South Cambs District Councillor (SCDC) Bill Handley’s Report to Over and Willingham residents – March 2025
Four-day week consultation
I’d like to remind everyone that a consultation on the council’s four-day week trial is open until 23rd March 2025. It can be accessed here: www.scambs.gov.uk/4DW and anyone who prefers a paper copy can request one here: communications@scambs.gov.uk or call 01954 713000. This is a consultation on the services that the council provided throughout the four-day week trial rather than on the idea of a local authority operating a four-day week.
Improved Grant Funding Opportunity: Electric Vehicle chargers
A reminder that the funding available from the SCDC’s Electric Vehicle charging grant has increased from £5,000 to up to £12,000 per project and is open to community groups. More information on community EV charging points (which includes a video which shows how
Steeple Morden Parish Council installed a point on their land) can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/mry7cm24 and the dedicated email address for this fund is here: evcp.grant@scambs.gov.uk and the application page is here: https://tinyurl.com/2uwnswf2
Tenant Satisfaction Measures Survey
If you are a council tenant, look out for SCDC tenant satisfaction survey. The council has appointed MEL Research to carry out the survey and letters have been sent to all council tenants asking them to complete the survey either on paper or on-line. The survey contains set questions that every housing provider is required to undertake as part of the government’s new Social Housing Regulations. For further information, please contact Julie.fletcher@scambs.gov.uk
Additional funding announced for homelessness services
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) recently announced an additional £30 million of government funding for homelessness services – one of SCDC’s core duties. Funding is targeted at areas with the highest risks of homelessness with councils encouraged to step in early to keep people in their homes before eviction notices are served and to support homeless people into accommodation. Thankfully, in Over and Willingham, homelessness is at relatively low levels but it’s good to know that this safety net is available in places where it is needed.
Homes for Ukraine scheme update: Children being sponsored by a parent or legal guardian
MHCLG has recently updated the guidance for councils on the sponsorship eligibility criteria under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, to enable parents or legal guardians to sponsor their children to join them in the UK. Ukrainian hosts or guests can obtain more information SCDC’s Homes for Ukraine Liaison Team at HFULiaison@Scambs.gov.uk or by phone at 01954 713411.
Contact information for our MP, Ian Sollom
Email: Ian.Sollom.MP@parliament.uk Ian is active across the constituency. He encourages constituents to contact him with problems and his office staff answer emails as soon as they possibly can. Ian recently held a surgery in Northstowe and visited Willingham Medical Practice to discuss concerns and potential solutions to health service availability related to the increase in demand from residents in Northstowe.
A reminder of the local authority responsibilities for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
The organisational structure of Cambridgeshire is fairly complex, but it is important to know where responsibilities lie. I thought it would be useful to give a reminder to residents of which local authority does what.
Cambridgeshire County Council
Responsibilities: Education, transport, highways, heritage, social care, libraries, trading standards, waste management and recycling. Elections are being held in May 2025.
South Cambs District Council
Responsibilities: council tax collection (on behalf of all local authorities including the mayor, fire and rescue authority and the police commissioner) payments and benefits, household bin collections, housing and housing benefits, leisure facilities, environmental health, licensing (e.g. taxi and licensed premises) and residential planning. Elections are planned for May 2026, although this may be affected by the Local Government Review (LGR).
Parish/ Town Council
Responsibilities: community buildings, open spaces, allotments, play Areas, bus shelters.
Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP)
The GCP is a partnership between Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council and the University of Cambridge. It is the delivery body for the “City Deal” central Government funding worth around £500 million over 15 years. It is charged with delivering improvements in infrastructure, decarbonising transport and supporting and accelerating the creation of new jobs, apprenticeships and homes.
The Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority – our elected Mayor
‘A combined authority (CA) is a legal body set up using national legislation that enables a group of two or more councils to collaborate and take collective decisions across council boundaries.’ The mayor’s responsibilities are wide-ranging and seem likely to be widened further by the Labour government. They include business support, skills, housing, transport, environment, digital connectivity, resilience, research, and strategy. Our current mayor, Dr Nik Johnson has recently announced that he will not stand in the elections in May 2025.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Cambridge and Peterborough
To support and challenge the Chief Constable to provide effective and efficient policing services for the area. Darryl Preston (Conservative) was re-elected in May 2024 for a second term of office.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority
The Fire Authority is the governing body responsible for delivering a fire and rescue service to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. It is made up of councillors from Cambridgeshire County and Peterborough City Councils.
Bill Handley
District Councillor for Over and Willingham
Phone: 01954 200287 (leave a message). Email: cllr.handley@scambs.gov.uk
