Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 3rd January 2001
Present
Those present were Vice/Chairman Cllr Robinson, Cllrs Aves, Summers, Pearson, Harrison and Moseley; also C/Cllr Fitch and D/Cllr Cane.
Visit
Quinton Carroll and Simon Kaner from the Archaeological Unit at County came to talk to the PC. The unit has undertaken 150 projects in the last year about the Local Heritage Initiative project to make a survey of 32 towns in Cambridgeshire. Reach is to be included as it was important in the past as a medieval commercial centre.
Reports
County Council
Cllr Fitch said that CCC had held a special meeting to consider the next Structure Plan. He explained how each plan takes a lot time to prepare. He spoke about proposed large-scale housing developments, although none was in this area. The planning department would be sending out explanatory leaflets.
Education - Cllr Fitch explained about the delegation of money for schools for the coming year and the positioning of local schools in primary school 'league tables'. He told councillors that Swaffham Prior Primary school should be 'proud and satisfied' with its recent performance.
Transport - £8.1m has been allocated in the Transport Plan for projects including public transport and cycling. A cycleway was to be constructed from the Newmarket Road Park and Ride to the city centre.
Highways - Cllr Fitch ran over the methods used for winter road gritting and asked for feedback from the PC. It was noted that the bottom half of Fair Green was usually omitted.
Police - The Burwell speed check showed worryingly high speeds and that motorists tended to go faster when leaving rather than entering the village
District Council
A new Chief Executive had been appointed. John Hill had been the acting Chief Executive and his appointment was warmly welcomed by Cllr Cane.
Cllr Cane said the forthcoming Parish Forum had a lot of things to be discussed.
The District accounts had gone smoothly. The Auditor had complemented the Council on changes implemented, particularly the IT updating and the new web page. Unfortunately the District had received less from the government than had been anticipated therefore finances were less 'rosy' As a consequence council tax would probably increase by 5% to allow a continued level of service.
Swaffham Prior Primary School
Cllr Moseley reported continued good progress by the school.
Village Hall Committee
The carol concert in the village hall before Christmas had been very successful.
Millennium Committee
The Reach book had been launched and was selling well.
The Christmas party had been thoroughly enjoyed by those who went.
Matters arising
Cllr Robinson is awaiting estimated costs for deterrent posts at the bottom of The Hythe.
Steven Hill from Highways had temporarily repaired some potholes in Burwell Road and also fixed up the signpost in Great Lane.
The play area had been re-barked with the help of a grant from ECDC. Cllr Pearson thanked Cllr Cane for her help in this matter which had enabled it to be carried out before the Christmas holiday.
The missing nuts on the swings on Fair Green had been replaced.
Clerk had contacted the waste reduction and recycling officer at County to enquire about a bottle bank for the village.
Correspondence
Philip Saunders, Deputy County Archivist from County had written asking if the PC would like to deposit old minute books in the County Record Office for preservation. It was agreed to deposit the first minute book.
Reach matters
Councillors discussed the care of trees in the conservation area and the general rules regarding pruning/cutting down etc. as there were concerns in the village about
Recycling your rubbish
I am currently trying to arrange for a bottle bank to be situated in the car park behind the Dyke's End. Like many things this is not as easy as it seems! When talking to the 'waste reduction and recycling office' at Cambs County Council he asked if we had a recycling collection in Reach. I said we had and it was well used. What I did not realise, however, was the variety of items that can apparently be recycled. As long as they are separated Cleanaway will take paper, glass (bottles etc.), cans, and even textiles on their fortnightly Tuesday collections. I am sure many of you know this but just in case you didn't I thought you would like to know.