Those present were Chairman Cllr Lambert, Vice/Chairman Cllr Robinson, Cllrs Summers, Harrison, Pearson, Aves, and Moseley; also C Cllr Fitch and D/Cllr Cane.

The following were elected as officers for the following year:

Chairman - Keith Lambert (proposed by Cllr Summers, seconded by Cllr Robinson) Vice-Chairman - Cllr Robinson (proposed by Cllr Lambert, seconded by Cllr Harrison)

Village Hall Committee - Cllrs Lambert and Moseley

Swaffham Prior PCC - Cllr Robinson

Tree Officer (honorary post) - John Reed

Police liaison committee - Cllr Summers

Cllr Fitch outlined the proposed new settlement at Six Mile Bottom, between Newmarket and Cambridge, and how it could affect villages such as Bottisham, Swaffham Bulbeck and even Reach. A professional developer, working with 6 landowners, proposes building 14,000 houses. Cllr Fitch thinks this is 'grossly overweight'. If this particular development does not take place there will be an alternative - possibly on the site of Marshalls in Cambridge, if an alternative site can be found for the company and the airfield. The process of finding somewhere to build a new settlement will continue until mid-2003.

The A14 may have more lanes added to it in the future as it has a large volume of traffic. The Cambridge region has 70% more traffic than the national average.

Speeding restrictions are constantly being discussed said Cllr Fitch. New signs have been put up on one local road which illuminate if drivers are exceeding 60 mph.

This year's accounts show a surplus on the revenue account of about £2m. In the last 20 years the Estate has contributed about £23m to the County's revenue.

Farms are generally showing a reduced profit in the current agricultural situation.

Family members of tenant farmers will have the option to purchase the farms in the future. The Countryside Watch is going well.

A drugs policy for schools has been widely adopted. Cllr Fitch said that it has to be assumed that drugs are now taken in all schools.

Our new local policeman is Mark Hurry; both he and Sgt Cakebread will be allocated to this area. Julie Gilbert has been appointed as a community coordinator. She will be assisting the community beat officers in their office-based tasks. All three are based at Histon Police Station.

Hoax calls have been reduced by 50% in the last five years. Arson is also down but by not as much. Car fire crimes are not viewed in the same light as other arson crimes.

The Cambridgeshire Fire Service had a tremendous report from the National Audit.

Restrictions for foot and mouth disease had now been lifted in the District as there were no cases in Cambridgeshire. The farmers' markets were now taking place again with meat farmers being allowed to sell their produce.

The District Council had held a full council meeting at Littleport (the second time this had been done). Cllr Cane said it was not as successful as the Bottisham meeting held last year. The Council now had to consider if this was the most appropriate meeting to hold outside the Ely offices. Some evening meetings might be held but this would not include the planning meetings as they lasted too long.

The community bus service was looking for some more funding as it was facing competition from the subsidised public service. Cllr Cane explained that passengers had to join the service but could then use the bus for communal outings, hospital visiting etc. Drivers are volunteers so the cost was just to cover the use of the bus.

Phil Sharp from CCC Highways Department had contacted Clerk to arrange a site visit with interested parties re the directional signs for lorries visiting Lords Ground.

Cllr Lambert said he would contact Stephen Hill from Eastern highways again to remind him about the proposed vehicle deterrents in The Hythe.

Clerk has obtained a quotation from Wickstead Leisure to inspect the play area and Fair Green swings for risk assessment.

The Highways department had been made away of the poor state of Little Lane.

Concern had been expressed by Cllr Summers about the discussion in April's meeting regarding a planning application. Councillors reviewed the procedure and the following points were agreed:

o Although it was thought only two councillors were necessary for an initial site visit, other councillors should make a follow-up visit if the application was thought to be at all contentious.

o The two councillors making the initial visit should produce a factual report, not an opinionated one.

o Amended plans, not already seen and stamped by ECDC planning department were not admissible at a discussion. The presentation, for those either for or against the application, must be kept to two minutes.

o There should be no discussion of the plans after the two-minute presentation with the applicant unless a specific point needed is to be clarified.

Cllr Lambert urged Councillors to read through the document. He said that no change was expected for the Reach Ward.

Cllr Summers reported that he had received three letters from parishioners who would like to see a CCTV camera on Fair Green, and three who were against the proposal. He is to put a notice in the Out of Reach to get more feedback from villagers.