Friends of Arbury Library AGM (Tonight!)

The Friends of Arbury Library group is holding its AGM tonight at 7pm in the Arbury Community Centre - please come along if you'd like to contribute!

If you can't make it you can visit the Friends of Arbury Library website here;

http://friendsofarburylibrary.blogspot.com/

City Council Celebrates Success Of Apprenticeship Scheme

Cambridge City Council is celebrating the success of its apprenticeship scheme after eight young people achieved their qualifications.

The young people, aged between 17 and 23, have been awarded their NVQ Level 2 award in Cleansing and Support Services.

They were recruited in two phases under an apprenticeship scheme run by the city council in partnership with cutting edge training company, Nordic Pioneer.

Working with the council’s Street and Open Spaces service delivery team, the apprentice tackled jobs around the city such as removing graffiti, flytipping and flyposting and cleaning up commons and cemeteries.  

Cllr Jean Swanson (LD,
Queen Edith's Ward)

The scheme was partly funded with £10,000 raised from Fixed Penalty Notices issued for environmental crime such as dropping littler, graffiti and fly-tipping.

The scheme ties in with the national drive to expand apprenticeships after the coalition government gave an extra £50,000 over four years to create 250,000 more apprenticeships.

Cambridge City Executive Councillor for Waste and Environmental Services, Jean Swanson said: We are very pleased with the success of the Cleansing Apprenticeship Scheme.

“We worked with Nordic Pioneer to shape the programme to include some basic grounds maintenance activities to bring some extra variety to the programme and introduce other useful skills.

“Two apprentices have continued to work with us, when required through an agency and they are keen to apply for positions should vacancies arise.”

The scheme is being evaluated it is anticipated there will be enough in the council’s budget to recruit another group of apprentices.

Councillors Allowances: Your Chance To Stop The Raise!

The public meeting on Councillors Allowances is scheduled for tonight at 18:30 at Anglia Ruskin University in the Centre of Cambridge.

The link with details (and a map to the venue, which is copied below) is;

Councillors Allowances Review

Alternatively if you want to have your say electronically you can always use the on-line form;

Councillors Allowances Survey

I cannot stress enough; this is your only chance to stop Councillors getting a ridiculous pay rise. As the Conservatives have previously demonstrated whatever the "Independent" panel suggests; they will vote for. This is your chance to help steer the panels recommendation in the way most people want.

Anglia Ruskin University, Lord Ashcroft Building, Lab 003 - Venue Map

City’s £30,000 Training Scheme To Help Young Unemployed

A £30,000 training scheme to help unemployed young people find work has been launched by Cambridge City Council and backed by MP Julian Huppert.

Five young people, aged between 16 and 21 will be offered paid six month traineeships with voluntary and community organisations which are in partnership with the city council.

The Young Project Workers Scheme will offer responsibility, some training and a positive short-term work placement to include on their CVs.

Support group, Young Lives will organise and run the scheme and trainees will be paid £6 an hour, just above the National Minimum Wage, for 22.5 hours a week.

Cllr Tim Bick
(LD, Market Ward)

Tim Bick, Cambridge City Executive Councillor for Community Development said: “Young people are having a particularly hard time trying to break into the job market and we hope this project will offer a chance to gain worthwhile skills to help make that task easier. Getting that first positive experience onto a CV can often be the most difficult obstacle to get past.

“It is designed to benefit the young people by offering them short-term employment on specific projects, gaining skills which will hopefully help them to find jobs

“At the same time, voluntary and community organisations will benefit from the extra staffing to develop or enhance a short-term project.”

Cambridge City Council is hoping the scheme can be combined with the government’s Youth Contract programme which offers 12 months subsidised placements, but only if the minimum wage level is maintained.

Julian Huppert, who won government backing this week for Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats’ scheme to provide free transport for young people searching for education, training or work, has applauded the Lib Dem controlled City Council for taking the initiative with this training project.

He said: “This is an excellent scheme. It has the potential not only to support young people who are finding it difficult to get onto the job ladder, but also community and voluntary organisations who have been struggling in these harsh economic times.

“Anything we can do to give young people the support and help they need to break into the job market is extremely worthwhile. I am delighted that Liberal Democrats on Cambridge City Council  have recognised the struggle facing our young people and taken positive action to tackle it head on.”

Fire Appliances Gather Dust As Tory Tries To Block Safety Report

Cllr Nigel Bell

Two Cambridgeshire fire appliances, which cost taxpayers £1.2 million more than two years ago, are still inoperative as a leading Tory fights to delay consideration of a report into their safety and suitability.

The appliances, one based at Cambridge and the other at Standground in Peterborough have never been officially put into service because of a series of mechanical and design faults.

But as an investigation is underway into the safety and viability of the Combined Aerial Rescue Appliances, Cllr Roy Pegram, chairman of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority is trying to delay the examination of a report into the study’s findings.

He has raised a discussion paper for the authority’s meeting on Thursday (February 23) calling on the service to retain the appliances and delaying examination of the investigation report until April 2013.

This would tie the hands of the new Fire Authority which will be elected in May 2013 leaving them no room for manoeuvre on the issue.

Cambridgeshire County Councillor, Lib Dem Fiona Whelan and a Conservative member are carrying out the investigation into the appliances.

Cllr Whelan said: “There are major concerns about these appliances and we are carrying out a full investigation to see whether they are fit for purpose.

“These CARAs have been backwards and forwards for repair and have never been officially put into service. The engine for Cambridge has only 800 miles on the clock.

“We need to allow the full results of this investigation to be discussed as soon as possible to protect the safety of our fire fighters. Their safety and that of the public has to be our number one priority”

Nigel Bell, Lib Dem leader on the fire authority said: “There is absolutely no reason to delay the report into this investigation for a year. These engines have been paid for out of public money and we need to know whether they can be put into service.

“The safety concerns are of paramount importance and we need to know what we are dealing with. Leaving them gathering dust for another year does not make economic sense.”

Lib Dems Condemn Emergency Fire Cover Cuts Fearing Safety Risk

Cllr Nigel Bell
(LD, Ely North and East)

Plans which could see cuts to emergency fire cover, if more than the already planned £4.2 million savings are required over the next four years, have been condemned by Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats.

They fear lives could be at risk after Tories on Cambridgeshire Fire Authority endorsed potential plans for sweeping cuts to front line services across the county.

And they claim the Tories have made these cuts inevitable by setting council tax rises at 2.5 per cent, well below current inflation levels.

“We condemn these cuts completely as they would lead to the downgrading or closure of fire stations, a reduction in fire fighters and fire appliances and an increase in emergency response times,” said Nigel Bell, Lib Dem Leader on the Fire Authority. “We have a moral duty to protect the public and these cuts are unacceptable and could cost lives.

