From Our Reporter at the Parish Council Meeting
We have a new Chairman - John Covill. Every Prime Minister has a particular
tone and style and you can just imagine what this country would be like under
Gordon, or Charles, or Michael. Just think about it -I think it is about time
we had another woman, sexist though this be. So it is with the PC which in time
will acquire a new emphasis under the new Chairman after the lately departed
Trevor Jones. Before Trevor there was of course the reformist Andrew Badcock,
and before that, almost Gladstone like, Henry Hardiment. So what is this new
Chairman going to bring to the office? From my very early observations he is
going to have concern and responsibility. That's good. Also, there seems to
be a great potential for a certain lightness and frivolity- which to me is also
very good. Having said that, let's get on with the meeting.
After the preliminaries James Fitch had a good 20 minutes covering the washboard effect of the new cycle path if travelling faster than 15mph. He also mentioned the almost certain need and approval for the extra power line across the fen and explained that if the new line was attached to. the current pylon then they would have to increase the height from 27 to 46 metres - which he thought would be a greater eyesore. Our new Chairman (hereinafter JC) wanted the cables underground and James explained that not only would this be considerably more expensive, maybe under water at times, but repairs would be considerably more difficult. JC was not convinced, said "they managed to put cables under the sea to France", and let it go at that.
Our new ECDC representative Alan Alderton brought the meeting up to date on the future development of ECDC offices and said four sites were being considered, papers had been circulated, and PC members were invited to give their views.
"But there are no financial details" said JC.
"That's right", agreed Alan, "It's quite difficult to provide any."
He explained that they didn"t want to give costs as this might prejudice a decision and the wrong one may be made. Mutter, mutter, mutter, went around the meeting. Alan assured the Meeting that "No decision will be taken lightly." How do you respond to that? JC searched for words, and could only stumble out - "That's good to know". Sandra Wilson had attended a recent meeting about the possible development and thought it had been well presented and quite useful - but no costs. And it really is quite complex. Minor Highways Improvements was next on the agenda and everyone expressed pleasure with the new speed warning signs, though the previous chairman will be missed as he always drove to ensure the signs were working. Since his departure several of us have chosen to help the PC by regularly testing them. So far they have never failed to light up - which is another bit of good news. Believe it or not but speeding in Heath Road is the latest problem. It seems that an increased number of lorries has coincided with an increased number of children. If this was a government survey they would have linked the two occurrences. I think it is just chance. The PC will apply for "Slow Down" signs and perhaps the installation of passing bays (do these slow traffic) the payment for which has been volunteered by a village resident.
Many may remember that poor chestnut tree which had been vandalised in the car park. Andrew Camps will get a quote for taking the tree out, grinding down the stump, and replacing with a Silver Birch which he hoped would be safe from the attacker of the chestnut. JC wondered if it would save money if they approached the guy who made the initial attack as he seemed to be pretty efficient at demolition.
In "Any other Business" JC paid acknowledgement to the loyalty of Postman Ken (I always thought it was Mel) who after recent P0 changes is now working inside. JC thought a letter of appreciation and thanks should be sent though "whether it's safe to send it by post is another matter." While on the question of the Post Office I think our PC could begin to diversify. They have already shown that they can make a profit out of the cemetery water. How much would they save the country if they worked more closely with POSTCOMM which has just been granted an increase of funding from £5 .94m to £l0.2m because they have very few staff and need to employ a considerable number of consultants to "look at whether the price of stamps will be increased." I think this something our PC could easily handle. Maybe Karen should write.
Towards the end of the evening Karen suggested it may be a good idea to promote the PC by giving everyone a short description for inclusion in the Crier. Sandra thought it possibly a good idea, Eric thought it daft and that the curious ought to come to a meeting, and others were not so sure, possibly because of modesty. I suggested the Crier staff could write a short piece on each member and that the Crier photographer would circulate the village catching all members unawares. Enthusiasm for the idea appeared to wane from that point.
Bad news about the light over the Church steps. One step forward and two steps back. Nothing is going to happen for a bit, which is just as well because if any action is taken it will expose the incorrect position of the main lights both sides of the steps. Who on the PC approved the position of the lights some years ago? Who indeed? If the Government was involved there would be a Public Enquiry which would discover that no-one was at fault - because the blame would be laid on the original position of the Church steps. Who on earth thought of putting them there!!