A Great Gidding resident had a lovely surprise when two visitors from the USA called to convey their thanks in person to Bruce Jordan this afternoon.
Heather Goldman is the granddaughter of Wayne Humphries, one of the survivors of the Bam Bam air crash, and had looked forward to visiting the site and seeing the memorial that Bruce and his wife Lois had diligently researched and compiled for preservation in St Michael’s Church.
Heather and her husband Federico are over for just one week and this stop was the most important on their trip as preserving the memory of her grandfather and his friends means so much to their families.
Well done Bruce (and Lois) for your dedication in ensuring that the air crew of Bam Bam will not be forgotten.
Read the original post about the crash and the memorial here
Heather visiting Bruce Jordan Heather and Federico in front of the Memorial
Heather’s comment before her trip to Great Gidding
… I also plan to visit the church to see the memorial Bruce made for those men who died in the crash-my grandfathers friends. I would also like to thank Bruce for all of his work and dedication to preserving the history of this event. It means so much to our families!
Please note that the consultation period is open until 21st February. If you were unable to attend the meetings on 31st January or 9th February and wish to make a comment there still time through the Cambridgeshire County Council website – see link below
Extraordinary Meeting of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council regarding the possible closure of Great Gidding C of E (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School
At Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee Meeting held on 17th January 2023 a decision was made to commence a 30-day consultation on the proposed closure of the Primary School in Great Gidding.
Meeting to include Education Department representatives
As part of this consultation process, the Local Authority have committed to consult with the Parish Council and we as members of the Parish Council wish to ensure we are representing the views of our community. To facilitate this process and provide opportunity for members of the community to engage, Great & Little Gidding Parish Council will be hosting a meeting on Thursday 9thFebruary in Great Gidding Village Hall at 7.45pm. In attendance will be representatives from Cambridgeshire County Council’s Education Department as well as members of Great and Little Gidding Parish Council. In addition, our local MP, County and District Councillors have been invited to attend, as have representatives of each of the Parish Councils/Parish Meetings in the school’s catchment area.
We are keen to ensure that all interested parties have the opportunity to present their viewpoint.
Date of the meeting: Thursday 9th February 2023
Time: To commence at 7.45pm
Venue: Great Gidding Village Hall
(PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE EARLIER than 7.30PM as there is a prior booking in the Village Hall).
Questions, comments and observations
Questions, comments and observations should be submitted to the Parish Clerk by 5.00pm on Friday 3rd February, these will be given priority at the meeting (we cannot guarantee that any questions/comments/observations received after that deadline will be heard at the meeting)
AGENDA:
A presentation from representatives of the Education Department of Cambridgeshire County Council
Questions from Great & Little Gidding Parish Council to the Education Department representatives
Questions, comments and observations submitted by members of the community. (Any questions remaining at the end of the meeting will be forwarded to the Local Authority)
Reminder of timeline
9.00pm. Close of meeting.
Chairman: Paul Hodson
Clerk: Julie Trolove, Great and Little Gidding Parish Council, The Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 5NU
Neighbourhood Plan covering the Giddings, Hamerton and Winwick
The Neighbourhood Plan Group have joined forces with 4 people in Hamerton / Steeple Gidding and Winwick to create a joint Neighbourhood Plan in 2023 covering the Giddings, Hamerton and Winwick. This is an opportunity for all of us to set out a positive vision of how we would like our community to evolve over the next 15 years to meet the needs and aspirations of both the residents and businesses.
Surveys to be sent out in Spring
The first stage of this will be the surveys, that will be sent out in the Spring 2023. The results of these surveys will form the basis of the Neighbourhood Plan covering such things as what we have now and what we want in terms of amenities, facilities, green spacing, housing and services.
Your chance to influence Council decisions
The Plan will be submitted to Huntingdon District Council after formal approval by you. It is a statutory document and as such strongly influences their decision making about the Giddings, Hamerton and Winwick. Throughout this process we will provide you with regular updates and look forward to your feedback.
