(These minutes of the June 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
- Cathy Davis, Parish Councillor
- Nigel Day, Parish Councillor
- Michael Capps, Parish Councillor
- Chris Bane, Parish Councillor
- Alan Rowbotham, Parish Councillor
- District Councillor Richard West
and 6 members of the public
1. The meeting was opened at 7.30 pm with a silent prayer.
2. Apologies. Apologies were received from County Councillor Stephen Ferguson and Parish Councillor James Catmur.
3. Declarations of Interest. There were no declarations of interest.
4. Minutes of the previous monthly meeting held on the 18th May 2022 were approved and signed accordingly by the Chairman.
5. OPEN FORUM. The meeting was closed for fifteen minutes.
District Councillor West reported that he had attended a meeting with local MP Jonathan Djanogly to discuss the changes made to national government policy to overfly rural areas thus causing noise & nuisance to the residents of our villages. Hopefully the meeting at Little Gransden Village Hall on 5 July will enable there to be a report on people’s feelings to Mr Djanogly. Councillor West had also attended a meeting with the MP to discuss the re-opening of the Crown & Cushion public house. The MP will be writing to HDC seeking support for the re-opening. Councillor West also expressed his sadness at the planning situation regarding light pollution on Sand Road and congratulated Councillor Ferguson on his appointment to the HDC Cabinet in the new administration. He was glad that their twin track approach to assist the villages would continue. He informed the meeting that now his areas of responsibility are on the Corporate Governance and Employment Committees at HDC.
Three residents posed a number of questions around use of the MUGA and the Playing Field, including:
- Does the Parish Council have a policy document relating to the Playing Field
- Who is allowed to use the Field?
- Users and their insurance cover;
- Restrictions that the Parish Council might impose regarding noise;
- Any guidelines on number of people who can use the facility at any time?
- Would the Council consult with residents before making changes to the play equipment?
They also had been keeping a record of anti-social behaviour that was welcomed by the Councillors, which along with their own inspections is beginning to build a picture of the situation.
There was an update from a member of the Neighbourhood Development Plan group on its progress that included the following points:
- good progress is being made with the responses to the Reg 14 consultation.
- A meeting has been held with HDC Planning Policy Team to seek their input and advice on the process going forward.
- Still to complete are the Basic Needs Statement and the Consultation Statement
- aim to complete the update to the Plan for Reg 15 submission to HDC in Sept 2022
- the End of Grant report was approved and unspent funds returned
- a grant application for the period to March 2023 is in preparation, to fund support from Cambridgeshire ACRE
6. Matters Arising:
6.1. Multi-Use Games Area. The meeting was updated on the moves that had been made to try to alleviate the problem of anti-social behaviour (ASB) out of hours. Councillor Pett had sought guidance from the PCSO, who had been helpful in offering assistance where possible and thought that a call to 101 or reporting issues online could help the Police to counter ASB. The opening hours will be put in Roundabout for the July edition and Touchbase may be used to further educate people on the hours of usage of the MUGA.
6.2. Mandene Gardens Play Area. Councillor Pett reported that he had replied to the Planning Department stating that the Parish Council is far from satisfied with the loss of this play area. As yet no reply has been received.
6.3. Playground Area. Councillor Davis reported that the sub-Committee had obtained two quotes for the work on the play equipment and was seeking a third. The main focus is on maintenance and upgrading of the equipment and especially the soft landing areas. In response to the question posed in Open Forum it was stated that the only piece of new equipment that was being investigated is an inclusive roundabout permitting wheelchair access. A report will be prepared for the July meeting of the Parish Council.
6.4. Recruitment of Replacement Clerk/RFO. Councillor Pett informed the meeting that he had been in email contact with a candidate and that an application is expected.
6.5. County Broadband. Councillor Pett had emailed County Broadband regarding their “roll-out” in Great Gransden on 22nd May but had received no reply.
7. Clerk’s Financial Statement for May 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 May 2022.
8. Cheques/Payments for Approval At last month’s meeting a payment had been deferred on a consultancy for heating of the Reading Room. 3 quotes had been obtained (filed as Appendix 2) and thus all the following payments were approved:
(Proposed Councillor Ginn, seconded Councillor Capps)
Payments previously approved and paid since 18th May 2022
1. BHIB PC Insurance 2022/23 £1631.66
Cheques/ Bank Transfers payable June 2022
1. RFO expenses for May 2022 £14.39
2. HMRC – PAYE (period ending 5th July 22) £0.00
3. Mr R McIntosh £7.50
4. The Mower Shed (inv 1245) £156.00
5. HDC – Election Fees £162.58
6. Caretaker Salary – June 2022 £580.40
(28th June 2022)
7. CLPM £473.40
(Deposit fee RR – Heating Consultancy Service)
(deferred from last month for further investigation)
8. Human Capital Dept £178.80
(Retained HR Support)
Automated Payments payable June 2022
1. DD BT – Broadband Reading Room £31.78
(11th June 2022)
2. DD SSE TBC*
(DD 18th June 2022)
*Awaiting bill at time of publication.
