UK Power Networks have advised that Hemington Lodge Road will be closed on 5th October 2025, for one day only.
Present: Councillors Maciag, Hargrave, Bolton and Hodson, and the Clerk. Also County Councillor Gardener and 2 members of the public.
Agenda of the Annual Parish Council Meeting
- To elect Parish Council Chairman
- To elect Parish Council Vice Chairman
- Completion of Acceptance of Office forms and Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests forms
There were no other nominations for Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. Cllrs Hodson and Bolton proposed and seconded the following:
Cllr Maciag as Chairperson
Cllr Hargrave as Vice Chairperson
0001.25 Cllr Maciag, as Chairperson, welcomed those present to the meeting
0002.25 Apologies and reasons for absence:
District Cllr Alban – at another meeting
0003.25 There were no Member’s declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
0004.25 2 x members of the public were present to find out more about Parish Council, with a view to becoming a Councillor.
0005.25 Minutes of the meeting held on 15th April 2025 were confirmed as a correct record by Councillors Maciag and Hargrave
0006.25 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.
County Councillor Gardener:
He advised that the County Council was now Liberal Democrat controlled.
He had been re- elected and was now assigned to Highways/Planning/Staffing and Appeals and Fire Authority committees
The Local Government re-organisation is ongoing with the potential that all will be completed by 2028, with new unitary authorities in place by 2027. It is not known how boundaries will be redefined or if any changes will be made to election dates.
In response to the resident’s question regarding footpaths (at the Annual Parish Meeting), he will liaise with the Clerk and the Footpath Officer (Dan Wiggs) and Highways Officer (Sarah Budd) to assess these matters.
Councillor Gardener left to attend another meeting.
Cllr Hargrave:
The recent coffee morning had raised £476 for Dementia UK
Any items for the next newsletter are required by 27th May.
Cllr Hodson:
Soil improver for the allotments, delivered by Hunts DC, had been used within 48 hours and allotment holders are keen to receive a further supply. Clerk confirmed that she had made the request to Hunts DC, currently there is none available for delivery.
Clerk:
Notification of the resignation of Cllr Moody had been received, an email of thanks has been sent.
0007.25 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank
- Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 2/5/2025 £12572.23 (includes £500 bequest)
- Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 2/5/2025 £ 21676.65
- Defibrillator account – balance as at 2/5/2025 – £102.59
b) PAYMENTS – to approve online payments in respect of the following
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised |
| Staff costs | Wages for March (27 hours) | Xxx | NIL | JRT | |
| Ecclesiastical Insurance | Parish Council insurance *** | 842.38 | NIL | ||
| Viking | Office supplies and telephone/answer machine | 161.96 | 26.99 |
*** Clerk had checked with insurers and has been advised that there is no cover for Data Protection and this type of cover is not available.
- Clerk’s working hours for April, a total of 27, were approved by Cllrs Maciag and Hargrave
- The Precept for 2025/26 of £11837 has been paid into the bank account
- VAT refund paperwork completed and refund received – £158.91
- AGAR (annual audit) paperwork had been shared prior to the meeting.
DECISION TO approve the AGAR documents for the 2024/25 financial year
Proposed and seconded by Cllrs Hargrave and Bolton.
- AGAR signed by Parish Council Chairman and the Clerk.
- Independent internal auditor to be appointed – Clerk had emailed CANALBS, but no response. She hopes to resolve this in the next few days.
0008.25 PLANNING applications and matters:
Application 25/00749 HHFUL The Mill, Mill Road, Great Gidding – render outbuilding, internal alterations and replacement windows and doors.
There were no objections to the changes proposed (Listed building and Conservation Area)
School site – Parish Council’s response to the Section 77 notice was sent on 17th April 2025. Nothing further has been heard.
CIL funding – Huntingdonshire District Council are inviting applications for funding. Clerk is uncertain of the process and will make enquiries with Planning Department.
0009.25 Recreation Ground – Cllr Hodson proposed that a gate be inserted at the opposite corner to the entrance gate, to enable safer walking to Kings Wood on Winwick Road.
0010.25 Village Maintenance – Cllr Hargrave and Clerk compiled a grant application in respect of a replacement noticeboard – a grant of £2500 has been awarded. Quotes will be obtained.
0011.25 Donations to Charities – Cllr Moody had written a policy document and submitted for consideration. Questions arose, the Clerk will check out details.
