Posts Tagged Great Gidding

PRESENT:  Cllrs Maciag, Bolton, Hargrave, Downer, Nankivell and Hodson and the Clerk

8 members of the public attended.

DRAFT Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 20^th January 2026

0108.25 Cllr Maciag, as Chairperson, welcomed those present to the meeting.

0109.25 Apologies were received from County Councillor Gardener and District Councillor Alban, both were attending other meetings.                             

0110.25 There were no Declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda

0111.25 No members of the press were present.  Members of the public were in attendance for agenda item 0115.25

0112.25 Minutes of the meeting held on 16^th December 2025 were confirmed as a correct record by Cllrs Bolton and Maciag

0113.25 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.

               Clerk – grit bin refills requested for Chapel End/Back Lane and Chapel End/Gains Lane

   Resident requested to cut back hedge on Main Street, to ensure safe passage   on the     adjacent footpath

Precept request submitted to Council Tax Team Leader at Hunts DC

Cllr Downer had been advised by a resident of the deterioration of the bridge structure spanning the watercourse between footpath and the Baptist Chapel graveyard (Footpath being in the ownership of CambsCC and the Baptist Chapel with a new private owner).  This had recently resulted in flooding (not stated to what or where) and it was felt that action is required, although in effect the bridge is no longer accessible to the public as this part of the site is secured by Herris fencing.  The Clerk will write to riparian owners and request they repair or remove the bridge.

Cllr Hargrave:

Deadline for items for the next newsletter is 26^th January.

There had been an incident on Mill Road where a pedestrian had been hit by a vehicle, no injuries incurred but shock and concern – consider how to address this issue with road signage or safety measures.  It is not known if the matter was reported to Police.

0114.25 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank in respect of the Parish Council current account,   balance is currently £3698.21        

Defibrillator account – £0.62 interest added, total = £211.89

b) PAYMENTS – the following payments were approved

Clerk requested approval to set up a Direct Debit in respect of payments to BT, this      was confirmed by Cllrs Bolton and Hargrave.

• to approve Clerk’s working hours for December   – a total of  24  hours were approved by Cllrs Hargrave and Bolton

0115.25  PLANNING applications and  matters:

              a) Response to enquiry about the School site. (email dated 22/12/2025).  This appeared to address all concerns that had been put to CambsCC.

   b)Further correspondence regarding anaerobic digester plant from North Northants – a revised application for the entire project with “superseded” documents, with another application in respect of Hemington Lodge Road

              Our responses are invited, deadlines are 2^nd AND 5^th February 2026

   Glatton Parish Council had made enquiries about this application on 6/1/2026, the Clerk had  sent them links and associated information.  They have been invited to join this meeting but did not attend.

Eight residents were in attendance in respect of this agenda item.  The revised documents had been received by the Parish Council on Friday 16^th January from North Northants Council and had not been read by all present.  There followed discussion, comments and opinions regarding the “superseded” documents.  It was felt that this Parish Council’s comments and those of residents regarding the B660 and its use by all transport to reach Hemington Lodge Road had been ignored, with virtually no mention.

Cllr Maciag suggested the employment of a Traffic Engineer to compile an independent report – this will be explored further by the Parish Council.

Cllr Maciag requested residents to keep submitting comments to North Northants Council and copy in CambsCC, the Parish Council will reiterate their comments

   c) The date of the planning meeting at which the Hemington Lodge Road application will be discussed will be advised by HuntsDC Planning Dept. is awaited.

d) no Hunts DC planning applications received on which the Parish Council should comment as at 16^th January 2026.          

0116.25 Local Government Reorganisation – latest information to include District Cllr Alban’s comments which were read out regarding elections (it was confirmed on 22^nd January that Hunts DC elections will go ahead as planned.)

0117.25 Website for the Parish Council – Cllr Nankivell reported her findings.  The Clerk had obtained quotes from Cuttlefish, Parish Online and Aubergine and details had been forwarded to Cllrs prior to the meeting.  Cllr Nankivell proposed that Aubergine be appointed as they appeared to provide the set up that we required, with training and ongoing assistance available, with prices that over time were about the same.

