Notes on the minutes of the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on Wednesday 2nd September 1998.

Present

Those present were Chairman Cllr Aves, V/Chairman Cllr Lambert, Cllrs Robinson, Pearson, Reed; also D/Cllr Cane.

Reports

District Council

D/Cllr Cane told the Parish Council that the Planning Committee at ECDC had had its first meeting with members of the public given three minutes to put forward their case. She thought it had gone well and spoke to the PC about planning principles - general guidance and material considerations in planning decisions. She informed councillors that the planning permission at Churchfield Farm had been passed. The issue of the Kings Public House was causing concern for the planning committee now that the publican had chosen to close it.

Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Pearson brought the annual report for inspection. He reported that a new teacher would be starting for the Autumn term. As the proposed new classroom would not be ready until Christmas part of the school hall had been sectioned off to provide a teaching area.

Swaffham Prior PCC

Cllr Robinson had contacted Roger Symonds, the Rural Housing Enabler at Cambridgeshire ACRE about providing affordable housing in the area. He told the PC that most of the land that would be suitable belongs to the County Council and explained about the problems the PCC had had in the past trying to built affordable housing. Cllr Cane said it would be possible to go outside the development area for specific low-cost housing needs.

Matters arising

Cllr Aves had met with Stephen Hill from the CCC Highways Department. Mr Hill promised to keep an eye on the problem area near 32 Great Lane where water had not been draining away when there was a lot of rain. He had jetted the drains in the Hythe but the water was still not draining away at the lower end nearest the river. He is going to cut down trees on the drying green to tidy that up, and is to contact Steven Plumb from the Ely sewerage treatment works with a view to putting soil on the damaged kerbside along The Hythe. He will not be removing the kerbstones.

Cllr Robinson asked if there had been any further developments re the buying of the Old Burial Ground. Clerk reported there had not but PC had paid the search fees so it should progress.

Correspondence

Planning permission had been granted for a conservatory for Mr and Mrs Newman of Great Lane.

Playing field update

The Parish Council discussed the opening of the Steven Folkes Memorial playing field. There is to be a short service of dedication followed by the official opening by John Smith, Vice/Chairman of ECDC. Cllrs Pearson and Lambert reported that the equipment was nearly installed and 5-a-side goals were ordered. The PC discussed the grant for the playing field from ECDC and how it would be spent. A mower is also to be viewed with intended purchase.

Reach matters

The Parish council discussed a visit by Julia Owens from Cambridgeshire ACRE last month. She had suggested that Reach take part in a village appraisal such as several villages had done. Cllr Cane told the PC that ECDC were very keen on these appraisals as it showed up what was needed in any particular area. PC agreed that as this was going to be expensive there were more pressing financial needs at present.

The closure of The Kings public house was discussed. Clerk to write letter to ECDC planning department expressing council's disappointment and concern.

Public forum

A member of the newly formed sports club asked how it would be run. Cllr Pearson said that it was likely that the sports club would be a sub committee of the village hall committee with the parish council retaining financial control.