(These minutes of the July meeting are available in PDF form for offline reading and printing. Please note that all minutes are draft until approved at a subsequent Parish Council meeting.)
Those present were:
- Nick Ginn Chairman;
- Andrew Pett Vice Chairman & Acting Clerk;
- Nigel Day Parish Councillor;
- Michael Capps Parish Councillor;
- County Councillor Stephen Ferguson;
- District Councillor Richard West;
…and 7 members of the public.
1. The meeting was opened at 7.35 pm with a silent prayer and a special mention for ex-Councillor George Craze who had recently passed away and whose funeral will be held on July 13th at 2.00 pm at St Bartholomew’s Church. His long service and dedication to the Parish Council and Great Gransden in general was noted and much valued.
2. Apologies. Apologies were received from Parish Councillors Cathy Davis, Chris Bane, Alan Rowbotham & James Catmur.
3. Declarations of Interest. There were no declarations of interest.
4. Minutes of the previous monthly meeting held on the 6th June 2022 were approved and signed accordingly by the Chairman.
5. OPEN FORUM. The meeting was closed for fifteen minutes. County Councillor Stephen Ferguson reported that he and Councillor West had attended a very positive meeting regarding the Crown & Cushion public house and its reopening involving Councillors, HDC enforcement as well as other interested parties. He talked about the Comberton school transport and the fact that the charges were being raised. He asked to be kept informed about the history of this problem. He mentioned the July 5th meeting at Little Gransden Village Hall regarding the problem of overflying rural areas that comes with the expansion of Luton airport. District Councillor West said that he had emailed the Head of Planning Services seeking the resolution of three outstanding issues on the Dutton Gardens development, the junction, lighting pollution and the play area. In her reply she said that the junction is the responsibility of the county highways, lighting would be investigated and also the play area. He agreed to try to arrange a joint meeting possibly on site to resolve some of these issues.
One resident spoke about incidents relating to the MUGA in the last month including the vandalism and theft of some of the notices. He noted that the situation had improved somewhat and asked about the installation of gates. Quotes are being sought. It was noted that Roundabout had omitted to publish the minutes of the Parish Council in July but the hours of opening of the MUGA would be in the August edition instead.
6. Matters Arising:
6.1. Neighbourhood Development Plan. There was an update from Councillor Pett on the progress that included the following points:
- A further grant of £3500 had been applied for and has been awarded.
- Much of the work left to do before the Plan goes to HDC for their consultation will be done by Cambridgeshire ACRE and its consultant, Rachel Hogger.
- Work is still ongoing on the Basic Needs and Consultation Statements
- The aim is still to complete the Plan and submit to HDC in the 3rd quarter of 2022
6.2 Multi-Use Games Area. Councillor Ginn read a statement on the steps taken on the usage of the MUGA and the playing field. This included the following points and led to a discussion:
- The school had put out cones to limit the play area for children so as they were not near the fences of neighbours on the western boundary.
- Parish councillors have been visiting the MUGA on a regular basis after 8:30 in the evening and we are very pleased to report that we have only observed one minor breach of the 2030 curfew.
- Following consultation with HDC who are satisfied that GGPC are taking all necessary steps, and with the improvements seen of late, it is considered that no further action is necessary and we will continue to monitor use after 8:30 whenever possible.
- Playing of music in the playing field &/or the MUGA should be reported to HDC environmental health if it is considered to be a consistent issue by the residents concerned, the same as for any other noise nuisance.
- Regarding any incident of loud noise and possible vandalism, it is every resident’s responsibility to report such issues using 101 if necessary.
Councillors commented that while there are still reports of isolated incidents, clearly the situation has improved despite the light and warm evenings. Thank you to everybody, including residents, who has given up their time to be involved in this educational process.
6.3. Recruitment of Replacement Clerk/RFO. Councillor Pett updated the meeting on progress. He had held a meeting with Sharon Brown, clerk of Longstowe Parish Council and Catherine Fox, Responsible Financial Officer of Great Gransden Parish Council. It was resolved that Catherine Fox would remain as RFO and that Sharon Brown would send in an application for the post of clerk. She had sent her CV and indicated her willingness to apply for the role.
6.4. Sand Road/Industrial Estate Verge. This has been a concernfor some time with the grass verge being encroached upon by A1 Autocentre. Councillor Ginn had sought to establish the ownership of the grass verge and it was agreed by the meeting to enquire of Highways. A wall & a hedge it was agreed would mean poor sight lines on exiting the Industrial Estate. The Clerk will write to Highways to clarify the issue, copying in County Councillor Ferguson.
6.5. Reading Room Cottage Door & Window. Councillor Ginn gave an update on the quotes for the work needed on these two items. The figures quoted were:
- £1446 + VAT for the door (a member of the public offered information that the door only needed painting black, not replacement)
- £280 + VAT for the repair of the door frame
- £1562 + VAT for the kitchen window.
