Our friendly, informal group meet once a month in Great Gidding Village Hall for two hours to sketch or paint a still life. All welcome (not just Giddingites)!
The sessions are untutored but we do a couple of short drawing exercises followed by a longer drawing session and help and advice will be freely available. All you will need to bring is a sketchbook and pencil or your chosen materials.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.
Time: 10.00am – 12.00 noon
Date: Thursday 8th August 2024
Location: Great Gidding Village Hall
Cost: £5.00 per session (cash only please)
If you’re not able to join us on this occasion, the next session is scheduled for Thursday 19th September 2024.
If you are interested in attending contact Krystyna on 01832 293175 or email krystyna@intamail.com
The Parish Council has published the August Newsletter which will be displayed on Noticeboards throughout the Parish and submitted via WhatsApp, Facebook and here on the Giddings website.
If you are aware of anyone in the parish who cannot access the noticeboards or the community social media platforms, please contact the Parish Council so a printed copy can be made available for them. If you would prefer to receive a copy of the monthly newsletter via email, please contact the Parish Council.
Just a reminder to come along to our friendly, informal group this Thursday 18th July for two hours to sketch or paint a still life. All you will need to bring is a sketchbook and pencil or your chosen materials.
This session there will be a couple of simple exercises as well as longer drawing sessions and as always help and advice will be freely available.
When: Thursday 18th July from 10am until midday. If you’re not able to join us this time the next session is Thursday 8th August.
Where: Great Gidding Village Hall
Cost: £5.00 per session (cash only please). Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.
The Parish Council has recently agreed to publish a monthly Newsletter which will be displayed on Noticeboards throughout the Parish and submitted via WhatsApp, Facebook and the Giddings website.
If you are aware of anyone in the parish who cannot access the noticeboards or the community social media platforms, please contact the Parish Council so a printed copy can be made available for them. If you would prefer to receive a copy of the monthly newsletter via email, please contact the Parish Council.
Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 21st May 2024
Present: Councillors Moody, Hargrave, Bolton, D’Altillia and Maciag and the Clerk.
Apologies for absence:
District Councillor Alban – at another meeting
Councillor Sanders – work commitments
Councillor Hodson – family commitments
Annual Parish Council meeting:
Chairman – Councillor Maciag proposed as Chairman by Councillors Moody and Bolton. He has signed the Declaration of Office.
Vice Chairman – Councillor Hargrave proposed as Vice Chairman by Councillors Bolton and Moody. She has signed the Declaration of Office.
Councillors Bolton and Hodson have advised they will remain as Councillors. Councillors Moody and D’Altillia will remain as Councillors, but advised that work commitments may impact their attendance at meetings. Clerk will contact Councillor Sanders. No other persons had expressed an interest in joining the Parish Council.
022.24 There were no declarations of interest regarding items on the agenda
023.24 No members of Press or Public in attendance at this meeting
024.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 16th April 2024 were declared as a correct record – proposed by Cllrs Moody and seconded by Cllr Hargrave
025.24 this item not used
026.24 Reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Councillor Hargrave had met with residents who expressed an interest in the Village Hall, a committee has been formed. They will hold monthly meetings, setting short term and long term objectives. A separate email address will be set up for bookings/correspondence.
Councillor Maciag advised that the Neighbourhood Plan Group aim to get the revised plan to HuntsDC in September.
027.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) to note Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account.
Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 3/5/2024 £12614.08 (includes £500 bequest)
Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/3/2024 £26,286.99 (1.85% interest applicable)
Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/3/2023 – £248.84
b) PAYMENTS – the following payments were approved by Cllrs Maciag and D’Altillia, subject to the Clerk checking the cover applicable to CAPALC’s data protection offer:
c) Clerk’s working hours for April were approved as a total of 26
d) a first draft of the AGAR was shared at the meeting. Clerk and Cllr Hodson will meet to finalise figures for discussion and presentation at the June Meeting.
028.24 PLANNING applications and matters:
a)Nothing further heard from CambsCC regarding the school playground site, although we did not request a response in respect of any points made.
b) APPLICATION REF. 24/00821/HHFUL
Single-storey Garage Extension, The Mill, Mill Road, Great Gidding Huntingdon PE28 5NT
Response required by 6th June 2024
There were no objections or observations in respect of this application.
c) the application for the mast, antennas and equipment at Longbrook Farm, Thurning has been refused – Clerk from Hemington, Luddington, Thurning Parish Council will keep us updated.
d) the application for the anaerobic digester is marked as “Decided” but no further details are known at present. Clerk is in contact with North Northants Councillor Shacklock and Hemington, Luddington, Thurning Parish Clerk.
e) District Cllr Alban had enquired about the outcomes of the Call for Sites exercise. Hunts DC advise that there is nothing to report at present.
