Community Newsletter
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Bassingbourn, Litlington, Melbourn, Meldreth and Whaddon Learn more
by Susan van de Ven on 13 June, 2022
District Elections Results: building on a successful four years
The South Cambs District Council elections on May 5th saw 37 Liberal Democrats and 8 Conservatives elected, making up a total of 45 seats on the council. Sally Ann and Jose were re-elected for the Melbourn Ward, which includes Medreth, Whaddon and Shepreth. Susan was elected for the Bassingbourn Ward, which includes Litlington, and continues as County Councillor for the Melbourn and Bassingbourn Division, including Meldreth and Whaddon. Peter continues as County Councillor for Shepreth and Foxton – and in Foxton, Fowlmere, Heydon & the Chishills, James Hobro was elected to the District Council. We’re delighted to see Cllr Bridget Smith return to the role of Leader for a council that has transformed in the past four years. https://www.scambs.gov.uk/our-district-election-results-2022/
Congrats and thanks to all – Jubilee Weekend
Such a palpable sense of appreciation and community across the villages this past weekend – and so much hard work by many to make it full of fun for all. Thank you!
Ukraine scheme
South Cambs has the highest number of Ukraine visa applications and host families of any district in the country. We would like to welcome all those people who have arrived at homes in our villages, and to thank their hosts, too. Both the District and County Councils are helping to coordinate efforts to support people seeking refuge from the war in Ukraine. The SCDC website contains a huge amount of practical information, from travel and transport assistance to applying for school places, and including a weekly e-newsletter to help keep up with a changing situation: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/community-safety-and-health/support-for-ukraine/
A spontaneous weekly meeting place for newly arrived people from Ukraine and their local hosts has been organized at Meldreth Holy Trinity Church meeting room – please just turn up between 3-4 on Tuesday afternoons. It’s been great to meet people from all around the villages – everyone welcome, and you don’t need to be a formal host to come along. If you’d like to provide some kind of practical support to Ukraine guests, for example lifts and transport connections, do please get in touch.
Increased Guest Payments, Homes for Ukraine scheme
The Government scheme provides £200 per guest as a one-off payment to help with essential costs as guest arrive, though guidance gives flexibility to local authorities to decide what additional support may be needed. Hosts and guests in our district have fed back that guests are running out of money in their first month while longer-term arrangements are being established – whether that is applying for Universal Credit or finding work, both of which can have a lead-in time of a number of weeks before an initial payment is made. In response to this feedback, SCDC is adding a further £150 payment to each guest – totalling £350 per guest.
Hosts whose guests have received the previous £200 payment are being emailed with information about how guests can access a £150 top-up. Guests who have not yet received the historical £200 payment will receive the new amount of £350 in one payment. Guests or hosts with any urgent questions about guest payments can contact the team on ukrainepayments@scambs.gov.uk.
Cambridge Refugee Action Group
Local residents are involved in supporting a variety of international refugee efforts. If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to contact Meldreth resident Cathy Walston for Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign (CRRC) and CamCRAG (Cambridge Convoy Refugee Action Group). Cathy can be reached at catharine.walston@cambridgerefugees.org, and here’s the CamCRAG website: https://camcrag.org.uk/ and the CRRC website: https://www.cambridgerefugees.org/
Empty homes?
Thank you to residents who have told us about homes that stand empty or abandoned. Where there is an environmental hazard to neighbours, we seek assistance from SCDC Environmental Health, though action is not straightforward. SCDC is in the process of appointing an officer specifically to address wider issues around empty homes.
