Paper copies of the application for an anaerobic digester unit have been delivered to the Parish Council office. These include maps and documents and will be available to view on Friday afternoons (20th and 27th October and 3rd November), between 2.00 and 4.00PM – in the Village Hall.
Should you wish to make comments or observations to North Northamptonshire Council, 10th November is the date by which these should be received.
How to comment – quote reference NN/23/00026/WASFUL
You can make an objection or representation by online form:
Present: Councillors Hodson, Hargrave, Moody, Maciag and Bolton, one member of the public (LS), and the Clerk.
049.23 Councillor Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting
050.23 Apologies were received from:
County Councillor Gardener – will join the meeting later as he is attending another meeting.
District Councillor Alban – attending another meeting.
Councillor D’Altilia – unwell
051.23 There were no Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
052.23 No members of the Press were present. Member of the Public was in attendance for item 059.23 of the agenda.
053.23 Minutes of the meeting held on 20th June 2023 were confirmed as a correct record, proposed by Councillor Maciag and seconded by Councillor Moody.
054.23 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that would not be discussed as an agenda item.
055.23 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
District Councillor Alban had sent a report via email, which the Clerk read – regarding the lengthy debate of the proposed introduction of a charge for emptying of green waste bins. The District Council Cabinet will make a decision this evening (18th July). He
Clerk and Paul Hargrave had accessed the data on the speed awareness sign, approx 18 months worth of information. Paul Hargrave had since carried out analysis of the data, a summary of which will be shared with Parish Councillors. On the whole, in the vicinity of the speed camera, motorists were travelling within the speed limit, although it was shown that they travelled slightly faster going uphill (towards the back of the sign, which still records in this direction) – huge spikes of through traffic were recorded on cycle race days and these have been removed as they skew the figures.
There were no further reports from Parish Councillors.
County Councillor Gardener arrived later in the meeting and gave his report:
There is a Fire & Rescue related risks survey for completion online – Parish Council’s are encouraged to complete and a link will be sent to the Clerk.
Proposed congestion charge for Cambridge – 58% of Councillors were against the proposal, particularly as it included the various hospital sites in the charging zone, and there will be a review in October.
The next round of Highways Improvement bids can be submitted between 27th October and 12th January – non-complex (under £10,000) and complex (costing between £10,000 and £25,000) categories. Existing submissions of 20MPH zones will be reconsidered in this process, also buffer zones around existing speed restricted areas were proving to be successful and would be given greater consideration.
Cambridgeshire Priorities Capital Fund – deadline for applications is 24 September 2023, Clerk has forwarded details to Parish Councillors.
Following changes made by the Boundary Commission, Great & Little Gidding will remain in North West Hunts division.
Huntingdonshire District Council’s proposal to implement a £57.50 charge for emptying of green waste bins had been debated at a Council meeting for over 3 hours, there being many reasons why this would be unpopular/unworkable, a decision will be made this evening (18th July). If this proposal is approved, with effect from 1 April 2024, all food waste will have to be put into the grey bin, and go to landfill. (Currently, the District Council is unable to charge for emptying blue or grey bins).
In response to Councillor Gardener’s report:
Councillor Bolton asked when the outcome of 20MPH LHI submissions will be known – IG will find out.
Clerk asked for an update on when work to the footpaths would be carried out, as has been proposed by Sharon Middleton (Highways Officer) when she visited the village last year – IG will find out a timeframe for this work to be carried out.
School site – Councillor Gardener has reminded the Chair of the Children and Young People Committee, Briony Goodliff, of the Parish Council’s interest in retaining the site as a community facility.
Call for sites – these were available to read via the HuntsDC website, including those proposed for Great Gidding. The Planning Department are reviewing the submissions now. There will be a 10 week consultation period, possibly Spring 2024, in respect of those sites that meet the required planning guidelines and the Parish Council will be a consultee.
Suggestions were made to consider this site for having the school house listed/graded, and to register this as an Asset of Community Value
Councillor Gardener left the meeting at 21.00
056.23 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account had been shared with the agenda.
Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 4/7/2023 £16373.86
Parish Council Deposit Account – £33.43 interest added, balance as at 22/6/2023 £16,061.85
Defibrillator account – 51p interest received.
b) PAYMENTS – the following online payments were approved:
Who
What for
TOTAL
Invoice includes this VAT amount
Authorised
Authorised
J R Trolove
Wages for May ( 43 hours )
Xxx
NIL
JRT
Bradgate Ground Maintenance Ltd (no xxxx) NO INVOICE RECEIVED
Grass cutting of Recreation Field
JRT
CANALBS
Internal audit
71.25
NIL
JRT
Information Commissioners Office
Data Protection renewal fee
40.00
NIL
jrt
VILLAGE HALL payments
Julie Trolove refund for Mick George Ltd
19 tonne of gravel
706.80
n/a
Julie Trolove refund for Glassjacks Ltd
Glass crates
198.72
n/a
to approve Clerk’s working hours for June – total of 38
Payments and Clerk’s hours – approval proposed by Cllr Maciag and seconded by Cllr Moody.
AGAR was emailed to the external auditor on 23 June, exemption certificate is awaited. The Internal Auditor’s report was shared with the agenda.
057.23 PLANNING applications and other planning matters:
There are no new planning applications in advance of this meeting.
Clerk did comment that there had been no planning application in respect of works to Manor Barn, Main Street and, it would appear, that the entrance to the property (in the Conservation Area of the village) had been altered.
Councillor Hodson advised that, at 65 Main Street, the window size had been reduced in accordance with the submitted plans, but the stone wall has not yet been reinstated.
Clerk will email the Conservation Officer in respect of both properties.
058.23 Call for Sites – Cambs CC have submitted an application to Hunts DC in respect of the school site proposing a housing development. (see Cllr Gardener’s comment above at 055.23). Clerk had obtained contact details of the CambsCC employee with responsibility for the school site – an email will be sent requesting a visit/access by Parish Councillors.
059.23 Co-option of Parish Councillor – Mr Lee Sanders has completed a co-option form, introductions were made. He was proposed as a Parish Councillor by Cllr Hodson, seconded by Cllr Maciag.
060.23 Current Standing Orders and Financial Regulations were distributed to Parish Councillors prior to the meeting.
Standing Orders – Cllr Moody proposed acceptance, without changes, seconded by Cllr Maciag.
Financial Regulations – Cllr Moody proposed acceptance, without changes, seconded by Cllr Hargrave
Other policy documents – the Clerk will research templates for required policies.
Information Commissioners Office template for model publication scheme – suggested amendments and additions – this had proved difficult to read and will be sent again to Councillors.
061.23 Recreation Field annual inspection report from Wicksteed Playgrounds – a 42 page inspection report had been received. The Clerk will summarise the comments and forward to Parish Councillors
062.23 Correspondence received since 20th June 2023:
a) NALC newsletters – Chief Executives Bulletin, NALC events list, Star Council awards,
b) Cambridgeshire County Council – nothing received
c) Huntingdonshire District Council –
waste minimisation meeting held on 12 July – speaker on home composting. Community Ownership Fund – webinar invitations – Cllr Hargrave will attend one of the webinars
The event will last most of the day, we’ll confirm start and finish times in due course
The Burgess Hall, Westwood Road, St Ives, PE27 6WU
Clerk will forward details to Cllrs Moody and Hodson.
Health Inequalites – Quality of Life survey available on HuntsDC website until 4th August
Roadside grip cutting between Winwick and Hamerton on 31st July
d) CAPALC – email re. Cambridgeshire Priorities Capital Fund funding – initial deadline
24/9/2023, June Bulletin forwarded to Councillors, Health inequality support services,
e) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – *** has this disbanded, or replaced by the Greater Peterborough and Greater Cambridge Partnerships
which took place on Tuesday 16th May 2023 in Great Gidding Village Hall, immediately after the Annual Parish Meeting and prior to the Parish Council meeting
Paul Hodson was elected as Parish Council Chairman – Proposed by Councillor Bolton and seconded by Councillor Hargrave
Jan Maciag was elected as Vice Chairman of the Parish Council – Proposed by Councillor Bolton and seconded by Councillor Hargrave.
