Liberal Democrat Community Newsletter

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.

MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE OPEN EVENING MONDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

Melbourn Village College is holding an Open Evening tomorrow, Monday 26 September, from 6:30-8:30 PM. You can contact the college any time to arrange a personal visit: Tel 01763 223400.

MVC did extremely well in its GCSE results this year. It is now teaching Modern Chinese language to all incoming students, as well as offering the language at GSCE level – the first Cambridgeshire secondary school to do so.

MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL NOW QUORATE: 8 NEW MEMBERS ELECTED

A by-election for eight new members of Melbourn Parish Council was held on 22 September, and results are posted on the Melbourn Parish Council website: http://melbournparishcouncil.co.uk/.

A further four new parish councillors must be co-opted by the new council, and the notice for those vacancies is posted on the same website. The next meeting of Melbourn Parish Council will be held on 10 October, 7:15PM, at the Melbourn Hub. This is a public meeting to which all are welcome.

FOXTON AND MELDRETH LEVEL CROSSING CLOSURES – CONSULTATION DEADLINE THIS WEEK

As reported previously, Network Rail is persisting with its proposals to close two pedestrian level crossings in our area: one at Meldreth south of the Station Road Bridge and one at Foxton Level Crossing – the self-locking mechanical side gate leading to the Barrington Road slip road. There is no clear benefit associated with either proposal: on the contrary, in both cases people would be forced onto new and dangerous road crossings. Furthermore, at Foxton the proposed gate closure would sever the brand new A10 pedestrian/cycleway, designed specifically to keep people off the A10, and which Network Rail itself gave permission for!

Your input would be much appreciated: Join in for a peaceful protest photograph at Foxton Level Crossing at 5:30PM Tuesday 27 September, and respond directly to Network Rail by Thursday 29 September. Susan has posted her responses, including all links for doing so yourself, on her website as follows:

Meldreth: http://susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/2016/09/22/response-to-network-rail-proposal-to-close-meldreth-level-crossing/#page-content

Foxton: http://susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/2016/09/13/please-respond-network-rail-proposal-to-close-foxton-level-crossing-pedestrian-gate/#page-content

TACKLING CAMBRIDGE TRAFFIC CONGESTION: HAVE YOUR SAY BEFORE 10 OCTOBER

An important Greater Cambridge City Deal consultation on traffic congestion in Cambridge, affecting South Cambridgeshire residents too, concludes on 10 October: www.gccitydeal.co.uk/congestion

We are concerned that the City Deal Board has chosen to consider only some options for dealing with congestion, rather than look at the problem more holistically. The Congestion Control Points scheme would involve cameras with automatic number plate recognition located at fixed points in the city, and drivers passing those points in peak hours subject to a fine. This seems a very negative way of dealing with a problem and of raising funds. City Deal Board members decided not to ask the public to consider a peak time congestion charge at entry points to the city, which would generate income in a more transparent manner, and which could enable a free Park and Ride service as well subsidise good quality bus services in the wider area – including South Cambridgeshire.

Everyone seems to agree that congestion has become a debilitating problem for travel in and out of Cambridge, and that public transport leading into Cambridge is extremely limited for those without access to rail – and it is common knowledge that the council’s ability to subsidize bus services is now dwindling to almost nothing. It seems a huge lost opportunity not to put out as wide a range of strategic ideas as possible for public consideration.

BIZARRE BOUNDARIES: ALL MIXED-UP

If you are confused about the seemingly conflicting new boundaries proposed for our area, announced by the Boundary Commission, rest assured that you are not alone. In summary, there are three sets of boundaries in the process of being altered, and there are few consistencies.

County Council Division boundaries have now been announced: From the May 2017 elections, our area is split in two, with Melbourn and Meldreth joining Whaddon and Bassingbourn-cum-Kneesworth in a new ‘Melbourn/Bassingbourn Division’, while Shepreth, Foxton, Heydon and Great and Little Chishill move into a new ‘Duxford Division’ together with Fowlmere, Thriplow, Duxford, Whittlesford, Pampisford, Chrishall Grange, Ickleton and Hinxton.

District Council Ward boundaries are now being considered by the Boundary Commission, for change in 2018. Currently the proposal is for Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth and Whaddon to join into one two-member ward, and Foxton, Fowlmere, Heydon and Great and Little Chishill to join into one one-member ward.

Parliamentary boundary proposals, to take effect in 2018, have now been announced and are out for consultation until 5 December. These add yet another dimension to the mix: Melbourn, Great and Little Chishill, Heydon, Whaddon, Bassingbourn and Kneesworth and other villages from south-west South Cambridgeshire would join together with Royston and North Herts villages to form a new cross-county border constituency called ‘North East Hertfordshire.’ Other villages in our area would be part of a new ‘South Cambridgeshire’ constituency. More information about how to respond to the proposal is available here: https://www.bce2018.org.uk/node/6484?postcode=SG86NU

DEVOLUTION

While ‘devolution’ should mean giving more control to local people over managing their own affairs, things are not necessarily moving in that direction.

The district-wide consultation on the Cambridgeshire/Peterborough devolution proposal took place over the summer, and while residents were generally in favour of the principle of ‘devolution’, there was more ambivalence over the actual model being proposed, which is a combined Cambridgeshire and Peterborough authority and an elected mayor – the latter ironically creating a new layer of government and reducing influence of the County Council. It remains to be seen whether the various devolution packages being considered around the country will continue to have central government support.

