After three decades on our Parish Council, Denis Payne has decided it is time for a rest. Amanda Borrill talks to Denis about his years as a councillor, the challenges, the changes and his plans for the future.
It’s May 1995 and, spotting a notice at St Andrew’s Church Impington recruiting residents to co-opt following a shortfall of applicants after that year’s Parish Council elections, Denis Payne’s wife Jan suggests it might be ‘something for him to do’. That ‘something to do’ evolved into a 30+ year commitment! Now, it is time for a break and Denis has announced his intention to step down ahead of the upcoming elections on 7 May.
Days of change
When Denis signed up in 1995, the structure of our Parish Council differed quite considerably to that we know today. “We had two Councils, not one”, says Denis. “And Impington only met every other month – with no committees – so the full Council took all decisions”.
And, to add to the difficulties, “Histon and Impington didn’t talk”, Denis reveals – the result of a fall out over joining the two Councils together that went back to the late 1970s. Yes, barriers existed but, says Denis, “some projects (eg the fight against the development by Sainsbury’s of a major shopping centre on what is now Orchard Park) were joint, and Councillors from both teams worked hard and well together”.
Each Council had its own clerk and there was a Joint Committee (all councillors from both Councils with its own clerk) that looked after the Recreation Ground. “The first clerk I met at Impington worked from home in Cottenham”, reflects Denis. “Then Angela Young worked from her dining room! It was only later that we got a portakabin at the Rec – and eventually the offices that exist today”.
All Councils were subject to the same rules but, as Denis explains, the three separate bodies brought with them a few complications. “With Gerald Walker, the first Impington clerk that I knew, moving on and Angela Young taking on the task of clerk to both Councils, things did become slightly less complex”, says Denis, “though Angela did write to herself on more than one occasion!”.
In 2012 the separate Histon and Impington Councils merged to form the combined Parish Council we see today. “I was chair of Impington PC for 14 years”, Denis explains. “That was far too long and Histon & Impington PC now has a rule in place that puts a four year limit on that”. He subsequently took on the position of vice-chair on the combined Council for a year and then chair for four years. Additionally, Denis has chaired the Planning Committee, the Finance Committee and held roles on a variety of Working Groups. He also edited Parish Council community publication, the HisImp News, for four years.
Results matter
As might be expected, a huge range of projects has landed on Denis’ desk across the decades. Reflecting on those he has most enjoyed, his memories are very much focused on end results. “Sometimes a project is very hard work, but the outcome is worth it. Take the fight with Sainsbury’s (that is now Orchard Park). A group of four Councillors (two from each Council) met weekly to discuss, plan and move everything forward. Community support was magnificent (if you look at the number of letters people wrote) – plus we had to argue for money to pay a planning expert and, eventually a barrister. The result was what we wanted – and there are now more than a thousand homes, rather than acres of car parks. Jo Teague (Vice Chair) and I also negotiated with the developers nearly £750K to help manage the facilities. Overall a success – but fun all of that time?”
Other memorable projects he recalls include daffodils (lots of them) planted to “separate us from urban Cambridge”, Impington News – “a simple A3 folded news sheet that grew into HisImp News and led to my involvement with HI HUB – that has to be a success”. And, he continues, “actually getting elected by people marking my name on a ballot paper at the 2022 elections – that was a moment of, perhaps, it has all been worth it”.
Topping them all though is an occasion which will stay with Denis always. The proclamation of the accession of Charles III on the Village Green in September 2022 following the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II – “an honour that doesn’t fall to many” Denis reminisces. “Arrangements had to be put in place at short notice”, he recalls, “and it was a bit stressful, but appreciated by many”.
Of course, over 30 years, not every project is going to proceed to a successful end result and alongside the positives sit a few regrets and what ifs. “There are times when the Council’s position has felt right (and been supported by the community) but we’ve ‘lost’ to the decision of the District Council or some other body”, says Denis. “The expansion of the School Hill site with the loss of parking is one, obvious, recent decision”. “Cambridge Science Park North, which could bring some real benefits to the community, is another”, he reflects. “Additionally, I really wish that we’d done more to involve our young people – the Cottenham Youth Council is showing us what could be, and setting a great example for what might be in Histon & Impington”.
Into the future
Tapping into his vast wealth of knowledge, I ask Denis to share his thoughts on how the imminent changes in local government might impact Parish Councils into the future. “Wow – crystal ball time”, he laughs. “The answer we’ve been given is it won’t. But, at the same time, we’re seeing other Councils take on more staff, and increase their portion of Council Tax (of course) to offer more and better services to their communities. Where that goes depends on the funding for the new unitary Councils. If, as elsewhere, money is short, cutting services is a possibility, and that may be somewhere where parishes feel obliged to step in to make up the gap.
