Trumpington & Newtown Liberal Democrats

works on east road

Utility companies could be charged a daily fee for road closures while they carry out work across Cambridgeshire.

The idea has been put forward by Liberal Democrat Councillor Sarah Whitebread and would apply to companies laying new gas or water mains or carrying out similar work in the county.

Cllr Whitebread, who represents Cambridge’s Market Ward on Cambridgeshire County Council, claims the move could prevent lengthy closures such as the one which brought the city’s East Road to a virtual halt for weeks while new gas mains were laid.

She made her suggestion during Question Time at the county council meeting today (Tuesday, May 15) and it was agreed to look into such a scheme.

A similar idea, approved by the Department of Transport, will allow Transport for London to charge companies in the capital up to £2,500 a day for closing major roads. Companies will face lower charges if they carry out work outside of peak times.

“The county system at the moment has no incentive for speedy work, or to encourage work outside peak times” said Cllr Whitebread. “Given the frequency with which utilities companies need to carry out road works in Cambridge, I think a charging scheme of this type needs serious consideration.

“I also pushed the council to look at ways to encourage utility companies, when carrying out works, to keep roads open for cyclists. Often there is road space around the works that could be made available, but instead cyclists told to wait with cars or dismount and walk. In a city where so many people travel to school and work by bike, this clearly needs addressing.”

The county council’s Cabinet Member for Community Infrastructure, Tony Orgee, agreed to look into such a scheme.

The next round of “safer City” grants will be considered by the South Area Committee, which covers Cherry Hinton, Queen Edith’s and Trumpington, on 16th July.

The Safer City grant scheme provides start-up funding to new longer-term community projects or one-off grants to new time-limited community projects that will help tackle crime, the fear of crime, or antisocial behaviour.

Community groups can apply for a grant up to a maximum of £5,000. The budget for 2012/13 has been set at £50,000; this is equally split between the four Area Committees of Cambridge and a “Citywide” pot.

As with any other application for a City Council grant, a need for the funding must be shown and supported with evidence and a clear plan of how the funding will be spent must be provided, supported with costings and quotes, where appropriate.

If you have a proposal and wish to discuss it, the likelihood of it receiving funding, and the application process, you can contact the City’s Safer Communities team on 01223 457042.

In considering the application the Council will consider, among other things, whether:

the application is submitted by a group with a clear structure, and not an individual
there is an identified need for the project, which is supported by evidence
the project involves working in partnership with the community or other organisations
the aims of the project are clearly defined
the project is realistically costed
the ways in which the project will be monitored and evaluated have been considered

To be considered on 16th July, applications must be received by 21st June 2012.

The next Southern Fringe Community Forum will be held on 17th May at Trumpington Village Hall, Beverley Way. As usual there will be a drop-in session between 3.30 and 6.30, giving a chance to look at the plans and talk with the developers. In the evening from 7.00 pm, we are expecting a presentation from S. Cambs District Council officers about the community facilities being incorporated into the new Trumpington Meadows Primary School, and an update on the developments. There will also be the usual opportunity to ask questions and raise emerging issues with the developers.

Following representations by Newtown residents, the County Council is proposing to extend the hours of operation of the Resident Permit Holders Parking Places in the Newtown Controlled Parking Zone (currently operating Mondays to Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.) to operate on all days between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Following the introduction of the new hours of operation of the Resident Permit Holders Parking Places, Residents Parking Permits will cost £81.00 per annum (£40.50 per annum for motorcycles), Business Permits (for eligible businesses) will cost £121.50 per annum and Visitors Permits will cost £1.60 per day.

In conjunction with the introduction of the new hours of operation of the Resident Permit Holders Parking Places in the Newtown Controlled Parking Zone, the hours of operation of the Pay and Display Parking Places in Brookside currently operating Mondays to Saturdays between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. will be extended to operate Mondays to Saturdays between 8.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. The charges will remain as at present.

A copy of the draft Order and a statement of reasons for the proposals may be inspected free of charge during normal office hours in the reception area of the Castle Court building at Shire Hall. Any objections to the proposals must besent in writing stating the reasons for the objection and sent by 11 June 2012 to

Graham Lowe
Parking Services Manager
Economy, Transport and Environment Services
Cambridgeshire County Council
Box RES1416, Shire Hall
Castle Street
Cambridge CB3 0AP

(or by e-mail to graham.lowe@cambridgeshire.gov.uk)

We are sad to report that Salah Al Bander came second in yesterday’s ballot and has therefore not been re-elected as your city councillor.

Salah writes:

I am very grateful for the support I have received as councillor. I feel so priviliged to have worked with so many wonderful, humble and committed individuals. I shall look forward to working with you all in other ways to strengthen our communities in Trumpington and Newtown.

Strawberry Fair is to launch a poetry slam competition for young people age 13 – 25 from across Cambridgeshire. The competition will be free to enter and prizes include a prime performance slot at the Fair and opportunities to be mentored by critically acclaimed poets.

If you write poetry, love poetry and want to share your poetry, then they would love to hear from you. You can use beatbox, rap, mc-ing, polyvocal or acapella, as well as poetry and spoken word.

All you need to do to enter is:

1. Go to www.strawberry-slam.org.uk
2. Follow the instructions to post a clip of yourself reading or reciting your poem.
3. Wait to hear whether you have been selected as one of 12 finalists to go through to compete in the Strawberry Slam final on Saturday 2 June.

Deadline for entries: Saturday 26 May 2012

The entries will be judged by five professional poets from London’s Point Blank Poets Collective and the 12 finalists will be announced on Tuesday 29 May. The final will be held in the brand new Strawberry Slam stage at the Fair on Saturday 2 June, 7 – 10pm. The Slam will be hosted by the formidable Hollie McNish (a former UK Slam Poetry Champion) and emcee Inja, with guest performances from renowned spoken word artists Bridget Minamore, Sabrina Mahfouz, Dean Atta and Deanna Rodger.

To find out more visit www.strawberry-slam.org.uk or get in touch with amy@strawberry-fair.org.uk