Residents Back Campaign For New Post Office

Cllr Neil McGovern
(LD, King's Hedges)

Cambridge residents have backed a campaign for a new post office in the King’s Hedges area of the city.

More than 75 per cent of people surveyed by ward councillor, Neil McGovern said they wanted a new post office to replace the one on Cameron Road which was demolished to make way for housing.

After the post office was closed - under a Labour government-run programme which saw more than 7,100 post offices lost including almost a third in Cambridge – residents have been using post offices in Arbury Court, King’s Hedges Road and even Milton.

Now the Liberal Democrats in government are changing the rules to make it easier to open new post offices.

Cllr McGovern said: “Post offices are a vital part of our community and it is clear from my survey, that residents need them, use them and value them. Labour failed to take this into account when they embarked on their massive closure programme which resulted in the loss of the Cameron Road post office.

“I want to see a new post office to replace the one that was lost. The Post Office is the social centre of many communities and it is important that it is easily accessible particularly for the elderly and disabled who cannot travel long distances.

“My survey has demonstrated how much residents have missed their post office and want it back.”

The government has committed £1.34 billion of funding over four years to the Post Office to help modernise and develop the network.

Planning applications: Arbury Road, King's Hedges Road and Arbury Court

Apologies for missing the last few weeks. Here is a round up of planning applications in the ward.

This week there is a significant application at 110 Arbury Road, for "Outline Planning Permission for the erection of five apartments and widening of existing access onto Arbury Road following the total demolition of the former caretaker's house." 110 is the Manor school caretaker's house. Follow the link for more details. The reference is 12/0147/OUT.

Of a smaller scale there is an application in Arbury Court for "Extraction canopy and ductwork to exiting fish and chip take away", reference 12/0213/FUL.

Also I should point out an application that came up a couple of weeks ago for the "Hive" or "Triangle Development Site", on King's Hedges Road near CRC and roughly opposite Northfield Avenue. The application is partly technical involving change of use but does include change of appearance in terms of height and window arrangements. The reference is 12/0199/FUL. For more details see this page on the online planning gateway.

As always in case of difficulty contact the team.

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.

Library Service - Opening Hours Consultation

Cambridgeshire County Council are currently running a consultation on the opening hours for Arbury Court Library, Histon Library, and the Cambridge Central Library which directly affect King's Hedges. The catchment for Milton Road Library *apparently* does not include King's Hedges. 

Looking first at Arbury Court (where I'm a friend of the Library) at the moment the library is open for 32.5 hours a week. The proposal is that this be reduced to 27 hours a week. This reduction is around 17%, substantially more than overall reduction of 7% being proposed for the entire service.

Unfortunately the news for both Histon (a 10% reduction) and the Central Library (a 9% reduction) are not substantially better.

It seems after attempting to rig the original survey identifying the libraries under threat of closure against City Libraries the Conservative administration is now attempting to rig the opening hours cuts so that they disproportionally affect city libraries - and this is surely what these cuts (based on the population of the catchment area - rather than actual usage) will do.

Once again the Conservative administration is ensuring that the harshest cuts are inflicted on Cambridge City.

The surveys can be completed online by following the following links;

Arbury Court

Histon Road

Cambridge Central Library

And for those of you for whom the Milton Road Library is more appropriate a link to this survey is available here.

County wide library petition

The various Friends groups of libraries across Cambridgeshire have set up a County-wide petition.

The petition reads:

We the undersigned call upon Cambridgeshire County Council to reject proposals to close libraries or to replace the existing professional service with a reduced service run by volunteers.

We believe that libraries are a vital part of the community.

Every community that has a library values this service, whether it is in the City, like Arbury Court library in our ward, or in the villages.

I hope you can join me in signing the petition.

Library Review @ North Area Committee

The minutes documents for this meeting have been published on the City Councils website (click here). It is very unfortunately that neither Sir Peter Brown (the Conservative Cabinet Member responsible for Libraries) or any Officers from the County Council were able to present themselves to the Area Committee to address local concerns.

There is a lot of local feeling on the issues of Libraries that they should have put in an appearance to address.

The minutes from the Libaries segment of the meeting are;


"The committee received an oral report from Councillor Wilkins regarding his understanding of the current position concerning County Council library services.

The County Cabinet considered a budget proposal 25 January 2011, which suggested that 2 of 5 libraries in Cambridge (excluding Central Library) could be closed in order to cut costs. This could affect Milton Road, Rock Road and Arbury Court Libraries in particular.

A Library Service Review Report has been written setting out actions, proposals and expected cost savings.

Members of the North Area Committee and public expressed grave reservations concerning the proposed library service cuts set out in the Library Service Review Report, and expected impact on local communities. The consensus of opinion was that libraries were important for education and learning, the City could not afford to lose these facilities. Meetings at local libraries were signposted to muster support to voice concerns about the Library Service Review Report proposals.

The Committee agreed to bring back an agenda item to the next Area Committee on library services to:

(i)  Express concern about Library Service Review Report proposals.