029.24 Recreation Field – it was agreed to instruct Wicksteed, £132 for unaccompanied annual inspection.
030.24 Correspondence received since 16th April 2024:
a) NALC newsletters – dated Chief Executives Bulletin NALC events,
b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters, Road Safety Education Newsletter,
c) Huntingdonshire District Council –16/4 HDC launches capital grant funding for Rural Businesses, Town & Parish Council April newsletter, grants of up to £2,500 for initiatives that support their communities and the Huntingdonshire Futures Place Strategy, Huntingdonshire District Council has teamed up with Cambridgeshire Police and Cambridgeshire Fire to conduct a trial using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel, Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) is celebrating the opening of the East Anglia Energy Academy in St Ives, which will bring forward new jobs, skills and investment into the district, powerpoint slides from the Parish Council information session for EV Charge points, District Council launches Online Climate Hub ***the Clerk had passed the information from the previous meeting to Little Gidding Trust as they own the car park at Little Gidding, and were interest in the potential of this scheme
d) CAPALC –newsletter, May training dates, Martyn’s Law – protection of premises from Terorism Act
f) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter,
g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – posters encouraging use of concessionary bus passes
h) Parish Online newsletter
i) Neighbourhood Alert/ECOPS etc – News from the Courts email
j) CARESCO offering to visit to explain their services for older residents
035.22 Items for next meeting:
Approval and signing of the AGAR
036.22 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18th June 2024
Tuesday 21st May, 7.00PM at Great Gidding Village Hall
PRESENT: Parish Councillors Maciag, Hargrave, Moody, Bolton, Neighbourhood Policing Team Sergeant Martin and 5 members of the public.
APOLOGIES received from District Councillor Alban and Parish Councillor Sanders
***Parish Councillor D’Altillia and 2 members of the public joined later in the meeting.
Councillor Maciag, as Vice Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.
Councillor Hodson was unable to attend the meeting, his annual report (copy attached) was read out at the meeting.
Councillor Maciag gave an update on the Neighbourhood Plan – it has been reviewed by Huntingdonshire District Council and changes and additions are to be implemented before it is returned to Hunts DC for approval.
Sergeant Anna Martin of the Neighbourhood Policing Team gave an overview of police involvement in our rural area, advising that our Parish has a very low crime rate. She encouraged engagement with the Team through the Cambs Police Website (https://www.cambs.police.uk/), particularly the live chat option for crime reporting.
Questions from members of the public:
Anaerobic digester – concerns about traffic and transport – no decision has yet been published. As the site is in the neighbouring county, Clerk is continuing correspondence with North Northants contacts. SB encouraged building a good relationship with the developer to enable future discussions.
A second speed camera has been installed recently – results are monitored in both directions and act as an advisory measure to drivers.
Councillor Bolton advised that a 20MPH limit has been applied for in respect of the lane down to Little Gidding – decision has not yet been made by Cambridgeshire County Council. SB recommended the Parish Council apply for a 20MPH limit throughout Great Gidding.
Call for sites – Huntingdonshire District Council have not yet published any decisions on sites. RG had read on the Hunts DC website that results will be known in July.
Advertising the Parish Meeting – DU advised that Annual Parish Meeting should have been better advertised. Clerk advised the notice had been placed on the village website and the Village Hall website, earlier than the required 2 week notice period. It was felt that new residents were unaware of events/services/facilities in the village and means of communicating with residents should be improved.
The meeting closed at 20.06
Chairman’s report:
Thank you for attending tonight, I am sorry that, due to unforeseen circumstances, I am unable to attend in person.
The last year has been challenging, rewarding and hugely frustrating.
I would like to thank my fellow councillors for their hard work and dedication to the Parish ( and of course where would we be without Julie, who does a fantastic job as Clerk.)