“The Tory members have made these cuts inevitable by their insistence on setting council tax rises at well below inflation. We proposed an extra one per cent, or one pence a week, council tax rise which could have been sufficient to make these cuts unnecessary; but the Tories members rejected this at the fire authority meeting last week.”

If the cuts go-ahead they will include:

• downgrading Huntingdon Fire Station to day crew only; 
• removing second fire engines from Ramsey and St Ives; 
• closing Manea fire station and removing the fire engine;
• removing the second fire engines from Soham and Ely, removing either Burwell or Swaffham’s fire engine and removing the retained service fire engines from Thorney or Gamlingay.

 "People's lives will be put at risk by these cuts and the blame must largely fall on Tory Fire Authority Members for keeping council tax rises well below inflation,” said Cllr Bell. "We can only hope that the Government's grant to Cambridgeshire's Fire Service is fairer for the next two years and that the very worst of these cuts can then be avoided."

Government Backs Lib Dems' Free Transport For Young People

MP Julian Huppert has won government support for Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats’ plan to provide free transport for young people to help them find education, training or work.

Transport Minister, Norman Baker told Parliament that he would urge Cambridgeshire County Council and other councils across the country to look very carefully at the idea.

His support came after Julian raised a question today (Thursday, February 23) in the House of Commons.

Julian said: “Liberal Democrat Councillors on Cambridgeshire County Council have proposed a fully funded scheme that would provide free public transport for 16-19-year-olds seeking education, employment or training. Would the minister support such a scheme and encourage Cambridgeshire and other councils to look very carefully at such an idea?”

Mr Baker said: “I certainly would, and I welcome this initiative. The clear reality is such  that some councils up and down the country are providing support for young people to get to education in a way that is better than some other councils.

“This is largely a matter for local authorities. Good practice is out there and should be replicated wherever possible.”

Cambridgeshire Lib Dems outlined their free transport plans in their alternative budget for the Tory-run Cambridgeshire County Council.

Julian said later: “The government’s recognition of the value of this scheme not only to young people in Cambridgeshire but across the country generally is testament to the hard work and thought that has gone into it from the county’s Lib Dems.

“We recognise that we must do everything we can to help our young people access education, training and work. That means removing hurdles such as expensive transport costs so that they can get to training placements and job interviews.

“This scheme has so much to recommend it and I hope Cambridgeshire Conservatives will look at it closely and realise how it could make all the difference to giving our young people a brighter future.”

Cambridgeshire Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson, Susan van de Ven, said: “I am delighted that the government has recognised the value of this scheme to our young people and the benefits it could bring nationally.

“Our young people are the future of this country but if they cannot find education, training or work our future is looking extremely bleak.

“We want to try to remove some of the problems that are holding them back and providing free transport will go some way to doing that. “

Street Lighting PFI: Coming To A Street Near You

Cambridgeshire County Council has signed a private finance initiative (PFI) with Balfour Beatty to replace and upgrade all the street lights across Cambridgeshire.

As you can imagine that's quite a large undertaking and the process of updating all the lights isn't going to be done quickly, and it isn't going to be done everywhere all at once.

Councillors received a presentation on the project which I've attached, as with all PFI schemes the cost over the long term to the County is quite significant, but the savings brought about by replacing the existing lights, cutting 10% of the number of street lights, and by dimming the lights early in the morning.

The most interesting slide is the one showing the difference in the type and spread of light coming from the new lights;

Old and New Street Lighting Changes

A scan of the booklet that Balfour Beatty have been circulating to residents is available here if you'd like more information from the suppliers (including their customer service helpline number 0800 7838247). They have also created a website with more information;

http://www.lightingcambridgeshire.com/

The original presentation to County Councillors is available here. If you have any questions/ concerns please let me know.

Have Your Say On County Councillors Allowances

With the City Council both freezing its Council Tax and freezing the allowances paid to City Councillors it is troubling that the County Council is still running a "public consultation" exercise on the current levels of remuneration for County Councillors.

As you know the previous "Independent Remuneration Panel" (IRP) advised the Council that Councillors were being drastically underpaid and deserved an absolutely obscene 25% pay rise - a pay rise the vast majority of the Conservative group then voted to accept.

The Panel was ruled to have been illegal constituted and the pay rise was consequently thrown out.

This is the Conservatives second attempt to get more money - oh and in case you were wondering if it really was about more money yesterday the Conservative Group voted through a budget which includes an extra 100k pre-allocated for the rise (clearly they are expecting the panel to just rubber-stamp the previous conclusion!).

If you would like to have your say on-line then the link is below;

http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/involved/allowances

There is also going to be a public meeting in the Centre of Cambridge at the Anglia Ruskin University Campus Lord Ashcroft Building from 6.30pm on the 27 February.

If you would like to come to the public meeting the above link also includes directions.

This is *your* chance to have your say, the IRP will be producing recommendations and they will be voted on at Full Council AND, with a clear Conservative Majority, whatever the Conservative group decides to do with the recommendation will be what happens.

Huppert Fights For Better Education For Disadvantaged Youngsters

MP Julian Huppert has struck out in Parliament for better education for youngsters from poorer families.

He wants more help for pupils in receipt of free school meals and those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds to reach their full potential.

Julian spoke out during Questions in the House of Commons yesterday (Monday, February 20) saying that the new director of the Office of Fair Access, Professor Les Ebdon had a great deal of work to do to balance improved access and high standards.

And he paid tribute to Cambridge’s three “excellent universities” saying it was a privilege to represent them.

Julian asked Business Secretary, Vince Cable: “Will my right honorable friend assure me that Professor Ebdon will get full governmental support in his role, particularly from the Department of Education, because far too many pupils, particularly those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds and those who receive free school meals, are still not given the chance to reach their full potential while they are at school?”

Dr Cable acknowledged that the problem is frequently found in schools and he said that the Lib Dem’s Pupil Premium, which provides schools with money to help youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds, will raise standards.

Later Julian said: “It is vital that we have a level playing field so that no child is disadvantaged because of his or her background.

“We must do everything we can to ensure that standards are high in our schools for every child and that every young person has a chance to access the top universities.

“Unfortunately, at the moment schools are not doing enough to encourage youngsters from black and ethnic minority backgrounds to apply for the top universities and that needs to change.”

The full text of Julian’s question reads: “I have the privilege of representing three excellent universities. Clearly, the head of OFFA has a lot of work to do to balance improved access and high standards. Will my right honorable friend assure me that Professor Ebdon will get full governmental support in his role, particularly from the Department of Education, because far too many pupils, particularly those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds and those who receive free school meals, are still not given the chance to reach their full potential while they are at school?