It was agreed to give the Chairman delegated power to push this through as two other quotes had been sought but the tradesmen had declined to quote. This was proposed by Councillor Pett, seconded by Councillor Capps and carried unanimously.
6.6. Mandene Gardens Play Area. Councillor Pett reported that he was willing to have a site meeting with a Planning Officer if this could be arranged by District Councillor West as the present situation is patently unacceptable.
6.7. Church Wall & Lychgate. Council agreed to seek new contractors for this work.
7. Playground Maintenance Quotes. In the absence ofCouncillor Davis it was decided to hold this item over until August.
8. Parish Contract for Street Lighting. The meeting agreed unanimously to accept the £432 pa quote from Balfour Beatty for annual maintenance of the street lighting. Councillor Pett proposed and Councillor Day seconded this expenditure. The report prepared for the Council on the lights had highlighted that some of them were in poor condition. It was agreed Councillors would inspect annually to assess condition of these lights.
9. Clerk’s Financial Statement for June 2022. The sheet filed as Appendix 1 had been circulated. The statement was unanimously approved and signed by the Chairman. Councillors also noted the budget review as at the end of June 2022.
10. Cheques/Payments for Approval
Cheques/ Bank Transfers payable July 2022
1. RFO expenses for June 2022 £14.39
2. HMRC – PAYE (period ending 5th Aug 22) £0.00
3. ROSPA (Annual Inspection) £414.00
4. The Mower Shed (inv 1257) £156.00
5. The Mower Shed (inv 1270) £156.00
6. Mr P Taylor (Litter Picking Equipment) £99.08
7. Buchans Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance £442.87
8. Charlie Vince Tree Surgery (Inv 3019) £2112.00
9. Charlie Vince Tree Surgery (Inv 3020) £132.00
10. Charlie Vince Tree Surgery (Inv 3021) £924.00
11. Human Capital Dept (Retained HR Support) £178.80
12. Locum Clerk Fees and Expenses (May 2022) £630.00
13. RFO Fees (June) £244.40
14. Caretaker Salary – July 2022 £580.40
(28th July 2022)
Automated Payments payable July 2022
1. DD BT – Broadband Reading Room £31.78
(11th July 2022)
2. DD SSE TBC*
(DD 18th July 2022)
*Awaiting bill at time of publication.
11. Highways.
- It was noted that areas on Ladies Hill had been marked up for work and it does appear that the portal is yielding results in terms of road repairs being completed.
- A call was put out for more Speedwatch volunteers to assist the few who regularly check in weekly to lower speeds in the village.
- It was also noted, with some pleasure that the failed LHI Bid for a 20 mph zone in Fox Street, Crow Tree Street, Church Street, Mill Road, Sand Road, East Street and Caxton Road seems to have now been adopted by the Cambridgeshire County Highways 20 mph fund. A feasibility study will be undertaken.
12. Correspondence
12.1 Reading Room Café/Need Project Notice. The Council agreed to allow the display of a small banner (approx. 2’ x 3’), on Thursday & Friday, near to the main entrance door of the Reading Room to advertise that the Café is a collection point for the Need Project and also to highlight the opening hours.
12.2 Operation London Bridge Condolence Books.It was agreed to purchase a 50 page book of condolence for Operation London Bridge
12.3. County Broadband, Build Team Meet & Greet meeting. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to express our wish (again) to attend a site meeting with County Broadband and their build partner NGE.
12.4. Defibrillator. The Clerk agreed to investigate several questions that had arisen from recent Defibrillator training:
- Is the defibrillator registered?
- Should What Three Words be used for location?
- The pads need to be replaced when used, has it been used?
- The battery needs changing every 5 years, has it been checked?
12.5. Huntingdonshire District Council’s Parish Forum , July 20th 2022. It was felt that, with the new administration at HDC, it is very important that the Parish Council is represented at this.
12.6. TMC (Formerly IHMC) Incident Report – May 2022. Councillors noted the new name of this organisation and the links to one.network map for free public use.
13. Planning
13.1. PARISH COUNCIL CONSULTATION – APPLICATION REF. 22/01127/HHFUL Proposed erection of greenhouse in rear garden. The Manor House, 10 Manor Lane, Great Gransden, Sandy, SG19 3RA. The Council approved this application as the size and scale of this greenhouse is suitable in this sized garden and does not affect the Listed Building. Proposed by Councillor Day, seconded by Councillor Pett and carried unanimously.
13.2. PARISH COUNCIL CONSULTATION – APPLICATION REF. 22/01245/FUL Extension to existing warehouse Land West of Highbury Fields, Eltisley Road, Great Gransden. The Council approved this application as it is an extension of an existing industrial use on this site. Proposed by Councillor Pett, seconded by Councillor Capps and carried unanimously.
14. HR Committee Update.
In line with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 this item was considered in closed session.
15. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting has been arranged for Monday 1st August 2022 at 7:30pm
This meeting closed at 9:43pm.