Happy New Year! As we embark on 2019, I am certain it promises to be another very full year, both in parliament and here in South Cambridgeshire.
My first meeting of 2019 was with Highways England (HE) to discuss the A14 and the A428 and was joined by Councillors Lynda Harford and Ruth Betson.
I asked for the meeting not only to be updated on the progress of the A14 but also to make HE aware of the concerns which residents and businesses have raised with me about the inconvenience created by the work.
When delivered, the A14 improvement scheme will provide significantly better infrastructure, but throughout the construction period, I am maintaining regular contact with HE to ensure inconvenience is kept to an absolute minimum and that all possible mitigation is put in place. A detailed summary of the meeting is on my website. Ruth also posted a comment, which we placed on this website.
A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet
In relation to the A428, this spring will (finally!) see a preferred route announcement for the new route between the Black Cat roundabout and Caxton Gibbet.
HE confirmed to me that the project will cost significantly more than originally envisaged, so Treasury sign off has been the cause of the delayed announcement.
I will of course provide you with details as soon as I have them.
New children's hospital
At the end of 2018, South Cambridgeshire received some fantastic news – Addenbrooke’s is to get a new children’s hospital.
The need for a dedicated children’s hospital in our region has been talked about for longer than I have been on the scene, so it is wonderful that it will now be delivered.
The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, confirmed up to £100 million will be contributed by the government. We all know Addenbrooke's is a centre of excellence and this new children's hospital will enable them not only to continue to provide first class care in a new purpose built hospital, but will also free up valuable space in the existing building.
Looking ahead, 2019 promises to be a big year for Addenbrooke’s as the Royal Papworth Hospital moves to the site and plans for a train station pick up pace.
More funding for South Cambs
Bringing improved infrastructure and increased funding to South Cambridgeshire are key priorities for me, so I am pleased to share with you a number of recent announcements about the next financial year.
Cambridgeshire County Council received a funding boost, with an increase in core spending power of 5.7%, taking the Council’s funding allocation to £386.5 million.
This increase in core spending power is more than double the average increase in England. It is a very welcome boost to spending on services in South Cambridgeshire.
The Autumn Budget also announced £6,294,319 for Cambridgeshire for adult and children’s social care to help alleviate winter pressures on the NHS.
I continue to press for improved funding for our schools and am working on a new campaign to drive the message home hard to Ministers, ahead of this year’s major government spending review.
Police matters
Cambridgeshire police have seen an increase in their funding from central Government and, in addition, Jason Ablewhite, the Police and Crime Commissioner, has launched a consultation on the police’s share of council tax for 2019-2020.
Last year he introduced a new structure for local policing which brought an additional 50 officers to the front line – and as a result of last year’s increase in the policing part of the council tax, a further 55 officers were also recruited and are now in training.
Jason is proposing an increase to the police’s share of the council tax of £2 per month per household (based on a Band D property). Please have your say via this link.
I will be joining the Jason and Nick Dean, the Chief Constable, for a public meeting on policing on Thursday, 24th January at Swavesey Village College between 7.00 and 9.00 pm. The College address is Gibraltar Lane, Swavesey, CB24 4RS – here's a map.
If you would like to hear more about the plans for policing in South Cambridgeshire, why not come along?
Three Tuns saved
Finally, after a long and hard fought campaign, I was thrilled to learn that The Three Tuns in Guilden Morden had been saved for the community.
Guilden Morden Community Pub Limited completed the purchase of the Tuns on the 21st November. With investment from 267 shareholders, the pub has now been saved. I want to pay tribute to everybody who has been involved in this impressive campaign – well done!
They are now advertising for a pub tenant – are you interested or know somebody who might be? If so, please e-mail thethreetunsguildenmorden@gmail.com.
Although I’m a former landlady, I can’t apply but I will definitely be paying a visit and am happy to pull the odd pint.
Surgeries
If there is anything you would like to talk to me about, my next ‘drop in’ surgery, where no appointment is necessary, will be between 10.30 and 12.30 on Saturday, 9th February at Caxton Village Hall, Gransden Road, Caxton, CB23 3PL. MAP. NB Caxton, not Bourn as mentioned in Heidi's December notes.
My next ‘by appointment’ surgery is on Friday, 1st March between 3.00 and 5.00 pm at Melbourn Community Hub, 30 High Street, Melbourn, SG8 6DZ.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