Huppert Backs New Laws For Road Safety

Julian Huppert, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, has sponsored an attempt to change the law to improve road safety.

The ten minute rule motion moved by John Leech, Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Manchester Withington, would introduce a whole range of measures to improve road safety, as well as encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport by children to and from school.

The news comes just two days before Julian Huppert’s Parliamentary debate on cycling, which has gained huge support from cross-party politicians and the media.

The proposed Bill would include: eye tests for driving license renewal; tougher rules for drink drivers; punishment for turning back mileometers; the promotion of cycling and walking; and support for children using public transport to get to school.

Julian Huppert said “for far too long Governments have failed to deal with the difficult issues around road safety. Innocent bystanders are still killed by drink drivers, it’s still legal to turn back an odometer and there’s far too little support for cycling and walking.

The Government’s recent decision to maintain frequent MOTs was welcome; as was the extra £15 million for cycling and walking announced by Lib Dem Minister Norman Baker MP. But much more should be done. There are still close to 600 injuries on our roads every day and 1,850 deaths a year.

Each of these measures will go a long way to bringing these numbers down. It’s very important that we look at the promotion of cycling and walking, as well as tougher measures to prevent accidents. I hope that the government will consider this package of reforms as soon as possible.”

City Councillors Vote On Spending Plans And Tax Freeze

Cllr Catherine Smart
(LD, Romsey)

Cambridge City Councillors will vote this week on their spending plans for the coming year and a move to freeze council tax for residents.

The ruling Liberal Democrat group has put together a budget which safeguards the city’s basic services and protects services for the vulnerable while at the same time pushing ahead with its vision for the city’s future.

But it has been a careful balancing act against a backdrop of a 23 per cent reduction in the council’s government grant over the next two years.

Despite funding restraints, the Lib Dems have identified £1.2 million worth of savings for 2012/13 rising to £1.4 million in later years.

And the council is planning to give grants to help people insulate their homes and to increase plastic recycling.

There are also plans to fund a restorative justice scheme for low-level offending where victims and offenders agree. This scheme will be similar to those in other parts of the country which have been successful in cutting re-offending.

The Lib Dems will ask their Cambridge City Council colleagues to vote for their budget on Thursday (February 23).

Catherine Smart, Cambridge City Council Deputy Leader said: “This budget has not been easy but it has been made easier by the hard work and the robust programme of savings put in place last year.

“This means we have been able to protect those of our services used by vulnerable people, invest in our basic services so the city is kept safe and clean, and to make sure that we get right those things where we only have one chance to get it right.

“And fortunately because we have been prudent, we can take the council tax freeze the government is offering which will bring some relief to people whose finances are stretched.”

Liberal Democrat City Councillors Call For Pay Freeze For Councillors

A pay freeze for Cambridge City Councillors is on the cards after Lib Dems stepped in to halt an increase in their allowances.

The move would save taxpayers £26,000 this year.

Cllr McGovern

Cambridge City Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources, Neil McGovern said: “It was agreed last year our allowance scheme should be carried over for a further year while allowing for an inflationary increase.

“But clearly a great deal has changed in the last year and this is the wrong time for councillors to take even an inflation linked pay rise. People are losing their jobs and struggling to make ends meet and we are looking for any savings that we can make to ease the burden on our taxpayers.”

The recommendation to allow the allowance scheme to carry over for 2012/13 was made by the council’s Civic Affairs Committee in March last year.

But Cllr McGovern will tell full council on February 23 that the inflationary increase should not be taken.

E-Cops - We need you...

...to tell us what you think about eCops. How can we make it better?

eCops is undergoing a well deserved review with the aim of improving the service we provide and we need to know what you think.

Your views are important to us and we’ll be using the results of this survey to enhance and develop how we communicate with you. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated, so please take the time to complete this short survey and help us improve our eCops service.

Kind regards,
The eCops Development Team

NB. Survey closes Sunday, February 26

http://www.cambs-police.co.uk/survey/ecops/web/ecops.htm - eCops survey
http://www.cambs-police.co.uk/survey/ecops/smartphone/ecopssmart.htm - eCops survey; Mobile version (iPhone, PDA, Android smartphone and Blackberry v6.0)
-

Huppert’s Victory In Fight To Save Mobility Allowance For Disabled

MP Julian Huppert is celebrating victory after Cambridge people living in residential care have been told they will still be able to keep the benefits that allow them to get out and about.

Julian has fought to save the Mobility Allowance, a component of the Disabled Living Allowance, which allows disabled people to pay for taxis and other transport.

He called on Minister for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith and Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller to rethink moves by the government to take away the benefits in 2014/15.

Julian had been contacted by a number of constituents who were concerned that the changes would seriously affect family members living in residential care who needed transport to attend social events and other activities.

He said: “I am delighted that the government has changed its mind on this issue. Taking away this benefit could have had a serious impact on some of Cambridge’s most vulnerable residents.

“The Mobility Allowance is a lifeline for disabled people and without it many could be confined to home with no opportunity to socialise or enjoy any independence. “

Young People Would Get Free Transport Under £80,000 Scheme

Young people looking for education, training or employment would be entitled to free transport under an £80,000 scheme proposed by Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats.

The scheme would be run by Cambridgeshire County Council Locality Teams and would cover all forms of public transport.

Cllr van de Ven

Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport, Susan van de Ven said, “Young people face unprecedented pressures, and the prohibitive cost of transport can be a blockade to opportunity.

“It is unfortunate that the county council not only fails to provide supported transport for young people in this situation, but is actually planning to cut 100 per cent of subsidised bus services.

“Our modest proposal would ensure that every young person seeking education, training and employment would be given a helping hand with making that first step.

"We believe that the principle of wider access to public transport for young people should be developed much further.”

The proposal has been inspired by the train operating company First Capital Connect, which is currently working with the Department for Work and Pensions on a scheme to allow people on Job Seeker’s Allowance free travel to job interviews and forthe first month of employment, when arranged through Job Centre Plus.

Councillor van de Ven added: “In rural areas, some parish councils and community transport providers are already supporting very localised transport schemes for young people. The county council should be playing a leading role in facilitating access and mobility for young people who need it most.”

Reporting Highways Issues to Cambridgeshire County Council

Following on from the recent cold weather and the County Council's decision to increase maintenance funding for work on the highways it seems to be a good time for a reminder of the best way to report highways issues.

The first point to make is that "highways" is not just roads. Highways covers roads, paths (both those bordering the road and, potentially, those off-road paths like the Spine) it also covers the state of roundabouts, signage, and (amongst other things) public rights of way.

