(These minutes of the February 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 6th February 2023.
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: 5 members of the public.
1. The meeting was opened at 7:30 pm with a silent prayer.
2. Apologies for absence.
Councillor Richard West & Councillor Nick Ginn.
3. Declarations of Interest:
None.
4. Minutes of the previous monthly meeting held on 9th January were proposed by Councillor Pett, seconded by Councillor Catmur and unanimously approved.
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 provided a written report covering the issues: a) Green Space North East of Mandene Gardens S106 Agreement, b) Great Gransden 20mph zone consultation, c) A428 Project Update Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet planning permission, d) HDC Corporate Governance Committee.
County Councillor Stephen Ferguson gave a verbal report and comment: a) Great Gransden is held in high esteem for its Neighbourhood Plan, b) Potholes – the ‘pandemic’ of holes is being repaired at about 1000 per week, though reports far exceed this in number. If temporary repairs break up, they should be reported again, c) Precepts – all precepts including those of the County Council and Police are rising, d) Noted Rights of Way maintenance concerns in a neighbouring parish, e) Next aircraft noise public meeting is 23rd February at Little Gransden Village Hall.
The question was raised of the effect on the Neighbourhood Plan of new government target for an increase in housing. Councillor Stephen noted that with a Neighbourhood Plan in place it would be a primary document referred to in planning decisions, although a call for sites throughout the county was likely to come forward within a year. It was noted that the proposed East-West Rail route was likely to see a high level of building proposals.
A member of the public raised the concern of the Turkey / Syrian earthquake and asked if the Parish Council would be organising a collection. It was considered that donations should be made via the usual charities involved in disaster action.
6. Matters Arising:
6.1. Neighbourhood Development Plan: The Plan has been endorsed by HDC Cabinet at its meeting of 24/1/2023. The referendum date is set for 9th March, at the Reading Room. Polling cards have been sent out today. Postal voting is available. Information on the place and time of the referendum will be put on Touchbase and in Roundabout. The Parish Council and Neighbourhood Plan Committee can now make no further comment on the Plan.
6.2 Dog Poo Bins, costings and progress: It was noted that there are no actual dog poo bins, only general rubbish bins in the village. The new bin will probably be located south of Dutton Gardens on Sand Road. HDC is awaiting delivery of a new bin order.
6.3 Memorial Bench update: Councillor Pett will make renewed contact with the applicant, to discuss the options.
6.4 Litter Picks: Councillor Bane has now made contact with the previous organiser and will be arranging a group event at the end of February.
7. Playground:
- Maintenance: The big climbing frame now has two new boards (the fixings may require
painting) and the surface has been replaced under the swings.
- Maintenance contract quotes: One quote has been obtained. A meeting
with a second firm will take place on Friday 17th February. It was noted that not all play equipment firms undertake annual maintenance. It was considered that it maybe expedient to continue contracting with the firm that installed the MUGA. There was discussion as to the probable regular need to replace the rubber inserts on the goals. The vibration would also benefit from being checked.
7.3 Development: There has been a lot of positive response from the Open Morning show-casing the new equipment project. Wicksteed have been able to bring forward the installation and with agreement, started work on 9th February. Councillor Davis and Councillor Capps met with the contractors on site. There was some concern that the contractors were unsure as to the placement of the works, despite these having been measured out previously by Wicksteed and the Parish Council. Councillor Capps has checked the placements with the contractors. It may be arranged for the allotments to take the topsoil.
Reading Room car park lighting: The Reading Room Committee has asked for reconsideration of the proposal for people activated lighting, – that had been put on hold. Agreed to put the item on the next Agenda for fuller discussion.
- The issue of reduced noise backboards for the basketball goals will be
pursued with the maintenance contractors.
8. Reading Room Cottage Water Supply: The cost of a secondary water meter fitted between the Cottage and the Reading will be investigated further.
9. Reading Room: Building Project:
The Reading Room Committee have arranged a consultation on the development plans to run from 24th February to 19th March. A leaflet will be put out and information in Roundabout. The plans will also be available to view on 24th – 25th February at the Reading Room. There will be a survey on the leaflet for people to return. Councillor Capps raised the issue of listed building consent, and that discussions need to be held with the building conservation planners, together with a pre-application. This point will be taken back to the Reading Room Committee.