9. Financial Mandate. Councillors agreed to appoint Councillor Ginn as the one person on the Council to control the interactive banking mandate. (Proposed Councillor Capps, seconded Councillor Pett).
10. Play Equipment and Muga Annual Inspection. Rospa have contacted the Council to state that their standard cost for inspection is £240 plus VAT for the play area + £105 plus VAT for the MUGA. The Council agreed to go on the Rospa “Automatic Schedule” for 2023 which would work out much cheaper. The Clerk to activate this year’s inspection. (Proposed Councillor Capps, seconded Councillor Day).
11. Poorsland. Councillor Pett reported that there are only two trustees at the moment with the resignation of Giles Scott. Councillor Capps volunteered for the vacant trusteeship. There is also a need for a Correspondent for the Poorsland. There are two meetings per year of the trustees.
12. Audit of the Accounts for the Year Ending 31st March 2022. Councillor Pett pointed out that the internal audit had taken place but that the Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) now needs to be on the Council website. Councillor Day will set that in motion along with the Notice of Public Rights. The report of the Internal auditor is awaited.
13. Highways. Councillors noted that a number of issues had been well addressed such as the pothole opposite the Crown & Cushion and the issue of the collapsing drains on Church Street is going to be investigated by Highways. On the walk around the village with councillors to discuss ongoing highways problems, the Officer had noted an issue with 22 West Street and the appropriation of Highways land. This is at present with enforcement. Councillors brought up the question of the planting of the hedge alongside Sand Road/Industrial Estate and the ownership of the land in question. The arrow sign on Middle Street roundabout is damaged as is the Water Board post at East/Middle street junction. Both will be reported on the portal at https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/roadworks-and-faults.
Councillor Rowbotham brought up the question of overhanging hedgerows and it was agreed to remind householders that it is their responsibility to keep roads & footpaths clear of overhanging hedges and trees.
14. Correspondence.
14.1 West & South Area Greater Cambridge Partnership Community Forums. The Zoom meeting clashed with the Parish Council so Councillor Catmur will update when he returns.
14.2 Draft Active Travel Strategy CCC and CA Local Transport and Connectivity Plan.
This was noted.
14.3. Luton Aircraft Noise. Councillors had been asked by Croydon Parish Council for guidance on financial assistance towards this project. Councillors agreed that as they joined forces with other parish councils, nominated a representative and advertised the forthcoming public meeting on 5th July, that for the moment no financial assistance would be offered.
14.4. Church Wall & Lychgate. Councillors agreed to seek another Contractor for what is a minor repair, the first Contractor being somewhat elusive.
14.5. HDC C CIL Funding Round 1 2022-23. Councillors agreed to allow the Playing Field sub-Committee to go ahead and apply for the funding for which the closing date is the end of August.
15. Planning
15.1 Hayfield Homes Development, Sand Road, Great Gransden. Councillors expressed their complete dissatisfaction with the lighting situation on Dutton Gardens and Sand Road. An offer has been made by the County Highways to remove 1 of the 6 lights. It was agreed that a reply be sent to the County Highways asking for this along with a possible site meeting to view the situation.
15.2. PARISH COUNCIL CONSULTATION – APPLICATION REF. 22/01130/FUL
The proposal is to fit PV solar panels to certain of the roof aspects together with ancilliary battery storage and cables, 2 Church Street Great Gransden. Councillors noted that this is the full application for the same property on which Listed Building Consent had been approved at the last meeting. It was unanimously agreed to recommend ‘Approval’ on the ground the proposal has been made to be unobtrusive to the street scene. (Proposed Councillor Pett, seconded Councillor Day).
15.3. Reading Room Cottage. Councillor Pett reminded the meeting that planning permission for the door & window in the Reading Room Cottage expires in August. Councillor Ginn informed the meeting that a potential Contractor will be looking at the job this week.
16. HR Committee Update.
In line with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 this item was considered in closed session.
17. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting has been arranged for Monday 4th July 2022 at 7:30pm. This meeting closed at 9:23pm.