Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on Wednesday 5th January 2000

Present

Those present were Chairman, Cllr Aves, Cllrs Summers, Robinson and Pearson; also C/Cllr Fitch.

Apologies

Apologies received from Cllrs Harrison, Lambert and Moseley, also D/Cllr Cane.

Reports

County Council

Council tax is to increase next year. Cllr Fitch explained that this will be below average for similar counties. Cambridgeshire is suffering from not having a cost of living adjustment.

Education This is a top priority at County, £201.2m is being put into schools which is £2.3m above the inflation rate. Cllr Fitch showed the PC a report of all the schools in the county. Cllr Fitch said that County are paying great attention to Swaffham Prior Primary school. Cllr Pearson thanked Cllr Fitch for helping the school over a difficult period and spoke about the increasing responsibility faced by parent/governors. Social Services Although 14 old people's homes are up for sale only one has been sold.

Fire The fire authority have asked John Smith to donate the land next to the fire station to be used as a car parking area for fireman. Cllr Fitch said the entrance to the fire station is in bad condition which is giving cause for concern.

Highways The Fordham by-pass will be built in 2001-2 at a cost of £12m. Cllr Fitch showed the PC a letter he had sent to David Brace, the team leader of traffic management, about the minor highways improvement schemes for 2000/1 which is jointly funded by District and County. PC agreed to support Cllr Fitch's request for the Fen Edge Way cycle/footpath to be completed, particularly a possibly by-passing of the dangerous railway bridge between Lower End, Swaffham Prior and Reach. Clerk asked Cllr Fitch to follow up a letter she had written to David Brace, Team Leader Traffic Management, about the signage for long vehicles approaching the bottom of Fair Green. In answer to a question Cllr Fitch said gritting is only done in Reach if ice conditions are continuous.

District Council

In Cllr Cane's absence Cllr Fitch reported that Council Tax from the District would go up by 5.5%. Clerk reported that the enhancement scheme to replace the street lights on Fair Green would be started at the end of August with the plan remaining unchanged.

Millennium Committee

Cllr Aves reported a successful party in the village hall on New Year's Eve. It was agreed that it should be an annual event. Commemorative mugs are to be distributed to children in the village.

Reach matters

Parking on Fair Green Two letters had been written to the village magazine about notes being placed on parked cars on Fair Green. It was decided to put a notice in the magazine to the effect that it is permissible to park on this public highway.

The Hythe It was decided to send letters to residents of The Hythe advising that it is not permissible to park at the side of the road. This causes an obstruction thereby forcing lorries visiting the sewerage works to mount the kerb and destroy the grass verge.

Gang mowers: Chairman is to have them repaired.

St. Etheldreda's Arch: Clerk reported the Arch is badly in need of repair and the Chairman is to speak to the Vicar about urgency.

Fair Green: Clerk is to write to head of Planning Department about ruts in green near Memorial following siting of seat.