Parish Council Meeting

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

Reports

Cllr Fitch told councillors about recent Trading Standard instructions about shopping from home. These included encouraging the use of credit cards and the seven-day cancellation clause.

County Councils are to have their administration re-organised. The alternatives are to be discussed but it may require a referendum.

County's Social Services department is now 'up to scratch'. Cllr Fitch spoke about people with learning disabilities who account for four per thousand of the populace. He said they were looked after well in Cambridgeshire.

Traffic speed checks had been carried out by the police in Burwell. Traffic calming measures may be introduced in 2002. Traffic lights may be introduced at Quy although this hasn't yet been designed or costed. This statement prompted outraged comments from councillors who said the traffic situation there was already bad.
A lay-by on the Fordham Road had suffered from rubbish left by travellers. This prompted a discussion about Black Drove in Reach which had been abused by travellers. A meeting had taken place there between Cllrs Fitch, Cane, Robinson and Aves, the Rights of Way Officer and the Enforcement Officer, both from County. Cllr Robinson remarked on the unhelpful attitude of the Enforcement Officer. Clerk is to write to Cllr Fitch about this.

Cllr Cane told the PC that Andrew Duff, MEP, had been to visit the District Council. Useful money came to the District Council from the EU, mainly to fund deprivation. There was some concern about the delay in transitional funding.

1200 replies had been returned from the listening week which would be reported to the resources committee. Cllr Cane said the overall general response was that electors wanted more money to be spent but were not keen to pay more Council Tax.
The Government had published a draft about local political management. There may possibly only be a maximum of five committees allowed under this arrangement. ECDC were not keen on this, they would rather have a cabinet/leader model.
The Local Agenda 21 strategy is to be launched in early December.

Cllr Moseley spoke about how the school had performance management and appraisal. Governors had to attend training sessions. The school needed two more children on the roll to move into another band of funding which would see an increase of £6,000.

The fireworks celebrations had been discussed and a venue agreed. The village hall extension is still in discussion.

This year's grants and Christmas gifts are still not finalised.

It had been agreed that the Reach book would be sold for £5 for orders taken in advance and £7.50 for those taken post-publication. ECDC had given a 50% grant towards the project.

A meeting had been held earlier in the month at Black Drove between councillors, the Rights of Way officer, and the Enforcement Officer from County to discuss how to deter travellers. It was agreed to landscape the area in such a way that access for the travellers would be difficult.

ECDC had sent two strategies; the Public art policy strategy (needing councillors' comments) and the cycling/walking strategy.

The village of the year competition showed that Reach had won its first round.
Mark Haworth (vicar) had requested that a councillor take a leading part in this year's service of remembrance.

The Women's Royal Voluntary Service had written requesting a grant. Clerk to reply explaining how the parish is unable to donate funds.

ECDC were offering advice shop and roadshows locally run by their Home Energy Conservation Officer. It was agreed that Reach is too small to warrant a special visit.
Listed building consent had been granted for Manor House, Chapel Lane for strengthening and conversation work

Cllr Lambert had investigated the cost of replacing the bark in the play area. He suggested a working party needed to be arranged to put down the bark.
Councillors discussed the Precept for next year. Cllr Pearson proposed an increase of 2%, which was seconded by Cllr Robinson.

Clark had contacted Steven Hill from East Cambs Highways dept. for advice on how to make a barrier to discourage drivers from taking cars up to Reach Point. It was agreed that permission should be sought from Anglian Water Authority. Steven Hill had also agreed to patch up the potholes on Burwell Road and to erect the new fingerpost sign in Great Lane.

It was reported that some trees had been blown down across Byway 11.

Cllr Aves had recently been granted planning permission for some changes to plans for his bungalow in Great Lane. Certain councillors felt unhappy about anomalies in the submission of the plans. Cllr Aves said he accepted full responsibility for this and therefore had decided to tender his resignation as Chairman. Cllr Lambert agreed to be acting Chairman until an election could be held. He thanked Cllr Aves for his time spent as Chairman and said he hoped that the Parish Council could learn from recent happenings and would now move forward.

Penny Lang