Acceptance of Office forms were completed by Councillors Hodson and Maciag. Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests forms will be emailed to Councillors for completion and return at the June Meeting.
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 16th May
Present: Councillors Hodson, Hargrave, Moody, Maciag and Bolton, District Councillor Gardener and the Clerk. 4 members of the public were present.
019.23 Councillor Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting
020.23 Apologies were received from:
County Councillor Gardener – at other meetings.
Councillor D’Altilia – work commitments
021.23 Declaration of Disclosable Interests from Councillor Maciag in respect of item 027.23
022.23 Members of the public were not in attendance to address the meeting.
023.23 Minutes of the meeting held on 18th April 2023 were confirmed as a correct record by Councillors Hodson and Maciag.
024.23 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.
Clerk – precept payment has been received.
65 Main Street – a report had been registered with Huntingdonshire District Council’s Conservation Department regarding the concerns about the size of window and the potential damage to the wall. An Enforcement Officer has spoken with the builder and steps will be taken to alter the window size and measures taken to protect the wall. LP, member of the public, reminded that the hedge is still to be replanted too. Clerk will ask for an update from the Enforcement Officer and re-iterate the concerns regarding this development.
025.23 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
District Councillor Alban advised that meetings would be taking place in respect of the Huntingdonshire District Council Local Plan to 2036. Clerk had shared the meeting details with Parish Councillors. PH, member of the public and representing the Neighbourhood Plan group enquired if he could attend as it appeared these meetings were solely for Councillors – Clerk will make enquiries.
The Newlands Development at Junction 17 of the A1M has been withdrawn but is likely to be re- presented at some stage.
There is a possibility of a separate charge for the green waste bin (in the region of £50), the District Council hopes this will encourage residents to waste less or compost more – reservations were expressed.
Alternative Land Management information has been shared by the District Council both to Parish Councils, and to residents via social media.
The next Joint Parish Council meeting (date to be determined) – it is hoped to have a representative from the Police in attendance.
District Councillor Alban left the meeting to attend other Parish Council meetings.
Clerk – a request has been received from an allotment holder to plant wild flowers on her allotment – Cllr Hodson suggested that she be asked to plant in the boundary of the orchard, rather than the allotment
Replacement safety mirror – Village Hall or Parish Council to pay?
026.23 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account.
b) PAYMENTS – all payments approved but, at the time of the meeting,*** details of the Clerk’s wages had not been received. Also the printers for the Neighbourhood Plan survey had generously agreed to delay their invoice and it is hoped that the grant will be determined in the near future.***
Who
What for
TOTAL
Invoice includes this VAT amount
Authorised
Authorised
J R Trolove *** see note
Wages for March ( 36 hours )
Xxx
NIL
JRT
Firetext (April)
Messaging Service
14.40
2.40
JRT
BHIB Insurance
Parish Council insurance renewal
£560.00
NIL
JRT
Viking
cleaning equipment for Help Out Day (S137)
36.79
6.13
JRT
Inkwell Printers
For Information Booklet (S137)
93.00
Printers of Neighbourhood Plan *** see note
Printing of Neighbourhood Plan
See 030.23
LGS Services
Payroll services
79.20
13.20
A Hargrave
(S137) food for Coronation Concert and cava for toast
139.33
NIL
The following were PAID outside of the meeting
A Underwood
(S 137) Food for Coronation Concert event
226.94
NIL
A V Expert
(S137) Balance for hire of TV & sound equip
365.40
Clerk’s working hours for April – were approved as a total of 32.5
AGAR – copies of all documents had been shared with Councillors prior to the meeting. There were no questions, therefore these were approved and signed.
