Minutes of the January 2023 meeting

(These minutes of the January 2023 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.)


GREAT GRANSDEN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 9th January 2023

Those present were:

  • Nick Ginn, Chairman
  • 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: 13 members of the public.

1. The meeting was opened at 7:30 pm with a silent prayer.

2. Apologies for absence.  None received.

3. Declarations of Interest:

Councillor Bane noted he would abstain from the consideration of Item 15.2, planning application ref. 2/02531/HHFUL.

Councillor Day noted he would abstain from the consideration of Item 11, Payments for Approval.

4. Minutes of the previous monthly meeting held on 5th December were agreed with two amendments: Open Forum – the suggestion of a meeting with residents living around the playground, in order to discuss the playground development, to be inserted. Item 19. Council Dates for 2023; the date and time of the Annual Parish Meeting to be inserted.

5. OPEN FORUM: The meeting was closed for 10 minutes to enable members of the public to bring any matters to the attention of the Parish Council.

District Councillor Richard West was welcomed back to Parish Council meetings after his illness. He then reported or made comment on several issues:

MUGA – sure all issues can be resolved; seeking to provide play equipment to enable children to enjoy the outdoors and be active and at the same time not upset residents enjoyment of their property and garden.
HUNTINGDONSHIRE POLICE ENGAGEMENT
I have booked a place at the quarterly meeting of police engagement meeting the local team, to feed to the police issues the villagers have.

NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Am pleased with remarks made by district councillor colleagues on the work by all involved.
HUNTINGDONSHIRE LOCAL PLAN
There is legal requirement to update the 2036 local plan after five years. The adoption of the plan was 15th May 2019. Public consultation is commencing in February 2023 running for six weeks.
TWO OUTSTANDING ISSUES
Crown and Cushion reopening and the Sand Road development play area and lighting.
EAST WEST RAIL LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES GROUPS
Am pleased Councillor Catmur has put himself forward for the accessibility advisory panel.

A member of the public asked for an update on the actions agreed for the MUGA at the 7th September meeting with residents, including the basketball backboards and fencing.

Another member of the public raised concerns about noise and music levels from the playing field.

The residents of 16, Sand Road expressed concern about the proposed development in their garden, noting that they had had no response from the housing association. Another local resident noted that he had sought professional advice on the proposal, which concluded that the existing garden is well maintained, the infill is contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework and that there is no attention given to the street scene and local character of open spaces between properties. Highways and parking concerns were raised, as was the fact that many school children use the footpath that runs in front of the proposed new parking. Councillor West, HDC noted that he has sent his comments, together with those received from the residents, to HDC Planning.

6. Matters Arising: 

6.1. Neighbourhood Development Plan:  

The Overview & Scrutiny Panel, HDC Democratic Services approved the Great Gransden Neighbourhood Plan on 4th January with very positive comments. The Plan programme is now:

  • 24 January – HDC Cabinet meeting – formal decision on whether to proceed to referendum
  • A referendum may be scheduled for 9 March 2023

6.2 Dog Poo Bins, costings and progress: Further contact has been made with HDC to no result. Councillor Richard West was asked to pursue the matter, which has been on-going since September.

6.3 Memorial Bench update: The new memorial bench could be placed by the shed or replace a bench that is in disrepair. It was noted that there are currently two memorial benches. The applicant has been contacted by Councillor Pett, to discuss the options.

7. Playground Maintenance and Development:

  1. Maintenance: The two weeks of work started on 9th January. Moving of materials over the ground is by hand in order to avoid damage. The chairman has recently checked the MUGA surface and panels and found no obvious fault. The MUGA maintenance fund can be used for any repairs as appropriate.
  2. Maintenance contract ETC – proposed renewal.: ETC has been contacted and will be given another week to respond. The current contract ends mid-January.
  3. Development: The order of the new equipment has been confirmed with Wicksteed. Proposed siting of this equipment was discussed: It was agreed that the Unicorn Lair for young children will be placed near the corner of the school, the Basket swing will be to the west of this where there was once a climbing frame, 10m from the residential fence line and as close as possible to the roundabout. The Fields in Trust Guidance has been used to assist in consideration of the siting of the new equipment. The open green space will remain as at present. Councillor Capps noted that a memorial tree had been planted to the east of the position for the Unicorn Lair and that a bench was to be put around it. The distance between them was thought sufficient. Information on the new equipment will be available on the morning of the 27th January in the Reading room café as well as the opportunity to speak with councillors. Information will also be put on the GGPC website and on Touchbase.
  4. Emails received from residents about the MUGA, use of the playground and the playground development were noted

8. Reading Room Cottage Water Supply:

The quote received from Anglian Water is in fact only for inspection of any new connection that the Parish Council might install. An enquiry will be made as to whether a secondary meter can be installed between the supply to the cottage and the Reading Room at a lower cost.

9. Reading Room: Building Project:

The Reading Room Committee asked for permission to arrange a village consultation concerning the building project. This was proposed by Councillor Ginn, seconded by Councillor Bane and unanimously agreed.

Councillor Capps raised questions as to the layout of the kitchen extension. This will be raised further during the consultation.

