Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on Wednesday 1st March 2000

Present

Those present were Chairman, Cllr Aves, V/Chairman Cllr Lambert; Cllrs Summers, Moseley and Pearson; also C/Cllr Fitch.

Apologies

Apologies received from D/Cllr Cane also Cllrs Harrison and Robinson.

Reports

County Council

Post Offices - Cllr Fitch spoke about the County and District's wish to protect Post Offices following reports of possible closures. He said that the Government hadn't thought the matter through. Suggestions are that all Post Offices will be computerised after 2001. Cllr Fitch said he though a 'save the Post Office' petition should be put out countrywide.

The budget is to increase by 8.49% for CCC, 5.5% for ECDC and 10% for the police. Cllr Fitch said the CCC's largest amount would be going towards education with £2.4m going to schools in the ratio of 2.4:1 in favour of primary schools. Swaffham Primary School would therefore benefit more than Bottisham Village College. This prompted a discussion about Swaffham Prior school during which Cllrs Moseley and Pearson spoke about the school's good progress and the encouraging reports.

Social services - the social services inspectorate gave good reports about the children's section. Cllr Fitch said he hoped there would not be any knock-on effects from Wales, following the case of child abuse in children's homes there. He commented that the department had overspent but hopefully was now giving a 'goodish' service.

Police - The police force is recruiting to replace members who leave plus another 20 police officers. Following the murder of a councillor in Warwickshire councillors were being given advice at safety seminars.

Reform of rural governance - Cllr Fitch spoke about the government's considerations for local governance. He said he didn't think a Mayor at district level would be an option. Cllr Aves commented that parish councillors at a recent Parish Forum meeting at the District Council were overwhelmingly in favour of retaining the status quo.

Highways - £.5m is to be given for the Fordham by pass for the initial surveys followed by £12.1m for the next five years.

Noise abatement for the road is to have particular attention as the traffic noise from the A14 is a problem in Bottisham. Cllr Fitch had made some enquiries about the provision a cycle/footpath around the old railway bridge. He reported that the scheme is 25th on a list of projects (out of 25), would cost £50,000 (as the bridge is to be demolished) and probably not be completed for three to four years. Councillors asked Cllr Fitch to find out why the bridge had to be demolished.

District Council

The first full East Cambridgeshire District Council meeting is to be held outside the offices at Ely is to be held at Bottisham Village College later in March. There is to be a 15-minute slot for public questions before the meeting starts. Cllr Cane said she was keen to see as many parish councillors as possible at the meeting.

Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Pearson said the school hoped to be out of difficulties within the time scale set by HM Inspectors. Finances are still a big problem. Cll Pearson remarked on the small financial return from CCC as the a teacher had been kept on the staff, despite problems, rather than being suspended which would have yielded a far larger return

No teacher had been found to replaced the departing teacher of class 2. The role is full for the next academic year. It is hoped to keep four small classes rather than three larger ones. Cllr Pearson thought this would encourage parents to return their children to the school as smaller classes were more popular. Cllr Fitch commented on the 'short-term thinking' of some parents.

Village Hall Committee

The accounts had been presented to the committee. Preparations for the fair were well in hand. There had been a long discussion about the maintenance of the village hall; quotes were being sought to replace the fascias. A working party is to clear the shed. Cllr Lambert reported that PC Davies is concerned about not being told the fair is going on past 5 pm. Cllr Lambert

said this was an oversight by the committee. After discussing a request from a fair committee it was agreed that a clay pigeon shoot would not be suitable for fair day. Cllr Robinson is to be asked to repair one of the picnic seats from The Hythe and the lode is to be cleared of rubbish to made it easier for boats. Clerk to reply to a letter from the Village Hall committee saying that the road around Fair Green is to be closed on fair day stating that the PC have no objection.

Millennium committee

Councillors were shown the pages of the proposed Reach book that had been prepared. Cllr Pearson said Grahame Miller was to be congratulated on his hard work. Grahame had written commenting on the lack of interest he had received from the majority of villagers. It was agreed that the book be delayed until after the original deadline of Reach fair day and that Cllr Pearson and Mr Moseley offer their help.

Matters arising

Brian Hicks (the young people's issues coordinator) and Colin Thomas (the community education manager) from ECDC are coming to the April meeting to discuss young people's local needs.

Cllr Pearson (commenting on the minutes of February) asked that a weight restriction be put on the bridge (near Swan Lake). As Clerk had already written to Highways about the large lorries problem it was decided to wait for a response before making this an issue.

Steven Hill of Highways Dept, CCC, had been informed about the flooding in The Hythe.

Cllr Lambert had contacted Mark Jardine of Playscheme (who provided the play equipment on the playing field) about the bark. Mr Jardine is to check on this shortly.

Correspondence

It was agreed to donate £30 to the Swaffham Prior summer play scheme.

James Paice, MP had written about his opposition to the government threat to abolish parish councils. It was agreed to reply with a statement that Reach PC support his views.

Reach matters

It was agreed to ask Dennis Badcock to maintain the grass and hedges in the cemetery.