027.23 PLANNING applications and other planning matters:
Proposal: Change of use from agricultural to residential. The proposed development includes the retention, conversion and extension of the existing Grain Drier buildings for a single residential unit. Site Address: Land Between 65 And 67 MainStreet Great Gidding
Closing date for response 21st May 2023 Reference: 23/00599/FUL
Cllr Maciag, as architect for the project, explained the changes that had been made mainly in respect of the extension to the existing buildings. He confirmed that hedgerow and tree planting is part of the proposed application.
APPROVED and comments made regarding the original application will be repeated.
028.23 20MPH scheme for Little Gidding – Cllr Bolton had submitted the application on behalf of the Parish Council, further information from CambsCC is awaited.
029.23 Great Gidding CofE (VC) Controlled School
Formal closure procedure ended 25th April 2023, when a CambsCC meeting was held and the decision taken to close the school by a vote of 9 to 6. Clerk has requested a formal statement or letter from CambsCC.
Cllr Moody advised that we should continue to stress to the County Council that the Parish Council wishes to be involved in the future of the school site. Cllr Hodson advised that, in addition to retention of the playground as a village asset, the school (brick) building has potential as a community facility too, and interest in this building has been verbally advised to Milton Estates, via their Agent.
030.23 GWH Neighbourhood Plan update –
Questionnaires have been distributed to households and businesses in the 5 villages in late April. Responses are being received by the Neighbourhood Plan group, submitted both online and paper copies.
Grant application for funding of the project – awaited.
First draft of the report to be compiled.
031.23 Recreation Ground – to be discussed in Village Hall & Recreation Ground meeting.
032.23 Councillor Training sessions with CAPALC
Online via ZOOM Saturday 3rd June – 9AM to 3.30PM
Over 3 Wednesday evenings – 7/14/21 June – 7 – 9PM
Saturday 16th September – 9AM to 3.30PM
In Person The Christie Hall, Elton Road, Wansford, PE8 6JS on
Saturday 17th June – 9AM til 3.30PM
The Glebe, 4 High Street, Sutton, Ely CB6 2RB
Saturday 15th July – 9AM til 3.30PM
Millennium Sports Facility, The Trundle, Somersham, PE28 3JS
Saturday 30th September – 9AM til 3.30PM
Councillor Bolton advised he will attend the September online training session.
033.23 Review of Coronation Weekend events
There have been many positive comments and emails, plus one of “constructive comment”, received in respect of the Information Booklet and for the events held – Cllr Hargrave had compiled an analysis of the weekend’s events.
Cllr Hodson expressed thanks to all those people involved.
034.23 Correspondence received since 18th April 2023:
b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters, 26/4 Event for Cambs Social Enterprises working in wellbeing to be held on 25th May, 27/4 Highways Surface treatments between 1 June 2023 AND 30 November 2024 – Includes B660 through Great Gidding and Glatton, and other local parishes (signage will forewarn of dates of closure), 27/4 Cambridgeshire Matters magazine, 13/5 CANFFUND is a Cambridgeshire local government led project funded by Innovate UK, a UK government funding body. The CANFFUND Team is collaboration of local government and businesses seeking to understand and unlock new funding approaches to deliver net zero across Cambridgeshire – ONLINE Meeting on 8 June 3 – 5 PM,
c) Huntingdonshire District Council – 18/4 + 10/5 Energy Relief support grant, 26/4 This is a summary of the Issues Engagement Paper which highlights known issues in the district and asks for your opinions on topics including responding to the climate crisis, enhancing the natural environment, supporting places, meeting housing needs for all, promoting a prosperous economy, developing high quality sustainable communities with supporting infrastructure, and distributing new growth. The consultation will finish on 5 July 2023 at 23:59 (and various other items connected with this Paper – all received on 26 April), 26/4 Press release – HDC SUPPORTS HUNTINGDONSHIRE COMMUNITY GROUP TO INTRODUCE AFTER SCHOOL CLUB AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, 27/4 and 15/5 Alternative Land Use https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/environmental-issues/biodiversity-for-all/alternative-land-management/, 28/4 Powerpoint slided on Town and Parish involvement – includes Planning, planning enforcement and other planning issues , 28/4 You are invited to attend a presentation to explain more about the Local Plan Update and the Issues Engagement – this will also provide an opportunity for you to ask questions to help inform your Council’s response.
