

Reform of Planning matters – a NALC document had been shared with Councillors regarding the revised legislation that is proposed to streamline the process and make planning matters simpler.  The Clerk will forward any updates and revisions and this matter will be discussed at the September meeting, and the questionnaire completed.

073.20 NALC website accessibility statement requirements.  Catalyst Design have been consulted and requested to quote for the work, initially devising a template to advise that steps are being taken to ensure the Parish Council website pages are compliant.

Cllr Hodson – it would be an advantage to be able to update the website ourselves, to ensure that Minutes are shown in date order and to remove and update policies.  Clerk had contacted Catalyst (prior to lockdown) to request a training session.

            Clerk has asked the Internal Auditor’s advice regarding the amount of information that should be retained on the website.  Auditor felt that documents dating back to the last election would be sufficient.       

074.20 Recreation Ground Update:

            Cllr Dear has been approached by the tenant of a field adjacent to the Rec Ground who was concerned about children throwing rubbish and vegetation from the Rec Ground into the field she was renting.  She had been trying to block access between the tenanted field and the Rec Ground – it was agreed that she should contact Milton Estates to secure the field she was renting.

Replacement safety mat has been installed by Cllr Hill at the top of the slide.

Wooden steps to slide were found damaged, Cllr Hodson carried out temporary repair – new steps needed

Wobble board fixed by parishioner

Springy play equipment – algae and mould scrubbed off by Clerk

Multi Use Games Area – there was nothing further to report at this meeting.

Jubilee Wood /Orchard updates:

The seating area is now complete and in use by parishioners/visitors to the Wood

A parishioner has offered to replace the gate posts at the entrance with metal posts during the coming months.

Cllr Hodson has made a Grant application to the Earl Fitzwilliam Charity for a donation towards the orchard project – copy of the application is attached.          

075.20 Resolution to register the Great Gidding Charity as a separate body with the Charity Commissioners with individuals as Trustees.

            The Clerk outlined the thinking behind removing the Great Gidding Charity from the “umbrella” of the Parish Council – report is attached.   Cllr Hodson proposed the Parish Council are removed as sole trustee of the Charity.  Cllr Pudney seconded and Cllr Dear agreed.  The Charity Commissioner will be advised to enable the process to be actioned.

076.20 Co-option of Parish Councillors – there have been no applications received.  The Clerk had drafted a letter to be sent to individuals, inviting them to become a Parish Councillor, she had also drawn up a list of parishioners (with input from Parish Councillors) who could be asked to join the Parish Council.  It is hoped that this form of direct request may yield results.  Councillors agreed that this was the next course of action and letters will begin to be delivered this week.

077.20 Volunteering Policy and opportunities for volunteers within the Parish:

              The Clerk has written a volunteer policy and, in addition, has drafted a handout to go to each household within the parish, a copy is attached.  This handout takes the form of a list of one-off and occasional tasks that need to be carried out around the parish.  It is hoped that, if residents do not wish to commit to becoming a Parish Councillor or a member of the Village Hall committee, that they might willing to volunteer to take on a lesser commitment within the villages. 

078.20 Correspondence received since 21^st July 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.

079.20             Items for decisions at next meeting:

                        Website accessibility and update

                        Planning Policy reform and completion of questionnaire

                        Huntingdonshire District Council updates on planning matters and footpath report

                        Prepare for Co-option of Parish Councillor

080.20             Date of next meeting – Tuesday 15^th September 2020,

starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding, unless we are still restricted to holding online meetings.

Meeting closed at 20.41

2020-12-16-Audit return report.pdf