Liberal Democrat Community Newsletter
For Foxton, Heydon, Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth, Great Chishill and Little Chishill

We are writing to you, as your councillors and campaigners for our interlinked cluster of villages, to keep you informed of local issues involving the District and County Councils. If you would prefer not to receive this email newsletter, please reply asking to be removed from the distribution list. If you know of someone not receiving this email newsletter who would like to do so, please ask them to email philippajhart@btinternet.com, susanvandeven5@gmail.com, or jose@josehales.me.uk.

FOXTON APPEAL FOR UP TO 95 HOUSES DISMISSED

The speculative planning application by Gladman developers for 95 houses off Shepreth Road Foxton has been dismissed. This application was isolated from strategic infrastructure plans and no requirement for a contribution to increase capacity at Foxton Primary School had been required. However, the decision to dismiss the appeal hinged not on very real infrastructure needs, but on conservation matters – an indication of the vagaries of planning law.

Meanwhile, the appeal for 199 homes off New Road Melbourn takes place in July, and work has been in progress to understand the various infrastructure needs of such a development.

In Meldreth, Marley Eternit writes: ‘Marley Eternit closed part of their factory on Whaddon Road several years ago. The land remains redundant. A development company, Footprint, now proposes to build up to 150 family houses on the land. The development will cross-fund new development by Marley and create more local jobs.’ Marley Eternit’s public consultation at Meldreth School on Wednesday this week, while announced only a few days in advance, was well attended. Please come along to the next meeting of Meldreth Parish Council on June 2nd to find out more.

These ‘speculative’ applications are possible simply because a government inspector has held up the adoption of the South Cambs Local Plan, which is the official growth plan for the district. A policy vacuum exists and developers are taking their chances. The basic thinking around large scale population growth in a district made up entirely of villages is that it makes most sense to create individual new stand-alone settlements where necessary infrastructure and economies of scale can be properly planned and applied.

GRASS CUTTING

Thank you to the many people who have contacted us from Melbourn and Meldreth regarding perplexing anomalies in village grass cutting – why have isolated two-foot-high bits of grass been left out by contractors? In addition to being unsightly and demoralising, these are also a hazard to anyone with mobility difficulties who needs to traverse a few feet of grass on foot.

Three separate councils – parish, district and county – have responsibilities for grass cutting on separately owned properties or through historic arrangements. Whatever the reasons the system isn’t always working properly. County Highways officers met yesterday to try and understand and correct anomalies.

Outside the villages, the County Council’s severe budget cuts mean that highways verges – along the A10 and A505, for example – will be cut only twice per year. Inevitably this will mean periods of very tall grass. Visibility splays will be cut more often, but still this is a significant problem for people using footways and cycle ways. The cost savings is relatively small.

PAVEMENT REPAIR REQUEST

While it was good to see a simple resurfacing job done on Station Road Melbourn last week, the problem of dangerous pavements in many parts of all our villages is more concerning than ever. Mobility scooter users report that they fear toppling out and sometimes use the road, if the surface is pot-hole free. Susan is renewing a formal request for pavement upgrade to key footway networks, though with this year’s council tax freeze and central government’s winding down of revenue grant support, the prospects are not good.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETINGS: WHO CAME AND WHAT WERE THE CONCERNS?

All annual parish meetings have now been held, with varying public attendance: Melbourn 0, Foxton 6, Shepreth 11, Heydon 13, Great and Little Chishill 35, Meldreth 60+. Shepreth, Heydon and Great and Little Chishill served refreshments (one featuring peppermint tea and one with wine).

Concerns: Melbourn (no discussion), Foxton (speculative development decision; frustration at Network Rail inaction), Heydon (small community working hard to look after local amenities), Great and Little Chishill (effective work by Speedwatch team, upgrade of village hall resulting in more bookings and increased income), Meldreth (speculative development working party action; decision-making by parish council needed on key village concerns including Mettle Hill). The Shepreth meeting was filmed by Shepreth Parish Council and can be viewed here.

PARISH COUNCIL VACANCIES

Parish council elections take place every four years, but vacancies regularly arise. Currently there are three vacancies at Melbourn, and one each at Shepreth and Meldreth. Please contact Melbourn or Shepreth Parish Clerks if you are interested in putting your name forward: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk or parishclerk@shepreth.org.

Meldreth’s single vacancy and six candidates will be considered by the Parish Council when it meets next on 2nd June, 7:30PM, in Meldreth Village Hall’s Green Room.

DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS

The recent South Cambs District Council election results saw three gains for the Liberal Democrats, in addition to the holding of all of their seats up for election. This was consistent with a national trend in which the Lib Dems saw the highest proportional gain of any political party.

The District Council is run by the Conservatives (36 seats), with the Lib Dems forming the largest opposition party (14) and holding the council administration to account. Labour holds one seat and Independents and non-aligned Independents hold six in total.

DEVOLUTION: MEANING?

South Cambs District Council is running an online survey to find out what people think about proposals for ‘devolution’ – a term whose literal meaning may or may not be apt in this proposal for the allocation of strategic, financial decision-making – is it being devolved to local people, or is it moving sideways to a new mayor’s office? The survey is here.

