Cambridgeshire County Council Monthly Report – July 2025
Cambridgeshire County Council – Cllr Luis Navarro
Dear Residents
This is my first contribution to the Over Village News since being elected as your County Councillor in May. Many thanks to former Cllr Firouz Thompson for her dedication and service over the last four years. The following is an edited version of my report to the Parish Council.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION
Three main ‘unitary’ council options are being considered to replace Cambridgeshire & Peterborough’s current system, each dividing the area into two councils:
- Option A: East Cambridgeshire, Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire; Huntingdonshire, Fenland, Peterborough
- Option B: Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire; East Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Fenland, Peterborough
- Option C: Huntingdonshire, Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire; East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Peterborough
The County Council prefers Option A, keeping East Cambs linked to Cambridge for work, health care, and leisure. Option B is preferred by East Cambs District Council. Only one option per council leader; at most three proposals will go to the Government by the end of November. The Government will consult and decide, possibly choosing or amending any proposal.
A survey (not a consultation) closes 20 July. An East Cambs parish forum is set for Wednesday 9 July, 2:00PM.
https://can-campaigns.co.uk/local-councils-in-cambridgeshire-andpeterboroughare-changing
STRATEGY RESOURCES & PERFORMANCE
End of year sees a smaller overspend than predicted:
The Council ended 2024/25 with a revenue overspend of £4.45M. While no overspend would be preferred, it is less than predicted, and Cambridgeshire County Council remains in a healthier financial position than many other authorities.
ADULTS & HEALTH
New public health strategy:
Several contracts have been re-tendered for home adaptations, adult social care transport, and health services. The committee endorsed a new Public Health Plan focused on obesity, mental health, smoking, and work support.
ASSETS & PROCUREMENT
Breaches of procurement rules:
The Council’s Assets & Procurement Committee considered its first report on breaches of procurement policy or legislation, several of which date back more than five years. There were more breaches than originally expected, however none involved fraud, corruption or financial irregularities.
Under the Liberal Democrats, action is being taken to change organisational culture and ensure transparency in procurement. Corporate performance in this field is generally improving.
CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
New ways of building schools:
The Council has agreed to enable academy schools to lead on construction of some expansion projects on their premises, and developers to lead on some new build schools. The Council has also agreed a new service in Harston with residential placements for two children with complex needs.
COSMIC
Adult learning services earn high praise from Ofsted:
Cambridgeshire’s adult learning services have received praise from Ofsted for providing a warm and inclusive environment, helping learners gain valuable new skills.
Cambridgeshire Skills delivers adult education across the county, with courses offered online and at over 80 community venues. The service partners with the council’s Learning and Development team to offer apprenticeships.
In a recent inspection, Ofsted rated the service’s overall effectiveness as Good, with Outstanding behaviour and attitude among learners.
Household Support Fund re-opens:
Applications to the Household Support Fund (HSF) re-opened in April. The Fund is provided by Government to support households experiencing immediate financial hardship and the rising cost of living.
The Fund will run from Tuesday 1 April 2025 to Tuesday 31 March 2026. Eligible households can apply for one £110 voucher in this period. More information, including eligibility criteria and application form, can be found on our website. Please email CommunityCV@cambridgeshire.gov.uk with any further queries. www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/communities/support-with-the-costof-living/household-support-fund
ENVIRONMENT & GREEN INVESTMENT
Government steps in to take control of Fens reservoir plans:
The Government has announced it is stepping in to take over delivery of nine reservoirs, including the Fens reservoir planned near Chatteris. The announcement indicates that this will ‘accelerate’ completion of the reservoir, though it gives no date, and it is not clear how much faster the Government could start water flowing than the currently advertised date of 2036.
Planning for a low carbon, resilient energy future:
An informal engagement survey is seeking the views of Cambridgeshire residents on the future of renewable energy, net zero, and energy in our county.
The County Council is keen to hear from Parish Councils, local businesses and community groups. To get involved, visit the Local Area Energy Plan webpage:
Council recognised for climate leadership:
Cambridgeshire County Council has been recognised as a national leader in Net Zero action.
