The following minutes of the September 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 August financial statement referenced in item 11, is available in PDF format as a separate download.
Minutes of the PC meeting, 4 September 2023
Those present were:
- Councillor Pett, Vice-chairman in the chair;
- Chris Bane, Parish Councillor;
- Nigel Day, Parish Councillor;
- Alan Rowbotham, Parish Councillor.
Also present: County Councillor Stephen Ferguson and a visiting fellow councillor; District Councillor Richard West; and, 2 members of the public.
1. The meeting was opened with silent prayer.
2. Apologies for absence.
Councillors Capps, Catmur, Davis and Ginn.
3. Declarations of Interest:
None.
4. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 7th August: The Minutes were proposed by Councillor Day, seconded by Councillor Bane and were approved,
5. OPEN FORUM:
County Councillor Stephen Ferguson highlighted:
Cambridge congestion charge – changes to proposals and that the division in which Great Gransden lies is one of the few areas in favour of the charge; Green bin charge – although not popular with the public, the charge will allow HDC to balance its budget – to help low-income earners Council Tax will also be adjusted; Food waste bins – The contract with the Waterbeach facilities would have to be modified. DEFRA will probably introduce legislation that will require councils to collect food waste; Weeds – a new Highways policy on low maintenance was introduced this year, but there have been complaints about weed growth on pavements and at kerbs. Highways is to reconsider the issue.
District Councillor Richard West provided a report which also covered: green bin charge concerns; HDC Waste reduction event – worthwhile; HDC Electric Vehicle Pilot – hopes GGPC will be active in the initiative. The Parish Council noted its support to Councillor West in his regularly taking actions and raising issues on behalf of the Parish Council and the wider public.
6. Matters Arising / points of information:
6.1 Mandene Gardens S106 payment: The Clerk wrote to HDC on 24th July requesting the S106 payment for loss of play equipment. The Parish Council is due the sum of £2661. However, a reply not yet received / the new S106 contact person has not yet been established.
6.2 Defibrillator – checks: Kelly Walsh, Secretary, Sports Club (GRSA) has agreed to undertake the quarterly checks and a training will be arranged. Councillor Davis will take the request for a RR defib. rep to the RR committee at its next meeting (October).
6.3 County Broadband connection to Reading Room: The Clerk writing to County Broadband to confirm the change to their service.
6.4 Green bin charge: Noted.
6.5 Noticeboards repair: Noted the cost likely to be under £500. An initial quote will be sought.
6.6 Upcoming closures of Waresley and Gransden Woods, and Gamlingay Wood Nature Reserves: The Clerk writing to the Wildlife Trust with the council’s concerns.
6.7 Gigaclear works – concerns: The Clerk writing to CCC Highways with the council’s concerns.
7. Crown & Cushion – ACV – update:
A response will be sent by the Vice-chairman, to the last email from the owners of the Crown and Cushion. Clarification will be sought as to whether the pub and only part of the land within the ACV can be sold, whilst the owners retain some of the land. The Parish Council sub-committee for the Crown and Cushion will meet to discuss an appropriate bid for the property. Noted, that the moratorium on sale ends in a couple of months.
8. Playing Field.
8.1 MUGA – update / actions. Advice to be sought from the MUGA construction company together with the installation firm on the most up-to-date noise reduction measures.
8.2 CIL funding:
Noted, contract received from HDC – now signed. Receipt of funding therefore expected soon.,
9. Hedge cutting and trees managed by GGPC – Programming hedge and tree management.
Noted that the Parish Council is responsible for managing certain trees, but no hedges. (Hedges at the Sportsfield are managed by the GSRA). Noted, that the firm previously contracted to survey the trees for the PC in 2018 had provided an excellent and comprehensive report. As a specialist service and being able to use much of the data again, it was agreed to obtain a quote for a new 5-year survey from the same company.
10. 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. Again, noted that the Parish Council does not wish to take on this land, but does wish to understand what is to happen to it and its relation to the adjacent open land by the brook at Mandene Gardens.
