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:

• 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

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 16^th July 2024

Present:  Councillors Maciag,  Hargrave, Bolton, Hodson, D’Altilia, County Councillor Gardener and the Clerk.

052.24 Councillor Maciag, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting

053.24 To receive apologies and reasons for absence

            District Councillor Alban not available

            Cllr Moody – work commitment       

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

055.24 No members of the Public & Press were present

056.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 18^th June 2024 were confirmed as a correct record by         Councillors Bolton and D’Altilia

057.24 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk

• The Clerk had emailed CambsCC representative regarding the Parish Council response, sent in April, regarding the School playground, and in turn it was acknowledged that the response had been received and the Parish Council do not wish to accept the terms of the County Council proposal for that site.  County Cllr Gardener offered to contact the County Council departments to find out what is proposed for the site

                        The Clerk contacted North Northants Council for an update regarding the Anaerobic Digester proposal and was advised that an extension of time has been given in respect of this application.

• Cllr Hargrave gave an update on the Village Hall and the meeting of the Committee on 15^th July:

            It was agreed that Village Hall matters can be included as part of the Parish Council agenda.

            It was agreed that £2000 could be spent before Trustees need to be consulted – proposed by Cllrs Hodson and seconded by Cllr Maciag.

            The committee are considering applying for an alcohol licence.

            The committee are considering applying for Huntingdonshire DC Food Hygiene rating scheme for the Village Hall kitchen.

            A request was made to increase the Village Hall rent to £800 (it has been £550 for some years, which was an amount set to cover the insurance premium).  Approval was proposed by Cllr Maciag and seconded by Cllr D’Altilia.

            The first event will be a McMillan Coffee Morning on 28^th September.

• Cllr Maciag advised that work on the Neighbourhood Plan is ongoing.
• County Councillor Gardener advised that he is now on the Highways Committee, Environment committee, Communities committee and Fire Authority panel.
•  

058.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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

• Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/7/2024 £10949.65  (includes £500 bequest)
  • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/7/2024  £26,385.30 (1.85% interest applicable)
  • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/7/2024 – £249.77
  • Councillor Hodson’s cashflow forecast had been shared prior to the meeting and there were no questions and comments.

b) PAYMENTS – the following payments were approved:

• Clerk’s working hours for June were approved as a total of  33

059.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

            None, as at 12th July

060.24 Recreation Field – Clerk had shared the risk assessment she carried out in June, there were no questions or comments.

            She was asked to share the rota for risk assessments again.

            Cllr Bolton, preferred a spreadsheet format and will devise one and share with Councillors.

061.24 Newsletter Feedback from July issue – one response of thanks via website, also an email to offer to deliver items around the village.  Items for the August newsletter should be sent to Cllr D’Altillia or the Parish Office.

062.24 Village Maintenance – Cllr Maciag will accompany the tree surgeon to assess the works required.

            The Clerk had failed to find a comparative quote for refurbishment of the benches and so the only contractor will be asked to carry out the work.

063.24 Allotments – Cllr Hodson and Clerk will devise and carry out risk assessments for this site.

064.24 Review of Standing Orders – document shared prior to meeting, no changes were felt to be necessary.

065.24 Review of Financial Regulations – deferred to next meeting.  Clerk believes there are some changes to these but requires access to the NALC website and has contacted CAPALC, who provide the passwords to access documents.

066.24 Correspondence received since 18^th June 2024:

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

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Road Safety Education Newsletter, TMC incident report for roads – none in this Parish, chemical weed treatment reinstated within 40MPH areas,  Proposed road closures, including Great Gidding (email dated 11/7), Community Energy action plan,

c) Huntingdonshire District Council – Shop Front Grant Scheme, Town and Parish Council newsletter, Street Cleansing Team – explanation of their service,

d) CAPALC –newsletter, training dates for July,

f) Cambs Acre –  Staying in Touch newsletter

g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater  Cambridge Partnership – links to online meetings

h) Parish Online newsletter

i) Neighbourhood Alert/ECOPS etc – News from the Courts email

j) Insurance renewal confirmation from Clear Councils Insurance

k) Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) – request to include article in a newsletter

l) Thank you to Parish Council, via village website see 061.24

m) Offer from residents to deliver newsletters etc – see 061.24

n) Ron Bailey, Parliament UK – Safety of Lithium ion Batteries and e-bikes and scooters – support for campaign requested (it had been put on hold for Parliamentary Election)

o) Church Growth Trust – email dated 8^th July in respect of Great Gidding Baptist Chapel – Clerk will contact them and advise they should discuss their plans with the Conservation Officer for Huntingdonshire DC.