Just a few of the things we have dealt with in the last 12 months
The Parish Plan – We have a great team working extremely hard to produce a plan which reflects the wishes of our residents, we have more steps of the process to complete, but we are progressing well. A huge thank you to the team
Call for sites – Earlier in the year the Council asked people to suggest parcels of land that might be suitable for housing, we appreciate that the submission by Milton Estates caused a lot of concern, but as of today, we have not heard back from the Council, we will of course let you know as soon as we do. Even if a site is agreed as potential development, the owner would still have to apply for planning permission as normal.
Anaerobic Digester – After months of no news at all, the website now says “decided” but does not say, what has been decided. We did all we could and will continue to do all we can to stop this development.
The School House – Now that the school has closed, we considered using the brick school, building as a village community building, but the financial economics just didn’t work, so we have advised Milton Estates that we are not interested in leasing the building from them
School Playground – Again we were considering purchasing this from the County Council, as a village amenity, but the conditions the County Council placed on the sale made the risk too great for us to contemplate
After several years as Chair, I have decided it’s time to stand down, I will remain on the Council for a smooth transition, but if anyone would like to join the PC please let us know.
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 16thth April 2024
Present: Councillors Hodson, Moody, Hargrave, Bolton, and Maciag and the Clerk.
001.24 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting
002.24 Apologies for absence:
County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting
District Councillor Alban – at another meeting
Councillor D’Altilia – work commitments
003.24 There were no declarations of interest regarding items on the agenda
004.24There were no members of Press or Public in attendance
005.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 19th March 2024 were declared as a correct record – proposed by Cllr Moody and seconded by Cllr Hargrave
006.24 Reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Clerk advised that the Parish Office will be closed on Friday 27th April as she is attending a funeral.
007.24 Financial Matters
a) to note Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account.
Parish Council (everyday) Account – balance as at 4/4/2024 £1660.18 (includes £500 bequest)
Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/4/2024 £26,286.99 (1.85% interest applicable)
Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/3/2023 – £248.84
b) PAYMENTS – the following online payments were approved – Cllr Hargrave confirmed
Who
What for
TOTAL
Invoice includes this VAT amount
Authorised
Authorised
REFUND to J R Trolove for purchase of Microsoft
Purchase of Microsoft 365 annual subscription
£59.99
NONE
J R Trolove
Wages February (30.5 hours)
***
Huntingdon District Council
Rates for Rec Field
5.49
NONE
LGS Services
Payroll services
79.20
NONE
Groundworks UK (Dept of Levelling Up)
Refund of unspent monies for Neighbourhood Plan
2217.97
NONE
c) Clerk’s working hours for March were approved as a total of 28
d) Clerk had provided a breakdown of spending for 2023/24 to the year end of 31st March 2024 and Cllr Hodson had updated the Bank Reconciliation/Cash Flow Forecast and Reserves spreadsheets. Discussion followed regarding various aspects.
Clerk confirmed that Section 137 budget was up to £9.93 per elector during 2023/24.
Cllr Hodson advised that allocated reserves should be equal to at least one year of precept and, in addition, this Parish Council has reserves for identified future costs within the Parish.
Cllr Moody recommended that the budget for wages be increased to £5500 for 2024/25.
008.24 Planning applications – no applications received since the last meeting.
009.24 School playground – the day after the March meeting an email was received from CambsCC, setting out their terms regarding the sale of the playground to the Parish Council, and giving 10 days to respond. The Clerk had then received a telephone call from CambsCC enquiring potential use by the village, and a further request for a written decision by 5PM on Friday 19th April.
CambsCC email appeared to indicate that the cost and responsibility of removing the portacabins would fall to the Parish Council, and clearance of the site was unclear. At present the Parish Council have not been able to view the site. Access to the site for construction/demolition is problematic and would have to involve Milton Estates. Also this did not reflect the indications that were given by Cambs CC representatives during meetings held regarding closure of the school.
An email will be sent to CambsCC advising that, as the offer would appear to have changed, and with many unknown factors, the Parish Council do not wish to proceed with the acquisition of the playground – this was a unanimous decision by all Councillors present at the meeting.
010.24 A copy of the current Parish Council asset register had been shared prior to the meeting and was agreed as a correct record.
011.24 CANALBS have carried out the internal audit in the past and will be appointed for the 2023/24 review.
012.24 Neighbourhood Plan – Cllr Maciag gave a resume of the Neighbourhood Plan. It has been presented to Hunts DC and recommendations for changes and additions are now being implemented. The plan will be returned to Hunts DC in the future. Whilst the remaining grant is to be refunded to Groundworks, a further application will be made for 2024/25 funding.