(ii)  Point out the differing needs of rural and urban areas for library services, as the County Council appear to be taking a generic approach.

(iii)  Discuss land use protection afforded in the Cambridge Local Plan (2006), and whether this has an impact on libraries."

As always if you have any questions or concerns related to libraries please get in touch with me (County Councillor Andy Pellew) and I'll be able to update you. It is also my intention to be at the next Friends of Arbury Library meeting in order to answer any further questions.

Read-In at Arbury Court Library

Yesterday's read-in at Arbury Court Library was a great success. The library was packed with people reading and determined to do what they can to help support the Library Service and save it from damage.

Julian Huppert came along to lend his support after his morning surgery, and in the rather posed photo at the top you can see me, Julian and East Chesterton Councillor Clare Blair. Many residents took up the chance to chat to Julian about libraries and other issues.

There was also a photographer from the Cambridge News, and I'll update this post with a link when they publish their story and picture.

It was nice to meet a lot of old friends I wasn't expecting to see, as well as the members of the Friends group.

One resident chatted to me about the value of the library to her in gaining legal advice, others about the importance for their children, others about their role in providing access to services that are online.

The Friends of Arbury Library did a superb job organising the event: and they deserve a huge thank you. Your local Focus team will continue to campaign to protect Cambridge Libraries, not just at Arbury Court but also on Milton Road and throughout the City. Libraries are not a luxury but an important part of our educational and social infrastrcuture.

We will keep you posted about any future events, or anything else you can do to help.

Update 8/2/11: The Cambridge News article was published yesterday.

Friends of Arbury Library meeting

Just back from the Friends of Arbury Library meeting at the Arbury Community Centre.

A good number of residents managed to attend the meeting, and there was a good discussion about the library, as well as the business of the evening: to formally adopt a chair, secretary and committee.

Unfortunately Andy Pellew was unable to attend due to a family illness, so the meeting started with a brief outline of the background from Mike Todd-Jones. This was followed by passionate defences of the role of libraries from East Chesterton Lib Dem Cllr Clare Blair, and local residents Liz Brennan and Pete Shipton.

Clare explained how libraries had helped her children learn, and this was echoed by residents in the general discussion.

Local author Paul Shipton talked about the impact of the library in local schools, and his positive reception when talking about the library in our local schools.

The discussion from the floor emphasised how strongly people feel about the library service in general, not just about Arbury Court Library. A member of the Friends of Milton Road Library spoke about the threat they face, and the need to work together.

Arbury resident John Marais was then re-elected as chair of the Friends. He has done a superb job as acting chair. John made it clear his hope for FOAL to work with all other Friends groups across the city.

A committee volunteered, and local city and county councillors were asked to attend committee meetings ex-officio. An invitation that the local team, and our LibDem colleagues in Arbury and East Chesterton were keen to accept.

The hard work of making sure that the Conservative run County Council hears that we don't want the library service damaged starts on Saturday with the read in at Arbury Court Library at 2pm this saturday. This is a really positive demonstration.

The Friends have their own website, if you want to get more involved with FOAL come along on saturday or get in touch with them or the team.

Police surgery at Arbury Court on Wednesday

The latest e-cops email bulletin contains a reminder about the Police monthly surgery at Arbury Court this week:

The 26th January will be the last Wednesday of the month which means its the Arbury Court Surgery. it will be held between 11:00-13:00. In attendance will be 2/3 PCSO's. Feel free to attend, whether it be to discuss any issues or whether it be simply to say hello.

It also has a reminder about the North Area Committee on wednesday that includes a slot on police priorities.

For more details on e-cops, check the e-cops pages on the Cambridgeshire police website.

City Council: Keep our Libraries open!

At last Thursday's meeting of the full City Council meeting I proposed a motion to ask the County Council to rule out library closures in the City.

The motion was passed unanimously sending a strong message to the Conservative run County Council of how much our libraries are valued. Our library network is vital not only for the people of all ages who use it for educational and leisure purposes, but because it plays a key part in our communities.

Taking away our libraries impacts on the whole fabric of our society, denying people access to life-long learning opportunities and the wide range of events that take place there.

I grew up in a village with a travelling library so I also know the great benefits that rural libraries bring to people who have few other services. At the Cabinet meeting it appeared that Tories in the county council Cabinet know that libraries will be lost and they are fighting to protect those in their own wards.

We need to keep the pressure on the County Council to rule out closures anywhere in the County, but especially in King's Hedges.

Help save Arbury Court and Milton Road Libraries

As you may be aware the County Council have announced a review of the Library service. They seemed to be surprised at the outcry this provoked and have started holding some public meetings on the plans. The next one in Cambridge is 9th September, from 7pm to 9pm at the Central Library.

The County Council report makes it clear that they are considering closing local libraries, and it is vital to show the support and need for both Arbury Court and Milton Road libraries.

There is a recently set up Friends of Arbury Court Library who are keen to get new volunteers, and have organised a petition to save the library. They also have a Facebook group. Please sign the petition and join the group.