067.24 Items for next meeting:

             Clerk’s annual appraisal – Cllr Maciag will undertake this.

068.24 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 20^th August 2024

            in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

Meeting closed at 20.57

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 18^th June 2024

Present:  Councillors Moody, Hargrave, Bolton, D’Altillia and Maciag and the Clerk.

037.24 Councillor Maciag, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.

038.24 Apologies were received from:

            Cllr Hodson – holiday

Cllr Sanders – delayed at work

            County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting

            District Councillor Alban – at another meeting

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

040.24 No members of the Public or Press attended the meeting

041.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 21^st May 2024 were confirmed as a correct record by Councillors Bolton and Moody

042.24 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk

Clerk – amended information booklets have been delivered to 3 x new households in the Parish. 

Clerk will email Declaration of Interest Forms to Councillors for completion and return.

043.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) to note Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account.

• Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/6/2024 £10824.83  (includes £500 bequest)
  • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/6/2024  £26,385.30 (1.85% interest applicable)
  • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/6/2024 – £249.77

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

*** not received from Payroll Services, will be circulated by email for approval once available. 

• to approve Clerk’s working hours for May – total of  33 – approved by all
• AGAR – the Internal Auditor had an online review with the Clerk on Friday 14^th June, the report had been received, Clerk read out the content and will share via email. Cllr Maciag and the Clerk signed the AGAR documents.
• VAT reclaim submitted on 31^st May and received for £615.06

044.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

            None, as at 14th June

045.24 Recreation Field – Wicksteed will carry out inspection within 16 weeks.

            Green Flag accreditation for community spaces – Power Point slides available – not discussed.

            The internal auditor had highlighted the need to complete regular risk inspections (preferably monthly, but at least quarterly).  Survey forms will be sent to Councillors

046.24 Communication with parishioners.  Cllr D’Altillia suggested a monthly newsletter, shared via the community WhatsApp page (currently viewed by approx 70 persons).  This can then be added to the village website (also circa 70 regular viewers), and on the noticeboard at the Village Hall).  Cllr D’Altillia offered to compile the newsletter/WhatsApp post and this was accepted by all.

047.24 Village Maintenance – Clerk has been in correspondence with  tree surgeons  in respect of the Pound, the Parish Pond on Winwick Road and the around the entrance to the Recreation Field – they have requested an accompanied visit to these sites to assess what is required.  Cllr Maciag will meet with them.

            Cllrs Hargrave and Moody expressed concern at the vegetation growing over the Main Street footpath.  Clerk to research who is responsible, especially around the school site, and contact Cambs County Council via the online report webpage.

048.24 Allotments – DEFRA poultry register changes with effect from 1^st October 2024 – Clerk will revise the content of the allotment holder’s tenancy agreement for approval at the June meeting.

The internal auditor had highlighted the need to complete regular risk inspections (preferably monthly, but at least quarterly).  Survey forms will be sent to Councillors

049.24 Correspondence received since 21^st May 2024:

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

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Road Safety Education Newsletter, Remembrance Day events 2024, Highways events for June (nothing in our Parish, but Gigaclear works in Glatton on B660 – 14-18 June),  TMC incident report for roads – none in this Parish,  Revised plan on weed control – within 40mph limit area only – twice a year, Summer holiday scheme – activities and free school meals – poster (see Parish Office window),

c) Huntingdonshire District Council – poster for Active Health at One Leisure, Parliamentary Election notices and information for display (Parish Office window will be used, as AGAR documents are in the noticeboard).

d) CAPALC –newsletter, training dates, 29/5 pre-election guidance from NALC, shaping our new and improved bus routes – various events between 10-13 June,

f) Cambs Acre –  Staying in Touch newsletter, affordable rural  housing presentation – 11^th July (need to book),

g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

h) Parish Online newsletter

i) Neighbourhood Alert/ECOPS etc – News from the Courts email

j) Cllr Ian Gardener – Mental Health Event at Sawtry Academy on Sunday 14^th July (poster in Parish Office window)

k) Ron Bailey at parliament.uk (email 5^th June) – request for support on campaign regarding the safety issues around lithium ion batteries

050.24 Items for next meeting:

             Completed Declaration of Interest forms from all Councillors

                        Review Standing Orders and amend where required

                        Review Financial Regulations and amend where required

051.24 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 16^th July 2024

            in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

            The July meeting will be followed by a Village Hall Trustees meeting.

