Notes on the meeting of Reach  Parish  Council  held  on Wednesday 4th March 1998

Present          

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

Minutes          The minutes were agreed and signed.

Reports

District Council

Cllr  Cane reported that planning application has  been  approved for conservatories at the new houses on Burwell Road. The  East  Cambridgeshire District Local Plan Deposit  Draft  has approved that Reach should have 'infill only' status.

Cllr Cane showed the PC an extract from the local plan  regarding 'Change  of  Use' which is of interest following  an  application from the Kings public house.

The planning  committee  at  ECDC  has  agreed  to  have  public representation of 2 people from each PC at attend site visits. It is  likely to introduce a policy for objectors to have 3  minutes (using a representative) to state their case.

The budget and Council Tax has been agreed.

County Council (n.b.this was heard at the end of the meeting)

Cllr Fitch told the PC the breakdown of figures for the  proposed new Council Tax.

Social services and schools were facing another cut back  despite suggestions to move finances across to these departments.The small shop venture to help shops in areas of 3000 or less has been kept at a budget of £5000.

The  1600  111  bus from Newmarket to Cambridge  is  to  continue diverting  through  Reach for another year with ECDC  paying  the subsidy. Cllr Fitch suggested looking at post buses.

Cycle  ways - a group of people are putting forward an appeal  to an  organisation called 'Enventure' who offer  money  accumulated from  Landfill  tax. This would help complete  the  link  between Burwell  and  Quy.  He  told the PC  about  other possible  fund raising being investigated.

Colin Green is to be the new assistant for children at CCC.

Part  of  the  Quy roundabout is to be  re-designed.  Cllr  Fitch showed  the proposed plan which was discussed. Clerk to write  to Peter  Doggett at Environment and Transport as it was thought  it would  slow  traffic  down  even more  coming  from the  Burwell direction.

Matters arising

Clerk  reported that the damaged light on the corner  of  Burwell Road  is  to be replaced with one chosen  under  the  enhancement scheme. concrete one and the new type chosen.

Correspondence

The  PCC  has  agreed to go ahead with  the  joint  notice  board outside the Church, without any crest or lettering.

Nigel  Day has been given planning permission to erect a barn  on Swaffham Road.Eastern   Electricity  had  written  with  an  update  of   their refurbishment programme.

Playing Field Update

Shirley  Blake from ECDC is to put forward the grant  application as  two  - one for equipment and mower and one  for  the  playing field. The committee at ECDC is to meet on 25th March to discuss.

Reach matters

Quotes  for the grass cutting:- a discussion took place re  three tenders. These covered three areas, the cemetery, Fair Green  and the new playing field.

Planning applications

The  Kings  has asked for permission for a change of use  from  a public  house to a residential property. It was agreed to  object as  the  pub  and the village hall are  the only  two  remaining amenities in the village. It was noted that the pub has not  been commercially  marketed and that the village are keen to  purchase it  and  have a possible financial partner who wants to  run  the pub.

Boutles  Farm,  27  Great Lane  (application  for  single  storey dwelling  tied to the farm) - Cllr Aves declared an interest  and left  the  meeting. The PC were concerned over the  size  of  the proposed bungalow. The importance of careful landscaping is to be emphasised  and  a  suggestion for screening  down  the  existing track.

The possibility of sports day being held on the playing field was discussed  briefly.  It was agreed to discuss more fully  at  the next meeting.

Cllr  Davies told the PC that cars would not be able to  park  on the land he uses for this years Reach Fair Day.