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.

February drop in session

If you have an issue with services provided by Cambridgeshire County or Cambridge City Council then we may be able to help, and there are several ways to get in touch.

If you'd like to speak to one of us face-to-face then you can come to our monthly drop in session on Saturday. We'll be at the Arbury Community Centre from 10am until noon.

So please do come and see us if you have a problem.  If you can't make us, you can of course phone or email.  The details are on the left hand side of this webpage.

Council Digs Deep To Invest £15,000 In New Allotments

Cambridge City Council has dug deep into its finances to provide £15,000 for new allotments in the city.

Seventeen allotments will be created off Kendal Way in East Chesterton and up to 50 plots will be provided by potentially extending Empty Common in Trumpington.

The plots will be allocated to people who have registered on the council’s 290 strong waiting list for allotments.

Cambridge City Executive Councillor for Art, Sport and Public Places, Rod Cantrill said: “We are committed to helping people who want to grow their own produce. This helps them maintain a healthy and sustainable lifestyle and I am delighted that we have been able to invest in creating these new plots.

“Our waiting list is testament to the fact that people are recognising the benefits of growing their own food.”

East Chesterton residents, Clare Blair, Lil Speed and Mike Pitt joined Cllr Cantrill at the site of the new allotments in Kendal Way.

Mrs Blair said: ““We have campaigned for this on behalf of local residents and I am delighted to see that the city council has acted on our request.

“With all the pressures on people’s incomes, it is a real bonus if they can grow their own fruit and vegetables rather than paying supermarket prices.

Mrs Speed added: “These new allotments are going to be really great for East Chesterton and I am very pleased that the council has found money in these difficult times to help some of the people on its waiting list here for allotments.”

Cllr Rod Cantrill (right) joins (from left) Clare Blair, Lil Speed and Mike Pitt to take a look at the site for the new allotments in Kendal Way

Planning application at Jenny Wren

A little later than usual, but there is one planning application to report in King's Hedges last week: it is for the replacement of the "existing post sign with double legged sign (internally illuminated)" at the Jenny Wren pub on Campkin Road.

Full details can be seen at the relevant page of the City Council's online planning website. If you prefer to look in person the reference number is 12/0081/ADV.

As always in case of difficulty contact the team.

Huppert Welcomes Government Bonus For Affordable City Homes

MP Julian Huppert has welcomed government funding which will give Cambridge City Council hundreds of thousands of pounds this year to plan for and build more affordable homes.

The money comes through the New Homes Bonus, a multi-billion pound programme which rewards communities for accepting more house building in their areas. It includes an extra reward for building new, affordable homes and for getting long-term empty homes back into use.

Julian said: “Our city badly needs affordable housing to give people a chance to come off the social housing waiting lists.

“I am delighted that the government has recognised how Cambridge is growing and the need for houses that are within the reach of the average family rather than just those on high incomes.”

Cambridge City Council will receive £700,000 under the New Homes Bonus scheme in 2012/13 and for the next five years.

Julian added: “During 13 years of Labour government, Britain was facing a housing crisis as the number of affordable homes fell and waiting lists almost doubled.

“House building is already up a quarter under the coalition government and this is only the start.”

Catherine Smart, Cambridge City Executive Councillor for Housing said: “Money is needed to plan for and build the houses we desperately need.

“We have 7,000 people on our waiting list for social housing and there are even more who would like to buy their own homes but there are none available at prices they can afford.

“We need more of all kinds to be built but at the same time, we want the additional houses to be of quality and create areas that are of quality where people will be pleased to live.  Quality does not come cheap but this money will help."

Illegal Money Lending Being Tackled Across Cambridgeshire

Trading Standards Officers from Cambridgeshire County Council are being supported by the England Illegal Money Lending Team to bring illegal money lenders to justice in the County. This specialist joint team will be launching a crackdown on illegal money lending by spearheading investigations and prosecuting offenders through the courts.

In the past the Team have secured convictions for drugs offences, blackmail, violence, rape and other offences linked to illegal money lending. They have already secured more than 190 prosecutions which have led to 117 years worth of prison sentences, written off almost £40million worth of illegal debt and helped over 16,000 victims.

Nationally there are an estimated 310,000 households borrowing from illegal money lenders, more commonly known as loan sharks.  With a lack of paperwork, these criminals keep their victims in the dark about how much they owe and will charge exorbitant interest rates -  in some cases in excess of 130,000% APR.

Loan sharks operate illegally; making their victims lives a misery. They often trap people into spiralling debt and resort to the most extreme methods such as violence, threats or intimidation to pressure victims into making repayments.