A case of avian flu has been confirmed at Hemington. As a result Huntingdonshire District Council have advised that Great Gidding is in the 3km protection zone. See the DEFRA website for information and advice, also check the Avian Flu Guidance on Huntingdonshire.gov.uk
The latest edition of Gidding News, PLUS a description of the designs for the Coats of Arms – which would do you choose (EMAIL ggparishcouncil@outlook.com or post your vote through the Parish Office letterbox
Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and taste an additional 5 wines from India, Portugal and Austria. There will also be a wine quiz plus some delicious sweet and savoury nibbles.
Sample some amazing wines with Andrea Hargrave – Great Gidding’s very own Master of Wine! Andrea has over 25 years of experience and is one of only 419 Masters of Wine scattered over 30 countries and 6 continents.
If you like a particular wine you will be able to purchase a bottle to take home.
Minutes of the meeting held at Great Gidding Village Hall on Tuesday 17th August 2022
Present: Cllrs Hodson, D’Altilia, Moody, Hargrave and Maciag, and the Clerk. 2 members of the public were present.
076.22 Councillor Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.
077.22 To receive apologies and reasons for absence:
County Councillor Gardener – another meeting
District Councillor Alban – another meeting
Councillor Bolton – family commitment
078.22 There were no Member’s declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
079.22 2 members of the Public were attending to discuss item 085.22 – see details below.
080.22 Minutes of the meeting held on 21st July 2022 were confirmed as a true and correct record – proposed by Cllr Hodson and seconded by Cllr Maciag
081.22 Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.
Clerk – confirmation received of submission of AGAR and of exempt status.
082.22 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Cllr Macaig has compiled a document and spreadsheet to assist with making Planning Application decisions. In future this will enable Councillors to assess the grounds on which Planning Applications can be considered and then respond in a manner that is in line with Planning Department criteria. This was unanimously approved of as a “tool” to assist in making such decisions.
083.22 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Up to date Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account was shared at the meeting
b) PAYMENTS – the following online payments were approved for payment:
Who
What for
TOTAL
Invoice includes this VAT amount
Authorised
Authorised
J R Trolove
Wages for June (28 hours)
Xxx
~
JRT
Bradgate Ground Maintenance (788)
Grass cutting of Rec Field
199.32
33.22
JRT
CAPALC Invoice no 3415
Training session for JM
75.00
NIL
JRT
CAPALC Invoice no 3509
Training session doe FD
75.00
NIL
JRT
Income Received HMRC
VAT refund
383.75
Village Hall payment PRS/PPL
Annual submission payment
139.20
23.20
JRT
Clerk’s working hours for July, a total of 30, was approved by all.
084.22 Neighbourhood Plan – The Clerk had shared a draft email to be sent to neighbouring parishes, inviting them to join the process – some additions and amendments were suggested. Clerk will send a revised email to Councillors. Dependent on responses from other parishes, interested residents would meet up to discuss the potential collaborative project.
085.22 Planning Applications and Planning matters –
a) Received by email on 20 July 2022
Proposal: Erection of new warehouse with associated drainage, landscaping and groundworks Site Address: The Central Depot 1 Hemington Lodge Road Great Gidding Reference: 22/01403/FUL
Decision required by 10th August 2022 – extension requested, no response from HDC
Messrs Rory and Matt Halligan, owners of the site, were present at the meeting to answer any questions from Councillors. They advised that Adshell/Clear Channel, manufacturer and supplier of street furniture, have been their tenants since 2001 and they are now supporting the company remaining on site by enabling the provision of a warehouse for additional secure storage, under cover, which will also act as a showroom for prospective buyers. They hope to have the facility completed before this winter.
Questions were raised by Councillors about future development at the site (none required at present), the height of the proposed building (lower than the existing building on site with a shallow pitch roof), drainage (feature pond would also act as drainage facility), use of container units (the proposed warehouse would replace these and they will be removed, the site to be tidied up overall), increase in traffic both during construction and when operational (during construction excavators would remain on site as they are utilising what materials/soil they have rather than bringing in more, the building materials would be brought in and construction takes place on site, there would be no additional vehicle movements once the building is complete), landscaping/planting (as this is to be the “showroom”, there will be extensive planting around the new building).
