From our Reporter at the Parish Council Meeting
THAT WAS A CLOSE THING! The day before Friday 13th, but even so the Clerk was
indisposed, so the Chairman had to face a large postbag without the usual, very
able assistance, while at the same time himself disadvantaged by sickness.
Cllr Williams warned of cuts in the County budget, now out for consultation with little room for manoeuvre. The Lyons Local Government Review holds out the prospect of a shake up in boundaries and authorities. There is new government guidance on speed limits, but will we go for 20mph inside the village? Earlier a voice said 20mph would be unenforceable. So, what speed limit is enforceable, and is that the only criterion, or does safety get a mention? Some parishes have their own radar guns, operated by volunteers to redress the lack of police manpower (and will?) Fordham has new speed bumps, though it was alleged that there are already too many sleeping policemen around here. (Read that bit very carefully, or get entirely the wrong message).
Cllr Alderson spoke of his frustration occasioned by the rogue pylon down on the fen. Apparently, the decision to put it in the road was made by EDF to avoid the expense of moving land drains in the adjacent field. CCC Highways did not consider its location potentially hazardous to road users (inspected under a clear, blue sky, perhaps?) There will now be fluorescent markers on the pylon to alert the unwary driver but it is most likely to stay where it has been built.
Travellers in Headlake Drove - what do you think of it so far? Rubbish! Yes, and heaps of it have accumulated all around them, so they will have to move on, though they may not take the rubbish with them. The Pound, or Cage, has now received the offer of grant aid from ECDC for roof repairs and an early start on work will now be sought.
The mail included an invitation to go for ACRE's Village of the Year award, but do we really want to advertise our good fortune? Everyone will want to live here. The local crime report was pretty quiet; not one armed robbery. In an effort to prevent delays at the Station Road junction our valiant police propose to monitor traffic control at the times when children arrive and leave the school. (More anon). We all wish to avoid repetition of the 20 minute hold-up experienced there by a TV camera crew coming to film the pylon protest. Good timing!
The Burwell Tigers have had internal ructions. Now, of the gang of three who did all the work to transfer the Recreation Ground, only our Steve remains; the two Tigers have both gone. However, this was not the cause of even more delay; while the surviving Tigers remain willing, their lawyers are simply not able (allegedly). It should have all happened on 1st January, but in the pantomime season we should expect no better. Meanwhile, the Parish decided to surrender the lease anyway, now relieved of all its responsibilities for the field, though not before reinforcing the defences.
The prevailing gloom lifted considerably when our own, our very own Head Teacher entered the room to propose a co-operative approach for a Travel Plan to address the problems generated by motor vehicles disgorging small people at the start of the school day, and then re-absorbing them at the end of it. Joanna Lakey has already consulted parents. Sadly without a magic wand, she confirmed that 40% of children at her school come from outside the catchment area! Clearly, this generates a lot of vehicles in a rural situation. The various requirements and constraints were then rehearsed, without the hoped-for inspiration. It seems that the best we can hope for is a relocation of the bus parking place, with parents then keeping their vehicles out of it. Parents within a short walking distance might also consider the benefits for their children and themselves, of - well, walking. Some parents drop off little ones on their way to work, probably in Cambridge, often turning right out of Station Road after turning the car around safely somewhere. These are not manoeuvres for the faint-hearted. It's ironic that some of the most vulnerable in society (small people) have to come so close to one of the most hazardous situations modern society can offer, but I have it! We convert the grass at the front of the Village Hall into a dropoff and turning point for parental motor vehicles. If the concrete is painted green, noone will notice. Sorted! Next item, please.
Joanna Lakey was very pleased, and a little surprised, to learn how the Tigers' plans should benefit her charges.
Finally, the sad collapse of the barn at "Old Barn House", High Street, was noted, now to be renamed "Old House", perhaps. Rebuilding or replacement plans are awaited with interest. As the barn was photographed only last summer, the position of each and every stone and tile before the catastrophe is recorded. How very fortunate!