To report an issue you can call the County Councils Highways Agency on 0345 045 5212, or write to them at;
Cambridgeshire Highways
CC1305
Castle Court
Shire Hall
Castle Hill
Cambridge
CB3 0AP

Alternatively, and this is the Councils preferred option, you can report an issue online via the County Councils website via the URL;

http://goo.gl/9wMHL

The website presents you with a fairly simple form which you can either choose "Report with a map" or report by just entering the details.

If you choose to "Report with a map" you will be presented with the following page;

Reporting a Highways Problem on CCC Website

The first step is to pick the type of problem you are reporting;

• Bridges
• Material on the highway (debris, a shredded tire from a HGV, spilt load from a lorry, etc)
• Public rights of way
• Roads and pavement surfaces
• Sign, bollard and furniture (street furniture, barriers, lighting, etc)
• Traffic lights
• Traffic management
• Tree issues

I've included a brief explanation for the items where I don't feel their explanation is immediately clear. Once you've picked the type of problem you need to report you need to pick where the issue is, just type in your street name and you will be presented with all the occurrences of your street across Cambridgeshire, pick the correct one and it will be shown on the map.

The map (at the top right) will then show you the area you have selected including any existing open issues the County is aware of.

It's worth noting that if it's not shown on the screen then the County Council is not aware of it (or were aware of it and it's already been fixed) - this is a direct view to their internal systems.

When you've selected a location, enter a bit more detail (like "in the middle of the road" for a pothole) click "Continue".

You will now be presented with a "Describe the problem" page;

Describing A Highways Problem

On this page you need to pick one of the following options describing your problem (these are dependant on the type of problem you picked earlier). For example for a highways issue the available "problem details" are;

• Flooding/ standing water
• Footway pothole/ trip
• Grass needs cutting
• Kerb damage
• Manholes and gratings
• Overgrown weeds
• Overhanging vegetation
• Road pothole
• Roots damaging surface

It's important to give as much detail as possible in the report. It's very frustrating (both for officers and the person reporting an issue) if they turn up to a site but can't find the source of the problem as there isn't enough information here. 

When you've entered as much detail as possible and then click "Continue".

The final page simply asks for your information so they can keep you to date with the progress of your issue. This isn't required but if you don't fill it in it makes it a lot harder for them to work (they have no contact "on the ground" who they can talk to about the issue).

Click "Submit" when you're done. You'll be sent an email with details of the issue you've raised including a unique reference number which will allow you (or anyone else with the reference) to track updates.

Government Plans New Law To Tackle Scrap Metal Theft MP Told

MP Julian Huppert has received a commitment from the government that it plans new legislation to tackle metal theft across Cambridgeshire and nationally.

A new criminal offence will be created to stop dealers buying scrap metal with cash and fines for all scrap metal offences will be significantly increased.

Julian was also told that the government planned to fund a new dedicated metal theft taskforce to address the issue.

Home Office Minister, James Brokenshire told yesterday (February 2) that the government considers legislation as “the only sustainable, long-term solution”.

His comments came after Julian raised a written question with Home Secretary, Theresa May asking when she plans to introduce a comprehensive set of measures to tackle metal theft and whether she has any plans to bring forward legislation.

He also wanted to know whether she had discussed a timetable for introducing the measures.

Mr Brokenshire said: “Metal theft is a serious and growing national problem with wide ranging social and financial impacts.

“The government considers that legislation is the only sustainable, long-term solution and will lay in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill an amendment to create a new criminal offence to prohibit cash payments to purchase scrap metal; and significantly increase the fines for all offences under the existing Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 that regulates the scrap metal recycling industry.

“These amendments are part of our wider attempts to tackle all stages in the illegal trading of stolen scrap metal, and we shall bring forward further measures in due course,” he said.

Across Cambridgeshire, church and school roofs have been stripped and metal stolen totaling millions of pounds in the last few years.

Cambridgeshire Police launched Operation Gandalf to tackle the problem and have visited scrap metal sites across the county.

Later Julian said: “Scrap metal theft is a growing problem and I am pleased that the government is taking this action.

“These thefts are hitting schools, churches and businesses heavily and it is only by making it difficult for scrap metal to be sold on that we will be able to effectively tackle this problem.

“I am hoping that by combining this with a significant increase in the fines for all offences related to this crime, we can make it increasingly difficult for thieves to operate and we will be able to stamp out scrap metal theft.”

Children With Special Needs Miss Out As Academies Cash In

Schools converting to academies in Cambridgeshire have been cashing in at the expense of pupils who need extra help because of their special needs.

The Children and Young People's Scrutiny panel has been told that services will be reduced for disabled children, for young people in care and for those with special needs.

An officer report said that “services will be spread more thinly” and “lower levels of need will not  receive support”. There will also be a reduction in specialist teachers who support primary age children with special needs and a cut in family support packages.

These cuts are necessary because the government is making a general reduction in funding to local authorities but also because the county's budget has been top-sliced by £3.1 million pounds to give extra funding to the new academies.

“This is desperately unfair,” said Lib Dem Education spokesman, Peter Downes. “Surely it is wrong to be moving funding away from those who need it most in order to give extra funding to those who need it least. The way the extra money has been allocated to academies has given them far more than they need to replace the services they are no longer getting from the council.”

At the Scrutiny Panel, Cllr Downes challenged Cllr Harty, Cabinet Member for Education, to approach the academies to give back some of their extra cash to reduce the service cuts.

“'If we are 'all in this together', now is the time for some altruism from the academies,” said Cllr Downes.

Notes for editor:

There are currently 32 academies in Cambridgeshire. Since they became academies, they will have received by March 2013, on top of their normal funding, an extra £13.8 million pounds to enable them to buy in the services they no longer get from Cambridgeshire County Council. Most estimates are that this about three times more than they need.

Call For Greater Police Powers To Enforce 20mph Zones

Leading Cambridge City Councillor, Tim Bick is calling for a national review to give the police greater powers to enforce 20mph speed limits.

He is urging Cambridge City Council to support the call to the government and the Association of Chief Police Officers as the council considers extending 20mph zones in the city.  

Cllr Bick, Executive Councillor for Community Safety wants consideration given to empower Police Community Support Officers to carry out speed controls to free up police officers for other duties.

He also wants to see option speed awareness courses available for those breaking a 20mph limit for the first time and speed cameras developed for 20mph zones.

Cllr Bick said: “The objective of slowing traffic down on residential roads is shared by many people. It brings greater safety and a better environment. We already have a number of 20mph limits within the city and the city council is currently considering whether to broaden these further.

"They shouldn't rest solely on enforcement, but enforcement does need to be an available tool. It is clear that as the public mood moves on this, the enforcement tools need to keep up in order for the police to continue to make the kind of contribution people would expect from them.