There will be two identical presentations, which will be held in person in the Civic Suite at Pathfinder House, Huntingdon. There will also be an option to join via Zoom if you would prefer. The sessions will be on:
Wednesday, 24th May, starting at 19:00, and
Monday, 5th June, starting at 19:00
It is anticipated they will run for 1 ½ hours.
d) CAPALC – 26/4 April Newsletter, 28/4 Coronation VAT guidance
Smaller authority name: GREAT AND LITTLE GIDDING PARISH COUNCIL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL GOVERNANCE &ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN (EXEMPT AUTHORITY)
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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 Friday 2nd June (a) 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 2023, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to: (b) The Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer at the Parish Office at the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding, Huntingdon, PE28 5NU commencing on (c) Monday 5 June 2023 and ending on (d) Friday 14 July 2023 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 CircusCanary WharfLondon E14 4HD (sba@pkf-l.com) 5. This announcement is made by (e) J R Trolove
(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 3-14 July 2023 for 2022/23 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 theaccounts 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.
If you wish to contact your authority’s appointed external auditor please write to the address in paragraph 4 of the Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return.
Present: Councillors Hodson, Hargrave, Moody, Maciag and D’Altilia, County Councillor Gardener and the Clerk.
001.23 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting.
002.23 To receive apologies and reasons for absence
Cllr Bolton – holiday
District Councillor Alban – another meeting
003.23 Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
Cllr Hargrave for 009.23B – Planning
004.23 There were no members of the public or press present.
005.23 Minutes of the meeting held on 21st March 2023 were confirmed as a correct record –
Cllrs Hargrave proposed and Cllr Maciag responded.
006.23 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that would not be discussed as an agenda item.
007.23 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
County Councillor Gardener advised that the next meeting of Children and Young People’s committee would take place on Tuesday 25th April. At that meeting there will be a recommendation for Great Gidding school to close at the end of the academic year. He will attend the meeting and express dismay at the closure. Parents of children living in the school catchment area will be offered support for home to school transport (this may be bus/taxi or financial), and there is a grant (amount dependent on chosen school) towards the cost of school uniform. He will report back immediately after the CYP meeting.
Cllr Moody asks that he reinforce the need for support, as described above, for parents.
Cllr Gardener advised that the TING bus has a new operator and will visit Great Gidding on Friday 2nd June as part of a roadshow, to promote the service.
He reminded us that the 20MPH Scheme applications should be submitted by 30th April.
Cambs County Council are suggesting an extension to the guided busway around Madingley, also the referendum, for introduction of a congestion charge to enter Cambridge, was turned down.
Cllr Hargrave enquired about a HuntsDC directive on dogs on leads – Clerk will research.
Clerk asked Councillors who would maintain and download statistics from the speed awareness sign, this information would be of use to the Neighbourhood Plan Group – Cllrs D’Altilia and Maciag will take a look at this.
There were no other reports from Councillors
008.23 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account had been shared prior to the meeting.
b) PAYMENTS – the following payments were approved:
After discussion, Councillors decided that Data Protection cover was not required and £225.49 will be paid for CAPALC’s annual affiliation fee only
Who
What for
TOTAL
Invoice includes this VAT amount
Authorised
Authorised
J R Trolove
Wages for February ( 40 hours )
Xxx
NIL
JRT
Firetext (April)
Messaging Service
14.40
2.40
JRT
CAPALC
Annual affiliation fee
225.49 or 275.49 with Data Protection Scheme
Inkwell Printers (Paid prior to meeting)
Spring newsletter
40.00
NIL
SLCC
Annual membership
36.00
NIL
BHIB insurance – hire of Coronation equipment
Additional premium
No charge
NIL
Julie Trolove (re-imbursement) for the Big Game Hunter
Purchase of games for Coronation event
247.92
To be confirmed
VILLAGE HALL A C Clark
Village hall cleaning
16.75
NIL
to approve Clerk’s working hours for March – total of 36
AGAR – Clerk distributed the end of year finance sheet for the Parish Council, this was accompanied by Cllr Hodson’s balance sheet, these figures will be used to complete the AGAR paperwork. Clerk asked for confirmation of the amounts of reserves held, this was discussed and will be reported accordingly.
