South Cambridgeshire Councillor Bill Handley’s Report to Over News – April 2024
South Cambs District Councillor (SCDC) Bill Handley’s Report to Over News – April 2024
Zero Carbon Communities grant scheme 2024
SCDC’s popular Zero Carbon Communities grant scheme is now into its sixth year and the latest scheme is now open for applications. Since its inception, more than half a million pounds has been given to schemes across the district. Projects are invited under two main themes: to reduce carbon emissions or lock up carbon and to increase community engagement around climate change. Grants of between £2,000 and £15,000 are available to parish councils and community groups in the district and a total pot of £125,000 is available. Further information, help and advice is available by emailing zcc@scambs.gov.uk
SCDC Financial Accounts 2022/23
SCDC’s accounts for 2022/23 have just been published, which brings the council up to date. As for the auditing of accounts, the government has introduced transitional arrangements for all councils’ outstanding audits, and their final decision on the outstanding SCDC accounts for 2021/22 and 22/23 is awaited.
SCDC Allotments toolkit
SCDC has released an Allotments Toolkit, which can be found here: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/community-safety-and-health/community-action/allotment-toolkit/ I am a member of the Hale Road, Swavesey allotment society (featured in the toolkit) and this subject is close to my heart and I am very pleased that SCDC has devoted funding and officer time to developing my ideas. Not only is allotment gardening a social pastime but I take great pleasure in consuming produce that I have grown and giving any surplus away to friends. Who knows; one day I may pluck up the courage to enter something in the Over Village Show!
Local Plan Timetable Update
A timetable update has become necessary for producing the Greater Cambridge Local Plan. This is a key planning document which would ensure that growth is delivered in a sustainable way for people and the environment. It is clear that the existing timetable for the Local Plan can no longer be met, owing to multiple external factors, including restraints posed by a lack of water availability, the failure to deliver a sustainable transport strategy and the intervention of the government which is demanding the building of homes in significantly higher numbers (“northwards of 150K new homes”) than that proposed by the Local Planning Authority (50K).
We are awaiting further information about the Government’s plans for Cambridge 2050. At the moment it seems local councils will have involvement via an ‘advisory council’ but we don’t have details.
Weekly food waste collections
Weekly food waste collections are to become a reality for us all by 31st March 2026. Government funding is being made available to cover new food waste containers and specialist collection vehicles. I will give more details as soon as they are available.
Council agrees funding to protect cash machines
SCDC has allocated up to £100,000 to better protect the districts cash machines from ram-raids using funding from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Heavy-duty planters are to be installed in front of some cash machines to prevent, or slow down the activity of the thieves, which will not only provide protection but will also be an attractive feature on the high street. Not all cash machine locations will be suitable for the planters due to a lack of available space around them. The police are advising on priorities and the first approved location (the Co-op store in Cambourne) will be the first to have the planters and we will monitor the success of the installation.
Statement of Community Involvement for Planning
SCDC, together with Cambridge City Council has formally adopted a new key planning document which sets out how they will help residents have their say on a wide range of planning matters during the next five years. The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) is intended to increase public participation in the planning system and, in doing so, empowering residents to play an active role in shaping the future of Greater Cambridge. This goes much further than previous SCIs in ensuring that residents’ views are better reflected in the emerging Local Plan. More detail can be found here: https://www.greatercambridgeplanning.org/about-us/statement-of-community-involvement/
50th Anniversary of South Cambs
SCDC recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary. A civic ceremony was held at South Cambridgeshire Hall in Cambourne. You can find out all about what happened as well as some of the history/ successes of the district council over the years here: 50 years of South Cambridgeshire District Council – South Cambs District Council (scambs.gov.uk)
East West Rail Community Conversations
East West Rail have organised ‘community conversation events’ over the next couple of months to talk about their plans. There are three in the Greater Cambridge area: Cambourne 10th May, Cambridge 21st May and Comberton 22nd May. These are not part of the statutory consultation for EWR but should prove to be interesting/ informative events. You can find out more here: eastwestrail.co.uk/news/latest-stories/community-conversation-events.
Bill Handley April 2024. Contact 01954 200287 (please leave a message) or email cllr.handley@scambs.gov.uk
