Minutes of Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 3rd July 2002
Present
Chairman Cllr Lambert, Vice/Chairman Cllr Robinson, Cllrs Summers, Harrison, Pearson, Aves, and Moseley; also C/Cllr Fitch, D/Cllr Cane
Reports
County Council
Pay claim
Cllr Fitch said there would be a possible period of unrest at County as the union of employee’s pay claim was higher than the employers were willing to pay. Cllr Summers declared an interest so the subject was terminated.
Regional government
The Northeast of England appeared to be in favour of regional government – possibly because they were more aware of the success of the Scottish parliament. Cllr Fitch said he thought that this area would be amongst the last to regionalise, as it was not popular in the Eastern region. He thought that unitaries (such as Peterborough) would become popular; there would be one council which would combine both regional and parish councils. However, it could be years before this would happen.
Transport
Marshall’s airport – The proposal of housing on the site of Marshall’s airport had been put abandoned for now. There was a question mark over the site’s future because of noise pollution and increased airport transport.
Rapid transit – There had been a report on the ‘guided bus’ which might run from Huntingdon to Cambridge (Addenbrooke’s Hospital), via St Ives. Cllr Fitch said it might be 2007 before any development took place.
Buses – There had been problems over bus delays lately but there were signs of improvement. Complaints should be directed to Clare Ritson or Alex Gee at CCC.
Cycleway – The first section from Quy to Bottisham had been officially opened. Sustrans had expressed a preference that the section from Swaffham Prior to Burwell go via Reach.
Fordham bypass – This had been delayed because of a dispute at the Newmarket end of the road. There was to be a public enquiry.
Question
As local electricity pylons were up to capacity and more were needed Cllr Fitch was asked why the National Grid could not put up one large pylon instead of two smaller ones. Cllr Robinson commented that County were not shouldering the responsibility of this issue and were putting the environment at risk.
Councillors discussed the ‘rat run’ that might be caused with extra traffic turning out of the new housing estate in Burwell, particularly at busy times. Traffic lights at the junction of Burwell and Swaffham Road might be an option. Cllr Fitch said £1/3m might be allocated to roads in Burwell.
Cllr Summers complained about the high cost of bus fares, which had gone up recently.
District Council
The Hythe
David Groom from Eastern Highways had written detailing his proposals to alter the pavement layout in The Hythe, which had been an ongoing problem with lorries mounting the verge on their way to the sewage farm. The alternatives were to be discussed with residents. Cllr Cane said he was being very helpful in a difficult situation; the delays to the work on the drainage of Great Lane were because Mr Groom wanted to do all the work at the same time.
Council tax
Cllr Cane asked parish councillors for their opinions on proposals to charge full council tax on second homes (it is currently 50%). She said it would make an enormous difference to council revenues.
Fly tipping
The House of Commons select committee had been criticised for not preparing for legislation on the disposal of household fridges.
The European Parliament had issued a communication regarding the disposal of car tyres. This was a problem in the fens, said Cllr Cane; ECDC had cleared 400 away last year. Proposals included making the car manufacturer take back the tyres at the end of their use and recycling them, or the last car owner having the responsibility of their disposal. The government would probably be lobbied to put a levy on new cars to pay for subsequent tyre disposal.
Maternity leave
Cllr Cane told councillors that she would be taking maternity leave from 15th July to the end of August. Carolyn Coates at ECDC would be dealing with her work.
Question
Cllr Cane was asked if the district council was aware that Mr Dyson’s field is ‘full of rubbish’. She replied that CCC and the environment agency are taking care of it. It was possible to prosecute firms who are fly tipping if they were known.
Swaffham Prior Primary School
Two members of staff had broken bones; there would be an acting head of staff while they are on sick leave. Governors were subsequently trying to get the OFSTED inspection delayed. All agreed that the staff had been ‘fantastic’.
The school needs to renovate certain areas of the building, which might necessitate raising some funds from the community. It was agreed to discuss this at a later meeting.
Village Hall Committee
Cllr Lambert reported that although the bank account was looking healthy it was still not nearly enough for the proposed extension to the village hall. The committee was looking at alternative plans, ways to raise extra money, and the grant situation. Now the war memorial fund is completed Cllr Lambert wondered if a similar fund could be set up to raise money for the extension.
Police liaison committee
Cllr Summers reported that the Trading Standards Authority had issued a warning about bogus people distributing leaflets asking for clothing for Eastern Europe.
The clothes were then being sold for the vendor’s own gain.
Young people were st
ill driving unlicensed cars around the village, said Cllr Summers.Matters arising
Boat travellers
Anglian Water had written disclaiming ownership of the part of The Hythe where the boats were moored. Cllr Robinson is to ask the Inland Drainage Board and the Clerk to investigate deeds relating to the area.
Correspondence
A complaint had been received regarding the non-emptying of rubbish bins at the bridge on The Hythe and the playing field. Clerk to report to Cleanaway.
Reach matters
War memorial refurbishment
The amount of money required to undertake the task had been reached. Cllr Robinson agreed to contact Ivett and Reed to see if the price had increased in the year since it was quoted. It was agreed that Phil Vincent, landlord of The Dyke’s End, had done a great job in initiating the fund and helping to raise money.
Cemetery
It was agreed to form a working party to trim the bottom of the trees in the old part of the cemetery.
Bus shelter
Cllr Robinson had repaired the bus shelter at Ditchfield.