If you have any feedback about the Neighbourhood Plan please visit the Feedback Form on Google Docs.
The Neighbourhood Plan team will also be hosting a meeting to discuss any points on:
Saturday 20th September at 10.30
in Great Gidding Village Hall
For more information please email us on hamwicking@gmail.com or ring Paul Hargrave on 07775 711514.
Firstly apologies for the radio silence in 2024 regarding the Neighbourhood Plan. Some of you may have seen us with clipboards however looking at the buildings across the 3 parishes. The endeavour was larger than we initially thought and as well as the actual Neighbourhood Plan, we have also had to survey the 5 villages and create two additional documents, namely the contextual analysis and the green spaces report.
Today we are starting the consultation period for 8 weeks. This is a formal part of the process whereby we ask for feedback from both yourself and various external bodies such as Natural England. Unfortunately due to lack of budget we cannot print out physical copies of the document, nor due to the size of the documents we cannot attach them to an email.
Download the documents
Therefore Jeff has created the following link from which you can download the 3 documents:
https://web.tresorit.com/l/J7los#1pQW7pajBxWNBXygIJXCyA
If you have any feedback about the Neighbourhood Plan please visit the Feedback Form on Google Docs.
The Neibourhood Plan team will also be hosting a meeting to discuss any points on Saturday 20th September at 10.30 in Great Gidding Village Hall, please email us on hamwicking@gmail.com or ring Paul on 07775 711514.
Thank you for your support
The team
Preparations for the new Local Plan for Huntingdonshire are underway and the District Council are asking residents to help to create it.
A Local Plan is a crucial for the future development of Huntingdonshire, it helps us achieve the goals set out in the Huntingdonshire Futures Place Strategy and Corporate Plan to 2028.
The plan influences policies that help shape housing, infrastructure, and employment while addressing vital issues like climate change, affordability, and flooding. The aim is to achieve sustainable development that meets today’s needs without compromising the needs of future generations.
Last year, the council asked for input and used the feedback to shape our options.
The council are now consulting on three key documents:
How to take part
There are several in-person events from 2 PM to 8 PM where residents can view the Local Plan documents, ask questions, and share their thoughts.
Upcoming Dates & Locations:
Alternatively please visit online consultation site to submit feedback.
Emails with comments can be sent to local.plan@huntingdonshire.gov.uk Anyone who would like to copy me in or contact me can do so via tim.alban@huntingdonshire.gov.uk
We are organising three informal events to get your feedback. We will take you through why we are creating a Neighbourhood Plan, the survey results and our provisional conclusions. We hope you can come to a meeting, even if you have to venture to another village hall.
The three meetings are on:
Each one will be the same format, involve most of the team, have some refreshments and last around 45 minutes to an hour. We hope you can make it.
If you want any further information please email hamwicking@gmail.com.
Kind regards
The team
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 19th April
Present: Councillors Hodson, Hargrave, Moody, Maciag and D’Altilia, County Councillor Gardener and the Clerk.
001.23 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting.
002.23 To receive apologies and reasons for absence
Cllr Bolton – holiday
District Councillor Alban – another meeting
003.23 Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
Cllr Hargrave for 009.23B – Planning
004.23 There were no members of the public or press present.
005.23 Minutes of the meeting held on 21st March 2023 were confirmed as a correct record –
Cllrs Hargrave proposed and Cllr Maciag responded.
006.23 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that would not be discussed as an agenda item.
007.23 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
County Councillor Gardener advised that the next meeting of Children and Young People’s committee would take place on Tuesday 25th April. At that meeting there will be a recommendation for Great Gidding school to close at the end of the academic year. He will attend the meeting and express dismay at the closure. Parents of children living in the school catchment area will be offered support for home to school transport (this may be bus/taxi or financial), and there is a grant (amount dependent on chosen school) towards the cost of school uniform. He will report back immediately after the CYP meeting.
Cllr Moody asks that he reinforce the need for support, as described above, for parents.
Cllr Gardener advised that the TING bus has a new operator and will visit Great Gidding on Friday 2nd June as part of a roadshow, to promote the service.
He reminded us that the 20MPH Scheme applications should be submitted by 30th April.
Cambs County Council are suggesting an extension to the guided busway around Madingley, also the referendum, for introduction of a congestion charge to enter Cambridge, was turned down.
Cllr Hargrave enquired about a HuntsDC directive on dogs on leads – Clerk will research.
