Report from Cambridgeshire County Councillor Firouz Thompson for Over News February 2024

Dear residents, 

Happy 2024! Although the New Year is here and the days are edging lighter, winter is still with us.  Please take care when you are travelling around as icy conditions can persist throughout the season.  Here is my update: 

Budget proposals 
County wide consultation began on the council’s proposals for its 2024/5 budget, in what is being called ‘the toughest year to set a balanced council budget’. Following an online public survey, the Strategy, Resources & Performance Committee will make a final budget recommendation at its meeting on 30 January for Full Council to debate on 13 February.  

Potential savings have been identified to help bridge the funding gap, these include  

• Moving to LED streetlights (£1M in energy savings each year)  
• Rationalising office accommodation (£1.5M in the next three years)  
• Reviewing the highest cost children’s placement costs, and home to school transport routes (more than £2M) 
• Driving down the amount of bad debt (£0.5M)  
• Reviewing income from permits and parking charges (Just under £1M) 

Quality of life survey shows mixed picture 
As part of our vision to make Cambridgeshire greener, fairer and more caring, we launched our annual countywide quality of life survey last year. Read our Strategic Framework document to find out more about the seven ambitions we have developed to achieve our vision: http://tinyurl.com/2d7vjnb8 

I reported in my last column the summary for the county; we can now drill down to South Cambridgeshire as District wide reports were provided in December 2023: http://tinyurl.com/yc5sum65 

Some top line summaries below: 

• Highest mean happiness out of all the districts (7.43 v 7.25)  
• 86% concerned by Cost-of-Living increases (average 86%)  
• 82% concerned by climate change (average 76%) 
• 48% concerned by investment and jobs (average 52%) 

Are residents happy and heathy? 

• 64% see family and friends as often as they would like (average 64%)  
• 32% have struggled with their mental health in the last year (average 37%)  
• 31% of parents say their child has experienced mental health problems this year (30%)  
• 75% of parents feel their child has good relationships with their peers (average 69%) 
• 22% often feel lonely (average 29%)  

Views on their local community South Cambridgeshire  

• 86% agree people from different backgrounds get on well together (average 80%)  
• 89% feel safe (average 84%) 
• 80% feel like they belong (average 75%)  
• 77% know where to go to find out how to get involved e.g. volunteering (average 73%) 

The council intends to run the survey again this year. 

Parking Enforcement 

New Civil Parking Enforcement powers have now been granted in South Cambridgeshire for the local authority to take over enforcement posts for parking from the police.  This follows a long administrative process that culminated in a decision by central Government.  Drivers will now be far more likely to receive a fine for parking incorrectly where there are restrictions, such as on single or double yellow lines.  A process of ensuring that all restrictions have correct signage and line markings has been undertaken and completed by the County Council.  2024 will see much more effective enforcement of these restrictions. 

Winter vaccinations 

Don’t forget that flu, COVID-19, and shingles vaccines are now available for eligible groups. Flu and COVID-19 vaccination information at www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations and information about shingles vaccinations at www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/shingles-vaccination/. 

Contact: firouz.thompson@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 
County Councillor for Longstanton, Northstowe, Over, Oakington & Westwick https://www.facebook.com/longstantonoakingtonnorthstowe 

Report a highways fault – Cambridgeshire County Council 

Report a flood – www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/business/planning-and-development/flood-and-water/report-a-flood