As winter nears, drive cautiously near schools during school run and coming home from after-school clubs as younger kids may not be road-savvy. Drive slowly, watch for pupils, and ensure your children use lights, take out at least one earphone, wear helmets, high-vis and bright colours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mind the [budget] gap A report from the Council\u2019s Chief Executive Stephen Moir and Executive Director of Finance and Resources Michael Hudson says: \u201cIn 2023-24, pressures on our budget have arisen principally due to several very high-cost children\u2019s social care placements and a delay in receiving income from a newly constructed solar farm (which requires connection to the electricity grid). In addition, we are seeing that demand for bed-based care for older people is also rising, following a period of reduction in demand and then stability stretching back for some time, to the beginning of the pandemic.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The report also points to wider national and international issues which have an impact on the council\u2019s pressures\u2014such as interest rates which the Bank of England has said are likely to remain above five per cent until 2026. This will affect all goods and services the council buys, the cost of borrowing, and pay award costs for council workers as well as for a large externally commissioned workforce which includes staff working in residential care for vulnerable adults and children. https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/bdcty88r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Quality of life survey shows mixed picture That\u2019s the headline finding of the County Council\u2019s first annual Quality of Life survey involving more than 5,500 residents. But the news is less good for some specific groups, with a stark finding that loneliness in Cambridgeshire is far higher than the national average. Loneliness was most likely to be reported by those aged 18 to 25, who also reported more struggles with their mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some top line summaries below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The council intends to run the survey again next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact: firouz.thompson@cambridgeshire.gov.uk<\/a> Report a highways fault – Cambridgeshire County Council<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Cambridgeshire County Council\u2019s estimated budget gap for 2024\/25 has increased from a predicted \u00a316M to more than \u00a323M\u2014largely due to increases in demand for services and inflationary pressure. Without action being taken this gap will grow and is predicted to be more than \u00a320M in the following year, and a further \u00a319M and more the year after that. Cambridgeshire is not alone. The Local Government Association currently reports that councils across the country face an \u2018inflationary storm\u2019 with a predicted \u00a34Bn funding gap over the next two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Most Cambridgeshire residents feel happy and safe in the county, wellconnected to their local communities, and believe it\u2019s a great place to raisechildren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
County Councillor for Longstanton, Northstowe, Over, Oakington & Westwick https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/longstantonoakingtonnorthstowe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n