Notes of the Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 2nd August 2000

Present Chairman, Cllr Aves, V/Chairman Cllr Lambert; Cllrs Summers, Robinson, and Moseley; also C/Cllr Fitch and D/Cllr Cane.

Cllr Cane thanked the PC for their support during her break to give birth to her son.

Cllr Cane spoke about the pilot scheme for a 'farmer's market' in Ely which had proved very successful. Although a formal appraisal would have to be done she thought it would probably continue.

Travellers had returned to Reach and were encamped near the Swan Lake barn. Brian Hicks, the traveller's officer from ECDC had been to court to have them moved on. Cllr Robinson then spoke about the travellers. He said that farmers using Swan Lake barn were all paying into a farm assurance scheme and were therefore annoyed to see the premises being used as a toilet by the travellers. He asked Cllr Fitch if a gate could be erected (similar to one at Lode fen) at the entrance to Black Drove to prevent access. Clerk asked to write to CCC about this. Cllr Cane commented that as the council were closing sights there were understandably more travellers looking for somewhere to stop. Cllr Fitch said there was no easy answer, this was an explosive topic and there were no regional arrangements. Although the travellers, by their behaviour, put themselves above the law, the District Council were not able to move the travellers more quickly that the law allows.

Cllr Fitch told the PC that maps for the county had all been digitalised.

A lot of road works were being carried out locally. Cllr Fitch praised David Groom from CCC for his continuing good work in the area. He spoke about the many disruptions road works were causing in Cambridge. This provoked a discussion about bus routes and the Park and Ride site at Newmarket Road.

Cllr Moseley said that the school had sent its annual report to all parents.

Cllr Lambert reported that at the local AGM all officers had stood and had been re-elected, He showed the PC a copy of the end of year accounts. Plans were being drawn up for a disabled toilet in the village hall for which a grant was available. Councillors commented that the front of the hall needed improving. Cllr Lambert said he thought the committee had done exceptionally well with the funds raised. The hall, he said, was a good facility that the village could be proud of..

Cllr Robinson said five people had applied for four of the houses being built at Cage Hill - none of them was from Reach.

PCC funds were down, mainly due to the fall in investment rates for foundations. Consequently Christmas bonuses might well not be as high as in previous years.

The Reach book had been edited and was nearly ready for costing so printers could be contacted for prices.

Clerk reported that James Spragg from CCC, who had written to the PC about the proposed bridleway in the village, was to come to talk to a meeting of interested horse riders.

The register of electors is in the first stage of compilation.

Councillors visited Appletree Cottage in Great Lane to consider a planning application for an extension at the rear of the property. There were no objections.
Councillors asked the Clerk to contact Steven Hill from the highways department about potholes in Burwell Road, and to ask him if he would put up the new sign in Great Lane.