“Locally, I fully expect Kings Meadows (currently in Impington) to be split off, perhaps to join the new Darwin Green parish. That will mean an increase in the Council Tax from our PC because we’re no longer getting their contributions. There is also the new Cambridge Development Corporation – so new bodies, potentially new staff to work with and new working partnerships to establish with adjacent parishes; potentially enabling more robust and effective responses in the new world”.
A new chapter
So, a new chapter begins and after so long in the hot seat of local democracy will Denis miss Parish Council life? “I’ve got 30+ years of knowledge of local government locked up in my head”, he reflects. “Being able to share that, and my knowledge of the community, plus, perhaps, make a difference, yes I will miss all of that”.
Incumbent PC Chair Yvonne Murray took over as lead from Denis in 2023. She, for one, is very much going to miss this man of integrity sitting alongside her on our Parish Council. “Working with Denis has meant working alongside someone who has seen, and helped shape, decades of change in our villages. His leadership has been particularly strong and much needed in areas such as increasing local government and planning consultations, strengthening our financial planning, and ensuring that residents’ voices are properly heard in the decisions that shape our future”.
Reflecting on their time together, she continues, “one of the things I have valued most is his commitment to what he believes is right and will genuinely benefit our villages. Denis sets high standards and holds people to account in a way that strengthens the council’s culture, yet he can also be remarkably generous and supportive when the work is complex. His preference for direct, honest discussion has always helped ensure that Council decisions are made on solid ground”.
The man behind the councillor
As for the wider community, the warmth and respect for Denis is abundant and shines brightly in the 200+ responses on a social media post by his wife Jan – shared as Denis finished his last full Council meeting just a few weeks ago. Comments thank Denis for his years of dedication, his leadership, professionalism, old-school courtesy and devotion to the community of Histon & Impington.
Jan, herself an active member of the H&I community, is immensely proud of Denis and all he has achieved and Denis’ freedom from the very many hours of Parish Council duties brings with it new opportunities for shared adventures. “Neither of us are, naturally, ‘stay at home by the fire’ people”, says Jan. “Provided we are both spared, we’ll have a Golden Wedding next year. For now, I plan to keep doing the things on my own list and I know I have Denis’s support for those. More than anything, I look forward to us both staying well enough to live fruitful and affirming lives, doing things that motivate and interest us, whether together or individually”.
Nudging Jan for a hint of the man behind Denis the councillor, Jan’s revelations confirm much of the character we have all come to know so well over the years and maybe a few things we didn’t too! “Denis has a very clear sense of right and wrong, honesty, fairness and taking care of those less fortunate than him”, she shares. “He has a 1st Class Honours degree from Cambridge University in Computer Science (still in its infancy when he graduated) and an enquiring mind. He loves cats (though as he’s fur allergic we can’t have one), an occasional glass of low alcohol beer and good quality (but not lavish) food”, she divulges. “He’s a devoted fan of the Star Trek series and Science Fiction in general and he loves TV programmes such as University Challenge, Mastermind, Only Connect, Countdown etc.
“I can truly say, it’s been my privilege to know and love him for over 50 years”.
And on Denis’ list of what to do with this newly discovered spare time? “I have been an archer”, he tells me, “even got to 1st class standard (though there are actually levels above that). It would be great to get back to that if my back holds up – an unknown at the moment. And, I still have the tools to make silver jewellery – though they are very rusty”.
“There’s the family tree to expand, the occasional hand of bridge (a complete amateur but I enjoy it) and a house to sort – I have all sorts of guides on how to declutter to work through”.
Additionally, Denis sits on the Firs House Patient Participation Group, is involved with a number of Village Society activities, the Village Warden scheme, is an active Director and volunteer with HI HUB and, he adds, “possibly some other groups in the village if the Parish Council nominate me at their AGM.”
A community enhanced by its people
Resident since 1979, for Denis, there are many things that make Histon & Impington a great place to live. “Well, we’ve got HI HUB”, he laughs ,”But more seriously, we’ve got schools, doctors, dentists, shops, pubs, cafes, opticians, restaurants – everything (almost) that we need. When we first moved here, there were residents who never needed to leave. We have a huge selection of clubs and societies – almost everything is covered. And let’s not forget HI Friends – a unique organisation.
“But, more importantly it’s the people – if you do get involved in the community, chances are that there’ll be someone to talk to every time you step outside your front door. And those people are wanting to make a difference, to help, to make things better for all of us”.
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