SCDC press resleases – March 2012


Join the contenders to celebrate!

Tickets have gone on sale for an arts award ceremony that will recognise some of South Cambridgeshire’s most dedicated community volunteers who help promote the arts.

The Celebrate! Arts Awards Ceremony – which is run in conjunction with stART, a partnership between South Cambridgeshire District Council and the village colleges in the district – is taking place on Wednesday 28 March and residents can take a seat to see gongs presented as well as enjoy displays from local groups and nationally acclaimed performers.

On the night the rostrum of performers and entertainment will range from Brooks Williams and Dave Olney – two of the top rated musicians in the country – to films made by young people in South Cambridgeshire.

This year’s ceremony – which is the fourth annual event – is also supported by media partners Cambridge News with an award sponsored by them being presented to the person or group who has made the biggest contribution to marketing the arts in their area to help reach new groups.

Nominations have closed for the ceremony, and 30 strong contenders who have been put forward by communities, will find out if they have picked up an award at the end of the month.

The event is taking place on Wednesday 28 March at The Venue, Swavesey Village College, from 7pm. Visit the website or contact Swavesey Venue directly for tickets which are priced at just £5.

Cllr Tony Orgee, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Chairman, said: “This event looks set to be a really special occasion, and I am looking forward to recognising the dedicated volunteers who give up their time for free and inspire others in the fields of art, music or culture.

"In previous years the performances on the night have been top-notch and even if you do not know someone who has been put forward I recommend getting a ticket for the event. It is not to be missed.”

Jubilee Oaks planted across South Cambridgeshire

Celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year have begun in South Cambridgeshire with 21 parishes planting oak trees to mark the occasion.

South Cambridgeshire District Council offered the trees as part of its Parish Planting Scheme.  All the trees were well established – around five years old – so that they made a statement from day one.  

South Cambridgeshire has a history of marking historical events by planting commemorative trees, such as the oak at Histon recreation ground, planted in 1953 to celebrate the Queen’s coronation, and the oak near Shepreth railway station, planted in 1977 to mark the Silver Jubilee.  

South Cambridgeshire District Council encourages communities to conserve and enhance green spaces and runs a number of grant schemes to fund local projects.  These can help to create community orchards, plant trees, restore hedgerows, and add to wildlife habitats.

Grants are available to all parish councils, schools, and charitable trusts where land is open to the public.   For more information contact the Council’s conservation team on 01954 713402.

Cllr Nick Wright, South Cambridgeshire District Council cabinet member for sustainability and climate change, said: “Planting trees is an excellent way of bringing our communities together to commemorate this historic occasion whilst also creating a legacy for future generations.  These trees will stand proudly in our villages, enjoyed by many people, for many years to come.

“Our tree planting schemes have been hugely popular, reviving an interest in growing and encouraging people to appreciate, understand and enjoy their local green spaces as well as enhancing the landscape and providing valuable habitats for wildlife.

Since 2010 we have helped to fund the creation of 17 community orchards, where local varieties of fruit are now grown by and for local people.”

Jubilee Oaks have been planted in Arrington, Carlton, Comberton, Cottenham, Eltiseley, Haslingfield, Hauxton, Hildersham, Impington, Linton, Littlington, Melbourn, Oakington, Rampton, Shudy Camps, Swavesey, Weston Colville, West Wickham, Whaddon and Whittlesford.  It is hoped that one will soon be planted in Hatley St George.

Paying online has never been easier, quicker or safer   

It is easier, quicker and safer than ever for residents and businesses to make online payments to South Cambridgeshire District Council now that it has achieved the highest recognised standard in online security.

The Council is one of the first local authorities in the country to achieve the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), giving its customers the assurance that their sensitive debit and credit card information is safeguarded in line with the latest security standards.

The Council processes in excess of £9million in card transactions every year and bosses hope to see even more people paying online now the gold standard in security has been achieved.

The PCI DSS is a set of security standards that will protect both residents and businesses from fraudulent activity, securely storing, processing & transmitting card holder data.  

Achieving compliancy has been a priority for the Council for the last two years and it has undergone a number of system changes and enhancements to satisfy rigorous criteria laid down by the major payment card companies who jointly developed the standard, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and JCB International.   