10. RFO’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 and unanimously agreed.
11. Payments for Approval
The payments below were proposed by Councillor Pett, seconded by Councillor Catmur and approved by the Council.
Payments for approval at the Parish Council meeting on Monday 6th February 2023
Cheques/ Bank Transfers payable February 2023
1. RFO expenses for January 2023: £26.38
2. HMRC – PAYE (period ending 5th Mar 23): £0.00
3. Human Capital Department : £178.80
(Retained HR support)
4. Fenland Leisure Products: £7365.84
(Playground Improvements)
5. Reading Room Committee: £745.00
(Outstanding Invoice)
6. Reading Room Committee: £160.00
7. Cambs ACRE: £60.00
(Membership Renewal Fee 2023/24)
7. PKF Littlejohn: £576.00
(External Audit Fee 2021/22)
8. Clerk’s Payment (inc expenses): £538.00
9. RFO Salary – Feb 2023: £244.40
(28th Feb 2023)
Automated Payments payable February 2023
1. DD BT – Broadband Reading Room: £ 38.78
(11th Feb 2023)
2. DD SSE: £ 103.36
(DD 11th Feb 2023)
12. Energy Contract: The current contract ends September 2023. Quotes will be sought for a further 3-year contract. Councillor Davis raised the question of ethical energy, which will be investigated. Offers are usually only available within the same working day. Councillor Pett proposed that a sub-group of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and another councillor be available to take the decision as the appropriate time. This was seconded by Councillor Catmur and unanimously approved.
13. Highways
Any repairs or maintenance needed:
Great Gransden 20MPH Zone – Formal Consultation – update – Councillor Catmur: The second consultation closes 8th February. There has been comment about an extension along Mill Road. Costings have not yet been provided. The budget has a sum already allocated to the project.
14. Correspondence
14.1 Headstone Colour: The usual stone colours were considered appropriate.Noted that footings needed to be secure.
14.2 Playing Field – handrail at Little Lane steps: Agreed that quotes should be obtained for a double rail – adult and child levels. CCC Highways will be consulted as the bottom steps are on Highways land and may also be able to quote for the work. Councillor Pett to action.
14.3 Cambridge Gliding Club Consultative Committee Meeting – minutes: Noted.
14.4 Bowls Club – grant request: The Parish Council does not have grant-giving reserve. It was considered that the Poor’s Land Trust was the most appropriate fund available within the village, to which the Bowls Club will be referred. The lease to the Bowls Club was discussed and confirmed that this would be renewed at the appropriate time.
14.5 Green Space Land North East of Mandene Gardens. S106 Agreement under planning application 17/01375/OUT: There is confusion as to the piece of land referred to in the letter concerning the S106 Agreement. The Parish Council is aggrieved as to the current situation. A swing has been removed from the Parish Council land by the Mandene Gardens developer and has not been replaced. A sum of £2,600 is owed to the Parish Council for the swing. A 6ft fence around this land has protruding nails and the area is entirely unacceptable for children’s play in its current form. A second piece of land lies at the bottom of Mandene Gardens, with a ‘path to no-where’. There was discussion as to whether it would be possible to link the two pieces of land to create an open green-space. Councillor Pett will seek a meeting with the District Council to further a resolution to the issues.
1. APPLICATION REF. 23/00031/HHFUL Extension to outbuilding. 22 Little Gransden Lane Great Gransden Sandy SG19 3BA: Noted that the Parish Council had approved the previous application. This renewed application now proposes a green roof. Approval of the application was proposed by Councillor Pett, seconded by Councillor Catmur and agreed with one abstention.
16. Council Meeting Dates for 2023 – including confirmation of Tues 2nd May
Confirmed Tuesday 2nd May as the date for the Council meeting that month.
17. HR Committee Update: Postponed until the next meeting.
18. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting has been arranged for Monday 6th March at 7:30pm
This meeting closed at 8:55pm.