"Where 20mph limits get designated, it should be possible to enforce them drawing on the same approaches used for breaches of all other speed limits. And given the community-based element of 20mph limits, it would also seem appropriate to consider empowering PCSOs to carry out controls in order to make for more flexibility in the deployment of police numbers across the range of incidents they need to deal with."

Cllr Bick’s call comes in a motion to Cambridge City Council on February 23 which welcomes Cambridgeshire Police’s readiness to enforce speed limits and its extension of the fixed penalty notice system for 20mph zones.

His motion urges MPs and the Local Government Association to support and follow-up his call.

The full wording of Cllr Bick’s motion reads as follows:

Welcoming the Department of Transport's encouragement of local authorities which want to introduce 20mph limits, Council accepts that enforcement is only one of the tools which influence the success of such schemes. But it welcomes Cambridgeshire Constabulary's readiness to carry out enforcement and its extension of the fixed penalty notice system to the 20mph limits to do so. To further enhance the situation, it calls on the Government and ACPO to carry out a national review to optimise the tools and powers available for enforcement, to include:

Development of optional speed awareness courses for those breaching a 20mph limit for the first time, treating it like breaches of higher speed limits

The potential to deploy PCSOs to carry out speed controls

The specification of speed cameras suitable for areas of 20mph limits
 
Council calls on local MPs and representatives in the LGA to support and follow-up this call.

Lib Dems Pledge To Maintain School Buildings And Improve Energy Efficiency

In their alternative Cambridgeshire County Council budget, the Lib Dems have set aside £10 million over the next five years to maintain and improve the buildings of the 200 schools for which the council is still responsible.

“The council has a school maintenance backlog of over £20 million”, said Lib Dem Education Spokesman, Peter Downes. “We would increase the investment in making schools fit for purpose and we would give priority to maintenance work that would improve energy efficiency.

“This is a win-win situation. The school would reduce its expenditure on energy, thus releasing more funds for teaching, and the county would have to pay less in carbon tax.'

Central government has cut back drastically on the funding it makes available directly to school for capital improvements in order to fund its other schemes, such as the creation of 'free schools'.

“The government has got its priorities wrong and we must do what we can at a local level to redress the balance,” said Kilian Bourke, Lib Dem Group Leader.

Lib Dems Bid To Solve Poor Exam Record For Disadvantaged Pupils

Cambridgeshire has one of the lowest records in the country for helping pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve their full potential.

The county comes 12th from the bottom in league tables for achieving five A* to C grades in GCSEs including English and Maths; only 25 per cent of the pupils on free school meals achieve these targets.

In a bid to close the national performance gap, Liberal Democrat Children's Minister has allocated an extra £600 per Free School Meals child, the Pupil Premium.

With this money schools will be able to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing extra one-to-one tuition, more teaching assistants or after-school activities.

This year, the amount available nationally for the Pupil Premium will be doubled to £1.25bn and this will increase to £2.5bn by 2014-15.

Peter Downes, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson and former secondary school headteacher, said: “The gap between those who do really well and those who don’t is too great. Unfortunately, how wealthy your parents are has been a deciding factor in a child’s chances for too long.”

Cllr Downes, who represents Brampton and Kimbolton on Cambridgeshire County Council added: “As a Liberal Democrat, I believe we cannot let this continue and that is why we must help children reach their full potential. In the Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats’ budget amendment we propose to enhance the Pupil Premium by £250 per pupil in the eight most deprived schools in the county.”

Liberal Democrat Children’s Minister, Sarah Teather said: “These figures reveal that children from deprived backgrounds have been let down by previous governments. All too often, children from disadvantaged backgrounds do not get the same opportunities as their more well-off peers, leaving their talents wasted.

“As a Liberal Democrat, I believe we have a duty to ensure we turn this shocking legacy of the last Labour Government around. That is why the Coalition Government is doing the right thing by giving schools extra money to focus on supporting these pupils.”

Guided Bus Row Set To Drag On Costing £9.5M In Interest

Cambridgeshire County Council’s long running dispute over the guided bus project looks set to drag on for another three years costing £9.5 million in interest.*

A resolution of the case with contractor BAM Nuttall was expected to take place in 2013-14 but has now been pushed back to 2014-15.

The Conservative administration expects by this time to have won 100 per cent of the court case and received a full settlement - including the cost of these interest payments plus an additional charge on top - from BAM Nuttall.

But the delay means that the total cost of interest payments on borrowing money to meet the overspend on the project will rise from £7.9 million to £9.5 million – an increase of over £1.5 million. To date the interest stands at £3.7 million.

Liberal Democrat leader Kilian Bourke said: "These new figures confirm that the final decision on whether the council will get its money back has been pushed back even further. Unfortunately the council is paying a high price in the meantime: just paying off the interest on the borrowing is expected to cost the same amount of money over the next three years as a one per cent increase in council tax would provide.

"These figures must raise wider concerns about the £250 million of prudential borrowing the Tories are planning to spend on major projects. The abandonment of their wrong-headed austerity drive is good news, but do they have the basic competence to keep these investments on time and on budget?  The financial penalties for failing to do so could be severe.

"I hope that the Conservatives are right and they win 100 per cent of the court case otherwise local people will be picking up the tab for years to come."

*Note: If the council lost the court case outright, the cost of paying off the interest on the prudential borrowing would come to £21m.  This "100% loss" figure remains unchanged.

Friends of Arbury Library AGM

The Friends of Arbury Library will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 29th February, 7.00pm (in exactly two weeks time). It is due to be held at the Arbury Community Centre on the corner of Campkin and Arbury Roads.

The aim of the meeting will be to discuss what the future may hold for Arbury Court Library and it's open to everyone, not just existing Friends members.

Local County Councillor Andy Pellew said "Arbury Library is absolutely key to our local community and while the threat of imminent closure has passed the Conservative-controlled County Council is still making cuts to budgets across the board and as it's shown, with it's savage approach to Bus Subsidies, that if not enough people are using a service the local community will lose it. I'd urge everyone with an interest in the local library to come to the Friends AGM - these groups really do make all the difference."

You can find more about your local Friends group on their website;

http://friendsofarburylibrary.blogspot.com/

It costs nothing to join the Friends of Arbury Library and in turn you will be kept informed about local events.

Residents views on County Councillors Allowances Sought

As you will be aware that Cambridgeshire County Councillor last year voted (largely through a Conservative majority) to give it's County Councillors the *option* of claiming a 25% rise in allowances (from 7,600 to 10,000). After Full Council had approved the raise it was placed in the awkward position of having it's decision nullified by the fact that the independent remuneration panel was appointed without any reference to the Standards Body.

