2025-04-15 Minutes of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council Meeting

2025-04-15 Minutes of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council Meeting

Present:  Councillors Maciag, Hargrave, Bolton and Hodson and the Clerk.  

0192.24 Chairman’s Welcome

0193.24 To receive apologies and reasons for absence

              District Councillor Alban – at another meeting

              County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting

              Parish Councillor Moody – holiday  

0194.24 There were no member’s declarations of interests for items on the Agenda

0195.24 No member of the press or public were present.

0196.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 18th March 2025 confirmed as a correct record – proposed by Cllr Hodson and seconded by Cllr Hargrave

0197.24 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.

Clerk:

  1. Annual Parish Meeting will take place on 20th May, with a 7PM start time.  Our Speaker will be Sarah Marsh of Connecting Cambridgeshire.  On the noticeboard and website w.e.f. 28th March and included in the village newsletter in April.
  2. Clerk enquired of Bradgate regarding their increased charges, received explanation and instructed them to continue.
  3. Village Newsletter – requests for email delivery and hand delivery.  The newsletter is added to the village website, displayed on the noticeboard at the Village Hall (or in the Parish Office window if space is not available), on the village WhatsApp group.  Residents can collect a copy from the Parish Office.

Cllr Hargrave – the recent event in the Village Hall resulted in a £154.00 donation.

Cllr Hargrave enquired about co-option of Parish Councillors.  She will approach one resident and another will be contacted to invite them to apply.

0198.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) Bank statements from Barclays Bank

***Interest rates on the Deposit Account are decreasing from 1.35% to 1.25% with effect from 13th May 2025.  This applies to Village Hall and Charity Deposit accounts too.

  • Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/3/2025 £678.18  (includes £500 bequest)
    • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/3/2025  £25,676.65 ***
    • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/2/2025  – £102.59

b) PAYMENTS

Cllr Hodson had updated the Cash flow spreadsheet and the Reserves spreadsheet to the end of March and talked through the content.

The following payments were approved:

WhoWhat forTOTALInvoice includes this VAT amountAuthorisedAuthorised
J R  TroloveWages for January (26 hours) + backdated pay for the previous 2 months due to hourly rate increase error (£76.61)XxxNILJRT 
J R Trolove Re-imbursement in respect of Microsoft package annual payment84.99none  
Manor Farm Tree ServicesRemoving dead elms from the Pound, beside B660£3180.00£530.00  
CAPALCAnnual subscription (Data Protection available through insurers, so exclude)284.53 amended to 234.53none  
SLCCAnnual Subscription36.00none  
CatalystExtra 10GB of storage48.00none  
Hunts D CRates for Recreation Field13.18none  
  • Clerk’s working hours for March, a total of 27, were approved.  Clerk had queried her tax code with Payroll Services and that conversation highlighted an error, her hourly rate had not increased since April 2021, therefore back pay was due – Clerk waived the interim amount, but the hourly rate will be increased from April 2025 and backdated payment made for those months.
  • PKF Littlejohn are the appointed external auditors for this year’s audit.  The Clerk will commence the annual AGAR process and reports.

0199.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

  • There were no planning applications as at 11th April
    • School site – Parish Council’s response to the Secretary of state regarding the proposed Section 77 change.  Cllr Maciag shared his notes, these will be typed up, shared with Councillors for amendment and submitted by the deadline of 18th April.
    • District Councillor Alban forwarded an update on the Anaerobic Digester application, via Councillor Shacklock (North Northants) and this appears on the village website – an extension of time has been granted to the applicants.   

0200.24  Recreation Field – Sawtry Colts representative had enquired about regular use for training sessions and weekend matches as Greenfields at Sawtry is fully occupied.  After much discussion all agreed that, due to parking issues on and around the field, this would not be approved.

0201.24 Village Maintenance

a)  Noticeboard – another location was identified and it was agreed to replace the board outside the former school.  Clerk will complete a Huntingdonshire Futures grant in respect of this noticeboard.

DECISION to purchase a noticeboard up the the value of £1500 – proposed by Cllr Maciag and seconded by Cllr Hodson

b) Milking Slade Lane will be closed on 19th June to enable an electricity pole to be replaced – information has been added to the village website.

0203.24 Correspondence received since 18th March  2025 :

              a) NALC newsletters – dated                         Chief Executives Bulletin                   NALC events,

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads (92 in Cambridgeshire in March), Highways events planned for April – none locally,

  • Huntingdonshire District Council – Town and Parish Council newsletter forwarded to Parish Councillors , update on waste minimisation, Communities Service team notice,  press release about, advance notice of the Town and Parish Council Forum on 19th June at Burgess Hall, St Ives, survey about play areas in Huntingdonshire completed,

d) CAPALC –newsletter, future training dates

e) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for  March

f) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – nothing

g) Huntingdonshire Community Policing meetings – invitations to join online meetings on 24/9 and 15/12, both at 7pm.

h) Response from Sam Carling MP regarding Broadband issue – will follow up if a further request is received.

i) SLCC sent a link to a webinar about Devolution of Councils.

0204.24 Items for next meeting:       

                Donations to Charities – Cllr Moody to present a draft policy.          

