Notes  on the meeting of Reach Parish Council held  on  Wednesday 1st April 1998.

Present

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

Minutes          The minutes were agreed and signed.

Reports

County Council

Cllr Fitch reported that he had attended a ceremony (as  Chairman of the District Council) to mark Peterborough becoming a  unitary authority.  Nearly  one quarter of the County's  population  were going  with them and also many problems, such as Social  Services special  needs.  The cost to the County was about  £7million  net which accounted for a rise in taxes.

Speed  cameras  -  there were 18 fixed cameras  last  year  which pulled in 12,200 offending drivers. There will be another 5  this year in addition to the mobile machines. The minor accident  rate was somewhat increased but deaths and serious injury were down.

A  discussion took place re the accident reduction scheme at  the Quy roundabout.

Matters arising

Cllr Davies reported that he had carried out a survey of  lorries visiting the sewage works on The Hythe and was surprised to  find that  they most frequently came on a Saturday when the  road  was most congested. He is to ask Stephen Plumb of Anglian Water if he could  arrange  for them to come on a Tuesday  or  Thursday  when there are fewer parked cars.

Correspondence

The  Clerk had received a Summary of the recommendations  adopted by Full Council at ECDC for the District Local Plan.

A  copy of a letter from John Selby the Conservation  Officer  at ECDC  to  Chris Sproston the lighting engineer at CCC  had  been received  stating  that the replacement street light  on  Burwell Road would be paid for by ECDC. County  Farms  had written requesting permission to  replace  the gates  which  accesses land via the car park at the new  playing field  with 14' ones. PC agreed but asked for a kissing  gate  as children  have difficulty in opening the new gate. Access to  the field at the rear of the playing field was agreed, to be reviewed when the present tenant's lease runs out after five years. It was decided  not to agree to an information board as this would  cost PC £500 (50% of cost, the remainder to be funded by CCC).

Playing Field Update

Cllr  Pearson  reported that a grant had now been given  by  ECDC which meant that the playing field work could be completed;  also play  equipment and a second mower purchased. The  playing  field sub committee had agreed to the planning conditions to install  a 9'  fence at the rear of the new houses and 4' fencing along  the remaining  boundary. He showed the PC where the  play  equipment could be positioned.

Reach Matters

A planning application had been received to replace existing barn and  sheds  at  Churchfield Farm with a  new  building  to  store agricultural  machinery and hay. The proposal was agreed as  long as  the  height  and  depth  were  not  more  than  the  existing buildings.  PC  requested a more detailed  landscaping  plan  and agreed misgivings about the use of asbestos.

Following  a  letter  from  Tony  Jordan  the  PC  discussed  the possibility  of a new Sports Club to run the playing field  along the lines of the Village Hall. Chairman is to contact the present Chairperson of the Sports committee to discuss.