I'm a councillor... and speed dating

Neale and I took part in two events connected to Local Democracy Week to try and raise the profile of Councils with young people.

Neale took part in "political speed dating", in which 9 City Councillors tried to persuade sixth form students to support them. He won the contest, well done Neale.

In the "I'm a Councillor" game, aimed at secondary school students, I didn't quite win. I came second. More importantly I learned a lot about what is important to the young people in Cambridge, and this should help me in doing my job as your Councillor.

Both events were good fun for us. I hope the sixth formers and pupils enjoyed them too!

Brookfields Hospital petition

The campaign to save Brookfields Hospital have started a petition calling on the local NHS Primary Care Trust not to close the wards for the elderly at Brookfields.

If you support the campaign you can sign up online at http://www.ourcampaign.org.uk/brookfields.

Join me in supporting David Howarth's campaign to keep the vital services at Brookfields open.

St Alban's Rec - The witch's hat

An issue that has come up on I'm A Councillor... from local young people is the "witch's hat" on St Albans Rec. There is concern that this has been removed, and along with other councillors I chased up officers to see what happened.

The hat was taken down to allow a new safety surface to be put in below it. Apparently this work is finished and the hat should be returning soon.

Pavements in Caravere Close

Following a complaint from a local resident I passed on concerns about the state of the pavements in Caravere Cose, in the Armitage Way estate. I'm pleased to report back that the County officer agrees with me and the residents that repairs should be made!

A works order was raised, but it has yet to be carried out. Watch this space (and the pavement)!

Chesterton Challenge and Milton Rd Trees

The October issue of Chesterton Challenge, the newsletter for the parish of St George (covering part of East Chesterton and King's Hedges) is carrying the Milton Road trees story.

This is just a reminder that you can sign the petition online.

I'm a Councillor...

As part of Local Democracy Week, I (Mike) am taking part in I'm a Councillor, Get me out of here. This gives a chance for children in local schools to ask direct questions of five local councillors, and then vote us out one by one!

Manor School are among those participating, and I am keen to be put on the spot!

If you aren't at a participating school you can look at the site as a guest visitor.

October's Focus on King's Hedges out soon

You should soon receive delivery of the latest paper focus.

It contains details of David Howarth's campaign to save Brookfields Hospital from closure and an update on the problems of our local bus services.

If you could help us by delivering the Focus in your street please let us know.

Stagecoach boss admits...buses on Milton Rd and King's Hedges Rd

Andy Campbell, the Cambridgeshire Stagecoach boss, bravely faced the public at the NAC, but it is clear that he doesn't share the concerns of local residents about a decent bus service.

On the 9/X9 services, when I challenged him, he did admit that they are not really relevant to those people who have lost the use of the Park and Ride service. Those services have existed for some time and he himself admitted they were designed for the residents of the villages and not the City. He also admitted that the every 20 minute service to Cambourn is not a replacement for an every ten minute service to Addenbrookes. This is despite the fact that the Conservative run County insisted that the stops would not be removed without a decent replacement.

The Park & Ride could be made to stop on Milton Rd off-peak as the buses often run nearly empty in the day, and stop efficiently in the peak by providing on street ticket machines or selling tickets at the local shops.

He also refused to consider extending the Citi4 to Buchan street, despite the fact that the buses currently sit idle as they can't go to Arbury Park until the building finishes.

More positively any deviation from route should be reported. He seemed annoyed that drivers might be failing to follow the correct route. You can complain to Stagecoach directly or via us, but be sure to provide the date, time, route number and location.

News from the NAC

Among the decisions made at North Area Committee...

• The Arbury Community Centre car park plans were finalised and should now go out to wider consultation.
• The problem planter blocking views onto Campkin Road should be fixed! The officers have been told to draw up plans and consult local residents.
• Funding has been allocated to the problem of people driving on the verge to cut the corner from Milton Road into Ramsden Square. This should be consultation on a bollard on the verge or some similar scheme fairly soon.
• Access to Arbury Court should now be easier for the disabled and those with children. The barriers with arms will be removed.

North Area Committee

This Thursday is NAC day. It takes place at Manor Community College, on Arbury Road. It starts at 7.30pm, but before that is a presentation about grants to local organisations.

On the agenda on Thursday...

• Buses: The Managing Director of Stagecoach Cambs, Andrew Campbell, will be facing the public
• Policing: a report on police activities and priorities
• Leisure and community development grants
• Environmental improvement grants

There is also an open forum to raise issues with all the North Area councillors.

So come along on Thursday 20th September.

Trading Standards and mock auctions

I received a warning from a constituent about a mock auction type event in the ward.
(See this news story for details of similar events elsewhere.)

