(The minutes of the December 2022 meeting were accepted with revisions at the January 2023 meeting, and the amended version is available in PDF form for offline reading and printing.)
Those present were:
- Andrew Pett, Vice Chairman;
- Chris Bane, Parish Councillor;
- Cathy Davis, Parish Councillor;
- James Catmur, Parish Councillor;
- Nigel Day, Parish Councillor;
- Michael Capps, Parish Councillor
- Alan Rowbotham, Parish Councillor.
Also present: 10 members of the public.
1. The meeting was opened at 7:30 pm with a silent prayer.
2. Apologies for absence. Apologies were received from District Councillor Richard West and Parish Councillors Nick Ginn.
3. Declarations of Interest. No declarations of interest.
4. Minutes of the previous monthly meeting held on the 7th November were proposed by Councillor Rowbotham, seconded by Councillor Catmur, unanimously approved and signed accordingly by the Vice Chairman.
5. OPEN FORUM. The meeting was closed for 10 minutes.
A member of the public read out a letter from another member of the public, unable to be
present, expressing concerns about the playing field and its use. The suggestion that a meeting be
held with residents living immediately around the playground to discuss the playground
development before any general public meeting, was noted.
A member of the public speaking on behalf of other local parents, congratulated the Parish
Council on obtaining the grant funding for inclusive play equipment and for the continued
maintenance work on the current playground. They noted that they considered the playground a
safe environment, and valuable social meeting place for children, parents and grandparents. Also
noted, that parents from now grown-up children are supportive of the inclusive play equipment.
The Vice Chairman clarified that there were two aspects to the current Parish Council actions for
the playground a) maintenance and b) new inclusive equipment, some of which would replace
old equipment. Agreed that the basic schedule of maintenance would be made available to the
concerned person.
A member of the public noted that the Parish Council had embarked on the inclusive playground
project after representation from the School Council.
6. Matters Arising:
6.1. Neighbourhood Development Plan: HDC have received the Examiner’s report that the modified Neighbourhood Plan met all legal requirements and should proceed to Referendum. HDC will now send it and Committee papers to HDC Democratic Services. The following timetable may be followed:
- 4 January – Overview & Scrutiny meeting at HDC Democratic Services.
- 24 January – HDC Cabinet meeting – formal decision on whether to proceed to referendum is made.
- A referendum may be scheduled for 9 March 2023.
6.2 Dog Poo Bins, costings and progress: It is thought that the trial bin has not yet been put out. To be followed up by the Vice Chairman.
6.3 Memorial Bench update: Three councillors will meet to look at positions in the graveyard.
7. Playground Maintenance and Development:
- Maintenance: Maintenance will go ahead 12th – 20th December, weather / ground conditions permitting.
- Development: Two quotes were put before the meeting. A third quote was considered, by the Playground Committee, to provide less suitable equipment. There was £2000 between the two quotes being reviewed, the equipment is similar, but one had a concrete edging to define the area, whilst the latter had chamfered edges, which requires more engineering, but is safer. The latter, Wicksteed, was proposed by Councillor Davis, seconded by Councillor Capps and unanimously approved.
There was discussion as to comments made, during the Neighbourhood Plan development, about
the playground / field. Concerning the siting of the equipment: it was thought that the basket
swing should be by the other swings; the central play area left open, noting that it is used by the
school; the early years equipment should be by the small slide, away from the equipment for
older children.
8. Reading Room Cottage Water Supply: The quote of £2935.20 received for the division of the cottage water supply from that of the Reading Room is reasonable. However, it may be that the road does not have to be dug, nor therefore closed. Councillor Pett will have further discussion with Anglian Water.
9. Reading Room: Building Project: There has been a meeting of the Reading Room Committee and the Parish Council to view the latest stage of the Reading Room development plans. The documents will be circulated to all Parish Councillors, before further consideration in January.
10. Dole Field: The registration confirmation has now been received, from the Land Registry, of the extension to the Parish Council Cemetery.
11. Clerk’s Financial Statement for October 2022 and Budget Review. The sheet filed as Appendix 1 had been circulated. The statement was proposed by Councillor Capps, seconded by
Councillor Catmur, unanimously approved and signed by the Chairman.
12. Payments for Approval
The payments below, proposed by Councillor Pett, seconded by Councillor Catmur and unanimously approved.