0205.24 The next meeting will commence with the Annual Parish Council Meeting, to take place on Tuesday 20th May  starting at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding. 

  This will be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting, starting at 7.00pm

 
 
  

2025-03-18 Minutes of the Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting

2025-03-18 Minutes of the Great & Little Gidding  Parish Council meeting

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 18th March 2025

Present:  Councillors Maciag, Moody, Hargrave, Bolton and Hodson, District Councillor Alban and the Clerk.  

One member of the Public joined the meeting (CB)

0177.24 Cllr Maciag, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.

0178.24 Apologies were received from Cllr Ian Gardener due to ill health

0179.24 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interest

0180.24 One member of the Public was in attendance to enquire if there had been any     response to the broadband correspondence – Clerk advised that nothing has been heard to date.

0181.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 18th February 2025 were accepted by Cllrs Hodson and Hargrave.

0182.24 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.

                District Councillor Alban:

              He advised that an extraordinary meeting is to be held to discuss re-organisation of Councils.  No decisions have yet been made, lots of ideas are being discussed.  This will not affect the County Council elections in May.

              He has spoken to Councillor Shacklock of North Northants Council and no decision has been made regarding the A D unit application.

              The Saturday freighter service for green waste is not viable and, as the take up by householders of the paid collection has been much higher than anticipated, another option is being considered.

              Parking on double yellow lines will become a civil parking enforcement at the beginning of April.

              He encouraged us to watch/attend the Town and Council Forum events to keep updated of current activities and discussions.

              The District wide Parish Council meeting will take place after election date.

              Cllr Hargrave:

              The jitty between Main Street and Gaines Lane has become overgrown, lots of debris, fallen branches – Clerk will report this on the Highways reporting webpage.

              Deadline for the village newsletter is 26th March – Clerk asked to add that there are still Parish Councillor vacancies.

              Village Hall – the Net Zero Villages grant was not successful, other grant opportunities will be followed up as and when available.

              The small hall will be decorated over Easter weekend.

              Pickleball sessions will start in the next couple of months.

              A new charging policy takes effect from 1st April 2025.

              Cllr Moody:

              Requested that purchase of a noticeboard be added to the next agenda.

Clerk

  1. As requested by Cllrs, email sent to Connecting Cambridgeshire regarding gigabit capable broadband – County Councillor Gardener and Sam Carling MP copied in:

Automatic response from MP asking for name and address before correspondence replied to.   Nothing from other parties.  See 0187.24 below

  • At the request of Cllr Maciag, a reminder email has been sent to County Cllr Gardener regarding the school site requesting contact details for the CambsCC department/officer responsible for the site – no response received.  See 0184.24.

0183.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) February statements from Barclays Bank

***Interest rates on the Deposit Account are decreasing from 1.35% to 1.25% with effect from 13th May 2025.  This applies to Village Hall and Charity Deposit accounts too.

  • Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/02/2025 £1062.26  (includes £500 bequest)
    • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/2/2025  £25,676.65 ***
    • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/2/2025  – £101.70

b) PAYMENTS –  Clerk’s wage calculation is awaited, therefore no payments to be made at present:

WhoWhat forTOTALInvoice includes this VAT amountAuthorisedAuthorised
J R  TroloveWages for January (26 hours)XxxNILJRT 
Defibrillator account: WEL MedicalSpare parts for defibrillator (paid outside of meeting).149.94   
  • Clerk’s working hours for February approved as a total of 24. 
  • Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 after October 2025.  Cllr Bolton advised that it would still be possible to use Windows 10 after this date and there is unlikely to be any issues with laptop or using the Microsoft package. The current annual Microsoft package will automatically renew on 15th April via Clerk’s personal Paypal account.
  • The Defibrillator has been repaired as, due to a lack of power to the unit, it required repair and replacement parts.  The coordinator  is aware that funds will need to be raised to pay for future repairs/supplies.

0184.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

              There were no planning applications as at 14th March

              School site – a notice has appeared on the school fence.  In effect the County Council are advising a change of use, to enable the site be sold as a residential development site as there is no known use for educational purposes.  Cllr Maciag suggested a response is written to the Secretary of State for Education asking that an access strip be retained to allow vehicular access to the former school house – at present there is no such access and, if this building cannot be sold/used as a dwelling, there is a danger that it will become derelict and we wish to preserve this visible heritage asset in the centre of the village conservation area. 

              An item will be included in the village newsletter to encourage those who were concerned about the school closure, and the site, to write a response.

              A copy of the notice will be forwarded to Milton Estates (Peterborough) and, once our response has been written, that too will be sent to Milton Estates.

0185.24  Recreation Ground –  grass cutting contract for 2025

Bradgate have provided a quote for the 2025/26 contract. At the last meeting I was given discretion of a 12% addition on top of last year’s price of £90 per cut, but the increase is 17.14% at £105.43.

Clerk advised that Bradgate had cut the grass today (18th March 2025), although no contract has been agreed.  She will advise Bradgate that they have the contract for this year.

