Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 2nd October 2002

Present

Chairman Cllr Lambert, Vice/Chairman Cllr Robinson, Cllrs Summers, Harrison, Moseley and Aves; also C/Cllr Fitch.

 Reports

County Council

Structure Plan

Cllr Fitch spoke about the next Structure Plan, which proposed some expansion to the east of Cambridge.

Airport

It would be least 10 years for any plans to develop land at Cambridge airport to come to fruition, said Cllr Fitch. Marshalls had applied for a new terminal but were waiting for an environment report.

Soham tragedy

Following the murder of two children in Soham a website set up to give advice received 45,000 hits. Every message was vetted. As a consequence of the murders all teaching staff and bus drivers in Cambridgeshire were being vetted (although this did not apply to existing bus drivers).

Area cost adjustment

Cambridge is badly funded from government so an adjustment is being made as Cambridgeshire is the second highest county in the UK for population growth (36%). Cllr Fitch said the amount could be anywhere between £11m and £36m.

Transport

Councillors were shown plans for a new cycleway.

The government is to give a grant for new cycle stores at the Park and Ride sites.

Speed cameras were being installed on the Soham by-pass to deter motorists from driving at more than 60 mph.

The Fordham by-pass amended plans were turned down so must be re-submitted.

Bids for next year’s jointly funded minor improvement scheme were to be submitted. Councillors thought the old railway bridge scheme (to provide a cycle/footpath around/under the bridge) was still worth trying from a safety aspect.

Trading standards

There had been an outbreak of fraud, e.g. watches etc. being sold at car boot sales locally.

Education

Bottisham and Soham village colleges had recorded good results in exams. Cllr Fitch spoke about Swaffham Prior Primary School’s OFSTED being deferred.

Burwell library had new opening and closing times. Several libraries were under threat – this had caused a big political row.

Social services

There was to be an increase in charges to the elderly such as parking, meals-on-wheels, home attendance and transport charges to day-care centres. The ECDC scrutiny committee had accepted that this was a necessity.

 Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Moseley said the new acting head Jo Lakey was doing well. Governors were advertising for a new head to start in January. The deputy head was coming back to teach after half term. The OFSTED inspection would probably take place in the Spring term. There were now fewer than 100 children on the roll and 14 on the special needs register. In answer to a question from Cllr Fitch about children leaving the school, Cllr Moseley said some had moved to Swaffham Bulbeck but there seemed to be a movement of children generally from school to school.

 Reach matters

Electricity pylons – Burwell to Horningsea

[In order for Cllr Fitch to join in the discussion this matter was brought forward.]

Cllr Aves declared an interest in this issue.

Cllr Robinson outlined the story so far. The agents Cheffins were acting on behalf of several people whose land would be affected by extra pylons being installed. 24 Seven had said that they needed two electricity lines to cope with demand. However, an independent expert said that it would be done with one line and farmers were going to push for this. He pointed out that the present lines were ‘past their sell-by date’ so would need replacing shortly anyway. Clerk said that ECDC planning officers had said it would be better for PC to object on grounds of the environment, rather than to help farmers. Cllr Fitch suggested contacting the press and getting together with councillors from other parishes affected by the proposals.

 Matters arising

War memorial

Ivett and Reed had begun work on the memorial. The concrete was in a state of disrepair. Although it was not anticipated the company had so far not asked for more money. Clerk reported that Friends of War Memorials had granted £250 to help towards the refurbishment. It was hoped that work would be finished by the 11th November.

The Hythe

A sign stating that mooring could only be done by prior arrangement with Reach Parish Council had been erected at the point. It was agreed to discuss the administering of this at the next meeting. A boat had moored on the Anglian Water side of the water.

 Correspondence

Mark Haworth, who had recently resigned as vicar, had written thanking councillors for wishing him well in his new career. Cllr Moseley said that Reach Church would now be joined with Burwell, under the guidance of Stephen Earl, in March of next year. Cllr Lambert asked if the vicar might attend Reach PC meetings from time to time.

Reach matters

Public bridleway enquiry

The public inquiry into Bridleway no 15 in Reach was to be held on 12th November in the Gardiner Memorial Hall, Burwell. Cllr Lambert said he would try to attend.

Overgrown footpaths

Several footpaths are said to be overgrown. Clerk to contact the Rights of Way Officer.

 Public Forum

Janet Hall asked if councillors knew about a planning application to build a floodlit horse arena in The Weirs, Burwell.