Clerk asked Councillors who would maintain and download statistics from the speed awareness sign, this information would be of use to the Neighbourhood Plan Group – Cllrs D’Altilia and Maciag will take a look at this.
There were no other reports from Councillors
008.23 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account had been shared prior to the meeting.
b) PAYMENTS – the following payments were approved:
After discussion, Councillors decided that Data Protection cover was not required and £225.49 will be paid for CAPALC’s annual affiliation fee only
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised | |
| J R Trolove | Wages for February ( 40 hours ) | Xxx | NIL | JRT | ||
| Firetext (April) | Messaging Service | 14.40 | 2.40 | JRT | ||
| CAPALC | Annual affiliation fee | 225.49 or 275.49 with Data Protection Scheme | ||||
| Inkwell Printers (Paid prior to meeting) | Spring newsletter | 40.00 | NIL | |||
| SLCC | Annual membership | 36.00 | NIL | |||
| BHIB insurance – hire of Coronation equipment | Additional premium | No charge | NIL | |||
| Julie Trolove (re-imbursement) for the Big Game Hunter | Purchase of games for Coronation event | 247.92 | To be confirmed | |||
| VILLAGE HALL A C Clark | Village hall cleaning | 16.75 | NIL |
009.23 PLANNING applications and other planning matters:
There are no new planning applications as at 14th April 2023
Erection of a single dwelling
Adjacent to Church Farm 41 Main Street Great Gidding Huntingdon PE28 5NU
Comments by 6th May
Councillors had studied the revised plans and wish to submit a refusal. Clerk was asked to resubmit the original refusal, pointing out that the proposed property driveway is still too close to No 45, also exit from the property will be too steep at a point on Main Street where it would be dangerous, with insufficient sight lines to pull out onto the road, exacerbated by the curve in the road combined with vehicles having to cross the public footpath. Also, should the property be built as proposed, it would leave Church Farm house with very little surrounding garden which would be detrimental to this property. RECOMMEND REFUSAL
d) Sawtry Neighbourhood Plan (email 12/4) – the document had been shared with Councillors prior to the meeting, they do not wish to submit a response.
010.23 20MPH scheme for Little Gidding – Cllr Bolton’s had advised prior to the meeting that he was in the process of compiling the paperwork. Cllr Gardener has confirmed his support of the proposed scheme.
011.23 Great Gidding CofE (VC) Controlled School – once the decision is known, should it be for closure of the school, the Parish Council will request a visit to the school to view the premises.
Cllr Hodson made the following addition to the Minutes:
We agreed that we would look to get support from our County and District councillors and our MP to lobby for the playground to become a village amenity. We then agreed that as a separate matter (which is really a VH committee decision) is that we would ask to visit the school building at some point, but being mindful of the teachers personal situations, that this could be delayed for a while.
012.23 GWH Neighbourhood Plan update – initial consultation period ended 21st March 2023
Minutes from the meeting held on 22nd March were shared prior to the meeting. There is a delay in the release of funding being allocated by the Government’s Levelling Up Department, via HuntsDC, and Cllr Maciag requested that the Parish Council fund the printing of documents so that the project could continue without delay – this will be an item for decision on the May agenda.
013.23 Annual Parish Meeting, starting at 7PM on 16th May
The notice has been displayed on the noticeboard and will be added to the website.
Speaker from Neighbourhood Plan Group will address the meeting
014.23 Preparation for the Coronation of King Charles III
Clerk advised that there is slow progress on residents signing up for events, but there is progress. Councilors made offers of assistance for the weekend.
Cllr D’Altilia’s draft of the information booklet had been shared prior to the meeting, it is hoped that this will be printed and distributed prior to the Coronation weekend.
015.23 Recreation Ground – damage to wooden play equipment had been reported by a resident. Cllr Hodson had made safe the item of equipment and recommends that, as items are deteriorating, quotes are sought for removal. In addition the slide steps require some work, seek quotes for replacement of these.