0186.24 Village Maintenance –

 Contractor updated, works will be carried out within Pound area only – he will liaise with the Clerk in advance of carrying out the work

0187.24 Speaker or subject for Annual Parish Meeting

            Clerk has been approached by Alconbury Flood Group who are carrying out works on Alconbury Brook, who have offered a speaker – Cllrs did not feel this affected our Parish.

            Clerk suggested asking Connecting Cambridgeshire to attend, and this met with approval – Clerk will invite their representative to attend.

0188.24 Donations to Charities – Cllr Moody will draft a policy and bring to the next meeting.

0189.24 Correspondence received since 18th February 2025 :

              a) NALC newsletters – dated                         Chief Executives Bulletin                   NALC events,

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads, reminder of the 20MPH funding scheme, Highways events planned for March – there are none in this area, micro surfacing programme by Highways Department – none for this area.  Way 2 Go Road Safety newsletter (4/3)

County Planning, Minerals and Waste – an email dated 27th January, with 32 pages of notes and guidance on revision of the Local Validation List for planning applications, Children’s Holiday activities and Food for Easter,

  • Huntingdonshire District Council – Town and Parish Council newsletter,

 press release about Council Budget, another re. tree planting in Priory Park, St Neots,  Launch of Public Engagement on Active Travel – invitation to visit venues for presentation and online survey to be completed,  invitation to Waste Minimisation event at Pathfinder House on 27th March, Local Government re-organisation documents, notes from the recent Town and Parish Council briefing and pack of documents to be downloaded, advance notice of the Town and Parish Council Forum on 19th June at Burgess Hall, St Ives, Temporary shop wraps for empty retail properties in Huntingdon, Net Zero projects and grants

d) CAPALC –newsletter, future training dates, requested their subscription but sent invoice for another parish, Clerk has requested the correct invoice

e) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for January/February, presentation on Rural Housing Needs,

f) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – bus franchising introduced in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area by the Mayor.

g) Huntingdonshire Community Policing meetings – invitations to join online meetings on 24/9 and 15/12, both at 7pm.

h) Abigail Benson, agent for Milton Estates regarding Little Gidding public footpath signs  – and a request from a walker about those footpaths too – this has now been resolved.

i) Defibrilator, water ingress and mouldy due to lack of power supply – spare parts ordered and will be fitted/have been fitted – see payment above.

0190.24 Items for next meeting:       

0191.24 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 15th April  starting at 7.30pm

              in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

Annual Parish Meeting – 20th May 2025

Annual Parish Meeting - 20th May 2025

Notice of the 2025 Annual Parish Meeting of Great and Little Gidding Parish Council

This meeting will take place on Tuesday 20th May 2025.

Starting at 7.00PM at Great Gidding 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 they wish regarding the village and comment on plans for the coming year.

All are welcome to come along.


AGENDA:

  1. Chairman’s welcome
  2. Minutes of the meeting held on 21st May 2024
  3. The Chairman’s Annual Report from the Parish Council
  4. Sarah Marsh, Head of Digital Connectivity | Connecting Cambridgeshire Programme Director, Place & Sustainability, Cambridgeshire County Council will speak on gigabit capable broadband
  5. Update on current tasks within the Parish and plans for 2025-2026
  6. For members of the public to present, discuss and resolve any other matters related to Great and Little Gidding Parish.

2025-02-18 Minutes of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting

2025-02-18 Minutes of Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting

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

One member of the Public joined the meeting (CB)

0164.24 Cllr Maciag, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting

0165.24 Apologies received:

  County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting

  District Councillor Alban – family commitment     

0166.24 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests relating to items on the Agenda

0167.24 One member of the public was present (CB) to enquire about an update on the broadband provision for the village, which he presented to the January meeting. Cllr Moody had carried out very comprehensive research and presented copies of her findings to those present and explained the content.  It was confirmed that we have superfast broadband in the village, if the “service” is to be improved, the following options will be followed:

              a) Parish Council to contact Gigaclear for an up to date position regarding supply to our village, and clarify if any surrounding villages are being considered, and request a statement for our village newsletter.  Also to write to the head of Connecting Cambridgeshire, also requesting a statement for the newsletter.

              b) via the village newsletter, provide contact details and request villagers to register with Project Gigabit/Gigaclear/City Fibre (all have an involvement with this project), to show there is a need.

              c) Parish Council and villagers to write to Sam Carling, MP for our area, asking for support with this request.

              Parishioner thanked the Parish Council and left the meeting.       

0168.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 21st January 2025 were confirmed by Cllr Hodson and seconded by Cllr Bolton.

0169.24 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.

Cllr Hodson requested that a note of thanks be sent to Milton Estates, following clearance of debris from the ditch alongside Chapel End, it would appear to have alleviated the problem.

Cllr Hargrave regarding Village Hall:

Fees are to be increased and simplified (re. electricity)

Vibrant Communities grant of £772.60 has been received, this in respect of recent coffee mornings and photographic competition and forthcoming wine tasting event.

Net Zero Villages grant has been applied for and are now obtaining quotes for insulation of the roof etc (deadline 28th February).

Future events are Wine Tasting (Village Hall committee to organise) and Treasures in the Attic and Open Studios (organised by others).

Cllr Maciag advised that he is working on maps to accompany the Neighbourhood Plan and it is hoped that this can be resubmitted to HuntsDC at the end of March.

