Local Councillors

Anglian Water Meeting

We will be meeting with Anglian Water again this month to catch up on key issues in our area including some specific concerns in Meldreth. Thanks to people who’ve been in touch.

Clearing of Watercourse, Chiswick End

We were glad to know that SCDC’s watercourse team were out not long ago for maintenance purposes, clearing the watercourse on the eastern side of the road.

Bus Meetings

Bus user group meetings were held in December to seek bus users’ input for any future changes to services – and to hear from people who would use the bus if the service met their needs. This has now fed into a response to the Making Connections consultation. There are some basic requirements flagged up for Meldreth, including a link bus to our rail stations, early and late services (the current one service per day is not adequate), truly accessible buses that will take more than one buggy or wheelchair, integrated ticketing with one ticket covering a journey requiring changes, Saturday and Sunday service, access to Royston Tesco and Gateway.

Making Connections Consultation

As part of the ambition to improve walking and cycling links between villages we have highlighted the need for safer connections between Meldreth and Whaddon, and Meldreth and Shepreth. Both would help with active travel access to rail stations.

Community Rail Partnership Accreditation

The Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership has received accreditation status from the Department for Transport for the third consecutive year. This is a mark of excellence in terms of financial stewardship, collaboration, community involvement and trust. It also allows our CRP to access special Community Rail funds for local projects. Our thanks to Sarah Grove, our Project Officer, whose outstanding work has made this possible. Thanks also to our Community Interest Company directors.

County Council Business Planning for 2023-24

At the time of writing, the Council faces a budget gap of about £29 million due to inflation. Much work has been done to close that gap ahead of the February budget meeting, but a £13 million gap remains to be filled. The lion’s share of the County Council’s budget is directed to children and adult social care. Government’s social care reforms have been largely postponed for the foreseeable future though much work has been done over the past year in the expectation of their imminent implementation.

Electric Vehicle Charging Point Grant

The Electric Vehicle (EV) Charge Point Grant is available to fund installation of Electric Vehicle Charge Points for use by the public, and related works, in the car parks of community buildings and village halls within South Cambridgeshire. The deadline for 2022/2023 applications is 31st March 2023: https:// www.scambs.gov.uk/climate-emergency-and-nature/grants-funding-andcommunity-support/electric-vehicle-charge-point-grant.

Ukraine – New Hosts Needed

Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire have between them about 500 hosts for Ukrainian guests. With the war in Ukraine continuing, the six-month hosting arrangements have needed to be renewed, although not all hosts are in a position to continue. Anyone who might be able to provide a spare room for a guest from Ukraine is asked to get in touch with SCDC, or please contact any of us and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Cost of Living Support

Please remember that there’s loads of clear and concise information on the SCDC website homepage (scambs.gov.uk) – and also listed in the South Cambridgeshire Magazine, which you can read online: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/your-counciland-democracy/the-south-cambs-magazine.

Community Chest Cost of Living Support

SCDC’s Community Chest fund provides grants to voluntary and community sector groups, charities and public sector bodies wishing to further improve quality of life locally. Criteria have been expanded to allow bids that include contributions for any project that has a positive impact for communities related to the cost-of-living crisis. Parish Councils of any size can also now place grant bids. A ringfenced total sum of £20,000 has been made available for these new Community Chest grant applications, provided by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System, to ensure support is co-ordinated effectively and directed at those in need locally this winter.

Help for Households Campaign – Social Tariffs

The government has worked with a range of Internet Service Providers (IPSs) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to deliver low-cost broadband and telephone service packages, called social tariffs, for those on low incomes. Social tariffs are available for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits, with some providers offering deals from £15 a month.

Warm Home Discount scheme reopened

The Warm Home Discount scheme will provide a discount of £150 off electricity bills for three million low-income households this winter. Most households will receive the discount automatically. The government has launched a new online tool, to make it easier for the public to check if they are eligible for the discount. The online tool will guide customers through the eligibility criteria in England and Wales, asking questions about electricity supply, the benefits they receive and

characteristics of their property. All customers will receive a letter before midJanuary 2023 confirming their eligibility and the payment will be made automatically through energy suppliers by March 2023. The government is also writing to customers who may be eligible, advising them to use the tool linked below to check eligibility, as well as to use the helpline for particularly complex cases. https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.

Go Fund Me – Electric Blankets and Slow Cookers, SCDC Grant

People are invited to donate to a new emergency Go Fund Me campaign which will help finance the response to the cost of living crisis in South Cambridgeshire. SCDC has kickstarted the initiative to help provide more vulnerable residents hit hardest by the cost of living crisis with lower cost options to keep warm and cook. https://www.gofundme.com/f/scdccostofliving. The Go Fund Me page has been launched, with money raised being added to Council support for people just about managing. The funding the Council has pledged could see around 400 people supported with free electric blankets and slow cookers; more can be done if donations are received. In the first stage of the scheme, the Council will write to people who receive a 75-85% Council Tax discount as they have been identified as potentially in greatest need of support. This group may be expanded depending on the number of donations received. The first group of people eligible will have three weeks to claim the support offered by completing an online form. A telephone number will be provided for people without internet access to call and go through the form with a member of Council staff. If more budget becomes available after three weeks due to donations, the scheme will be expanded to more people on lower brackets of council tax discounts. The Go Fund Me page is part of a wide range of support worth about £400,000 being put in place by the Council to support residents.

Any Questions or Concerns?

Please remember we are always available to try and help with any questions or concerns, whether by telephone, email, or in person or at our 5.00-6.00pm Zoom Cuppa surgery on Mondays. Let us know if you’d like to join in 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

Please Support Meldreth Matters

To advertise in the magazine, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176. Our rates are on page 48 of this issue.