0012.25 Correspondence received since 15th April 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 (3 in Huntingdonshire during May), Highways events planned – none locally, Resurfacing of Bullock Road at Elton mid June.
Cambridge Flood and Water – advice on flooding and use of water.
c)Huntingdonshire District Council –
LOCAL PLAN – Additional Sites Land Availability Assessments will be available for you to view and comment between the following dates:
Start date: 23/04/25 10:00
End date: 04/06/25 23:59
Please select the following link to view this event:
Town and Parish Council newsletter forwarded to Parish Councillors , update on waste minimisation, electrical recycling points
Communities Service team notice,
Press release about CIL funded projects
Advance notice of the Town and Parish Council Forum on 19th June at Burgess Hall, St Ives, a reminder has been sent to book tickets
Survey about play areas in Huntingdonshire completed
d) CAPALC – nothing received
e) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for May
f) CPRE spring newsletter available
g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – nothing due to election
h) Huntingdonshire Community Policing meetings – invitations to join online meetings on 24/9 and 15/12, both at 7pm.
i) The Pensions Regulator requested an updated renewal of the PAYE scheme – this was completed on 25th April 2025
j) Clear Councils Insurance (now known as Ecclesiastical) newsletter – articles about tree roots and terrorism
013.25 Items for next meeting:
Co-option of Parish Councillors
Budget update for 2025/26
Means by which the Parish Council’s share information.
Update on findings regarding CIL payments
Spreadsheet of issues regarding Highways, Byways and Footpaths
Update on “Donations to Charities” policy wording
The next meeting will commence at 7.30pm on 17th June 2025 in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.
Village Hall payments were approved by Cllrs Bolton and Maciag
The meeting closed at 21.28
PRESENT: Cllrs Maciag, Bolton, Downer, Nankivell, Hargrave and Hodson, County Councillor Gardener and 1 member of the public
0028.25 Cllr Maciag, as Chairperson, welcomed those present to the meeting
0029.25 To receive apologies and reasons for absence:
District Councillor Alban – at another meeting, he has sent a report
0030.25 Declarations of Disclosable Interests received from Cllr Nankivell for 0037.25
0031.25 Member of the public present in respect of 0037.25
0032.25 Minutes of the meeting held on 17th June 2025 were confirmed as a correct record by all Cllrs.
0033.25 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.
County Councillor Gardener advised that the Combined Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor will take on extra responsibilities, possibly from March 2026.
Community Right to Buy, in respect of Community Assets, will be implemented at the time of the Council re-organisation – further details to follow.
County Council voted for an 11% increase in Councillor allowances at a recent meeting.
Cllr Downer thanked County Cllr Gardener and his colleague Dan Wiggs for attending and advising on footpath issues in the Parish.
County Cllr Gardener left the meeting at 20.09 and will next attend in October.
Clerk read out District Councillor Alban’s report re Anaerobic Digester planning application, Hunts DC parking enforcement, Local Government re-organisation, proposed date of 10th September for Districtwide Parish Council meeting with a Highways Officer in attendance.
Cllr Nankivell had reported (via telephone) damage to Black Bridge leading to the Gallops – it has not been repaired yet. Clerk advised that the reporting page on the CambsCC website has recently been completely changed – she intends to check that all outstanding issues are still recorded correctly and will add a report for the bridge if this is not listed.
Cllr Bolton asked if an Adobe Acrobat subscription could be purchased as agenda and documents are not appearing in the correct order, when sent on by the Clerk – Clerk will try and find another means of sending the agenda and documents prior to a meeting.
Cllr Hargrave gave a report of recent Village Hall Committee events and actions –
a recent pop-up café was very successful.
The front door of the Village Hall was difficult to close in very hot weather – will be checked out.
25 people have booked for the upcoming Games Night.
Investigating a hearing loop or similar system, and the working of the PA system
Cllr Hodson thanked the Village Hall committee for their activities.
Cllr Hodson declared an interest as an allotment holder – he advised that Gidding Charity, as owner of the allotment site, had been in dispute with Anglian Water/WAVE regarding invoices for water usage. A formal complaint has been raised, but the outcome is awaited. If it is proved that the invoices are correct due to a considerable increase in water use, it may be that rental fee of the allotments to the Parish Council will increase.