The Conservatives seem to have learnt from this mistake and have now appointed a panel following the "correct" process.

In my view the aim of this new panel is twofold; proposing a pay rise around the same 25% mark that Council voted through previously (thus validating the previous process and the previous result), and validating the Conservatives pay structure (i.e. Cabinets role - and therefore payment - is increased while opposition shadow cabinet payments - and therefore role - is correspondingly decreased).

It is incredibly frustrating for those of us who form the opposition on the County Council that the ruling Conservative group are once again trying to force-through a process which will give them a rise. If you look at the Conservative budget it clearly shows a line budgeting to raise Councillors allowances - before a single vote has even been cast, or before a single member of the "independent" review panel had been appointed.

Needless to say I will be voting against any such raise and I sincerely hope a clear majority of other Councillors (from all parties) will do the same.

Now here's the bit where you can help. The Independent Panel are looking to hear the views of Cambridgeshire residents, they have created an on-line survey for residents to complete;

https://www.snapsurveys.com/swh/surveylogin.asp?k=132863814662 (a short URL for printing is http://goo.gl/TgJ2e)

On a side note; it's a little frustrating to see the Council wasting it's time (and the time of people who complete this survey) by asking questions totally irrelevant to the matter at hand "Did you vote in the last election?", "Do you know who your County Councillor for your area is?", etc. If these unnecessary questions had been stripped from the survey how much quicker would it have been to fill out?

So I know it's frustrating, but if you passionately believe (as I do) that there should be no rise for County Councillors at a time when we're cutting headcount, and pay for County Council staff please take the time and trouble to register your opinion on the site.

Lib Dems Fight On To Stop Tories Axeing Vital Bus Services

Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats made another bid to save £2.7 million of county bus subsidies today (Tuesday, January 31) as the Tories met to rubber stamp their plans and press ahead with their flawed replacement transport plan.

They fought to reverse the decision after winning the first round of their battle which led to the Tories backing down and putting £1.5 million back into subsidised transport.

And they spoke out vehemently against the plans again today during a Cambridgeshire County Council Cabinet meeting accusing the Tories of scrapping 100 per cent of bus subsidies without a viable alternative plan.

Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport, Susan van de Ven, has launched a petition to stop the cuts to bus services in Cambridgeshire:

http://epetition.cambridgeshire.public-i.tv/epetition_core/view/Buses

She said: “The Tory administration is not listening to the people they are elected to serve. Their plans threaten to isolate vulnerable people, including the disabled and elderly, and people who have no other way of travelling to work. Yet they are still pressing ahead.

“Their new Cambridgeshire Future Transport project, which is meant to fill in the gaps left by the withdrawal of subsidies, is not working.  A pilot in the Duxford area has attracted one customer in two months because there is no research on transport needs underpinning it. The Tory administration is now prepared to sink £1.5 million into this project as the answer to withdrawing bus subsidies.

"The administration has come to a very late acknowledgement that some public subsidy for lifeline transport is necessary - and then is willing to spend carelessly. Vulnerable residents will pay the ultimate price."

Huppert Welcomes Energy Market Reforms

Energy market reforms which will make it easier for consumers to get the best deal have been backed by Cambridge MP, Julian Huppert.

He was given the chance to have his say on the plans at an event organised by energy regulator, Ofgem at the House of Commons.

Under the proposals, each energy supplier will have to offer a no frills tariff with a simple unit price and a fixed standing charge.

It is expected that around 75 per cent of consumers on standard tariffs will benefit from the changes.

Energy companies would also be required to make their bills, annual statements and other communications to their customers clearer and easier to understand and they would be bound by new, enforceable standards of conduct.

Julian said: “Any simplification of the energy market which makes it easier for consumers to understand the different tariffs available and exactly what they are being charged for is extremely welcome.

“We need the system to be completely transparent so that consumers can get the best value for money while at the same time saving energy where they can.

“These are very difficult times and we have seen energy prices going up and up. Consumers need to be confident that their energy supplier is the best one for their needs and if not, they need to be able to swap with ease.”

Ofgem is currently consulting on its proposals which were drawn up after identified competition was being stifled by a combination of complex tariffs, poor supplier behaviour and a lack of transparency.

Liberal Democrat Cambridge MP Julian Huppert signs a poster in support of the reforms

Need Help Or Advice With Daily Living? - Just AskSARA!

A website offering help and advice to people with a range of day-to-day needs is now available with information localised for people living in Cambridgeshire.

AskSARA is a self help guide that enables people to identify equipment that may help them in their daily lives, including information on manufacturers and local suppliers.

Cambridgeshire's version is being promoted as a flagship for providing local information by the Disabled Living Foundation.

AskSARA takes users through a set of guided questions leading to general advice and recommendations on what equipment would be suitable to meet their particular needs.

It provides information on local sources of equipment including retail outlets, mail order and demonstration centres. People receive a review of the recommended equipment before they buy. This allows them to compare and make informed choices about which equipment will best meet their needs.

County Councillor Andy Pellew said "It's good to see the County Council providing access to it's information as in a easily understandable and accessible way. The website is hosted by the Disabled Living Foundation who will be publicising the site not just within the County but to other Councils as a best-practice site they should be following. It's good to see Cambridgeshire at the leading edge offering solutions to residents."

The new website AskSARA went live on February 1.  Access is via the pages offering advice about equipment on Cambridgeshire's adult social care website Your Life, Your Choice www.yourlifeyourchoice.org.uk   or go straight to AskSARA at: http://www.asksara.org.uk/?auth=cambridgeshire

The AskSARA services builds on the help, advice and support which is already provided by social care and health services in Cambridgeshire.

AskSARA Website

Huppert Secures Debate To Promote Safer City Cycling

MP Julian Huppert has secured a three hour Parliamentary debate in support of a national newspaper campaign to promote safer city cycling.

Julian will lead the backbench business committee debate in Westminster Hall on The Times cycling campaign on February 23.

He secured the debate as the government announced a £15 million boost to cycling with £8 million for transport charity, Sustrans to enhance cycle routes and £7 million to make it easier for cyclists to use the railways.

Julian has been in discussions with the rail industry in the hope that some of the cycle rail money will be spent in Cambridge.

The investment announcement, by Liberal Democrat Transport Minister, Norman Baker follows Julian’s Commons Early Day Motion endorsing The Times ‘Cities fit for cycling’ campaign and calling on the government to do more to promote road cycling and improve road safety.

Julian, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Transport Committee said: “Promoting cycling and green transport is the right thing to do and I am delighted Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are taking action.

“This comes at a crucial time. Just five days ago The Times launched a cycle campaign in response to the shocking increase in fatalities among cyclists on our roads.

