Local Councillors

District and County Councillors’ Report

This report is a recap of some of the key items brought to the Parish Council, but not a replica - there are always new things cropping up and so we’re not always in sync! If you’re looking for a record of our Parish Council reports, these are kindly posted on the Parish Council website.

Anglian Water Meeting

We had a very productive meeting with Anglian Water to discuss system capacity in our area and to understand key problem areas and what can be done. The key outcome is that Meldreth is on a high priority list for the ‘Infiltration Reduction Programme,’ though just missed being included this financial year – so we are hoping for soon after April 2022. This follows the problems experienced in the Whitecroft Road area last winter. The works should have a positive bearing on the wider area. We have requested Anglian Water asset maps for Meldreth and will share when we receive them. Anglian Water welcomes supporting Parish Councils with regard to planning applications with significant implications on drainage. We also learned that, unsurprisingly, Anglian Water is working hard to anticipate the effects of climate change and the projection of high frequency severe rainfall events. Anglian Water’s Priority Service Register is a free service that anyone can sign up to, should they need a little extra support. Customers can sign up on the Anglian Water website or through Anglian Water contact centres. See https:// www.anglianwater.co.uk/help-and-advice/water-care/priority-services. Please feel free to contact us with any questions on the above.

The Unflushables

Every year, Anglian Water clears around 40,000 blockages from our sewers alone. Eighty per cent of these blockages are completely avoidable but cause more pollutions in the environment than anything else. We trust that the following practical tips, provided by Anglian Water, are helpful! There’s nothing like saying it like it is…

In the kitchen:  Used water is the only thing you should put down your sink.  Used cooking oil should never be poured down the sink. Instead recycle it, compost at home or wait until it is cool, pour into a plastic bottle with a lid, and take to a Household Waste Recycling

Centre for recycling.  Use kitchen towel to absorb cooled liquid fat from cooking pans and trays.  Leftovers, peelings and food scraps should never go down the sink.

Use a sink strainer to stop them going down the plughole and empty into the bin or food waste bin. Peelings can be composted at home. In the bathroom:  The three ‘Ps’ (pee, poo and toilet paper) are the only things that should go down the loo.  A bin is the best place for all your unflushable waste. Put one by the toilet, so nobody’s tempted to flush rubbish.  Put wipes, cotton wool, floss and cotton buds in the bin.  Use bags or toilet paper to discreetly dispose of sanitary products waste – again, in the bin.  Sink strainers are good at catching hair that could otherwise block the plughole in your shower or bath.

Worth paying attention, worth sending in your two penneth!

We’ve had lots of consultations – endless it seems – and the layers upon layers can be bewildering and disheartening. But please, if you are concerned about Thakeham’s unconventional methods of lobbying government for a new South West Cambridge new town, do consider responding to the Greater Cambridge Local Plan First Proposals consultation, because the Local Plan follows accountable democratic processes and is built on principles of strategic infrastructure, including water and runs to 13th December. The Local Plan First Proposals do not include the land required for Thakeham’s new town – however the consultation period is a window during which new proposals can be brought forward. This is a legal requirement. So, if you support the proposals as they stand, please respond to say so!

https://greatercambridgeplanning.org/emerging-plans-and-guidance/ greater-cambridge-local-plan. [See also page 14.]

Covid: Cambridgeshire ‘Enhanced Response Area’ Status

Unfortunately, Covid rates in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were so high in October that we are now an ‘Enhanced Response Area’ for tackling the Covid pandemic. Our National Health Service and GP services are severely stretched, as many people will have experienced personally – both as patients and as employees (and a huge thank you to all who are working in health and care professions). We are now in a very serious situation, and this move by the Council and the Director of Public Health is both necessary and welcome. One of Susan’s roles is chairing the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Covid Outbreak Engagement Board, so please feel free to contact her directly if you have any queries. The new status runs at least through the first week in December. It allows the Council to push for additional support to:  Accelerate and target 12-15 vaccination roll out to key areas and schools where infections are highest.  Accelerate booster vaccinations for eligible groups who have had their second vaccination more than six months ago.  Increase vaccination rates in areas with the lowest uptake.  The Councils will also enter into further discussions with the

Department for Education about additional measures it can use in schools. In the meantime they will continue to:  Encourage secondary school teachers or pupils who are household contacts of positive cases to take daily lateral flow tests.  Advise schools that face coverings should be worn in secondary school communal areas and that meetings should happen virtually where possible.  Encourage anyone who is a household contact of a positive case to take daily rapid tests, until a negative PCR test is received.

For the general public, government funded additional communications are also beginning. These will:  Recommend wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed areas where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet.  Remind people to get their vaccinations, test regularly and particularly before attending events, meet with others outside their households in well ventilated spaces and wash hands regularly and well. More information is available here: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/enhanced-response-areastatus-vital-to-protect-nhs-and-vital-services

Reminder: Covid Support Available

The Government has extended the financial payments available to help people self-isolate, until the end of next March. These payments support people who will lose income as a result of having to self-isolate and will struggle to pay their bills or buy food and essentials. https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus/ coronaviruscovid-19-support-to-self-isolate A Household Support Fund (originally the Winter Support Grant) is now up and running - more information here: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/ schools-learning/help-with-school-learning-costs/free-school-meals

Any Questions or Concerns?

As always, please feel free to get in touch any time with questions or concerns – and if you’d like to meet us virtually, we hold a Wednesday afternoon Zoom Cuppa Councillors’ Surgery. Drop us a line and we’ll send you the link.

District Councillor Sally Ann Hart, sallyannhart@riskingonpurpose.com, 07791 233303 District Councillor Jose Hales, Josehales@gmail.com, 07703 262649 County Councillor Susan van de Ven, susanvandeven5@gmail.com, 07905 325574