013.24 Green Waste bin collection – following the March meeting, clarification of aspects of the scheme to offer 10 green bins to smaller parishes had been asked of HuntsDC. Councillors felt this was an insufficient number (a total of 10 to be shared between Great and Little Gidding) but also the Parish Council does not own an area of land where these bins could be safely stored and collected.
014.24 Parish Council insurance policy is due for renewal on 1st June. The clerk will summarise the cover provided and advise Councillors at the next meeting.
015.24 Village Maintenance
Benches in Main Street – Cllrs Moody and Hargrave approved the existing quote but requested Clerk will to obtain a comparative quote by the end of April.
CambsCC have not yet responded about siting benches opposite the shop.
The owner of the property in Gaines Lane will be asked to clear the building materials from the Gaines Lane/Chapel End junction.
Clerk has been advised by the hedging contractor that partly due to the wet ground he will not be able to carry out work as requested. On his advice a request has been sent to a tree surgeon to provide a quote for work on the surround of the Pound and the Parish Pond.
016.24 Correspondence received since 19th March 2024:
a) NALC –
b) Cambridgeshire County Council –
*** an email was received hours before the meeting regarding the provision of electric vehicle charging stations, a survey to be completed with a deadline of 22nd April – this will be forwarded to Councillors but the discussion indicated that the Parish Council does not have land to site these devices.
The Library Presents events brochure, Cambridgeshire Matters –https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCAMBSCC/bulletins/38e2858, 24th April 2024, 19:00-22:00 at Ely Maltings, Kempen Room, how the council can support communities to benefit from the transition to a clean energy system, TMC incident report for traffic in March – NONE for our parish,
c) Huntingdonshire District Council – Town and parish council newsletter, Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge 15-17 May – Wednesday 15 May 14.50-15.40 in Pathfinder House (with an option to join via Teams) – registration required, green waste project (see 013.24)
d) Cambs ACRE – March Newsletter
e) CAPALC – April news, training opportunities,
g) Parish Online – newsletter
h) Ecops/Neighbourhood Watch etc – election on 2nd May
i) Hemington, Luddington, Thurning Parish Council response to diversion of footpath around Mobile Phone Mast site.
j) North Northamptonshire Council – consultation regarding Kettering Energy Park and invitation to a public exhibition on Saturday 20th April 2024, 10.30 to 1.30 at Finedon Community Centre, NN9 5LG
188.23 The next meeting of the Parish Council:
This will be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.00PM
Tuesday 21st May 2024 at Great Gidding Village Hall, starting at 7.30PM
The meeting will commence with the Annual Parish Council meeting, at which Officers will be appointed.
Preparation for the Annual Internal Audit and the Annual Governance and Accountability
Mark your calendar for the last weekend of June and the first weekend of July!
As part of the Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios event 4 artists from Great Gidding will be joining artists in Luddington to exhibit their latest works.
7 artists on display
Visit Carry Akroyd and Gordon Monk at their studios at No 4 Luddington in the Brook where there will also be afternoon teas served in their beautiful garden. After that you’ll be able to wander over to Saint Margaret’s Church to see the first joint exhibition by the Gidding Group which includes Great Gidding artists Paul-Joseph Crank, Krystyna Wojcik, Sue Jarvis and Geoff Goddard alongside leatherwork by Thurning craftsman Justin Capp.
Garden teas
Enjoy home-made cakes and afternoon teas in Carry and Gordon’s beautiful garden to help raise funds for St Margaret’s Church.
Venue and opening times:
Dates: 29–30 June and 6–7 July
The Gidding Group, Luddington Church, 11.00am – 4.00pm
Carry Akroyd and Gordon Monk, 4 Luddington in the Brook 11.00am – 5.00pm
Come along to our friendly, informal small group who meet once a month for two hours to sketch or paint a still life.
All you will need to bring is a sketchbook and pencil or your chosen materials. The sessions are untutored but help and advice will be freely available.
When: Thursday 13th June from 10am until midday. If you’re not able to join us this time the next session is Thursday 18th July.
Where: Great Gidding Village Hall
Cost: £5.00 per session (cash only please). Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.
If you are interested in coming along please email krystyna@intamail.com or call 01832 293 175 for more details.
