Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on Wednesday 7th April 1999

Present

Chairman Cllr Aves, V/Chairman Cllr Lambert, Cllrs Robinson, Reed, Davies, Harrison and Pearson; also C/Cllr Fitch and D/Cllr Cane.

Reports

County Council

Cllr Fitch spoke about the 'belting up campaign' currently running. He told the PC that 15% of adults and 20% of children do not use seat belts. 52 people were killed in Cambridgeshire last year. The ten worst roads include the A14 and Quy junction is named as a hazard spot although the new lane system is working well.

The Cambridgeshire police precept is the lowest in the UK although there are more police on the beat in the Cambs force. Cllr Fitch reported a meeting of the local neighbourhood watch where it was agreed to re-organise on a pyramid system as used at Bottisham. The community education review has caused some problems as cuts will have to be made and there may be possible amalgamations. Decisions will be taken in May.

The Cambridge Collection is now on the second floor at the Lion Yard library.

The proposed study of the A14 road is to start this year. The Park and Ride is very successful with record numbers using the Newmarket Road site at Christmas. It might be increased in size.

A long social services report says that some progress has been made. However, Cllr Fitch said the department 'could do better, there is more to be done and it will be done'. There are administrative problems with each case being heard by the Area Child Protection committee. Cllr Fitch stressed that the whole of CCC is pushing officers to work hard. Trading Standards are to try out a 'Proof of Age' card in Ely.

District Council

Cllr Cane reported that planning permission had been given for Mr and Mrs Jordan to build a summer room at Red Barn. Retrospective approval had also been granted to Mr and Mrs Estall at Highfield Farm.

Bus passes have been re-instated at a cost of £11. Pensioners can now pay a half-price fair up to a maximum of £1.10.

Cllr Cane had spoken to Stephen Plumb of Anglia Water who informed her that the drainage at the ditch near Mr Rosson's home is the joint responsibility of Mr Rosson and AWA.

Swaffham Prior PCC

Cllr Robinson said the proposal to build five houses at the top of Cage Hill may not start until 2000.

Millennium Committee

Cllr Aves reported that a fund had been set up with Cllr Harrison as Treasurer. A meeting had decided on a celebration mug and a grant was being sought to publish a book about the village and also to purchase a seat for St Etheldreda's Church garden. The making of a basket for a beacon was also discussed.

Matters Arising

A meeting had taken place with Cllrs Fitch, Davies and Aves and residents of The Hythe to discuss the problem of the damaged verges caused by large vehicles. It had been decided that yellow lines were undesirable. Ideally the road should be restored to its original width with the kerb on the left side going down the road repaired, and the kerb on the opposite side lowered to allow parking on the pathway. Cllr Fitch thought that CCC would not have funds for the second aspect of the scheme. Cllr Davies said there was enough room for five cars to park outside White Roses and commented that the residents were unhappy that this appeared to be considered their problem alone and not that of the village in general. It was agreed that Clerk should write to David Groom at Highways.

Correspondence

Clerk had received letter from the lighting dept. at County. Chris Sproston, the Chief Engineer, is to meet with Cambridge Landscape Architects to discuss replacing a light damaged by a lorry. The owners of the lorry are willing for their insurance company to pay the sum incurred in the repair.

Jane Dow, the trees and landscape officer at ECDC, had written asked if de-icing salt could be removed from verges as it kills the grass.

Reach Matters

It had been reported that a large amount of garden rubbish had been dumped in Barston Drove. The Rights of Way Officer has been informed and he is to send a report to ECDC who hopefully will clear it up.

A directional sign for Reach Fen in Great Lane had been reported as having a rotten post. Highways have removed it and are unwilling to replace it as it is considered irrelevant.

Steven Hill from Highways has been to 11 Chapel Lane following complaints about tree planting at the front of the house causing possible future obstruction to the highway. The owner is to remove some of the trees.

A planning application had been received from the same address. PC decided to object stating that this would be an over development of the site as the plot is very small and could not support two cars and a property. As The Hythe is already

having problems it is thought more cars and another access could exacerbate the problem. It was also thought the plan was inaccurate as it showed the property reaching the highway at both front and back which is not the case.

Cllr Aves showed the PC photographs of the lorry which got stuck at the junction of Great Lane and The Hythe. A discussion took place about how to deter large lorries using this route.

Cllr Davies asked when the rubbish from last year's bonfire would be cleared up. Clerk to write to village hall committee about this.

Some residents of Swaffham Road are to be asked to cut back their hedges which are encroaching onto the pavement.

Cllr Lambert asked if a notice about dog fouling could be placed in the Out Of Reach magazine bringing the attention of the by-laws to dog owners.

Cllr Reed has planted a walnut tree on Fair Green.