The minutes of the March 2025 meeting, below, are 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, and in any conflict between the version below (provided for ease of access online) and the PDF version, the latter shall be deemed authoritative.
GREAT GRANSDEN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 7th April 2025
Those present were:
Parish Councillor Michael Capps (acting chairman) Parish Councillor James Catmur
Parish Councillor Cathy Davis Parish Councillor Nigel Day
Also present: District Councillor James Catmur and 7 members of the public.
The Chairman and Vice-chairman both being unable to attend, the Clerk opened the meeting. The election of an acting chairperson for the meeting was requested. Proposed unanimously by those councillors present that Councillor Capps chair this meeting. Councillor Capps agreed.
1. The meeting was opened with a silent prayer.
2. Apologies for absence: Parish Councillors Chris Bane, Nick Ginn, Paul Greenland, Andrew Pett and Alan Rowbotham.
3. Declarations of Interest: None.
4. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 3rd March 2025: the Minutes were proposed by Councillor Day, seconded by Councillor Ginn and unanimously approved.
5. Open Forum:
- Report from District Councillor James Catmur highlighted:
- Luton Airport expansion has been agreed by the government
- Housing land supply: HDC has undertaken a review of late submissions to its earlier Call for Sites. Four further sites have been analysed in Great Gransden only one of which meets the sustainability criteria. A further consultation round should now be brought forward.
- Local Government reorganisation: HDC has made an initial response to the government. There is now a November deadline for working with neighbouring local authorities to bring forward a firm solution.
There were several questions and comments to Councillor Catmur about the potential housing land supply allocations in the village including:
- concerns about drainage and flooding from these sites.
- the full size of the potential housing land supply sites.
6. Matters Arising:
None.
7. Crown & Cushion – update:
Noted, the results of the two planning applications are refusal of 25/00078/FUL Change of Use, but consent to 25/00079/LBC the Listed Building application.
Agreed to request clarification from HDC, Development Control as to whether the removal of internal fixings such as the bar and toilets was now permitted or not.
8. BT Phone box – update:
The HDC draft decision (approval) has been sent to the Secretary of State regarding the removal of telephone equipment. The Secretary of State must be consulted on Listed Buildings.
BT has confirmed that the box is on BT private land and that adoption of kiosks is not allowed when on BT owned land.
Agreed that the Parish Council write to BT to ask that it reconsider its criterion on non-adoption of a phone box when on its land and to investigate a range of options with BT for the Parish Council involvement with the phone box as a Grade II Listed Monument.
9. Bowls & Croquet Club – lease:
Proposed Councillor Davis, seconded by Councillor Day and unanimously agreed:
- 2-year extension to the current lease starting in as soon as possible (noted, the current 15year lease expires in November 2025)
- an amendment to the current lease allowing hire of the pavilion (ie. to charge) for non-bowls activities, with the proviso that the range of uses / noise levels / timing of events in relation to the surrounding neighbours are detailed in the amendment.
10. Solar Panels Project – update:
The application was successful for the Net Zero Villages Grant Scheme for £17,999. The requirements
for planning permission and insurance implications are now being brought together.
11. Cemetery bench by shed.
Unanimously agreed the new bench together with the conditions set out in the Clerk’s Report 7th April. Thanks were expressed to family providing the new bench and its upkeep.
12. Play equipment maintenance update: replacement swings, train repair and a new shackle to the basket swing now completed.
Agreed to obtain quotes for a new seesaw; Councillor Davis agreed to action.
13. Playing Field – opening / closing gate:
Councillor Capps has realigned the gate closure bar, for which thanks.
Agreed purchase of a padlock so that the gate can be closed if the need arises.
Agreed to obtain quotes for a secondary gate by the MUGA and a height barrierat the road gate.
14. Shop – Asset of Community Value:
Proposed by Councillor Day, seconded by Councillor Davis and unanimously agreed to apply for a renewed Shop ACV as soon as possible.
15. RFO’s Financial Statements and Budget Review:
The Financial Reports for March 2025 and Budget Review March 2025 were unanimously approved.
16. Payments for Approval: The April payments were proposed by Councillor Catmur, seconded by Councillor Capps and unanimously approved.
Payments for approval at the Parish Council Meeting on Monday 7th April 2025
Payments made as agreed at 3rd March Meeting
1. Balfour Beatty – lamp issues £722.30
2. Balfour Beatty – replacement £722.30
Cheques/Bank Transfers payable April 2025
1. Mr R McIntosh – Garden of Remembrance £7.50 *
2. Gt Gransden Reading Room – Cleaning reclaim for Nov 2024 £333.00
3. Gt Gransden Reading Room – Cleaning reclaim for Jan-March 2025 £1,090.00
& Gardening reclaim for Nov 2024
4. Brookfield Contracting – Sports field grass cutting 5 & 21 March £336.00
5. Mr M Capps – fence clip for MUGA notice repair £10.86
6. South Cambs District Council – Dole Field Rates 1/4/25 to 31/3/26 £167.17
7. Huntingdonshire District Council – Cottage April Council Tax £183.02
8. Clerk’s Salary – April 2025 £745.70
9. RFO’s Salary – April 2025 £362.69
10. HMRC Tax & NI (Month 12 ending 5 April 2025) £135.10
Automated Payments payable April 2025
1. DD SSE – Street lighting £200.00 **
(30th April/1May)
*Invoice expected, but not available in time for meeting
**Approximate amount. Subject to slight variation. (Not available in time for meeting)
18.
Highways & Rights of Way
- Any repairs or maintenance needed:
All known issues are on the Fault Report Portal and awaiting action by Highways.
19. Correspondence and Consultations
Noted, thatstatic speed indicator signs are known to be largely ignored after very little time in situ and the use of more irregular actions by Speedwatch groups is more effective.
Noted, that the reactivated Speedwatch group is planning to undertake some actions fairly soon.
20. Planning Applications:
20.1 REF. 25/00427/LBC – Removal of solar panels, repairs to 2 x chimney stacks and lead gutter of main roof, repair and replace timber fascia and barge boards and replacement of existing gutters. 10 East Street Great Gransden Sandy SG19 3AB:
The proposed works to the Listed Building are considered to be entirely in accord with the building and its Listed status.
Proposed by Councillor Day, seconded by Councillor Catmur and unanimously agreed that the planning application be recommended for approval to HDC.
20.2 REF. 25/00467/HHFUL – Single storey side extension/Garden room in place of existing conservatory and loft conversion with dormers and rooflights. 30 West Street Great Gransden Sandy SG19 3AU:
Proposed by Councillor Day, seconded by Councillor Catmur and unanimously agreed that the application be recommended to HDC for approval subject to conditions of a) opaque glazing to the high-level window overlooking the neighbouring property and b) the maximum height of the proposed garden room lantern roof light be no higher than the existing conservatory roof.
21. HR Committee Report and Recommendation:
In line with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 this item was considered in closed
session.
22. Date of the Annual Parish Meeting: Monday 28th April 2025 which will commence at 7.30 pm.
23. Date of Next Parish Council Meeting: Monday 12th May 2025 which will commence at 7.30pm.
The meeting ended at 9.30 pm.