Parish Council Meeting

Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on Wednesday 1^st August 2001

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

Cllr Fitch told the PC that a local farmer plagued by visiting gypsies had a plan to deter them parking on his land. This would involve the installation of a steel barrier at the entrance, high enough to allow a car through but not high enough for caravans, large vans etc.

Cambridgeshire is a good county to live in if you are old apparently.

The final signature for the sale of Queen’s Court in Bottisham was still awaited. Once completion was finalised an extension would be built to give greater scope.

Hilton Park, also in Bottisham, had been given permission to use the cottages on their site as accommodation.

County had received some money from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to update IT in schools.

Cllr Fitch spoke about numbers on local school roles and the fact that school governors did not receive any allowance for their efforts. Swaffham Prior primary school needed another LEA governor; Head teacher Brenda Wilson was happy to leave this until she could see where the strengths were needed.

Cllr Fitch spoke about the proposed new road to the south of the A14 and the possibility of a light railway between Cambridge and St Ives.

County would like speed cameras to be paid for from speeding fines. There was currently a lot of action re speed restrictions locally.

County were putting forward some money towards the purchase of land in Burwell fen for Wicken Vision.

Cllr Cane said that although her ward (which includes Reach) would probably stay as it was, because other southern wards would increased by 10% it was unlikely to be accepted by the Commission.

A committee had reviewed this. District councillors were interviewed and it was found that they worked on average one and a half days per week for the council (Cllr Cane said her working week for the council was usually a day more than this).

Cllr Cane told the PC that the Best Value Review work was very bureaucratic and resource intensive.

A code of conduct had been set up for all councillors (including parish councillors). Complaints would go to go to a body in London – which was a complicated procedure. Cllr Cane said punishments ranged from a ‘slap on the wrist’ to a banning of holding office for life.

This would now be not just pecuniary but prejudicial, which could make matters very difficult. Councillors would have to publish a list of their interests; those they considered very personal could be declared confidentially to the District Solicitor. Cllr Cane said that although it was realised that this was to try to tackle corruption it could put people off becoming councillors. Cllr Fitch commented that only one complaint had ever been lodged at ECDC.

The computer donated as part of the East Cambs’ training scheme would be in the Dyke’s End pub. If one were to be placed in the new village hall extension the PC would have to apply for a grant to pay for it.

Cllr Summers said that forthcoming Neighbourhood Watch meetings would be held in a different village each time.

Replacement seats and chains had been delivered for the Fair Green swings.

Cllr Moseley said she was carrying out a weekly inspection of the play area.

Clerk had checked with County Farms about the possible clause of ‘no overnight parking’ in the car park next to Fair Green Cottages.

It was agreed to make a donation to the British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Grahame Miller had written saying that Cleanaway are not emptying the rubbish bin on the Hythe and the remaining picnic table had been demolished. He suggested a voluntary clean-up be arranged. It was agreed to do this in the autumn when the grass has stopped growing.

The Village Life Fund was offering small grants. It was agreed to ask for one to go towards the war memorial refurbishment fund.

Grahame Miller had received a letter from English Heritage with suggested contacts for the ‘Hythe project’, and also from Anglian Water who were going to discuss with their conservation scientists.

Cllr Lambert was to buy the remaining deterrent post.

Cllr Robinson had obtained two quotes for the refurbishment. It was agreed that a third quote was needed. Although it did seem rather expensive, councillors said that it must not put people off the project. It was agreed that the parish might have to contribute towards costs.

A discussion took place about how to improve the old burial ground to make it easier for grass cutting. Clerk to contact the District Solicitor to enquire about the procedure for lying stones flat.

Cllr Moseley spoke about excessive speeding of some vehicles in the village. A discussion about possible deterrents (cameras, bumps etc.) took place.

A discussion took place about the undesirable behaviour of some young people in the village who were said to be disturbing villagers by loud and aggressive behaviour late at night. Cllr Cane suggested contacting Brian Hicks, the youth liaison officer at ECDC.

Cllr Harrison said that the PC should start to plan for this soon.

Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 4^th September 2001

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

In Cllr Fitch’s absence Cllr Cane said that he and Cllr Sal Brinton (both Lib Dem) were not in favour of the proposed re-arrangement of Primary Care Trusts.

Cllr Cane spoke about the proposed changes to the boundaries of health authorities and the consultations which had taken place.

ECDC have looked at possible savings in council tax. Cllr Cane reported that it is impossible to make any significant savings without cutting into essential services. Council taxpayers would probably be ‘looking at a substantial council tax increase’ in the future.

Cllr Robinson reported that tenders have been sought to improve the frontage of the youth club in Swaffham Prior.

Cllr Summers spoke about gypsies leaving burnt-out cars in the fen. This aroused a heated discussion about the provision of accommodation for gypsies.

The Strategic Biodiversity Planner from Anglian Water had met with Grahame Miller and the Clerk to discuss ways of improving the site near the sewage works on The Hythe.

Councillors discussed the new bridge across the lode at The Hythe and agreed that it was a great improvement on the old one. Clerk to arrange for a new rubbish bin to be placed there as the old one had been removed during the bridge construction.

The District Solicitor had written setting out details of which legal requirements were necessary before the Old Burial Ground on Swaffham Road could be tidied up. Cllr Harrison agreed to make a list of the old gravestones. Cllr Cane suggested that local schoolchildren might be interested in making it part of a project.

County Highways were to fill salt bins in October. Salt would only be placed in bins, not on verges. PC was asked to identify sites of overhanging hedges and trees so they could be pruned or trimmed.

The Local Government Commission for England had written to say that the PC’s views on the Periodic Electoral Review for East Cambridgeshire had been noted and would be taken into account in forming its draft recommendations.

The Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy had been published and was now available for viewing at ECDC.

Burwell Parish Council had written inviting councillors to an in-house training sessions for parish councillors .

It was agreed that councillors should attend.

PC had received a letter complaining about a dog wandering the village. The Dog Warden from ECDC had already been informed about the dog but it was agreed to contact her again. The writer also complained about a barking dog and asked if it was possible to have dog ‘pooper’ bags be made available to the village. Councillors discussed and agreed to ask the dog warden from ECDC to write something in Out of Reach to make dog owners aware of the undesirability of dog mess on paths and verges.

Penny Lang