Chairman Cllr Robinson, V/Chairman Cllr Aves, Cllrs Summers, Harrison, and Hill; also C/Cllr Fitch.
Reports
• Cllr Fitch asked if the PC would re-apply for a minor highways grant to have a foot/cyclepath around the Old Railway Bridge. It had been suggested that the PC join force with Swaffham Prior PC; their clerk had said it was unlikely that they would want to. Cllr Fitch said David Groom (Highways Dept) was checking to see if the bridge was still under the jurisdiction of the rail authority.
• The Park and Ride had been granted beacon status. The future of the guided bus was to be discussed at a public enquiry. Bus patronage in Cambridgeshire was ten times higher than the national average, although local buses needed more passengers. ‘Use or lose it’, commented Cllr Fitch, although he agreed that fares were expensive.
• The vegetation near the Old Railway Bridge had been cut back. Councillors said hedges alongside other local roads needed attention.
• The County Council had been ‘re-shaped’ with three directors and a Chief Executive.
Cllr Fitch referred to a letter from Hilary Almond complaining about the on-going problem of the travellers’ horses on Straight Drove, and the unacceptable behaviour of travellers leaving behind human waste in the Whiteway Drove area. Brian Hicks, the Travellers Liaison Officer had been made aware of the situation. The matter was discussed.
Planning applications submitted to the county could now be checked on its website.
Only one crime in Reach had been reported to the Police in the last month – that of a smashed security light on Burwell Road.
Three residents of Burwell Road had written to the Highways Department about the lack of signs warning of the dangerous bends. Cllr Fitch asked to have copies of the letters. A discussion about the problem of local roads also included the on-going problem of large lorries getting stuck at the junction of Fair Green and Great Lane. Clerk updated councillors on the current position, i.e. that Greens of Soham (the destination of most of the lorries) had declined to contribute fairly to the cost of signage (organised by CCC) so the matter had been dropped.
(Cllr Anderson had submitted a written report in his absence).
The councillor had also been following up travellers’ issues and reported on it. He also outlined possible sites for the new East Cambridgeshire District Council offices.
Counsel had written, via Eleanor Hoggart (District Solicitor), regarding the Parish Council taking on the freehold of The Dyke’s End pub. He could see no problems so Councillors agreed the matter could progress.
Correspondence
Hilary Almond re the travellers (see County report).
Grahame Miller had also corresponded with the Clerk on the matter of the travellers’ horses. He also commented on the amount of rubbish near the person living on the boat currently moored on The Hythe. It was suggested that the person be advised to take his rubbish up to Fair Green for collection, rather than leaving it near the waste bin at the bottom of The Hythe, where it was unlikely it would be collected.
A small amount of ECDC money was available for replacement/additional signs. It was not thought necessary in Reach at present.
Reach matters
Councillors discussed the poor state of the children’s play area at the top of Fair Green. Clerk to see if grants available from East Cambs to put down safely surfacing, which was very expensive.