MELDRETH 150 HOMES UPDATE

This speculative application for 150 homes on part of the Marley Eternit site in Whaddon Road is not aligned to the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan – meaning no connection between population growth and public infrastructure needs. A recent village-wide consultation was overwhelmingly against the planning application, which can be viewed in full at http://plan.scambs.gov.uk under planning reference S/1901/16/OL* .

Meldreth Parish Council has recommended refusal. If the scheme nevertheless gets planning permission and goes ahead, the impact on surrounding communities will be considerable. The Marley Eternit Working Group will now be assisting the Parish Council in assessing what those impacts would be and how they can be mitigated. If you would like to get involved, please do get in touch with Philippa.

RUN FOR ED: HALF-MARATHON AT WIMPOLE HALL

To support the MindEd Trust, whether you are up for running, directing traffic, handing out water or helping to take registrations, please join in supporting a half-marathon at Wimpole Hall on Sunday 9 October – starting at 8:30AM and finishing up by lunchtime.

All details about the event and how to sign up to participate in any way, plus information about the MindEd Trust, are here: http://hoohaah.co.uk/our-events/wimpole-half-marathon/. Around 600 runners are currently registered. These events are always great fun as many friends and people from across our community come together for a worthy cause.

A10 PEDESTRIAN/CYCLE PATH: NEXT WORKS

Work to complete the pedestrian/cycle path around Foxton Level Crossing is underway, after finally receiving permissions from Network Rail. This will take a total of six weeks. Then, in the last week of October, work is scheduled to begin at the Frog End/A10 junction on the upgraded pedestrian/cycle path leading into Melbourn along the Cambridge Road.

The next meeting of the A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign is due to take place at Royston Tesco – date now being finalized. Please let us know if you’d like to receive notification of details.

HEYDON TRAFFIC CONCERNS

Persistent concern over traffic speeding through Heydon, particularly on stretches of narrow road with no footways and along blind bends, was taken up last week with Heydon Parish Council and County Highways. There are no easy answers, but several ideas will be followed up by County Highways and brought to the next meeting of the Parish Council.

FUTURE OF THE BRITISH QUEEN

The British Queen pub in Meldreth has applied for planning permission to extend the pub premises and to convert an outbuilding into five overnight accommodation units and a barber shop. The planning application can be viewed online at http://plan.scambs.gov.uk under reference S/1555/16/FL*.

The British Queen hopes to increase the size of the kitchen and restaurant and, in particular, wishes to improve disabled access which is currently compromised by the small scale of doorways and other access points. Residents and their carers from nearby Meldreth Manor School would be able to visit with much less difficulty. If you wish to register your comments on this application, either follow the link online from the planning application, listed above, or write to Lydia Pravin, Planning Department, South Cambridgeshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, CB23 6EA, quoting the planning reference.

NATIONAL EYE HEALTH WEEK AND A PARALYMPIC SPORT COME TO MELBOURN

To raise awareness during National Eye Health Week, Warren Wilson will be at the Melbourn Hub Cafe for Camsight on Tuesday 27 September from 11-12. Anyone who’d like to drop by for a chat about Camsight’s rural support service in our area, for people living with Visual Impairment, would be very welcome.

Warren will be providing a Goalball demonstration at Melbourn Primary School in the morning and Melbourn Village College in the afternoon – and talking about his recent visit to the Paralympics in Rio, where Goalball featured in official competition.

SUPERFAST BROADBAND PROGRESS, SHEPRETH AND MELDRETH

There is progress to report for both Meldreth and Shepreth, following the Connecting Cambridgeshire team’s visit to parish council meetings in both villages earlier this month. All residents who have been in contact with the County Council about having been left out of Superfast Broadband roll-out should have received updates directly – these are posted for information at http://susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/2016/09/25/superfast-broadband-progress-meldreth-and-shepreth/#page-content

OIL CLUB

If you are new to the area or didn’t know about the Melbourn Division Oil Club, this may be of interest for anyone looking to reduce their household heating oil costs: A few years ago a bulk-buying club for household heating oil was set up for the Melbourn area villages. There is no joining fee and no requirement relating to frequency or volume of purchases. Anyone can sign up, and when you want to place an order you simply contact our bulk-buyer. More information about the scheme is posted here: http://susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/oil-club/. Our bulk buyer Jeremy Cole can be reached at Jeremy@agricole.co.uk, tel 01954 719 452 / 07860 904 045.

HATE CRIME FIGURES, SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE

This link from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Police documents a very concerning rise in hate crime in recent months: https://magic.piktochart.com/output/15635357-cambspeterb-hate-crime-2016. Please do not hesitate to contact the Police if you think you have experienced hate crime.

US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SUPPER CLUB, FOXTON

All welcome to hear Cambridge University historian Dr John Thompson speak about the forthcoming US Presidential Election, at a supper on October 21, 7 for 7:30, at Foxton Village Hall. Tickets are £15 per person, or £10 for students, with a homemade supper and dessert. Sponsored by the South Cambridgeshire Lib Dems. Please contact any of us for tickets.

DROP-IN ADVICE SURGERY

We are at the Melbourn Hub every first Monday of the month between 2:30-3:30. 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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