10. RFO’s Financial Statement for October 2022 and Budget Review.  The sheet filed as Appendix 1 had been circulated. One typographical error requires correction but does not affect the figures. Appreciation was voiced as to the excellent work of the RFO.

11. Payments for Approval

The payments below, proposed by Councillor Pett, seconded by Councillor Catmur and unanimously approved. The payments were proposed by Councillor Pett, seconded by Councillor Ginn and approved by the Council, with the abstention of Councillor Day.

Payments for approval at the Parish Council meeting on Monday 9th January 2023

Cheques/ Bank Transfers payable January 2023

1.         RFO expenses for December 2022                                                     £14.39

2.         HMRC – PAYE (period ending 5th Feb 23)                                        £0.00*

3.         Human Capital Department                                                               £178.80

            (Retained HR support)

4.         Mr N Day                                                                                            £539.98

            (Reimbursement for Replacement PC Laptop)

5.         Mr N Day                                                                                            £18.39

            (Reimbursement for new PC Laptop Bag)

6.         Mr N Day                                                                                            £7.47

            (New HDMI Cable for PC)

7.         Mr N Day

            (USB Adapter for PC)                                                                        £21.59

8.         ICO Renewal Fee 2023/24                                                                 £40.00

9.         Mr R McIntosh                                                                                   £15.00

            (Garden of Remembrance Nov/Dec 2022)                                        

10.       Clerk’s Payment (inc expenses)                                                         £591.80

11.       RFO Salary – Jan 2023                                                                       £244.40

            (28th Jan 2023)

12.       Caretaker Salary – Jan 2023                                                               £0.00

            (28th Jan 2023)

Automated Payments payable January 2023

1.         DD                  BT – Broadband Reading Room                                £ 38.78

                                    (11th Jan 2023)

2.         DD                  SSE                                                                             £ 115.50

                                    (DD 18th Jan 2023)

12. Complaints Procedure – development:

The NALC (National Association of Local Councils) format has been adopted and is now published on the Parish Council /website.

13. Highways

Any repairs or maintenance needed:

Great Gransden 20MPH Zone – Formal Consultation – update Councillor Catmur provided the update. CCC Highways have reviewed and taken on board comments from the consultation. Costings for the project are now being sought by Highways and should be received by the Parish Council during January. It was noted that new Speedwatch equipment would have to be obtained in order to register speeds between 20-30mph.

14. Correspondence

14.1 Gransden Muddy Fun Run on 29th January:

The request made to the Parish Council to use the Sports Field as a base for the event was well received. The event was noted as an excellent fundraiser for the school. The suggestion was made that the organisers contact residents around the playing field to provide information and enable any discussion required. Agreement to the event was proposed by Councillor Ginn and seconded by Councillor Capps, with unanimous agreement.

14.2 Litter picking:

Emails had been received from Des Merrill and Glyn Williams. Due to ill health Des Merrill wishes to step down from the organising role, however, no-one within the current group is able to take this on. Councillor Bane’s offer to take on this role was received, with thanks. Councillor Capps noted that villagers do often pick up some litter when out walking, which was gratefully acknowledged.

15.  Planning Applications:

1. APPLICATION REF. 22/02382/FUL, Construction of 2no. 2 bedroom maisonettes. Land At 16 Sand Road, Great Gransden, Sandy, SG19 3AQ:

Many objections were expressed concerning this proposed development including: siting in a garden looked after by the tenants and not on ‘waste ground’; lack of space; poor design and incorrect dimensions; over-development of site; additional parking and traffic in an area already with these difficulties; infilling in an area where green space is typical between housing and having a negative impact on the local rural environment. Any precedence that might be set for infilling of green space was deplored. The sustainability of adding small homes was questioned, as the village has a lack of services and a car would definitely be needed. The issue of access rights of current residents was also raised. Noted that much of the wording of the application had apparently been lifted directly from another planning application, thereby having several inaccuracies and that the definition of maisonettes was inaccurate. Concern was expressed that this plan had passed through a consultation with HDC.

The several objection letters already sent in to Planning, and available to see on the portal, were noted.

It was noted that the Parish Council response would necessarily have to deal with key planning issues, as a wider discussion would not be considered by the Planning Committee.

Proposed by Councillor Pett; the primary issues to be raised would be a) overdevelopment of the site and b) the increase in problems of parking and traffic. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Ginn and unanimously agreed. It was agreed that Councillor Pett would draft the response.


2. APPLICATION REF. 22/02531/HHFUL, Erection of single storey side extension 17 Middle Street, Great Gransden, Sandy, SG19 3AD:

This proposed extension was considered reasonable. Noted that there were no comments from local residents on the planning portal. Councillor Ginn proposed approval of the application, which was seconded by Councillor Pett and agreed unanimously, except for the abstention of Councillor Bain.

16. Council Meeting Dates for 2023 – including confirmation of Tues 2nd May

Confirmation still required as to whether the Reading Room is available on Tuesday 2nd May.

17.  HR Committee Update. 

In line with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 this item was considered in closed session.

18. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting has been arranged for Monday 6th February at 7:30pm

This meeting closed at 9:00pm.