A piece of consumer advice I have been given from trading standards in the past is "if it seems too good to be true it probably is." Don't let curiosity get the better of you!

If you have any doubts about sales events then please call Cambridgeshire Trading Standards (0845 045 5206) or Consumer Direct (08454 04 05 06) to report it.

I am disappointed that it seems the police were unable to take action about this sort of activity.

Cleaner paths and car parks

On Friday I had a phone call with the council officer who runs the Street Scene department.

We discussed a couple of long standing niggles, such as the problem of Arbury Community Centre car park and the paths from Ramsden Square. I was promised that a special effort will be made next week to remove litter that is getting stuck between the wire fence and the wooden fences behind them.

If you want to know when your road is due to be cleaned then there is some good news. From Monday the litter picking rota for our ward should be added to the City Council's online listings.

Milton Road buses campaign

This is just a quick update. We are still trying to get the changes to the Park&Ride service reversed.

The Conservative run County Council have just proudly announced the dropping of even more stops, including the Arbury Road crossroads stop that some people from the ward have used since the Golden Hind stop was axed.

Kevin Wilkins, the Liberal Democrat County Councillor for West Chesterton, has been writing to officers raising the main problems, and trying to suggest alternative solutions to their claimed problems with the Park&Ride. If we have any news we will let you know.

Building the substation on King's Hedges Rd

Following a complaint about the noise from the building of the substation on King's Hedges Road (the big metal structure just next to CRC) I arranged a meeting with Mr Hoyle, the project manager, and a resident of the Armitage Way estate.

The good news is that the noisiest part of the construction is now drawing to a close. Mr Hoyle assured us that the use of the air-gun tool will be finishing this week (assuming that the weather holds and no unexpected problems crop up).

It also seems that Mr Hoyle's efforts at passing on the complaints may have had an effect as the resident told us that the noise had reduced.

He is keen to be a good neighbour, so if there are big problems with noise from the site do get in touch and I will pass them on to him.

Pinch points on King's Hedges Road

The work on the pinch points on King's Hedges Road (as advertised in the last paper Focus) are well advanced now. If there are any problems/thoughts let us know!

Campkin Road repairs

The short term repairs have been made to the pavement outside Campkin Road shops. The holes have been patched with tarmac to make them safe.

This is not the end of the issue: there are plans to improve this area. At the last North Area Committee they were delayed to get some more feedback from people such as the local police. The final ideas should go before the next North Area Committee and then out to consultation.

If you wish to be involved when the plans go to consultation let me know and I will pass your details on.

South Cambs threatens IVC community funding

Whilst this is out of our patch being in Impington and not in the City this is a cause we should support.

South Cambs 'reviewing' the funding of dual use grants for facilities at Impington Village College. This is money that improves the sports facilities for children at the school and pays for them to be available for local people. More details available on Histon and Impington village website.

This directly effects those in the ward who go to the school or use the facilities.

The other issue is the effect cutting this money will have on demand for other services. For Histon and Impington residents, including those in Arbury Park, that means those provided by the City.

I hope you can join me signing this petition.

(Partial) Victory on Milton Road Buses

Following the effors of local residents, including your local councillors, Stagecoach are now running a regular bus service down Milton Rd. Stagecoach and the County Council finally accept that the situation was ridiculous.

Whilst it isn't as good as the Park&Ride which it replaces, we now have buses every 20 minutes to the city centre, and with only one change needed to get to Addenbrookes. Combined with the number 9 we now have 5 services an hour

Now we need to get Stagecoach to put the city centre stops on the timetables.

Milton Road trees petition

We are making steady progress collecting signatures. Many people have signed at either Co-Op store that are holding a copy.

You can now sign the petition online.

This also includes a printable petition page that you can use to collect more signatures to help us. Please return it to either the address on the sheet or directly to me at 19 Kirkby Close, Cambridge.

So far we already have signatures from people as far afield as Ely, Milton and Peterborough, which shows support is not limited to just the local people.

If you haven't already done so please sign up now

Good news about pavement near Kirkwood Road

As many who live in the King's Hedges Road area are aware, there has been a new warehouse development going on in Kirkwood Road.

Yesterday, a local resident asked me about the pavement, which is currently interrupted by kerbs from the old access onto King's Hedges Road.

I've just visited the site and spoken with the site manager. He has assured me that it is going to be turned into a consistent pathway, with the kerbs removed, and the area to the side dug up, and re-seeded on new topsoil.

He's said to me that if any residents have any questions, then they're welcome to visit him and he'll give them a 5 minute run through of what's happening... and even a tour around the units in a hard hat, if you want.

As someone who's daughter lives in the area, he's keen to ensure that it's left as a pleasant environment for us all.