Report from Councillor Firouz Thompson – July to August 2024
Dear residents, as we look forward to the upcoming month of August, many of us in the community are still holding out hope for a true taste of summer, as June and July have left us shivering and soaked. This year, the UK has experienced one of its wettest Junes on record, with persistent rain and unseasonably cool temperatures dampening the usual summer festivities. The Met Office reported that parts of the country received more than double their average rainfall for June, making it the sixth wettest June since records began. With fingers crossed, we hope August brings the sunshine and warmth that eluded us earlier in the season.
General Election – 4 July
I’m thrilled to share that the Liberal Democrats have made significant gains across Cambridgeshire, including our victory in the new constituency of St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire. Congratulations to the newly elected Liberal Democrat MPs
- Ian Sollom for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire
- Pippa Heylings for South Cambridgeshire
- Charlotte Cane for Ely and East Cambridgeshire
Nationally, the Liberal Democrats have achieved 72 seats, marking a major step forward for our party, led by Ed Davey, who had to perform stunts to cut through and capture media attention. Thank you to all who voted in these elections, let’s continue to work together for a brighter future for us and our children.
Government Announcement of Acceleration of Northstowe – 8 July
Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP made a speech on 8 July, in which she mentioned Northstowe as one of five sites that will be accelerated as part of the government’s approach to increase housebuilding. The speech is here:
The specific paragraph that included Northstowe is here: “Third, we will create a new taskforce to accelerate stalled housing sites in our country…beginning with Liverpool Central Docks, Worcester Parkway, Northstowe and Langley Sutton Coldfield, representing more than 14,000 homes.”
While we don’t have too many details yet, we understand Homes England are looking at accelerating Phase 2 (all permissioned) housing, town centre and associated community facilities.
We welcome the new taskforce to help accelerate the development of our growing town, constructing a new town is undeniably complex and the challenges have been magnified by the pandemic, especially with rising costs in the construction industry and seeing two contractors onsite going into administration. We are eager to collaborate with all stakeholders and look forward to building a vibrant town centre.
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CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
HAF Programme
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is offering funded holiday scheme places for children in Cambridgeshire this summer who are eligible for free school meals.
This initiative by Cambridgeshire County Council offers primary and secondary school children in the county the chance to enjoy exciting experiences at a wide range of holiday schemes. With a focus on providing healthy meals alongside activities, the programme is ideal for children who want to stay healthy and active during the summer school holidays.
Any child receiving benefit-related free school meals is eligible for the programme, which will run between 23 July and 30 August. Approximately 19,000 HAF eligibility vouchers were sent to families on 10 June. Each voucher offers 64 hours of access, for no charge, to a HAF scheme during the summer holidays. Please ensure that you apply for this programme.
The programme will be delivered by approved providers, co-ordinated by Cambridgeshire County Council. The council is working with schools, childcare providers and voluntary and community organisations to deliver the programme. If you are a provider do get in touch with the team.
As part of the programme, eligible children will be able to access:
Fun and entertaining opportunities or new experiences that help children to develop their skills and knowledge; A variety of holiday schemes including sports, playschemes, drama, technology, outdoor adventure and youth schemes; At least one meal a day; Guidance on increasing awareness of healthy eating, lifestyles, and positive behaviours; Parents will be supported with information and signposting to other services and support which might be helpful to families.
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COMMUNITIES, SOCIAL MOBILITY & INCLUSION (COSMIC)
Quality of Life Survey
The County Council has launched its second annual quality of life survey for Cambridgeshire. 5,500 residents, 1,100 from each district, have been selected for a telephone survey as a representative sample. However, any resident can complete the survey online until Friday 19 July. https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CambsQoL2024/
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ENVIRONMENT & GREEN INVESTMENT
Wisbech incinerator
Before Parliament was dissolved at the end of May, the Government lifted its temporary ban on the Environment Agency issuing operating licences for new incinerators. The Environment Agency issued an operating licence for the Wisbech incinerator the same day. We continue to wait to hear what is happening to Fenland District Council’s application for judicial review of the Government’s decision to grant planning permission.
Envar incinerator in Woodhurst
The Planning Inspector’s report on the appeal against the Council’s refusal of this application has been sent to the Secretary of State for consideration. A decision is expected to be issued on or before 20 August 2024.
Deposit return scheme
Also before Parliament was dissolved, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that the Deposit Return Schemes for drinks containers will be introduced in October 2027, two years later than previously advised.
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HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORT
Controlling weeds
Cambridgeshire County Council chemical weed treatment programme has now begun, to address weed growth, which can be a safety hazard. This follows consultation with district, town, and parish councils across the county. Following consultation, a decision was taken to reintroduce planned chemical weed treatment twice a year, as a minimum, within built-up areas in villages and towns, inside the 40mph limit or below.
The weed treatment programme will commence in our ward on 24 June – Longstanton, Oakington & Westwick and Over and a second weed treatment programme will take place in October 2024.
Northstowe Busway Petition
Please consider signing our bus petition to get the buses reinstated at peak times at Longstanton Park and Ride for our residents and pupils to get to their place of work and education, Cllr Firouz Thompson has a meeting with Mayor Nick Johnson on Monday 15 July
https://www.sclibdems.org.uk/…/stop-the-wait-in-northstowe
OVER Highways
Pleased to report that Glover Street/Long Furlong; and Gravel Bridge Road/Longstanton Road have been selected for Micro Asphalt and Gripfibre Micro Asphalt Surface Treatment respectively, which are currently programmed to go ahead in 2025. The edge damage to Gravel Bridge Road/Longstanton Road have been identified and road markings will be assessed by CCC Road Safety and Policy & Regulation.
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Anti-Social Behaviour and Driving across the ward
Working with County and South Cambs Council officers and Police to find a solution to the ASB behaviour and driving that has been reported across the ward and beyond – specifically related to South Access Road West, B1050, A1307, Longstanton Road.
I attended the community online police engagement event on 22 May Recommendations were:
- To keep reporting all matters to the police and ensure you get a police number in case you need to share it with residents and Councillors
- If unable to report to the police, then report to the parish council clerks, who can collate the information and send to the SCDC and Police contacts.
- Attend the next meeting on 28 August open to all residents, further details here https://www.cambs.police.uk/police-forces/cambridgeshire-constabulary/areas/campaigns/nhp/neighbourhood-policing/South-Cambridgeshire/
A follow up Northstowe specific meeting was held on 5 June, action to invite Homes England to a meeting to discuss possible solutions as New South Access Road West is unadopted and managed by Homes England.
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Meanwhile on the Combined Authority
Tiger Bus Passes
Under 25s across the region are applying for their Free Tiger Bus Pass across the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough region. Combined Authority reported over 8,000 applications and over 7,000 cards printed as at mid-June.
Applications can be made using this link:
CONTACT DETAILS
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the above, or any other matters.
Firouz Thompson, County Councillor for Longstanton, Northstowe, Over and Oakington & Westwick Email: firouz.thompson@cambridgeshire.gov.uk https://www.facebook.com/groups/2066298150052161/ – Longstanton, Oakington and Northstowe https://www.facebook.com/libdems3rdMay18 – Over & Willingham
Report a highways fault – Cambridgeshire County Council
Report a flood – www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/business/planning-and-development/flood-and-water/report-aflood
