Chairman Cllr Robinson, V/Chairman Cllr Aves, Cllrs Summers, Harrison, Pearson, and Hill; also C/Cllr Fitch and D/Cllr Alderson.
A short meeting was held to discuss the transfer of freehold of Dyke’s End pub from Reach for a Pint Limited to the Parish Council.
Reports
The new Chief Executive was planning to reorganise the County Council.
There had been a 40% increase in household rubbish; 28.5 thousand tons of rubbish were recycled. There was little room for burying rubbish and incineration was not popular, said Cllr Fitch.
Benefits advisors were to visit people entitled to benefits to persuade them to apply. This would benefit the County as £370 for every person on benefit was given back by the government.
The police committee would be meeting soon to discuss Sir Michael Bichard’s independent inquiry into the Soham murderers. The Chief Constable’s job was not at risk, but there was room for improvement.
Animal Rights had a high profile in the County with problem areas such as Huntingdon Life Sciences.
Councillors raised the problem of overgrown hedges in all areas of Reach, particularly at the approaches to the Old Railway Bridge. Clerk had already queried this with the Highways department; Cllr Fitch to follow up.
District Council
The District Council had attained a ‘good’ in a recent Comprehensive Performance Assessment. This reflected the good quality of local services, said Cllr Alderson; some 87% of respondents were satisfied with ECDC’s services.
Souvenir sales and admissions to Oliver Cromwell’s house in Ely were up on last year. A French market held in Ely recently had proved a great success; it was hoped it would encourage people to attend Ely market.
The 0723, 1710, and 1640 Saturday services from Cambridge to Ely were to be withdrawn at the end of July.
There was no profit in the recent green waste paper bag collection but it had to be carried out to meet targets. Extra bags could be collected from The Dyke’s End pub for 50p each.
Village hall committee
The committee had not progressed with the extension to the village hall as it had not yet had three quotes tendered.
Matters arising
The hedge at the junction of Weirs Road and Burwell Road had been cut back improving visibility.
A representative of the Woodland Trust had visited Reach Wood. He was looking into the possibility of installing wooden bollards across access points.
Correspondence
Mr and Mrs Knight of Fairview Cottage, 2C Burwell Road, had been given planning permission to build an extension.
Reach matters
Travellers’ horses were still tethered on Blackberry drove near the fishing pit. Clerk to contact the traveller’s liaison officer at ECDC.