Parish council

Minutes of the Meeting of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council held on Tuesday 18th April 2017 at 7:30pm

Present: Cllrs A Alexander (Chair), P Hodson, P Jarvis and L James

In Attendance: L Ellis (Clerk) & two residents (one from 8:05pm)

Key:
CCC = Cambridgeshire County Council
HDC = Huntingdon District Council
PC = Parish Council

47.17
Chairman’s Welcome
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

48.17
Apologies and reason for absence

Cllr R Giddens (other commitments), Cllr R Hayden (illness) and Cllr E Richmond (illness)

49.17
Member’s declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
None.

50.17
Public and press participation session with respect to items on the agenda

A resident reported that beer cans and bottles have been put into the newly installed dog bin, she will continue to monitor the situation.

It was also reported that fly tipping materials had been set alight in Leighton Bromswold and Weston. Councillor James reported that Countryside Watch were aware and were monitoring the situation. HDC should be advised if fly tipping occurs on public and council land; if left on private land it is the responsibility of the land owner.

The resident further reported that children had been ‘door knocking’ and running away, the incidents have been reported to the parents. This is a matter for the police.

51.17
To confirm and accept minutes of the meeting held on 21st March 2017

To take the minutes as a true and accurate record.
Proposed by Cllr Jarvis and seconded by Cllr Hodson. The minutes were then duly signed by Cllr Jarvis.

52.17
Matters arising from minutes
To agree the APM agenda: The agenda was agreed and will be distributed to all households.
Village noticeboards: The Chairman agreed to remove the doors of the noticeboard outside the school to make it safe and to note if the noticeboard is being used. He will also take measurements for a new noticeboard.
Grass cutting contract: It was reported that CGM had removed the two clauses from the contract that the Council were concerned with. The contract was then duly signed by the Chairman.
Dog bins: It was reported that the dog poo bag dispenser had arrived and that the new dog bin was on order. It was agreed that the Chairman would liaise with the resident who had agreed to empty the bin as to where it should be sited.

53.17
Communication from Councillors
Councillor James reported:-
a) As requested she had organised the removal of the clothing bank from the village hall car park.
b) The triangular horse warning signs at either end of the village were now in place. The Council’s application for funding was unsuccessful, it was noted that other applications contributed more to their projects than our proposed 10% contribution and this may have been a factor in the decision process.
c) The extension of the 30mph zone may be a possible project via the next round of Local Highways Improvement grant funding.
d) A tree bough on the Luddington bridleway has split away. This was reported to HDC and the landowner has been informed. The report is now classified as closed. The tree bough has been re-reported as the work has not been undertaken and the tree is a danger to the public.

54.17
The Clarion and how to improve it
It was noted that the Clarion replaced the village magazine. It was agreed that the Clarion would be produced quarterly. Councillor Jarvis offered to work with the Clerk to prepare the articles for each issue.

Items for the June issue will include:-
Fly tipping
Clothing bank
Why our application for a Local Highways Improvement grant was unsuccessful
Why noticeboards are being changed

55.17
Correspondence
Correspondence duly noted.

It was noted that Anglian Water were not yet in a position to supply data on water main issues in Great Gidding for 2016. The Clerk to request the data when it is available.

56.17
Finance:
a) Payment of accounts
Expenditure:
£347.78 – L Ellis (100979)
£318.28 – Salaries (SO)
£21.08 – HDC (100980)
£103.82 – Glasdon UK (100981)

b)Review of asset register

All payments were unanimously approved and all associated documentation was initialled by two signatories.

Council considered the asset register. Cllr James was not convinced that the value of three play equipment items purchased in January 2014 were correct, she agreed to look in her records and update the Clerk so that the register could be corrected if required.

One resident left the meeting at his juncture (8:35pm)

57.17
Items for discussion at the May meeting
Clarion
Defibrillator

58.17
Date of next meeting
Tuesday 16th May 2017

Meeting closed
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending, the meeting then closed at 8:45pm

Minutes of the Meeting of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council held on Tuesday 21st March 2017 at 7:30pm

Present: Cllrs R Hayden (Chair), R Giddens, P Hodson, P Jarvis and E Richmond

In Attendance: L Ellis (Clerk) & two residents

Key:
CCC = Cambridgeshire County Council
HDC = Huntingdon District Council
PC = Parish Council

30.17
Chairman’s Welcome
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

31.17
Apologies and reason for absence

Cllr A Alexander (holiday), Cllr L James (family illness), C.Cllr S Bywater (other commitments) & D Cllr D Tuplin (other commitments)

32.17
Member’s declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
None.

33.17
Public and press participation session with respect to items on the agenda

A resident reported that the newly installed dog bin has been a great success however bags are being left on the grass near the horse pond near Chapel End. Council agreed to purchase an additional bin and bag dispenser, the location of these will be considered at the April meeting.