It was agreed by all that CANALBS will be appointed as the internal auditor.
009.23 PLANNING applications and other planning matters:
There are no new planning applications as at 14th April 2023
62 Main Street – there is an amendment to the approved plan on health and safety grounds, do the close proximity of overhead electrical cables – NO OBJECTIONS
APPLICATION REF. 23/00557/FUL
Erection of a single dwelling
Adjacent to Church Farm 41 Main Street Great Gidding Huntingdon PE28 5NU
Comments by 6th May
Councillors had studied the revised plans and wish to submit a refusal. Clerk was asked to resubmit the original refusal, pointing out that the proposed property driveway is still too close to No 45, also exit from the property will be too steep at a point on Main Street where it would be dangerous, with insufficient sight lines to pull out onto the road, exacerbated by the curve in the road combined with vehicles having to cross the public footpath. Also, should the property be built as proposed, it would leave Church Farm house with very little surrounding garden which would be detrimental to this property. RECOMMEND REFUSAL
65 Main Street – email from resident (dated 11/4) regarding size of window and damage to wall contrary to Planning permission – the resident has written to HuntsDC Planning Department and the Clerk was requested to do the same – the window is much larger than given permission for, and the wall has been cut and is compromised by the building extension.
d) Sawtry Neighbourhood Plan (email 12/4) – the document had been shared with Councillors prior to the meeting, they do not wish to submit a response.
010.23 20MPH scheme for Little Gidding – Cllr Bolton’s had advised prior to the meeting that he was in the process of compiling the paperwork. Cllr Gardener has confirmed his support of the proposed scheme.
011.23 Great Gidding CofE (VC) Controlled School – once the decision is known, should it be for closure of the school, the Parish Council will request a visit to the school to view the premises.
Cllr Hodson made the following addition to the Minutes:
We agreed that we would look to get support from our County and District councillors and our MP to lobby for the playground to become a village amenity. We then agreed that as a separate matter (which is really a VH committee decision) is that we would ask to visit the school building at some point, but being mindful of the teachers personal situations, that this could be delayed for a while.
012.23 GWH Neighbourhood Plan update – initial consultation period ended 21st March 2023
Minutes from the meeting held on 22nd March were shared prior to the meeting. There is a delay in the release of funding being allocated by the Government’s Levelling Up Department, via HuntsDC, and Cllr Maciag requested that the Parish Council fund the printing of documents so that the project could continue without delay – this will be an item for decision on the May agenda.
013.23 Annual Parish Meeting, starting at 7PM on 16th May
The notice has been displayed on the noticeboard and will be added to the website.
Speaker from Neighbourhood Plan Group will address the meeting
014.23 Preparation for the Coronation of King Charles III
Clerk advised that there is slow progress on residents signing up for events, but there is progress. Councilors made offers of assistance for the weekend.
Cllr D’Altilia’s draft of the information booklet had been shared prior to the meeting, it is hoped that this will be printed and distributed prior to the Coronation weekend.
015.23 Recreation Ground – damage to wooden play equipment had been reported by a resident. Cllr Hodson had made safe the item of equipment and recommends that, as items are deteriorating, quotes are sought for removal. In addition the slide steps require some work, seek quotes for replacement of these.
