Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on 5th March 1997

Present

Cllr Aves (v/chairman), Cllrs Lambert, Harrison, Davies, Reed and Pearson, also C/Cllr Fitch.

Apologies: D/Cllr Webb and Cllr Robinson (Chairman)

The Minutes of the last meeting were agreed and signed.

Matters Arising

The newly designed junction at Quy is causing problems. C/Cllr Fitch is to speak to Peter Younge of traffic Management at CCC. The junction is now slowing down traffic to such an extent that drivers are making detours to avoid it.

Following a letter of complaint in the 'Out of Reach' PC asked C/Cllr Fitch to clarify which roads in Reach are to be gritted and to ask about a supply of salt. He suggested the PC purchase a bin to hold salt before next winter.

Great Lane - Cllr Aves had spoken to Stephen Hill from the Highways Dept. who said the barrier would be difficult to move. PC is to discuss further after C/Cllr Fitch has spoken to Rob Walker the Conservation Officer at ECDC. Stephen Hill also visited the adopted road at Delver End and confirmed it would be resurfaced as water is not draining away.

Reports

C/Cllr Fitch told PC about scheme of 'Post buses' in West Hunts villages. Royal Mail vans (adapted for purpose) will pick up passengers when on mail round. As bus service in Reach is becoming poor could this be a possibility ?

Education - Peter Hains from Hinchingbrook is to be the new Warden at Bottisham Village College.

Education budget - CCC Management and administrative costs are 5% below average UK counties therefore more money passed to schools. Social Services - 350 children are 'at risk' and on register. A report is being compiled.

Fire Station at David S. Smith's, Burwell - factory want to turn site over to housing. CCC, ECDC & Burwell PC are against this. Probably end up with a few houses and small-scale manufacturing units. Hopefully Fire Station will be given or sold to CCC but unfortunately the firemen go with Smith's.

Parish Council Questionnaire - following this a working party has been set up and will look into problems concerning planning procedure at ECDC. D/Cllr Webb is one of 3 District Councillors to sit on this.

ECDC is to be in charge of Parliamentary and County elections. If they are both on May 1st (County is fixed for that day) Polling Stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Both ballot papers will be in one box. Parliamentary papers will be counted that night and County the following day.

Fen Road - Clerk to write to John Edwards of Transport Dept. re bad surface. Traffic has increased and it is being used as a short cut from Burwell to Stretham.

Old Railway Bridge - Cllr Harrison reported bad surface on bridge Clerk to write to County Bridge Engineer.

Playing Field Update

Following a letter from Cllr Lambert in 'Out of Reach' re moving or keeping swings on Fair Green, an objection was raised by Cllr Pearson. He felt it misrepresented his and Cllr Aves' views as no proposal had been tabled at the previous meeting. PC agreed this was the case. Cllr Pearson told the PC about the latest developments on the purchase of the Playing Field. A discussion on the possible moving of the swings took place and it was decided to obtain further quotes and to assess public opinion before taking a decision. Members of the public who came to the meeting felt the presence of the swings added to the late-night noise problem on the Green and were therefore keen to have them moved. The 'noise' problem was discussed and Cllr Davies proposed moving seat in bus shelter for a 3-month trial period - to be reviewed after this time. This was seconded by Cllr Pearson and the proposal agreed.

Reach Matters

Enhancement Scheme Fair Green - Cllr Pearson reported old seat being put on Fair Green which has since been removed. ECDC were planning to put a seat around the Jubilee tree but agreed to defer until PC had got quotes for cost. New notice board - PC shown two quotes. They will discuss further after looking samples of work.

Bus Stop on Fair Green, Cambridge to Newmarket - CCC agreed with PC's suggestion that bus do a figure of eight' and stop at bus shelter but this has not been confirmed by Stagecoach/Cambus.

St. Etheldreda's Arch - Church has applied for Heritage Lottery Grant.

Footpath from Pitt Lane to allotments - it was reported that horse riders have been using this as a bridleway; motorcycle riders had also been seen. A note is to be put in 'Out of Reach' pointing out that this is a footpath.

Penny Lang