Congratulations to Histon FC

I doubt Cllr McGovern will agree but I just want to pass on congratulations to Histon on their superb FA Cup win today.

Our neighbours from just across the A14 gave Leeds a real tough game, and I think they earnt their luck. I'm sure the Cambridge City and Utd fans will disagree though.

Here's hoping for Arsenal (my team) v Histon in the 3rd round draw.

The big problem for me is putting up with my head of department at school all next week (he's a Histon season ticket holder)...

Update: Histon drew Swansea at home in the next round.

No ID cards in Cambridge please!

As reported in the Cambridge News I am proposing a motion welcoming the County Council's decision to join the City Council in opposing ID cards.

The Government scheme is a hugely expensive waste of time. Whilst the article mentions the impact it will have on students at our universities there are plenty of other reasons to oppose the scheme. The huge cost alone is one reason. The fact that it will not help fight illegal immigration, terrorism or other crimes is another.

I am a member of No2ID and I'd urge others to join the fight against ID cards.

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.

Kings Hedges ASB group meeting

The King's Hedges ASB group meets this Thursday at 19.30 at the Community House (37 Lawrence Way, next to Tesco on Campkin Road).

Unfortunately Council business means that I won't be able to attend, but the meeting still gives a chance for people to raise concerns about criminal activity and anti-social behaviour in the ward to Council officers and the Police.

Of course you can also contact us directly if you prefer.

Possible social housing behind Beale Way?

As part of the strategic plan to identify possible new sites to provide more social housing in an attempt to being down the Council's waiting list for homes two sites have been identified in King's Hedges.

One is on the open ground behind Beale Way. Investigation will begin in January as to whether this site is suitable.

As local councillors we will ensure the views of local residents are taken into account, and we are concerned about the possible loss of a play area. However unless and until more details come forward we will need to keep an open mind.

It should be stressed that no decisions have been made! We are at the start of a city wide process.

We are keen to hear from people about this issue. I've already had meetings with some residents in the area.

The other site in King's Hedges in Roman Courts. These need modernising and investigation of the best way to proceed will take place next year. During the time this takes there is a plan to use the properties to house key workers in other sheltered housing schemes. Please get in touch with any concerns.

Trees on Milton Road

We received an email on Friday to inform us that replanting of trees has begun on Milton Road.

This is great news. More to follow!

Delay on Ship recycling centre

A legal problem has arisen with the improvements planned for the Ship recycling centre on Northfield Avenue. This means that work has been stopped until the problem can be resolved. We hope that a solution can be found, but watch this space.

Another Milton Road planning application

Another quick item: 344 Milton Road have applied to "widen an existing dropped kerb".

The application number is 08/1484/FUL

See the City Council website for useful contact information.

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.

More on Edgecombe aerials

The problem with the Edgecombe aerials is quite severe. If you are without TV reception please get in touch with your housing officer as alternative arrangements can be made whilst the problem is investigated further. Any problems call or email us!

In related news the Housing Management Board agreed to the process which will be followed for digital switch over at our meeting last week. The old system will be replaced by a digital system in flats of 3 storeys or more. Do get in touch if you want more information.

More on Edgecombe aerials

The problem with the Edgecombe aerials is quite severe. If you are without TV reception please get in touch with your housing officer as alternative arrangements can be made whilst the problem is investigated further. Any problems call or email us!

In related news the Housing Management Board agreed to the process which will be followed for digital switch over at our meeting last week. The old system will be replaced by a digital system in flats of 3 storeys or more. Do get in touch if you want more information.

Planning application on Milton Road

An application for a "Two storey front extension and conservatory to rear" has been made for 378 Milton Road. The application is 08/1478/FUL, and as ever more details can be found on how to get information or a make a comment from the City Council development control website.

LibDem Councillor Surgeries

If you would rather speak face-to-face with a City Councillor rather than call us or email us (see the contact details) then you might like to know about the Liberal Democrat drop in Surgery every week.

The City Councillors take it in turns to be at the Guildhall between 12.30 and 1.30 every Friday.

It isn't always a King's Hedges' team member, but whoever it is will take details and offer advice, and if needed pass on details to us to help out. Of course if the Guildhall on a Friday lunch isn't possible then give us a call or email to arrange an appointment or see if we can help.

Edgecombe Aerials Out

I received a phone call today informing me that the communal TV aerial for the Edgecombe flats is currently not working, and has been out for some time.

The issue is connected to damaged cabling, and I am trying to find out what the delay is and when it will be fixed.

Watch this space.

In vaguely related news one item on the Housing Management Board agenda for the week after next is the digitial switchover. After that meeting we should have more information on that.

South Cambs consulting on more houses on Arbury Park

Today I received a letter about the consultation Tory run South Cambridgeshire district council are running about trying to squeeze even more housing into the Arbury Park site. This seems bizarre at a time when work on many developments has all but stalled, but does need to be fought.

The two patches (in what the District now calls Orchard Park) are Preferred Sites 1 and 2 on the list. They provide some more information on their website. The document this is based on is hidden away, but linked from here.

The proposals to force more housing into the site at the expense of community facilities is not good sense and will not lead to a sustainable development that people wish to live in. Please get involved by either responding online to the consultation, or writing to Local Development Framework Consultation, South Cambridgeshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridgeshire, CB23 6EA.

We will of course be doing the same. See our earlier post for some of the arguments against this development.

Kirkwood Road reseeded by EDF

The corner of Kirkwood and King's Hedges road has been reseeded by EDF.

The damage to the verge happened some time ago, and EDF agreed to repair the verge as part of the environmental work done connected to the new substation near the site. Hopefully the verge will look much better than it has this year.

Thanks to EDF for this kind gesture!

Learner pool hours restored

Neale recently received a contact about changes in opening hours at the Learner Pool in King's Hedges. The changes meant that the pool was no longer available outside of school hours, and in effect only open to the public for one hour a day!

The pool is run by a company called SLM Ltd on behalf of the City Council and any changes to the opening hours have to be agreed by the Council.

The changes had not been approved, and following intervention by Neale and the LibDem executive Cllr Julie Smith they have been reversed.

We will resist any such changes to the opening hours that are proposed, and will ensure that any such changes are considered when the contract is up for renewal!

Thanks to Julie and her staff for acting quickly on this issue.

As always we are keen to hear from you on this and any other issue.

Ship recycling centre update

The plans for the proposed improvements are available online.

If you have any comments get in touch with Neil McGovern in the usual way.

Northfield Avenue Recycling Centre

At North Area Committee we were presented with plans for improvements to the recycling centre at the corner of the Ship's car park in Northfield Avenue. This is an area in great need of improvement!

We hope we can put the revised plans on our blog to allow residents to comment, but if you want to be kept informed contact Neil McGovern, who is the scheme's champion, to register your interest now.

Milton Road Trees: Planting Plan Agreed

A planting plan has been agreed to allow Milton Road's dead and missing trees to be replaced.

The plan involves planting 97 trees, including replanting 64 currently vacant positions. (The other 33 are trees that are dead or unwell.) The trees will have blossom: most will be cherry but at some road junctions another flowering tree is planned to be used.

The planting plan is over two years, but we expect to see planting resume in the next few months!

Consultation letters will be sent out to residents of Milton Road.

A big thanks to all who signed the petition and helped us keep the pressure on the County Council.