When the Friends have a web site and a settled contact address we'll advertise it here, but if you dislike Facebook the Focus team will put you in touch with the organisers.

Milton Road library has a well established friends group who are campaigning to save their library. They can be contacted via email, and have a web presence at Chesterton Community Association.

Andy Pellew and you City Councillors will be campaigning to keep both libraries open and providing a vital service to the local community.

Arbury Court Library: County library review

The County Council have announced a review of the Library Service throughout Cambridgeshire.

It isn't clear yet what result or impact this will have on the Libraries in Cambridge, but they County have not ruled out changes to the service at either Arbury Court or Milton Road Libraries as drastic as closure.

Last Saturday the Friends of Milton Road library held a discusson and there a similar meeting has been called on Saturday 17th July at 3pm in Arbury Community Centre to see what can be done by the community to defend the Arbury Court Library.

Light Bulb Recycling at Arbury Court

Yesterday Recolight installed a bank to collect energy saving lightbulbs (and batteries) for recycling at the recycling point at Budgens in Arbury Court.

This is a one year trial to see if the amount collected is viable for the company, there is no charge to the City Council for the service so they need enough donated bulbs to make it profitable.

The bulbs are recycled in the UK.

There are also collection points at

• Tesco on Newmarket Road
• Cherry Hinton Hall
• Focus DIY on Tenison Road
• Lammas Land

as well as the first one introduced at Coldhams Lane Sainsbury.

Picture from wikipedia care of Creative Commons license.

Two planning applications (Arbury Court and Campkin Rd)

Two to talk about this time:

There has been an application for the "installation of 2 fascia signs and 6 printed vinyl signs (non-illuminated)" at 46 Arbury Court. The reference number is 09/0640/ADV.

The other one is for a "Single storey front extension" to 12 Campkin Road. The application is 09/0628/FUL.

As usual to get more information you can see the plans by visiting City Homes at 171 Arbury Road, or Milton Road Library or the Guildhall. More details, including how to comment on the applications and opening times, is available from the Development Control web pages.

As usual get in touch if you have any problems.

Arbury Court planning application

An application has been received for "New shopfront to existing shop and electrical remote controlled roller shutter" at 42 Arbury Court (the fish and chip shop).

As usual more information can be found by contacting development control at the city council, either online, or via the helpdesk on 457000 or by looking at the plans in the City Homes North office (see this webpage for opening times)

Police surgery in Arbury Court

I've just received by email the news that the local policing team are running a surgery in Arbury Court tomorrow between 11am and 2pm.

The e-cops email said:

We are bringing the CCTV van and will be in the Arbury Court car park.
Please do come and say hello, or tell us about any concerns or worries you may
have. Also, Pauline Grounds from the Cambridge Mediation Services will be in
Arbury Court Library at the same time and she would love to see you.

To sign up for e-cops, which is a regular email service from the local police team visit the Cambridgeshire Police web site.

In unrelated Arbury Court news the toilets are opening on Wednesday 29 April.

Planning application in Arbury Court

The list of planning applications has one item in King's Hedges this week.

It is for a "Proposed development for the connection and layout of a new extractor system for a chinese takeaway to shop unit classified as (A5) use."

A quick translation from planning language, A5 use means "Hot Food Takeaways".

For more information on the application or to make comments contact Development Control at Cambridge City Council. They can be inspected in person at the City Homes North office, Milton Road Library or the Guildhall. More details are available on this.

In case of difficulty get in touch.

New battery recycling point in King's Hedges

Cambridge City Council has teamed up with Budgens in Arbury Court to provide a battery collection point in the store. This service opened today!

This is the third bin in the city, following one located in the council’s own Customer Service Centre on Regent Street and one in Waitrose in Trumpington.

Quoting from the City Council press release:

“Working with local shops is a good way to get the collection points where people really need them, and means people don’t have to make extra journeys to recycle” says Recycling Officer Rebecca Weymouth.

As well as helping to manage the collections, the retailers contribute towards the cost of recycling the batteries, as part of their producer responsibilities.

Budgens’ manager Brian Moorey was keen to get involved. “We recognise that as a key focal point for the local community we have the opportunity to support projects like this and help them to succeed. We want to give something back – both to people
living here and to the environment, and the battery recycling project is just one of many ways we are trying to do just that.”

Since the first battery bank was installed last year, about 130,000 household batteries have been collected for recycling. The old batteries are taken away by G&P Batteries and sorted in a UK facility before being sent for recycling in Europe. The metal casings are melted down and recycled, and the chemicals are extracted to be reused in other applications.

This is a welcome addition to the recycling opportunities in King's Hedges. Many thanks to the staff at Budgens and to the recycling team at the City Council.

Arbury Court play area

I have been told that the repairs to Arbury Court play area should be completed this week, the excavations began on Friday and new kit is ready to be installed.

In related news I have reported the damaged fence on the play area on the corner of Downham's Lane and Woodhead Drive.