Parish Council Meeting

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

Apologies received from C/Cllr Fitch, and Cllr Pearson

Cllr Fitch was attending the quarterly Police meeting at which he was to raise the subject of the new local policeman. Cllr Fitch does not feel that he is being well resourced. In his absence Cllr Cane told the PC that Cllr Fitch is to monitor vehicle speed at Mill Hill, Swaffham Prior.

Cllr Cane spoke of the suffering of farmers during the current foot and mouth epidemic. The farmers' markets had been cancelled but were to resume for farmers who did not own cattle. She also spoke of the effect the epidemic was having on the tourist industry - visitors to Ely are down on normal numbers.

Cllr Cane urged PC councillors to put forward names of young persons (11-19) for the Chairman's Award for Young People.

Results of questionnaires about the forthcoming changing political management structure say that 50% would like to see the alternative structure (committees).

The periodic electoral review was taking place. Cllr Cane said every councillor represents the same number of people. She thinks some wards may be too big. PC needs an extra meeting arranged to discuss this.

The school has received an award of £2,000 for its improvement, following the end of 'special measures'. Mr Huns, a teacher at the school, has been made a 'beacon teacher in literacy'. Other teachers may now attend his classes to see how he teaches.

Tony Jordan, acting Chairman of the VHC, had invited local farmers for their input into the possible cancellation of Reach Fair during the current foot and mouth epidemic. MAFF had also been consulted, as had the City Council, who both say the decision rests with the VHC. If the fair goes ahead parking would be difficult. This was discussed, as was any possible insurance re a cancellation or extra problems.

Chairman, Cllr Lambert asked Cllr Summers if he would like to report on the quarterly Police meetings in future. Cllr Summers agreed.

Clerk had met with Chris Fennel from ECDC to discuss the equipment on the play area with a view to risk assessment. It was agreed to act on his advice and to ask for quotes for inspection and risk assessment.

The light attached to the Old Post Office had been replaced with a lower wattage light following complaints from the owner of the house.

Cllrs Lambert and Robinson had met with Stephen Hill from Highways to discuss installation of deterrent posts at the bottom of The Hythe. They also discussed making a channel so that the road does not flood at this point, and getting a quote from Ringway to make a parking area on The Hythe. A solution to the question of mud on the road at Fair Green was proposed.

Roger Handford from the environment agency had sent the Clerk a report about possible mooring posts on the lode. A letter had been received from a parishioner who was not happy about the possibility of the area being spoilt with the installation of these posts.

Cllr Lambert told the PC that he had accepted an invitation to the annual function of East Cambs

District Council at Anglesey Abbey.

James Spragg, Definitive map and records officer from County, had written asking the Clerk if there was any further evidence of the pathway on the underbank drove of Reach Lode being used as a bridleway in the past. Clerk reported that he had been to look through relevant files.

Swaffham Prior Parish Council had replied to a letter from the Clerk (a year ago) giving its tentative approval of directional signs for Lords Ground in Swaffham Prior. Clerk had contacted Highways department for guidance but had yet to hear from anyone.

Planning permission had been granted for Mr and Mrs Kerry to construct a shed in their garden at 20 Fair Green.

A letter had been received from the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the future of local Post Offices.

Cllr Summers declared an interest and left the discussion.

Following representations from Mr Bridgeman and his neighbours (who were against the proposal) it was agreed that whilst the PC was not against the development of the property in principal the extension was too high and would cut light out of the neighbouring garden. Mr Bridgeman was asked if he would change the type of roof to a chalet-type or make a 'step-down' extension in order to lower the height. He agreed that the extension be moved off the boundary to give easier access for maintenance etc. Clerk to write to the planning department at ECDC asking if the application can be discussed at committee level.

The PC had no objection to this proposal.

The Clerk reported little success in requesting a bottle bank to go behind the Dyke's End pub.

Cllr Harrison said that Little Lane was in a mess. Clerk to contact Rights of Way Officer.

Cllr Lambert went through a list of things which Councillors had decided that they would like to see improved in the village. Cllr Cane talked about the possible installation of a computer in the pub for people interested in learning about Information Technology. The possibility of a community room being included in the new village hall extension was also discussed.

It was agreed to buy another salt bin before next winter.

Cllr Summers reported that the village magazine Out of Reach had won an award. He was congratulated (as Editor) by councillors.

Angela Cundell, 38 Great Lane, told the PC she had a dying willow tree in her garden. She was advised that she had to contact the Tree

Officer at ECDC before taking any action to remove it.