Cllr Maciag – Neighbourhood Plan interim report was ready to share with residents, prior to its next submission to the District Council, and it was agreed that this should be shared via the village website and 3 copies printed. A printed copy will be available to view in Great Gidding, Winwick and Hamerton and arrangements made to view it.
0034.25 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank
a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank (not received as at 11/7/2025 – website check)
- Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 11/7/2025 £9838.83 (includes £500 bequest)
- Parish Council Deposit Account (Business Premium Account interest rate reduced to 1.2% from 12/8/2025) – balance as at 20/6/2025 £21755.36
- Defibrillator account – balance as at 2/6/2025 – £102.96
b) PAYMENTS – approved by Cllrs Hodson and Maciag
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised |
| Staff costs | Wages for MAY(36 hours) | Xxx | NIL | JRT | |
| Catalyst | Website hosting | 322.11 | NIL | ||
| Bradgate Maintenance | Invoice no 3018 | 210.86 | 42.17 | ||
| Milton Estates (Peterborough) | Invoice for access route to Rec. Field | 1.00 | NIL | ||
| Section 137 request | Payment at a future meeting |
- Clerk’s working hours for JUNE – a total of 32, approved by Cllrs Hargrave and Hodson.
- Review of Financial Regulations – it was agreed that no further amendments were required.
- Review of Standing Orders – it was agreed that no amendments were required.
0036.25 PLANNING applications and matters:
There are no new applications (as at 11/7/2025)
0037.25 Section 137 funding request in respect of softball team.
Member of the public confirmed that insurance was in place for the group, a constitution was being devised and a bank account applied for. 25 regular attendees, most of those from the village.
Cllr Hodson requested the constitution include a clause to state that all equipment and assets will be transferred to the Village Hall should the venture discontinue. Also some of the items listed in the budget are day to day expenses and will not be included as part of the Section 137 grant.
Cllr Hargrave proposed that the group be supported in principle and seconded Cllr Hodson’s proposal to donate £800 to enable the group to set up.
DECISION to grant £800 to softball team – proposed by Cllr Hodson and seconded by Cllr Hargrave
0038.25 Village Maintenance – Clerk and Councillor Downer met with Dan Wiggs, Footpath Officer for CambsCC and Cllr Ian Gardener – discussion of Footpath No 6 (Mill Road to Chapel End) and The Jitty. The surface of the Jitty has since been swept since that meeting. Mr Weekes is to supply a definitive border of what is Highways responsibility and neighbouring landowner responsibility in respect of the Jitty. Clerk will write to landowners regarding specific issues and copy in Mr Weekes and Cllr Gardener.
Cllr Downer submitted the following amendment to this agenda item, to be approved at the meeting held on 19th August 2025:
I believe that in respect of minute 0038.25 the following should be recorded:
- The CCC Fotpath Oficer has undertaken to contact the Landowner regarding the fallen tree blocking the pedestrian gate on Footpath 6.
- The CC Footpath Officer has undertaken to contact the Landowner regarding replacing the gate, at the Chapel End of Footpath 6, with a more accessible one.
- Councilor Gardener has recommended that GGPC write to the Landowner of the small gate, at the Mill Road End of Footpath 6, and ask the they replace the rope used to secure the gate with a removable chain.
- Councilor Gardener has recommended that GGPC write to the Landowners of land on Footpath 6 seeking their permission for the overgrown vegetation impeding access, to be cut back.
Noticeboard – quotes are being sought for the board + installation. Hunts DC have paid the grant monies and have supplied a logo for inclusion on the board.
0039.25 A recent email from CAPALC outlined the requirement for changes to Parish Council IT provision – dedicated email addresses (.gov.uk) for Clerk, councillors, use of gov.uk website etc. The email had been shared with Councillors prior to the meeting and, it was agreed that, until more is known about the reorganisation of Councils, it would be preferable to wait to see what requirements came from that exercise that may impact on parish councils, their IT requirements and not to incur additional expense etc.
0040.25 Hunts DC survey on reorganisation proposals – Cllr Hodson had completed the survey and felt that the questions were tailored for responses from individuals. The Clerk has completed the form.
0041.25 Correspondence received since 17th June 2025 :
a) NALC newsletters – dated Chief Executives Bulletin NALC events,
b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition for May, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads (5 in Huntingdonshire during last month), Highways events planned – none locally, various emails about Public Rights of Way hierarchy survey,
Food Waste volunteer required for each Parish in advance of introduction of weekly food collection.