Cllrs had no further questions and felt that they could support the application as it provides rural employment and adds to the local economy (see planning reasons)
086.22 Training opportunities for Councillors and Clerk:
Councillor Training (online via ZOOM)
Saturday 3rd September
Tuesdays – 11/18/25 October
Saturday 8th October has been added as a training date today and Cllr Hargrave will attend this session
087.22 Cllr D’Altilia’s attended the Councillor training session via ZOOM – he commented were that he felt a “workbook”, setting out terms and processes would be a useful addition to support the information given during the training. Clerk will obtain updated copies of the Good Councillor Guide from NALC, and send a link to the NALC website where it can be read online.
088.22 Recreation Ground:
MUGA – the next step is to research ways of funding the project, either through grants, donations, fund raising or a combination. Also contact School to ask for their support. Clerk will support Cllrs Hargrave and Moody to compile information.
It may be necessary to set up a separate bank account, under the Parish Council umbrella, to accommodate the finances for this project. Residents will be updated on progress of the project via the next issue of Gidding News.
089.22 Cllr D’Altilia had researched the potential for a bulk short messaging service (SMS) for Parish Council to use to inform residents of urgent/important/necessary notifications. It was felt by Cllrs that this would reach more residents than social media platforms or website. Using this system, a message would be sent via phone by the Clerk or a Councillor, responses from recipients would not be possible/available. Parishioners would opt into the system by providing their mobile number only, names would not be shown, and the system would be fully GDPR compliant. The cost would be approx. 3p per message (one charge for one message to all participating residents) and invoiced monthly.
It was felt by Councillors that there should be a “sender” name attached to each message, ie Great & Little Gidding Parish Council, so that recipients could identify genuine messages.
Clerk enquired whether Vodaphone provide such a service, to link to our existing telephone and internet supply.
Cllr D’Altilia will obtain further details and prices.
Details of this service will be announced on the next issue of Gidding News.
091.22 Cllr D’Altilia had proposed a logo/coat of arms for use by the Parish Council and had drawn up some ideas, based on history/locality and activities in the Parish. Ideas will be shared on the next issue of Gidding News, asking residents to vote for their preferred option.
092.22 Correspondence received since 19th July:
a) NALC newsletters – dated 22/7 and 29/7 and 5/8 and 12/8 Chief Executives bulletin, 26/7 and 2/8 and 8/8 NALC events, 27/7 and 3/8 and 10/8 newsletter, 11/8 Star Council awards – list of nominees,
b) Neighbourhood Alert – email dated 25/7 and 1/8 and 8/8 Latest from the Courts, 26/7 Burglary in Huntingdonshire, 27/7 and 1/8 newsletter, 1/8 catalytic converter marking sessions, 2/8 means to contact the organisation, 9/8 – share your concerns, 10/8 keep your windows shut to stop burglars,
c) Cambridgeshire ACRE – email dated 20/7 re Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Improvements Grant, dated 29/7 re. high density heat pump installation, 29/7 funding for village halls and community buildings, 8/8 Charities Act 2022 – information about the changes being introduced, 12/8Notice of Cambridgeshire ACRE’s AGM Date: Wednesday 28 September 2022 Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm To be held by: Zoom Video Conference
e) Cambs CC email dated 22/7 – THINK Communities newsletter, 26/7 – Micro Asphalt programme (nothing listed for Gidding or surrounding villages) and updated 10/8, 28/7 Cambridgeshire Matters monthly newsletter, 29/7 – invite to Cambridgeshire Flood Groups Conference. This free event will take place on Thursday 22nd September 2022 at The Club in Alconbury Enterprise Campus, 11/8Cambridgeshire Local Authorities have established the Action on Energy Cambridgeshire scheme, various road closures within the County between 1/8/2022 and 1/1/2024 – includes Main Street, Great Gidding – signs will be erected prior to closures.
f) Hunts DC email dated 21/7 – two new honorary alderman (includes Dick Tuplin), 22/7 – THINK Communities newsletter, 4/8 Update of Operation London Bridge
27/7 Green flag awarded to St Neots miniature railway, 8/8 Town and Parish Council update on Huntingdonshire Futures
g) Economic Development Huntingdonshire DC invest@huntingdonshire.gov.uk – weekly Business News – email dated 21/7, 28/7, 4/8, 11/8
h) Information Commissioners Office – We confirm receipt of your payment and new expiry date of 23/08/2023.
i) Keep Britain tidy email dated 29/7 – Love Parks Week, dog mess and free resources
j) Cambs and Pboro Combined Authorities update, received 1/8
If you wish to see items of correspondence or obtain the links to online surveys, please contact the Parish Clerk.