Clerk: 

  1. the village website has been amended, Parish Council is now a standalone drop

     down list

  • Clerk attended the online Hunts DC meeting regarding changes to planning policy.  A link to the meeting and slides has been sent to Parish Councillors.
  • As requested by Cllr Maciag, an email has been sent to County Cllr Gardener regarding the school site.  Clerk was requested to remind him for a response.

0170.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) December bank statements from Barclays Bank are attached.

            Interest rates decreasing from 1.4% to 1.35% with effect from 11 March 2025

  • Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/02/2025 £380.29  (includes £500 bequest)
    • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/2/2025  £26,583.01
    • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/2/2025  – £251.64

b) PAYMENTS – the following payment was approved:

WhoWhat forTOTALInvoice includes this VAT amountAuthorisedAuthorised
J R  TroloveWages for December (21 hours)XxxNILJRT 
      
  • Clerk’s working hours for January – a total of 26, were approved.
  • Cllr Hodson’s balance sheet and budget spreadsheet shared with Councillors prior to the meeting – there were no questions.
  • Clerk will transfer fund from Interest account to current account to cover expenses to the end of the financial year.
  • Confirmation of Precept from Huntingdonshire District Council has been received.

0171.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

              There were none as at 14th February

0172.24  Recreation Ground – 

a)           Clerk will seek quotes for grass cutting contract for 2025.

              Perimeter hedge behind swings has been cut back by hand –by Cllr Hodson, the Clerk and M Trolove.

0173.24 Village Maintenance –

a) dog fouling around village, both on footpath and grass verges was highlighted on village newsletter (February 2025) and it is hoped has been noted by dog owners.

b) list of outstanding jobs (Clerk) – no change

c) LED street lamp replacement – Gidding Main Street is scheduled for May 2025           

d) 3 quotes for tree work at Pound, Recreation Field and Village Pond shared with Parish Councillors prior to meeting.  After discussion, it was agreed that the 3 dead elms should be removed from the Pound, together with any branches that are encroaching on overhead cables (but not those originating from surrounding land) but, if the use of traffic lights was still required, then contractor must confirm price.  All other proposed works will be postponed.

DECISION – to appoint ……………… as contractor for this project. NO DECISION as work required revised and requires further discussion with contractors.

e) Road surface gritting treatment – Main Street is top of the list for 2025.

0174.24 Correspondence received since 21st January 2025 :

              a) NALC newsletters – dated                         Chief Executives Bulletin                   NALC events,

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads, reminder of the 20MPH funding scheme, the Library Presents spring programme for March to July 2025, Highways events planned for March – there are none in this area, micro surfacing programme by Highways Department – none for this area.

County Planning, Minerals and Waste – an email dated 27th January, with 32 pages of notes and guidance on revision of the Local Validation List for planning applications

c) Huntingdonshire District Council – Town and Parish Council newsletter, press release about tree planting in Priory Park, St Neots,  Launch of Public Engagement on Active Travel – invitation to visit venues for presentation and online survey to be completed,

https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/news/council-launches-public-engagement-on-active-travel/

d) CAPALC –newsletter, future training dates, Railway 200 events during 2025

e) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for January/February, presentation on Rural Housing Needs,

f) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – bus franchising introduced in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area by the Mayor.

g) email from Ron Bailey, Parliamentary Safety advisor to the charity Electrical Safety First, about the safety of lithium batteries.

h) Keep Britain Tidy – the 10th Great British Spring Clean will take place from 21 March – 6 April

i) request to share the letter from Teversham Parish Council to Matthew Pennycook MP – regarding surveys and lengthy documents that Parish Councils are now asked to consider.

j) CARESCO – letter requesting funding/donation.  After some discussion, it was agreed to bring this to the next meeting.  Clerk will note in Minutes when a donation has been made to Charity – to date in 2024/25 donations have been made to Village Hall for the purchase of pickleball equipment and Gidding Charity towards the grass cutter.

0162.24 Items for next meeting:

              Donations to Charities

              Annual Parish Meeting – speaker and content

0163.24 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18th March  starting at 7.30pm

              in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

Village Hall payments were approved.

The meeting closed at 21.19

2025-01-21 Minutes of the Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting.

2025-01-21 Minutes of the Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting.

Present:  Councillors Maciag, Moody, Hargrave, Bolton and Hodson, County Councillor Gardener and the Clerk.  One member of the Public joined the meeting (CB)

0150.24 Cllr Maciag, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting

0151.24 Apologies and reasons for absence:

              District Councillor Alban – attending another Parish Council meeting        

0152.24 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda

0153.24 1 member of the public was in attendance regarding his communications with Gigaclear (see 161.24(i)).  He is unhappy with the internet signal to his home and requested the Parish Council to insist that CambsCC implement their programme for the village, as defined in Connecting Cambridgeshire.  Cllr Moody will research the subject and report back at the February meeting.  Resident left the meeting.

0154.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 17th December 2024 were accepted by Cllr Bolton and seconded by Cllr Maciag.

