GREAT & LITTLE GIDDING P A R I S H C O U NC I L
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The current Parish Councillors are Paul Hodson (Chair), Jan Maciag (Vice), Jack Bolton, Fabio D’Altilia, Andrea Hargrave, Karen Moody and Lee Sanders who can be contacted via the Parish Council email, detailed at the bottom of the page. The Clerk can be contacted through the same email, or you can call in to the Parish Office on Fridays between 2pm-4.30pm. Alternatively you can telephone and leave a message, which will be answered at the earliest opportunity. Enquiries relating to the Village Hall or the Recreation ground should also be made through these contact methods.
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PLANNING
The Neighbourhood Plan Group has held a series of public events (in Great Gidding, Winwick and Hamerton) to discuss the initial responses to the Neighbourhood Plan. Further events will be held in 2024.
There have been many and varied planning matters throughout 2023, details (of most) can be found on the Huntingdonshire District Council website:
https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/planning/ planning-applications/search-comment-or-track-an-application/
OR a list appears in the Hunts Post each week.
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TRAFFIC
The speed awareness camera data makes interesting reading – the changes in traffic movements connected with the school day, occasional crazy speeds by individual drivers but, in the main, most drivers are doing 30MPH (in both directions) at the Village Hall/Church Farm area of Main Street.
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ANGLIAN WATER
Anglian Water are not convinced that our village needs replacement water mains – please provide dates, details and photographs to the Parish Clerk, who has compiled a list of leaks so that we can keep up the pressure (even if water pressure is lacking).
SCHOOL SITE
Contractors are still busy emptying the contents of the School (most of the equipment has been relocated to other schools). We understand that the portacabins are to be relocated too. In the meantime, what would you like to see happen to the school house and playground? The Parish Council remains in conversation with Cambs County Council and Milton Estates regarding the site and would be interested to hear residents’ views to guide them in the ‘next steps’ to take.
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COFFEE MORNINGS
Coffee Mornings continue to take place on the first Wednesday of every month between 10.30am and 12pm in the Village Hall.
Huntingdonshire District Council’s ‘Action on Energy’ campaign wishes to provide our communities with advice on how to maximize the energy efficiency of their homes, save money on their energy bills and cut their carbon emissions. The Parish Council will invite a representative from ‘Action of Energy’ to a future Coffee Morning. Details of this will be published when a date has been confirmed. To assess your eligibility for financial support, please complete the survey on the website:
https://www.actiononenergycambs.org/
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NO ACCESS TO THE INTERNET?
We are aware that there are several residents in the Parish who do not have access to the internet, therefore missing out on information that the Parish Council shares on the village website (we do not use social media platforms). If you are one of those residents, please put a note of your name and address through the Parish Office letterbox and we will endeavor to get a paper copy to you if you are housebound, or make copies available for you to collect from the Parish Office.
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JUBILEE WOOD
Dog mess, particularly from owner(s) of large dogs has increased. It is not pleasant for anyone to find on the walkways, worse still if they tread in it. PLEASE be considerate – deal with it, remove it and take it home to place in your own grey bin or in one the Huntingdonshire District Council bins located around the parish.
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“Being a District Councillor is rarely dull and since my last report, there has been plenty to keep me busy on behalf of local residents and the wider district; these are just some of the issues I have been working on.
FLY TIPPING
Incidents seem to have lessened but I continue to check on local hotspots and make report problems to Huntingdonshire District Council
With a view to prosecution, the Council Enforcement Team look for evidence when they receive reports of fly tips, which can be logged via https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/streets-parking/report-a-street-issue/
DEVELOPMENT NEWS
I attended the meeting in the village hall regarding the application for an anaerobic digester just over the border in Northamptonshire and was interested to listen to the listen to the views expressed. I have commented on the application on the North Northants Council website, including raising my concerns about the possible increase in traffic movements, should this application be passed.
