Gamlingay Parish Council

13/10/2026

Welcome on board!

Meet Daniel ( Dan) , Gamlingay Parish Council’s new Grounds Operative, who will be helping to look after our village. Do say hello if you see him out and about!

13/10/2026

Information from South Cambridgeshire District Council

Winter Preparedness and flooding
Winter preparedness is important for flood risk partners (Councils, Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities and Utility Companies), parishes and individual residents themselves. Each winter the UK experiences flooding and our area is often also impacted, especially in locations that have experienced flooding in the past. This information aims to help prepare communities and has important reminders for those more prone to flooding. Roles and online resources A new flood and water information hub has been created on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website – they are the Lead Local Flood Authority. The pages cover:
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Who is responsible in relation to flooding.
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Important information for residents and businesses to help them plan for flooding (and importantly measures people can take in advance of any flooding)
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Materials to support community flood groups and grants available
People are urged to read the page on Flooding – who is responsible which contains a helpful flow chart on who manages what. This page also has the easier ways to report issues and the contact details.
There are hundreds of kilometres of watercourses in the area. They are also managed by different people, including responsibilities for homeowners. As a Council we are responsible for 275km of watercourses. Details of rivers, ditches and watercourses, including who is responsible can be checked using the watercourse map.
If there is a watercourse on, next to or under a property you own, then you could be a Riparian Owner. The deeds for your property or land may tell you if this is the case. However, even if your deeds do not say you are responsible for an adjacent watercourse, the law will assume you are. Waiver of responsibility only applies where a title deed states specifically that you are not responsible. This means you are responsible for its maintenance to ensure it flows freely without obstruction, pollution or diversion, and you should also maintain your side of the riverbank. If you are a tenant, responsibilities usually sit with the owner; but it is worth checking your tenancy agreement.
Planning and preparing (resources)
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Individual household preparedness – making a flood plan is the best line of defence if your property is susceptible to flooding. The Preparing for flooding page has a template for a personal plan and helpful advice and information.
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Signing up for FREE flood alerts – it is easy to sign up to receive free flood warnings from the Environment Agency. This can be for a home or business premises in England. Visit the government’s webpages regarding flood warnings.
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Check previous flood risks – Cambridgeshire County Council’s website has information about flood risk and if previous flood reports have been made for a specific area. Please visit their information regarding Flood investigations where you will also see a map to identify previous flood investigations. You can also check previous flood investigations using your postcode on their flood map.
Flood groups in communities
Check for and join a flood group - There are some existing flood groups in Cambridgeshire. Active and inactive groups can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s flood group webpages. Good community flood planning starts with understanding how flooding could affect your local area. This means gathering local knowledge and working together to identify:
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Areas that flood easily - such as low-lying roads, footpaths, or properties near drains, streams, or ditches
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Important places - schools, care homes, community centres, and other key buildings
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People who may need extra help - including older residents, people with disabilities, those who live alone, or families with young children
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How you stay in touch - for example, community WhatsApp groups, phone trees, or local volunteer networks
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Knowing your area well helps ensure your community is better prepared and able to respond quickly if flooding happens.
We have been working with parishes in areas that have experienced flooding in more recent years to encourage groups to be established and flood plans to be put in place.
Setting up a flood group – if town/parish councils, or a group of volunteers want to set up a flood group we can help you. Areas with flood groups often respond very well during significant rainfall events. You can contact [email protected] or visit Cambridgeshire County Council’s webpages that contain information and templates.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s role in a significant rainfall / flooding event
Sandbags – we do not provide a sandbag service to residents. Generally, it is the responsibility of residents to protect their own properties from flooding and that is why we urge people to plan ahead and make a plan if your home is at higher risk of flooding. However, we do have a limited supply of sandbags that can be delivered to homes that are at imminent risk of flooding only, and not as a preventative measure a day or hours in advance of potential flooding. By this, we don't mean if there's a weather warning in place for your area for a given day; we mean if the water is rising by a front door. In those situations, we prioritise those who are most vulnerable and we'll always do our best to get there but we cannot guarantee it. Information on
protecting your home or requesting sandbags in an immediate emergency can be found on our flooding webpage.
Emergency Planning – We work with public sector organisations and industry bodies as part of the wider multi agency response in an emergency, including flooding. This ensures a joined-up approach when there is a major event and resources can be shared and called upon across the county if there is a greater need in some areas. This includes our communications teams working together to ensure people have the best information. However, signing up to alerts in advance will always provide the best information for your home or area.
Recovery and shelter – Our housing team stands up and provides rest centres and shelter for residents during an emergency when it is required.
Infrastructure and assets – The awarded watercourses team monitor and service the Council’s responsibilities during a significant rainfall event to ensure that our watercourses remain free of obstructions and our pumping station works effectively. The team deliver sandbags and share their equipment and resources with flood risk partners. mechanical / machinery based, and hand works tasks, on approximately 275 km of open watercourses, culverts, pipes and associated structures within South Cambridgeshire
Members - District Councillors act as a vital link between communities and the Council, helping share trusted information, identify vulnerable residents and emerging issues, and escalate local concerns to the appropriate officers and partner agencies
Key contacts at the Council
1)
Your local District Councillors can be located by visiting our councillor webpage
2)
If you have any questions regarding awarded watercourses, contact our Awarded Watercourses Principal Operations Manager – Environment Lee Hillam on [email protected]
3)
If a parish is keen to consider creating a local flood plan, please contact [email protected]
4)
Residents at imminent risk of flooding during a major flood event should request sandbags on:
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Office hours - call 01954 713 000 or email [email protected]
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Outside of normal office hours, call 01253 501 055

