District and County Councillors’ Report

Meldreth-Melbourn – The Wonderpass

Words cannot do justice to the transformation of what was just a few weeks ago a dingy and neglected place that didn’t inspire confidence – but which figures on the essential off-road walking route between our two villages. Two weeks of community art, in which people of all ages have come down to pick up a paintbrush and found themselves unable to put it down, have resulted in a tribute to the vibrant place that is our community. There will be a special opening ceremony, with a chance to say a very big thank you to all the people and groups that have made this happen. But in the meantime, if you’d like to feel your heart uplifted, please walk from the London platform at Meldreth Station across the field to Melbourn. Smiles are guaranteed!

Royston Recycling Centre Restrictions to non-Hertfordshire Residents

Following Hertfordshire County Council’s (HCC’s) announcement that Cambridgeshire residents would be restricted from using the Royston Recycling Centre, Susan has asked Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) to discuss options with HCC, who indicated there was scope for special arrangements. CCC is in a minority of local authorities not to restrict access to non-county residents.

Potholes

We’re extremely concerned and know that our local highways officers are currently overwhelmed with potholes, many more like craters. This is a matter of urgent concern with senior officers. Thanks to everyone who’s been in touch.

We’ve had a series of temporary emergency fixes which have been very short-lived and ineffective and are in the process of following these up. There should now be some more lasting repairs done on the hot spots that have plagued anyone using the roads over the winter, though the list is long and this will take time. Nevertheless, if you want to bring to attention any unacceptable repair job you’d like us to be sure to highlight, please write to Susan. If you can provide the exact location and a simple description that would be much appreciated.

Police Community Meeting

Anyone can attend the quarterly online police community meetings. The next is on 2nd May – sign-up in advance: https://orlo.uk/ZpXeG.

If you are concerned about any pattern of crime or anti-social behaviour, feel free to let us know and we’ll help bring it to attention.

Supporting Home-Start – Sponsor our Turtles Swim Team!

Once again the Turtles Swimmers (maybe slow, but determined) are jumping into the pool to raise much needed funds for Home-Start Royston, Buntingford and South Cambridgeshire – which provides essential support to young families.

The Aquathon took place on 23rd April but you can still donate via this link: https://visufund.com/aquathon-2023-south-cambs-turtles. Thank you for your support!

EV Charging Points at Elin Way Meldreth Sheltered Housing Facility

SCDC write: ‘We have installed public electric vehicle chargers in Meldreth, at the Sheltered Accommodation communal building parking. There have been some hurdles in getting these online following installation but they are now operational. These are a trial and we will be monitoring usage over the coming months. They are available to the public as well as SCDC tenants and each charger can serve two vehicles simultaneously in the marked parking bays.

The chargers are now registered on Zap Map so anyone looking for a public charger can find them.

2x 7kw AC single socket chargers, Type 2 connectors (wall mounted)

Network: Fuuse

Payment: contactless card and/or via Fuuse app

Price: 35p /kWh

Healthier Futures Fund

This is a grant funding pot designed for the voluntary sector, supporting:

 Children’s and young people’s mental health

 Frailty

 People who use health services very frequently

 People who have an irreversible progressive disease or medical condition that can significantly impact on quality of life

 Cardiovascular disease (including but not limited to smoking cessation)

 Supporting people who are medically fit to leave hospital

Please see https://www.cpics.org.uk/news/healthier-futures-fund-1967.

New Government Funding to Decarbonise Council Homes

South Cambridgeshire District Council has successfully bid for £1.7 million Government funding, to continue work to decarbonise Council homes. This will be added to the projects the Council has already started to improve the fabric of its Council homes. It will also support other measures being put in place to help the Council achieve its own and the Government’s Net Zero targets.

The money is coming from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and is designed to upgrade a significant amount of the social housing stock across the country that is currently below Energy Performance Certificate C, up to that standard.

The District Council owns and maintains around 5,600 Council homes in South Cambridgeshire. The new funding will go towards energy efficiency upgrades within these homes. Energy saving measures such as exterior wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, new windows and doors, draft proofing measures, as well as heat pumps and solar panel installation can be provided with the funding. These measures could save tenants between £220 and £400 a year on energy bills. More than £2 million had already been allocated to continue work to retrofit the Council’s existing housing stock over the next two years, as part of ongoing carbon reduction efforts. Solar panels have already been installed on almost 2,200 SCDC Council homes to help tenants generate their own electricity. Nearly 870 solid wall homes have been fitted with external wall insulation.

East–West Rail Route: Announcement Due in May

In the Spring Budget policy paper released following the Chancellor’s Budget speech on 15th March, it was confirmed that:

 The East–West Rail route announcement will happen in May.

 The government will provide up to £15 million local capacity funding to support local authorities along the East West Rail route to maximise economic opportunities.

In The News: Cambourne to Cambridge Busway, and question of a referendum on a Sustainable Transport Zone in Cambridge

This is not local to Meldreth but is of interest to many following media reporting. If you’re interested in reading the background, we have included this in our Spring Community Newsletter, which is posted on Susan’s website: https://susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk. Alternatively, please contact any of us and we can print you off a copy and drop it by.

Zoom Cuppa Mondays 5.00-6.00pm

We hold a weekly drop-in surgery via Zoom every Monday. Please contact us for the link or feel free to get in touch any time and we’ll find a time and place to suit.

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

Malton Lane Litter Pick: 24th May

A litter pick is being organised for Malton Lane on 24th May, starting at 3.00pm. Please meet on the day at the junction of Malton Lane and North End.

An Orwell group will be starting from the other end at the same time. Gloves, litter picking devices, high vis and bags will be provided.

Please let me know if you think you might like to come along – just so I have enough kit. Thank you!

Susan van de Ven

07905325574

Specialists in made to measure window coverings:

Beautifully made and locally produced Curtains and Roman Blinds

Suppliers of Sanderson, William Morris, Harlequin, Scion, Prestigious Textiles

Roller, Vertical, Pleated, Wood, PVC and Aluminium Venetian Blinds

Contemporary window dressings: Plantation shutters and Awnings

Experts in home automated motorised solutions

FREE- NO OBLIGATION QUOTATIONS.

FIND US AT Phillimore Garden Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn. SG8 6EY

Tel: 01763 263399 www.sageblinds.co.uk

Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm & Sat 9am-1pm

£1,000 welcome bonus!

Earn from £11per hour

No experience necessary

Day Support Workers wanted Night Support Workers wanted

Rewarding