The Chairman welcomed Julie Trolove to the meeting and invited her to speak to Council.
Julie asked the Council to consider the request for an HEFA archaeological test pit to be dug in the village hall car park in May. Julie explained that she has become involved via the Sawtry group and the Fenn Edge project and it would be a coup for Great Gidding for them to take part.
The students involved are aged from 14 – 16 years and have an interest in History.
Julie asked to use the area to the right of the entrance to the car park for the mini dig.
It was noted that the village hall had been booked for use as a comfort zone however the students would return to their academy overnight.
Julie thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak and left the meeting at this juncture. (7:40pm)

34.17
To confirm and accept minutes of the meeting held on 21st February 2017

To take the minutes as a true and accurate record.
Proposed by Cllr Hodson and seconded by Cllr Giddens. The minutes were then duly signed by the Chairman.

35.17
Matters arising from minutes
The Clerk reported that the grass cutting contract was still unsigned although the contractor had commenced the grass cutting. The Clerk to contact the contractor to discuss the outstanding points that Council had with the new contract.

36.17
Communication from Councillors
Cllr Jarvis reported:
i)That a group of volunteers had recently tidied-up Jubilee Wood, an excellent piece of work with thanks to Michael Trolove for his help.
ii)Although the bridlepaths were in a good condition the farm track footpath has been churned up by the hunt off Milkingslade Lane.

Cllr Giddens reported:
The Cowpastures Byway underfoot is in a good condition for the time of the year.

37.17
Speedwatch
The Clerk reported that following the request in the Clarion for volunteers to come forward to join the Great Gidding team, it was noted that no contact has yet been made.
It was noted that the Glatton team were still operational.

38.17
Village noticeboards
The Clerk to request that Cllr Alexander remove the noticeboard located near the school and that a new board be ordered. Consideration will be given at the April meeting to its’ possible location.

39.17
To agree the Annual Parish Meeting agenda
Consideration was given to inviting the Environment Agency or the A14 improvement scheme project team to the APM. The Clerk to approach the A14 project team in the first instance.
It was agreed that tea, coffee and biscuits be provided foc prior to the start of the meeting.
A resident kindly offered to deliver the Notice to residents by way of advertising the APM.

40.17
To consider the tree works quotation
Council considered the quotation to fell a poplar tree in the recreation ground, it was agreed that the quotation for £500 be accepted, the Clerk to raise a purchase order.

41.17
To consider a request to use the recreation field
The Clerk reported that the Council had received a request from the school to use the recreation ground for a football club after school on Fridays. Also, an egg flinging competition on the morning of Friday 31st March. Council agreed to both requests. The Clerk to advise the school and to request that they leave the site in a clean and tidy condition.

42.17
Correspondence
Correspondence duly noted.

Council considered planning application 17/00510/S73 Agricultural buildings, 76 Main Street, to vary condition 5 to allow for the construction of the approved new opening in the frontage barn – No objection.

43.17
Finance:
a) Payment of accounts
Expenditure:
£26.00 – L Ellis (100978)
£305.21 – Salaries (SO)
£19.06 – BT (DD)

b)Financial risk assessment

c)Review of asset register

All payments were unanimously approved and all associated documentation was initialled by two signatories.

Council considered the financial risk assessment presented by the Clerk. Its’ acceptance was proposed by Cllr Richmond and seconded by Cllr Jarvis, all agreed acceptance.

Item deferred for consideration at the April meeting.

The Clerk left the room at this juncture.

44.17
Staffing matters
Councillors considered the pay and conditions of the Clerk. Her experience and knowledge is recognised in addition to her advice to the Council and other organisations, Council unanimously agreed that she be awarded an additional pay point from April.
The Clerk re-joined the meeting at this juncture.