016.23 Correspondence received since 21st March 2023:
a) NALC newsletters – dated 22/3+28/3+5/4+12/4, Chief Executives Bulletin 24/3+31/3+6/4+14/4, 28/3 +4/4 NALC events,
b) Cambridgeshire County Council – 28/3 Cambridgeshire Matters, 30/3 Temporary Road Closure of Milking Slade Lane between May and August (but for short periods of time), 3/4 Traffic management Centre report and invite to training, 13/4 Highways list of roads for resurfacing (nearest is Stilton),
c) Huntingdonshire District Council – 27/3 call for sites consultation for the Local Plan, 29/3 Draft Settlement Hierarchy Methodology Consultation (ends 10 May), Consultation for Call for Sites Spring 2023 for Local Plan (ends 7 June)- also poster for display 12/4, Draft Land Availability Assessment Methodology, , 31/3 funding for Health & Wellbeing sessions, 30/3 Huntingdonshire Futures Place Strategy announcement, 3/4 Polling Station Questionnaire, 13/4 request for information about Coronation events,
d) CAPALC – March newsletter
e) Economic Development Huntingdonshire DC invest@huntingdonshire.gov.uk – weekly Business News – 23/3+30/3+6/4+13/4
f) Cambs Acre – 31/3 Staying in touch newsletter, 4/4 Rural Housing,
g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough –
h) Parish Online newsletter
i) Neighbourhood Alert/ECOPS etc – News from the Courts email 22/3+27/3+3/4+11/4, 27/3 WhatsApp scam alert, 27/3 newsletter from Police & Crime Commissioner, 27/3 catalytic convertor thefts, 3/4 newsletter, also brazen thief , 5/4 how to protect your home, 10/4 Emergency Alerts information
j) North Northamptonshire Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan Consultation
k) cpft NHS – 11/4 Dementia Support Worker with the Dementia Carers Support Service.
l) 11/4 Emails from Cllr Bryony Goodliffe, Shailesh Vara, Tim Alban, Ian Gardener re. the future of Great Gidding School
223.22 Items for next meeting:
Annual Parish Meeting – to start at 7.00PM
Annual Parish Council meeting, to follow on from Annual Parish Meeting
Parish Council meeting:
Neighbourhood Plan funding requirements
Further information regarding Great Gidding School, following CambsCC decision
Recreation Ground equipment
224.22 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 16th May 2023
The Annual Parish Meeting will commence at 7.00PM, to which residents are invited to attend, followed by the Parish Council meeting. Both take place in the Village Hall, Great Gidding.
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 21st March
Present: Councillors Hargrave, Moody, Hodson, Maciag, D’Altilia and Bolton, and the Clerk.
208.22 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting
209.22 Apologies and reasons for absence:
County Councillor Gardener – at another meeting
District Councillor Alban – at another meeting. He has sent a report for distribution to Parishioners
Councillor D’Altilia – work commitment.
210.22 Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
211.22 Mr Iain Nott and his colleague from Milton Estates (Peterborough) joined the meeting, together with Paul Hargrave representing the Neighbourhood Plan group.
212.22 Minutes of the meeting held on 21st February 2023 were confirmed as a correct record by Councillor Hargrave, seconded by Cllr Bolton
213.22 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.
214.22 There were no reports from Councillors and Clerk.
215.22 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account were shared prior to the meeting and Cllr Hodson had shared his balance sheet too
The Precept Notice has been received and shared prior to the meeting.
b) PAYMENTS – the following online payments were approved:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised | |
| J R Trolove | Wages for December (29.5 hours | Xxx | NIL | JRT | ||
| Firetext | Messaging Service | 14.40 | 2.40 | JRT | ||
| Great Gidding Village Hall | Hire of hall and Parish Office | £550.00 | NIL | JRT |
216.22 No planning applications or other planning matters to discuss.
217.22 Mr Nott, agent for Milton Estates (Peterborough) gave an outline of the Estate involvement in the village – there are currently 3 sites being considered for development. The Estate are willing to discuss the aspirations of the village, also be willing to discuss options for the future of the school site and its environs, should the consultation outcome advise that the school is to close. It was felt that the Neighbourhood Plan will be an indication of what parishioners want in terms of change
218.22 The formal consultation document notification in respect of the future of Great Gidding School has been displayed on the Village Hall noticeboard since Tuesday 14th March. A note to the online link will be included in the next Gidding News. It has been indicated that the decision will be taken and made known on 28th April.
Should the decision be taken to close the school, a request for Parish Councillors to visit the school will be made to the governors.
Councillor Hodson advised that a number of children moved to other local schools at half term, others will be moving at Easter.
219.22 Neighbourhood Plan group will meet on 22nd March. 3 x residential questionnaires have been compiled, one for each parish, together with a questionnaire for businesses. Printing will take place in April. Online completion will be available too.
An application will be made to Locality (a central Government department) for funding. Clerk has advised that, to comply with this Parish Council’s financial regulations, where any element of cost is over £500, 3 comparative quotes should be obtained.