Cllr Simon Edwards, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member finance and staffing, said: “With more and more people wanting to pay online it is great news for our residents and businesses that they can be confident in our system. 

Exercise referral scheme

In the last twelve months, this South Cambridgeshire District Council funded initiative has helped more than 300 people, entitling each participant to a 12-week programme of tailored activity at a local sports centre after referral from a health professional.  Following the 12-week programme people are encouraged to continue with an active lifestyle and offered a range of activities to improve their health.

The Active and Healthy 4 Life scheme, developed and co-ordinated by Lynne Potter of Fitness 4 Health Ltd, has been running for over 10 years.  Courses are held at the sports centres at all nine of the district’s village colleges, including, Swavesey, Cottenham, Bassingbourn, Melbourn, Comberton, Impington, Gamlingay, Linton and Sawston.

Conditions that may lead to referral include high blood pressure or cholesterol, arthritis, obesity, osteoporosis, and diabetes.  Recent studies have also shown that patients undergoing cancer treatment benefit greatly from a regular exercise programme.  The scheme has links with cardiac rehabilitation, mental health and fall prevention projects too.

Cllr Sue Ellington, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for health, said: “The Healthy and Active 4 Life scheme is a great introduction to physical activity, delivered by a team of experienced and specialist instructors, which has achieved outstanding results.  Exercise referral is beneficial to everyone and those who suffer with medical conditions have really seen the benefit of increasing fitness levels alongside their treatment.  It also provides a means of introducing people to the great facilities available to them at their local sports centres.”

South Cambridgeshire District Council and NHS Cambridgeshire jointly subsidise the scheme to keep the costs low.  There is an £8 charge for a fitness assessment and £3 charge per class.

If you feel your health would benefit from the scheme, contact your doctor’s surgery to discuss a referral.

Financial crime doesn't pay in South Cambridgeshire

Another two benefit fraudsters caught by South Cambridgeshire District Council have been sentenced.

Alex Chambers, 45, of St Catharine's Square, Cambridge, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to six charges of dishonestly making false statements to obtain benefit. Mr Chambers was found to be receiving a pension that he had not declared when making claims for benefit on six occasions. He was overpaid in excess of £18,000 in Housing and Council Tax Benefit which he was ordered to repay.  Yesterday, Magistrates sentenced Mr Chambers to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and a 16 week curfew order, monitored by an electronic tag.  He must also pay £543.77 in costs. 

In a separate case David Simpson, 50, of Pearces Yard, Grantchester, pleaded guilty to an offence of failing to report a change in circumstance that affected his benefit entitlement. When making his claim Mr Simpson told the Council that he had ceased self-employment.  He then started a new business and failed to report the change to the Council, leading to an overpayment in benefit of over £11,000. Mr Simpson’s case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports and he’ll be sentenced at a later date.

Cllr Simon Edwards, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said: "Fraud is unacceptable and people who see the benefit system as a legitimate target to steal from should think again. People claiming benefits must be very careful to make their claims correctly and keep the Council informed about changes in their circumstances. If they don’t then they may be committing a criminal offence and will have to repay any overpaid benefit.  They also risk getting a criminal record.” 

To discuss a benefit claim with SCDC please contact 03450 450 061, or to report potential fraud, contact 0800 7311892.

The green green roof of home
Solar panels have begun being installed on 500 Council-owned homes in South Cambridgeshire in a bid to help residents go green and cut fuel bills.

Government cuts in the level of subsidy paid for surplus energy generated from solar panels in November meant original plans for 2,300 homes were not commercially viable, but by driving down costs South Cambridgeshire District Council and partners Savills Solar have resurrected plans for homes that can generate the most energy.

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%.
Once a home is fitted with solar panels, it is expected in excess of £150 a year will be saved on fuel bills as well as cutting the carbon footprint.

Mark Howell, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Seeing panels being installed on council homes is simply fantastic. It is testament to the dedication of our officers who have found a way with Savills Solar to make this project happen despite sudden reductions in the subsidy that could have meant no panels for any of our tenants.

"I would have dearly loved to have seen panels going up on thousands of council homes, but 500 is a great result given the circumstances. Tenants will immediately see the benefits of free electricity during the day and this project adds to the district’s green credentials."

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