John Reynolds' County report – January 2012 (2)

Cambridgeshire County Councillor John Reynolds.


Celebrations could be right up your street – free!
 
Party people who want to organise a street celebration to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee or the Olympics can do so without having to pay Cambridgeshire County Council a fee.
 
After the success of street parties to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton last year, Cambridgeshire County Council is encouraging residents to start planning celebrations for the Queen's Jubilee and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
The County Council has made the road closure application process easier for anybody who wants to get their community together for a street party – and for small community events, the Council won't charge for road closures on a cul-de-sac or residential roads where there's no significant through traffic.
 
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "We waived the road closure fee for the royal wedding and the Cambridgeshire community celebrated in style with 44 street parties in the county.
 
"I am sure that local people will want to mark such momentous occasions as the Queen's Jubilee and the Olympics and Paralympics – and again the County Council will help them by not chaging a fee."
 
Anyone interested in organising a street party can find advice, information and an online application form on the County Council's website:  www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/trafficmanagement/events/ontheroad/street_parties.htm.

For further advice, contact the County Council's Traffic Manager's Service on 01223 507176.

Local authorities to bid for government cash to repair drought damaged roads

Local authorities across the East of England have joined forces to bid for government cash to help repair millions of pounds worth of damage to roads in the region caused by the ongoing drought conditions.

Information from the Environment Agency indicates that the Fen areas of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Suffolk and Peterborough, are considered to be suffering drought conditions which have caused extensive damage to roads in the affected areas.

Now a group of local authorities is about to make a joint bid to government for financial aid to meet the cost of repairing the roads and is trying to enlist local MPs to help lobby for central funding.

Cambridgeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Community Infrastructure, Councillor Steve Criswell, said: "The Environment Agency considers that an extensive area of the eastern region is still suffering drought conditions with low water levels.

"As a result of the drought the moisture content in the soil beneath the roads has fallen and the soil has shrunk causing serious damage to the roads – we have been trying to keep pace with the repair work, but now the extent of the damage means we need to look for assistance to meet the cost of carrying out the required extensive repairs which are well beyond the financial resources of individual local authorities in the region."

The consortium of local authorities has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening MP, inviting her to view the road damage in the region and 'requesting that the Government review their capital funding to be able to accept a formal bid for additional capital funding to enable damage caused by the drought to be rectified.' The bid for Government funding is expected to be submitted at the end of February.

The local authorities are still working on a comprehensive list of problem sites, but the number across the region grows continuously with an ever-rising bill for repairs which is already estimated to run into several millions of pounds.

Local MPs have also been contacted and asked to lend their support for the bid for Government funding.

Cambridgeshire to transform way subsidised travel delivered

Cambridgeshire County Council’s Cabinet is being asked to consider plans to invest £1.5 million into providing targeted community and alternative transport solutions in place of bus subsidies. The Council has reviewed its previous decision to reduce subsidies to bus services, in order to save £2.7 million.

This included a thorough public consultation to assess the impact that this reduction may have and therefore help to mitigate the impact. This money is used to subsidise bus services that are currently not commercially viable.

Following an analysis of the survey results, members of the Cabinet will be asked to consider bringing in phased reductions in bus subsidies over the next three years. A thorough assessment of local needs will be made first and alternative local transport measures identified wherever possible.

These proposed solutions would be developed as part of the forward looking Cambridgeshire Future Transport project that aims to develop more targeted, effective and locally needed transport provision.

This could include community transport, sharing of transport services with other providers, such as the health sector, or working with bus operators to make existing subsidised services commercial. The Council will work closely with communities to bring in alternative transport measures to better suit local needs and save money at the same time.

Transport Minister Norman Baker has written to councils backing plans where authorities are using community transport in areas where commercial services are not viable.

Some 81% of respondents to the survey did not support the withdrawal of all bus subsidies as this would have an impact on elderly, women, people with disabilities and the young and this proposed approach will address these concerns. Nearly 68% of respondents said they were likely or quite likely to use alternative travel links if they were available in their local area.

Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "It is clear that people value their subsidised bus services which is why we paid for them even though commercially they were not viable.

“But with the large savings we, like other authorities, have to make, we have to look at whether these bus services can be better provided rather than using large vehicles to carry a relatively small amount of people. That is why we are considering investing £1.5 million into alternative transport solutions and phasing reductions over three years. If agreed we would work closely with communities to make sure alternatives are in place that are tailored for local needs.

"The Government is encouraging councils to look at community transport solutions to meet the needs of residents where commercial services are not viable. These could be much more responsive for smaller cost. Operators are already talking to us about how changes can be made to make some services commercially viable – and where there is no alternative, we will consider keeping a subsidised bus."

Book your place as advice service hits the road to libraries

An information service which helps people stay safe, well and independent, is taking to the road to spread the word across Cambridgeshire with a series of events in Libraries. The Your Life, Your Choice service provides online information for people who need information or support to enable them to live an independent life. It also provides details of assistance for such things as social and health care and aids and home adaptations which make life easier for people in their own home.

The roadshows will visit libraries from the end of January, and will feature:

  • Leaflets and information about staying independent, safe and well.
  • Information on aids and devices to help people remain independent.
  • Trading Standards advice on how to Buy With Confidence and avoid rogue traders.
  • Demonstrations of The Your Life, Your Choice online information service.
  • Opportunities to book a session with the libraries' Computer Buddies to help less experienced computer users access online information.


Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "The Your Life, Your Choice website was developed with the support of service users, carers and our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, to encourage people to think more widely than just traditional care services when planning the support they need.

"These roadshows, in addition to promoting Your Life, Your Choice, are focused on providing preventative and self-help information to people who may need it and telling them about the support and services available in their local community. Hopefully, they will show people what is available and the difference it can make to them, their carers and families, while helping them to stay safe and independent for as long as possible," he added.

Roadshow schedule, 2012

     Chatteris Library  August 4 to September 1

     Central Library, Cambridge  June 11  to  July 7

     Cambourne Library  May 14  to  June 9

     Ely Library  July 10  to  August 4

     Huntingdon Library  April 16  to  May 12

     March Library  October 1  to  October 27

     Ramsey Library  January 24  to  February 18

     St Ives Library  February 20  to  March 17

     St Neots Library  October 29  to  November 24

     Wisbech Library  September 3  to  September 29

Access to the Your Life, Your Choice website together with help to find the information you are looking for is already available in your local library or you can access information and advice directly at www.yourlifeyourchoice.org.uk.

Contact John Reynolds

       County Councillor John Reynolds
       4 Holly Trees
       Bar Hill
       Cambridge
       CB23 8SF 

       T  01954 200 571
       F  01954 200 571
       M  07720 379699
       E  john.reynolds@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

 Contact Cambridgeshire County Council


Follow Cambridgeshire County Council on


Your local County and District Councillors

 ▲