0155.24 Reports  from Councillors and Clerk:

            County Councillor Gardener

            It is likely that the current structure of local government will be replaced.  Cambridgeshire will include Peterborough area, but there is the possibility of 2 unitary authorities.  Further details to follow, with a decision to be taken in Autumn 2025.

            Highways Dept are revising their online reporting page and follow up systems.

            Applications for 20MPH LHI bids are being accepted between 27th January and 25th March.

            TING community bus is now known as TIGER, operating Monday to Friday between 6.30AM and 7.00PM – bookings can be made on 01480 595440.

            Consultation is ongoing regarding remote access to meetings.

            Cambs County Council portion of Council Tax will increase by 4.99%

            Fire authority will increase their Council Tax apportionment by £4.95.

            Kimbolton Fire station – the whole service is still being considered but more people have volunteered for the role of fire fighter.

            He will be asking questions of CambsCC regarding the new school at Sawtry as, it was assured that when Great Gidding School closed in July 2023, the displaced children could transfer to this new school – building has not yet commenced.

            Cllr Gardener left the meeting to attend another Parish Council meeting.

            Cllr Hodson:

            A working day, and ongoing works, in Jubilee Wood has resulted in groundcover being cut back extensively.

            Parishioners will be asked, via village social media, for donations of money to make up the shortfall in funding for the replacement grass cutter and for donations of time and work to keep areas of the Wood tidy.

Cllr Hargrave:

Village Hall are holding a coffee morning (25th January) to complete the Photographic Competition (70+ entries).

Small Hall will be decorated on weekend of 1st-2nd February (postponed).

Application for grant to improve insulation in the Main Hall is to be submitted to Cambs Net Zero project.

Also considering submission of a Vibrant Village Hall grant.

A newsletter requires content, for publication in early February.

Dog fouling is increasing around the Parish – how can this be improved/resolved.

Cllr Maciag:

Compilation of the Neighbourhood Plan design guide is progressing.

Mr Nott of Milton Estates (Peterborough) has advised that no progress is being made in respect of the school house site, due to lack of engagement from CambsCC (the previous contact no longer employed) and only a consultant who has no authority to discuss/decide matters.  He has requested Parish Council to try to move this forward.  After discussion, it was agreed to request Cllr Gardener to intervene, obtain contact details and an update.  If this fails, a formal complaint will be raised with CambsCC as this site is perceived as deteriorating and vulnerable.

0156.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) December bank statements from Barclays Bank were shared prior to the meeting.

            Interest rates decreasing from 1.4% to 1.35% with effect from 11 March 2025

  • Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/01/2025 £1196.74  (includes £500 bequest)
    • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/1/2025  £26,583.01
    • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/1/2025  – £251.64

Cllr Hodson had provided his monthly summary of the accounts and pointed out that, as the unspent Neighbourhood Plan grant monies had been refunded to Govt, there was currently no budget in respect of the Plan until Govt release further funding.

b) PAYMENTS – to approve online payments in respect of the following:

***Clerk’s wage slip was not available, therefore payment up to the sum of £300 was approved.

WhoWhat forTOTALInvoice includes this VAT amountAuthorisedAuthorised
J R  TroloveWages for November (26 hours)  ***XxxNILJRT 
J R TROLOVEREPLACEMENT MOUSE5.99NIL  
Cambs ACREAnnual subscription65.00Invoice awaited  
WicksteedRec Field Inspection18030.00  
  • to approve Clerk’s working hours for December – total of 21
  • Precept information from Huntingdonshire District Council was viewed

0157.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

  1. Application ref: 25/00018/FUL – installation of solar panels to 24 – 34 Main Street.  Response required by 29th January.  Councillors agreed this was a great idea and unanimously approved.
  2. It was noted that the plot between 65 and 67 Main Street will be known as Grain Dryer Barn, 65A Main Street.

0158.24  Allotments:

              a) renewal of short term lease between The Gidding Charity and Great & Little Gidding Parish Council – renewal with the payment to remain at £400 per annum was approved by Cllrs Moody, Hargrave and Maciag

              b) advisory note – one tenant of a joint tenancy has died and the tenancy has changed to a sole tenant.

0159.24 Village Maintenance –

a) list of outstanding jobs (Clerk) – ongoing

              b) Chapel End dyke – Milton Estates to carry out some work

c) Winwick Road – Clerk has reported vegetation overhanging onto the highway – Highways reporting via online report.           

d) Quote for tree work at Pound and Village Pond from Manor Farm Tree Services, comparative quotes sought.  Clarify areas for cutting with Councillor Maciag.  Further quotes have been requested

e) Clerk had a conversation with representative of DEFRA/Flood Management group re. Parish Pond on Winwick Road – his report is awaited.

f) Road surface gritting treatment – Main Street is top of the list for 2025.

0160.24 Section 137 Funding request

Councillor Hargrave – request for funding for the Village Hall to purchase equipment for Pickleball  (https://www.pickleballengland.org/) – approved by all.