Hedges, trees and pavements: Knutsford Road Sheltered Housing
Keeping hedges cut back is the responsibility of residents, as set out in tenancy agreements – but please would residents contact Paula Shepherd, Sheltered Housing Estate Manager at South Cambs, if you are having difficulty managing this. Paula.Shepherd@scambs.gov.uk 07712 410397. The very large trees on the largest area of green space in Knutsford Road are due to be cut back after nesting season
As with any faulty pavements, it’s important that faulty pavement surfaces around Knutsford Road Sheltered Housing be reported on the Cambs Highways Fault Reporting Site. Because a number of tenants do not have internet access, this is a call to other Bassingbourn residents who might regularly walk through the Knutsford Rd path network to be alert to faults – and if so, to please report them at https://highwaysreporting.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/
Victoria Way Melbourn – unfinished business
Thanks for questions from residents in Victoria Way’s new development for queries on the unfinished state of the highway, including pavement and road surfaces. Until the contractor completes its required list, the highway cannot be adopted. Cambridgeshire County Council has confirmed that it is its intention to adopt Victoria Way.
Unfortunately, streetlights were not part of the developer’s plans and we’ve had confirmation from the County Council that it will not be adding streetlights as part of its adoption process – there is no requirement for it to do so.
Foul water sewerage is due to be adopted by Anglian Water. We have sought clarity from Anglian Water on the completion of Section 104 agreements that are a requirement for foul water sewage adoption – Anglian Water is now awaiting action from the developer.
If any resident experiences any difficulty or injury due to the unfinished state of the highway, please do let Granary Developments know directly. Sally Ann and Jose will gladly try and find answers to any further questions.
Sheen Farm, Litlington – update
The long wait on progress at Sheen Farm, Royston Road Litlington has been queried: Susan is in contact with the planning officer, the developer and the housing officer, and will provide an update at the next parish council meeting on 14 June and will be happy to share her written report.
Pavement slurry sealing
Footway slurry sealing is taking place this year along the following roads in Bassingbourn: Walnut Tree Close, The Fillance, Elm Tree Drive, Clarkes Way and Wilmott Road. This is a process where a thin layer of tarmac is spread across the footway to preserve it and even out minor undulations.
Prior to this treatment, any degraded sections of footway are marked up for patching repairs to make them suitable to receive a layer of slurry shortly afterwards.
Another request for Meldreth High Street and Fenny Lane
The condition of these roads is such that motor vehicles and bicycles alike must swerve from one side of the road to the other in order to avoid potholes and slits. We regularly request that these stretches are added to the surface treatment list – for which there is a long queue, in the wake of many years of neglect and underfunding. That request has recently been renewed.
Reminder: Melbourn to Meldreth Underpass Survey
For the multitude of people walking everyday between the villages, whether on their way to the station, to Melbourn Village College, for work, shopping or to visit friends and family, or to walk the dog, please let us know how best the environment along the path might be improved at the A10 underpass. This project is being sponsored by several organizations and has had lots of good ideas from Melbourn Village College students. Consultation closes June 18th.
Health at the Hub 25 June
All welcome on 25 June, 10-2, at the Melbourn Community Hub, where the increasing variety of public and community health offerings at the Hub will on display. The Hub has teamed up with the Meridien Primary Care Network – consisting of Orchard Surgery, Roysia and the Health Centre in Royston, Harston, Comberton and Bourn surgeries – to alleviate pressure on GP practice premises and bring health and wellbeing services into the community.
These include NHS Health Checks, which are a public health provision that can identify signs of cardiovascular disease and other preventable conditions. The Hub has previously hosted winter flu shots, breast cancer awareness raising, dementia support, mental health information. Any questions, please contact Jose.
More Covid vaccinations at the Hub
The Melbourn Community Hub will be hosting another Covid vaccination event on the 27th June 10am – 6pm. Information leaflets will also be available at all the surgeries in the Meridian Primary Care Network group, listed above.
Healthwatch: patient advocacy for health and social care
We’re painfully aware that some residents are facing a very difficult time accessing the health and social care they need. Healthwatch is a statutory organisation that exists to make sure your voice is heard – and there’s lots of support and signposting available too. Susan is currently working with Healthwatch to clarify service and support for Cambs residents registered with out-of-county based GP practices like Bassingbourn. Roysia and Royston Health Centre in fact fall within Cambridgeshire’s health footprint. https://www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk/
Health and Social Care Reforms: what’s changing in the NHS?
