Notes on Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday

6th August 2003

Present

V/Chairman Cllr Aves, Cllrs Summers, Harrison, Pearson, Moseley and Hill; also C/ Cllr Fitch.

Reports

County Council

General

Cllr Fitch reported that a range of ‘smart cards’ were to be issued for a range of services, e.g. school meals, public transport etc. This would require a huge amount of administrating, he commented.

Finance

This was not in good order at County, mostly due to Social Services ‘unravelling’ owing to the high cost of looking after the young and the elderly. Some situations had been both predicable and unavoidable, said Cllr Fitch. The county was expanding so new schools etc. had to be provided. Last year’s budget saw a £3.2m overspend; it was possible that by next April this would have risen to £4m. Foster parents were being paid more and much money was spent on trying to avoid ‘bed blocking’, not helped by many old peoples’ homes closing. Cllr Fitch said that this year’s council tax should have been higher as more money was needed.

Education

Adult education had received a bad OFSTED report. The education itself was good but the administration bad. CCC was over-reacting by closing many adult education courses. Education for qualifications would continue, but many recreation classes, e.g. judo, line dancing, would be scrapped. Bottisham village college adult education was a target for future cuts unfortunately.

Environment and transport

Burwell Heath Road was a continuous dumping ground for abandoned cars and used tyres, said Cllr Fitch.

Many local roadworks were been carried out at the moment. Cllr Fitch reminded the PC about the Highways Minor Improvement bids in the autumn. Councillors asked if it was worth asking for a footpath around the old railway bridge as the PC had been unsuccesful in previous years. Cllr Fitch suggested contacting David Groom from the

Highways department for his advice on the matter.

Fire service

Thieves had got into Burwell fire station and stolen heavy cutting equipment.

Police service

There was currently a lot of burglary taking place in Burwell. Cllr Fitch warned about distraction burglary, particularly for old people.

Award

Cllr Aves, who was chairing the meeting, congratulated Cllr Fitch on his recent long-service award from the District Council.

District Council

Police response

Cllr Cane had reported that the lack of police response to the car being driven wildly in Reach one evening recently was because all police had been requested to be in Oakington. Councillors discussed the police generally.

Computer in Dyke’s End pub

It had been reported that the landlord of the Dyke’s End was concerned that the pub might not be the best place for the computer. It was suggested that it might be favourable to install the computer in the village hall.

Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Moseley reported on an enjoyable open evening held at the school at the end of term. Many people, at present not connected with the school, had attended, which was encouraging.

Village Hall Committee

The committee had been elected. A Chairman would be elected at the next meeting.

There was still a shortage of funds for the proposed extension to the village hall.

Correspondence

· The East Cambs Parish Forum was to be held on 16th October. Councillors agreed to attend.

· Correspondence was received about a public inquiry regarding a claimed public right of way at Harrison’s Drove/Wicken Lode and Underbank Drove,

Burwell.

· The Cambridgeshire Association of Local Councils had requested nominations for a President and vice-President. None was put forward by Reach councillors.

· The East Cambs Community Safety Partnership was to held a board meeting in Ely. Councillors regretted they could not attend as it was to be held during the working day and no-one would be available.

· East Cambs Best Value Performance Plan 2003 had been published and was available to view on the council’s website (www.eastcambs.gov.uk).

· Amended plans had been received for an approved extension and roof conversion at Rose Cottage, Blackberry Drove.

Reach matters

Planning permission applications

Councillors supported an application for outline planning permission for a 3/4 detached house at 1, Ditchfield, and for an application to convert 12A and 12B The Hythe into one house.

Obscured sign

A resident had drawn councillors’ attention to the ‘z-bend’ sign on Burwell Road, which she said was almost entirely obscured by tree branches. Clerk to contact

Highways Dept.

Broadband

It had been reported that Swaffham Prior was now joining Reach Community Broadband project. Cllr Aves asked Cllr Summers if their PC would be contributing to the Reach Amenity Fund, pointing out that the Reach Amenity Fund (a joint account held by Reach parish council and the village hall committee) had donated quite a sizeable sum to the project. Cllr Summers replied that he hoped some funds would be made available

Public forum

It was reported that a local farmer had cut several hedges back recently, causing some concern to a neighbour.