2023-05-16 Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting for Great & Little Gidding and the Parish Council Meeting

By on July 14, 2023   /   Great Gidding, Little Gidding, Parish council, Parish Council Minutes   /   Leave a comment
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2023-05-16 Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting for Great & Little Gidding and the Parish Council Meeting

MINUTES of the Annual Parish Council Meeting

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

  1. Paul Hodson was elected as Parish Council Chairman – Proposed by Councillor Bolton and seconded by Councillor Hargrave
  2. Jan Maciag was elected as Vice Chairman of the Parish Council – Proposed by Councillor Bolton and seconded by Councillor Hargrave.
  3. 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.***

 WhoWhat forTOTALInvoice includes this VAT amountAuthorisedAuthorised
 J R Trolove  *** see noteWages for March ( 36 hours )XxxNILJRT 
 Firetext  (April)Messaging Service14.402.40JRT 
 BHIB InsuranceParish Council insurance renewal£560.00NILJRT 
 Vikingcleaning equipment for Help Out Day (S137)36.796.13JRT 
 Inkwell PrintersFor Information Booklet (S137)93.00   
 Printers of Neighbourhood Plan *** see notePrinting of Neighbourhood PlanSee 030.23   
 LGS ServicesPayroll services79.2013.20  
 A Hargrave(S137) food for Coronation Concert and cava for toast139.33NIL  
 The following were PAID outside of the meeting     
 A Underwood(S 137) Food for Coronation Concert event226.94NIL  
 A V Expert(S137) Balance for hire of TV & sound equip365.40   
       
  • 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 Main Street 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:

            a) NALC newsletters – dated 19/4, 21/4, 28/4 + 5/5 Chief Executives Bulletin, 25/4 + 2/5 + 9/5 NALC events, 26/4 + 3/5 + 10/5 newsletter

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

e) Development Huntingdonshire DC invest@huntingdonshire.gov.uk – weekly Business News – 20/4, 27/4 + 4/5 + 11/5

f) Cambs Acre –  

g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough –

h) 3/5 Parish Online newsletter

i) Neighbourhood Alert/ECOPS etc – 18/4, 24/4 + 2/5 News from the Courts email, 20/4 tidy gardens prevent burglary, 3/5 newsletter, 4/5 Protect your keyless car, 11/5 Keep your tools safe and 12/5 Accelerated Detective pathway, 15/5 and others about catalytic convertors

j) North Northamptonshire Planning – 24/4 Land at Kingswood, Corby

k) 25/4 Volunteers needed at Hinchingbrooke Hospital – link

l) 4/5 County Councillor Ian Gardener – TING bus Roadshow visits Great Gidding on 2 June at 2.15PM

035.22 Items for next meeting:

            Internal Auditors report

036.22 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 20th June 2023

            in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

Meeting closed at 20.12

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2022-23 Annual Parish Council Audit

By on June 2, 2023   /   Great Gidding, Little Gidding, Parish council, Parish Council News & Notices   /   Leave a comment
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2022-23 Annual Parish Council Audit

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)

NOTICENOTES
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 Circus Canary Wharf London 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.

For more detailed guidance on public rights and the special powers of auditors, copies of the publication Local authority accounts: A guide to your rights are available from the NAO website.  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.  
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2023-04-19 Minutes of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting

By on May 26, 2023   /   Great Gidding, Little Gidding, Parish council, Parish Council Minutes   /   Leave a comment
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2023-04-19 Minutes of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 19th April

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

 WhoWhat forTOTALInvoice includes this VAT amountAuthorisedAuthorised
 J R TroloveWages for February  ( 40 hours )XxxNILJRT 
 Firetext  (April)Messaging Service14.402.40JRT 
 CAPALCAnnual affiliation fee225.49  or 275.49 with Data Protection Scheme   
 Inkwell Printers (Paid prior to meeting)Spring newsletter40.00NIL  
 SLCCAnnual membership36.00NIL  
 BHIB insurance – hire of Coronation equipmentAdditional premiumNo chargeNIL  
 Julie Trolove (re-imbursement) for the Big Game HunterPurchase of games for Coronation event247.92To be confirmed  
 VILLAGE HALL A C ClarkVillage hall cleaning16.75NIL  
  • 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

  1. 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
  2.  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:

            a) NALC newsletters – dated  22/3+28/3+5/4+12/4, Chief Executives Bulletin 24/3+31/3+6/4+14/4, 28/3 +4/4 NALC events,

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

f) Cambs Acre –  31/3 Staying in touch newsletter, 4/4 Rural Housing,

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.

