Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on Wednesday 7th January 1998

Present          

Chairman Cllr Robinson, V/Chairman Cllr Aves, Cllrs Harrison, Pearson,Lambert, Reed and Davies; also C/Cllr Fitch.

Reports

County Council

Cllr Fitch spoke about the forthcoming budget. He said that at this stage no-one really knew what was going to happen but that CCC would be 'hard hit' and it could be summed up as being higher Council Tax and cuts in some services. The County would probably go up by 10 - 11% to which should be added the District increases (probably in real terms less than 10%).

The Park and Ride at Newmarket and Bridge Street in Cambridge had faced a lot of pre-Christmas pressure. Two seminars had been arranged to discuss the problems. The new traffic lights on Newmarket Road had not yet been delivered and therefore the bus lanes were not working properly causing congestion in peak periods.

Burwell surgery have complained about prospective cuts in the health service. The Cambridge and Huntingdon Health Authority have proposed cuts in Health visiting for pre-school children. More money had to be put into special cases causing routine health care to be diminished.

The District Auditor's report has been published. CCC runs its affairs in a satisfactory way with no fraud or corruption.

Cllr Fitch reported a change in the Library service which after 1st April would be visiting Reach on alternate Mondays from 2.55 to 3.15. They would welcome comments.

Questions

Cllr Robinson asked Cllr Fitch about reports that social services were being sued by people abused in connection with the Keith Laverack case. Cllr Fitch said that the CCC were covered by insurance for such cases but that rates may increase to cover this.

Cllr Pearson queried the proposed increase in Council taxes and Cllr Fitch explained why this might happen and commented that Reach had been treated very fairly with grants in the past.

There were comments about the problems re the area near the Park and Ride. Cllr Fitch explained that trees were a problem as the road could not be widened, but people living in the area wanted to keep them.

Cllr Davies asked what was going to happen to the triangle near Swaffham Prior House. Cllr Fitch said trees were going to be planted when the weather permitted

District Council

The ECDC had received a very favourable report from the District Auditor who had mentioned 'high quality services'. £100,000 in past debts had been written off, mainly from folding businesses etc., going back a long time. He showed the PC a summary of ECDC activities which is coming out shortly.

Correspondence

The two proposed building plots at the rear of 31 and 33 Burwell Road have been refused planning permission.

The Highways Division has written saying that they are reviewing potential schemes to improve cycling facilities in this area.

The PC discussed a planning application for a conservatory behind Plot 3, Fairgreen Cottages. Clerk to write outlining objections to this and pointing out that no application has been received for Plot 2 even though the conservatory is already erected.

A copy of a letter from Crosskeys, Fair Green to the Planning Department at ECDC had been sent asking for support from the Parish Council for the burying of overhead cables outside their house.

The County Farms Estate has declined to trim the hedge alongside Swaffham Road. A request to do so is to be passed on to the new tenant of the land.

Stephen Plumb of Anglian Water has agreed to visit the February PC meeting to discuss the sewerage works at The Hythe.

Allison Conder has written about constraints regarding the areas the PC would like to landscape within the Parish Landscape Action Plan. It was suggested she visit the sites to clarify the situation.

Eastern Electricity have started work on refurbishing the 11,000 volt overhead line between Burwell and Bottisham.

Wickstead Leisure have inspected the swings on Fair Green. They are to sent parts to enable repairs to be done.

Bottisham Village College have asked for a contribution to their Community Education programme and also for the installation of 'sleeping policemen' on the site. The PC declined to contribute and suggested it was disappointing that this was only necessary because of cuts in the education budget.

Playing Field Update

The final documents still had yet to be signed. (Cllr Pearson asked Cllr Fitch earlier in the meeting if he would investigate).

The PC discussed worries over the surface between the gate from the Car Park and the gate into the Stewardship Land.

Reach Matters

The street light on the corner of Burwell Road is unrepairable and as the ECDC want all the lights to be replaced at the same time it will remain as it is until the enhancement scheme is carried out.

The bus shelter is leaking. Clerk is arrange for the roof to be repaired and a pole to be put outside for a new bus timetable.

County Farms Estate want to put an information board near the entrance to Devil's Dyke walk. Items for inclusion on the board were discussed and its position.

The purchase of salt bins was discussed as salt has been deposited by the side of the road for use in icy weather as is likely to ruin the grass.

Complaints had been received by walkers that the footpath from Clunch pit lane to Green Lane is very muddy as horse-riders and motorbike-riders are using it. This is not a designated bridleway and known users are to be asked to stop.

The PC were told that the Kings Public House was for sale. It was agreed that the PC would object to a move for obtaining permission for 'change of use' as the pub is an amenity for the village which should not be lost.