220.22 Communication with Parishioners:
Spring 2023 Gidding News – a draft was shared at the meeting and, after the suggested changes, this will be sent to printers next week.
221.22 A spreadsheet of the events and activities was shared at the meeting with details of Coronation Weekend. Cllr Hargrave added more information – she and the Clerk will liaise with Pub and Church regarding activities and advertise/promote events.
Cllr Bolton agreed to liaise with the company who quoted for hire of equipment to enable the viewing of the Coronation Concert on Sunday evening, and to check insurance of such equipment.
Parish Council will fund the following:
The total cost is estimated at £1500 and would be funded from Section 137 – this was approved by all present.
Events are open to all parishioners, and their visiting guests. Details of the activities will be included on the Gidding News and village website.
“What goes on in Great & Little Gidding parish” –Cllr D’Altillia will continue compilation.
222.22Correspondence received since 21st February 2023:
a) NALC newsletters – dated 22/2 + 1/3 + 8/3 +15/3, 24/2 Chief Exec bulletin, 28/2 + 7/3 + 16/3 NALC events,
b)Cambridgeshire County Council – 27/2
Cambridgeshire Matters March newsletter, 20mph area applications are open, see 28/2 for forms – details will be forwarded to Councillor Bolton,
1/3 Local Highways surface treatment programme (nearest is Hamerton in May or June), 2/3 Easter holiday provision (poster on noticeboard),
7/3 Think Communities information for Huntingdonshire area – Clerk suggested that, should the school close, this group should be consulted for advice and signposting
13/3 Cambridgeshire Flood Action Programme – report a flood,
c)Huntingdonshire District Council – 23/2 press release, District Council adopts climate change, 10/3 Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding, 10/3 Grant for health activities for older residents,
d)CAPALC – March newsletter (forwarded on 16/3)
e) Economic Development Huntingdonshire DC invest@huntingdonshire.gov.uk – weekly Business News – 2/3 + 9/3 + 13/3
f) Cambs Acre – 1/3 Cambs & Pboro Parks Partnership
g) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough –
h) Parish Online newsletter 8/3
i) Eden Project – 22/2 and 25/2 Big Coronation lunch pack and various supporting emails
j) NHS integrated care system communications newsletter
k) Keep Britain Tidy – spring clean campaign digital resource pack
l) E-COPS – stolen white VW Golf, catalytic converter thefts, 28/2 + 6/3 + 13/3 news from the Courts, 1/3 scrap metal checks, 1/3 STOP suicide, 6/3 Neighbourhood Watch recruitment drive, 13/3 March newsletter,
m) Middle Level Commissioners – 2/3 unregistered/abandoned boats
n) 11/3 East Northamptonshire Local Plan consultation document
223.22 Items for next meeting:
Coronation – general update
Neighbourhood plan – update
Audit and AGAR process
224.22 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18th April 2023
starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding.
This meeting closed at 21.25
There will be an online version and also a printed version of the surveys available. If you can, online would be our preferred way of completing the form as it reduces transcription errors.
NB. You will be asked to enter your unique 6 digit reference number found on the first page of paper version of your Residential Survey.
These surveys are currently being printed and will be delivered over the weekend of 29th/30th April.
Once you have received your paper version of the form with your unique reference number your will be able to access the 4 survey forms via these unique web links:
Business: bit.ly/3FUgpAZ
Great and Little Gidding: bit.ly/40z9Yer
Winwick: bit.ly/3LRVTVa
Hamerton and Steeple Gidding: bit.ly/42K2V4o
We would like all of the surveys completed by Monday 15th May. The results are a vital input into our Neighbourhood Plan. A proposed plan should be handed over to Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) for comments by the end of the year. Once agreed by HDC it will then be reviewed by an independent examiner before finally being adopted by HDC as part of their planning process.
Your help and support is greatly appreciated by the team. If you would like someone to visit and help fill out the survey, please ring Paul Hargrave on 07775 711514. If you have any questions, please contact the team on hamwicking@gmail.com
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 20th December in Great Gidding Village Hall
PRESENT: Cllrs Hodson, D’Altilia, Hargrave, Moodya and the Clerk. Joined by 3 members of the public – 1 for 160.22 and general enquiry, 2 for 164.22
150.22 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.
