Notes on the minutes of the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on Wednesday 5th August 1998

Present

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

Talk

Julia Owens from Cambridgeshire ACRE (Action with communities in Rural England) came to talk to the Parish Council about the village undertaking a community appraisal. This is a survey carried out by local people focusing on their neighbourhood. It is a stock-take of a community, a look at its strengths and weaknesses, its problems and its needs. A software package for this costs about £50, and the total cost could be up to £1500. Acre could possibly fund up to 50% and there could be help from the ECDC development fund. The PC thanked her for an interesting talk and agreed to discuss the possibility.

Reports

County Council

Social services at County have so far this year overspent by £1.5m. £1m is to be written off and another £.5 will be found in economies e.g. not filling vacant posts etc.

The magistrates court at Newmarket is to close.

The Fordham by-pass is top of the transport department's 'wish list'.

Community education funding at Burwell Village College has taken 50% cut over the last two to three years. Cllr Fitch explained that education for children is compulsory but community education is discretionary.

Fire service - there has been a lot of publicity following house fires and smoke damage. It has been apparent that people have been taking batteries out of their alarms for other uses. Cllr Fitch urged people to check their alarms.

District Council

It was reported that planning permission has been granted for the replacement of existing stables and refurbishment of the existing timber building at High Cloud Stud, Burwell Road, Reach

Swaffham Prior Parochial Church Council

Cllr Robinson reported on a recent meeting which discussed the rents in the Parish of Reach. He told the Parish Council that originally Reach was in the Parish of Swaffham Prior. He explained that now most of the money from rent comes from Reach but ironically most members of the PCC are from Swaffham Prior. The committee had donated £50 to the Swaffham Prior Summer Playscheme, £600 towards the £2000 shortfall in church improvements and £500 towards the Reach playing field equipment, if they have a shortfall. There are to be five houses instead of six in the development at the top of Cage Hill in Swaffham Prior. A questionnaire is to round locally about a proposed new Post Office in Swaffham Prior. The Post Office have refused to have a mobile unit to serve the villages.

Reach Sports Club

A provisional date of 6th September has been set for the official opening of the playing field. A dedication will take place to name the field in memory of Steven Folkes.

Matters arising

Clerk reported speaking to Steven Hill of the County Highways Department about ongoing problems at The Hythe and Great Lane. He has been to see the sites and done what he considers appropriate. Clerk has written to Stephen Plumb of Ely Sewerage Treatment works asking him to contact Steven Hill with a view to repairing the verges on The Hythe.

A planning officer from ECDC had written asking PC to once more consider the erection of a barn at Churchfield Farm, Burwell Road. PC agreed the barn should be the same size as the brick built barn already on the site and should be landscaped around the back as well as the side nearest the road.

Correspondence

It was agreed to donate £12.75 towards a wreath for the British Legion Poppy Appeal.

A letter had been received from Roger Symonds the Rural Housing Enabler at Cambridgeshire ACRE about providing affordable housing where the need has been demonstrated. Cllr Robinson commented that the PCC had been trying to do this for some time. The PC were interested but said there is no land available in the village for new housing.

A copy of the Rural Services Partnership's Charter had been received from Richard Carr, the Chief Executive of ECDC. The charter (which is non-political) is designed to try to achieve a more equitable distribution of central Government monies.

Shirley Blake, the Funding co-ordinator of ECDC sent a short questionnaire to the PC asking for views on the re-introduction of the parish council facilities grant scheme. This was duly completed.

Playing field update

The playing field sub committee had attended a site meeting with a planning officer. There are concerns about the disturbances to residents living nearby. The planning department are keen to have further planting but agreed that if given details of fencing and landscaping the planning conditions will have been met.

There was a discussion about whether the Village Hall committee should have the Sports Club as a sub committee. The financial responsibility and the cutting of the grass would still remain with the Parish Council.

Reach matters

Cemetery - it was agreed that the trees needed trimming badly. Cllr Reed is to contact the ECDC tree officer to obtain permission and the grass cutting contractor to discuss costs. The table of cemetery fees was discussed and it was agreed to increase costs by 5%.

Old burial ground - Clerk had received a letter from Eleanor Hoggart, the District Solicitor, detailing the progress of the purchase.