45.17
Items for discussion at the April meeting
Clarion and how to improve it
Noticeboards
Annual Parish Meeting

46.17
Date of next meeting
Tuesday 18th April 2017

Meeting closed
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending, the meeting then closed at 8:20pm

Minutes of the Meeting of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council held on Tuesday 21st February 2017 at 7:30pm

Present: Cllrs A Alexander (Chair), R Giddens, R Hayden, P Hodson, L James and E Richmond

In Attendance: L Ellis (Clerk) & District Councillor D Tuplin

Key:
CCC = Cambridgeshire County Council
HDC = Huntingdon District Council
PC = Parish Council

15.17
Chairman’s Welcome
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

16.17
Apologies and reason for absence

C.Cllr S Bywater (other commitments) & Cllr P Jarvis (other commitments)

17.17
Member’s declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
None.

18.17
Public and press participation session with respect to items on the agenda

None.

19.17
To confirm and accept minutes of the meeting held on 21st January 2017
To take the minutes as a true and accurate record.
Proposed by Cllr Hodson and seconded by Cllr James. The minutes were then duly signed by the Chairman.

20.17
Matters arising from minutes
The Clerk reported that the Internal Auditor had advised that it is permissible to accept payments on behalf of residential groups for projects in the village. It would however need to have a zero impact to the Council’s accounts.

21.17
Communication from Councillors
D.Cllr Tuplin reported:
i) that HDC would be holding a budget setting meeting on 22nd February with a view to increase Council Tax by 2%.
ii)the Tree Warden post has been saved for a further six months.
iii)a Scrutiny Panel is being set up to review the work of the Mayor’s new department.

The Clerk reported on behalf of C Cllr Bywater:
i)CCC members voted recently to increase Council Tax by 2% but ring fenced for adult Social Care.
ii)in May there will be C Cllr and Mayor elections. C Cllr Bywater will be standing for re-election but in the new Division of Sawtry and Stilton which sadly does not include the Giddings.

Cllr James reported:
i)the horse signs will be in place shortly.
ii)it is anticipated that the applicants for a highways improvement grant will be notified in March.
iii)it may be possible to apply in the next round for a highways improvement grant to extend the 30mph limit, and to possibly apply for third party funding.

Cllr Giddens reported:
i)bridleways and footpaths are in a good condition.
ii)a large vehicle had driven down the bridleway off Luddington Road. The drive was made aware this is illegal.
iii)the new residents at 45 Main Street have been advised that in the interest of safety they could park their vehicles in the village hall car park if they wished to do so. The Clerk to confirm this in writing to the residents advising that they park there at their own risk and that we accept no responsibility or liability for theft or damage. This is not a right and as such can’t be claimed as one.

Cllr Richmond reported:
That the school website is excellent.

Cllr James reported:
That filled dog bags have been found discarded on the ground and these have now been removed, better quality bags are required, Cllr Richmond agreed to obtain a supply.

D Cllr Tuplin left the meeting at this juncture (7:45pm)

22.17
To consider the content of the next edition of the Clarion
Councillors considered the draft document submitted by Cllr Jarvis and amended as agreed.
It was agreed that residents should be reminded of the benefits of the village hall.
The Clerk to prepare the draft edition and forward to Cllr Jarvis for him to review.

23.17
Hedge cutting
Council agreed that hedge cutting should be undertaken annually and that £400 should be included in the budget.

24.17
Clothing bank
It was noted that the Council no longer receive funds although it was noted that the provider of the clothing bank (Planet Age UK) have been in partnership with HDC since April 2016. Council agreed that as residents do not any benefit the bank should be removed. Cllr James to make the necessary arrangements.

25.17
Ludington Road dyke
It was noted that the two ponds in the church field overflow then it naturally flows across the road. The pipe under the road may be blocked. As the culvert may be blocked this should be reported on the highways on-line fault reporting system. The Clerk to contact Joliffe Daking for an update.

26.17
Correspondence
Correspondence duly noted.
It was noted that the grass cutting contract had a number of anomalies that needed further clarification. The Chairman agreed to review the document in greater detail.

It was noted that CCC had confirmed in writing that the extent of the highway maintainable at public expense is to the top edge of the carriageway which is approximately 1m in from the carriageway edge.

27.17
Finance:
a)Payment of accounts
Expenditure:
£390.00 – T M Trolove (100976)
£305.21 – Salaries (SO)
£16.82 – BT (DD)

All payments were unanimously approved and all associated documentation was initialled by two signatories.

28.17
Items for discussion at the March meeting
Clarion
Speedwatch
Annual Parish Meeting
Noticeboards

29.17
Date of next meeting
Tuesday 21st March 2017

Meeting closed
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending, the meeting then closed at 8:40pm