At the beginning of the year the County Council held an event, attended by staff from various local organisations, to enable them to learn more about the Child Poverty Strategy, the impact illegal lending can have on individuals and the support that is available if people believe a loan shark is operating in their community.

King's Hedges County Councillor Andy Pellew said "Tacking the cycle of poverty and low aspiration in communities like ours has to be one of everyone's highest priorities, not just the County Councils, and it's massively encouraging to see the involvement of this specialist national team tackling this issue. Loan Sharks are just one of the ways vulnerable people can be trapped in poverty and I'd encourage anyone with any information to contact the team at the details below."

Tony Quigley, Head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team, said: "Illegal lenders not only rip people off with extortionate rates of interest but resort to the most despicable methods to enforce their debts. We are sending out a clear message in Cambridgeshire that this will not be tolerated."

"We would urge anyone affected by illegal money lending to call our confidential hotline on 0300 555 2222 as we can help."

To report a loan shark:

Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222
Text 'loan shark + your message' to 60003
E-mail reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Log-on to www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks
Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject

New Laws For Air Travel Must Protect Environment - Huppert

MP Julian Huppert called on the government to take more action to protect the environment as new legislation governing the aviation industry makes its way through Parliament.

Julian, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Transport Committee said that he wanted to see more consideration given to environmental issues in the Civil Aviation Bill which received its Second Reading in the House of Commons yesterday (Monday, January 30).

“The real costs of airplane emissions are often hidden and the government has a duty to make them known as a first step towards making sure that something can be done to reduce them,” he said during the debate.

He added that although the Bill gives new powers to publish information on the environmental impact of aviation there is no duty on the Civil Aviation Authority to act on that information.

“Aviation accounts for a significant and growing proportion of our carbon emissions and it also has a significant noise impact, which we must take into account,” he said. “The body that regulates aviation must have regard to these facts and bear some responsibility.”

He asked Transport Minister, Norman Baker: “Will he consider more carefully whether it would be a good idea to put environmental duty in the Bill so that as many steps as possible can be taken to protect the environment?”

Mr Baker said that Ministers would have an “open mind” if he could demonstrate that the Bill did not have the power to take action that was needed.

Julian welcomed moves through the Bill to make air travel more passenger focused and extend the scope of ATOL to give travellers more protection.

He told Parliament that, for too long transport policy had been based on the “top-down, central control of large systems” rather than passenger-focused and “viewed from the bottom up”.

“We in the Liberal Democrats particularly welcome the Government’s aspiration to put passengers at the heart of airport operations and the sections of the Bill that help to accomplish that,” he said.

He also welcomed moves to extend the scope of ATOL, the organisation which protects consumers’ rights, to give passengers the assurances they deserve.

“It is clearly absurd that only a small proportion of holidays are covered currently and that many consumers are simply unaware whether they are protected or not,” he added.

And he said: “I hope that in committee we can ensure that the Bill properly delivers the government’s aims and creates a sustainable future for civil aviation in the country based on open data, proper regulation, sustainable transport and passenger-led reforms.”

Later Julian said: “The aviation industry is developing fast and this Bill gives us the opportunity to put in place the necessary legislation to make sure that we can offer passengers the best safeguards while at the same time doing everything we can to protect our environment.

“Air travel is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions and if we don’t get this Bill right and make environmental considerations a key part of this legislation we could cause untold damage.”

Huppert Pushes Prime Minister To Commit To Lib Dem Policy To Help Poorly Paid

Cambridge MP, Julian Huppert has received the Prime Minister’s commitment to a Liberal Democrat promise to make sure millions of poorly paid people don’t pay income tax.

David Cameron told Julian that he was proud that the low pay of 1.1 million was already free of tax and he was committed to making more progress on this issue.

Julian quizzed Mr Cameron on the Liberal Democrat priority during Prime Minister’s Questions today (Wednesday, February 1) in the House of Commons.

He said: “The Liberal Democrat plan to increase the income tax threshold to £10,000 was on the front page of our manifesto. It will give many working people £700 a year and lift many poorly paid people out of income tax altogether.

“At a time when many working people are struggling to make ends meet, will the Prime Minister move further and faster on this much-needed tax cut?”

Mr Cameron told Julian he was right to raise this issue.

“I am proud of the fact that we have taken 1.1 million people out of tax," he said. Those are some of the lowest paid people in our country and the majority of them are women. We are committed to making more progress during this Parliament with this policy.”

Julian said later: “This is a real commitment from the government to a policy which was at the heart of the Liberal Democrats’ election promises. We made this promise because we knew how so many lower paid people in this country were struggling to make ends meet against an unfair tax system.

“I am delighted that the Prime Minister has recognised the important of this issue and given his personal commitment to make it happen quickly.”