The minutes of Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 14th November 2001

Those present were Chairman Cllr Lambert, Vice/Chairman Clir Robinson, Cllrs Summers, Harrison, Moseley, Pearson and Aves.

C/Cllr Fitch and D/Cllr Cane.

The minutes of last month's Parish Council meeting were agreed and signed.

Cllr Fitch was not at the meeting as he felt that, bearing in mind recent local crime, it was important that he attend the Police Liaison Committee meeting. He had wished to report that Michael Marshall had written to the Chief Executive about the travellers on his land.

Cllr Moseley reported that a new deputy head (to replace Mr Hunns) would be starting in January 2002.

Cllr Lambert said that it had been agreed between the village hall committee and the parish council to donate £500 out of the amenity fund to the war memorial refurbishment fund.

There was to be a meeting the following evening. This was the time of the year that parishioners should apply for Christmas gifts, said Cllr Robinson. Work was continuing to upgrade the youth club.

Cllr Summers reported a spate of alloyed car wheels being stolen locally.

County were considering the proposed path around the old railway bridge and had sent a map for consideration. It was agreed that the entrance/exit on the Swaffham Prior side was too close to the bridge.

Thanks were given to Gerald Turner for putting up the replacement swing seats.

Clerk reported that a small grant had been sought from ECDC for the war memorial refurbishment fund.

Following last month's reports on litter bins not being emptied, and paper being left on the road, Cllr Cane had contacted Gerald Tickner from ECDC who oversees rubbish clearing. He had written with an apology and asked that members of the public with complaints about Cleanaway contact him personally at Ely.

Next year's precept had been finalised at £3536. Cllr Aves proposed its acceptance and was seconded by Cllr Robinson.

Cllr Lambert reported that the final deterrent post had been installed at The Hythe, but needed further anchoring to make it secure. It was agreed that people needing a key to the post should contact the Dyke's End in the first instance.

The Rivercare Project Officer from the Tidy Britain Group had contacted Grahame Miller about the project to tidy up the Hythe.

The new Standards Board had send around leaflets explaining how they operate.

Mr and Mrs Haird of 1 Fair Green had been given permission to make a new drive.

County had written asking `What does your Council think is right for Cambridgeshire?', for councillors opinions on their services.

Kate Day had written to announce that she and Jamie Shackleton would be planting a tree to commemorate the birth of their son Benjamin.

Cambridgeshire Police Authority had written asking what the PC considered should be the priorities of the police in the coming year. It was agreed that the on-going gypsy problem was of concern, particularly associated crime, the mess that was left behind after their occupation, and the cars which were stolen and left burnt out.

PC had been asked to report where flooding had taken place locally after the heavy rains. Cllr Moseley agreed to answer the questionnaire.

County had agreed to a new bridleway (to be called number 15) which would continue on from bridleway number 11. This would become official if no one had

objected before November 30`". If there were objections there would be an official enquiry.

Cllr Lambert reported on the launch of the Devil's Dyke refurbishment project by English Nature, which had been given a £305,000 heritage lottery grant. The work on the Reach end of The Dyke would not be carried out until year five, said Cllr Lambert. It was agreed that the scheme should be monitored carefully by the PC.

ECDC had written to explain why it was necessary to increase this next year. Although councillors agreed that they could see that reserves had been run down some were still unhappy about the size of the increase. Clerk asked to write asking what return was realised on tourism investment, what came under the heading 'other services', and stating that the increase would be of great concern to people with fixed incomes, such as pensioners.

It was agreed to apply for the war memorial to be a listed monument. Councillors agreed a bank account should be opened for the money raised towards the refurbishment.

Tony Jordan asked if any arrangements had been made for the village to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee in June 2002. It was agreed to discuss at the next meeting.