Meeting closed at 20.38

GREAT & LITTLE GIDDING PARISH COUNCIL 

Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 21^st May 2024

Present:  Councillors Moody, Hargrave, Bolton, D’Altillia and Maciag and the Clerk. 

Apologies for absence:

District Councillor Alban – at another meeting

Councillor Sanders  – work commitments

Councillor Hodson – family commitments

Annual Parish Council meeting:

Chairman – Councillor Maciag proposed as Chairman by Councillors Moody and Bolton.  He has signed the Declaration of Office.

Vice Chairman – Councillor Hargrave proposed as Vice Chairman by Councillors Bolton and Moody.  She has signed the Declaration of Office.

Councillors Bolton and Hodson have advised they will remain as Councillors.  Councillors Moody and D’Altillia will remain as Councillors, but advised that work commitments may impact their attendance at meetings.  Clerk will contact Councillor Sanders.  No other persons had expressed an interest in joining the Parish Council.

022.24 There were no declarations of interest regarding items on the agenda

023.24 No members of Press or Public in attendance at this meeting

024.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 16^th April 2024 were declared as a correct record – proposed by Cllrs Moody and seconded by Cllr Hargrave

025.24 this item not used

026.24 Reports from Councillors and Clerk:

Councillor Hargrave had met with residents who expressed an interest in the Village Hall, a committee has been formed.  They will hold monthly meetings, setting short term and long term objectives. A separate email address will be set up for bookings/correspondence.

Councillor Maciag advised that the Neighbourhood Plan Group aim to get the revised plan to HuntsDC in September.

027.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) to note Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account.

• Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 3/5/2024 £12614.08  (includes £500 bequest)
  • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/3/2024 £26,286.99 (1.85% interest applicable)
  • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/3/2023 – £248.84

b) PAYMENTS – the following payments were approved by Cllrs Maciag and D’Altillia, subject to the Clerk checking the cover applicable to CAPALC’s data protection offer:

c) Clerk’s working hours for April were approved as a total of 26

            d) a first draft of the AGAR was shared at the meeting.  Clerk and Cllr Hodson will meet to finalise figures for discussion and presentation at the June Meeting.          

028.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

a)Nothing further heard from CambsCC regarding the school playground site, although we did not request a response in respect of any points made.

b) APPLICATION REF. 24/00821/HHFUL

 Single-storey Garage Extension, The Mill, Mill Road, Great Gidding Huntingdon PE28 5NT

Response required by 6^th June 2024

There were no objections or observations in respect of this application.

c) the application for the mast, antennas and equipment at Longbrook Farm, Thurning has been refused – Clerk from Hemington, Luddington, Thurning Parish Council will keep us updated.

d) the application for the anaerobic digester is marked as “Decided” but no further details are known at present.  Clerk is in contact with North Northants Councillor Shacklock and Hemington, Luddington, Thurning Parish Clerk.

e) District Cllr Alban had enquired about the outcomes of the Call for Sites exercise.  Hunts DC advise that there is nothing to report at present.

029.24 Recreation Field – it was agreed to instruct Wicksteed, £132 for unaccompanied annual inspection.

030.24 Correspondence received since 16^th April 2024:

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

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters, Road Safety Education Newsletter,

c) Huntingdonshire District Council –16/4 HDC launches capital grant funding for Rural Businesses, Town & Parish Council April newsletter, grants of up to £2,500 for initiatives that support their communities and the Huntingdonshire Futures Place Strategy, Huntingdonshire District Council has teamed up with Cambridgeshire Police and Cambridgeshire Fire to conduct a trial using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel, Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) is celebrating the opening of the East Anglia Energy Academy in St Ives, which will bring forward new jobs, skills and investment into the district, powerpoint slides from the Parish Council information session for EV Charge points, District Council launches Online Climate Hub  ***the Clerk had passed the information from the previous meeting to Little Gidding Trust as they own the car park at Little Gidding, and were interest in the potential of this scheme

