County Council

The Structure Plan had been accepted and will now go on deposit.

It looks as though Longstanton/Oakington will be accepted as the new town; there remains only a slight possibility of this decision being changed.

The forthcoming budget will see an increase in County’s share of the Council Tax of 9.3% (£1.15 per week) for a Band D property.

Anyone who had his or her 50^th birthday on 6^th February 2002 (the Anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne) has the opportunity to be invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen.

Mill Hill at Swaffham Prior was to have a traffic-calming scheme. Discussions would be held to find the most acceptable solution.

The bid to have a footpath around The Old Railway Bridge in Reach did not score enough marks to qualify for inclusion in this year’s small project works. Cllr Fitch said he would ask the Rural Group for possible funding. Reasons for not being accepted appeared to be concern over the safety aspect of the path, as it is hidden from the road. This, it was thought, could attract possible attackers of pedestrians/cyclists. Cllr Fitch said that Reach PC needed to think up a strategy to encourage Highways to proceed with the project – possibly donating more funding, or offering to carry out some of the work.

The Park and Ride sites were expanding all the time. When Babraham Road was finished there would be 4100 places for cars.

It was accepted that there was a drop in the standard of bus services generally. Clare Ritson at CCC would look into individual complaints.

Steven Hill had resigned as the supervisor for the Eastern Highways division. David Groom would handle any problems.

The cycleway from Quy to Burwell was progressing. Cllr Fitch said that Sustrans had donated money for this. It was suggested that the company could possibly donate money for the Old Railway Bridge footpath.

The Chairman of the Police Authority was aware that hare coursing was becoming a problem locally. Cllr Fitch said prosecution was difficult as the hare had to be seen being killed; also the name of the owner of the dog was needed and the killing had to be witnessed. Few hare courses operated on Sundays, as this was illegal.

Burwell Village College and Bottisham Village College had been chosen as two schools within the Cambridge area who were good at dealing with ‘youth matters’

Cllr Fitch reported that over the Christmas period social services received 65% more calls than usual to its emergency service. The department had found it difficult to cope.

Cllr Robinson said he thought it unreasonable to put up council tax. Cllr Fitch agreed it was difficult for people on fixed incomes to absorb the increases.

Cllr Cane reported that David Groom from Highways had offered to create a hard area between the kerb and the pavement where lorries constantly drove over the grass. Cllr Lambert asked if this could be made to look pleasant, possibly using cobblestones. Cllr Cane agreed to speak to David Groom about this.

Complaints had been made about lorries and buses driving over the kerb onto the grass. It was agreed that parked cars made it impossible not to go over the grass when passing them. Councillors also drew Cllr Cane’s attention to a car which parked in the bus lay-by at the bottom of Fair Green, making it necessary for children to get off the school bus in the middle of the road. Cllr Cane said she would check out the by-law concerning parking in such places.

Cleanaway had missed a collection day in late January. Cllr Cane said the company could not cope with the demand as targets had exceeded expectation. ECDC were trying to get a consortium of councils going who would share lorries etc.

Cllr Cane reported that the entire board of the Fenland trust had resigned and there would be a new board. The Chairman was having to re-apply for her job.

Cllr Cane encouraged councillors to submit names of young persons who had done something useful within their community.

Isabel Hill (minor authorities governor) gave a report to councillors. She said that the school had appointed a new Deputy Head, Mrs Richards, to replace Mr Hunns. Mrs Pinhey would be taking maternity leave in the summer term. The school had held a successful science fair and also held a disco, which raised £200. Stacking stage blocks had been bought with the aid of funds raised at the Summer Fair.

Isabel Hill said that SATs would be challenging this year; the next OFSTED review would be later in the school year.

Councillors discussed school roll numbers for the forthcoming year compared with other local schools.

Cllr Fitch said the government was re-considering the Area Cost Adjustment for Cambridgeshire. This could affect the amount of money schools were given. SATs were also to be reviewed and the way in which the standard of a school is assessed.

The Fair Committee had made good progress with plans for this year’s Reach Fair. It was hoped to get the field in Swaffham Prior again for parking. This year the fairground attractions would be on the lower section of Fair Green to allow freer movement between the upper green and the playing field.

Plans for the village hall extension had been submitted for building regulations.

The Highways department at County had said it was unwilling to pay for signs, requested by Lordship Farm, directing heavy lorries through Swaffham Prior. Negotiations about payment were still taking place.

Clerk read a directive from CALC regarding councillors having to sign forms declaring finances, interests etc. It was noted that the media reported parish councillors all over the country leaving in large numbers because of this. Cllr Pearson pointed out that this was a requirement for a school governor and should not be cause for concern.

An anonymous villager had written complaining about the overgrown footpath at the bottom of Chapel Lane.

A project officer would soon be appointed to run the Devil’s Dyke refurbishment project.

The County Council were to consult directly with Parish Councils about large projects, i.e. schools, council offices, new roads, etc. In the past consultations were carried out by the District Council on behalf of County.

The East Cambridgeshire On-Line project was being launched at The Dyke’s End pub in Reach. Councillors were invited to attend.

East Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership was to hold racial incident surgeries at the ECDC offices in Ely every Thursday between 2 and 4 pm.

Councillor Mary Chapple of the Member Led Review of Complaints had written asking for councillor’s views on the County Council’s complaints procedures.

The Highways and Engineering Division of County had been restructured. Mark Kemp was now the Network Manager for South and East Cambridgeshire.

Clerk to write requesting quotes for grass cutting for the coming season.

Jubilee celebrations were discussed. It was agreed to have a marquee on the green with a bar. A barbecue would be held in the evening, together with a barn dance.

Various activities would take place, such as dominoes, rounders, a picnic etc. A sub committee was formed – it was stressed that this would not be not a parish council or village hall committee activity, but a village event.

Dog walkers in Reach had requested simple seats to break up their exhausting walks. It was agreed to discuss at a later meeting.