0161.24 Correspondence received since 17th December 2024:

              a) NALC newsletters – dated                         Chief Executives Bulletin                   NALC events,

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads, Stay Well this Winter information packs available, Traffic Management events – 11th January – Straw bear festival,

c) Huntingdonshire District Council – Town and Parish Council newsletter (forwarded to Parish Councillors),  details of Band D Council Tax will not be confirmed until after Friday 17th January (our precept return has already been submitted, but there may be some slight changes),

d) Cambs ACRE – Rural Affordable Housing letter and document, Staying in Touch newsletter,

e) CAPALC –newsletter, future training dates, Railway 200 events during 2025

f) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for November.

g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – nothing

h) Parish Online newsletter for December and January.

i) letter from parishioner regarding broadband connection in the parish (Cllrs IG and TA have been sent copies). 

0162.24 Items for next meeting:

              Cllr Moody to report on Connecting Cambridgeshire research.

0163.24 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18th February starting at 7.30pm

              in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

February Parish Council Newsletter for Great and Little Gidding

February Parish Council Newsletter for Great and Little Gidding

The Parish Council has published the February 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.


Download the February edition of the Parish Council Newsletter

Photo competition results

Photo competition results

Message from the organisers:

Firstly a huge thanks to you for submitting a photo or 3: they were excellent and very varied from the humorous to the beautiful. In total we had 75 entries so there was a lot to view. They made the coffee morning a huge success (along with the fantastic cakes) and gave people a lot of enjoyment and difficult decisions on who to give their vote to. 

Great Gidding Photo Competition coffee morning Jan 2025

As promised all will be displayed either individually as the 4 winners based on the popular vote or together with others. We had 68 voting slips returned to us:

– 62 of the 75 photos received at least 1 vote

– 31 of the 75 photos were awarded first place by one or more people

The 4 winners

In 1st place

Tess Butler - Church in Spring

In 2nd place

Richard Downer - Cycle Race

In 3rd place

Jack Bolton - Church Spire 2

In 4th place 

Paul Crank - St John's in the Snow

Thanks again for your brilliant photos. I know some of them have been converted into Christmas cards in the past and perhaps we should create a calendar. If we decide to do this we will obviously ask permission first.

2024-12-17 Minutes of the Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting

2024-12-17 Minutes of the Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting

Present:  Councillors Maciag, Moody, Hargrave, Bolton and Hodson, District Councillor Alban and the Clerk.  

0137.24 Cllr Maciag, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.

0138.24 Apologies for absence were received from County Cllr Gardener due to ill health.         

0139.24 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests.

0140.24 No members of the Press or Public were present.

0141.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 19th November 2024 were confirmed as a correct    record by Cllr Moody, seconded by Cllr Hargrave

0142.24 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.

            District Councillor Alban:

The district-wide Parish Council meeting was attended by the Operations Team – it would appear that few Councils have taken up the offer of 10 “communal” green bins and the use of the Saturday freighters is to be assessed

He had advised full Council of the District Council that the Local Plan portal was difficult to use and therefore many may not have submitted comments.  The Call for Sites exercise continues until mid 2025.

Following the recent Government announcement proposing changes to the set up of Councils, there are likely to be changes ahead which may affect local elections in 2025.

Cllr Moody had carried out considerable research of the Autospeed watch device and recommended that this was not installed in our village at this time (see https://bringtonmolesworth-pc.gov.uk for further details)

Cllr Moody also requested an amendment to the village website, to make Parish Council pages easier to find.  Clerk will discuss with website designers.

Cllr Hargrave gave an update of Village Hall matters:

The Quiz night was successful, a spreadsheet of income and expenditure was provided.

Photo competition is planned for January 2025.  Picture rails or similar are to be installed for this event, and for future use.

All Cllrs supported the application for “greening” the village hall, the possibility of replacing the roof, thereby enabling further insulation to be installed was discussed – Cllrs Hargrave and Maciag to complete the expression of interest form – deadline 26th January.

Clerk – closure of Main Street on 2nd December did not happen, no future date has been received for works to be carried out.

We have received the go-ahead to co-opt persons to Parish Councillor roles.

0143.24FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) November bank statements from Barclays Bank were shared prior to the meeting.

                 Interest rates decreasing from 1.4% to 1.35% with effect from 11 March 2025

  • Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/12/2024 £2565.27  (includes £500 bequest)
    • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 4/12/2024  £26,583.01
    • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/12/2024 – £251.64

b) PAYMENTS – Cllrs Moody and Hargrave approved the following payments:

WhoWhat forTOTALInvoice includes this VAT amountAuthorisedAuthorised
J R  TroloveWages for October  (32 hours) +backdated to AprilXxxNILJRT 
M AllgoodHedge cutting around Recreation Ground114.0019.00  
Cambs ACREAnnual subscription65.00Invoice awaited  
  • Clerk’s working hours for November, a total of  26, were approved by all

0144.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

  1. Planning application amendment requested to existing approval in respect of 65-67 Main Street (extension of time for response granted) – Councillors had no comments to make regarding the amendments.
  2. CIL notice and payment in respect of approval of 65-67 Main Street.  Clerk will make enquiries about the process to claim this and when is it is due to Parish Council.

0145.24 Recreation Field – note that the Planning permission for MUGA will expire in 26 May 2025.        Due to the costs involved, it was agreed that this project should lapse

              Hedge behind swing frames and alongside cycle track will need cutting by hand – a working party will be arranged for early in 2025 but this will be weather dependent.

