Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 14th January 2004

Present

Chairman Cllr Robinson, Cllrs Harrison, Summers, Moseley, Hill, and Pearson.

Reports

District Council

Budget/council tax

The budget was to be discussed at the forthcoming ECDC Parish Forum.

Although the government had given extra funding to District Councils it was not enough, said Cllr Cane.

High Cloud Stud

Planning application was going to mediation shortly, with a recommendation for approval. Certain conditions would be enforced re the materials to be used. Councillors discussed and suggested that the planning department at ECDC be asked for clarification of the current planning process.

Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Pearson said many meetings had been held re finances. Although the government budget statement showed an area cost adjustment in Cambridgeshire’s favour it was unclear how it would be spent.

Police liaison committee

Cllr Summers had recently visited the US. He compared policing practices there with those in the UK.

Matters arising

Burwell/Horningsea overhead electricity cabling

24Seven were appealing to the Secretary of State to be allowed to install the cabling as per their submitted plans. They argued that the present route was less disrupting to housing. Councillors were told the company was planning on planting indigenous trees along the cabling route and would care for them for the next 50 years.

Correspondence

• Ely Police Sector had sent telephone number contacts for nonemergencies.

• The Democratic Services Officer at ECDC had written reminding councilors that they must notify any amendments to the Parish Councillor’s Declarations of Interest.

• The Parks and Open Spaces Department at ECDC had a few benches surplus to requirements. PC agreed to ask for one.

• Planning permission had been given for an oil tank to be installed at the rear of Needholy, Fair Green.

Reach matters

Reach burial ground

Cllr Robinson and Ron Greenhill had begun tidying up the cemetery. The shed was to be made into a porch, the bier renovated (and kept there), and a bench installed.

Reach village sign

The village sign was in need of renovation. Cllr Harrison had spoken to Ron Morris about this.

Reach road sign

The enamelled sign at the Burwell Road entrance to the village had gone missing.