GREAT GIDDING SCHOOL CLOSURE
Although this wasn’t a District Council decision, I was consulted and made my objections to the closure known in writing and along with my County Councillor colleagues, Ian Gardener and Simon Bywater, I spoke at the County Council meeting where the decision to close the school was taken.
Along with my fellow ward District Councillor Marge Beuttell, I attended the meeting in the school; I also attended the subsequent meeting held in the village hall. Thank you to the residents who emailed me or spoke to me in person about the closure, most of whom were against.
GREEN BIN CHARGE
As a member of the District Council Panel, which is scrutinising the plans to introduce a separate charge for collecting garden waste bins, I will continue to monitor the implentation and results of this policy.
For anyone who wants to continue to have their garden bins emptied after 1st April 2024, a charge will be payable – which will be in addition to council tax bills. I didn’t vote to implement this scheme and remain unconvinced it will bring the financial benefits predicted and concerned about possible negative environmental implications.
Initial details about the scheme should be included in the bin hanger, which gives details of the Christmas Refuse Collection date changes.
WORKING TOGETHER
A few weeks ago, Councillor Marge Beuttell and I arranged a liaison meeting for the Chairs and Clerks of the various Parish Councils and Parish Meetings in our district council ward.
The meeting took place at the recently re-opened hotel at Norman Cross; it was well attended and included representatives from Great & Little Gidding and other villages in the ward, which stretches right up to this side of the river at Wandsford.
As well as a chance to share best practice and issues the villages have in common, there was an opportunity to discuss the revision of the Huntingdonshire Local Plan and the implementation of Neighbourhood Plans, with the District Council’s Chief Planning Officer. I am particularly pleased that Great & Little Gidding are one of the Parish Councils in my ward which are working towards a Neighbourhood Plan.
COURTS 4 KIDS @ CHRISTMAS
The District Council’s One Leisure Centres are again set to operate “Courts 4 Kids” during the Christmas school holiday. Details of scheme, which offers discounted rates on hire of courts for and 3G pitches for Under 18s are available via https://www.oneleisure.net/
EMERGENCY HELP OVER CHRISTMAS
Huntingdonshire District Council offices will be closed over Christmas but the Out Of Hours team will still be working and can be contacted on 01480 434167.
With best wishes for a Happy Christmas & New Year.
Tim Alban
District Councillor for Stilton, Folksworth & Washingley Ward
tim.alban@huntingdonshire.gov.uk
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 21st November.
Present: Councillors Hodson, Bolton, D’Altelia, Maciag, Hargrave, Moody, County Councillor Gardener and the Clerk.
115.23 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.
116.23 Apologies were received from District Councillor Alban, who is attending another meeting
117.23 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests relating to items on the Agenda
118.23 No member of press or public attended the meeting
119.23 Minutes of the meeting held on 17th October 2023 were confirmed as a correct record by Cllr Hargrave.
120.23 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item. Note – Cllr Bolton has attended his Councillor training
121.23 Reports from Councillors and Clerk:
County Cllr Gardener had offered to liaise with Cambs County Council and North Northants Council in respect of the proposed Anaerobic Digester Unit. His contact at CambsCC had advised they were only the consultee in respect of the proposed pipelines between unit and main gas pipeline that falls with Cambridgeshire (not the whole proposed area). Various departments of CambsCC have submitted responses, but Highways Department have still to respond (these responses do not raise objections). Hemington Luddington and Thurning (HLT) parish council had broadly supported the application but had suggested that improvements were required to Hemington Lodge Road. There was discussion about the transport issues associated with the proposal, Cllr Maciag highlighted that CambsCC would foot the bill for ensuing highways problems.
Clerk suggested a 20MPH limit for Hemington Lodge Road – Cllr Gardener will discuss with Highways Department to see what measures could be introduced.
Clerk will send a copy of our Parish Council response to North Northants Councillor Shacklock and ask for his support, and will continue to liaise with HLT Clerk.
