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

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

Reports

County Council

Cllr Fitch told the council that the hydrotherapy pool (known as the Ascot Unit) at Bottisham was to be closed as the owners found it uneconomic to run. Patients currently using it, numbering around 70 a week from the surrounding area, were facing a bleak outlook. Cllr Fitch is to protest. There have been various changes to local bus routes. Stagecoach claim to have better drivers, lower fares and new ideas like a £10 'mega' ticket for one week's travel on certain routes. A new Park and Ride is to open at Brabraham in August and the Newmarket Park and Ride is to be kept open from7am until 8pm. Cllr Fitch spoke about the 'Citizen's panel' made up of 1200 people who have been invited to comment on the service provided by CCC. The future of Cambridge has been the topic of discussion by the panel with items such as
housing and development. CCC consider the provision of 45,000 new houses to be adequate for the future; the panel however suggested 66,000

Question

Cllr Robinson questioned Cllr Fitch about a report in a local newspaper which suggests that County do not spend all the money it receives from the government for education. Cllr Fitch replied that County actually spend more money than the government deems necessary, but 'education' covers more than just schools; the budget includes teachers' salaries, school dinners etc

District Council

The Inspector's report on the District Local Plan has been finalised and is now going through a checking process. Objections received from Reach residents had been turned down and so the village remained 'infill only'. A joint committee with CCC had been set up to look after small scale road improvements.

Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Robinson asked if a letter could be sent to Mrs Brenda Wilson, the Head Teacher, assuring her of the continued support of the Parish Council. Cllr Moseley spoke about the OFSTED report which had failed the school and given 18 months to turn matters around. An action plan had been set up and the governors, with a new Chair, were supporting the Head. Cllr Fitch said this was a case in point, referring to Cllr Robinson's earlier comment, as CCC would be helping the school financially to improve matters.

Village Hall Committee

Cllr Moseley reported a recent meeting which had discussed proposals for the 800th Reach Fair next May

Millennium Committee

Cllr Aves told the PC that a grant of £3,900 had been received from ECDC. As the committee had asked for £9000 this was a little disappointing as there would not be enough money to finance the proposed book about Reach. It was hoped to find other sources to fill the short-fall. The design on the mugs for the children was to be altered slightly.

Matters arising

Amendments had been received for the Planning Permission for Dr and Mrs Webb of Swaffham Road.

Correspondence

Two letters had been received from residents of The Hythe who were not happy with the recent work carried out by Highways to improve the state of the verge damaged by sewerage lorries. It was agreed to have a site visit before commenting further. The City Council were happy to postpone the Reach Fair commemorative visit
by The Major until May 2001. Tony Jordan had written on behalf of the Village Hall Committee to ask permission for the use of the playing field. It was agreed that com on sense should prevail; if it should be wet mats must be used for vehicles to drive on, and any damage incurred should be repaired at the expense of the VHC.