016.23 Correspondence received since 21st March 2023:
b) Cambridgeshire County Council – 28/3 Cambridgeshire Matters, 30/3 Temporary Road Closure of Milking Slade Lane between May and August (but for short periods of time), 3/4 Traffic management Centre report and invite to training, 13/4 Highways list of roads for resurfacing (nearest is Stilton),
c) Huntingdonshire District Council – 27/3 call for sites consultation for the Local Plan, 29/3 Draft Settlement Hierarchy Methodology Consultation (ends 10 May), Consultation for Call for Sites Spring 2023 for Local Plan (ends 7 June)- also poster for display 12/4, Draft Land Availability Assessment Methodology, , 31/3 funding for Health & Wellbeing sessions, 30/3 Huntingdonshire Futures Place Strategy announcement, 3/4 Polling Station Questionnaire, 13/4 request for information about Coronation events,
d) CAPALC – March newsletter
e) Economic Development Huntingdonshire DC invest@huntingdonshire.gov.uk – weekly Business News – 23/3+30/3+6/4+13/4
g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough –
h) Parish Online newsletter
i) Neighbourhood Alert/ECOPS etc – News from the Courts email 22/3+27/3+3/4+11/4, 27/3 WhatsApp scam alert, 27/3 newsletter from Police & Crime Commissioner, 27/3 catalytic convertor thefts, 3/4 newsletter, also brazen thief , 5/4 how to protect your home, 10/4 Emergency Alerts information
j) North Northamptonshire Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan Consultation
k) cpft NHS – 11/4 Dementia Support Worker with the Dementia Carers Support Service.
l) 11/4 Emails from Cllr Bryony Goodliffe, Shailesh Vara, Tim Alban, Ian Gardener re. the future of Great Gidding School
223.22 Items for next meeting:
Annual Parish Meeting – to start at 7.00PM
Annual Parish Council meeting, to follow on from Annual Parish Meeting
Parish Council meeting:
Neighbourhood Plan funding requirements
Further information regarding Great Gidding School, following CambsCC decision
Recreation Ground equipment
224.22 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 16th May 2023
The Annual Parish Meeting will commence at 7.00PM, to which residents are invited to attend, followed by the Parish Council meeting. Both take place in the Village Hall, Great Gidding.
Ting operates in partnership with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) to provide demand responsive journeys in West Huntingdonshire.
The services will now run for an additional 14 hours a week, operating between the hours of 6am – 8pm Monday – Saturday, with Vectare’s customer service team available by telephone and social media throughout the operational hours of the service.
Tuesday 16th May, starting at 7.00PM at the Village Hall
This is not a formal Parish Council meeting. It is an opportunity for residents of Great and Little Gidding to find out more about the work that the Parish Council are doing, to raise any issues regarding the parish and comment on plans for the coming year.
All are welcome to attend.
AGENDA:
Chairman’s welcome
Minutes of the meeting, held via Zoom, on 19th April 2022
The Chairman’s Annual Report from the Parish Council
A member (s) of the Neighbourhood Plan group will present an update on the Plan
Update on current tasks within the Parish and plans for 2023-24
for members of the public to present, discuss and resolve any other matters relating to Great and Little Gidding Parish
7pm at Fox and Hounds for a British themed quiz. £5 for a team of 4. Space is limited, to ensure you are taking part, contact the Parish Clerk to book your table. Email ggparishcouncil@outlook.com
Saturday 6th May
6pm in Jubilee Wood, giant games to play, and bring along all that you need for a picnic (food and/or drink, to share if you wish) and, as dusk falls, the beacon will be lit and a toast to King Charles III will be made.
Whatever the weather, come with sunhat and umbrella. Enjoy your picnic, play the games and at 8.30PM walk over to the beacon site, fill a tumbler with fizz and shout HURRAH! Toilet facilities will be available on site.
Sunday 7th May
11.30am at St Michael’s Church, a service of thanksgiving and celebration — all are welcome to mark this historic occasion.
7pm in the Village Hall. A Coronation party and community get together for all ages, bring along your guests too. The village hall will be dressed up in bunting/flags/and other decor. We are hiring equipment so that the Coronation Concert can be viewed. If you fancy a dance the glitter ball will be in action.
Pork rolls and a tasty vegan option will be served from 7.30PM, our fantastic village bakers will tempt us with puddings – just remember to bring your own drinks because we are not licensed.
Attendance form
We need you to sign up in advance for this event to aid the caterers