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2023-03-21 Minutes of the Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting

By on May 26, 2023   /   Parish council, Parish Council Minutes, Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment
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2023-03-21 Minutes of the Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 21st March

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

208.22 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting

209.22 Apologies and reasons for absence:

            County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting

District Councillor Alban – at another meeting.  He has sent a report for distribution to Parishioners

Councillor D’Altilia – work commitment.

210.22 Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda

211.22 Mr Iain Nott and his colleague from Milton Estates (Peterborough) joined the meeting, together with Paul Hargrave representing the Neighbourhood Plan group.

212.22 Minutes of the meeting held on 21st February 2023 were confirmed as a correct record by Councillor Hargrave, seconded by Cllr Bolton    

213.22 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.                       

214.22 There were no reports from Councillors and Clerk. 

215.22 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

            a) Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account were shared prior to the meeting and Cllr Hodson had shared his balance sheet too

            The Precept Notice has been received and shared prior to the meeting.

b) PAYMENTS – the following online payments were approved:

 WhoWhat forTOTALInvoice includes this VAT amountAuthorisedAuthorised
 J R TroloveWages for December (29.5 hoursXxxNILJRT 
 FiretextMessaging Service14.402.40JRT 
 Great Gidding Village HallHire of hall and Parish Office£550.00NILJRT 
  • Clerk’s working hours for December, a total of 40, were approved by Councillors Hargrave and Bolton
  • Additional storage was required for the website at a cost of £40.00 +VAT per year.  A few questions arose which the Clerk will raise with Catalyst Design but it was agreed to purchase.
  • Toilet hire for the Coronation weekend – the LHL quote was considered to be the best option

216.22  No planning applications or other planning matters to discuss.

217.22 Mr Nott, agent for Milton Estates (Peterborough) gave an outline of the Estate involvement in the village – there are currently 3 sites being considered for development.  The Estate are willing to discuss the aspirations of the village, also be willing to discuss options for the future of the school site and its environs, should the consultation outcome advise that the school is to close.  It was felt that the Neighbourhood Plan will be an indication of what parishioners want in terms of change

218.22 The formal consultation document notification in respect of the future of Great Gidding School has been displayed on the Village Hall noticeboard since Tuesday 14th March.  A note to the online link will be included in the next Gidding News.  It has been indicated that the decision will be taken and made known on 28th April.

            Should the decision be taken to close the school, a request for Parish Councillors to visit the school will be made to the governors.

            Councillor Hodson advised that a number of children moved to other local schools at half term, others will be moving at Easter.  

219.22 Neighbourhood Plan group will meet on 22nd March.  3 x residential questionnaires have been compiled, one for each parish, together with a questionnaire for businesses.  Printing will take place in April.  Online completion will be available too.

An application will be made to Locality (a central Government department) for funding.  Clerk has advised that, to comply with this Parish Council’s financial regulations, where any element of cost is over £500, 3 comparative quotes should be obtained.      

220.22 Communication with Parishioners:

            Spring 2023 Gidding News – a draft was shared at the meeting and, after the suggested changes, this will be sent to printers next week.

221.22 A spreadsheet of the events and activities was shared at the meeting with details of Coronation Weekend.  Cllr Hargrave added more information – she and the Clerk will liaise with Pub and Church regarding activities and advertise/promote events.

Cllr Bolton agreed to liaise with the company who quoted for hire of equipment to enable the viewing of the Coronation Concert on Sunday evening, and to check insurance of such equipment.

Parish Council will fund the following:

  • Hire of television, sound system and other equipment for the Concert (+insurance?)
  • Giant games for Jubilee Wood event, and stored at the village hall for future use.
  • Proscecco and fizzy soft drink for the toast to King Charles.
  • Food for the Concert evening.
  • Toilet hire for the Jubilee Wood event, + insurance for the weekend.
  • Cleaning materials for the “Help Out” session on Monday, plus tea/coffee etc
  • Contribution towards flowers for the Church display

The total cost is estimated at £1500 and would be funded from Section 137 – this was approved by all present.

Events are open to all parishioners, and their visiting guests. Details of the activities will be included on the Gidding News and village website.