“It is absolutely essential people should be able to walk to work or cycle to school in a safe environment. The extra £8m for Sustrans will go a long way to achieving this. And the £7m for improved rail-cycle links will ensure that we continue to build a transport network which puts passengers first. I hope that some of the cycle rail money will be spent in Cambridge and I have already been in discussions with the rail industry about this.”

“I am pleased that I have been able to secure the Westminster Hall debate. We must keep this issue high on the government’s agenda. Only by promoting cycling and improving riders’ safety will we be able to give people the confidence they need to try it for themselves.”

Note to editors:

Julian’s Westminster Hall debate will take place between 2.30pm and 5.30pm on February 23.

The full wording of his EDM reads as follows:

This House believes that cycling is an extremely efficient form of transport which is good for health and the environment; supports successive Governments’ commitment to encourage the use of bikes and reduce the number of cyclist-related accidents; notes with concern that the number of cyclists killed on Britain’s roads rose by 7 per cent between 2009 and 2010;  notes that a disproportionate number of cycling accidents involve vans and lorries; supports The Times’ 'Cities fit for Cycling' campaign; and calls on the Government to take further action to improve cycling infrastructure and reduce the number of casualties on our roads.

Adult Social Care Roadshow To Visit Libraries Across Cambridgeshire

Library visitors will have the chance to find out about local services to help them stay independent, safe and well at a series of roadshows taking place throughout 2012.

Focusing on providing preventative and self-help information to people who may need it, the roadshows will feature:

• a display of information
• presentations about assistive technology resources to help you remain independent 
• details of Trading Standards approved trader scheme – Buy With Confidence. 

In addition demonstrations of Your Life, Your Choice Cambridgeshire’s adult social care website will be taking place on the last day of each roadshow. Visitors will also have the opportunity to book a session with the Computer Buddy at their local library who will be able to help them to access the online information.

The full schedule of roadshows is:

• 24th January – 18th February Ramsey Library 
• 20th February – 17th March St Ives Library
• 16th April – 12th May Huntingdon Library
• 14th May – 9th June Cambourne Library
• 11th June – 7th July Central Library (Cambridge)
• 10th July – 4th August Ely Library
• 4th August – 1st September Chatteris Library
• 3rd September – 29th September Wisbech Library
• 1st October – 27th October March Library
• 29th October – 24th November St Neots Library

The roadshow will also be visiting Whittlesey Library in January 2013 (dates to be confirmed).

Anyone interested and requiring further information should call Cambridgeshire Direct on 0345 045 5225.

Councillors Throw Light On Cycle Path Safety Fears

A campaign has been launched calling for better lighting along a stretch of the guided busway cycle track in Cambridge after a spate of accidents.

Cyclists have been injured while riding on the cycleway and others, especially women and the elderly, fear for their personal safety on dark stretches of the cycle path.

Cambridge City Councillors, Amanda Taylor and Andy Blackhurst and Cambridgeshire County Councillor, Caroline Shepherd are calling for urgent action before anyone is seriously hurt.

They have launched a petition asking Cambridgeshire County Council to install lighting along the cycle path in Queen Edith’s and Trumpington.

Cllr Taylor, who represents Queen Edith’s said: “The cycleway is well-used and very much appreciated but the lack of lighting of most of the route poses a serious safety risk.

“We want to encourage cyclists to make use of the cycle path but at the same time, we have to make sure they are safe.”

Cllr Shepherd, who represents Trumpington said: “Residents are very worried by the lack of lighting. They don’t feel safe riding along there in the dark and there have been a number of accidents.

“Safety on the cycle path could be improved by separating cyclists and pedestrians and putting up signs but priority has to be given to the lighting.”

The petition can be found here: http://epetition.cambridgeshire.public-i.tv/epetition_core/community/petition/1772

Councils Must Have Power To Save Their High Streets - Huppert

MP Julian Huppert has impressed upon Parliament the need to empower Cambridge and communities across the country to make the decisions to secure the future of their town centres.

He welcomed the government’s commitment to protecting the nation’s high street and moves to decentralise power, but added there is more that can be done.

During a debate in the House of Commons today (Tuesday, January 17) Julian said how Cambridge was lucky to have a successful city council, led by Councillor Sian Reid who was fighting hard to protect its town centre and local high streets.

“As such, we’re more than ready to identify where the government reforms are working, and where they will not deliver as expected,” he said.

But he added that the city council is powerless to stop supermarkets moving into the city even when local people are opposed to them.

He spoke about the success and diversity of Mill Road and the fight to protect its future.  And he added that, after pressure from Cambridge City Council, the government agreed to change the planning categories, known as ‘use classes’, under which businesses fall to empower local councils to control which shops dominate their high streets; but to date no action has been taken.

“Despite the best efforts of Sian Reid as council leader, Catherine Smart as deputy leader and myself as the local MP we have not been able to find any legal means by which we can prevent supermarkets from opening new stores on our high streets,” he said.

“It is perfectly possible, under existing rules, for a supermarket to hold a reasonable market share across the country, but to have a complete monopoly in a town or on a high street. The result is a complete lack of choice for consumers, which is bad for the community and bad for the economy.

“I’ve worked very closely with city councillors to find out how we can represent the interests of our constituents by breaking local monopolies and promoting local stores. Local Government must be able to control whether new stores are chains or independents, small or large outlets, because that is want people want them to do.

“If, by the end of this Parliament, it is still impossible for local communities to control their own neighbourhoods then this government will have failed to meet its own aims,” he warned.

Keep Warm And Well Advice As Winter Weather Returns

With a prolonged spell of very cold weather predicted, agencies across Cambridgeshire are working together to help people in the county stay safe, warm and well as the winter weather hits.

Health services, road safety experts and care support services are sharing information, expertise and support to ensure that a comprehensive range of services is available to vulnerable residents, when they need it most.

Gritting and treating a wide network of highways, footpaths and cycleways, working with district and parish councils to grit community areas such as paths outside shops, community centres and doctors surgeries and schemes designed to cut drink driving and raise accident awareness among drivers will help to reduce hospital admissions and trips to GP surgeries or A & E as well as keep people safe.

The local NHS will be working with District Councils and with voluntary sector agencies such as Age UK to provide advice on how to keep warm and well over winter, as well as encouraging vulnerable people to take up flu vaccinations, and avoid slips and trips.