151.22 Apologies were received from:
County Councillor Gardener – another meeting
District Councillor Alban – another meeting
Councillor Maciag – illness
152.22 There were no member’s declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
153.22 Public & Press participation session with respect to items on the Agenda:
TM was in attendance to discuss concerns about the parking along Main Street, particularly around the School, and the speed of traffic along the same stretch of road. Cllr Hodson advised that parking by school parents/staff/visitors had been a problem for decades and it was difficult to see how this could be resolved or improved as the availability of parking at the Village Hall was not utilised fully and the recent installation of the MVAS sign to monitor traffic in this area was ongoing. Cllr Moody requested the Clerk to enquire of Highways Department what measures could be taken to improve this area of Main Street.
JD and MK, representing the PCC, joined at the request of Cllr Hargrave to discuss the Coronation of King Charles and ways in which the village could mark the event and celebrate together. A list of suggestions had been shared prior to the meeting. It was agreed that it was not necessary to close the road as there were other areas in the Parish where events could be held. The Church particularly would be involved and local businesses would be invited to join/support too. Residents will be informed and asked to help out, and a meeting will be held in January to put together a plan.
154.22 To confirm and accept minutes of the meeting held on 15th November 2022. Clerk had missed the recording of the decisions regarding Planning Applications – this has been amended and therefore Cllr Bolton recommended acceptance, seconded by Cllr Hargrave.
155.22 There were no matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.
156.22 Reports from Councillors and Clerk:
Cllr Hargrave commented on the Gains Lane property that has remained empty for over a year – Clerk will write to Chorus Homes and request that they take steps to resolve this matter.
157.22 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Barclays Bank statements for Parish Council account had been shared prior to the meeting.
b) PAYMENTS – the following payments were approved:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised | |
| J R Trolove | Wages for October (36.5 hours) | Xxx | NIL | JRT | ||
| Viking Direct | Office supplies for Parish Council | 97.36 | 16.23 | |||
| Firetext payments x 2 (refund to FD) | Messaging service | 62.40 | 10.40 | |||
| Firetext – monthly payment | Refund to FD | 14.40 | 2.40 | |||
| CAPALC | Training AH | 75.00 | NIL | |||
| CambsACRE | Annual membership fee | 57.00 | NIL | |||
| VILLAGE HALL account | ||||||
| A C Cleaning Services | Village Hall Cleaning | 13.00 | ~ | |||
| Viking Direct (for Village Hall) | supplies | 99.24 | ~ | |||
| Defibrillator account *** | ||||||
| WEL Medical (paid prior to meeting) | replacement pads | 85.85 | ~ | JRT | PH |
*** Cllr Hodson advised that fund raising may be required to top up the account.
158.22 Planning Applications and Planning matters –
a)Further correspondence re. Telecommunications mast and base station in Thurning/Luddington/Hemington Parish has been received and shared prior to the meeting – an objection had been raised and an alternative site suggested.
b) Proposal: Single storey rear extension, demolition of existing conservatory and external works to property frontage.
Site Address: 50 Main Street Great Gidding Huntingdon
Reference: 22/02176/HHFUL – deadline 19th December, advised our response will be available on or before 23rd December
An email had been received from neighbour regarding this and other matters.
OBJECTION as the visibility splay onto B660/Main Street will be further obstructed by the proposed wall and fence, at a point where there is a bend in the road, creating an unsafe exit from the Village Hall car park. This will also be the comment from the Village Hall Trustees who, as a neighbouring property, were consulted on this application.
159.22 Training opportunities for Councillors and Clerk – none at present.
160.22 LHI bid for 2023/2024 – DEADLINE for bids 6th JANUARY – bids to exclude 20MPH zones/limits (which had been proposed for Little Gidding)
a)Little Gidding junction – to improve safety and signage (see County Councillor Gardener’s email clarifying stages for application). Further clarification is required regarding the road between Great and Steeple Gidding and speed limits approaching the Little Gidding junction but, when the 20MPH scheme is open for applications, this may be applied for in respect of the lane down to the houses/Church at Little Gidding.
b)Main Street – double yellow lines down one side between various points – Cllr Hargrave had measured the width of Main Street from the T junction with Mill Road, to the crossroads with Chapel End/Luddington Road (see attached map) – there was a narrowing from Church Farm/Village Hall to the bank up to the Church – after much discussion it was decided that an LHI bid would not be submitted for this project, but to await the response from Highways Department to see what measures were recommended (see 153.22 above).
161.22 Neighbourhood Plan update – Minutes of the meeting held on 23 November had been shared prior to the meeting, together with Minutes from Hamerton and Steeple Gidding’s Parish Meeting and Winwick Parish Meeting.
