Notes on the meeting of Reach  Parish  Council held  on Wednesday 3rd June 1998

 Present

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

 Matters arising

 There  were complaints that grass cutting was  unsatisfactory  in the  village. Three footpaths in particular were singled  out  as being  too overgrown to walk along. Clerk to write to the  Rights of Way Officer at CCC to see what can be done. Cllr Robinson told the  PC  that he had been trying to contact Stephen Hill  of  the Highways Department as The Hythe was still flooding. Mr Hill  had been told about this some time ago but nothing has been done. It was decided to keep the deeds belonging to the PC in  Barclays 'Barclaysafe' service.

 Correspondence

 Planning  permission  for an extension has been  granted  for  14 Great Lane. The question  of whether Reach PC should be able to  nominate  a representative  for Swaffham  Prior  Primary  School  was  again raised.  Cllr Aves agreed to speak to Swaffham Prior PC  Chairman on  the subject. Cllr Pearson told the PC that new Parliamentary acts  re  Local Education Authorities were in discussion  and  in future more parent-governors may be appointed to LEA schools. PC  discussed an application for the Millennium Grant  by  'Cross Border  Arts'  which is a charitable arts organisation  based  in Cambridgeshire.  The  project would involve  East Cambridgeshire communities  in  producing 'A Millennium Book',  a  carved  stone plaque and an exhibition to tour around the villages. Total costs are  £29,000.  PC  agreed  this was  a  good  idea  and  merited encouragement.

The  sports,  leisure  and community grant  scheme  at  ECDC  had received an application from Reach Village Centre to replace  the boundary  wall. Estimated costs are £4465. PC were asked if  they had been approached for grant aid. Clerk to write informing  ECDC that this was not the case but councillors agreed the wall was in urgent  need  of  repair. After Cllr Lambert, on  behalf  of  the Village  Hall Committee, asked for funding, it was  agreed  that with several projects of their own to be funded, the PC would  be unlikely to donate.

 Playing field update

 Cllr Pearson reported that the Environmental Health Department of ECDC  had raised a small problem related to  planning.  Hopefully this would not hold up the issues of fencing and putting  through a  roadway. Cllr Pearson also said that he was a little unhappy with  the  scheme  for play equipment, thinking it  was  out  of proportion with its surroundings. Cllr Lambert did not share  his view  and  so it was put to a vote, which by three votes  to  two decided to retain the present plans.

 Formation of Sports Club

 The  present  chairman of the Sports committee  had  declined  to contact the PC to discuss future management of the playing field. It was decided to hold a public meeting on the 18th June.