District Councillor report to Parish Council June 2023
Oxford to Cambridge Partnership news: New managing director has been appointed
The following information was shared by SCDC regarding the newly appointed Managing Director for Oxford to Cambridge Pan-regional Partnership.
Dr Richard Hutchins has been announced as the new Managing Director for Oxford to Cambridge Pan-regional Partnership. The new Oxford to Cambridge Partnership brings together the region’s leaders to pursue shared interests in realising economic potential in ways that are environmentally responsible and benefits local communities. The Partnership’s role is champion the region as world leader in innovation and business, acting to achieve environmentally sustainable and inclusive growth. Dr Richard Hutchins will join as Managing Director from 1 June 2023. He brings extensive experience working with regional boards and large-scale partnerships. He brings expertise in leading successful inward investment programmes and has an impressive understanding of the innovation opportunities for the Oxford to Cambridge region and the value of public-private partnerships in delivering environmentally sustainable growth and development.
Cambridgeshire Community Hubs Network
The idea of Warm Hubs was initially designed to support vulnerable and isolated people as well as those on lower incomes during the winter months by providing a warm space in a community building which could offer financial support and information on how bills could be reduced as well as the opportunity for people to socialise together. Residents of South and East Cambridgeshire will have the opportunity to continue to benefit from access to community buildings throughout the summer to enable people to socialise and meet new friends, tackling loneliness and social isolation.
The passing of Robin Page
I was sorry to hear the following information, taken from the SCDC website.
The Council is saddened to hear that former Councillor Robin Page has died.
He was one of the authority’s original councillors, representing the Barton ward from 1973 until 2006 and then the Haslingfield ward from 2012 to 2016, as an Independent Member.
His main interest was conservation and he served on the Council’s Conservation Committee from 1983 until its disbandment in 2001. He co-founded the Countryside Restoration Trust in 1993, which aimed to promote commercial yet wildlife-friendly farming, serving as its chairman until 2003.
He had a regular column in the Daily Telegraph and presented the BBC TV show One Man and His Dog. He played cricket for Comberton (as wicket-keeper) and football for Barton.
Our thoughts are with former Cllr Page’s family and friends.
Liaison meeting regarding development in Fulbourn – both on the Ida Darwin and Castlefield sites
I recently chaired a meeting between Planning Officers, developers from Hill (Castlefield) and Morris Homes (Ida Darwin), District and Parish Councillors. It is key that now both developments will be moving forward over the coming year that a number of issues are scrutinised such as:
- Traffic plans for delivery of materials
- Communication between both developers
- Communication between developers and the cycle greenways team
- Communication with residents
- Making sure we have suitable contacts if things go wrong
- Parking for contractors
- Drafting communication packs for new residents
Findings from GCP’s Making Connections consultation published
The GCP has published the Making Connections findings regarding congestion charging. I have stated in previous reports that I had concerns regarding this consultation given that the main element, congestion charging, isn’t mentioned until question 9. I also find it odd that this consultation has broken down results in age categories which is unusual and that within the consultation there were no options without congestion charging put forward. To access the results use the following website: https://www.greatercambridge.org.uk/sustainable-transport-programme/city-access-programme/making-connections/making-connections-2022
Thank you for taking the time to read my report; if you have any questions or want to discuss any of the issues raised email me on graham.cone@councillor.online or ring 07595 361 285 (please leave a voicemail if I am unavailable) Councillor Graham Cone