December / January 2003

Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 2nd October 2002

Present

Chairman Cllr Lambert, Vice/Chairman Cllr Robinson, Cllrs Summers, Harrison, Moseley and Aves; also C/Cllr Fitch.

 Reports

County Council

Structure Plan

Cllr Fitch spoke about the next Structure Plan, which proposed some expansion to the east of Cambridge.

Airport

It would be least 10 years for any plans to develop land at Cambridge airport to come to fruition, said Cllr Fitch. Marshalls had applied for a new terminal but were waiting for an environment report.

Soham tragedy

Following the murder of two children in Soham a website set up to give advice received 45,000 hits. Every message was vetted. As a consequence of the murders all teaching staff and bus drivers in Cambridgeshire were being vetted (although this did not apply to existing bus drivers).

Area cost adjustment

Cambridge is badly funded from government so an adjustment is being made as Cambridgeshire is the second highest county in the UK for population growth (36%). Cllr Fitch said the amount could be anywhere between £11m and £36m.

Transport

Councillors were shown plans for a new cycleway.

The government is to give a grant for new cycle stores at the Park and Ride sites.

Speed cameras were being installed on the Soham by-pass to deter motorists from driving at more than 60 mph.

The Fordham by-pass amended plans were turned down so must be re-submitted.

Bids for next year’s jointly funded minor improvement scheme were to be submitted. Councillors thought the old railway bridge scheme (to provide a cycle/footpath around/under the bridge) was still worth trying from a safety aspect.

Trading standards

There had been an outbreak of fraud, e.g. watches etc. being sold at car boot sales locally.

Education

Bottisham and Soham village colleges had recorded good results in exams. Cllr Fitch spoke about Swaffham Prior Primary School’s OFSTED being deferred.

Burwell library had new opening and closing times. Several libraries were under threat – this had caused a big political row.

Social services

There was to be an increase in charges to the elderly such as parking, meals-on-wheels, home attendance and transport charges to day-care centres. The ECDC scrutiny committee had accepted that this was a necessity.

 Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Moseley said the new acting head Jo Lakey was doing well. Governors were advertising for a new head to start in January. The deputy head was coming back to teach after half term. The OFSTED inspection would probably take place in the Spring term. There were now fewer than 100 children on the roll and 14 on the special needs register. In answer to a question from Cllr Fitch about children leaving the school, Cllr Moseley said some had moved to Swaffham Bulbeck but there seemed to be a movement of children generally from school to school.

 Reach matters

Electricity pylons – Burwell to Horningsea

[In order for Cllr Fitch to join in the discussion this matter was brought forward.]

Cllr Aves declared an interest in this issue.

Cllr Robinson outlined the story so far. The agents Cheffins were acting on behalf of several people whose land would be affected by extra pylons being installed. 24 Seven had said that they needed two electricity lines to cope with demand. However, an independent expert said that it would be done with one line and farmers were going to push for this. He pointed out that the present lines were ‘past their sell-by date’ so would need replacing shortly anyway. Clerk said that ECDC planning officers had said it would be better for PC to object on grounds of the environment, rather than to help farmers. Cllr Fitch suggested contacting the press and getting together with councillors from other parishes affected by the proposals.

 Matters arising

War memorial

Ivett and Reed had begun work on the memorial. The concrete was in a state of disrepair. Although it was not anticipated the company had so far not asked for more money. Clerk reported that Friends of War Memorials had granted £250 to help towards the refurbishment. It was hoped that work would be finished by the 11th November.

The Hythe

A sign stating that mooring could only be done by prior arrangement with Reach Parish Council had been erected at the point. It was agreed to discuss the administering of this at the next meeting. A boat had moored on the Anglian Water side of the water.

 Correspondence

Mark Haworth, who had recently resigned as vicar, had written thanking councillors for wishing him well in his new career. Cllr Moseley said that Reach Church would now be joined with Burwell, under the guidance of Stephen Earl, in March of next year. Cllr Lambert asked if the vicar might attend Reach PC meetings from time to time.

Reach matters

Public bridleway enquiry

The public inquiry into Bridleway no 15 in Reach was to be held on 12th November in the Gardiner Memorial Hall, Burwell. Cllr Lambert said he would try to attend.

Overgrown footpaths

Several footpaths are said to be overgrown. Clerk to contact the Rights of Way Officer.

 Public Forum

Janet Hall asked if councillors knew about a planning application to build a floodlit horse arena in The Weirs, Burwell.

 Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 6th November 2002

 Present

Vice/Chairman Cllr Robinson, Cllrs Summers, Harrison, Moseley, Pearson and Aves.

