Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on Wednesday 6th October 1999

Present

Those present were Chairman, Cllr Aves, V/Chairman Cllr Lambert, Cllrs Pearson, Summers and Harrison; also D/Cllr Cane.

Apologies

Apologies received from Cllrs Fitch, Robinson and Moseley.

Reports

County Council

In Cllr Fitch's absence Cllr Cane reported that he had contacted John Richards about the possibility of a cycle path to avoid going over the bridge between Reach and Swaffham Prior.

District Council

Anglian Water have cleared the ditch at the bottom of The Hythe.

ECDC are considering setting up a citizen's panel to look at services; the first questions should be ready by Christmas. It will be geographically balanced around the East Cambs district.

Cllr Cane commented that the maps the planning department at ECDC use are old, they are to be updated and computerised and should be ready by early next year. She admitted the planning department was 'struggling'.

In answer to a question about the setting up of a citizen's panel Cllr Cane said that youth was an important consideration. She said the panel would be complimentary to the Parish Forum.

Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Pearson said that many changes had been put in place following the OFSTED report.

Village Hall Committee

Officers had been elected following the AGM. The committee was looking healthy with a balance of £9000. Maintenance of the hall and future events were discussed, as was the site for this year's bonfire. The sub-committee for Reach Fair was not to be enlarged, in spite of it being the 800th fair.

Cllr Lambert agreed to look into the clash of the Fair with an event in Ely.

Millennium Committee

There had been a good turnout at  a recent evening where parishioners had brought their photographs along for possible inclusion in the Reach book. This was moving along well; mugs and fireworks had been ordered. The pub would be open for New Year's Eve running alongside the village hall for family use with a possible marquee on Fair Green for overspill.

Correspondence

Planning permission had been granted to change the first floor room in the Dykes End (formerly The Kings pub into a restaurant. The licence had been applied for by the new landlord Philip Vincent.

ECDC have offered a native tree for the PC to plant for the millennium. Councillors agreed that a lime tree would be suitable and should be planted at the bottom of the new playing field.

The Energy Officer at ECDC had written expressing thanks for support from the PC in publicising energy advice and grants.

Reach Matters

It was agreed to allow the short-term tethering of birds of prey on Fair Green.

Cllr Pearson asked for help in cutting the grass on Fair Green and the playing field.

Refurbishment of The Kings pub is nearly complete, it will be opening on the 16th October under the name Dykes End.