SCDC press resleases – January 2012

South Cambridgeshire District Council's crest.


Grants awarded to help community groups

Grants totalling over £4,000 have been awarded to help five community groups carry out projects in South Cambridgeshire.

The groups were given cash after bidding for funds through South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Community Chest initiative which awards up to £1,000 to parish councils and voluntary organisations for one-off projects.

The latest round of funding agreed by the Leader of the Council will see money go to Ickleton Cricket Club for grounds maintenance equipment, Wilbrahams’ Memorial Hall to help with heating, Papworth Tennis Club so coaching can be completed at four local primary schools, Hinxton Parish Council to install a water supply to allotments in the village and to MAGPAS for equipment to help count donations they receive.

So far this year almost £20,000 has been awarded to groups in South Cambridgeshire but Council bosses are reminding groups £18,000 is still up for grabs before the end of March.

To bid successfully for a community chest grant parish and voluntary groups need to demonstrate how the money will help local residents.

Cllr Ray Manning, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “It is fantastic to be able to see the benefits of these grants in villages across the district as they can be used so widely. Although we will consider bids of up to £1,000 we also welcome groups getting in touch with requests for small sums which often make the biggest difference. Making a bid for funds is quick and easy and we will tell you if you are successful within one month.”

For further information about applying for a grant please visit www.scambs.gov.uk/CommunityandLiving/CommunityGrants/, or contact Kathryn Hawkes in South Cambridgeshire District Council’s community team on 03450 450 500.

Crackdown on Council Tax fraudsters

A crackdown is being launched in South Cambridgeshire to track down people fraudulently claiming 25% single occupancy Council Tax discount.

Council Tax bosses at South Cambridgeshire District Council are urging anyone whose circumstances have changed recently, but are yet to inform the Council, to get in touch before claims begin to be checked next month.

By working with other local authorities and Government departments, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, the Council will be checking all claims and investigating households where records suggest more than one person over the age of 18 is living in a property.

Letters will be sent to residents next month in order to confirm that a single occupancy discount still applies. If a discount has been deliberately claimed in order to falsify a benefit claim this will be treated as benefit fraud and legal proceedings will be taken in order to recover the money.

Cllr Simon Edwards, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “We already routinely check claims but this further crackdown is aimed at tracking down the small minority of people who still deliberately disadvantage honest taxpayers by making false claims.

"If you receive a letter next month, we are simply asking you to confirm whether you are still entitled to the discount you are receiving so we can update our records. Only people making false claims have anything to be worried about. We always remind residents to come forward and tell us whenever their circumstances change and our Council Tax teams are on hand to help you if you are unsure.”

To speak to a member of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Council Tax Team please contact 03450 450 064 or email revenues@scambs.gov.uk.

Plans published to help residents shape South Cambs future

Planning bosses have published a timetable for how residents and businesses can help shape plans for managing growth in South Cambridgeshire up to 2031.

In a report that will be presented to Tim Wotherspoon, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for new communities on 25 January, officers have set out a timetable that will make sure people can have their say on future development within the District.

Residents will be asked their views on plans for where new homes and businesses should be built to make sure they are right for them and to ensure the environment and unique character of the district are not adversely affected.

Forecasts have shown that between 2016 and 2031, around 10,000 new homes will be built for future generations in South Cambridgeshire, in addition to those planned at Northstowe, and land owners have already been invited to put forward sites they would like to be considered by the Council for development.

When landowners were asked for potential development sites, land that could accommodate up to 300,000 new homes was put forward for consideration – so only a fraction of the land will be built on.

Between June and September this year, residents will be consulted on options for how the area should be developed after councillors have reviewed initial plans in May.

In previous plans for South Cambridgeshire, the new town of Northstowe, as well as sites on the edge of Cambridge, have been proposed to provide new homes for residents rather than smaller developments across the district.  To create the strategy for between 2016 and 203,1 residents will be consulted at each stage over the next three years.

Locations where jobs exist and transport links will be considered as part of plans for any new homes to make sure that people have the choice to live close to where they will be working and don’t have to rely on using a car for all of their journeys.

Tim Wotherspoon, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet member for Northstowe and new communities, said: “Our local economy makes South Cambridgeshire one of the fastest growing areas in the country and therefore it is vital we manage growth to make sure we provide new homes and employment opportunities for future generations. It is equally important to make sure our plans are right for residents – over the next three years we will be asking for residents’ views every step of the way.

“To allow us to develop a 15 year plan, we have first asked land owners for sites they would like us to consider for new homes – but it is important to remember that only a fraction of the land put forward will be needed and residents will be consulted before any plans become a reality.”

Plans proposed to help more rural communities go green

Plans have been unveiled to help even more South Cambridgeshire villages go green by making buildings more comfortable, cheaper to run and better for the environment.

A sustainable energy project was launched in 2009 – and 21 volunteer groups are already signed up – but energy bosses at South Cambridgeshire District Council now propose to invest £57,000 to build on the success of the project so parishes who are yet to sign up can also be offered support.

Rising fuel bills is a top concern for South Cambridgeshire residents, and in a report published in mid-January by the Citizens Advice Bureau more than four out of every ten people across the country said they were worried about the issue.

The Council’s proposed investment, which will be presented to the Councillor responsible for sustainability and climate change on 20 January, aims to support residents so they can reduce energy bills and play their part in tackling climate change.

Over the last two years the District Council has given support to communities including helping them run energy days to educate residents about how to cut bills, trained volunteers to use thermal imaging cameras to target where work can be carried out to stop heat being lost and supported local solar energy projects.

Around £20,000 of the money pledged for green initiatives has been secured from central Government through Sustainability East, and these funds will help the District Council educate residents about the Government’s Green Deal that is expected to be launched later this year.

