James Fitch            Tel. 01223 811425

MID FEBRUARY

B U D G E T

Future housing growth to 2016

I have often mentioned how fast Cambridgeshire is growing; the evidence surrounds us in the form of new factories, businesses and homes. The Government now forecasts a UK need of over 4 million new homes between 1991 and 2016. Although the number of new homes required in Cambridgeshire is still not agreed, the County is now consulting widely on a possible 45.000 more dwellings over and above those built since 1991 and those already provided for in existing planning permissions or Local Plan allocations.

I must quickly reassure you that the above comments take into account the probable outcome-of the East Cambs. Local Plan (up to 2006) currently going through its consultation and testing stages. You may remember this would allow for groups of eight (rarely more) in Burwell and Bottisham with infill for the Swaffhams .Lode and Reach. Nevertheless, depending on how it all works out there could be significant growth of housing in Littleport, Ely and Soham inside East Cambs.

For those interested there is a public consultation at The Manor School, Cambridge, on March 3rd at 7.30pm.

The County Budget

After a long and strenuous 6 hour debate the Bu e t was finally settled on the 10th February. As I have hinted previously, the Council Tax will rise to about £519 for a Band D property, with the usual variations for the other bands. To this figure you should add the District charge of £56 (Band D) and the Police precept which I expect will be more then last year.

The new Conservative administration has had a difficult time trying to balance Government public spending restraint with a rapidly expanding population particularly the young and elderly. Also the policy of increasing the proportion of local  government expenditure borne by the Council Tax imposed by the last Government has been continued by the new Labour one of 1997.