Summer Holiday activities and food for children.
c)Huntingdonshire District Council – offer their Pest Control Maintenance services, Town and Parish Council newsletter for June, Road Closures in July – various in Huntingdon, nothing locally, Water system management event on 10th July,
PRESS RELEASES:
Civil Parking enforcement starts 28th July
Digital screens in local towns
Great Ouse valley Trust – study to explore landscape designation benefits
Waste Education newsletter – includes information about workshops and visits
Redevelopment of Hinchingbrooke Park – plans approved
Update on Net Zero Villages – Great Staughton Village Hall project
d) CAPALC – nothing received, their website is still inactive
e) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for June, invitation to Rural Housing event
f) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – new TIGER bus routes announced – around Cambridge and Newmarket
g) Huntingdonshire Community Policing meetings – invitations to join online meetings on 24/9 and 15/12, both at 7pm.
h) Parish Online monthly newsletter
0042.25 Items for next meeting:
Neighbourhood Plan revised document – feedback and comments
The next meeting will commence at 7.30pm on 19th August 2025 in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.
Village Hall payments for co-authorisation were approved by all:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Authorised | Authorised |
| British Gas Lite To 23 May 2025 | Electricity (paid by Direct Debit) | 63.12 | Direct Debit | |
| A C Cleaning Services | Invoice no 1073 to 10th July | 45.00 | ||
| A B Hargrave | 21.00 (TEN) 33.91 (flyers) | 54.91 | ||
| P Jarvis | repair stage flats/ boards | 99.33 | ||
| PPL/PRS | Annual licence | 170.32 |
PRESENT: Cllrs Maciag, Hargrave, Hodson, Bolton and the Clerk. Also 2 members of the Public
0014.25 Cllr Maciag, as Chairperson, welcomed those present to the meeting
0015.25 To receive apologies and reasons for absence:
District Councillor Alban – at another meeting
County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting
0016.25 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
0017.25 There was no Public & Press participation – members of the public were present to be considered for co-option as Parish Councillors
0018.25 Minutes of the meeting held on 20th May 2025 were confirmed as a correct record by Cllrs Bolton and Hargrave.
0019.25 Completed Co-option forms had been received and accepted. Cllr Hodson and Cllr Hargrave proposed and seconded Richard Downer and Melanie Nankivel as Parish Councillors. Acceptance of Office forms were completed.
0020.25 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.
Clerk – email from HuntsDC outlining options for local Council reorganisation, 3 schemes are being considered, further details will be shared with Councillors over the coming weeks.
Clerk- our insurers no longer offer Data Protection cover, Clerk had confirmation from CAPALC on the day of the meeting that they could add DP cover to the annual subscription at a cost of £50 – it was agreed that this amount could be included with this month’s batch of payments.
There were no reports from Councillors
0021.25 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank
- Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 2/6/2025 £11045.30 (includes £500 bequest)
- Parish Council Deposit Account (Business Premium Account interest rate reduced to 1.2% from 12/8/2025) – balance as at 2/6/2025 £21755.36
- Defibrillator account – balance as at 2/6/2025 – £102.96
b) PAYMENTS – approved by Cllrs Hodson and Maciag
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised |
| Staff costs | Wages for April (27 hours) | xxx | NIL | JRT | |
| JRB Enterprises | Dog waste bags | 110.52 | 18.42 | ||
| Bradgate Grounds Maintenance | Invoice no 2852 + 2934 | 253.03 + 253.03 (506.06) | 42.17 + 42.17 (84.34) | ||
| Milton Estates (Peterborough) | Invoice for access route to Rec. Field | 1.00 | NIL | ||
| LGS services | Internal Auditor report | 126.00 | 21.00 | ||
| CAPALC | Data Protection cover (added 17/6/2025) | 50.00 | NIL |
- Clerk’s working hours for May, approved by Cllrs Hodson and Maciag as a total of 36.
- Budget for 2025/26 – Cllr Hodson had shared a document prior to the meeting and explained the budget headings, proposed budget spending and allocated reserves. All present agreed to the budget.
- Our Internal Auditor has been taken ill and LGS Services have been appointed to undertake this year’s internal audit.