093.22 Items for next meeting:
Clerk’s annual appraisal
Planning spreadsheet and associated paperwork
Gidding News – draft issue for amendment and additions.
Neighbourhood Plan – joining with neighbouring parish(s)
094.22 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 20th September 2022 o
starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding.
Minutes of the meeting held at Great Gidding Village Hall on Tuesday 19 July 2022
Present: Cllrs Hodson, Bolton, Moody, Hargrave and Maciag, and the Clerk. 1 member of the public was present.
054.22 Councillor Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present.
055.22 To receive apologies and reasons for absence:
County Councillor Gardener – another meeting
District Councillor Alban – holiday
Councillor D’Altilia – work commitment
Councillor Pudney – work commitment
056.22 There were no Member’s declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda, but the Clerk declared a financial interest in the 063.22c) and would leave the room for discussion of this item.
057.22 Member of the public present to discuss 062.22.
058.22 Minutes of the meeting held on 21st June 2022 were confirmed as a true and correct record – acceptance proposed by Cllr Maciag and seconded by Cllr Hodson.
059.22 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.
060.22 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Cllr Hodson had met with the Head of the village School, who is about to move to another post. He had been advised that there will be 3 children entering Reception class in September.
061.22 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) the up to date Finance Spreadsheet will be shared with these Minutes.
b) PAYMENTS – the following payments were unanimously approved:
Who
What for
TOTAL
Invoice includes VAT amount
Authorised
Authorised
J R Trolove
Wages for May (30 hours)
Xxx
~
JRT
Bradgate Ground Maintenance (733)
Grass cutting of Rec Field
199.32
33.22
JRT
Catalyst Design
Website hosting and domain name
179.04
29.84
JRT
Transfer to Gidding Charity Account – Jubilee BBQ
S137
127.00
~
JRT
Information Commissioners Office (DUE 23/8/2022)
Renewal of data protection fee
40
~
J P Macaig – reimbursement agreed at previous meeting
Slats for bench on Rec. Ground
188.28
Julie Trolove – reimbursement
Dog waste bags
10.00
~
to approve Clerk’s working hours for June – total of 28 – approved by all
Budget review – Cllr Hodson explained the current Budget and the various headings used and reasons behind the various budgets. He answered various questions from Councillors regarding the Budget . Cllr Moody suggested that a budget may need to be created for the Neighbourhood Plan in the future.
062.22 Neighbourhood Plan – Cllr Maciag had attended a meeting organised by Grafham Parish Council, with others from the Parish, and others from local Parish Councils. He outlines the stages that a Neighbourhood Plan must go through, in consultation with Huntingdonshire District Council at various stages and, above all, including and involving the community in the process. Grafham had combined with Ellington to complete their plan and suggested that this Parish Council could combine with a neighbouring Parish. A team of up to 10 (dependent on being 1 or more Parishes) would be required to devise the Plan with regular meetings, taking minutes and evidencing work carried out. The Clerk was asked to contact Hunts DC to enquire if they would support the joining with another Parish, before an approach was made to neighbouring parishes.
063.22 Planning Applications and Planning matters –
a) Received by email on 1 July 2022
Proposal: Partial removal of garden room and replacement front glazing and roof. Site Address: 2 Dells Close Great Gidding Huntingdon Reference: 22/01358/HHFUL
Decision required by 22 July 2022
No observations either for or against this proposal
b) Received by email on 6 July 2022
Proposal: Proposed 2 storey, and single storey rear extension. Site Address: 6 Winwick Road Great Gidding Huntingdon Reference: 22/01360/HHFUL
Decision required by 27 July 2022
No observations either for or against this proposal
c) received by email on 14 July 2022 (Clerk will leave the room for this item)
Proposal: Residential Development of up to 8 dwellings. Site Address: 91 Main Street Great Gidding Huntingdon Reference: 21/02188/OUT
