Notes on the meeting of Reach  Parish  Council  held  on Wednesday 8th July 1998

 Present

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

Reports

County Council

Cllr  Fitch reported that burglary in the county was down by  one third.There  is to be a citizens panel set up at CCC to find  out  what they think about the county's services. CCC is to check as to how best  this can be done. It will tie in with the future  plan  for the next four years. CCC is second from bottom on spending but is handicapped on capping.

Bus passes - ordinary OAPs who are not receiving relief or  other forms of state help are now excluded. A petition had been sent in from  Burwell  to no avail. A bus from Burwell Day  Centre  might possibly help passengers with middle of the day activities. Cllr Fitch wants bus passes to include drivers who are handicapped but not receiving state benefit.

Cycleways  - six out of eight proposed schemes in  Cambridgeshire are  in  East Cambridgeshire. Which district  were  top  priority remained to be seen.

The Fordham by-pass has now gone back to being a top priority.

Education  - The E8 group is fighting for more money for  schools in the eight poorest LEAs. There is a proposal that by next April schools  should be given more freedom to spend their  own  money. This is not popular as it is thought to be too rushed and the LEA want a pilot scheme. School meals could be hit in this scheme  as it is a discretionary service.

District Council

The Local Enquiry is to open soon. Council representatives are to be  allowed to attend planning committee meetings from  September and will be given three minutes to voice their opinions.

The  District  Council  had given £300,000 to  Ely  Cathedral  to finish a project. Swaffham  Prior are trying to re-open a shop/Post Office. A  Post Office is open in the village hall until a possible shop opens.

Police Committee

Cllr Lambert reported that there were con-men in the district and a  representative  from the crime reduction unit had  advised  on what to do if approached.

The  traffic unit are targeting exhaust fumes and non-wearing  of seat belts.

Cllr  Lambert  queries the response rate of the  police  after  a personal experience.

Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr  Pearson reported that the annual report was now out.  There was  funding for a new classroom and a  nearly-full-time  teacher who  will start in September. Statutory numbers had been  reduced which  caused  an  admission role problem. The  school  has been earmarked  as low achieving but this was because of a  number  of children requiring special needs.

Village Hall

Cllr  Lambert reported that the village hall is financially  well off. The re-decoration of the hall was discussed.

Sports Club

A public meeting was held but this had been very badly  attended. However,  a committee has been formed although the  officers  had not  been elected. The legal responsibilities of the Sports  Club were discussed as was Lottery sports funding.

Matters arising

Footpaths 3 & 13 (from The Hythe through to Chapel Lane and round the  sewerage works) have now been cut and are to be put  on  the maintenance programme.

Swaffham  Prior  Parish Council are to discuss  a  representative from  Reach Parish Council attending the Primary School  Governor meetings.

Correspondence

A  student  had written wanting to study the  clunch  pits.  Cllr Davies offered to contact him and show him around.Swaffham  Prior  Summer  Playscheme were  granted  £30 for this summer's activities.

Planning permission has been granted for an extension to 14 Great Lane.

A  letter  had been received complaining about the state  of  the cemetery. This was discussed and the contractor is to be asked to tidy it up.

Playing field update

Cllr Pearson reported on a condition of planning permission. This states   that  the environmental  health  department  wanted   a shrubbery  of  a  certain width between he new  houses  and  the playing field. Cllr Reed said that shrubs planted now would grow to  the  required  width. Cllr Pearson to get  back  to  ECDC.  A discussion of mower prices took place.

Reach matters

Cllr  Robinson said one of the picnic tables from The  Hythe  was still requiring repair.

Straight  Drove  is very uneven. It had been suggested  that  the Rural Group at CCC were contacted but the PC thought gypsies  and motorbikers might return if it were levelled.

There was a lot of rubbish left on the bonfire sight at The Hythe after  bonfire night. The Village Hall Committee are to be  asked to clear the rubbish away.