              DECISION to appoint Aubergine to compile and facilitate a replacement website was proposed by Cllr Nankivel and seconded by Cllrs Downer and Hargrave.

              A domain name was chosen from a selection of formats – this will be

              greatandlittlegidding-pc.gov.uk     All Cllrs agreed.

              An IT policy is essential, we will wait to see if Aubergine have a template or if we need to devise our own, Cllr Hodson had already prepared one if necessary. ***Cllr Hodson had prepared an IT policy which was accepted by all for future use.

              Cllr Nankivell and the Clerk will identify the minimum requirements so ensure this Council complies with legislation and commence the process with Aubergine.

              Cllr Hodson had discussed with Catalyst Design, the current providers of the village website (including Parish Council pages), who advised they will be pleased not to manage the current site as they are retiring from business. 

              Further discussion followed regarding the future of a “village website” and this will be revisited at a future date.

              Cllr Downer enquired about the replacement laptop – Cllr Bolton had the laptop but the Clerk had been unable to commit to meet with him to facilitate the transfer of information from old to new.  This will be completed by the February meeting.

              Clerk advised that BT had installed the required router, but the landline was still not working and setting up the account was not straightforward but she will continue to pursue this.

0118.25 Recreation Ground – Cllr Maciag had drawn up a plan for a parking area which will accommodate up to 24 cars (2.55 x 5m per vehicle), with a fence to demark the area.   This could impact on the site of the pitch(s).  It was agreed to draw up an estimated cost for provision of a basic hardstanding area.  Also to identify the need for additional facilities by contacting other local clubs.

0119.25 Parish Office – the Clerk advised that during winter months the Parish Office was not an ideal work environment, mainly due to heating, draughts, insulation and requested some attention to remedy the matter.  The Village Hall committee are to hold a working day on 24^th January and will consider the Parish Office in their schedule.

              The Clerk had sent a letter of resignation to all Cllrs with the agenda for this meeting.    Cllr Downer asked how to advertise for a replacement and the Clerk will advise and support Councillors with this process.

0120.25 Correspondence received between 16^th December  and 16^th January 2026:

              a) NALC newsletters – events news email dated 23 December

                   letter from new Chairman

Chief Executives Bulletin dated 15/1/2026                      

              b)Cambridgeshire County Council –

• Cambridgeshire Matters December edition
• Highways events – Whittlesey Straw Bear 17^th January 2026
• Traffic Management Incident report for December
• Temporary Closure of Winwick Road during January 2026

c) Huntingdonshire District Council –

• Town and Parish Council Newsletter (includes CIL information, LHI bid reminder, Local Plan information, Reorganisation information, 3G pitch for St Ives, Elections 2026, Be A Councillor)
• Press release – Holocaust Memorial Day Service, 27^th January at Huntingdon Town Hall – RSVP required.
• 14/1/2026 Press release regarding local council elections
• 30/12/2025 update regarding reorganization of Local Councils (see 0116.25)
• Cambridgeshire Classis Cycle Event – 7 March 2026 – further details

d) Cambs &Pboro Combined Authority – monthly newsletter

e) Cambs ACRE – Staying in Touch newsletter, Community Energy online event on Tuesday 3^rd February

f) CAPALC – their revised website is at last LIVE, all correspondence through their website with a password, details will be shared at the meeting.

g) Parish Online monthly newsletter

h) SLCC – regional training seminar for Clerks, including items on revised AGAR, upgrade of websites etc – in Northampton – November 2026

0121.25  Any Urgent Business

In accordance with section 100(B)(4) of the Local           Government   Act 1972 (as amended) the Chair will admit an item of urgent business in order that it can be dealt with at the earliest opportunity provided it has been raised at least 24 hours before the meeting – see items in blue, added   19^th   January 2026

0122.25  Items for next meeting:

               Speaker or activity for the Annual Parish Meeting – ideas

 The next meeting will commence at 7.30pm on 17^th February 2026

 in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding. 

Village Hall payments were approved by Cllrs Hodson and Maciag :

Meeting Closed at 21.50