Payments for approval at the Parish Council meeting on Monday 5th December 2022
Cheques/ Bank Transfers payable December 2022
1. RFO expenses for November 2022: £14.39
2. HMRC – PAYE (period ending 5th Jan 22): £0.00*
3. Human Capital Department : £178.8 (Retained HR support)
4. Acacia Tree Surgery £300.00
5. Cambridgeshire Acre (Invoice 7789) £300.00
6. HDC – Council Tax 18 Fox St £753.41
7. Clerk’s Payment (inc expenses) £591.80
8. RFO Salary – Dec 2022 £244.40 (28th Dec 2022)
9. Caretaker Salary – Dec 2022 £0.00 (28th Dec 2022)
Automated Payments payable December 2022:
1. DD BT – Broadband Reading Room £ 38.78
2. DD SSE £ TBC* (DD 18th Dec 2022)
*Awaiting bill / invoice at time of publication
13. Laptop budget:
- laptop budget £500+VAT authorisation of purchase.
- authorisation to sell old laptop parts on ebay, with monies returned to GGPC.
- usb caddy for use as a high-speed backup.
The above three points were proposed by Councillor Day, seconded by Councillor Catmur and unanimously approved
14. Complaints Procedure – development.
Item postponed until the next meeting.
15. Highways – :
Great Gransden 20MPH Zone – Formal Consultation – update: The comments received to the consultation were mixed but most seem to be making the following points.
In light of the comments received by CCC Highways the following changes have been made to the original design and there will be a further consultation.
Councillor Catmur noted that speed limits would not be put in open country; the extension of the 20mph zone on Caxton Road is likely to only be to the current 30mph limit, as the Police do not support it extending further. Councillor Day noted an anomaly in the approach zone on Mill Road; Councillor Catmur will include this point in when responding to the renewed consultation. Councillors Catmur commented that it is positive that Great Gransden will actually obtain a slightly extended 20mph zone to that in the original LHI bid.
Councillor Catmur has also made an application to National Highways concerning the widening of pavements along Caxton Road, which might be agreed as mitigation for the forthcoming A428 works.
LHI – suggestions and bid:. Many suggestions were received for highways work, from the call put on Touchbase after the last meeting. However, many need to be reported on the CCC Highways Road Fault website and are not LHI type actions and others that would not obtain Highways support. A separate post will be made on Touchbase about individuals reporting to the Road Fault system.
Caxton Road and Meadow Road both received a number of comments. The Parish Council funds available are not currently sufficient to fund the 50% input required for the Meadow Road situation. Caxton Road is thought suitable for National Highways mitigation work (see above). It was also considered useful that the impact of the new 20mph zone should be evaluated first. It was therefore concluded, that a LHI bid would not be made in this funding round.
Any repairs or maintenance needed:
- Muddy grass patch by school (Councillor Ginn): To be reported to CCC Highways
- Waresley Road the pipework needs particular attention not just the drain. Councillor Pett has been in touch with CCC Highways about the January road closure for other works nearby.
- Church Street – top of footpath has telecommunications cover as a trip hazard, dislodged, by County Broadband work.
- Meadow Road, before village sign: the road is falling away.
16. Correspondence
16.1 Zip wire (resident’s verbal suggestion via Councillor Catmur). The suggestion was noted. There was discussion about noise of a zip wire and that siting would need to be at the sportsground. Not thought feasible at present.
16.2 Little Lane Access Ramp: Noted that the land required was Highways land unless an extremely long ramp was made actually on the playing field, the maximum slope allowed being 4 degrees. The Parish Council have considered the matter in the past and found it to be difficult and expensive. Not thought feasible to take forward at present.
16.3 Street Light PC8: Repair noted. Residents are requested to continue contacting the Parish Council concerning any street lighting faults.
16.4 Cemetery – update on queries / requests: There have been two enquiries this month concerning burial plots.
16.5 E-W Rail Local Representatives Groups: Noted. Councillor Catmur has put himself forward for the Accessibility Advisory Panel.
16.6 CPCA – Alternative Fuels Strategy Consultation – ends 21/12/2022: Noted.
16.7 LG Aerodrome Local Consultative Committee Minutes of 9/11/2022: The minutes will be circulated to all parish councillors.
17. Planning Application: Consultation – 63 Meadow Road, Great Gransden, Sandy (ref 22/02358/S73). Noted that the planning restriction has already been removed, therefore this consultation is actually a fait accompli. There was discussion around the points that retired farmers and farm workers were still eligible for an agricultural tenancy and whether there were other properties in the parish, in a similar situation.
18. HR Committee Update.
In line with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 this item was considered in closed session.
19. Council Dates for 2023.
All dates below were agreed except that in May. It will be ascertained whether the Reading Room is free on 2nd May 2023.
- January 9th, (as 2nd is a Bank Holiday);
- February 6th;
- March 6th;
- April 3rd – Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30pm to precede the Parish Council Meeting;
- May 15th (as 1st & 8th are both Bank Holidays, due to Coronation);
- June 5th;
- July 3rd;
- August 7th;
- September 4th;
- October 2nd;
- November 6th;
- December 4th.
20. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting has been arranged for Monday 9th January at 7:30pm.
This meeting closed at 9:00pm.