The King’s Fund has managed to condense health and social care reforms into a clever five-minute video: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/audio-video/how-does-nhs-in-england-work
Set up or promote a village market?
South Cambs District Council is actively encouraging potential traders and market organisers to have a go at setting up new markets, using the ‘market toolkit’ now available on the SCDC website. SCDC is also encouraging existing traders and organisers to join the on-line directories which list established or newly launched markets and the details of individual stallholders. All information is here: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/business/south-cambridgeshire-markets
Any parish, community organisations or local businesses wishing to begin a market of their own is welcome to contact SCDC for further support at businesssupportkeyprojects@scambs.gov.uk
Peter McDonald, who leads on business at SCDC, writes: “Throughout South Cambridgeshire, there are several established markets running, but we believe there is scope for many more. Whether it be artisan products on offer, an array of street food trucks or an eco-product focused market, we want to hear from potential market organisers around the district – let us know if you want to start a new market and ask how we can help!”
The Council’s new Street Trading Policy came into effect on March 1 and aims to ensure the same standards apply to street vendors across the district whilst the needs of local residents are considered and shoppers are protected in relation to food hygiene, safety and other important areas.
Business Support webinar: attracting and retaining staff
South Cambs District Council’s Business Support service, free to all, runs a series of free webinars, next June 15 on attracting and retaining staff – a key area of concern for many employers these days. Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-attract-and-retain-the-best-people-for-your-jobs-tickets-310325962307
Police drop-in surgery Melbourn Hub June 22
Anyone with a Police related query is welcome to speak to a member of the team at their Melbourn Hub drop-in surgery on June 22, 10:30-12:00.
Please note that if you would like to report any matter to the Police, you can do so in confidence at https://www.cambs.police.uk/report/ – either by phone or in written form.
Turtles raise £695 for Home-Start: thank you
Whaddon, Melbourn, Meldreth, Harston and Bassingbourn parish, district and county councillors, joined by the Chair of South Cambs District mCouncil and two members of the public, would like to thank everyone who supported their swimathon in aid of Home-Start South Cambridgeshire, Royston and Buntingford. £695 has been raised to help support young families in crisis. https://visufund.com/charities/home-start-royston-buntingford-and-south-cambridgeshire
Please Try the Train – and train and station news
The Meldreth Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group met in the week that weekday train services were brought back to half-hourly all day. This is a hugely positive step forward and we’d not been expecting quite this level of improvement, so soon. We have been given sight of performance data which indicates that service reliability is steadily improving, as workforce builds back. It’s essential, if we’re to retain the service into the future, that ridership continues to grow. Please, if you’ve gone out of the habit of using the train during the pandemic, do opt to try it out!
We queried the worrying state of the Shepreth Station building fabric and will be investigating further with the help of Network Rail and GTR. A big thank you as always to all our volunteers from our station gardening group who tend constantly to the upkeep of the station tubs, including the task of keeping them replanted as the seasons change, and fed and watered during the summer.
The Rail User Group will meet in person on September 15, 7:30PM, venue to be announced.
So many transport consultations! What should I watch out for and respond to?
Perhaps not surprisingly given big shortcomings in travel and transport, and also the crowded and confusing configuration of local government, there’s a maze of transport consultations currently underway.
