From our Reporter at the Parish Council Meeting
Report of March PC Meeting James Fitch of the County Council started, as usual,
the business of the meeting. He gave us some financial information, by way of
impressing on us that the County on the whole spent our (rates) money wisely.
He also told us that although we (like everyone else in the nation,) might
complain about local government rates, our rate was in fact the
fourth-from-thelowest, in the whole country. Mr. Fitch gave us some snippets of
information: a bridle-way-circuit has just been completed by the addition of a
bridle way from somewhere near the bottom of Heath Road Swaffham Prior towards
Bottisham; the repair of subsidence damage to roadways around Upware has been
completed, with no net gap on the Road Budget; also there is good news that
Bottisham Village College is likely to obtain "Foundation" status,
perhaps not on its first application but eventually.
No ECDC representative was present, as Charlotte Cane has now resigned. During the meeting the hope was expressed that her successor, whoever he/she may be, will attend our meetings regularly, as we feel the importance of keeping in touch with our ECDC.
A couple of small matters arose from the Minutes of the last meeting which had been circulated. On the "Enhancement Scheme", it was noted that difficulty had been experienced in obtaining the right kind of lantern, to fill the light-space in the arch over the church steps. The Charities fund had promised £100 towards the cost of play-equipment in the Playground.
There was much discussion about the bridge (the road-bridge over the long-agodemolished railway) on the Reach Road. The idea is to make an alternative for walkers, cyclists and perhaps horse-riders, so that such road-users would not have to encounter vehicles on the road-bridge where there is no pavement beside the roadway at a dangerous corner. It was noted that there is now more traffic than heretofore, on this Reach-to-Swaffham-Prior road. It was noted too that any new pathway in the bridge area could not be routed under the bridge; all this area is badly overgrown by bushes at present, and much clearance will be required before anything can be done. Mr. Fitch told us that action on this matter should be taken now, while cycleway circuits around Cambridge are under consideration; and that we should get together with Reach P.C. to discuss it.
Plans had been circulated showing a scheme being put forward by a Housing Association called "Flagship", for the building of "affordable housing" on a small strip of the famous "Dencora Field" land in Lower End. The land concerned runs parallel with Rogers Road, across the Road from the existing houses there. There was considerable discussion about the conditions of ownership and tenancy of such houses: we were told that such houses could be only part-owned: the owner or occupant could own 50%, the other 50% continuing to be owned by the Housing Association. If renting, the tenant must be a person connected in some way with the village. There was discussion about the arrangements to be made when a part-owner wished to leave or sell: The Housing Association must always own at least 20% of the value of the house.
There was a brief discussion about the agenda for the forthcoming Village Assembly. The ECDC had suggested that their Planning department should send a member of their staff, to explain the new regulations about obtaining Planning permission; and this suggestion was accepted. It is over Planning matters that members of the public would normally have dealings with the ECDC.
There was in fact considerable discussion about one of the planning applications currently on the table, connected with the extension of some buildings in Heath Road. It was feared that the consequent increase in traffic, including heavy industrial and agricultural machinery, would cause problems along Heath Road: and that we should suggest additional laybys on the road near the building concerned, to enable the passing of the "normal" road traffic.
Under the item "Any Other Business" the Chairman told us that he had tested the interactive traffic-sign on the approach to the village from Burwell, which is meant to flash-up the number "40" when a vehicle exceeding this speed approaches it. The Chairman said he was driving at 50 up there recently and nothing happened; next day he drove at 44, and it came on perfectly. Another PC member said "When I did 49 one day.." Somebody else said "I was just doing 35 once... when.." It was obvious that every car driver on the Parish Council had had a go at testing this amenity, and reckoned that it is unreliable and inconsistent. It was thought that this may be because it is placed just after bend in the road, so it cannot "see" cars approaching it for some distance. We like it though and there were no suggestions about removing or altering it. And at the end of all this, the Chairman congratulated himself; and us, on being able to close the meeting a 9.16 p.m.
After this meeting I went home thinking that all-in-all our Parish Council takes its duties seriously; items are not allowed to go through "on the nod". Subjects get a good airing, usually well-informed discussion, consequences foreseen, looked-at from several viewpoints. Grass-routes-democracy flourishes at Swaffham Prior!