The Green Deal aims to revolutionise homes and businesses by covering the upfront costs of retrofitting energy efficient technologies such as insulation and boilers, and the Council plans to help communities make the most of Government funding available to improve their homes and properties.

Plans for further investment to help people go green follows news last week that £100,000 of EU funding will help begin a £6 million project to improve insulation and install the most energy efficient boilers in Council owned homes.

Councillor Peter Topping, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for sustainability, planning and climate change, said “When we launched our Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership around two years ago just five parishes were on board, but now more than 20 take part and our planned investment will help it go from strength to strength.

"Reducing energy bills and the carbon footprint of South Cambridgeshire communities is a priority for us and by giving help and advice to volunteer groups we will make sure our residents get the best out of funding available to them.”

For further information on the Sustainable Parish Energy Project please visit www.scambs.gov.uk/Environment/SPEP or contact Richard Hales at South Cambridgeshire District Council on 03450 450 500 or sustainability@scambs.gov.uk.

EU cash to boost £6 million warmer home programme

A £100,000 European cash injection has been secured to kick start a project to make hundreds of Council-owned homes warmer and reduce bills for tenants who are struggling with rising fuel prices.

In a report presented to South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet on 12 January, Councillors were asked to approve the EU funding and begin a £6 million programme to install energy efficient insulation and heating systems in Council houses.

The investment aims to make improvements on around 670 homes over the next three years and will be targeted to villages where fuel bills are highest as no mains gas supply is available. Pilot projects carried out in the district have already seen air source heat pumps installed in homes and tenants have said fuel bills have plummeted.

Cambridgeshire’s bid for European Commission funding was ranked top out of over 300 bids received from across Europe and will benefit local economies with around £20 million being invested in ten carbon reduction initiatives. The results from South Cambridgeshire’s improvements to homes will form a benchmark for other energy saving schemes across Europe.

Rents collected from South Cambridgeshire District Council tenants will pay for the £6 million improvements to homes.

Cllr Mark Howell, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Fuel poverty is a real issue for many people on low incomes but by taking an innovative approach we can tackle the issue by making sure our homes are some of the most environmentally friendly in Europe. Funding from the EU will help push our investment programme forward and Europe will be looking to South Cambridgeshire to see how we can shape plans they have to reduce their impact on the environment and save fossil fuels.

Around 10% of people in South Cambridgeshire currently live in a Council-owned homes and by reinvesting money from rents we can reduce fuel bills for people who are often on low incomes which will improve the standard of their life.”

Money pledged for businesses, broadband and better transport

An extra £70,000 is set to be invested in giving South Cambridgeshire businesses additional support and advice during the recession as well as improving rural transport links.

Councillors in charge of developing the economy in South Cambridgeshire will consider proposals at a Cabinet meeting next week which, if approved, would see money invested in a new ‘one stop shop’ website with information for new and established businesses, extra funds being invested in superfast broadband and further cash to help improve rural transport.

Over 25 well-used community transport schemes are already run in South Cambridgeshire villages providing door-to-door transport for most communities, but an extra £8,500 will allow new schemes to be set up and promoted in areas where none are currently available.

Helping boost the economy in South Cambridgeshire, which will in turn create new jobs, has been identified as a priority by residents in the district and the extra funding being earmarked follows a £150,000 investment last year.

To support the County Council’s initiative to improve broadband across Cambridgeshire, the district council will be focussing funding on helping businesses make a case to broadband providers as to why better links are needed, which will also attract new businesses to set up in the district.

Cllr Nick Wright, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “This investment will help cement our credentials as a district that is open for business. In some cases the amounts are relatively small, such as additional funds for rural transport, but this is exactly what is needed to fill the gaps and provide a lifeline and prevent people in some of the most rural areas becoming isolated. Helping businesses prosper is part of our plans we are developing to boost the economy in the area; and over the next year we will be building on our successes of the past twelve months that have seen us help dozens of businesses who have needed an extra hand during some tough times.”

Hit your stride with us in 2012

A new running and walking group was launched in Waterbeach on 11 January to help people get more fit and active in the year of the London Olympics.

South Cambridgeshire District Council has already set up eleven successful groups across the district – linked to schools, doctor’s surgeries and sport centres – and the new group in Waterbeach aims to attract parents dropping-off children at Primary School.

With under 200 days to go until the London Olympics begins, residents are being encouraged to take part in exercise more regularly and the hour-long organised walks and runs are ideal for people of all fitness levels.

The group meet at the gates of Waterbeach Primary School, High Street, at 9.00 am every Wednesday and everyone is encouraged to attend.

A donation of £2 is suggested to take part in the organised group at Waterbeach with funds raised going towards projects at the school.

For information about all South Cambridgeshire District Council supported running groups please visit www.scambs.gov.uk/run4fun. If you are interested in walking groups log on to www.scambs.gov.uk/walk4fun.

District Councillor James Hockney who is the Olympic Champion for South Cambridgeshire District Council, as well as representing Waterbeach, will be donning his trainers on Wednesday to take part and hopes more people will follow his lead.

He said: “These groups are a great chance to get out and about, get your heart pumping, and have fun while exercising. It doesn’t matter how fit you are as the groups are all about having fun, bringing the community together, and are designed to make sure everyone can take part. You can even wheel a pushchair with you. Since it was announced the Olympics were coming to London it has helped inspire people to get involved in sport and we want groups like this one to make a lasting impression well beyond the Games.”

If you want help setting up a walking or running group in your area of South Cambridgeshire, please contact the District Council’s Sport Coordinator Helen Stepney on 01954 713362, or Helen.stepney@scambs.gov.uk

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