The following minutes of the October 2023 meeting are also available in PDF form, primarily for offline reading and printing. Please note that all minutes are draft until approved at a subsequent Parish Council meeting. Appendix 1, the September financial statement referenced in item 13, is available in PDF format as a separate download.
Minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 2nd October 2023
Those present were:
- Councillor Ginn, Chairman;
- Councillor Pett, Vice-chairman;
- Chris Bane, Parish Councillor;
- Michael Capps, Parish Councillor;
- James Catmur, Parish Councillor;
- Cathy Davis, Parish Councillor;
- Nigel Day, Parish Councillor.
Also present: HDC Councillor Lara Davenport-Ray, and 2 members of the public.
1. The meeting was opened with silent prayer.
2. Apologies for absence.
Councillor Richard West, HDC, and Parish Councillor Rowbotham.
3. Declarations of Interest:
None.
4. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 4th September: The Minutes were proposed by Councillor Pett, seconded by Councillor Bane and were approved.
5. OPEN FORUM:
Councillor Davenport-Ray, HDC was welcomed. She gave a comprehensive review of the current actions being taken by HDC under the Climate and Environment heading and there was subsequent discussion. Items included: Biodiversity for All – a new grant scheme being set up by HDC; Climate Change – action in Hunts – a November event; HDC Alternative Land Management – HDC requests feedback; Waste minimisation – the recent HDC meeting looked at how can communities contribute eg. community composting. The Parish Council will contact the Allotments Society to discuss this initiative.
Councillor Bane gave an update on the HDC Meeting: How to Reduce Waste in Huntingdonshire:
a) Waste rejection rates are high due to incorrect items in blue and green bins. Agreed to note this point in Roundabout. Potentially, the Environment Agency is to make proposals such that every county will deal with recyclable waste items in the same way, so as to avoid confusion,
b) Green bin charge – who can afford it / suggestions for community composting / local skip once a week.
Councillor Capps raised the matter of churchyard maintenance responsibilities and corrected Minute 15.1 from the September 2023 meeting. The churchyard management has been the responsibility of the Parish Council for some years and funds are provided to the church to support the volunteer grass cutting group.
6. Matters Arising / points of information:
6.1 Mandene Gardens S106 payment: Correct contact made with HDC S106 section. Paperwork for transfer of the S106 monies now being completed.
6.2 County Broadband connection to Reading Room: County Broadband specialist service for listed buildings has completed an installation survey. Apparently County Broadband has not installed its services through Fox Street. This matter will be pursued as the company promotes free broadband to every village hall where it has services in a village.
6.3 Noticeboards repair: Further contact will be made concerning the quote.
6.4 Upcoming closures of Waresley and Gransden Woods, and Gamlingay Wood Nature Reserves: A map of Waresley and Gransden Wood has been obtained showing the areas of work, much of which is taking place alongside rides or paths. Agreed that a meeting with the Wildlife Trust would be worthwhile.
6.5 Gigaclear works – concerns: CCC Highways, Streetworks are monitoring the situation. An update has been requested from them. A further request for information will be sought.
7. Crown & Cushion – ACV – update:
The Parish Council sub-committee for the Crown and Cushion will meet to provide a response to the last email from the owners of the Crown and Cushion and discuss any further actions.
8. Playing Field.
MUGA: Noted that the replies received from Zaum and ETC Sports concerning further noise reduction measures did not suggest a solution. A resident provided the information that there are other companies using different sound reduction measures such as elastomeric rubber strips. This possibility will be reviewed.
9. Sportsfield
10. Tree survey: Further contact will be made concerning the quote.
11. Reading Room – update:
The Reading Room Management Committee is applying to the FCC Communities Foundation for a grant to refurbish the toilets and replace the current strip lighting with LED lights. This is not considered to impact the extension proposal.
12. Green Space Land North East of Mandene Gardens. S106 Agreement under planning application 17/01375/OUT, (‘Dutton Gardens open space’).
A site meeting date still not agreed with Julie Ayre, HDC. Councillor Davenport-Ray noted that Councillor Tom Sanderson, Cabinet member for Planning could be available to attend a meeting. It was noted that the fencing at Mandene Gardens and Dutton Gardens was undertaken by different contractors, using different plans and hence the on-site anomalies.
13. RFO’s Financial Statement and Budget Review September 2023.
This sheet filed as Appendix 1 had been circulated: Proposed by Councillor Pett, seconded by Councillor Catmur and unanimously approved.
14. Payments for Approval.
The payments below: Proposed by Councillor Capps, seconded by Councillor Pett and unanimously approved.
