Ros Hathorn, 76 Cambridge Road, Impington, Cambridge CB24 9NU Ros.Hathorn@cambridgeshire.gov.uk Tel: 07548 745197 https://hiopcouncillors.org

CONTENTS: Fire Authority, By-election, Vaccination update, Technology Enabled Care, Household Support Fund extension, Pension credit, a new director of public health, school place appeal volunteers, Pump track, Trading standards, Guided busway prosecution update, weeds, winter gritting, annual carbon report, newly discovered Roman town, quality of life survey, the Combined Authority, work with parish and community councils

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority

I sit on the Fire Authority. In September I called 999 Fire when I spotted a smoking car bonnet on my street (petrol or diesel car).  What I realised as a crowd of us gathered was that I was possibly the only person in the growing crowd who knew that the average time to attend a callout is around 10 minutes (9 minutes city, 12 minutes rural).  The Fire Engine came from the city station and arrived at around 10 minutes.  It was with great relief when I began to hear the sirens after about 8 minutes.  The crew put the fire out quickly and with great professionalism. No one was injured but the car was a write off.  It did not explode like in the films but the blaze blew stronger and stronger with significant pops when the tyres exploded.

We have the second lowest funding of our fire service nationally, about £80 of our council tax. It is phenomenally good value but the service is underfunded.

By-election 24 October 2024, there will be a by election for the vacant role of District Councillor since Liberal Democrat Pippa Heylings, MP stood down shortly after taking her seat in parliament.  Polling stations are in Histon Baptist Church, Orchard Park Community Council rooms, and the Meadows Centre.  Photo Id is required.

Vaccination update  Vaccinations are now available for eligible people against a range of conditions including Covid, flu, pneumonia, shingles, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Local GP practices are calling up eligible patients, or you can find out more at https://www.cpics.org.uk/the-vaccinators/ and book with a local pharmacy or attend a convenient drop-in session without an appointment. 

Technology Enabled Care A flat which uses everyday technology to help people become more independent at home was recently launched in Godmanchester to showcase ways in which new and existing technology can be used to help prevent, delay and reduce the need for formal community or acute care. 

The equipment available ranges from simple pill reminders to sophisticated detectors, sensors, smart devices and trackers. To arrange a viewing, please contact our TEC team, either by phone, on 01480 378 160, or email: TECS@cambridgeshire.gov.uk (pre-arranged viewings only). 

Household Support Fund  It’s very good to be able to report that government announced an extension to the Household Support Fund for the next six months to support struggling households with bills and essential costs. The £421 million extension gives certainty to councils in England over the winter months – up until April 2025 – as they work to help those struggling with the cost of energy, food, and water. The County Council also uses this scheme to fund benefits advice

Pension Credit Pension Credit is worth, on average, £3,900 per year and unlocks additional support including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with Council Tax, NHS dental care and a free TV licence for those over 75. Pension Credit backdating rules mean it is possible for individuals to apply for Pension Credit and have the claim backdated by up to three months if they were entitled to claim in that time. This means that the latest date to apply and still qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment is 21 December. The Department for Work and Pensions has produced a toolkit to support councils to ensure older people understand how they can get Pension Credit. 

A new Director of Public Health has been appointed to drive improvements in the health and wellbeing of the residents of Cambridgeshire.

Sally Cartwright will join Cambridgeshire from a similar role at Luton Borough Council, where she has provided strong strategic leadership to develop the delivery of priorities post-covid, including leading Luton to become the first Marmot (health equity) town. Sally’s history at Luton is thought to be particularly relevant to Cambridgeshire, a County with an incredibly diverse range of communities across the districts and city area.

School place appeal panel volunteers  Volunteers are urgently needed to hear appeals when children are not offered a place at their preferred school. All parents or carers have the right to make an appeal to an independent appeal panel if their child is not offered a place at their preferred school.

The appeal panel is independent of the local authority and its decisions are binding on all parties, unless overturned by the courts. Volunteers will sit on the independent admission appeal panels and ensure that parents feel they have had a fair and independent hearing and have been given every opportunity to put their case and have been taken seriously.  

The time commitment depends on how much time volunteers are willing to give. The appeals are arranged either for half a day or a full day, and hearings are currently held online using Microsoft Teams. Anyone interested in applying or who would like an informal chat about the role should contact clare.cronk@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 

Pump Track – as a direct result of a motion I took to full council in July 2024 in regards to the value of play, the Communities team is supporting communities in regards to their ambitions around play.  A workshop about pump tracks and skate parks has been scheduled. 

