I thought I’d take a lovely picture of bees for the month but it transpires* bees aren’t early risers, so here’s an equally important although with slightly less impressive PR pollinator; the hover fly.

*this is a personal opinion not backed up by scientific data, perhaps I’m doing bee’s a disservice but there wasn’t much evidence of them at 8am on a Saturday morning.

CONTENTS: Sustainable Travel Zone in Cambridge, Busway dispute, EW Rail, 20mph scheme in Histon and Impington, VOI Scooters, Orchard Park street parking, Priorities capital fund launches, Children’s social work academy, The Library presents, Eco Fest, Financial update

Transport and sustainable travel

Greater Cambridge Partnership – Making Connections – Sustainable Travel Zone next steps.  The GCP agreed to halt further work on the model consulted on in the autumn but not to stop further assessment of some form of road charge and to review options looking at various combinations of the same charge, a lower charge, shorter hours/peak hours only and free days.   Expect further updates in the autumn.

County Council business – the Busway Dispute directly quoting the council ‘The County Council has been working hard to ensure the long-term future of the Guided Busway, as a safe, sustainable and effective part of our local infrastructure, which millions of passengers rely on.

Following positive discussions with BAM Nuttall, the case will no longer be going to court as all parties have reached an undisclosed, confidential settlement.

This settlement gives the council the confidence it needed to secure the long-term future of the busway.’

EW Rail government has announced that a route to the south of the city has been chosen but there are still a lot of processes and potentially a change in government for this scheme to negotiate.

20mph zone in Histon and Impington – as part of the towns’ 20mph project the 20mph proposal for Histon and Impington has reached consultation stage.  Please have your say on this.  The consultation runs until 28 July.

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/traffic-regulation-orders/permanent-traffic-regulation-orders?fbclid=IwAR0cs8F2nirhHo6ZsWLT_5lHODXptTI1AwMNu2AeZBk48yP7vzqLZfQK5h4

VOI Scooters – I am pleased to report VOI scooters have returned to our streets.  I have been in ongoing communication with the Combined Authority and our local MP to encourage them to work through the issues at the Department of Transport.  I recognise that across the communities there is something of a love/hate relationship with these scooters but on balance they do seem to be a well used and useful addition to travel options.  Hopefully I now have better links with the Combined Authority in relation to bad street parking issues, and parking area locations. So please get in touch if you have these types of issue and I will chase up.

Orchard Park street parking a small group of us met with County Council officers to look at different ways to improve some of the parking issues.  There will be further updates at the community safety meeting on July 11.

Supporting Communities

County Council Communities Priorities Capital Fund – applications from communities to open summer 2023 Communities can apply for a grant of up to £40,000 for projects which will improve community cohesion.  Applications now invited for phase 1.

Children’s social work academy as a response to the issues in recruitment across the council significant work is being done on recruitment, apprenticeships and skills training. A children’s social work academy is one such example, similarly the councils is buying a small number of properties to make the council less reliant on privately run homes for looked after children which are staggeringly expensive.

The Library presents – check out the excellent programme of events from the library service including a workshop and performance in Histon and other events in nearby libraries

https://www.library.live/the-library-presents

Eco Fest I was sad not to be able to attend the Eco Fest in Histon and Impington but it coincided with a family activity first booked for 2020 which we were finally able to attend.  I have been blown away by the pictures and level of support for this initiative locally. 

Financial update

Cambridgeshire County Council ended financial year 2022/23 with an overspend of just 0.2% of it’s annual budget (£728,000) despite serious inflationary pressures. There were large costs from home to school transport, larger than expected income in some areas due to a slow recovery form Covid and the impact of a national shortage of placement for children with very specialist mental health needs.  These increased costs were larger mitigated elsewhere.  

The central issue, however, is that Cambridgeshire is woefully underfunded from central government.  It is a growing county with a lot of pressure from government to grow it’s population but the funding we receive is based on population figures from over 10 years ago. The settlement has not been updated to reflect local needs.  This leaves the council with problems which will take many years of detailed work and not just patch fixing.

INFORMATION

Report a Highways fault If you see a problem; blocked gully/ drain, pot hole or other Highways issue please report it using the tool below. https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/roadworks-and-faults

Adult care assessment Call centre: 0345 045 5202  8am – 6pm Mon to Fri,  9am – 1pm Sat https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/adults/organising-care-and-support/care-needs-assessment Do get in touch with me directly if you have any problems, questions or concerns.

I’ve got a problem who do I contact? Organisational structure in Cambridgeshire is complicated, just ask the question.  Email me, a District Councillor or the Parish Clerk we’ll all point you to the right person (or try to).

Climate Emergency the county council wants to hear your thoughts.  What are your ideas?  What have you done?  What projects could do with some help?  The County Council really wants to hear your ideas email climate@cambridgeshire.gov.uk .

Government Structure in Cambridgeshire  detailing responsibilities

County Council; education, transport, highways, heritage, social care, libraries, trading standards, ­waste management, maintaining their estate.

District Council; council tax payments, household bin collections, housing and housing benefits, council leisure facilities, environmental health, residential planning, local emergency, community policing contact point.

Parish/ Community Council; looking after community buildings, open spaces, allotments, play areas, bus shelters, community projects.

Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) ‘The local delivery body for a City Deal with central Government worth up to £500 million over 15 years to deliver infrastructure (decarbonising transport), 44,000 new jobs, 33,500 new homes and 420 additional apprenticeships.’ Partnership between Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, University of Cambridge

The Combined Authority, Cambridge and Peterborough, our elected Mayor (CPCA)  A board consisting of representatives from the District, City and County Councils and Peterborough Unitary Authority, headed by the Mayor.   Responsible for – Business support, skills, housing, transport strategy-liaising with Department of Transport, environment, international, digital connectivity, resilience, research and strategy and new homes.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Cambridge and Peterborough To support and challenge the Chief Constable to provide effective and efficient policing services for the area.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority the governing body responsible for the fire and rescue service, made up of County Councillors and Peterborough City Councillors.