12/10/2026

Playground update
Toddler climbing frame has finished being painted and has a new rope bridge. Just some anti slip foot rails to be added to the little platform.
New inclusive swing seat fitted.
New rope to help intrepid young mountaineers scale the slope beside the big slide.

New trees and playground/fitness equipment coming soon...
Skatepark repairs ordered and happening in next week or so....

Thanks again to the volunteers on the Outdoor equipment working party for ideas and inspiration.

06/10/2026

Village Show- feedback

We consulted on twelve actions this year and asked members of the public at the Village Show to vote on their favourites. The top five choices were:

1) Formulate and adopt an Emergency Plan
2) Secure a permanent Preschool building (First School site)
3) Support delivery of 2/10 umbrella actions from Bio Audit
4) Cool spaces-air-conditioned space in a community building
5) Secure funding for improving bike track.

If you disagree and have other priorities you wish to bring to the attention of the parish council, please let us know by 2nd December 2026. You can do this by email [email protected] or phone 01767 650310 or drop a note in to us at the Eco Hub, or even better - come along to a meeting of the Parish Council and put your views over in person during the public open session - next meeting Oct 13th at 7.30pm.

06/10/2026

Annoying parking driving you mad?

Did you know you can report parking infringement online?
https://cambridgeshire-self.achieveservice.com/service/Parking_Enforcement_request

(Some traffic regulations will continue to be enforced by the Police such as those causing an obstruction, dangerous parking, footway parking where there are no restrictions in place, vehicles parked on pedestrian crossings, zig zag lines, and moving vehicle violations, such as speeding and going through 'no entry' signs. If the examples provided relates to a matter for the Police, please contact them direct on 101.)

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06/10/2026

E scooters and E bikes - do you know the law?

https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/highway-code-road-safety

Riding an electric scooter: the rules

It is illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter (also known as an ‘e-scooter’) in public, for example on pavements, on roads or in parks.
You could be fined and get penalty points on your driving licence. The scooter could also be seized by the police.
You can only ride a privately owned electric scooter on private land with the permission of the landowner.
There are different rules for using mobility scooters.
Renting an electric scooter
You can only rent an electric scooter through official electric scooter rental schemes in certain areas of the country. These rental schemes are also known as ‘e-scooter trials’ and have their own rules.
You can ride a rented electric scooter on public roads, including cycle lanes.
It is illegal to ride a rented electric scooter on a pavement or a motorway.
Who can rent an electric scooter
You must have a full or provisional UK licence.
You might be able to use a full driving licence from another country. Check the rules for using your licence in the UK.
If you have a provisional driving licence, you do not need to show L plates when you ride an electric scooter.