“What goes on in Great & Little Gidding parish” –Cllr D’Altillia will continue compilation.

222.22Correspondence received since 21st February 2023:

            a) NALC newsletters – dated 22/2 + 1/3 + 8/3 +15/3, 24/2 Chief Exec bulletin, 28/2 + 7/3 + 16/3 NALC events,

b)Cambridgeshire County Council – 27/2

Cambridgeshire Matters March newsletter, 20mph area applications are open, see 28/2 for forms – details will be forwarded to Councillor Bolton,

1/3 Local Highways surface treatment programme (nearest is Hamerton in May or June), 2/3 Easter holiday provision (poster on noticeboard), 

7/3 Think Communities information for Huntingdonshire area – Clerk suggested that, should the school close, this group should be consulted for advice and signposting

 13/3 Cambridgeshire Flood Action Programme – report a flood,

c)Huntingdonshire District Council – 23/2 press release, District Council adopts climate change, 10/3 Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding, 10/3 Grant for health activities for older residents,

d)CAPALC – March newsletter (forwarded on 16/3)

e) Economic Development Huntingdonshire DC invest@huntingdonshire.gov.uk – weekly Business News – 2/3 + 9/3 + 13/3

f) Cambs Acre –  1/3 Cambs & Pboro Parks Partnership

g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough –

h) Parish Online newsletter 8/3

i) Eden Project – 22/2 and 25/2 Big Coronation lunch pack and various supporting emails

j) NHS integrated care system communications newsletter

k) Keep Britain Tidy – spring clean campaign digital resource pack

l) E-COPS – stolen white VW Golf, catalytic converter thefts, 28/2 + 6/3 + 13/3 news from the Courts, 1/3 scrap metal checks, 1/3 STOP suicide, 6/3 Neighbourhood Watch recruitment drive, 13/3 March newsletter,

m) Middle Level Commissioners – 2/3 unregistered/abandoned boats

n) 11/3 East Northamptonshire Local Plan consultation document

223.22 Items for next meeting:

             Coronation –  general update

            Neighbourhood plan – update

            Audit and AGAR process                                            

224.22 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18th April 2023

starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding.

This meeting closed at 21.25

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Notice of the 2023 Annual Parish Meeting of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council

By on May 9, 2023   /   Forthcoming events, Great Gidding, Home page upcoming events, Little Gidding, Parish council, Parish Council Agendas   /   Leave a comment
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Notice of the 2023 Annual Parish Meeting of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council

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:

  1. Chairman’s welcome
  2. Minutes of the meeting, held via Zoom, on 19th April 2022
  3. The Chairman’s Annual Report from the Parish Council
  4. A member (s) of the Neighbourhood Plan group will present an update on the Plan
  5. Update on current tasks within the Parish and plans for 2023-24
  6. for members of the public to present, discuss and resolve any other matters relating to Great and Little Gidding Parish
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Commemorative Service at St Michael’s Church

By on May 5, 2023   /   Forthcoming events, Home page upcoming events   /   Leave a comment
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Commemorative Service at St Michael's Church

There will be a Commemorative Service to mark the Coronation of King Charles III in St Michael’s Church this Sunday (7th May). The service starts at 11.30pm, and will be led by John De Val.
After the service, there will be a glass of wine and nibbles to mark the occasion.
Everyone is very welcome.


The following day (Monday 8th), the bells of St Michael’s will be rung from 10am to mark the occasion.

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Neighbourhood Plan – Surveys available soon

By on April 24, 2023   /   Home page latest news, News stories and reports   /   1 Comment
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Neighbourhood Plan - Surveys available soon

After multiple discussions the Neighbourhood Plan team of the Giddings, Winwick and Hamerton have created 4 surveys covering each parish plus the businesses.

Neighbourhood Plan Great Gidding

Online and printed forms

There will be an online version and also a printed version of the surveys available. If you can, online would be our preferred way of completing the form as it reduces transcription errors. 

NB. You will be asked to enter your unique 6 digit reference number found on the first page of paper version of your Residential Survey.

These surveys are currently being printed and will be delivered over the weekend of 29th/30th April.

