A local primary school headteacher writes: My school can’t get a cleaner. As I am the headteacher, this is a big problem for me. It’s a long story. It begins with the Government’s slow strangulation of local authorities as suppliers of school services, resulting in the eventual closure of CCS, Cambridgeshire Cleaning Services, leaving dozens […]

Letter to Govia Thameslink Railway: Dear Katherine, Keith and Stuart Thank you Katherine for your reply to my email of June 8, on behalf of Charles Horton. We are pleased to know that Karen Gregson and Marc Edwards will attend the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group meeting on 27 June. Yes, we will […]

Charles Horton Chief Executive Officer, Govia Thameslink Railway   Dear Mr Horton, As Chair of the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group, I write to you on behalf of a large community of rail users from these stations who depend on GTR in order to reach jobs and education in Cambridge, London, and all […]

County Councillor Annual Report 2018 The council make-up is 36 Conservatives, 14 Lib Dems, 7 Labour, 4 Independents.  My main responsibility is on the Health Committee, where we scrutinize Cambs NHS budgets and oversee the council’s Public Health function.  This provides a fascinating window on demographic trends.  I also chair a steering group for bus […]

Liberal Democrat Community Newsletter We are writing to you, as 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 […]

Nigel Cathcart’s characterisation of the Battle of the Rouses in the current issue of the Bassingbourn Village Voice is, unfortunately, apt. This is a battle for a key piece of land.  In my view it has nothing to do with building essential housing.  Rather, it is the County Council looking to squeeze money out of […]

Extra pairs of hands to help litter pick along the A10 path would be hugely appreciated – a few of us will be meeting on April 22, 2PM, armed with litter picking devices and South Cambs District Council coming to collect the bags the next day. Meet at the A10 layby just south of Foxton […]

From Sebastian Kindersley, my colleague in neighbouring villages.  You can see the illustrated version on Facebook. “There has been a great deal local concern about potholes. We too share the frustration, anger and vehicle damage that so many residents have experienced. 1) Why so many potholes? I’ll start with some background. Every year all roads […]

I’ve submitted the following question for next week’s council meeting: The Combined Authority Strategic Bus Review paper considered in November 2017 states that: ‘Buses provide vital services to our communities. They have the potential to provide economic and social benefits by connecting people with jobs, shops and facilities; they can minimise social isolation; and can […]

A local independent shoe shop’s chances of survival: talking to my neighbour Sarah Decent, owner of Modish Shoe Shop in Green Street Cambridge.  Why World Trade Organization rules would mean shutting her business.