- The AGAR was published on the village website and noticeboard at the Village Hall on 30th May, in accordance with the requirement for Public Rights, which extends to 14th July
- The Internal Auditor’s report and recommendations had been received. There was an error on the AGAR paperwork due to oversight on a spreadsheet formula, this has been corrected and a revised Form 2 (page 3 of 6) had been completed and authorised at the meeting. Other changes to procedure were recommended and will be implemented.
0022.25 PLANNING applications and matters:
Purpose built agricultural building installed at Gidding Grove Farm – Planning Dept have not consulted for comment.
CIL funding – Huntingdonshire District Council are inviting applications for funding. Clerk has requested advice from “Implementation Team” at Hunts DC regarding CIL funds that might be due to our Parish in respect of recent developments. The response from Hunts DC was shared at the meeting and at present there is no CIL due to the Parish.
0023.25 Review of Parish Council Asset Register – the document was shared at the meeting and no changes were required.
0024.25 Village Maintenance – Clerk to meet with Dan Wiggs, Footpath Officer for CambsCC and Cllr Ian Gardener and discuss and view the issues regarding footpaths in the parish.
Cllr Downer asked to be present as he has concerns about Footpath No 6. Cllr Hargrave mentioned The Jitty (Footpath No 5) surface – both have been reported.
Noticeboard – quotes are being sought for the board + installation
0025.25 Donations to Charities – Clerk had researched the possibilities within Section 137. Cllr Hargrave proposed that any grant should be restricted to any group or activity within the Parish of Great and Little Gidding, this was seconded by Cllr Hodson
DECISION – future applications for a Grant or Loan will be restricted to any group or activity based within the parish of Great and Little Gidding, and will be subject to completion of an application form to be presented to the Parish Council.
0026.25 Review of information sharing options, particularly social media.
Currently information is shared by the Parish Council via the noticeboard at the Village Hall, thegiddings.org website and occasional newsletters (also available via website and noticeboard and on request from the Parish Office). There are independently organised WhatsApp and Facebook platforms for the village. The administrator of the WhatsApp page will be asked to post events and notices for the Parish Council and Village Hall and/or to direct people to the website and noticeboard. Facebook will not be used.
0027.25 Correspondence received since 20 th May 2025 :
a) NALC newsletters – dated Chief Executives Bulletin NALC events,
b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition for May, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads (5 in Huntingdonshire during last month), Highways events planned – none locally, various emails about Public Rights of Way hierarchy survey,
c)Huntingdonshire District Council – offer their Pest Control Maintenance service, Press release – St Neots Whist Club, Town and Parish Council newsletter, Road Closures in July – Time Trial for cyclists around Upton area,
d) CAPALC – nothing received, their website is still inactive
e) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for June
f) CPRE spring newsletter available
g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – new TIGER bus routes announced – around Cambridge and Newmarket
h) Huntingdonshire Community Policing meetings – invitations to join online meetings on 24/9 and 15/12, both at 7pm.
i) Slow Ways – charity, seeking volunteers for connecting walking routes.
j) Upton and Coppingford Parish Council are looking for a Parish Clerk, as are Northstowe.
k) Barclays Bank – we are offered the opportunity to have a Select Cashback credit card. Village Hall committee will be informed and make their own arrangement if required.
l) Parish Online monthly newsletter
m) email from Sarah Marsh of Connecting Cambridge, + response from resident (SB) – Clerk has sent an email of thanks and await developments.
0028.25 Items for next meeting:
Requirement to implement IT Policy
Review of Standing Orders
Review of Financial Regulations
Review of Risk Assessment
The next meeting will commence at 7.30pm on 15th July 2025 in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.
Village Hall payments were approved by Cllrs Bolton and Maciag
Meeting closed at 21.03
The Parish Council has published the August Newsletter which will be displayed on Noticeboards throughout the Parish and submitted via WhatsApp, Facebook and here on the Giddings website.
If you are aware of anyone in the parish who cannot access the noticeboards or the community social media platforms, please contact the Parish Council so a printed copy can be made available for them. If you would prefer to receive a copy of the monthly newsletter via email, please contact the Parish Council.
Download the August edition of the Parish Council Newsletter
The Parish Council has published the June Newsletter which will be displayed on Noticeboards throughout the Parish and submitted via WhatsApp, Facebook and here on the Giddings website.