Tony Jordan spoke about the forthcoming Reach Fair (see VHC Report) and the arrangements made re park-and-ride to the village, roadblocks etc.

Chairman, Cllr Lambert, thanked Cllr Cane for attending the meeting and being very helpful with advice on several topics discussed.

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

The following were elected as officers for the following year:

Chairman - Keith Lambert (proposed by Cllr Summers, seconded by Cllr Robinson) Vice-Chairman - Cllr Robinson (proposed by Cllr Lambert, seconded by Cllr Harrison)

Village Hall Committee - Cllrs Lambert and Moseley

Swaffham Prior PCC - Cllr Robinson

Tree Officer (honorary post) - John Reed

Police liaison committee - Cllr Summers

Cllr Fitch outlined the proposed new settlement at Six Mile Bottom, between Newmarket and Cambridge, and how it could affect villages such as Bottisham, Swaffham Bulbeck and even Reach. A professional developer, working with 6 landowners, proposes building 14,000 houses. Cllr Fitch thinks this is 'grossly overweight'. If this particular development does not take place there will be an alternative - possibly on the site of Marshalls in Cambridge, if an alternative site can be found for the company and the airfield. The process of finding somewhere to build a new settlement will continue until mid-2003.

The A14 may have more lanes added to it in the future as it has a large volume of traffic. The Cambridge region has 70% more traffic than the national average.

Speeding restrictions are constantly being discussed said Cllr Fitch. New signs have been put up on one local road which illuminate if drivers are exceeding 60 mph.

This year's accounts show a surplus on the revenue account of about £2m. In the last 20 years the Estate has contributed about £23m to the County's revenue.

Farms are generally showing a reduced profit in the current agricultural situation.

Family members of tenant farmers will have the option to purchase the farms in the future. The Countryside Watch is going well.

A drugs policy for schools has been widely adopted. Cllr Fitch said that it has to be assumed that drugs are now taken in all schools.

Our new local policeman is Mark Hurry; both he and Sgt Cakebread will be allocated to this area. Julie Gilbert has been appointed as a community coordinator. She will be assisting the community beat officers in their office-based tasks. All three are based at Histon Police Station.

Hoax calls have been reduced by 50% in the last five years. Arson is also down but by not as much. Car fire crimes are not viewed in the same light as other arson crimes.

The Cambridgeshire Fire Service had a tremendous report from the National Audit.

Restrictions for foot and mouth disease had now been lifted in the District as there were no cases in Cambridgeshire. The farmers' markets were now taking place again with meat farmers being allowed to sell their produce.

The District Council had held a full council meeting at Littleport (the second time this had been done). Cllr Cane said it was not as successful as the Bottisham meeting held last year. The Council now had to consider if this was the most appropriate meeting to hold outside the Ely offices. Some evening meetings might be held but this would not include the planning meetings as they lasted too long.

The community bus service was looking for some more funding as it was facing competition from the subsidised public service. Cllr Cane explained that passengers had to join the service but could then use the bus for communal outings, hospital visiting etc. Drivers are volunteers so the cost was just to cover the use of the bus.

Phil Sharp from CCC Highways Department had contacted Clerk to arrange a site visit with interested parties re the directional signs for lorries visiting Lords Ground.

Cllr Lambert said he would contact Stephen Hill from Eastern highways again to remind him about the proposed vehicle deterrents in The Hythe.

Clerk has obtained a quotation from Wickstead Leisure to inspect the play area and Fair Green swings for risk assessment.

The Highways department had been made away of the poor state of Little Lane.

Concern had been expressed by Cllr Summers about the discussion in April's meeting regarding a planning application. Councillors reviewed the procedure and the following points were agreed:

o Although it was thought only two councillors were necessary for an initial site visit, other councillors should make a follow-up visit if the application was thought to be at all contentious.

o The two councillors making the initial visit should produce a factual report, not an opinionated one.

o Amended plans, not already seen and stamped by ECDC planning department were not admissible at a discussion. The presentation, for those either for or against the application, must be kept to two minutes.

o There should be no discussion of the plans after the two-minute presentation with the applicant unless a specific point needed is to be clarified.

Cllr Lambert urged Councillors to read through the document. He said that no change was expected for the Reach Ward.

Cllr Summers reported that he had received three letters from parishioners who would like to see a CCTV camera on Fair Green, and three who were against the proposal. He is to put a notice in the Out of Reach to get more feedback from villagers.

Penny Lang