Decision required by 27 July 2022
No observations either for or against this proposal
064.22 Review of Financial Regulations – no amendments required – Cllr Hodson proposed and Cllr Maciag seconded.
065.22 Review of Standing Orders – no amendments required – Cllr Hodson proposed and Cllr Maciag seconded.
066.22 Review of Risk Management Policy – no amendment required – Cllr Hodson proposed and Cllr Maciag seconded.
067.22 Training opportunities for Councillors and Clerk:
Councillor Training (online via ZOOM)
Saturday 23rd July – 9.30 to 3.30PM – Cllr D’Altilia to attend
Saturday 3rd September – Cllr Moody to attend
Cllr Hargrave will be advised of any full day training sessions offered in October
068.22 Cllr Maciag’s feed back on his training session – the trainer advised that a Councillor should not be a volunteer, discussion followed with no absolute conclusion other than, if acting as a volunteer, there must be insurance in place to cover such activities.
069.22 Recreation Ground:
MUGA – Cllr Maciag had obtained quotes for provision of the MUGA, both in the region of £60,000 +VAT – this could be either asphalt or Astro surface.
The next step is to consider how to fund this project, possibility of a Public Works Loan Board grant, fund raising and grants through other organisations will be investigated. Cllr Hargrave offered to assist with admin and applications.
The Parish Council is registered for VAT and could claim back this amount.
overview of proposed budget for the project and what it entails.
071.22 Cllr D’Altilia’s feedback on research for a messaging service between Parish Council and residents – this discussion will be deferred to the next meeting.
072.22 Cllr D’Altilia’s request for consideration of a logo/coat of arms for Parish Council identity – Cllr D’Altilia will be asked to create 3 logos to be shared on the next Gidding News for parishioners to vote on.
073.22 Seats in Main Street – a resident had observed that the seats opposite the Village Hall and village shop are looking shabby. A volunteer repainted the woodwork of the Village Hall seat last year but this had not weathered well. No observations were made regarding this matter.
074.22 Correspondence received since 21st June 2022 (other than that discussed in agenda items above). There were no comments or observations on the following items.
a) NALC newsletters – dated 24/6, 27/6 list of events and 5/7 and 12/7, 6/7 newsletter, 8/7 chief execs bulletin,
b) Neighbourhood Alert – email dated 22/6 Parking, speeding, drugs and weapons priorities for Huntingdonshire
email dated 23/6 Appeal after attempted distraction burglary
Latest from the courts 27/06/2022 and 4/7 and 11/7
Email dated 29/6 Strategy to end violence against women and girls taking shape
Email dated 1/7 – Car wash visits combat modern slavery
Email dated 4/7 – historical murder on TV
4/7 – July newsletter
6/7 – Warning following rise in motorbike thefts
11/7 – COMMUNITY SAFETY CHARTER launched to tackle crimes in public spaces
12/7 – Over 12 million suspicious emails reported by the public
12/7 – Warning following thefts from vehicles
c) Cambridgeshire ACRE – email dated 23/6 re footpaths and rights of way, email dated 29/6 Power to Change survey, dated 4/7 – how to make your premises GREEN, accessible and energy efficient,
email dated 5/7 re Little Thetford MUGA rental contract (future contact)
d) CAPALC email dated – June bulletin forwarded on
e) Cambs CC email dated 29/6 – Cambridgeshire Matters June newsletter, shared with Parish Councillors, email dated 12/7 re. Flood Resilience Day which will take place in Hilton, at the Hilton Village Hall Car Park, Grove End, Hilton, Huntingdon, PE28 9PF on Saturday 23rd July from 10am to 4pm.
Email dated 14/7 – Road Safety Education team newsletter
f) Hunts DC email dated 27/6, new play area at Hinchingbrooke Country Park, 27/6 new round of CIL funding applications and 1/7 CIL funding application form
email dated 29/6 – Sustainable Communities Business Pledge award.
Email dated 1/7 – volunteers required for Countryside services.
Email dated 14/7 – don’t lose your right to vote
g) Economic Development Huntingdonshire DC invest@huntingdonshire.gov.uk – weekly Business News – email dated 22/6, newsletter dated 30/6 and 7/7 and 12/7
