Notes on the meeting of Reach Parish Council held on Wednesday 3rd February 1999

Present

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

Reports

County Council

Cllr Fitch told the PC that however well concealed the cuts in the forthcoming budget would be it had to be accepted that they would take place.

Education - discretionary student awards are to be cut by £3,120,000, this would effect individuals tremendously but not the broad picture. Special education needs projects are to be cut by £3.1/3m.

Highways - there is to be a 5% reduction in routine highways maintenance, only essential repairs will be carried out (e.g. potholes).

Social services - old people's homes definitely to be sold off but it will take one year to sort out. It is hoped that Hereward Housing will take on Queen's Court in Bottisham.

There will be a 3% grant cut to voluntary bodies.

Transport - Cllr Fitch said that he and Cllr Cane are having a campaign to put right problems with buses. More buses have been scheduled for night-time travel. There had been complaints about passengers being able to get into Cambridge but not being able to make a return journey easily. A local survey showed that 75% of people would use a bus service if it was more reliable. The Chief Officer dealing with Cambus is employed by CCC and he is going to investigate. The Newmarket Park and Ride now has buses going to Addenbrookes but this appears to be an unsatisfactory service. Cllr Fitch agreed there was a case for extending the route to the railway station.

There have been complaints about 'noise pollution' from the A14 between Quy and Nine Mile Hill. Cllr Fitch pointed out that this road is the responsibility of the government, not the County Council.

St Andrews (formerly The Grange) at Bottisham has been taken over by aprivate firm from Gateshead.

District Council

Cllr Cane spoke about a local retrospective planning application and explained that these are always treated exactly as if they were new applications.

The planning application for change of use for The Kings public house is to be heard at the ECDC planning committee meeting on 3rd March. PC were advised that opposition are given three minutes to speak as is the Parish Council. Cllr Cane explained how a planning meeting is organised. The Agenda 21 officer is now trying to get everyone involved in improving East Cambridgeshire. There is to be carnival in Ely and the officer is hoping to produce a display about it with which she will tour the villages. Applications for the Millennium grant are to be at ECDC by 31st May. The question of planning for stables was aired which prompted a lively discussion about enforcement action by planning officers.

Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Pearson reported that the budget for the school would be at a standstill for the first time in five years. The 80%-time teacher was now working full-time since the beginning of the Spring Term. There is to be an OFSTED inspection in April.

Village Hall Committee

The new surrounding wall has been completed. The Sports Club is now a formal sub committee of the Village Hall. Clerk asked to write to ask if this could be put formerly in writing. The question of dogs 'performing' on the new playing field on Reach Fair Day was raised; also if vehicles would be allowed on it.

Millennium Committee

A meeting had taken lace of the new committee. A possible timetable of events had been drawn up along with suggestions of projects to mark the event. It is hoped to publish a book of photographs of Reach and it was decided it would be nice to combine with St Etheldreda's Church to make a garden in the churchyard to compliment the old arch.

Swaffham Prior PCC

Cllr Robinson explained the many donations that the PCC gave and why it was unable to give more to the playing field fund.

Matters arising

Stephen Plumb from Ely Treatment Sewerage Works is to arrange for The Hythe road to be widened following consultation with Steven Hill from the Highways Department. This could not however be funded until April of this year.

Cllr Aves had met with a representative from Wickstead to talk about maintenance to the swings on Fair Green. They had agreed what needed to be done.

Playing field update

As this had now been concluded Clerk was asked to write to Shirley Blake from ECDC and Cllr Fitch to thank them for their great support in the project. Councillors agreed it would never have been possible without Cllr Fitch's continued help.

Reach Matters

It was agreed that Cllr Aves would represent the PC at the planning meeting to discuss the change of use of The Kings public house. Cllr Reed had consulted with Jane Daw from County and would be planting a walnut tree in the village.

It was reported that Barston Drove is becoming narrower with ploughing encroaching on the path.

Clerk is to chase up the questionable planting of trees on the public highway at Chapel Lane.

Tenders are being sought for the grass cutting at the cemetery.