Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on 8th January 1997

Present :

Cllr Robinson (Chairman), Cllrs Aves, Harrison, Reed, Pearson; also C/Cllr Fitch, D/Cllr Webb and members of public.

Apologies :

Cllrs Lambert and Davies

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed and signed.

Reports:

C/Cllr Fitch spoke about District Auditor's report. Finances are well controlled and working between County, District and Parish Councils is excellent. Management of Social Services at CCC needs to be strengthened. Budget: Education would not be affected apart from the loss of some teaching jobs

The Fire service in this area will not be affected.

Private stables - C/Cllr Fitch had looked into the policy and explained what he had learned. A discussion followed about stabling in Reach and general grievances re planning. 2 councillors are to go to an ECDC meeting to voice.

Buses - 2 more buses may stop going through Reach. C/Cllr Fitch is to protest strongly about one which serves the Prospect Trust when it's employees are going home D/Cllrr Webb told PC about sports centres promotion and applications for 3 big shopping complexes on northern fringe of Cambridge. There are government proposals to have rate relief for village shops. There were to be some cuts in A & E care in some hospitals but luckily funds had reprieved them.

Correspondence:

Clerk had received complaints from residents in The Hythe about the mess left after the bonfire.

Dog fouling laws - PC agreed which areas should be designated 'dog free'.

Playing field update:

Progress re conveyancing is slow. Hedging cannot be done until this is finalised. Fencing has been done by County Farms who did not spoil the new grass. Committee has applied for a Cambridge Evening News Challenge Award to fund all-round playing surface. Car Park surface and dispute over measurements still unresolved.

Reach matters:

New notice board: Clerk told PC about possible cost. Village Hall committee are not keen to donate towards board as they already have one.

Swing repairs: Repair is to be done soon. Discussion followed about possible moving and/or new equipment at top of green.

Bus shelter: Chairman quoted costs of surveillance cameras (about£300). It was agreed noise problem not too bad at present and that nothing would be done unless it re-occurred. Then the internal seat would be removed and the bin re-sited.

Crash barrier, Great Lane: Owner of house had been contacted and was reluctant to have it removed as she had paid for it. Mr. Hill of Highways Department said it would be difficult to move.

Gang mowers: Chairman is to have them repaired.

St. Etheldreda's Arch: Clerk reported the Arch is badly in need of repair and the Chairman is to speak to the Vicar about urgency.

Fair Green: Clerk is to write to head of Planning Department about ruts in green near Memorial following siting of seat.

Penny Lang