Cambs Fire and Rescue are redistributing their stations, which includes Kimbolton, and may replace with a “roaming” fire engine (12 minutes is the recommended response time).
Karen Southwell is the new Highways Officer. She will meet with Cllr Gardener every 6 weeks.
Dan Wicks is the Public Rights of Way officer.
The weeds policy is to be reviewed.
Street lighting is to be replaced in coming years with low carbon LED lighting.
LHI bids should be submitted by 5PM on Friday 12th January. Clerk will check if the bid for a 20MPH limit for Little Gidding should be resubmitted or will be considered again (and await advice regarding Hemington Lodge Road).
The County Council’s portion of the Council Tax is likely to be increased.
*** County Councillor Gardener left our meeting to attend another.
Cllr Hargrave (and Cllr Hodson – see 127.23) had attended the recent Climate Conference at St Ives, hosted by CambsCC and suggested that parishioners may wish to take up the offer of advice on heating, energy use, etc – this will be mentioned on the next Gidding News.
122.23 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account.
Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 4 /11/2023 £8,717.10 (includes £500 bequest)
Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/11/2023 £26,104.89 (£10,000 transfer made, 1.85% interest applicable)
Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/11/2023 – £247.05
b) the following online payments were approved:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised | |
| 23/11 | J R Trolove | Wages for September (41 hours) | Xxx | NIL | ||
| 23/11 | Bradgate Ground Maintenance Invoice no 1609 | Grass cutting | 216.00 | 36.00 | ||
| 23/11 | Transfer of funds to Gidding Charity | Allotment rental | 400 | NIL | ||
| Transfer of funds to Great Gidding Village Hall | Hire of Village Hall | 550 | NIL | |||
| Village Hall payments | ||||||
| 23/11 | Milton Estate (Peterborough) | Village Hall car park rental | £85.00 | NIL | ||
| 23/11 | J Swales | Spreading gravel | 75.00 | NIL | ||
| 23/11 | A Clark | Cleaning | 15.00 | NIL | ||
| PPL/PRS (see note (d) below | Subscription | 64.50 | NIL |
- Clerk’s working hours for October were approved as a total of 44.
2023/24 Pay agreement has been approved by NALC, SLCC and ALCC – 3.88% increase, backdated to 1st April 2023.
- PRS/PPL licence – Clerk has submitted queries about how to calculate the income but without response. Through 2022/23 there were just 4 events where music may have been played, therefore the minimum payment of £64.50 will be paid – this was agreed by Councillors.
123.23 PLANNING applications and other planning matters:
- Revised planning application APPLICATION REF. 23/01474/FUL
Conversion of farm outbuildings to form two residential dwellings, demolition of cattle shed and erection of one residential dwelling and erection of double garage to serve No.41 Main Street – Comments by 1st December 2023
Councillors advised it was not apparent what the amendments were in the recent application. Clerk will consult with HuntsDC
- School playground area –Clerk submitted form and map to register site as an Asset of Community Value on 6th October (8 weeks before decision received) – they enquired about buildings on part of site and response is awaited.
- School House and site – discussion of collaboration with Milton Estates and future uses for the site. This will be discussed at the December meeting.
- Anaerobic Digester – Councillor Gardener’s email and offer to liaise with Hunts DC and North Northants Council – See 121.23 above.
- Gigaclear – request for meeting to discuss internet, suggest works to start during 2024 (Clerk has emailed surrounding parishes enquiring if they are involved). Clerk will invite the representatives to attend the December meeting, together with representatives from Winwick and Old Weston.
- Clerk attended online session (30th October) by Development Management Team – and found it useful. There will be further sessions in the future. Parish Council can contact the North Huntingdonshire team leader, Amanda McSherry (covers the Giddings, Winwick and Hamerton) for advice on any planning matters. There is a statutory requirement for householder and minor applications to be determined in 8 weeks, of which the Parish Council are given 21 days to consider – we can ask for additional time, suggest conditions, share local knowledge ie. traffic conditions, preferably stating approval or refusal. Consider what is important to the Parish, the Neighbourhood Plan (they take the wording literally, so care should be taken) and then the Local Plan.