Proposal to join with Winwick and Hamerton/Steeple Gidding to produce a joint Neighbourhood Plan – Cllr Hodson proposed and this was seconded by Cllr D’Altilia
Sawtry Neighbourhood Plan – pre-consultation document and open days on 10 December and 20 January
Clerk had made enquiries regarding GDPR requirements and insurance for this project and established that this will be under the Parish Council cover. She recommended that a dedicated email be set up for use by the group. She has requested sight of the budget for the project, as any payments will require approval through the Parish Council meetings.
The next meeting of the Neighbourhood Plan Group, made up of residents of Great, Little Gidding, Hamerton and Winwick, will take place on 3 January 2023.
162.22 Recreation Ground – nothing to discuss
163.22 Review of Gidding News associated projects:
Coat of Arms “vote” – Of the votes received, 47% chose option E. Parishioners will be notified on the next issue of Gidding News.
Text Messaging Service – take up has been slower than expected. A reminder will appear on the next Gidding News.
164.22 Preparation for the Coronation of King Charles III – see 153.22 above
Street Party licence applications deadline is 10/3/2023
Highways Event licence applications deadline is 10/2/2023
165.22 NALC’s Civility and Respect policy – https://www.nalc.gov.uk/our-work/civility-and-respect-project
166.22 Review of noticeboards in the parish – Cllr D’Altilia had received parishioner comments regarding information sharing of Parish events. The Parish Council now only use the noticeboard at the Village Hall, the board at the Rec Field is for information associated with that site. Ownership of the board near the school is not clear, the board is open to the elements and unsuitable for notices. Clerk and Cllr D’Altilia will meet to explore what other means of communication with residents can be implemented.
167.22 Correspondence received since 15th November 2022:
a) NALC newsletters – dated 22/11 +29/11 re. Events, 23/11 + 30/11+15/12 newsletter, 25/11 Chief Exec bulletin, 14/12 newsletter, 12/12 NALC open letter (forwarded to Councillors)
| b) Neighbourhood Alert/ECops etc – email dated 21/11, 22/11,22/11 stolen jewellery, 24/11 Christmas shopping fraud, 28/11+5/12 from the Courts, 6/12 fraud alert, 6/12 Christmas warning, 8/12 999 calls, 12/12 jailed in Cambridgeshire, – also weapons seized. c) Resident’s verbal report to Clerk regarding increase in dog mess, both on footpath and elsewhere in the village. There has been an increase in dog ownership during and since COVID lockdowns and Councillors were aware in the increasing problem throughout the village. The following comment from Huntingdonshire District Council’s website will be included on the next issue of the Gidding News, together with the link to the reporting page (https://forms.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/DOGFOUL/launch) “ Offenders may be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £100 or a fine of up to £1,000 if prosecuted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.” Also a request for volunteers to empty dog waste bins, as the Parish Council has unused bins in storage due to lack of volunteers to empty them (health and safety briefing will be given). |
d) CAPALC email dated 9/12 – monthly update shared prior to meeting
e) Cambs CC email 24/11 Children’s Services newsletter, Think Communities newsletter dated 25/11, flood preparedness events and webinar on 14th December, 12/12 rights and responsibilities regarding watercourses, Highways Traffic Management training sessions (possible use for Coronation events),
f) Hunts DC email dated 23/11 Warm Spaces grants and more funding for this, and 14/12. 1/12, 25/11 + 6/12 changes to waste collection dates over Christmas/New Year, 2/12 Oxmoor tree planting,
g) Economic Development Huntingdonshire DC invest@huntingdonshire.gov.uk – weekly Business News – 24/11, 1/12, 8/12, 15/12
h) Cambs Acre – 23/11 safer recruitment and regulated activities, November newsletter,
i) Combined Authority Cambridgeshire and Peterborough update 22/11, 5/12, 7/12 Making Connections, 12/12 Have your say on Medium Term financial planning,
j) Parish online – 1 year free subscription with BHIB insurance – signed up but advised we did not qualify for free access, unless we have 3/5 year package deal.
k) Greater Cambridgeshire – 24/11 + 7/12 Making Connections travel consultation – deadline 23 December,
l) Gigaclear – various emails around 22/11 re upgrade of service and enquiry regarding a property in Main Street.
m) response from T Branson & Son and further comments regarding the Milking Slade Lane highways improvements, additional information regarding rural crime and local vandalism. Councillors have noted the comments contained therein.