Trading Standards Seizes Illegal Vapes On Wednesday 25 September almost 800 illegal vapes, 11,500 illegal cigarettes and 5 Kg of Hand Rolling Tobacco were seized from three shops in St Neots, Huntingdon and Ramsey.

These seizures were made in a multi-agency operation involving Trading Standards, HMRC, Huntingdon District Council’s Licensing and Housing teams, St Neots Neighbourhood Police Team and Wagtail tobacco dogs. The operation follows an influx of Intelligence from concerned members of the public.

Guided Busway Prosecution Update Statement from the County Council’s Chief Executive, Dr Stephen Moir:

“In May 2023, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced its intention to prosecute Cambridgeshire County Council for historic health and safety offences arising from the operation of the Guided Busway. Legal proceedings against Cambridgeshire County Council formally commenced in May 2024.

The charges brought against the Council relate to the tragic loss of the lives of Jennifer Taylor, Steven Moir and Kathleen Pitts, along with other incidents where individuals accessing the busway were injured. The County Council, first and most importantly, continues to extend its deepest condolences to the families and friends directly affected by these tragic events. They are at the forefront of our thoughts today.

In providing the Guided Busway for the people of Cambridgeshire, the County Council has a duty and responsibility to uphold the highest standards of health and safety at work. We fully recognise and accept that during the historic operation of the Guided Busway, when these incidents occurred, that we fell far short of meeting these standards. For that we are truly sorry.

With that clear understanding and acceptance, we are therefore taking an important and responsible decision, today, to plead guilty to the two offences which the HSE are prosecuting the Council for. In doing so, we fully acknowledge the serious historic failings on the part of the County Council, which we are now addressing.

The safety of people accessing the Guided Busway is of paramount importance to the County Council and to the bus operators that use our infrastructure. We have ensured and we will continue to ensure that the lessons learned from these historic failures are addressed properly. We will further ensure that the current and future management of the Guided Busway is regularly reviewed, updated and that the necessary assurances are in place to enable us to provide this important, accessible and safe public transport system to the people of Cambridgeshire.”

Weeds  The first round of weed treatment, for those communities wishing to have this, is now coming to an end, and the second round will begin in October.  The attached link takes you to a page on the County Council website which details the schedules for week killing.  The second round for Histon and Impington and Kings Hedges was scheduled for 21 October.  I have followed up in regards to Orchard Park.

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/weed-spraying

Winter gritting Preparations are under way for the 2024 winter, which starts on Friday 1 November, with salt barns being replenished and servicing of gritting vehicles. 

Climate change progress report and carbon footprint For Cambridgeshire as a whole, in 2022—the most recent available data—total greenhouse gas emissions were 6.45 million tonnes CO2e, a 3% fall from 2021. Transport (27 per cent) remains the highest emitting sector in the county, followed by land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) (23 per cent), agriculture (15 per cent) and domestic energy use (13 per cent). The risk of not reaching the Council’s carbon targets has reduced but still remains considerable. Delivery of these targets relies on collaborating with our partner organisations. 

A newly discovered Roman small town south of Great Staughton, Cambridgeshire, has been given heritage protection as a scheduled monument by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.

The town was first fully identified through aerial photography and crop marks.

Evaluation work carried out by AOC Archaeology Group has confirmed that the buried archaeological features are well preserved and extend across around 31 hectares.

CCC Quality of Life Survey  Most Cambridgeshire residents continue to feel happy and safe in the county, well connected to their local communities, and still believe it’s a great place to raise children – according to the County Council’s second annual Quality of Life survey involving more than 5,500 residents. 

However, cost of living remains the issue of most concern in Cambridgeshire amongst residents, with almost half of residents using less heating, and a quarter cutting back on nutritious food in the past 12 months. Residents continue to feel positively about their local community; 85% feel safe and 75% feel they belong.  Significant numbers of young people (43% of 25–34-year-olds and 40% of 18–24-year-olds) continue to be more likely to report mental health struggles. The proportion of residents reporting that they often feel lonely remains higher that national data, at 31% of residents. 

Younger residents are again more likely to report loneliness (53% of 18-24 year olds). 

Histon and Impington Parish Council – I have written to the Parish Council in regards to the following issues

• Applying for grant funding for a defibrillator at the southern end of Impington
• Tensions arising between dogs, dog owners and children using the South Road play area. 

I will follow up in regards to all matters.

And just to advise in regards to the Narrow Close area.  Funding has been agreed for some road improvements prior to the delivery of H bar markings and improvements to historic road markings.

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.

Cambridge development Company ……. Announced by government County Council officers are tearing their hair out trying to get a bit more detail. I will add to this as more is learnt.