If you are aware of anyone in the parish who cannot access the noticeboards or the community social media platforms, please contact the Parish Council so a printed copy can be made available for them. If you would prefer to receive a copy of the monthly newsletter via email, please contact the Parish Council.
Download the June edition of the Parish Council Newsletter
Documents to accompany the audit can be seen below, and on the noticeboard at the Village Hall
NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL GOVERNANCE &ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN (EXEMPT AUTHORITY)
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 25, 26 and 27
The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)
| NOTICE | NOTES |
| 1. Date of announcement 30th May 2025 2. Each year the smaller authority prepares anAnnual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). TheAGAR has been published with this notice. It will not be reviewed by the appointed auditor, since the smaller authority has certified itself as exempt from the appointed auditor’s review. Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the AGAR, theaccounting records for the financial year to which it relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those recordsmust be made available for inspection by any person interested.For the year ended 31 March 2025, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to: Julie Trolove, Parish Clerk At the Parish Office, Main Street, Great Gidding, Huntingdon, PE28 5NU EMAIL: ggparishcouncil@outlookcom TEL: 01832 293068 commencing on Tuesday 3rd June 2025 and ending on Monday 14th July 2025 3. Local government electors and their representatives also have: The opportunity to question the appointed auditor about the accounting records; andThe right to make an objection which concerns a matter in respect of which the appointed auditor could either make a public interest report or apply to the court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful. Written notice of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the smaller authority. The appointed auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose between the above dates only. 4. The smaller authority’s AGARis only subject to review by the appointed auditor if questions or objections raised under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014lead to the involvement of the auditor. The appointed auditor is: PKF Littlejohn LLP (Ref: SBA Team) 15Westferry Circus Canary Wharf London E14 4HD (sba@pkf-l.com) 5. This announcement is made by Julie Trolove, Parish Clerk | (a) Insert date of placing of the notice which must be not less than 1 day before the date in (c) below (b) Insert name, position and address/telephone number/ email address, as appropriate, of the Clerk or other person to which any person may apply to inspect the accounts (c) Insert date, which must be at least 1 day after the date of announcement in (a) above and at least 30 working days before the date appointed in (d) below (d) The inspection period between (c) and (d) must be 30 working days inclusive and must include the first 10 working days of July. (e) Insert name and position of person placing the notice – this person must be the responsible financial officer for the smaller authority |
LOCAL AUTHORITY ACCOUNTS: A SUMMARY OF YOUR RIGHTS
Please note that this summary applies to all relevant smaller authorities, including local councils, internal drainage boards and ‘other’ smaller authorities.
The basic position
The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (the Act) governs the work of auditors appointed to smaller authorities. This summary explains the provisions contained in Sections 26 and 27 of the Act. The Act and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 also cover the duties, responsibilities and rights of smaller authorities, other organisations and the public concerning the accounts being audited.
As a local elector, or an interested person, you have certain legal rights in respect of the accounting records of smaller authorities. As an interested person you can inspect accounting records and related documents. If you are a local government elector for the area to which the accounts relate you can also ask questions about the accounts and object to them. You do not have to pay directly for exercising your rights. However, any resulting costs incurred by the smaller authority form part of its running costs. Therefore, indirectly, local residents pay for the cost of you exercising your rights through their council tax.
The right to inspect the accounting records
Any interested person can inspect the accounting records, which includes but is not limited to local electors. You can inspect the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records. You can copy all, or part, of these records or documents. Your inspection must be about the accounts, or relate to an item in the accounts. You cannot, for example, inspect or copy documents unrelated to the accounts, or that include personal information (Section 26 (6) – (10) of the Act explains what is meant by personal information). You cannot inspect information which is protected by commercial confidentiality. This is information which would prejudice commercial confidentiality if it was released to the public and there is not, set against this, a very strong reason in the public interest why it should nevertheless be disclosed.
When smaller authorities have finished preparing accounts for the financial year and approved them, they must publish them (including on a website). There must be a 30 working day period, called the ‘period for the exercise of public rights’, during which you can exercise your statutory right to inspect the accounting records. Smaller authorities must tell the public, including advertising this on their website, that the accounting records and related documents are available to inspect. By arrangement you will then have 30 working days to inspect and make copies of the accounting records. You may have to pay a copying charge. The 30 working day period must include a common period of inspection during which all smaller authorities’ accounting records are available to inspect. This will be 1-14 July 2025for 2024/25 accounts. The advertisement must set out the dates of the period for the exercise of public rights, how you can communicate to the smaller authority that you wish to inspect the accounting records and related documents, the name and address of the auditor, and the relevant legislation that governs the inspection of accounts and objections.