168.22 Items for next meeting:
Adoption of NALC’s Civility and Respect Policy
Review of Parish Council Policy documents – update and add new policies
Consider Speaker or subject for Annual Parish Meeting in April
Review of grass cutting contract and appointment of contractor
169.22 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 17th January 2023
starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding.
Meeting closed at 21.20
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.
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.
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.
You can either leave a comment below or email: hamwicking@gmail.com
Minutes of the meeting held at Great Gidding Village Hall on Tuesday 19th October 2021
Present: Cllrs Hodson, Maciag, Hill, Pudney, Bolton, County Councillor Gardener and the Clerk.
093.21 Cllr Hodson, as Chairman, welcomed those present to the meeting.
094.21 Apologies and reasons for absence:
District Councillor Alban – attending other meetings
Councillor Cotton – family commitment
095.21 There were no Member’s declarations of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda
096.21 No members of Public or Press were present at the meeting.
097.21 Minutes of the meeting held on 21st September 2021 were accepted.
Cllr Bolton proposed and Cllr Hill seconded.
098.21 There were no matters arising from those Minutes.
099.21 To receive reports from Councillors and Clerk:
County Councillor Gardener:
Councillor Gardener updated on the ting bus service, an “on demand” service for West Hunts villages, which will commence on 25th October. A roadshow will be sited at the Village Hall on the afternoon of Friday 22nd October to promote the bus and how it operates (handouts to be distributed around the Parish).
CambsCC are arranging a Webinar around the subject of Climate Change for November. The County Council aim for the County and its residents to be carbon neutral by 2050.
A new Chief executive is being sought for Cambridge only (no longer a combined role with Peterborough).
Sharon Middleton is now CambsCC Highways Engineer for our area.
Shire Hall at Alconbury Weald is now open for business.
He encouraged us to complete the National Highways Survey regarding improvements to the A14 between Brampton and Thrapston (he will forward a link).
Government have announced £500m support for vulnerable households over winter.
Free school meals will be available to children over the half term holiday.
Cllr Gardener left for another meeting.
Cllr Hill had contacted Cambs CC to enquire when the 2nd post for the Speed Awareness sign might be installed – response awaited.
Clerk – Remembrance Service at St. Michael’s Church, Great Gidding on Sunday November 14th starting at 10.45 am. We have a wreath that was not used in 2020 (attendee at service required please), together with big plastic poppies. Requests received to repeat poppy display on Top End Corner.
Clerk – CambsACRE AGM report
0100.21 FINANCIAL MATTERS:
Cllr Hodson advised that Cllr Pudney has been added to the Bank Mandate and can co-authorise payments once he receives bank card and PIN gadget.
a) Barclays Bank statements
b) Cashflow spreadsheet and Budget Forecast – the budget forecast has been updated to show the funds that are allocated to the various LHI bids
c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS
| Who | What for | TOTAL | VAT | Authorised | Authorised | |
| 33 | Bradgate Fencing (No 255 ) | Grass Cutting | 199.32 | 33.22 | JRT | |
| 34 | Online Playgrounds | Repair to Rec Ground Rocker | 1,097.57 | 182.93 | ||
| 35 | Chris Knott Insurance | Allotment Insurance Policy | 75.09 | ~ | JRT | |
| 36 | J R Trolove | Wages for August (34 hours) | Xxx | ~ | JRT | |
| Village Hall payments | ||||||
| 34VH | P Hodson | 2 x replacement toilet seats | 48.90 | ~ | JRT | |
| 35VH | Tally Ho cleaning | Village Hall cleaning | 26.00 | ~ | JRT |
d) to approve Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 30th September (30 hours)
Payments and Clerk’s hours were approved by Cllr Pudney and Cllr Bolton
e) Precept for 2022/23
Cllr Hodson explained the precept and the implications for increasing the amount. Cllr Hill proposed the precept remain at its present amount of £11,052
Cllr Bolton seconded.
0101.21 Planning Applications and Planning matters:
No Planning applications have been received as at 13/10/2021
District Cllr Alban had emailed to advise he will follow up the outstanding Planning Enforcement issues for our Parish and the Clerk has requested that he gain some idea of how planning applications were being dealt with as the MUGA application is still “in process”.
0102.21 Recreation Field Update:
a) MUGA – see 0101.21
b) bench repair – Cllr Maciag had priced up replacement slats – around £400, and will place an order
Cllr Hodson regarding the Rec. Field, advised that the spring rocker has been replaced, following the recent vandalism. The contractor had emailed a quote as they felt the ground anchor was loose, it is believed that a spell of wet weather will resolve this. The wobble board is now at ground level, but is safe – other items of wooden play equipment are in good order. Grass has been cut again, contractors have made an excellent job of keeping the Rec. Field grass in order this year.
