Your County Councillor

COUNTY COUNCIL LETTER

 Mid December / January  2002

STRUCTURE PLAN

Where are we going to build a town of 6.000 dwellings by 2006 the south part of Cambridgeshire?

For the whole of this last month (and further back, if it comes to that) I have been following the debate and adding views where sensible.

You may remember there are over half a dozen possible sites for a new town which will be additional to the expected growth of Cambridge City and larger villages such as -Burwell which is completing much previously planned expansion.

There was a strongly argued proposal for a new town at Six Mile Bottom which I have opposed since it appeared . The other candidates ranged from Wilburton around the north and west of the City to Great Abington.

At the time of writing we can expect a recommendation to go to the County Council Cabinet suggesting a choice between Oakington/ Longstanton or Waterbeach.

If the Cabinet agrees it will go to full Council on 18 December for ratification. Again, if agreed, this will be put forward in the formal Structure Plan process of consultation and public inquiry during 2002.

The two villages just mentioned have climbed to the top of the pile since they have met more of the 30 or more fundamental criteria than their other contestants.

Because the measurements against essential criteria nave been judged objectively, there has been little need for NIMBY-ism to show itself. Having said that, few people in any of the villages concerned would welcome a town as big as six thousand dwellings in their parish. More news on this vital matter early next year.

At long last the much delayed sale of QUEENS.COURT.,. Bottisham to Hereward Housing Association has been completed. Hereward will arrange for the Methodists Homes for the Aged organisation to run it on a daily basis. In due time Hereward expect to refurbish and increase Queen's Courts size. Planning permission has already been gained.

Villages in Reach, Swaffham Prior and Burwell in particular and our neighbourhood in general will be interested and, I hope, pleased to learn that the-NATIONAL HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND has granted over £300.000 to restore the Devil's Dyke to its former condition of native chalk grassland During the last half century it has become infested by scrub and has suffered erosion. Earlier steps to improve this huge Anglo Saxon earthwork monument has included steps inserted on the path along its top and the imaginative control of unwanted weeds and scrub by the use of Andrew Hill's sheep.

Nevertheless, with seven miles of dyke to restore much more was needed and now we have the money. The programme, of restoration will extend over five years.

Try the celebratory special ale "Devils 800" at the Dykes End pub in Reach if Phil Vincent has -any left:

By the time you read this, Christmas and New Year will be upon us. Greetings and good wishes for the whole holiday period.

JANUARY 2002

NEAR SETTLEMENT

As I predicted last month the County Council decided to support the proposal to locate a new 6000 dwelling small town in the Oakington/ Longstanton area. Waterbeach .came behind and Six Mile Bottom, was near the bottom of the list. The plan now goes to public consultation until about Easter and will be subject to a Public Enquiry (P.E.) to determine the Structure Plan as a whole. The Inspector at the P.E. will then report back in the Autumn and the final steps can then be taken to bring the Plan into force.

For those of us opposing the choice of Six Mile Bottom, there is considerable relief that we have persuaded the Council not to choose it for good planning reasons. However, we need to keep a wary eye on how the Enquiry goes so that there is not a sudden unexpected surge of support for Six Mile Bottom. After all, some of you may remember before the last Structure Plan the Council advocated a new town on the A10 between Cambridge and Ely. What we got was Cambourn on the A428 west of the City:

COUNCIL TAX AND BUDGET STRATEGY

The Cabinet wishes to stick to its suggested increase of 9.3% (£1.19 per week Band D) but it will be necessary to secure full County Council agreement next month before it comes into effect next April.

You may be tired of hearing how badly we feel Cambridgeshire (County and Districts) has been unfairly treated with a totally inadequate grant. Nevertheless, it is true. This is why all the Cambridgeshire Councils and the Police Authority are under such pressure and why tax increases have to rise to fund the gaps at a rate over inflation. This is the way the Government carries out its policy of keeping down Income Tax and passing the cost of local services more and more to local councils via Council Tax.

Broadly speaking, this year there is common ground on the Budget proposals between the three parties. I see my opposition role as trying to ensure value for the precious money we have available.

EDUCATION - EXAM RESULTS

The percentage of pupils in Cambridgeshire schools achieving 5 or more GCSEs at grades A - C rose last year to 53% well above the national average of 47%. A credit to all staff and pupils involved, bearing in mind we are bottom of the league table for Government cash.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE -GARDEN PARTY:

Anyone born on 6 February 1952 has been invited to 'a-special Garden Party at the Palace on. 9th July 2002. Guests may bring one companion each (over 18 years). Applications in writing and accompanied by a copy of the birth certificate should be sent to the Clerk to the Lieutenancy, Box No, RES 1108, Shire Hall, Cambridge C83 OAP, by 15 February.

James Fitch

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