Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on Wednesday 3rd November 1999

Present

Those present were Chairman, Cllr Aves, V/Chairman Cllr Lambert, Cllrs Moseley, Summers, Robinson and Harrison; also C/Cllr Fitch and D/Cllr Cane.

Apologies

Apology received from Cllr Pearson.

Reports

County Council

Cycle paths - Cllr Fitch spoke about the continuation of the fen edge cycle path which is to be funded jointly by CCC and ECDC. A joint committee between the two councils and CALC will make decisions about how money will be spent on what cycle path project; some projects will overlap slightly with South Cambs District Council. Cllr Fitch (who said cycle paths had been a campaign of his since 1985) told the PC that the path between Quy and Bottisham would be a priority to serve pupils cycling to Bottisham Village College.

Education - CCC have decided to ban GM foods from schools in response to public demand. Schools have been complaining about under funding from County.

Cllr Fitch said council tax would have to be put up by 7.5% in order to meet needs. He pointed out that special needs were quite well funded.

Transport - The County Transport Plan is full of good ideas re safety said Cllr Fitch. Bus services were somewhat erratic, there had been small changes to local timetables. The government want to introduce a £5 concession for pensions. The Park and Ride is going from strength to strength, the service was being extended by half an hour at each end of the day.

Police - Figures show police strength in the County stands at 1285. Cllr Fitch told the PC that retiring police are paid out of police revenue. Local police have to go to the 'front line' to strengthen numbers. In response to a question from a councillor Cllr Fitch is to enquire about the proportion of administrative posts in the police force.

District Council

Cllr Cane told the PC that the final enhancement scheme details would soon be distributed. ECDC is nearly ready for 2000 compatibility.

The Citizens panel is now being set up, the first results are expected in the new year. Questions have been asked about three services provided by ECDC, the other services will be taken in rotation until all have been covered. This is expected to take about five years.

The Council is to bring out a newspaper in December which will contain details of contacts which may be needed over Christmas and the New Year.

Central government have asked District Councils to look at restructuring their management structure, this was not cheap said Cllr Cane. ECDC have already decided not to have a Mayor.

A mini Parish Forum is to be held every two months with question and answer discussions.

Question

Cllr Robinson asked Cllrs Fitch and Cane to expand on the possible 7.5% increase in council tax. Cllr Fitch said that Reach was rated very low but the tax would have to be increased to meet the demands on councils. Cllr Lambert commented that ECDC used to be more efficient.

Swaffham Prior Primary School

HM Inspectors are to visit the school in November. Governors now had a good action plan to get the school back on track and are to replace one teacher. Cllr Moseley said there was a feeling of optimism that the school would be straightened out within the specified year.

Swaffham Prior PCC

Grants for Christmas are to be discussed at the next meeting.

Millennium committee

Cllr Aves reported that a grant applied from 'Awards for All' to further finance the publication of a book about Reach had not been successful. Asked about a party in the village hall for New Year's Eve Cllr Aves said that this was definitely to go ahead, it was expected that the pub would also be open and there might be a marquee for overspill if large numbers of people were expected.

Matters arising

It was decided that it would be acceptable to hold a small bonfire on The Hythe for fireworks' night.

Clerk to ask Highways Department about re-painting the road sign in the centre of the village.

Correspondence

Clerk had received a letter from a parishioner inquiring when the street light in Chapel Lane would be connected to the electricity. Street lighting were made aware of this and had promised urgent action.

The problem of vegetation on the footpath at the end of Chapel Lane had also been
reported to the Rights of Way Officer.

David Groom, the Divisional Maintenance Engineer had written to say salt bins would be filled in the near future. Salt would no longer be left on the side of the road where there was no bin following complaints about the damage this caused.

Reach Matters

Another large lorry had broken the light attached to the wall of The Old Post Office at the bottom of Fair Green. The owner of the house and  a neighbour were invited to comment on the problems of large lorries negotiating this tricky bend. Clerk is to write to County about re-siting of the 'long vehicle' sign to see if this would resolve the problem.