Payments for approval at the Parish Council meeting on Monday 2nd Oct 2023
Cheques/ Bank Transfers payable Oct 2023
- Human Capital Department (Retained HR support): £536.4
(Termination of agreement) - Mr R McIntosh (Garden of Remembrance): £10.00
- The Mower Shed: £156.00
- Clerks Expenses: £30.95
- Buchans Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance: £TBC*
- Balfour Beatty (Yr 1 maintenance contract): £496.80
- PKF Littlejohn (22/23 External Audit Fee): £378.00
- Charles Wilson Carpets (18 Fox St): £1744.61
- Clerk’s Salary – September 2023: £676.20**
- Locum RFO Fee (1st Sept – 3rd Oct 2023): £194.25
- HMRC – PAYE (period ending 5th November 23): £23.20**
Automated Payments payable June 2023
1. DD BT – Broadband Reading Room £ 44.36*
(11th Oct 2023)
2. DD SSE £ TBC*
(DD 18th Oct 2023)
*Invoice expected, but not available in time for meeting
**Approximate amount. Subject to slight variation. (Payslips not available in time for meeting)
15. Bank signatories:
Application for addition of Councillor Davis as signatory to be chased up with the bank.
16. Highways.
- Any repairs or maintenance needed.
- LHI bid – Autumn 2023 bidding round:
There was considerable discussion as to the best LHI (Local Highways Initiative) bid to make in the Autumn ’23 application round, there being several deserving possibilities on roads leading out of the village. It was agreed to bid for a road restriction on the Caxton Road, with a reduction to 20mph or a 30mph buffer zone to beyond the Sportsfield / Nursery entrance. This was considered to be the most likely proposal to receive LHI funding. Councillor Catmur will write to County Councillor Stephen Ferguson to obtain his support for the bid. Agreed, that an explanation be sent to residents who have corresponded with the Parish Council concerning other speeding problems, including along Meadow Road.
Proposed by Councillor Pett, seconded by Councillor Catmur and approved with one abstention, the LHI bid for Caxton Road, together with the Parish Council contribution of £2,500 for the project. - 20 mph zone – speeding: Noted, the concerns received in the last month from residents, about speeding in the new 20mph zone and also along Caxton Road immediately outwith the 20mph zone, with the great risk to parents and children negotiating the narrow footway leading to the nursery / sportsfield. The Parish Council hopes that the LHI bid (above) will receive funding and help to address some of the concerns raised.
- Waresley Road flooding: A site meeting has been arranged with CCC Highways.
- Road signs for The Gransdens Farmers’ Market: The council considered the road signs put out a few days before the market to be appropriate and was pleased to note the success of the market. It was noted that there was quite a lot of parking near the windmill, although many people walked to the events.
17. E-W Rail Huntingdonshire / South Cambridgeshire Local Representatives Group – meeting: Councillor Catmur will attend.
18. Correspondence
18.1 Cambs ACRE – Housing Needs Survey: There was considerable discussion as to the proposal for another Housing Needs Survey from Cambs ACRE / HDC / a developer. Cambs ACRE proposes itself to be the independent consultant. The Parish Council has been asked to provide a letter of support to go with the proposed survey.
It was noted, that the last Housing Needs Survey 2018 results showed a need for 5 affordable homes, whereas at least 20 have been built.
Three votes were taken:
- Proposal, to not supply a letter of support: proposed Councillor Pett, seconded Councillor Bane: 3 against, 3 for and 1 abstention.
- Proposal, to reply to Cambs ACRE with conditions: proposed Councillor Ginn, seconded Councillor Catmur: 3 for, 3 against and 1 abstention.
- Proposed conditions in a reply to Cambs ACRE: To request the questions that will comprise the survey and to request the identity of the funding party: Proposed Councillor Ginn, seconded Councillor Day: 6 for and 1 abstention. Proposal carried.
18.2 Community energy project possibilities: Councillor Catmur introduced the possibilityof developing community energy projects and funding that might be available. Noted that local landowners would need to be engaged as the Parish Council does not own much land. Agreed that a working group of Councillor Catmur and Councillor Bane would bring together ideas for further discussion.
18.3 St Ives Town Council – ref. Neighbourhood Plan public consultation – using GGPC formats: The council approved the request from St. Ives Town Council for the use of the GGPC Neighbourhood Plan document formats – Notification of Public Consultation Letter and Representation Form. Councillor Gleadow, St Ives Town Council was thanked for making this approach to the Parish Council.
19. Planning Application:
REF. 23/01633/HHFUL An overhaul and improvement of the external building fabric, reconfiguration of the ground floor internal layout, reconfiguration of the main entrance and utilitarian spaces adjacent and a new juliet balcony to the master bedroom, overlooking the rear garden. 113 Meadow Road Great Gransden Sandy SG19 3BB:
Unanimously approved. The council considered that the upgrading of the house for modern use was appropriate and complies with Policy G3 – Local Character and Design, of the Great Gransden Neighbourhood Plan.
20. HR Committee Update. In line with the legislation below*, this item was closed to the public.
21. Date of Next Meeting: Monday 6th November 2023 which will commence at 7:30pm.
The meeting ended at 20:40.
*‘Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960
(2) A body may, by resolution, exclude the public from a meeting (whether during the whole or part of the proceedings) whenever publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted or for other special reasons stated in resolution and arising from the nature of that business or of the proceedings; and where such a resolution is passed, this Act shall not require the meeting to be open to the public during proceedings to which the resolution applies.’