‘The Local Transport and Connectivity Plan’, hosted by the Mayor and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. This preliminary stage of consultation is meant for key stakeholders including parish councils and transport campaign groups; a wider public consultation will follow. The consultation is broken into geographic areas; for us this is ‘Greater Cambridge,’ meaning Cambridge and South Cambs. Please note it’s essential to make the case for widening the area of focus to include all our villages, not just those near Cambridge. Melbourn, Whaddon, Bassingbourn and Litlington do not figure on the map. We’d also suggest that attention should be given to accessibility at Shepreth and Meldreth Stations. Closing 4 August. https://yourltcp.co.uk/greater-cambridge/
‘A new road Classification for Cambridge,’ hosted by the Greater Cambridge Partnership. This seeks to reset the current A&B road network and creat a reconfiguration to allow and protect different modes of transport along different streets, including transport for people with impaired mobility. Closing 18 July. https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/road-network-hierarchy-2022
‘Cambourne to Cambridge’ project seeking to provide public and active travel connection from ‘C2C’. This may be of interest if you have family in or travel to work in Cambourne. Hosted by the Greater Cambridge Partnership and closing July 11. https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/c2c-eia-2022
Household Support Grant extension
Support for people who are struggling to pay for essential items, food and utility bills will continue in Cambridgeshire thanks to an extension of the Household Support Fund.
In March the Government announced the extension of the scheme, which initially ran between November and March, awarding Cambridgeshire an additional £3.58million to support children, families and pensioners.
Government guidance for this round is slightly different, so as a result, the County Council will be offering the following schemes using the funding:
The County Council is partnering with Age UK to provide financial support for those of state pension age who are in financial need. People will also be offered wider support, such as access to benefits, support with securing the right energy tariff etc, to support them to manage their finances independently longer term. https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus/household-support-fund
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has announced that the government’s new £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme is now open for grant applications and payments. Homeowners can now benefit from £5,000 grants to fit clean heating systems when they come to replace their oil and gas boilers. This includes clean heating systems installed from 1 April this year. Heat pumps are now much cheaper and more competitively priced against gas and oil boilers, and closer to the cost of installing a traditional gas boiler. The scheme will improve the energy efficiency of homes, reduce energy bills and cut emissions in the long-term. The scheme has a committed budget of £450 million over three years from 2022-2025, and property owners will be able to get:
| · £5,000 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump · £5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler · £6,000 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump To check if you are eligible: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-may-be-eligible-for-the-boiler-upgrade-scheme-from-april-2022 |
‘What makes a home?’
Every June is Gypsy and Roman Traveller History Month. Through celebration, education and raising awareness, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month helps to tackle prejudice, challenge myths and to amplify the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in wider society.
South Cambs Magazine – did you receive it?
The South Cambs Magazine, containing key information about district council public services and opportunities, is posted to every household in South Cambridgeshire four times per year. All residents should have received the summer issue by Saturday 4 June. If you’ve not received your copy, please let us know, or please contact scdc@smartdistribution.co.uk and please indicate your full address and postcode.
You can also read the magazine on-line – but the paper copy is important for those without internet access. https://www.scambs.gov.uk/your-council-and-democracy/south-cambs-magazine/the-south-cambs-magazine/
Zoom Cuppa Surgeries move to Mondays 5-6PM
If you’d like to meet with your councillors by Zoom, to bring any concerns or ask any questions, please come along to our weekly Zoom Cuppa Surgery, now on Mondays from 5-6 PM. Please contact Sally Ann for a link: Sallyannhart@riskingonpurpose.com.
Anything we can help with? Issues we can raise?
We would be delighted to address any concerns you may have or help raise awareness of issues affecting our community via this newsletter. Any questions or concerns, please contact us any time – details below.
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. Learn more about or join the Liberal Democrats at http://www.libdems.org.uk.
Sincerely yours,
Sally Ann Hart, District Councillor for Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth and Whaddon
sallyannhart@riskingonpurpose.com, Tel 07791 233303
Jose Hales, District Councillor for Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth and Whaddon
jose@josehales.me.uk, Tel 01763 221058
Susan van de Ven, County Councillor for Bassingbourn, Melbourn, Meldreth and Whaddon and District Councillor for Bassingbourn and Litlington,
susanvandeven5@gmail.com, www.susanvandeven.com, Tel 07905 325574
Peter McDonald, County Councillor for Shepreth, Foxton, Heydon, the Chishills and the Duxford Division villages, Peter.mcdonald@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, Tel 07912 669092
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