Parish Council Meeting

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

Following Cllr Aves resignation as Chairman, councillors unanimously elected Cllr Lambert to the post. Cllr Robinson was then elected as Vice/Chairman. 

After the election Cllr Lambert took the opportunity to point out that a councillor who had been Vice/Chairman was not automatically elected as Chairman when the post fell vacant. He reminded councillors that some time ago it had been agreed that a Chairman could not reside for more than three consecutive yearly sessions; this also did not mean the Chairman automatically stayed for three years - each annual election of the Chairman had to be made on its current merits.

Cllr Fitch reported that government were likely to give Cambridgeshire an ungenerous grant for area settlement, although the natural growth of the county is the fastest in the UK. A provisional assessment showed an increase in 8% in the council tax although these figures may change. Cllr Fitch said he was unhappy that the Minister concerned had refused to meet delegates from County. He compared students in Cambridgeshire with those in Hertfordshire saying that the education department in the latter had £200 more to spend per pupil.

Highways - County are to be responsible for the A10 road, which is to be de-trunked. Little changes are envisaged.

Speed management policies are to be adopted - there will be more speed cameras and speed limits on certain roads may be changed. Ways to improve the A14 are being looked into. A new anti-speed control campaign called Make the commitment had been launched. Drivers could sign up saying they were going to try to drive more slowly.

The Park and Ride scheme at Newmarket Road is going well with buses running as late as 1800 from the city centre.

Future plans - The new structure plan has been launched with regional planning guidance. Cllr Fitch said that Cambs must be prepared to accommodate 2,800 new houses per year for the next 15 years, although no new settlements were proposed for this area.

An exhibition to show the proposals for the Fordham by-pass had taken place; this included for-shortening the road and an extra roundabout. Residents effected by the proposals were not at all happy.

Cllr Fitch reported on the small projects scheme. Reach had applied for funding to make a cycle/footpath to go around the old railway bridge under this scheme. It had transpired during investigations that County owned the bridge and so it might be possible to flatten it and put the path over it, to run alongside the road. The scheme had yet to be costed.

Cllr Fitch spoke about the new government re-organisation of local councils following a question from Cllr Robinson. The option to retain the status quo had been removed which wasn't acceptable. ECDC wanted to keep a Council Leader, rather than a Mayor, as Ely already had a Mayor.

Cllr Moseley said that the school was still being inspected occasionally and was now getting glowing reports. The teaching staff was settled and everything was going well.

Cllr Lambert reported that the committee was struggling to get enough members and still hadn't elected a new Chairman.

Cllr Robinson reported on the committee's annual meeting to distribute monies. 85 people were to benefit this year, 14 from Reach. The committee always tried to keep a little in the Christmas budget in case of late claimers. Cllr Robinson spoke about the sad state of the youth club in Swaffham Prior. He said there was a great shortage of money and more help was needed to run the club.

Grahame Miller showed the PC the new Reach book which was warmly welcomed by councillors. He thanked Matt Askam and Hannah Webb for their help. The PC in turn thanked Grahame for all his hard work.

Cllr Robinson volunteered to cost the installation of a deterrent to vehicles driving down to The Point from The Hythe. A discussion about the logistics of the collecting and laying of bark in the play area took place. Clerk to phone ECDC for advice, and to see if there is a grant available. It was decided to close the play area until refurbishment could take place and to obtain new nuts and bolts for the swings on Fair Green.

County had written asking if Reach would join the Parish Path Partnership. It was decided to decline.

The draft register of electors had been published.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough had launched a joint waste strategy project. Clerk to contact to see if Reach could have a bottle bank.

Planning Applications

Cllr Lambert outlined his thoughts on how the procedure could be made better. He suggested two councillors made a site visit for each application and reported back.

There were no objections to an application for some refurbishment at 4, Chapel Lane and to a scheme to provide a private driveway to 29A Burwell Road.

The Clerk was asked to write a letter of thanks to Dennis Millard in appreciation for the tidying up he has taken on in the village

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

Quinton Carroll and Simon Kaner from the Archaeological Unit  at County came to talk to the PC. The unit has undertaken 150 projects in the last year about the Local Heritage Initiative project to make a survey of 32 towns in Cambridgeshire. Reach is to be included as it was important in the past as a medieval commercial centre. 

Cllr Fitch said that CCC had held a special meeting to consider the next Structure Plan. He explained how each plan takes a lot time to prepare. He spoke about proposed large-scale housing developments, although none was in this area. The planning department would be sending out explanatory leaflets.

Education - Cllr Fitch explained about the delegation of money for schools for the coming year and the positioning of local schools in primary school 'league tables'. He told councillors that Swaffham Prior Primary school should be 'proud and satisfied' with its recent performance.

Transport - £8.1m has been allocated in the Transport Plan for projects including public transport and cycling. A cycleway was to be constructed from the Newmarket Road Park and Ride to the city centre.

Highways - Cllr Fitch ran over the methods used  for winter road gritting and asked for feedback from the PC. It was noted that the bottom half of Fair Green was usually omitted.

Police - The Burwell speed check showed worryingly high speeds and that motorists tended to go faster when leaving rather than entering the village

A new Chief Executive had been appointed. John Hill had been the acting Chief Executive and his appointment was warmly welcomed by Cllr Cane.

Cllr Cane said the forthcoming Parish Forum had a lot of things to be discussed.

The District accounts had gone smoothly. The Auditor had complemented the Council on changes implemented, particularly the IT updating and the new web page. Unfortunately the District had received less from the government than had been anticipated therefore finances were less 'rosy' As a consequence council tax would probably increase by 5% to allow a continued level of service. 

Cllr Moseley reported continued good progress by the school.

The carol concert in the village hall before Christmas had been very successful.

The Reach book had been launched and was selling well.

The Christmas party had been thoroughly enjoyed by those who went.

Cllr Robinson is awaiting estimated costs for deterrent posts at the bottom of The Hythe.

Steven Hill from Highways had temporarily repaired some potholes in Burwell Road and also fixed up the signpost in Great Lane.

The play area had been re-barked with the help of a grant from ECDC. Cllr Pearson thanked Cllr Cane for her help in this matter which had enabled it to be carried out before the Christmas holiday.

The missing nuts on the swings on Fair Green had been replaced.

Clerk had contacted the waste reduction and recycling officer at County to enquire about a bottle bank for the village.

Philip Saunders, Deputy County Archivist from County had written asking if the PC would like to deposit old minute books in the County Record Office for preservation. It was agreed to deposit the first minute book.

Councillors discussed the care of trees in the conservation area and the general rules regarding pruning/cutting down etc. as there were concerns in the village about

I am currently trying to arrange for a bottle bank to be situated in the car park behind the Dyke's End. Like many things this is not as easy as it seems! When talking to the 'waste reduction and recycling office' at Cambs County Council he asked if we had a recycling collection in Reach. I said we had and it was well used. What I did not realise, however, was the variety of items that can apparently be recycled. As long as they are separated Cleanaway will take paper, glass (bottles etc.), cans, and even textiles on their fortnightly Tuesday collections. I am sure many of you know this but just in case you didn't I thought you would like to know.

Penny Lang