- Neighbourhood Plan – feedback from recent open sessions at Great Gidding and Winwick were mixed. Hamerton takes place this coming Saturday.
124.23 Local Highways Improvement Bid – submissions are sought for 2024-25
Suggested scheme – see 123.23 above.
125.23 Risk Management Policy – Clerk is still working on it.
126.23 Parish Council owned property – a list of works required was shared prior to the meeting . Clerk will now seek contractors and quotes.
127.23 Feedback from Councillor Bolton’s training session – see 120.23 above.
128.23 Recreation Field: Bradgate have had to make 2 x further cuts due to excessive/continued growth
Cllr Hodson had attended the recent Climate Conversation event, hosted by CambsCC, and suggested a section of the Recreation Field be converted to a habitat for wildlife. There is a grant available from HuntsDC for biodiversity projects – Clerk will complete application.
129.23 Correspondence received since 19th October 2023:
a) NALC newsletters –NALC events list, Legal update, Consultation to update the Model Financial Regulations, Legal Update (including fire safety for non-domestic buildings)
b) Cambridgeshire County Council –
- Cambridgeshire Matters monthly newsletter INCLUDING item on
- Traffic Management Centre – reports for incidents in October
- Update on regional and coastal flooding group
- Cambridgeshire Matters – October issue
- Way 2 Go Winter newsletter on road safety
- FREE Christmas Holiday Scheme Places
- FREE NHS health checks at Huntingdon Library on 21st November
- c) Huntingdonshire District Council –
- new Chief executive is Michelle Sacks
- letter dated 15/11/2023 entitled Sustainability of Settlements with responses completed – Councillors approved the Clerk’s amendments to the form.
- press release re. Climate Conversation, a community event at Hinchingbrooke Country Park on 18th November – Cllrs Hargrave and Hodson attended, see above.
- Walking and Cycling Information sessions – January 2024 x 3 – need to sign up, Clerk will share with Councillors
- Press release – Climate Energy and Hunts DC Climate Strategy
- Press release – District Council priorities in conjunction with the Corporate Plan – survey
- Press release – cookery class at Woodwalton on 18th November with Masterchef person
- Grants available for enhancements to community biodiversity – January 2024
- d) CAPALC – various training courses available/Model Financial Regulations are being revised/funding for Community Hubs or Warm Hubs/
e) Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
f)Greater Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnerships
g) Neighbourhood Alert/ECOPS etc –
News from the Courts emails, dispersal orders for car meets including Sawtry/Control Room Week/Safer Business Action Week/Crime and Community Survey/WEBINAR on hidden crimes/
h) Cambridgeshire ACRE – Staying Connected on 14 November – online ‘Demystifying social enterprise and community owned business’/ Staying in touch newsletter
i) Parish Online newsletter
j) Keep Britain Tidy – January 2024 is Buy Nothing New Month
k) UK cycling event – 2nd March 2024 using roads around Gidding and Huntingdonshire – Clerk to share details with Councillors.
l) DEMINIKA – invitation to visit a new Dementia Day Care Centre in Huntingdon
130.23 Items for next meeting:
131.23 The next meeting will take place on
Tuesday 19th December 2023 at Great Gidding Village Hall
Present: Councillors Hodson, Maciag, Hargrave, Moody and the Clerk.
5 members of the public joined the meeting (1 taking written notes).
