The minutes of the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on Wednesday 4th November 1998

Present

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

Visit

John Selby, the ECDC Conservation Officer, and Douglas Rule from Cambridge Landscape Architects came to talk about the proposed Enhancement Scheme. It was explained that the budget for this covers all the East Cambs area, not just Reach. It was decided to change the existing street lights on Fair Green and Burwell Road and a discussion about which style would be most suitable took place. Cllrs told John Selby they were keen to see the telephone cables put underground in Great Lane; they were told this may be possible at a later date but there was a tremendous amount of work involved.

Reports

County Council

Social Services - Cllr Fitch told the PC that Social Services were proposing to recommend the selling of 14 old peoples' homes, including Queens Court in Bottisham. He stressed that he was not keen on the idea but if it went ahead Hereward Housing should be allowed to submit a quotation for Queens Court. He added that this coincides badly with the withdrawal of 'meals on wheels' which meant old people losing daily contact with others.

'Village Benefit Advice Service' - two women are touring the villages to give advice on how to apply for social security benefits as many people do not know which they are eligible for.

Bottisham Village College is to have a new administrator and Deputy Warden.

Fenland bridleway - it is hoped that the status of some existing footpaths can be changed to bridleways to forge the missing links between existing bridleways.

Buses - there may be a new service between the Newmarket Road Park and Ride and Addenbrookes Hospital.

Fordham - there is discussion about possible traffic calming in the village.

District Council

D/Cllr Cane told the PC she has been trying to find out who owns the part of The Hythe causing drainage problems.

The Environmental Health Officer had informed Cllr Cane that the burning of horse 'muck' is illegal following complaints in the village.

ECDC has approved the provision of a litter bin on the new playing field.

Cllr Cane told the PC how ECDC is now having to subsidise several things once subsidised by the County Council. She felt that this is likely to happen more in the future.

Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Pearson told the PC that building work on the new classroom is on schedule. He told Councillors that the new education act may mean LEAs being phased out and school governors having to make decisions about things like school meals. New regulations stating that only 30 children are allowed to one classroom may cause problems in the school in the future.

Village Hall Committee

It was reported that the committee had agreed to donate £1000 to the new playing field. There had been a long discussion about the forming of a sub committee to run the playing field.

Matters arising

Clerk reported that the CCC Area Lighting Engineer, Chris Sproston was going to survey and renumber the street lights in Reach as it was unclear who owned a light that had remained off for some weeks in Ditchfield.

Correspondence

The Vicar, Mark Haworth, had written asking to come to talk about how Reach could celebrate the millennium.

Shirley Blake from ECDC had written to ask for requests for funding for the ECDC Cambridgeshire Millennium Fund. It was agreed to discuss further.

The Planning Officer Administrator from ECDC had send a list of listed buildings. As several were incorrectly termed Clerk is to write with correct addresses.

Nick Acklam from Fair Green wrote asking why it was taking so long to purchase salt bins. Clerk to investigate.

Playing field update

Some fencing and a new gate had still to be put up. Cllr Pearson told the PC about suggestions he had presented to the Village Hall committee about the running of the newly formed sports club. The PC playing field sub committee had met to discuss by-laws, dog signs etc. These had been agreed and a sign had been ordered.

Reach matters

Clerk told the PC that the insurance was being updated to take account of the new mower and the play equipment.

The Precept for 1999/2000 was discussed and agreed.