11. RFO’s Financial Statement and Budget Review August 2023.
This sheet filed as Appendix 1 had been circulated: Noted.
12. Payments for Approval.
The payments below: Proposed Councillor Pett, seconded Councillor Day and unanimously approved.
Payments Made since last meeting:
Mr N Ginn: £2008.75
Reimbursement for payment of Howdens Invoice
Kitchen – RR Cottage, 18 Fox Street
Expenditure previously approved (Up to £5000)
NFU Mutual – 18 Fox Street (Additional Premium): £1324.07
Cheques/ Bank Transfers payable Sept 2023
1. Human Capital Department (Retained HR support): £178.80
2. Mr R McIntosh (Garden of Remembrance): £7.50
3. The Mower Shed: £156.00
4. NFU Mutual – 18 Fox Street (Admin Fee): £66.86
5. Buchans Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance: £332.08
6. Clerk’s Salary – September 2023: £676.20
7. Locum RFO Fee (1st August – 31st August 2023) : £129.50
8. HMRC – PAYE (period ending 5th October 23): £23.20
Automated Payments payable June 2023
1. DD BT – Broadband Reading Room: £ 44.36
(11th Sept 2023)
2. DD SSE: £ TBC*
(DD 18th Sept 2023)
*Invoice expected, but not available in time for meeting
13. Bank signatories.
- Unanimously agreed, that only three bank signatories are required.
- Unanimously agreed that the bank mandate should be changed to allow any two of the three signatories to authorise a transaction. Proposed by Councillor Bane and seconded by Councillor Day.
14. Highways.
Any repairs or maintenance needed.
- AA Autos – verge: The Clerk to report to Highways about the hedge planting on verge and infilling of ditch on Highways land, noting also the reduced sightline.
- Waresley Road flooding – The Clerk to report to Highways with the concern about the regular flooding and need for maintenance.
Community Gritting Scheme applications for Winter 2023 – 2024.
- The Council does not wish to participate in the scheme and has not done so in past years due to the major commitments required for health and safety and training time involved.
15. Correspondence
15.1 Correspondence with reference to conservation mowing suggestion at the churchyard.
Noted that the lychgate is a war memorial and belongs to the Parish Council. The churchyard remains the responsibility of the church and diocese, with the Parish Council only contributing funds to its maintenance. Agreed that the Clerk reply, noting that the Parish Council supports discussion amongst all involved in the churchyard with respect to the proposals for wildlife enhancement.
15.2 HDC Electric Vehicle Pilot.
Agreed to register an interest, although a budget has not been considered. Councillor Bane suggested that the gate at the Reading Room could be moved to allow 2 or 3 vehicle charging spaces, rather than including the whole car park. The current lock for the gate is being replaced by the Reading Room Committee.
15.3 Huntingdonshire Climate Conversation: Noted.
15.4 HDC – Meeting Invitation: How to reduce waste in Huntingdonshire: Councillor Bane agreed to attend.
15.5 Action on Energy Cambridgeshire Autumn Event: Noted.
15.6 Police Huntingdon Community Meeting: Noted.It was agreed that the return of PCSO would be beneficial to village communities.
16. Planning Application:
REF. 23/01499/HHFUL – Single storey side extension with velux windows to replace the existing Conservatory 5 Webbs Meadow Great Gransden Sandy SG19 3BL.
Approval – proposed by Councillor Pett and seconded by Councillor Rowbotham. Reasons for approval: the extension is a replacement for an existing conservatory within the Built-up Area Boundary defined by the Neighbourhood Plan. Although within the built Conservation Area, it is not considered to impinge on it, thus complying with the Neighbourhood Plan Design Guide.
17. HR Committee Update. In line with the legislation below*, this item will be closed to the public.
18. Date for January 2024 Meeting.
Agreed unanimously, Monday 8th January 2024.
19. Date of Next Meeting: Monday 2nd October 2023 which will commence at 7:30pm.
The meeting ended at 20:40.
(Appendix 1: Financial Statement – Parish Accounts August 2023, is available as a separate download.)
*‘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.’