The Council scored 55 per cent in Climate Emergency UK’s Climate Action score cards—second among similar English local authorities. This is an 11% improvement since 2023, making Cambridgeshire ‘one of the most improved county councils’.
The score card reviews over 400 councils on climate criteria such as transport, buildings and heating, biodiversity, planning, governance, waste, and community engagement.
Food waste volunteers:
By mid-2026, all districts in Cambridgeshire will have changed the way they collect food waste from homes. Instead of being picked up every two weeks, food waste will be collected weekly, separate from garden waste.
To help make the scheme a success, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Waste Partnership (RECAP) is looking for volunteers to talk to residents on their doorsteps about the changes and how they will be affected, to help people to think about how they can reduce food waste. Full training will be provided. www.recap.co.uk/campaigns/food-waste-volunteers-needed-introducing-simpler-recycling
Local Nature Recovery Strategy:
Consultation on the new Local Nature Recovery Strategy is expected to open on 18 July. The document is detailed but very well put together and informative. https://naturalcambridgeshire.org.uk/
HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORT
Drainage works in Over:
Essential work is being conducted on Over Road between Willingham and Over from Monday 28th July 2025 to Friday 15th August 2025 from 08:00hrs and 18:00hrs. The work is needed to complete and improve the drainage system along Over Road and trim vegetation in the outfalls. Please note that the roads will not be closed during this work.
Work will be conducted from the 4-way junction near Haden Way to the junction of High Street and Berry Croft and parts of Over Road. Temporary traffic lights will be left in the carriageway for the duration of the works.
The road will not be closed, however, the work will be carried out under 4-way temporary lights. This helps to do the work quickly and efficiently, while keeping residents, road users and the workforce safe. The Council is collaborating with Snowdon Homes on the road space to reduce disruption.
Public rights of way:
Parish Councils are helping develop a hierarchy for public rights of way, ranking routes by their community importance for both utility and leisure. A questionnaire has been sent to all Parish Councils, who can consult with local walking or cycling groups. The survey closes Thursday 31 July.
A142 Mepal bridge closure:
Weekend bridge closures started last month and will continue into the first half of July.
Active travel updates:
- Progress continues on the proposed walking and cycling bridge at the BP A10 roundabout in Ely. Public consultation showed strong support for a bridge, with estimated costs between £6.8M and £11M, or up to £14M including risks. The Outline Business Case will soon go to the Combined Authority’s Transport Infrastructure Committee, with further design, planning, and land work to follow if approved. £260,000 remains from the £550,000 initial budget to support this next stage, though more funding will be needed.
- Cambridgeshire County Council is rated Level 3 (of 4) by the Government for Active Travel Capability—one of only six councils nationwide to do so. This status helps secure further grant funding and reflects the county’s commitment to active travel improvements.
Guided Busway safety:
By historical accident, the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway is regulated by the Health & Safety Executive, rather than as a typical highway or a typical railway. Following the recent prosecution relating to three tragic deaths between 2015 and 2021, the Council has agreed to fence its entire length and remediate flooding at three key points.
A14 retrospective:
There is unanimous agreement across the council about the unsatisfactory performance of National Highways in its improvement programme on the A14. The project left a very large number of unresolved issues in its wake, and the Council is continuing to engage with National Highways to seek resolutions to these.
Bar Hill bridge:
Councillors in the area (Cllrs Murphy, Hathorn, Poulton, Deter and me) have been working to make sure that the surface of the bridge is always kept levelled and safe for all users. National Highways have installed monitors on the Bar Hill Bridge and data will be analysed over 12 months to understand the settlement condition and action based on resulting data. I will follow these developments closely and keep you informed.
Highways satisfaction survey:
At least 3,300 Cambridgeshire residents are being asked for their views on the County Council’s highways and transport services in the National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction survey. In this annual survey they will have the opportunity to comment on everything from the condition of roads and footpaths to public transport and the quality of cycling facilities.
A questionnaire is being sent to a random sample of residents, followed by a reminder. Those who receive a copy are being encouraged to take part. They can do so either by post or online. Local and national results will be published in late-October 2025, and the council will use the feedback to manage and improve local services.
