SCDC press resleases – February 2012

South Cambridgeshire District Council's crest.


Freeze on Council Tax for 2012/13 and plans to build new homes given Cabinet approval

Senior councillors have backed plans to build hundreds of new Council-owned homes as well as freezing Council Tax today (Thursday 9 February) at a meeting of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet.

The Council’s proposed budget for 2012/13 was announced last week and will now be debated by councillors at a meeting of Full Council on Thursday 23 February.

Cabinet Members said again today that they believe accepting a one-off grant from Government and setting no increase on the share of Council Tax paid to South Cambridgeshire District Council is the right decision for communities who are tightening their belts during tough economic times.

A freeze on council tax will mean £470,000 of savings will be needed in 15 months’ time but senior councillors have pledged to build on successes of driving efficiencies – which has already saved around £4 million over the last three years – to protect front line services.

The largest programme of building new Council-owned homes in South Cambridgeshire since the 1950s was also given backing by Cabinet, and within the next ten years up to £28 million of investment is planned to provide hundreds of much-needed new homes for people on the housing waiting list and future generations.

A further £26 million from rent collected from Council-owned homes will be reinvested over the next five years, which will update and maintain properties as well slashing fuel bills on the oldest properties by making them some of the most environmentally friendly in the country.

A recent bid for EU funding will also see £100,000 of cash invested in making homes warmer and cheaper to run for tenants.

An additional investment of £20,000 included in next year’s budget will provide South Cambridgeshire businesses with better support and advice and a new one-stop shop business website will be launched to help existing businesses, as well as encouraging more to move to the area.

Plans for the next financial year include measures to make sure rural communities do not become isolated, with extra funds being put aside to build on existing and well-used community transport projects by beginning schemes in areas where none currently exist.

To promote growth in South Cambridgeshire and create new jobs for residents, a further £50,000 has been allocated to support a County Council initiative that aims to extend superfast broadband across Cambridgeshire.

Grants made available to parish councils, community and voluntary groups in South Cambridgeshire in 2012/13 will also be maintained at 2011/12 levels which saw half a million pounds invested.

Residents were asked for their views on Council priorities ahead of the budget being set for 2012/13 – including specific work to gather the views of young people – and there was support for plans to focus on housing, transport and creating jobs.

Cllr Ray Manning, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “This is a budget that has been proposed by listening to our communities and understanding their wishes and future aspirations. Although South Cambridgeshire is consistently recognised as one of the best places to live and work in the country with a thriving economy, we understand many residents are still struggling to make ends meet due to the national downturn and the right decision for us was to freeze council tax for a second year running.

“As well as continuing our work to create a business friendly environment, it is fantastic to be able to announce the biggest investment in new council-owned homes since the 1950s as it will provide homes for future generations in South Cambridgeshire that are affordable for all.”

Cllr Simon Edwards, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “This decision does mean we will need to find further savings in just over a year’s time, and although we are already a very lean council, with one of the lowest council tax rates in the country, we have a proven track record of good financial management and will continue to squeeze every penny out of the taxpayers’ pound for our residents.

“Councillors of all parties already took a decision last year to once again freeze the allowances we receive for the role we play in representing our communities, and it is decisions such as this that makes sure we can put forward a budget that commits to protecting front line services for our residents.”

The proposed budget will now be considered at a meeting of Full Council on Thursday 23 February.

Nurturing the green shoots of South Cambridgeshire

The popular Haling Way riverside path between Waterbeach and Milton will benefit from significant improvement following a £1,000 grant toward its maintenance.

Awarded to the Conservators of the River Cam, by South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Wildlife Enhancement Scheme, the money will help to maintain the tree-lined stretch of the river, keeping it safe and ecologically sound for future generations.    

The Council has been supporting the Conservators of the River Cam since 2007, to manage the extensive stock of trees and to extend their life through the management practice of pollarding, which supports the successful growth of fresh new shoots and creates new habitats to support riverside wildlife such as barn owls and bats.    