Riding an electric bike: the rules

You can ride an electric bike if you’re 14 or over, as long as it is an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC).
You do not need a licence to ride an EAPC and it does not need to be registered, taxed or insured.
When your bike is an EAPC
An EAPC:
• must have pedals that can be used to propel it
• can have more than 2 wheels, for example a tricycle
It can be propelled up to 15.5mph without pedalling but only if it’s been approved.
Its electric motor:
• must have a ‘continuous rated power’ output of no more than 250 watts
• must not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling at more than 15.5 miles per hour (mph)
What your EAPC must show
Markings on the bike must show both:
• the continuous rated power output
• the bike manufacturer
It must also show either:
• the battery’s voltage
• the maximum speed the motor can propel the bike
Where you can ride an EAPC
If your bike is an EAPC then you can ride it on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed.
You cannot ride it on pavements.
When your bike is not an EAPC
If your electric bike does not meet the EAPC rules then it’s classed as a motorcycle or moped.
Your bike is not an EAPC if it:
• can be propelled at more than 15.5 miles per hour (mph) by the motor
• has a continuous rated power output higher than 250 watts
• does not have pedals that can propel it
If your bike is not an EAPC
If your electric bike is not an EAPC it must be registered and taxed.
You need to:
• get a valid driving licence to ride one
• wear a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards
• insure your vehicle
If your bike is classed as a motorcycle or moped but has not been insured, you may get a fine or your bike may be seized by the police.

Rules for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians and road safety

06/10/2026

Someone has left their sparkly shoes in the playground!
Collect from the Eco Hub

06/10/2026

National Planning Policy Framework (Scheme of delegation)

From 31st October neither your District councillor nor the parish council will be able to ask the Planning Authority (South Cambridgeshire District Council ) to refer applications to its planning committee for consideration. Decisions will instead be made as set out below. This new system is brought in by central Government through the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).


KEY CHANGES FOR PARISHES:

Currently, T / PCs & District / County Cllrs can call applications into Planning Committee. From 31st October, they will no longer be able to. The National Scheme of Delegation mandates some key changes:

1. End of Ward Member call-ins.
2. End of Parish Council call ins.
3. Removal of representation triggers for consideration by GCSP Del Panel.
4. Defines Schedule 1 applications - which MUST be determined under delegated powers.
5. Defines Schedule 2 applications - which presume officer delegation UNLESS a nominated officer and a nominated member agree the proposal meets strict significance criteria.


IMPLICATIONS FOR GCSP:

1. Requirement to update current Scheme of Delegation and get signed off by planning committee.
2. Cease Planning Delegation meetings from 31 October 2026.
3. Introduction of a Planning Committee Gateway Meetings which ALL Schedule 2 applications are referred to.

Schedule 1 planning applications will be automatically delegated to Officers, unless:
1. The applicant is an elected Member or Officer at the relevant Council.
2. The applicant is a close relative of an elected Member or Officer at the relevant Council.
3. The application is being made on behalf of an elected Member or Officer at the relevant Council.
4. In all above cases, the application will be automatically referred to Planning Committee.

Schedule 2 applications include:

1. Section 73 applications.
2. Applications which are not householder, minor commercial or minor residential.
3. REM relating to a large outline planning application.
4. Modification or discharge of a planning obligation connected to a Schedule 2 application.
5. ALL Schedule 2 Applications are referred to Gateway Meeting.

THE GATEWAY MEETING

Who attends?

1. Nominated Officer – GCSPS Delivery Manager/Delivery Team Leader.
2. Nominated Member – Chair/Vice Chair of relevant planning committee.

