Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 7th April 2004
Present
Chairman Cllr Robinson, Vice-Chairman Cllr Aves, Cllrs Harrison, Summers, Hill, and Moseley; also C/Cllr Fitch.
Reports
Cllr Fitch said his new ward would include Burwell, Reach, Swaffham Bulbeck, and Swaffham Prior.
• Provisional car routes had been chosen where it was felt the traffic needed slowing down. Warning speed signs would be installed with reminders of the 30 mph speed limit.
• A new bridleway was to be constructed between Burwell Heath Road and Bottisham.
• It had been agreed to lower the ‘Route 51 cyclepath’ sign, which at present is obstructing the view of the Reach fair plaque on Mr Cole’s house on Fair Green. This, however, had not yet taken place. Councillors suggested inviting Patrick Joyce, the County Cycling Projects Officer, to a meeting to discuss Route 51, in particular the fact that it goes over the Old Railway Bridge. It was agreed to invite the Chairman of Swaffham Prior Parish Council to the meeting if Patrick Joyce were to attend.
• If the Sustrans route went ahead there would be compulsory planning purchase of land.
Community education at Bottisham Village College would now be looked after by the District Council. Irene Ward had been appointed the Manager (she was to be based at Soham Village College). Youth education would be based at BVC.
Bottisham Village College had raised £50k for their humanities project. This could make them the top college in Cambridgeshire, said Cllr Fitch.
Library services
There had been a good report from the library services department.
Council tax
Salaries at County were not keeping up with those in industry. The County section of council tax would rise by 6.8% this year. In reply to a question from a councillor Cllr Fitch agreed that council tax should be income-related.
Police
Cllr Fitch spoke about how crime is recorded. He explained how, for example, the rape and robbery of a person is recorded as two separate crimes.
Swaffham Prior PCC
The representative of the County Council, John Norris, had resigned.
Matters arising
• Cllr Fitch had contacted Patrick Joyce, the County Cycling Projects Officer, regarding Route 51, a cycling route that had been routed over The Old Railway Bridge. Mr Joyce had confirmed the route and said that the bridge was considered safe for cycling. To lower the bridge would be in excess of £300k, although a scheme might be put forward sometime in the future.
• The Reverend Stephen Earl had written confirming that the Parochial Church Council was happy to house the bier in St Etheldreda’s church. Councillors voiced thanks to John Holmwood who had renovated the bier.
Correspondence
• Simon Owers, landlord of The Dyke’s End, had written requesting permission to erect a marquee on Fair Green in order to hold a charity cocktail party. Councillors had no objection.
• Eleanor Hoggart, Executive Director of the Legal and Democratic Services at ECDC, had written clarifying certain issues arising regarding ‘Standards of Member Conduct’.
• A copy of the periodic electoral review of Cambridgeshire County Council draft recommendations had been received.
• Brian Devereux had written offering to maintain the grass and vegetation around The Point. Councillors agreed this would be of benefit to the area.
• Dave Robertson, District Manager of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, had written offering to give the PC a presentation of the service’s Integrated Risk Management Plan for 2004/5. It was agreed to invite him to a future meeting.
Reach matters
• Clerk had written to the customer relations officer at County to complain about the non-arrival of two buses returning to Reach from Cambridge. She had replied that it was important to record all complaints so that problematic services or routes could be addressed at an operational level. Cllr Fitch endorsed this view.
• Following complaints about the driving of a car in Reach wood, the Caretaker Contractor at The Woodland Trust had replied offering assistance in any local initiatives to help prevent further problems. Unfortunately a similar incidence had occurred recently and this was discussed by councillors. It was agreed that should there be another incidence the matter would be reported to the police.
Planning applications for a window at Moon and Sixpence, Chapel Lane, and an extension for The White House, Swaffham Road were supported.