PRESENT: Cllrs Maciag, Hargrave, Hodson, Bolton and the Clerk. Also 2 members of the Public
0014.25 Cllr Maciag, as Chairperson, welcomed those present to the meeting
0015.25 To receive apologies and reasons for absence:
District Councillor Alban – at another meeting
County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting
0016.25 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
0017.25 There was no Public & Press participation – members of the public were present to be considered for co-option as Parish Councillors
0018.25 Minutes of the meeting held on 20th May 2025 were confirmed as a correct record by Cllrs Bolton and Hargrave.
0019.25 Completed Co-option forms had been received and accepted. Cllr Hodson and Cllr Hargrave proposed and seconded Richard Downer and Melanie Nankivel as Parish Councillors. Acceptance of Office forms were completed.
0020.25 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.
Clerk – email from HuntsDC outlining options for local Council reorganisation, 3 schemes are being considered, further details will be shared with Councillors over the coming weeks.
Clerk- our insurers no longer offer Data Protection cover, Clerk had confirmation from CAPALC on the day of the meeting that they could add DP cover to the annual subscription at a cost of £50 – it was agreed that this amount could be included with this month’s batch of payments.
There were no reports from Councillors
0021.25 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank
- Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 2/6/2025 £11045.30 (includes £500 bequest)
- Parish Council Deposit Account (Business Premium Account interest rate reduced to 1.2% from 12/8/2025) – balance as at 2/6/2025 £21755.36
- Defibrillator account – balance as at 2/6/2025 – £102.96
b) PAYMENTS – approved by Cllrs Hodson and Maciag
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised |
| Staff costs | Wages for April (27 hours) | xxx | NIL | JRT | |
| JRB Enterprises | Dog waste bags | 110.52 | 18.42 | ||
| Bradgate Grounds Maintenance | Invoice no 2852 + 2934 | 253.03 + 253.03 (506.06) | 42.17 + 42.17 (84.34) | ||
| Milton Estates (Peterborough) | Invoice for access route to Rec. Field | 1.00 | NIL | ||
| LGS services | Internal Auditor report | 126.00 | 21.00 | ||
| CAPALC | Data Protection cover (added 17/6/2025) | 50.00 | NIL |
- Clerk’s working hours for May, approved by Cllrs Hodson and Maciag as a total of 36.
- Budget for 2025/26 – Cllr Hodson had shared a document prior to the meeting and explained the budget headings, proposed budget spending and allocated reserves. All present agreed to the budget.
- Our Internal Auditor has been taken ill and LGS Services have been appointed to undertake this year’s internal audit.
- The AGAR was published on the village website and noticeboard at the Village Hall on 30th May, in accordance with the requirement for Public Rights, which extends to 14th July
- The Internal Auditor’s report and recommendations had been received. There was an error on the AGAR paperwork due to oversight on a spreadsheet formula, this has been corrected and a revised Form 2 (page 3 of 6) had been completed and authorised at the meeting. Other changes to procedure were recommended and will be implemented.
0022.25 PLANNING applications and matters:
Purpose built agricultural building installed at Gidding Grove Farm – Planning Dept have not consulted for comment.
CIL funding – Huntingdonshire District Council are inviting applications for funding. Clerk has requested advice from “Implementation Team” at Hunts DC regarding CIL funds that might be due to our Parish in respect of recent developments. The response from Hunts DC was shared at the meeting and at present there is no CIL due to the Parish.
0023.25 Review of Parish Council Asset Register – the document was shared at the meeting and no changes were required.
0024.25 Village Maintenance – Clerk to meet with Dan Wiggs, Footpath Officer for CambsCC and Cllr Ian Gardener and discuss and view the issues regarding footpaths in the parish.
Cllr Downer asked to be present as he has concerns about Footpath No 6. Cllr Hargrave mentioned The Jitty (Footpath No 5) surface – both have been reported.
Noticeboard – quotes are being sought for the board + installation
0025.25 Donations to Charities – Clerk had researched the possibilities within Section 137. Cllr Hargrave proposed that any grant should be restricted to any group or activity within the Parish of Great and Little Gidding, this was seconded by Cllr Hodson
DECISION – future applications for a Grant or Loan will be restricted to any group or activity based within the parish of Great and Little Gidding, and will be subject to completion of an application form to be presented to the Parish Council.
0026.25 Review of information sharing options, particularly social media.
Currently information is shared by the Parish Council via the noticeboard at the Village Hall, thegiddings.org website and occasional newsletters (also available via website and noticeboard and on request from the Parish Office). There are independently organised WhatsApp and Facebook platforms for the village. The administrator of the WhatsApp page will be asked to post events and notices for the Parish Council and Village Hall and/or to direct people to the website and noticeboard. Facebook will not be used.
0027.25 Correspondence received since 20 th May 2025 :
a) NALC newsletters – dated Chief Executives Bulletin NALC events,
b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition for May, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads (5 in Huntingdonshire during last month), Highways events planned – none locally, various emails about Public Rights of Way hierarchy survey,
c)Huntingdonshire District Council – offer their Pest Control Maintenance service, Press release – St Neots Whist Club, Town and Parish Council newsletter, Road Closures in July – Time Trial for cyclists around Upton area,
d) CAPALC – nothing received, their website is still inactive
e) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for June
f) CPRE spring newsletter available
g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – new TIGER bus routes announced – around Cambridge and Newmarket
h) Huntingdonshire Community Policing meetings – invitations to join online meetings on 24/9 and 15/12, both at 7pm.
i) Slow Ways – charity, seeking volunteers for connecting walking routes.
j) Upton and Coppingford Parish Council are looking for a Parish Clerk, as are Northstowe.
k) Barclays Bank – we are offered the opportunity to have a Select Cashback credit card. Village Hall committee will be informed and make their own arrangement if required.
l) Parish Online monthly newsletter
m) email from Sarah Marsh of Connecting Cambridge, + response from resident (SB) – Clerk has sent an email of thanks and await developments.
0028.25 Items for next meeting:
Requirement to implement IT Policy
Review of Standing Orders
Review of Financial Regulations
Review of Risk Assessment
The next meeting will commence at 7.30pm on 15th July 2025 in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.
Village Hall payments were approved by Cllrs Bolton and Maciag
Meeting closed at 21.03