d) CAPALC –newsletter, May training dates, Martyn’s Law – protection of premises from Terorism Act

f) Cambs Acre –  Staying in Touch newsletter,

g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – posters encouraging use of concessionary bus passes

h) Parish Online newsletter

i) Neighbourhood Alert/ECOPS etc – News from the Courts email

j) CARESCO offering to visit to explain their services for older residents

035.22 Items for next meeting:

             Approval and signing of the AGAR

036.22 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18^th June 2024

            in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

Meeting closed at 21.02

DRAFT MINUTES of the 2024 Annual Parish Meeting of

Great and Little Gidding Parish Council

Tuesday 21^st May, 7.00PM at Great Gidding Village Hall

PRESENT:  Parish Councillors Maciag, Hargrave, Moody, Bolton, Neighbourhood Policing Team Sergeant  Martin and 5 members of the public.

APOLOGIES received from District Councillor Alban and Parish Councillor Sanders

***Parish Councillor D’Altillia and 2 members of the public joined later in the meeting.

Councillor Maciag, as Vice Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.

Councillor Hodson was unable to attend the meeting, his annual report (copy attached) was read out at the meeting.

Councillor Maciag gave an update on the Neighbourhood Plan – it has been reviewed by Huntingdonshire District Council and changes and additions are to be implemented before it is returned to Hunts DC for approval.

Sergeant Anna Martin of the Neighbourhood Policing Team gave an overview of police involvement in our rural area, advising that our Parish has a very low crime rate.  She encouraged engagement with the Team through the Cambs Police Website (https://www.cambs.police.uk/), particularly the live chat option for crime reporting.

Questions from members of the public:

• Anaerobic digester – concerns about traffic and transport – no decision has yet been published. As the site is in the neighbouring county, Clerk is continuing correspondence with North Northants contacts.  SB encouraged building a good relationship with the developer to enable future discussions.
• A second speed camera has been installed recently – results are monitored in both directions and act as an advisory measure to drivers. 
• Councillor Bolton advised that a 20MPH limit has been applied for in respect of the lane down to Little Gidding – decision has not yet been made by Cambridgeshire County Council.  SB recommended the Parish Council apply for a 20MPH limit throughout Great Gidding.
• Call for sites – Huntingdonshire District Council have not yet published any decisions on sites.  RG had read on the Hunts DC website that results will be known in July.
• Advertising the Parish Meeting – DU advised that Annual Parish Meeting should have been better advertised.  Clerk advised the notice had been placed on the village website and the Village Hall website, earlier than the required 2 week notice period.  It was felt that new residents were unaware of events/services/facilities in the village and means of communicating with residents should be improved.

The meeting closed at 20.06

Chairman’s report:

Thank you for attending tonight, I am sorry that, due to unforeseen circumstances, I am unable to  attend in person.

The last year has been challenging, rewarding and hugely frustrating.

I would like to thank my fellow councillors for their hard work and dedication to the Parish ( and of course where would we be without Julie, who does a fantastic job as Clerk.)

Just a few of the things we have dealt with in the last 12 months

The Parish Plan – We have a great team working extremely hard to produce a plan which reflects the wishes of our residents, we have more steps of the process to complete, but we are progressing well. A huge thank you to the team 

Call for sites – Earlier in the year the Council asked people to suggest parcels of land that might be suitable for housing, we appreciate that the submission by Milton Estates caused a lot of concern, but as of today, we have not heard back from the Council, we will of course  let you know as soon as we do. Even if a site is agreed as potential development, the owner would still have to apply for planning permission as normal.

Anaerobic Digester – After months of no news at all, the website now says “decided” but does not say, what has been decided. We did all we could and will continue to do all we can to stop this development.

The School House – Now that the school has closed, we considered using the brick school, building as a village community building, but the financial economics just didn’t work, so we have advised Milton Estates that we are not interested in leasing the building from them

School Playground – Again we were considering purchasing this from the County Council, as a village amenity, but the conditions the County Council placed on the sale made the risk too great for us to contemplate 

After several years as Chair, I have decided it’s time to stand down, I will remain on the Council for a smooth transition, but if anyone would like to join the PC please let us know.