How often are they held?

1. District – alternate Tuesdays.
2. JDMC – monthly after Chair’s briefing.

The new National Planning Policy Framework sets out the government’s policies for plan-making and for making decisions on development proposals in England and how these are expected to be applied.

02/10/2026

Bye Bye Keith - we will miss you!

After fifteen years working for the Parish Council as our Grounds Person, Keith Woolcott is retiring today. He will be missed by many residents as well as by us here at the Parish Council.
Thank you Keith for your years of service, so often going above and beyond for the village.

Keith prunes, mends and strims
And even empties bins
He trucks to villages sites
With flashing beacon lights
He tends the cems, meadows and the like
And loves all things motorbike
(Credit - K Woolcott himself!)

02/10/2026

Repair Cafe November 2026

We are looking forward to hosting our fifth repair cafe - bookings are now open!

Do you have something that’s broken that you don’t know how to fix but can’t bring yourself to throw away? Something like a toaster, kettle, lamp, bag, pair of jeans, jumper or computer? You can book in and bring it along to the Repair Cafe being held on Saturday 21st November from 1pm to 4pm at Gamlingay Eco Hub.

Our team of volunteer repairers are helping for free and there is no charge for admission. We welcome donations to cover our costs and to help us grow our network and foster a culture of repair. They will pinpoint the problem and try to fix it there and then for you, or let you know what spare parts to get for when you come back next time.

We are opening the booking form early because the cafe has proven popular in the past, see below for booking details. We’ve had jackets and trousers sewn, bags mended, jewellery boxes repaired, record players and radios fixed, ornaments glued and even lawn mowers and ironing boards.

Repair Cafes are a great way to save money - with households spending about £35 a week on items that can be repaired at repair cafes including clothes, furniture, computers, electrical items. They are also great at reducing waste and emissions by extending the life of items. The average Repair Cafe saves 450kg CO2, about the same as driving from Lands End to John O’Groates and back again. Over the last four Repair Cafe’s Gamlingay has saved an amazing total of 2340kg of Co2e. Plus we have saved 269kg of items from going to waste. Out of the 139 items brought for repair, 105 were fixed, 27 were deemed repairable and given advice for parts and where to return for a repair and only 7 were found to have reached their end-of-life and taken for recycling.

Most importantly these events bring our community together. We have all sorts of people offering to help to repair things, all of whom have been volunteering at Repair Cafes across Cambridgeshire for several years. We are lucky to have experienced repairers coming to Gamlingay’s fifth Repair Cafe, already signed up are returning repairers including…

- Keith and hopefully other electrical repairers who can take on high-level electronic and electrical repairs of portable items. (however not microwaves or TVs)
- Lyn and Hilary who will be available for clothes and textile repairs including darning.
- Back again will be Halina with fixes for your jewellery, mending claps, fixing links, reshaping rings and restringing antique pearls; are a few of the things she has done in the past.
- Returning again we will have Molly and Reuben offering to debobble your textiles and bring clothing items a new lease of life.

They’re keen to share their skills, stop things going to landfill and reduce the impact that buying new stuff has on the environment. Electrical items that are suitable for fixing will also be PAT tested before you leave by a competent PAT tester.

While you wait our fantastic team of volunteers will make sure you are kept topped up with tea and coffee and a choice of cake and biscuits. You are welcome to come along and visit the cafe even if you don’t have an item for repair; there will be people to chat to and lego and colouring for children.

To find out more about Gamlingay Repair Cafe and to book your items in for repair, click the link below to complete a booking form. Or visit the Gamlingay Eco Hub page or email us at [email protected]. You can also pop in when the Library is open at the Eco Hub and we’ll get you booked in.

Welcome! You have something broken? We hope to be able to fix it for you. Before we go on, please take a look at our Repair Café agreement setting out what you can expect from us, and what we expect from you at the Repair Cafe: Link to repair agreement We will ask you to sign a paper copy when you ...