 Reports

County Council (in Cllr Fitch’s absence)

The population growth in Cambridgeshire had gone up by 21% in the last 20 years and in the East Cambridgeshire district by 35% (from 54,000 to 73,000, having once been the smallest district in the area).

Social services

Addenbrooke’s hospital was looking for 94 beds in residential homes for ‘bed-blockers’, in order to free up beds for patients.

Fire services

With a strike by firemen a possibility it was important to note that the area was covered by retained firemen (i.e. part-time) who give a normal service anyway at evenings and weekends. Cambridge city would not be so well served.

 Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Moseley reported that Jo Lakey had been appointed to be the new head teacher. She would be taking up the post in January. The school had been given funding for re-building. Security would be improved, the mobile classroom would probably be removed and there would be a new staffroom.

 Village Hall committee

Another quote had been received for building the extension to the village hall. The contractor had been invited to discuss this with the committee.

 Swaffham Prior PCC

Cllr Robinson said the PCC were going to donate £30 to anyone in need of financial assistance in the village. Investments were running at about the same rate, although there were some debts for non-receipt of rent. It had been agreed to renovate the floor in Swaffham Prior youth club; costs would be shared with Swaffham Prior Parish Council.

John Norris had been elected Chair of the PCC. Cllr Robinson spoke about the need to have more representation from Reach on the PCC, particularly since Reach church is no longer joined with the Swaffhams. Clerk to write to Sidney Hewitt, Clerk to SPPCC to ask for a copy of the constitution.

 Police liaison committee

Cllr Summers had attended a meeting at Milton Tesco’s. It transpired that very few people knew who their community policeman was.

Cambridgeshire police had asked the Home Office for financial help with the Soham murders case.

There were 1414 police officers in Cambridgeshire, one for every 514 people.

The detection rate for house burglaries was only 25%.

If requested, Cllr Summers said that PC Hurry (our local community policeman) could attend a parish council meeting if asked

 Parish Forum Meeting at ECDC, Ely

Cllrs Lambert and Robinson had attended this meeting at which housing development was discussed. The Chief Planning Officer had spoken about a proposed Act of Parliament for denser planning development. This would allow 50 houses per hectare, occasionally 85, and would also allow back-land development for affordable housing.

A presentation about waste management proposed two bins per household in the future – one for recyclable waste, the other for non-recyclable. A rubbish tax levy proposed could mean a 5% increase in ECDC council tax.

 Matters arising

War memorial

Ivett and Reed had completed work on the memorial in time for Remembrance Sunday. It was agreed that as an appreciation for their help (and the £250 grant) the PC would join the Friends of the War Memorial organisation.

Correspondence

Bus services

Cambridgeshire County Council had written stating that costs for subsidised bus services were increasing. They were looking at the situation and would be contacting the PC in the future to explain any changes that might be necessary.

Devil’s Dyke

The Project Manager of the refurbishment of the Devil’s Dyke had written offering help with any concerns. A Project Officer (James Fisher) had now been appointed who would be coming to the December meeting to explain progress. A guided walk and public meetings were to be held next summer.

Parish paths

The PC decided not to join the CCC Parish Path Partnership for the coming year.

Consultation processes

A letter had been received from CCC regarding consultation processes for the regional planning guidance options consultation and the southeast regional airport study. Copies were distributed to councillors..

Planning permission

Mr and Mrs Moseley, Delph End Cottage, 26 Great Lane, were given planning permission to build a two-storey extension in place of their existing garage.

Home energy efficiency

ECDC’s home energy conservation officer was to give a presentation ‘Making a difference on a local level’. No councillor was available to attend as it was taking place on a Monday morning.

 Reach matters

Precept

The precept for next year was discussed. Following discussion a figure of £3750 was proposed by Cllr Summers, seconded by Cllr Pearson, and agreed by all councillors.

 No mooring sign

Now the sign is up PC discussed the administrating of people wanting to moor at The Hythe. Grahame Miller voiced his willingness to act as unofficial ‘harbour master’ and said he would look into mooring rates.

 The future of the Dyke’s End Pub

Philip Lewis, Director of Reach for a Pint, addressed the meeting. He said the 3-year lease on the pub was due to terminate soon. Phil Vincent, the present landlord of the pub, had been given first refusal to purchase a 99-year lease. The directors of Reach for a Pint wanted the freehold to be kept by villagers in order to retain planning control. It was suggested that the Parish Council hold the freehold for a nominal sum on behalf of the village to prevent any unjustified application for a change of use. Councillors present voiced their agreement, on the understanding that any legal requirements and tax issues this would raise would be checked

Penny Lang