Through its Parish Planting Scheme, the Council has also donated 22 new trees to enrich the landscape of the area; these are a mix of native hawthorn, willow, ash and oak.  They will be planted this winter, providing a vital long term investment in the local environment; replacing trees that have died or been removed for safety reasons. 

Cllr Ray Manning, Leader of the Council said: “I’m very pleased to see popular areas of the district such as this being maintained so well, it will make a significant and noticeable improvement to the landscape and wildlife, whilst sustaining these valuable resources into the future.”

The Council offers grants to support activities that conserve, enhance, restore or create habitats, or features, that sustain biodiversity.  These might include creating wildlife ponds, erecting bat and bird boxes, or establishing community orchards.

For more information contact South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Conservation Team on 03450 450 500.

A photo opportunity could be organised on request.

Peter Topping, District Councillor for Whittlesford and Thriplow, steps down due to work commitments

Councillor Peter Topping, the SCDC Cabinet Member responsible for Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability, has announced he will be stepping down from his role on Cabinet due to increased work commitments away from the Council.

This is with immediate effect, but he will remain the councillor for Whittlesford and Thriplow on South Cambridgeshire District Council.

He said: “It has been a tough decision to step down from my role on Cabinet as I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. My increased work commitments away from the Council mean I cannot dedicate the time needed to carry out a role on Cabinet and it is only right for me to step aside. It has been an honour to be part of the team of senior councillors that have seen South Cambridgeshire District Council continue to improve and I would like to thank all the staff whose dedication has seen real change for our residents. The role was very rewarding but I am now going to concentrate my time on representing the residents living in my ward of Whittlesford and Thriplow and will continue to make sure their voice is heard.”

The Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cllr Ray Manning, publically thanked Cllr Topping for his dedication and said that Cllr Nick Wright, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, would also take on responsibility for Peter's Cabinet duties on an interim basis.

Cllr Ray Manning, said: “I would like to thank Cllr Topping for his dedicated work with officers to drive forward the work we carry out in planning and climate change. His knowledge and experience will be sadly missed on Cabinet but I am confident Cllr Wright will be able to continue his good work as we look to make sure there is a far stronger link between the good work carried out in planning and how we develop the economy locally.”

Sun shines again on eclipsed plans for solar panels

Plans to fit solar panels on around 500 council houses in South Cambridgeshire are back on the table after a new deal was struck by energy bosses.

Despite the Government reducing the subsidy paid for surplus energy, which meant original plans for 2,300 homes were no longer viable, Savills Solar and South Cambridgeshire District Council have driven down costs to resurrect plans and panels will now be installed on 500 homes where the roof space can generate the most energy.

Senior councillors reacted angrily to news that the Government were ‘moving the goalposts’ on the original scheme in November, but have said they are ‘delighted’ Savills Solar have managed to make the scheme viable for some homes in the district.

Under new plans, Savills Solar will pay for, and install, solar panels on around 500 of South Cambridgeshire’s council houses by the end of March – with electricity generated being available to households for free during the day and surplus being sold to the energy providers to pay for the scheme.

Government subsidies for solar energy now mean 21p per unit will be paid for surplus energy, a reduction of over 50%.

Council house tenants who are eligible for solar panels under the new scheme with Savills Solar have been written to by the Council and the installation of the first panels are expected to begin in around two to three weeks.

Once a home is fitted with solar panels, it is expected in excess of £150 a year will be saved on fuel bills.

Mark Howell, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “I was incredibly frustrated that original plans, which would have seen more households benefit from solar panels, were not possible due to changes made by the Government at the eleventh hour, but Savills Solar and our officers have done a great job to find a way forward which will still see hundreds of people benefit from greatly reduced fuel bills.

"In our budget this year we have announced plans to freeze council tax to ease the burden on people who are tightening their belts due to the national downturn, and the news today that solar panels for some homes are back on the table will be more good news for people trying to make household budgets stretch further than ever.”

