Report from Councillor Dan Lentell Over & Willingham, South Cambridgeshire District Council

Report of the South Cambridgeshire District Council meeting, 17th July 2025

District Council email: cllr.lentell@scambs.gov.uktel. 01954 7130001

4a Announcements from the Chair
Councillors may recall my motion to the 25 February Meeting:
“This Council notes with admiration and pride the extraordinary achievement of Caxton
resident Zara Lachlan, who has become the first woman and the youngest person ever to
row non-stop, solo, and unsupported from Europe to South America. Over the course of an
awe-inspiring 3,600 nautical miles, she endured the vastness of the Atlantic for an incredible
97 days, 7 hours, and 21 minutes, crossing the official finishing line in a feat of extraordinary
endurance, resilience, and determination. Zara came within 19 hours of breaking the
outright speed record—an astonishing testament to her skill and perseverance. Her
accomplishment stands as a singular achievement in the annals of oceanic exploration and
an inspiration to our communities and beyond.
Accordingly, this Council:

1. Expresses its full support and admiration for Zara Lachlan’s achievement and commends
her for her dedication and perseverance.
Requests and requires the Chair of the Council to formally write to Zara Lachlan and her
family to:
Convey the Council’s congratulations on her historic feat,
Extend an invitation for Zara and her family to attend and address a suitable meeting of Full
Council to share their experiences and reflections on this extraordinary achievement.
Invites the Chair to write to Cambridgeshire County Council to invite them to work with SCDC
and Ms Lachlan to rename a thoroughfare, to be named “Atlantic” in recognition of this
singular accomplishment by a most honoured citizen of Caxton.
Let it be proclaimed from every mountaintop and shoreline: Cantabrigia undas regit!”
I was pleased to report previously that the Council (unanimously) agreed this motion, and I
am doubly thrilled that Zara Lachlan did join us di persona, personalmente at our July
meeting. I STRONGLY urge councillors to put the kettle on and watch this epic chapter of
our nation’s maritime history narrated by the incredible young woman who made it
happen.
SHORTCUT TO VIDEO: Full Council meeting, Thursday, 17 July 2025, 2pm
(https://youtu.be/skSK0QJWYKg?t=744)

10. Local Government Reorganisation – Update
    Although there has been no (official) announcement, debate, or vote on the combination
    options for Local Government Reorganisation, subsequent media reports have made clear
    the SCDC SLT’s preference for the new unitary authority to include only Cambridge City and
    South Cambridge District.
    As Genghis Khan said, “The strength of walls depends on those who guard them.”
11. Four-day Week Update and Future Arrangements
    I voted against making 5 Days Paid for 4 Days Worked permanent. This “trial” has been a failure.
    First, because of the total failure to map and engage with key external stakeholders nationally
    (Whitehall) as well as locally (residents and taxpayers). Second, because this was a blanket (rather
    than a targeted) intervention with no regard to long service or good conduct. We in Cambridge
    know what a grant application process looks and feels like. 4in7 working is only one tool in a kit
    bag of possible solutions when confronted with a dynamic landscape of interconnected
    challenges. To the person with a hammer, every problem becomes a nail – a situation that
    inevitably results in more harm being done than good.
    

2. I would draw councillors’ attention to remarks made by Cllr Dr Shrobona Bhattacharya (Camborne)
Full Council meeting, Thursday, 17 July 2025, 2pm(https://youtu.be/skSK0QJWYKg?t=5866),
which are an excellent examination of the essential unfairness of 5 Days Paid For 4 Days Worked,
funded by everyone else.
My own remarks are here: Full Council meeting, Thursday, 17 July 2025, 2pm
(https://youtu.be/skSK0QJWYKg?t=11467)
My amendment to the motion which would have replaced all instances of “4 Day Week” with
the words “5 Days Paid For 4 Days Worked” was rejected by the chair without a debate or vote
(although there was some enjoyable procedural wrangling). The Monitoring Officer’s advice, that
the amendment was in order, was ignored by the Chair, who has the final say.
Full Council meeting, Thursday, 17 July 2025, 2pm(https://youtu.be/skSK0QJWYKg?t=10668)

Questions From Councillors: 17a From Councillor Bill Handley
“Recently the MP for St Neots Mid Cambridgeshire wrote to the Secretary of State for the Environment to highlight both the impact of flooding and the costs being accrued by the Council as a result of the failure of the government to repair Brownshill Staunch. Could the Cabinet outline the impact this is having on Council finances?”
The answer to this question will be delivered in writing.
Questions From Councillors: 17b From Councillor Dan Lentell
“This council owns residential property adjoining 9 High Street Willingham, currently the (fabulous) Bank Micro Pub. The council’s property includes a car park for residents with a dozen or so spaces.
Is this council able to lease (or otherwise make available) some of these car parking spaces to the neighbouring businesses (incl. the Post Office) on Willingham High Street for the sake of reducing
on street parking on the busy Northern access road to Northstowe, Britain’s BIGGEST new town
since Milton Keynes?”
Cllr John Batchelor (Linton)’s reply was as follows:
Full Council meeting, Thursday, 17 July 2025, 2pm (https://youtu.be/skSK0QJWYKg?t=14756)
I beg to remain &etc.
Cllr Dan Lentell, Over & Willingham, South Cambridgeshire District Council

NOTE: The links provided are to SCDC’s official YouTube channel. Each individual link is to the relevant segment of the recording.