From our Reporter at the Parish Council Meeting
14 APRIL 2005 - OUR BIGGEST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING EVER (PROBABLY)
This is no idle claim; there were 19 bums on seats in a crowded committee room
for the visit of Eleanor Hoggart from ECDC who addressed councillors about
standards, ethics and the pursuit of happiness. We were joined by 4 Reach
councillors, and then 2 police officers who, just passing, decided to
investigate these suspicious characters. That's what happens when Reach
comes visiting. Our new bobby PC Wayne Davis (his new mobile number will
shortly be advertised) was accompanied by Jonathan Hall, Community Support
Officer for Burwell.
Allen Alderson's campaign for the Cambridge Phone Book continues, but the big news was his letter from the owners of Dencora Field saying very clearly that no-one has permission to be there, whether raising mayhem, depositing killer asbestos waste, or simply collecting firewood (I'm in trouble now). Previously, when called to address a problem, police officers would assume the owners' consent for the activity and avoid entering private property. Now, apparently, they must respond to complaints there. Thus enlightened, our new friends in uniform ended their rather opportune visit.
As we have so few signs around the village, more are planned. They will be useful for visitors and, of course, for villagers who cannot locate Lords Ground Farm. (That could be a quiz night question.) A phantom contractor is delaying work on the Coopers Lane vehicle barrier. Topics proposed for the Village Assembly agenda moved seamlessly on to various maintenance tasks needed around the Parish at Springtime. These included a proposal to regrade the VH car park access, removing its recreation of an Alton Towers experience. Some seem to think that area is beyond the VH committee's remit, which should end at the door. Now they tell me, but heh! I'm relaxed about that. Let's go over it one more time at the VH AGM next week 'cos I like the sound of it. Another sign was suggested to warn drivers leaving the car park to be cautious on their approach to the footpath that may have escaped their notice when they came in from High Street. Please don't laugh. There is plenty of evidence that many drivers are blind - though that falls down too, because blind drivers don't read signs. Oh! I give up. I believe in the carrot and stick approach. If they're good, give them a stick. If they're bad, pelt them with carrots. They soon learn.
James Fitch arrived late for his second meeting of the evening with a Jamie Oliver moment; the average Cambridgeshire school meal costs 44p. At his SP swansong, he could announce improvements to the Bulbeck chicane before the opening of Route 51 late this year, and that all CCC schools will be assessed for fire risk. Sadly, too shocked by the news that we must carry on without James after the election, we allowed him to leave the meeting without a standing ovation. Following many years of valuable service, James will stand aside for one of two competing lady hopefuls, neither candidate for Labour (old or new). The choice is just between LibDem and Conservatory, no Greens and no crazy parties. That's so disappointing.
It seems likely that the school pool can no longer drain to a soakaway, but get connected to the Village Hall mains drain. Allotment holders behind the cemetery want a shady tree, thought to be a lonesome pine, removed. Legal fees for the Burwell Tigers' lease of the playing field look alarming. These and other subjects passed in a haze as the implications of Allen's Dencora letter began to sink in - must I stop collecting kindling, and can I no longer exercise the dogs there? Each circuit is, near as damn it, one kilometre, so you know how much ground you have covered in your fight against flab, moving away from OB City, the destination of choice for so many.