Cambridgeshire County Council will hold a special council meeting on 28 June to debate the matter.

NETWORK RAIL APOLOGIZES!

Following their very poor communication with all concerned, and a lack of progress on safety and access improvements at Foxton Level Crossing, Network Rail have:

1) apologized
2) appointed a new senior person to lead on the matter

We look forward to welcoming Helen Warnock to the next meeting of the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group on 15 June, Foxton Village Hall, doors opening at 7PM for a 7:30 PM start. This is a public meeting and everyone is welcome. Network Rail have promised that its new feasibility study on medium-term safety and access improvements at the crossing, reported on at Foxton Parish Council several months ago, will shortly be available to read on line.

NETWORK RAIL PROPOSES TO CLOSE MINOR LEVEL CROSSINGS

The consultants who carried out Network Rail’s feasibility study on medium term improvements at the crossing were unaware that another Network Rail department has recommended closing the Barrington Road/A10 pedestrian crossing – the very site of one of the two new sets of self-locking gates that facilitates safe pedestrian access at this major level crossing. This was flagged up to Network Rail months ago but it would appear there has been a lack of communication within the organisation.

In Meldreth, Network Rail proposes to close the crossing south of the vehicle bridge over the railway (Station Road bridge) that leads from the Chiswick End area to St John’s Farm, Fieldgate and Melbourn.

Please attend the June meetings of Foxton or Meldreth Parish Councils (June 6 and 2 respectively) to make representations.

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED FROM HEYDON, GREAT CHISHILL AND LITTLE CHISHILL

Royston and District Community Transport serves Heydon and Great and Little Chishill and would love to hear from anyone living in those villages who could spare time to serve as a volunteer driver. Please ring 01763 245228.

KNEESWORTH ROAD: PROPER JOB

We met Highways officers on site and detailed arrangements are now in place to restore the path to an acceptable standard, by the end of summer. This is because mistakes were made in the specifications for the path, which is relatively new. The path will be tarmacked and the clutter of historic signage along the route will be consolidated. The Meldreth Village sign will be moved to just beyond the national speed limit marker.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S EU REFERENDUM DEBATE, 1st JUNE

Usually, it’s young people listening to older experts at the top table. This time the tables will be turned. How do young people aged 15-25 see the future of the UK, in or out of the EU? Everyone is invited to put their questions to the panel. The Out Panel will include Torrin Wilkins and Charlie Arbon, while the In Panel will include Sam Robinson and Ollie Kenzie. Lizzie Quinlan will chair the debate. Categories include Economy, Security, Democracy and Global Challenges. All welcome on June 1st, 7 for 7:30, at the Melbourn Hub. The panellists would be grateful for any questions submitted in advance: please send these to susanvandeven5@gmail.com.

BREXIT: WHAT WOULD COME NEXT FOR EU TRADE? TWO CHANCES

Do you feel you have the information you need to make your decision in the upcoming EU Referendum? To consider just one topic in the debate, Dr Chris Grey has kindly agreed to talk on ‘Brexit: What would come next for UK Trade?’ Dr Grey is Professor of Organization Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London (and a Shepreth resident) who has written widely on the practicalities of Brexit. You can find his articles on line at ‘The Conversation’ and ‘The New Statesman.’

Please do come along to either or both of the following – free entry, all welcome:
Friday 10 June, 7:45 PM, Foxton Village Hall meeting room.
Tuesday 21 June, 7:45, Upstairs at the Shepreth Plough.

A10 CORRIDOR CYLING CAMPAING: HARSTON HIGH STREET CONSULTATION NOW LIVE

The A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign has worked closely with the County Council to access Department for Transport funding to improve conditions for everyone travelling through Harston – by car, on foot, by bicycle, or mobility scooter. The idea is to segregate traffic and give everyone a safe link through the village, including better visibility for High Street residents exiting their driveways. The funding has been secured and detailed plans have been adjusted following close communication with Harston Parish Council. A final consultation to ensure that those plans reflect constructive public concern is now live: please do take a minute to respond. You’ll find all information here.

The next meeting of the campaign will take place on June 7th, 7 for 7:30, at Sagentia, Harston Mill – all welcome.

FROG END TO MELBOURN SCIENCE PARK: SAFE OFF-ROAD ROUTE?

On June 9th, the Greater Cambridge City Deal Executive Board will consider a report recommending funding an off-road pedestrian/cycle route linking the A10 Frog End junction with the entrance to Melbourn Science Park. This is one segment of the overall Cambridge-Royston pedestrian/cycle route scheme being championed by the A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign. The report is at item 13 on the agenda papers here, and the meeting is open to the public:

MindED TRUST: 10K RUN WITH HOOHAAH

The Hoohaah organization is running a series of 10K runs, this year all in support of the MindEd Trust, set up in memory of Edward Mallen and designed to raise awareness around adolescent mental health.

These are Sunday morning events, and many local people have taken part as marshals and volunteers, or have taken up the run itself. The next event is 19th June, details here.