0146.24 Village Maintenance – the Clerk had compiled list of outstanding jobs.  It is hoped to find a company to carry out most of these tasks, one or two may require specialist trades.

              Chapel End dyke – Milton Estates had visited and cleared a small section.  Water was still being held back by debris and it was felt that clearance using a digger and back to the junction with the culvert from Gaines Lane is required to be successful.

              Quote for tree work at Pound and Village Pond forwarded to Councillors prior to the meeting.  Due to the cost of the quote, further contractors will be asked to submit their figures.  Also,  concerns were expressed that the quote was not reflective of work that needs doing, may include Milton Estates owned trees, should include the scrubby area opposite the Parish Pond (CambsCC Highways owned verge).  Cllr Maciag will liaise with Clerk to move this forward.

0147.24 Correspondence received since 15th November 2024:

              a) NALC newsletters – dated                         Chief Executives Bulletin                   NALC events,

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads, Stay Well this Winter information packs available,

c) Huntingdonshire District Council – Town and Parish Council newsletter,  press release regarding Park, Town and Parish Forum notes and documents from the meeting are shared, Community Health and Wealth Building Strategy for rural Huntingdonshire, St Neots skate park upgrade, Civil Injunction order for St Neots town centre, details of Band D Council Tax will not be confirmed until after Friday 17th January (our precept return has already been submitted, but there may be some slight changes), electric vehicle charging Infrastructure – offers withdrawn, Civil Parking Enforcement taking place throughout Huntingdonshire, Net Zero villages grants available, the WorkWell programme to assist individuals back to work or to stay in work,

d) Cambs ACRE – Rural Affordable Housing letter and document, Staying in Touch newsletter,

e) CAPALC –newsletter, future training dates, f) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for November.

f) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership –

g) UKCE – cycling event on Saturday 8th March 2025 – it is believed this will not entail the closure of Main Street

h) Tagmaster Ltd – road safety and sustainable traffic monitoring – forwarded to Cllr Moody – see report above

i) SLCC email dated 10 December regarding the growing number of consultation documents, lengthly paperwork etc that Parish Councils are being requested to consider/read/complete – Clerk will continue to complete surveys that affect/impact/involve our rural area and will forward consultation documents to Councillors on the same basis.

0148.24 Items for next meeting:

              Ideas for a speaker/event for Annual Meeting

0`49.24 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 21st January, starting at 7.30pm

              in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

Village Hall payments for co-authorisation were approved.

Meeting closed as 21.12

December Parish Council Newsletter for Great and Little Gidding

December Parish Council Newsletter for Great and Little Gidding

The Parish Council has published the December 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.


Download the December edition of the Parish Council Newsletter

2024-11-19 Minutes of the Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting.

2024-11-19 Minutes of the Great & Little Gidding Parish Council meeting.

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 19th November 2024

Present:  Councillors Maciag, Moody, Hargrave and the Clerk.  

Two members of the public (DD/SK).

0121.24 Councillor Maciag, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.

0122.24 To receive apologies and reasons for absence

             County Cllr Gardener – another meeting

            District Cllr Alban – another meeting

Cllr Bolton – holiday

            Cllr Hodson – illness

0123.24 There were no declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda

0124.24 Two members of the public were present to express thanks to the Parish Council for prompt submission of responses to the Local Plan sites on the HuntsDC website, and posted via the village website and noticeboard.

0125.24 Minutes of the meeting held on 15th October 2024 were confirmed as a correct record, proposed by Cllrs Moody and Hargrave

0126.24 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk.

            Clerk –

Clerk’s appraisal still outstanding.

Electoral Services Office at Hunts DC advised of the 2 x Parish Councillor vacancies, posted on the VH noticeboard and village website on 8/11/2024.

            Weeds in the Parish will be sprayed off again by CambsCC during November.

Cllr Moody is carrying out further research regarding ANPR cameras.

Cllr Maciag advised that the village surveys are now complete and the Neighbourhood Plan is being prepared for resubmission to Hunts DC.

Cllr Hargrave re. Village Hall:

Plans for the Quiz night are going well, the event is fully booked.

Having to pay out in advance – considering a debit card for the future

Sum Up machine has proved a problem and now taking payments via SQUARE.

0126.24 FINANCIAL MATTERS:

             a) October bank statements from Barclays Bank are attached.

            Interest rates decreasing from 1.95% to 1.9% with effect from 19 December.