097.23 Councillor Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present
098.23 To receive apologies and reasons for absence:
County Councillor Gardener – ill health
District Councillor Alban – at another meeting
Councillor Bolton – work commitment
Councillor D Altilia – work commitment
Councillor Sanders – late arrival
099.23 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
100.23 Members of the Public were present in respect of item 105.23(a) of the agenda
101.23 Minutes of the meeting held on 19th September 2023 were confirmed as a correct record by Councillors Maciag and Hargrave
102.23 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item:
Councillor Maciag gave a report on the District Wide meeting, led by District Councillor Tim Alban at which Clara Kerr of Huntingdonshire District Council Planning Department was present. Information was shared regarding future development in Huntingdonshire, the Local Plan and Call for Sites, Planning Department workload and plans for Parish Council training (see 112.23 below). As a result of what was heard Cllr Maciag recommended a design statement for the future of the village.
103.23 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Cllr Maciag advised that the next Neighbourhood Plan meeting takes place on 18th October.
104.23 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account.
Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 4 /10/2023 £8,278.07
Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/10/2023 £26,104.89 (£10,000 transfer made, 1.85% interest applicable)
Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/10/2023 – £247.05
b) PAYMENTS – the following were approved for payment:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised | |
| J R Trolove | Wages for August (33 hours) | Xxx | NIL | |||
| Bradgate Ground Maintenance Invoice no 1531 | Grass cutting | 216.00 | 36.00 | |||
| Chris Knott Insurance Renewal date 15/10 – holding email sent | Renewal of allotment insurance | £80.00 | NIL |
- Clerk’s working hours for September were approved as a total of 41 (Cllrs Maciag and Hargrave).
- Precept request received from Huntingdonshire District Council – Clerk has updated the Budget spreadsheet for year to 1st October 2023, to enable discussion of the Precept and shared prior to the meeting.
Proposal – to increase the Parish Precept for Great & Little Gidding by 5% for 2024-2025. This will result in a rise in the precept from £11052 to £11605.
Proposed by Cllr Maciag and seconded by Cllr Hodson
- PLANNING applications and other planning matters:
- Hemington/Luddington/THurning Parish Clerk emailed this Parish Clerk (15/9/2023) to advise of a Waste and Mineral Application, through North Northamptonshire Council, in respect of an anaerobic digester to be sited at Rectory Farm, on the junction of Gypsy Lane and Hemington Lodge Road, using the B660 as its vehicular access. We were invited to join them in considering this application, to make a joint or individual response to the application, and to use Gidding Village Hall for a Public Meeting. This meeting was “advertised” to Lutton Parish Council, Glatton Parish Council, Winwick Parish Meeting, all District Councillors and County Councillors involved in this area, Highways Department of Cambridgeshire County Council and Planning Department (DMAdmin) of Huntingdonshire District Council.
Clerk has requested a paper copy of the application and accompanying documents from the applicant/consultants – this will be made available for public viewing at the Village Hall on 21st,28th October, 4th November.
Cllr Maciag gave a resume of his notes from the public meeting.
Cllr Hargrave doubted the green credentials of the project and cited planning condition LP10 – detrimental to rural aspect
Members of the public were greatly concerned about transport related matters and the impact on local roads.
Comments and observations on this application will be compiled and sent to North Northants Council.
- Enforcement/Conservation Officer response received re. 65 Main Street – further correspondence sent regarding the stone wall – still outstanding
- School – School photos, taken 1/9/2023, are on a USB stick, can be borrowed
- Councillor Maciag and Mr Ian Nott, representing Milton Estates, met with Mark Freer of Cambridgeshire County Council – they viewed the site, photographs but not measurements were taken. Cllr Maciag felt that there were possibilities for using the School House as a community building but a considerable amount of work would be required. Portacabins are to be removed from the site. There was discussion around essential work, what could be achieved, would this encourage community use and activities – parishioners would have to show their support. Further consideration will be given over the coming months.
- Clerk submitted form and map to register site as an Asset of Community Value on 6th October (8 weeks before decision received) – response received from Environmental Health Dept of HuntsDC advising that a decision would be made in the next couple of weeks
106.23 Policy Documents
Risk Management Policy – this is a work in progress, Clerk will share at a future meeting.