Cambridgeshire Director of Public Health, Dr Liz Robin, said: "I would encourage everyone who is eligible for a free seasonal flu jab this winter to take up the opportunity to protect their health. This includes

• All pregnant women irrespective of their stage of pregnancy
• Adults and children who suffer from: Chronic respiratory disease (such as asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis), Heart disease, Diabetes, Kidney or liver disease, Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment, or Chronic neurological disease such as stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) Multiple Sclerosis
• All people aged 65 and over 

For additional help and support residents should use the county-wide Help at Home service, provided by the Cambridgeshire Care Network Charity and funded by the County Council and NHS Cambridgeshire,  this is accessible by calling (01223) 714433 or visiting www.care-network.org.uk - for additional health and social care services go to http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/social/

Work Begins To Improve Safety For Fen Road Residents

Work has begun to improve the safety of residents living in Cambridge’s Fen Road after residents, councillors and council officers got together just weeks ago to discuss long-running issues.

Old wooden bollards at the Water Street and Water Lane junction have been replaced with metal ones in a bid to stop vandals sawing through them to get vehicle access to Fen Road.

The work was carried out by Cambridge City Council after resident Clare Blair requested the new bollards at the beginning of the year.

She said: “I am really pleased that only weeks after our well attended meeting about Fen Road we are already seeing action to improve safety for residents.”

Clare teamed up with Cambridgeshire County Councillor, Ian Manning, who represents East Chesterton to give residents a chance to have their say on how anti-social behaviour, speeding drivers and other problems, which had plagued residents for years, could be solved.

“There is much more to be done,” added Clare, “but I am delighted to see that we have already been able to make a good start.”

Decision To Cut Bus Services Costs County £5M Transport Grant

A legally challenged Tory decision to cut millions of pounds from bus services across the county has resulted in Cambridgeshire losing a £5 million government transport grant.

Cambridgeshire County Council has been told that its latest bid to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, to help schemes such as Cambridge Dial a Ride, could not be justified in light of the decision to cut bus subsidies.

“This fund would have injected badly needed cash into community transport schemes which ironically were identified by the Tory administration to fill the gaps resulting from bus subsidy cuts,” said Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport, Susan van de Ven.

“This decision to cut bus subsidies has cost the county dearly. The government has made it quite clear that it has no intention of making up the money taken away by the Tories to plug holes in their budget caused by years of financial mismanagement.

“This ill-thought out decision is preventing the county council from securing government money which could have helped some of the county’s most crucial services survive.”

Jessica Matthew, Deputy Director of Sustainable Travel at the Department for Transport invited the council to put in another bid but warned in a letter: “The community transport component was not felt to be justified in the context of other local decisions and the revised bid should not include this component.”

Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat Leader, Kilian Bourke said: “The publication of this previously unseen letter is the first evidence that the government explicitly rejected the bid for £5 million of transport funding because of the Conservatives' local decision to scrap 100 per cent of bus funding."

A sustained campaign by Liberal Democrats against last April’s decision to cut £2.7 million from bus subsidies led to the Tories making a dramatic U-turn and calling a public consultation.

"This is the first clear-cut evidence that the local decision to scrap 100 per cent of bus funding is costing Cambridgeshire money,” added Cllr van den Ven. “I urge the Conservatives to reinstate in their forthcoming budget funding for buses in whatever form, otherwise the council risks missing out on further funding opportunities from central government.

“Sadly admitting they were wrong came too late to save this grant.”

Lib Dem Budget Tackles Inequality And Eliminates Waste

Cllr Kilian Bourke
(LD, Romsey)

Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have revealed their alternative budget investing £10 million in transport over the next five years, supporting schools and young people and embarking on a radical programme of energy efficiency.

The budget identifies around £67 million worth of savings in the years to 2017 while reversing the Tories’ withdrawal of financial support for bus services.

Transport investment includes:

• reinstating Cambridge’s city shuttle as the county’s first electric bus; 
• an extra £300,000 next year for community transport and further cash injections over the following two years making a total of £1 million. A Quality Bus Contract scheme would be used to deliver an improved countywide bus service;
• transport interchanges would be built to make sure people in rural areas have better access to services;
• the Chisholm Trail, a strategic cycle route linking up Addenbrooke’s Hospital, the CB1 development and the Science Park, would be built;
• the Wisbech to March railway line would be reopened giving an hourly passenger service to Cambridge and allowing people to travel by train to Peterborough and London.

Young people feature high in the Lib Dems’ alternative budget with the promise of a top up to the government’s Pupil Premium for disadvantaged young people by a further £250 per pupil per year.

And there would be free public transport for every young person seeking education or employment. Youth clubs would also be kept open.

Over the next five years £10 million would be spent on maintenance and energy efficiency in schools and a further £1 million on solar panelling.

The voluntary sector would receive £1 million worth of investment over the next two years and Citizens Advice Bureau would receive financial help to assist people facing hardship due to the tough economic climate.  Concessionary fares for pensioners have also been protected.
Among savings identified in the budget is £25 million on Northstowe and a further £12 million by replacing the controversial Ely southern bypass project with an underpass under the railway line.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Kilian Bourke said: “This budget shows how a Liberal Democrat council would do things differently and better. We would tackle entrenched inequality, instead of just talking about it.

“Well targeted investment in bus, rail and cycling infrastructure would allow people to access the wider community and its opportunities, regardless of age and geography.
“We would target support at young people who need it and make smart enhancements to our library service and better maintain our schools.

“We would eliminate Conservative waste and bad contract management and run the council as an efficient, modern organisation, embarking on a radical program of energy efficiency that would generate big savings.

“We would implement a plan to responsibly manage Adult Care, instead of helter skelter budgeting that has demoralised staff and service-users alike and resulted in a 25 per cent cut in care levels mid-year.

“While we cannot find a way to protect core services without increasing council tax, we recognise that working families are hard pressed at this time and would restore public trust by not using this increase to give ourselves a pay rise.”

NOTE: The liberal democrat budget amendment and associated financial information is available (via Google Docs) here.

Rise In Apprenticeships Welcomed By Cambridge MP

Apprenticeships in Cambridge rose by nearly 50 per cent in the last year with 380 young people benefitting from training programmes.

The news has been welcomed by the city’s MP, Julian Huppert as the government launches National Apprenticeships Week to build on last year’s success.

“This dramatic growth in apprenticeship programmes is good news for our young people,” said Julian. “Apprenticeships give them the first class training they need to get jobs while at the same time providing businesses with the skilled young people they need to help their businesses grow.

“I hope more businesses in Cambridge will take the opportunity during National Apprenticeships Week to find out how these young people could benefit their companies.

“The job market can be extremely difficult for youngsters and apprenticeships are tailored to provide exactly what companies are looking for in new employees. These programmes bring huge benefits not only for the apprentice and business but for the economy as a whole.”

NOTE:  Apprenticeships in Cambridge increased from 260 in 2009/10 to 380 in 2010/11 – a rise of 49 per cent.