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:
- 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:
| Who | What for | TOTAL | Invoice includes this VAT amount | Authorised | Authorised |
| J R Trolove | Wages for December (21 hours) | Xxx | NIL | JRT | |
- 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
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