The right to ask the auditor questions about the accounting records
You should first ask your smaller authority about the accounting records, since they hold all the details. If you are a local elector, your right to ask questions of the external auditor is enshrined in law. However, while the auditor will answer your questions where possible, they are not always obliged to do so. For example, the question might be better answered by another organisation, require investigation beyond the auditor’s remit, or involve disproportionate cost (which is borne by the local taxpayer). Give your smaller authority the opportunity first to explain anything in the accounting records that you are unsure about. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, you can question the external auditor about the accounting records.
The law limits the time available for you formally to ask questions. This must be done in the period for the exercise of public rights, so let the external auditor know your concern as soon as possible. The advertisement or notice that tells you the accounting records are available to inspect will also give the period for the exercise of public rights during which you may ask the auditor questions, which here means formally asking questions under the Act. You can ask someone to represent you when asking the external auditor questions.
Before you ask the external auditor any questions, inspect the accounting records fully, so you know what they contain. Please remember that you cannot formally ask questions, under the Act, after the end of the period for the exercise of public rights. You may ask your smaller authority other questions about their accounts for any year, at any time. But these are not questions under the Act.
You can ask the external auditor questions about an item in the accounting records for the financial year being audited. However, your right to ask the external auditor questions is limited. The external auditor can only answer ‘what’ questions, not ‘why’ questions. The external auditor cannot answer questions about policies, finances, procedures or anything else unless it is directly relevant to an item in the accounting records. Remember that your questions must always be about facts, not opinions. To avoid misunderstanding, we recommend that you always put your questions in writing.
The right to make objections at audit
You have inspected the accounting records and asked your questions of the smaller authority. Now you may wish to object to the accounts on the basis that an item in them is in your view unlawful or there are matters of wider concern arising from the smaller authority’s finances. A local government elector can ask the external auditor to apply to the High Court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful, or to issue a report on matters which are in the public interest. You must tell the external auditor which specific item in the accounts you object to and why you think the item is unlawful, or why you think that a public interest report should be made about it. You must provide the external auditor with the evidence you have to support your objection. Disagreeing with income or spending does not make it unlawful. To object to the accounts you must write to the external auditor stating you want to make an objection, including the information and evidence below and you must send a copy to the smaller authority. The notice must include:
- confirmation that you are an elector in the smaller authority’s area;
- why you are objecting to the accounts and the facts on which you rely;
- details of any item in the accounts that you think is unlawful; and
- details of any matter about whichyou think the external auditor should make a public interest report.
Other than it must be in writing, there is no set format for objecting. You can only ask the external auditor to act within the powers available under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.
A final word
You may not use this ‘right to object’ to make a personal complaint or claim against your smaller authority. You should take such complaints to your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau, local Law Centre or to your solicitor. Smaller authorities, and so local taxpayers, meet the costs of dealing with questions and objections. In deciding whether to take your objection forward, one of a series of factors the auditor must take into account is the cost that will be involved, they will only continue with the objection if it is in the public interest to do so. They may also decide not to consider an objection if they think that it is frivolous or vexatious, or if it repeats an objection already considered. If you appeal to the courts against an auditor’s decision not to apply to the courts for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful, you will have to pay for the action yourself.
| For more detailed guidance on public rights and the special powers of auditors, copies of the publication Local authority accounts: A guide to your rights are available from the NAO website. |
Present: Councillors Maciag, Hargrave, Bolton and Hodson and the Clerk.
0192.24 Chairman’s Welcome
0193.24 To receive apologies and reasons for absence
District Councillor Alban – at another meeting
County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting
Parish Councillor Moody – holiday
0194.24 There were no member’s declarations of interests for items on the Agenda
0195.24 No member of the press or public were present.
0196.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 18th March 2025 confirmed as a correct record – proposed by Cllr Hodson and seconded by Cllr Hargrave
0197.24 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.
Clerk:
- Annual Parish Meeting will take place on 20th May, with a 7PM start time. Our Speaker will be Sarah Marsh of Connecting Cambridgeshire. On the noticeboard and website w.e.f. 28th March and included in the village newsletter in April.