  • Parish Council (everyday) Account  – balance as at 4/11/2024 £2916.33  (includes £500 bequest)
    • Parish Council Deposit Account – balance as at 204/11/2024  £26,483.97
    • Defibrillator account – balance as at 4/9/2024 – £250.70

b) PAYMENTS – payments were approved by all:

WhoWhat forTOTALInvoice includes this VAT amountAuthorisedAuthorised
J R  TroloveWages for September  (23.5hours)XxxNILJRT 
Bradgate Grounds MaintenanceGrass cutting for (Invoice     13th cut of the contract – total of 12Invoice not received36.00JRT 
WicksteedAnnual inspection180.0030.00  
M AllgoodHedge cutting around Recreation GroundInvoice awaited   
  • Clerk’s working hours for October – approved as a total of 32.  Payroll Services had advised that Clerk’s hourly rate had increased in April and pay will be backdated.
  • The Budget to 4th October, was made available prior to the meeting, there were no observations or adjustments

0127.24  PLANNING applications and  matters:

  1. Huntingdonshire District Council Local Plan – email receipts received in respect of each of the comments submitted in respect of the Great Gidding sites and the Sustainability exercise.  See 0124.24 above, Letter also received from residents regarding the site adjacent to Village Hall – Clerk sent emails to all concerned including comment from Local Plan website about importance of making comments at this stage rather than awaiting submission of a planning application.
  2. There are no planning applications in the Parish to date (15/11/2024) since the last meeting
  3. Hemington, Luddington, Thurning Parish Clerk copied us in on a request to Cornerstone  regarding the provision of a 5G mast in the vicinity, Galliford Try are no longer involved in the project.

   The Clerk for Hemington, Luddington, Thurning assisted our Parish Clerk by requesting     an update on the digester unit application – a further extension of time has been agreed for consultation with CambsCC Highways.

0128.24 Recreation Field – perimeter hedge was cut last week, invoice awaited.

              Wicksteed have provided their annual inspection report.  This was sent to Councillors on 8th November.  Cllr Moody recommended that works should be carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the inspector – see 0129.24 in respect of trades to carry out the work.

0129.24 Village Maintenance – benches – another tradesman contacted – not his area of work.  Cllr Maciag will contact a tradesman that he knows of.  Clerk will draw up a list of maintenance jobs within the Parish, to enable a quote to be obtained.

              Chapel End dyke – requires clearance, adjacent to Milton Estate land, CambsCC Highways and WAVE/Anglian Water have looked at area and indicated that the blocked dyke is the problem – Clerk will contact Milton Estates as riparian owner of the dyke.

              Work on the Pound and the Parish Pond will require traffic management, the tree surgeon is obtaining a quote, and an overall quote was received immediately before the meeting – Clerk will forward to Cllrs for consideration.

              Email dated 1 November from CambsCC  regarding grass verge maintenance – all areas to be identified to continue the service – Clerk will liaise with Cllr Hodson to identify and confirm areas (by 8th December).

   Noticeboard – examples and prices shared            of 12 and 16 sheet external use board – Clerk requested to purchase a board, this will be sited opposite the Village Hall to enable easier access for all.  Cllr Hargrave requested use of the existing board for Village Hall use.  Cllr Moody requested Parish Council name to be included on the board.

0130.24 Allotments – hedge between allotments and Jubilee Wood has been cut.

0131.24 To adopt the Financial Regulations as revised by NALC (sent to Parish Councillors on and to accept their recommendations

            DECISION – to adopt the Financial Regulations as revised by NALC approved by those present        

0132.24 Newsletter – future issues frequency/content/format. Cllr Hargrave is seeking advice with a view to producing a newsletter in December.

0133.24 LHI bid – this Parish Council will not be submitting an application for 2025/26.

Major Capital Highways Investment, invitation from CambsCC to submit details, as follows:

            “request is for larger scale capital investment, which may include the following:

  • Major resurfacing or reconstruction of a significant length of road or footway/cycleway.
  • Installation of a new drainage system or replacement of a failed existing highway drainage system where there is severe flooding on the road.
  • Major maintenance of a Public Right of Way which may be unpassable or difficult to use.”

0134.24 Correspondence received since 15th October 2024:

              a) NALC newsletters – dated                         Chief Executives Bulletin                   NALC events,

b) Cambridgeshire County Council –Cambridgeshire Matters monthly edition, Traffic Management Centre incident report for roads, reminder of application deadline for Local Highways 2025/26 – 10/1/2025, The Library presents – listing of events for Autumn,  grass cutting verges and maintenance – feedback required,  Highways events – Remembrance Sunday only, details of Pension Credit/Winter Fuel allowance link, details of Christmas Holiday Scheme places for children, Road Safety information for Winter 2024,

c) Huntingdonshire District Council – Town and Parish Council newsletter,  press release regarding biodiversity works in Riverside Park, St Neots, and Hill Rise Park, St Ives, Town and Parish Forum notes and documents from the meeting are shared, dates for bin collections over Christmas and New Year holidays, reminder of Garden Waste subscription renewal, CIL funding 1:1 discussion on 19th November, Press release regarding Public Spaces Protection Order for Ramsey

d) CAPALC –newsletter, future training dates, survey on re-use of graves (closed 15th November).

f) Cambs Acre – Staying in Touch newsletter for October. ). Invitation to online meeting regarding community buildings that need help.

g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough/Greater Cambridge Partnership – poster received in respect of bus services survey,

h) https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/enabling-remote-attendance-and-proxy-voting-at-local-authority-meetings/enabling-remote-attendance-and-proxy-voting-at-local-authority-meetings

i) Police – Teams meeting on Tuesday 3rd December 1900-2000 – Clerk can provide the link.

0135.24 Items for next meeting:

   Review of grass cutting contract           

0136.24 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 17th December  2024

              in the Village Hall, Main Street, Great Gidding.

Village Hall payments were approved.

Meeting closed at 20.50