107.23 Parish Council owned property – Clerk has coloured a map of the Parish to enable assessment of what works/contractors are required and has drawn up a list of tasks that require completion. She will share with Councillors and then seek contractors for the various works identified.
108.23 Allotment renewal notices – sent out 11th September via email, some hand delivered. All have been paid in full (banked 17/10/2023), therefore no vacant allotments.
109.23 Act of Remembrance – MA will install poppies on tree guards opposite the shop. Poppy wreath is available to be presented in Church, service starts 10.45AM on 12th November.
110.23 latest read out/charts from speed awareness camera were shared prior to the meeting and some of this information will be included in a future Gidding News
111.23 Recreation Field:
Skip has been filled and taken away (including many items from the Village Hall).
Fields in Trust – changes to policy and fees https://www.fieldsintrust.org/field-change-request/fees
112.23 Correspondence received since 19th October 2023:
a) NALC newsletters –NALC events list, Legal update, Consultation to update the Model Financial Regulations,
b) Cambridgeshire County Council –
- Cambridgeshire Matters monthly newsletter INCLUDING item on
- County Councillor Steve Count’s email regarding weeds on footpaths and highways – further email with request for feedback.
- Traffic Management Centre – reports for incidents in September
- Falls Prevention – posters and advice for residents
- Public Rights of Way Officer appointed – introduction to Dan Wiggs
- c) Huntingdonshire District Council –
- press release re. activities for keeping people stronger for longer and Community Health Prevention Project details.
- Press release – Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Dog Control in Huntingdonshire extended to 3 years
- Garden waste subscription scheme (for green bins) – invitations sent out to online discussions – Clerk not available to attend. Survey available for completion before 27th October https://letstalkhuntingdonshire.net/garden-waste-subscription
- The Development Management (aka Planning Department) Training Event will take place in the District Council’s Civic Suite (adjacent to Pathfinder House) between 18:00 – 20:00 on both the 30th October and 6th November. Either in person of via ZOOM (link and spreadsheet sent to Councillors on 18/10/2023)
- Elections.Public – Review of Polling Districts and Polling Stations (our Parish is not affected).
- http://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bins – bin collection dates for December 2023
d) CAPALC – various training courses available, including Resolving Workplace Conflict on 19th October
e) Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority –
f)Greater Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnerships
update on Cambridge sustainable travel zone
g) Neighbourhood Alert/ECOPS etc –
News from the Courts emails,
Sharpen up your cyber safety
October newsletter
h) Cambridgeshire ACRE
i) Parish Online newsletter
j) Slow Ways National Walking Network – forwarded to Councillor D’Altillia and Paul H, who had expressed an interest in mapping walks around the Parish.
K) poster for Great Fen Apple Day on 21st October at Ramsey Heights Centre
l) Electrical Safety Fund – grants available for home electricity safety
m) National Gas Transmission – Route walking in early November
113.23 Items for next meeting:
114.23 The next meeting will take place on
Tuesday 21st November 2023 at Great Gidding Village Hall
MEETING CLOSED at 21.31
On Sunday 3rd December, there will an Advent Carol Service in St Michael’s Church at 6pm.
There will be readings, hymns and carols reflecting this time of preparation for the coming of Jesus.
The Peterborough Chamber Choir will lead the music, under the direction of Gary Sieling, a past Assistant Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral.
After the service, refreshments will be available.
Please remember to wrap up warm!
On Remembrance Sunday 12th November, there will be an Act of Remembrance in St Michael’s Church, Great Gidding, starting at 10.45am.
The collection will be given to the Royal British Legion.
The service will be led by John De Val.
“We will remember them”
Over the summer the team have been reviewing the results of the surveys we carried out in May.
We are organising three informal events to get your feedback. We will take you through why we are creating a Neighbourhood Plan, the survey results and our provisional conclusions. We hope you can come to a meeting, even if you have to venture to another village hall.