- Clerk enquired of Bradgate regarding their increased charges, received explanation and instructed them to continue.
- Village Newsletter – requests for email delivery and hand delivery. The newsletter is added to the village website, displayed on the noticeboard at the Village Hall (or in the Parish Office window if space is not available), on the village WhatsApp group. Residents can collect a copy from the Parish Office.
Cllr Hargrave – the recent event in the Village Hall resulted in a £154.00 donation.
Cllr Hargrave enquired about co-option of Parish Councillors. She will approach one resident and another will be contacted to invite them to apply.
0198.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank
***Interest rates on the Deposit Account are decreasing from 1.35% to 1.25% with effect from 13th May 2025. This applies to Village Hall and Charity Deposit accounts too.
- Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 4/3/2025 £678.18 (includes £500 bequest)
- Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/3/2025 £25,676.65 ***
- Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/2/2025 – £102.59
b) PAYMENTS
Cllr Hodson had updated the Cash flow spreadsheet and the Reserves spreadsheet to the end of March and talked through the content.
The following payments were approved:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised |
| J R Trolove | Wages for January (26 hours) + backdated pay for the previous 2 months due to hourly rate increase error (£76.61) | Xxx | NIL | JRT | |
| J R Trolove | Re-imbursement in respect of Microsoft package annual payment | 84.99 | none | ||
| Manor Farm Tree Services | Removing dead elms from the Pound, beside B660 | £3180.00 | £530.00 | ||
| CAPALC | Annual subscription (Data Protection available through insurers, so exclude) | 284.53 amended to 234.53 | none | ||
| SLCC | Annual Subscription | 36.00 | none | ||
| Catalyst | Extra 10GB of storage | 48.00 | none | ||
| Hunts D C | Rates for Recreation Field | 13.18 | none |
- Clerk’s working hours for March, a total of 27, were approved. Clerk had queried her tax code with Payroll Services and that conversation highlighted an error, her hourly rate had not increased since April 2021, therefore back pay was due – Clerk waived the interim amount, but the hourly rate will be increased from April 2025 and backdated payment made for those months.
- PKF Littlejohn are the appointed external auditors for this year’s audit. The Clerk will commence the annual AGAR process and reports.
0199.24 PLANNING applications and matters:
- There were no planning applications as at 11th April
- School site – Parish Council’s response to the Secretary of state regarding the proposed Section 77 change. Cllr Maciag shared his notes, these will be typed up, shared with Councillors for amendment and submitted by the deadline of 18th April.
- District Councillor Alban forwarded an update on the Anaerobic Digester application, via Councillor Shacklock (North Northants) and this appears on the village website – an extension of time has been granted to the applicants.
0200.24 Recreation Field – Sawtry Colts representative had enquired about regular use for training sessions and weekend matches as Greenfields at Sawtry is fully occupied. After much discussion all agreed that, due to parking issues on and around the field, this would not be approved.
0201.24 Village Maintenance
a) Noticeboard – another location was identified and it was agreed to replace the board outside the former school. Clerk will complete a Huntingdonshire Futures grant in respect of this noticeboard.
DECISION to purchase a noticeboard up the the value of £1500 – proposed by Cllr Maciag and seconded by Cllr Hodson
b) Milking Slade Lane will be closed on 19th June to enable an electricity pole to be replaced – information has been added to the village website.
0203.24 Correspondence received since 18th March 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 (92 in Cambridgeshire in March), Highways events planned for April – none locally,
- Huntingdonshire District Council – Town and Parish Council newsletter forwarded to Parish Councillors , update on waste minimisation, Communities Service team notice, press release about, advance notice of the Town and Parish Council Forum on 19th June at Burgess Hall, St Ives, survey about play areas in Huntingdonshire completed,
d) CAPALC –newsletter, future training dates
e) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for March
f) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – nothing
g) Huntingdonshire Community Policing meetings – invitations to join online meetings on 24/9 and 15/12, both at 7pm.
h) Response from Sam Carling MP regarding Broadband issue – will follow up if a further request is received.
i) SLCC sent a link to a webinar about Devolution of Councils.
0204.24 Items for next meeting:
Donations to Charities – Cllr Moody to present a draft policy.
0205.24 The next meeting will commence with the Annual Parish Council Meeting, to take place on Tuesday 20th May starting at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.
This will be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting, starting at 7.00pm