Bruce Brunson, Associate Director for Savills Solar, said: “Everyone at Savills Solar is extremely pleased to be able to engage in this programme to install panels despite reductions to the Feed in Tariff by the Government. We are looking forward to working with the Council on this project and believe it will see benefits for residents.”

Fulbourn residents keep fit in the great outdoors

New outdoor exercise equipment on Fulbourn recreation ground is helping local residents keep fit in the fresh air.

Instructors were on hand at a special event to launch the equipment, showing people how to maximise their work out and create a regular keep fit routine.

Officially launched by Cllr Tony Orgee, South Cambridgeshire District Council Chairman, the equipment has been funded by the District Council, Amey Cespa and Fulbourn Parish Council.

Trying out the equipment, Cllr Orgee said: “Just 30 minutes of exercise a day can help keep you fit and healthy. We hope this new equipment will help residents of all ages to fit some fun and easy exercise in to their day.”

With less than six months until the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Council is inspiring residents of all ages to take part in physical activity and this new equipment will help to leave a lasting legacy of increased involvement in the local area.  

Sports bosses have also been working with local volunteers to help set up walking/running groups across our district and a new group may be on the cards for Fulbourn. Any local residents who are interested in taking part should call Gill Ward on 01223 881757. 

Thousands of pounds recovered from cheat who trousered cash

A benefits cheat has been given a criminal record and ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service after failing to promptly report a change in her circumstances that affected her benefit claim.

Rebecca Matthews, 39, of Tamarin Gardens, Cambridge, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to promptly report a change in circumstances that affected her benefit entitlement which resulted in claiming almost £8,000 she wasn’t entitled.

Benefits claimants are once again being reminded about the importance of informing South Cambridgeshire District Council about a change in circumstances quickly as routine reviews of claims are carried out to catch the small minority who are making false claims.

During a check of Ms Matthews’ claim it was found that her partner was working for a different employer than had previously been declared and was earning more money. Had Ms Matthews report this change promptly she would not have been overpaid £7,860 in Housing and Council Tax Benefits. 

Cambridge Magistrates Court gave Ms Matthews credit for her early guilty plea and sentenced her to 80 hours of unpaid work and ordered her to pay the Council’s £465 costs of bringing the case to court. Arrangements are also in place with Ms Matthews to recover the overpaid benefit. 

Cllr Simon Edwards, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for finance, said: "This case highlights the importance of keeping the Council informed of changes in circumstances that may affect benefit entitlement. People who fail to do so are likely to end up with a significant bill and may also be prosecuted. I would urge all benefits customers to check that their claim is correct and report any changes immediately. If you are in any doubt our teams are there to help you."

Anyone wishing to report benefit fraud should call 0800 7311892 or email benefitfraud@scambs.gov.uk.

New unit helps co-ordinate future growth plans

A new unit which will work with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough local authorities on future growth plans is now up and running.

The Joint Strategic Planning Unit has been created by the local authorities to help them co-ordinate their local plans for the future growth of their areas.

This approach builds on the long and successful history of joint working that resulted in the current development strategy, originally included in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan 2003 and is a clear demonstration of the close working relationships that have built up in this area.  Working in this way is more efficient and will bring better outcomes for the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

With the Government’s abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies and there being no requirement to prepare an alternative strategic plan, the local authorities still see a clear need to plan effectively across administrative boundaries.  This will enable the ‘duty to co-operate’ set out in the recent Localism Act to be put into practice.  It will ensure that the housing, economic development and infrastructure that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will need in future can be planned in a co-ordinated and considered way.

The Manager of the new Joint Strategic Planning Unit, John Williamson, said: “I am delighted to have started work on this new venture, which reflects the strong desire by the local authorities to work together and to ensure that their locally-derived plans and infrastructure objectives are consistent and effective across a wider area.  As well as working with the local authorities, the Unit will engage with other organisations, such as the Local Enterprise Partnership, which have an important part to play in the area’s future.”

Contact South Cambridgeshire District Council

Your local District and County Councillors

  ▲