Clerk was reminded to get AWA to disconnect the water supply.
| 0103.21 Climate Change – as a Parish Council (this includes Village Hall and Recreation Ground and Gidding Charity), we have little impact on climate change but will continue to be mindful of all aspects and, where appropriate, take advantage of schemes that we can join, grants that are offered and implement changes. We will stay engaged with the County and District Council’s initiatives to achieve Net Zero by 2050. Also raising awareness, encouraging and, if possible, supporting parishioners to achieve this too. 0104.21 Training opportunities for Parish Councillors and Clerk. November Allotment Training – Session 1 1st – 7pm – 8:30pm Planning Training 4th – 6pm – 9pm Allotment Training – Session 2 8th – 7pm – 8:30pm Councillor Training – Split Session – Session 1 10th – 6:30pm – 9pm Allotment Training – Session 3 15th – 7pm – 8:30pm CAPALC Ltd – Drop In Session 18th – 10am – 11am Councillor Training – Split Session – Session 2 18th – 6:30pm – 9pm |
0105.21 Quote and detail of making changes to village website re. notices – all Councillors agreed that the Clerk should undertake training on all matters pertaining to the Village website.
0106.21 Correspondence received since 21st September 2021 (other than that discussed in agenda items above).
a) Email dated 22/9/2021 – CambsCC request to display banners/posters for Foster Carers
b) Email dated 22/9/2021 – Cambs Acre – “Winter planning for COVID-19”
c) Email dated 23/9/2021 – CCC Flood and Water Team delivering sessions with Communities Prepared as part of CCC’s Community Flood Action Programme. ALSO 24/9/2021 – letter from Huntingdonshire District Council – Flooding Review Letter. Cllr Bolton enquired about flooding in the Parish, Clerk advised that there had been few incidents, usually as a result of blocked drain/culvert or heavy rain incident.
d) Email dated 23/9/2021 from Highways & Transport Directorate, Cambridgeshire County Council – acknowledgement of Local Highways Initiative bid
e) Email dated 24/9/2021 – Libraries – Cambridgeshire County Council – details of events in libraries.
f) Email dated 24/9/2019 – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority – invitation to launch event of TING (local transport) event on 6/10/2021 ALSO other correspondence regarding TING incl County Cllr Ian Gardener – see 099.21 above
g) Email dated 29/9/2021 – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority – regarding OxCam Arc spatial framework response query
h) Email dated 1/10/2021 – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority – Update Issue 6 (shared with Parish Councillors prior to the meeting).
i) Email dated 4/10/2021 – CambsCC – introductory email from Clair Slade
Think Communities Community Connector, Huntingdonshire
j) Email dated 5/10/2021 – regarding Neighbourhood Plan advice, provision and support – Clerk advised this was one of several companies offering services to support Parish Councils with provision of a Neighbourhood Plan. Cllr Macaig suggested that spring 2022 would be a good time to start this project.
k) Email dated 6/10/2021 – Keep Britain Tidy – dog fouling campaign – Cllr Hodson proposed purchasing some smaller signs (1 for each bin @ £6 + VAT), preferably a different design – Clerk will research.
l) Email dated 7/10/2021 – CAPALC – Hate Crime Week event in P’boro Cathedral on 12 October
m) Email dated 7/10/2021 – County Cllr Gardener advising of change of Local Highways Officer – see 099.21 above
n) Email dated 8/10/2021 – invitation from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Commission on Climate: addressing climate change in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’ in a live online event on 18 October 2021.
o) Email dated 13/10/2021 – Cambs ACRE – Invitation to our Promoter’s Meeting for the Fenland Rural Touring Scheme Join us on Wednesday 20 October from 10am – 12.30pm.
p) Email dated 5/10/2021 – regarding STOP OxCamArc (see (g) above)
q) Email dated 14/10/2021 – invitation to Road Victims Trust Remembrance Service, Sunday 21st November 2021
r) Email dated 15/10/2021 – regarding Network Rail Great crested newt eDNA surveys 2021 of Townsend Pond – it is confirmed there are still newts in the pond
0107.21 Items for decisions at next meeting:
Prepare for Co-option of Parish Councillor
Queens Jubilee 2022 – tree planting, village event, other ideas.
0108.21 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 16th November 2021
starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding
MEETING CLOSED AT 21.02