The three meetings are on:
- Saturday 11th November at 2pm in Great Gidding Village Hall
- Saturday 18th November at 3pm in Winwick Village Hall
- Saturday 25th November at 4pm in Hamerton Village Hall
Each one will be the same format, involve most of the team, have some refreshments and last around 45 minutes to an hour. We hope you can make it.
If you want any further information please email hamwicking@gmail.com.
Kind regards
The team
Regarding the proposed Anaerobic Digestion Plant, attached is a PDF update of what is now in process as far as Cambridgeshire is concerned.
Download the PDF:
Present: Councillors Hodson, Maciag, Sanders, Moody, Hargrave and Bolton, and the Clerk.
064.23 Councillor Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present
065.23 Apologies and reasons for absence
County Councillor Gardener – holiday
Councillor D’Altilia – work commitment
066.23 Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests – Councillor Hodson for 075.23
067.23 No members of the public or press were present.
068.23 Minutes of the meeting held on 18th July 2023 were confirmed as a true and correct record by Councillors Bolton and Hargrave
069.23 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.
County Councillor Gardener has forwarded his report following the July meeting and followed up the repairs to Main Street footpath, it has been confirmed by Highways Dept that is awaiting a date for commencement of work.
070.23 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Clerk’s appraisal completed with Councillor Hodson and a copy had been shared prior to the meeting – there were no comments.
Councillor Maciag advised that an application has been submitted to the Department for Levelling Up for funding in respect of the Neighbourhood Plan, a total sum of £6000.
Information Commissioners Office have confirmed continuing cover.
071.23 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account.
Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 4/8/2023 £15699.35
Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/8/2023 £16,061.85
Defibrillator account – £246.39
b) PAYMENTS – the following online payments were approved by Councillors Hargrave and Sanders:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised | |
| J R Trolove | Wages for June ( 38 hours ) | Xxx | NIL | JRT | ||
| Bradgate Ground Maintenance Ltd (no xxxx) | Grass cutting of Recreation Field | Clerk reminded them and invoices awaited | ||||
| Wicksteed Leisure Ltd | Annual inspection of Rec Field | 158.40 | 26.40 | JRT | ||
| Viking | Office supplies | 143.77 | 23.96 | JRT | ||
| Parish Online | Subscription – for use with Neighbourhood Plan | 48.00 | 8.00 | JRT | ||
| CAPALC | Councillor training for JB | 75.00 | – | JRT |
- to approve Clerk’s working hours for July – total of 27
- PKF Littlejohn, External Auditor, have confirmed and accepted that this Parish Council is exempt from further audit requirements until 2023/24.
072.23 PLANNING applications and other planning matters:
There are no new planning applications as at 9th August 2023
Enforcement/Conservation Officer has responded re. 65 Main Street – Councillors Moody and Hodson advised that the Officer had focused on the position of the gate and it was the lack of re-instatement of the wall in accordance with the Planning Permission that was the concern, given that this property lies within the Conservation Area of the village – Clerk will contact the Officer.
Registering properties in the Parish for Listing or as Assets of Community Value (and areas of land for this latter option) – details had been shared prior to the meeting and, after discussion, the Clerk will complete an application for an Asset of Community Value in respect of the school playground, this will be shared with Councillors prior to the next meeting.
School – assessment of site for future community use, CambsCC advise site is not currently available to view/assess. Councillor Moody felt the response inferred that the site would be completely cleared, including play equipment, and this was not the preferred action for the Parish Council as the hope was to retain the play equipment, and the playground surface for community use. Clerk will contact CambsCC for clarification and to make them aware of this proposal. Cllr Maciag asked that a request again be made to view the site as, it is not understood why it was safe for children and staff to access the site, but not for Parish Councillors. A request will also be made to access the school house to assess if that has value as a community building (the building is owned by Milton Estates Peterborough and leased to CambsCC until May 2024). Councillor Sanders pointed out that, if they intend to erect further “safety” fencing, as the site is in the village Conservation Area, this will require planning approval.