Online form access

Once you have received your paper version of the form with your unique reference number your will be able to access the 4 survey forms via these unique web links:

Business: bit.ly/3FUgpAZ

Great and Little Gidding: bit.ly/40z9Yer

Winwick: bit.ly/3LRVTVa

Hamerton and Steeple Gidding: bit.ly/42K2V4o

Please complete by 15th May

We would like all of the surveys completed by Monday 15th May. The results are a vital input into our Neighbourhood Plan. A proposed plan should be handed over to Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) for comments by the end of the year. Once agreed by HDC it will then be reviewed by an independent examiner before finally being adopted by HDC as part of their planning process.

Thank you

Your help and support is greatly appreciated by the team. If you would like someone to visit and help fill out the survey, please ring Paul Hargrave on 07775 711514.  If you have any questions, please contact the team on hamwicking@gmail.com

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2023-02-21 Minutes of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting

By on April 4, 2023   /   Great Gidding, Little Gidding, Parish council, Parish Council Minutes   /   Leave a comment
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2023-02-21 Minutes of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 21st February

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

District Councillor Alban joined via ZOOM

190.22 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting

191.22 To receive apologies and reasons for absence:

            County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting

192.22 Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda

            Cllrs Hodson for School and Planning application

193.22 No members of the Public or Press were present at the meeting.

194.22 Minutes of the meeting held on 17th January 2023 were confirmed as a correct record by Councillor Maciag, seconded by Cllr Moody

            Also minutes of the meetings held on 3rd February and the Extraordinary meeting held on 9th February   were confirmed by Cllr Moody and Cllr Hargrave                     

195.22 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.                       

196.22 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:

            District Councillor Alban advised he had responded to the consultation regarding to the future of the school, with particular concern on the impact on the community and village assets. He felt that Gidding School was attractive to parents as it was a small school and particularly for those children with special needs.  There would be a knock on effect to neighbouring schools, he gave Stilton as an example where housing development in the village will bring a considerable number of children into that school and capacity may be needed elsewhere in local schools.

            Following the joint parishes meeting he has held a meeting with the Police to raise issues of fly tipping, speeding etc in the west and north Hunts area.

            District Council meet on 22nd February to set the precept for the coming year.

             Joint Neighbourhood Plan consultation – he has written in support of our local plan and offers any assistance that he can give.

            Councillor Alban left our meeting to attend another meeting.

There were no further reports from Councillors.

Clerk had conversed with Councillor Pudney who was no longer living in the village therefore there is now a vacancy on the Parish Council.  Co option process will commence.

Vice Chairman role is now vacant, Cllr Maciag indicated that he would be willing to take on the position, no other Councillor wished to take on the role  – Cllr Hodson proposed Cllr Maciag and this was seconded by Cllr Hargrave. 

Recommendations for speaker or activity for Annual Parish Meeting in April – Cllr Moody suggested  Police regarding rural area crime  – Clerk will make enquiries.    

197.22 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

            a) Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account were shared prior to the meeting and Cllr Hodson had shared his balance sheet too

b) PAYMENTS – the following online payments were approved:

 WhoWhat forTOTALInvoice includes this VAT amountAuthorisedAuthorised
 J R TroloveWages for December (29.5 hoursXxxNILJRT 
 FiretextMessaging Service14.402.40JRT 
       

***      It was agreed by all to continue with Firetext for a little longer.  Residents would be reminded of the sign up details on the next Gidding News.

  • Clerk’s working hours for December, a total of 35, were approved

198.22  PLANNING applications and other planning matters:

            A planning application for 14 Main Street had been received the morning of the meeting:

                        Proposal: Proposed demolition of existing conservatory and erection of replacement extension on similar footprint (exempt, permitted development) and front porch extension
Site Address: 14 Main Street Great Gidding Huntingdon
Reference: 23/00186/HHFUL

            Approval was recommended on the grounds that it met various conditions of LP11

199.22 Training – none required at present.

200.22 The minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting, held on 9th February, will be forwarded to the Education Department as requested to form part of the agenda for the next Children and Young People Services meeting to be held on 8th March (the Parish Council’s formal response to the consultation had been sent to the Education Department on 12th February).  Once the agenda for that meeting is published, Clerk will forward to Parish Councillors.

            Cllr Hodson advised that approx 10 children relocated to other local schools at half term, with others moving on at the Easter break.

            Mr Nott, agent for Milton Estates, has offered to meet with Parish Councillors to discuss the relationship between the Estate and village – Clerk will invite him to attend the March meeting.

            There followed discussion about the School site – Clerk will write to the Education Department confirming that the Parish Council ask to be involved in any discussion regarding the site.