ANNUAL PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT

Please look at the Annual Public Health Report for our county, Cambridgeshire, and find out about some of the trends in public health that characterize our area. We have the highest life expectancy of any of the five districts that comprise the county (South Cambs, East Cambs, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, and Cambridge), however the Melbourn Division includes the greatest wealth/poverty gap in South Cambridgeshire.

Some of the most concerning trends are obesity levels (with their associated problems of diabetes and other knock-on effects), and mental ill-health, especially among young people. The report is extremely readable.

STRESS-LESS, REMEMBER TO TAKE 5

MIND in Cambs has some very good, practical advice geared to students aged 12-18, about how to manage the exam period with less stress. Indeed, these are useful common sense tips for anyone trying to cope in a pressured environment!

Mind continues to run a free wellbeing service at the Melbourn Hub – please ring Mind on Tel 01223 311320 to make an appointment. There are lots of ways you can support Mind, all listed on their website. These services are funded by Cambridgeshire County Council.

WELCOME TO AURORA: NEW NAME FOR MELDRETH MANOR SCHOOL

We’re delighted to welcome Aurora as the new company running the school, transition service and children’s home for children with profound disabilities, on the Meldreth Manor site, and look forward to meeting the new management team shortly.

STATION GARDENING

All welcome to help out at the three station gardening sessions – we’ll be turning platform tubs round for the summer:

Shepreth Station, 28 May, 11AM
Meldreth Station, 1 June, 2PM
Foxton Station, 10 June, 3PM

COURGETTE PLANTS DONATED TO MELBOURN AND MELDRETH SCHOOL GARDENING CLUBS

Thanks very much to the Meldreth resident who got in touch to say that she has spare courgette plants. These have been gratefully received by Meldreth and Melbourn Primary School Gardening Clubs. Any extra plants in your garden? Please get in touch and we can help find them a home, either at one of the station gardens or school gardening schemes.

FIVE DUKE OF EDINBURGH STATION GARDENERS AT WORK

We are very lucky to have a total of five Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh volunteers, all from Melbourn Village College, helping to keep our station flower tubs watered through the summer. We still need a few more helpers (anyone welcome!) especially at Shepreth and Foxton Stations.

SHEPRETH DRAIN JETTING

Following our drainage tour of Shepreth, where the River Shep is expertly tended but historic ditches and watercourses require restoration, County Highways carried out extensive jetting of village drains. We’re pleased to have heard immediate positive feedback from residents.

MELDRETH DRAIN JETTING: AFTER STREET GUTTERS CLEARED

Now that the street cleaner has been through the village, and the problem of accumulating farmyard straw is being tackled, it looks like Meldreth should have its drains jetted too – starting with College Farm where the drainage ditch and pond on either side of the road are very full.

BOUNDARY COMMISSION: LINK TO RESPOND

Please do take a few minutes to respond to the Boundary Commission’s consultation (yes, again!) on Cambridgeshire County division boundaries. You’ll see that the current proposals are to divide the Melbourn division and send one segment eastward and the other westward, ignoring natural school catchment areas which will hinder ground-up community development that capitalizes on synergies across schools.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY AT MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE

It’s here again by popular demand: Jose Hales and fellow Melbourn District Councillor Val Barrett are organising another Tea Party at Melbourn Village College, to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. This will be held on 11th June, starting at 12.30.

Senior citizens wishing to attend – please ring 01763 221058 to book, as places are very limited. Leave your name and number and Jose will ring you back to confirm.

BLOOMSDAY DELIGHT IN MELBOURN

Following the marvelous success of this James Joyce festival in Melbourn last year, we’re delighted to report that the event takes place again on June 14-16, with literature, drama, music, talks and discussion across the village. Among the many events open to the public is a sausage and kidney breakfast on the front lawn of 52 Orchard Road at 9:15AM. Events are free to the public, with donations to the charity Water Aid, which works to provide safe water and sanitation around the world. The full programme is available at the Melbourn Hub.

DROP-IN ADVICE SURGERY

We are at the Melbourn Hub every first Monday of the month between 2:30-3:30 – next on June 6th. No need to book – just come along. We can always arrange to meet you at a time that is more convenient for you, or closer to home. Our contact details are below.

ANY ITEMS WE CAN HELP TO RAISE?

We would be delighted to address any concerns you may have, or help raise awareness of issues affecting our community via this newsletter.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. We aim to disperse power, to foster diversity and to nurture creativity.

You can learn more about or join the Liberal Democrats at http://www.libdems.org.uk

Sincerely yours,

Philippa, Jose and Susan

Philippa Hart, District Councillor for Meldreth and Shepreth
philippajhart@btinternet.com
Tel 01763 261255

Jose Hales, District Councillor for Melbourn, Heydon and the Chishills
jose@josehales.me.uk
Tel 01763 221058

Susan van de Ven, County Councillor for Foxton, Heydon, Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth and the Chishills
susanvandeven5@gmail.com, www.susanvandeven.com
Tel 07905325574
Twitter: @susanvandeven

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