073.23 Policy Documents
Freedom of Information Policy – the template from Information Commissioners Office had been shared prior to the meeting, partially completed by the Clerk. Councillor Hodson requested that a minimum charge of £5.00 be applied to this document, also that the preferred method of payment should be made by BACS as there are no Petty Cash arrangements in place, and this was agreed by all Councillors.
Risk Management Policy – the Clerk had compiled and shared a suggested layout and wording prior to the meeting, this included the Village Hall and Recreation Field. Councillor Moody suggested that Village Hall and Recreation Ground should be included in the title to reflect this. Some additions are required, such as limits of indemnity, parish trees, dates when policy documents are reviewed. Clerk will make the revisions and submit to the September meeting for final approval.
074.23 Recreation Field – Clerk met with Bradgate representative – removal of wooden play equipment will take place in the autumn.
075.23 Allotment renewal notices – Councillor Hodson declared an interest – Clerk advised there is now a waiting list of 3 residents. Various options were discussed regarding changes to the allotments themselves and/or the terms of the tenancy agreement (copy of the tenancy agreement had been sent to Councillors prior to the meeting). Clerk suggested that a covering letter should be sent with the invoices for the annual rent, advising of the waiting list and asking if tenants wish to share their plot or may be considering relinquishing their plot in the next 12 months – this was agreed
076.23 Anglian Water – there have been a series of burst and leaking pipes in both Main Street and Chapel End recently. Clerk had compiled and shared a list of known dates prior to the meeting and will send this to Anglian Water with a letter (copied to District and County Councillors and MP), asking when the pipes around the village will be replaced.
077.23 Correspondence received since 18th July 2023:
a) NALC newsletters – Chief Executives Bulletin, NALC events list,
b) Cambridgeshire County Council – Cambridgeshire Matters monthly newsletter, request for volunteers for winter gritting programme, Traffic Management Centre incident reports for July 2023 (2 in Huntingdonshire), DEADLINE for Priorities Capital fund is 24th September *** Councillor Hargrave had been unable to access the related information.
c) Huntingdonshire District Council – press release re. St Neots town centre, Michelle Sacks appointed as permanent Chief Executive, consultation on the Council Tax Support Scheme, press release – green flag for Huntingdonshire Parks, press release – posters for recycling advice, press release – inviting residents to have their say on a Public Space Protection Order: Dog Control proposal, possible industrial action by Hunts DC staff, Electric vehicle charging points availability – deadline extended to 18th September,after much discussion it was agreed that the village itself, and the Village Hall as a venue, were unlikely to be favourable sites for a charging point
Sports Facilities Strategy – both indoor and outdoor sporting facilities (Gidding is noted as having NONE) https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/news/district-council-announces-new-sports-facility-strategy/ – Clerk has read through the outdoor facilities report (see page 153 (of a total of 170) for MUGA information).
d) CAPALC –,
e) Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority – Armed Forces drop in sessions,
f)Greater Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnerships
f) Neighbourhood Alert/ECOPS etc – News from the Courts emails, scam alert re. one time passwords, Herbert Protocol for carers of dementia sufferers, Police & Crime Commissioners latest report, WhatsAPP scammers target community groups, QUISHING – scamming via QR codes,
h) Cambs Acre – Cambridgeshire Home Energy Support Service – poster, Staying In Touch newsletter, EVENT – conserving nature and boosting diversity by greening your community spaces – ZOOM, 12th September at 5PM (clerk will attend)
i) HedgehogsRUs – Hedgehog Highways Project
j) NHS Peterborough and Cambridgeshire – posters for the importance of hydration
k) Parish Online newsletter – Clerk advised that the website links on the Parish Online site were not working, resulting in her submitted a Freedom of Information request in an attempt to gain access to the maps and information..
078.23 Items for next meeting:
079.23 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 19th September 2023 at Great Gidding Village Hall