201.22 Neighbourhood Plan group met on 7th February, the questionnaire is being put together.

  A budget spreadsheet was shared and funding, a total of £9715, will be requested from HuntsDC, for the year 2023/24 – this fund will be held by Great & Little Gidding Parish Council for the purpose of carrying out the Neighbourhood Plan process (a separate bank account will not be required).

            Cllr Hodson proposed acceptance of this funding request, seconded by Cllr Moody.

202.22 Recreation Ground – nothing to report.

203.22 Communication with Parishioners:

            Spring 2023 Gidding News – the draft shared at the previous meeting needed a re-write due to the Schoolissue. Clerk will await the outcome of the next School meeting (8th March – Children and Young Peoples Committee) and then share the revised and updated version, with a view to it going to printers in mid-March.

“What goes on in Great & Little Gidding parish” –Cllr D’Altillia shared a draft copy at the meeting, which met with universal approval.  Further details to be added, with the intention that it be available for the Coronation weekend (copy to each household in the Parish). 

204.22 Cllr Hargrave shared an outline of potential events for the weekend of the Coronation of King Charles III.  These events will be open to all, suitable for all ages, and hopefully include Church and Pub based activities if they wish to be involved. After discussion of how/when/where, the possibility of Section 137 funding for some aspects was considered – a budget will be drawn up for the March meeting.

Details of the activities will be included on the Gidding News and village website.

205.22 Correspondence received since 17th January 2023:

            a) NALC newsletters – dated 18/1, 25/1,7/2, 14/2  NALC events, 19/1 International Womens Day on 8th March,1 and 8/2 newsletter, 2/2+16/2 Standards Matter event, 3/2 and 10/2 Bulletin,  15/2 newsletter,

b) Neighbourhood Alert/ECops etc – 23/1 Neighbourhood Policing, 25/1 County lines, 30/1 20 years of eCops, 31/1 and 6/6, 14/2  latest from the Courts, 31/1 Neighbourhood Policing, 2.2 various webinars to attend, , 2/2 catalytic convertor thefts, 6/2 newsletter, 13/2 Police and Crime Commissioner letter, 13/2 Romance scams, c) 21/1 District Councillor Tim Alban – Police issues in the area – see 196.22

d) CAPALC email dated 18/1 monthly bulletin, 25/1 Alert re. ParishUK website, 25/1 Coronation preparations,

e) Cambs CC email, 30/1 Cambridgeshire Matters, 2/2 nominations to attend Buckingham Palace Garden party, 3/2 Traffic Management report for January, 8/2 visit waste recycling facility, 9/2 NHS “Feel Brighter” – older persons/lonlinesss/low mood,

f) Hunts DC email – 23/1 press release re funding for CARESCO, 25/1 Warm Spaces grants, 23/1 Polling Station Questionnaire for future elections,*** ½ Statement of Community Involvement consultation available 1 Feb to 15 March 2023, 2/2 letter from Secretary of State re. Coronation, funding available, 17/2 BBC Make a Difference Award Nominations, 17/2 Benches installed at Hinchingbrooke Park

g) Economic Development Huntingdonshire DC invest@huntingdonshire.gov.uk – weekly Business News – 19/1, 26/1, 2/2, 9/2, 16/2

h) Cambs Acre – 14/3 ZOOM meeting – healthier parks/planet/people event, 17/2 Cambs Home Energy Support Scheme – fuel poverty includes HuntsDC district area

i) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – 19/1 Local Transport & Connectivity Plan, 31/1 update, Maths roadshow – various locations/dates

j) Parish Online newsletter dated 1 Feb – mapping

k) sports and play consulting co.uk – email dated 7/2 regarding facilities

l) email dated 7/2 – speed awareness wheelie bin stickers

m) email dated 15.2 Cambs Social Enterprise – resilience, support community

*** SEE 205.22 (f) it was agreed that, due to the rising cost of electricity, the charge for use of the Village Hall as a Polling Station would be increased to £225

206.22 Items for next meeting:

             Future of the School – any information available

                        Coronation – events planned, general update

            Neighbourhood plan – events planned and update

            Co-option of Parish Councillor

            Mr Nott of Milton Estates and Neighbourhood Plan team invited to attend

207.22 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 21st  March 2023

starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding.

Meeting closed at 21.30

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