Local Government Reorganisation
Council leaders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have sent a letter to the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, setting out progress on plans to move towards a new system of local government.
The letter, signed by the Leaders of Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire, Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire, is in response to the invitation from Government for councils to work together to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation. They have also issued the following joint statement.
“We are approaching local government reorganisation with an open mind and a spirit of wanting the best for all our residents and for the local area as a whole. Not all of us would have chosen this path, but we accept that it is the path we are on and realise it is important that we collaborate to control our own destiny.
“In recent weeks, we have been working closely together to understand the differing perspectives of each authority and to consider the various unitary scenarios.
“Further work will take place, at pace, after the county council and mayoral elections to reach a shared understanding of how best to progress our proposals. The scenarios we are considering will take account of historic community identities, the interests of residents, economic geographies, and local demographic representation.
“We look forward to further discussions with each other and with government, and when the time is right, with residents, Members of Parliament and our partners including the police, NHS, fire service and town and parish councils. We will continue to work together to achieve the best outcome possible for our residents and every community, village, town and city in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”
Support for the Easter Holidays
Funding for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has been extended by the Department for Education into 2025. The programme offers families the opportunity to access funded places and a meal for their child during the main school holidays of Easter, Summer, and Christmas.
Any child receiving benefit-related free school meals is eligible for the programme, which will run between 7 – 17 April.
Approximately 20,000 HAF eligibility vouchers were sent to families on 3 March. Each voucher offers a child 16 hours of access, for no charge, to a HAF registered holiday scheme during the Easter school holidays.
The Department for Education (DfE) requires local authorities to coordinate the programme which is delivered by approved providers. The Council is working with schools, holiday scheme providers, district councils and voluntary and community organisations.
As part of the programme, eligible children will be able to access:
- A variety of schemes including sports, play schemes, drama, technology, outdoor adventure and youth schemes.
- Enriching experiences to develop children’s skills and confidence.
- At least one nutritious meal a day.
- Daily physical exercise through sports and/or play.
Further information can be found at Cambridgeshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme – Cambridgeshire County Council
Community Navigators support renewed ‘Community Navigators’, which has been running since 2012, provides personalised support to older people, residents aged 18 and over with disabilities, and their carers. The service is run on behalf of the council by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers from Care Network. They connect individuals to services, activities, and interventions in their local communities, which includes:
- Informing people about, and referring them to, relevant activities and services.
- Helping people access information to answer questions and enable them to do things for themselves
- Supporting people to access activities that enable them to remain independent, safe, and well.
- Reaching out to communities to engage with people who may be eligible for Adult Social Care services.
Service users can choose to receive support either in the community, at home, or over the phone. Over the last three years, Community Navigators has received nearly 9,000 referrals via the NHS, community and voluntary sector, and the county council’s adult social care service. A further two-year contract is due to start on 1 October 2025.
https://care-network.org.uk/community-navigators/
Childrens’ Activities at Libraries
The Spring season of The Library Presents is currently filling Cambridgeshire Libraries with music, theatre, dance, and creative workshops this spring – now it’s your opportunity to help shape the future by choosing the performers you want to see in the Autumn 2025 Season. Between 26 March and 2 May, residents are invited to take part in The Library Presents choosing process at Library Live | The Library Presents. These selections will help decide which artists and performances feature in the Autumn line-up of the much-loved arts and entertainment programme.
Thanks to the generous support of Arts Council England, The Library Presents continues to receive significant public funding, enabling the programme to bring high-quality arts experiences to communities across Cambridgeshire. Over a three-year period, £530,000 has been invested to help keep ticket prices affordable and ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation.
Standard ticket prices are subsidised, with events costing between £2 and £8.50. The programme’s commitment to inclusivity means families, children, and individuals of all ages can experience the magic of live arts. For more information, visit Library Live | The Library Presents.
Participating Libraries: Barnwell Road, Chatteris, Cherry Hinton, Ely, Littleport, March, Ramsey, St Ives, St Neots, Whittlesey, Wisbech, Yaxley.
Highways issues
Mere Way – Following work with the Community Safety Partnership, the Police have increased patrols to deter illegal drivers on this cycle and footpath. New barriers will be installed.
Horningsea GCP Greenway – The PC and I are seeking better visibility for build-outs and bollards.
Hoarding at Northgate Farm – I have asked for the hoarding to be moved to the back of the verge.
Milton, Landbeach and Fen Ditton – I had a site visit with the Highways Asset Manager 25 March to seek his recommendations for various repairs.
Fen Ditton – Footway on Church Street and Green End – Following my requests since April 2023 work appears to be imminent on Church Street and Green End. I have been advised that initial works should be done by end of March 2025. However, in recognition that this will likely require major works, I submitted a request to the Capital Maintenance Programme.
Milton – Cambridge Road/High Street – I have requested resurfacing (again) but was surprised at the piecemeal work done by the Dragon Patcher on 29 March.
Landbeach – Green End – I requested final repairs at the church bends and reinforcement of road edges towards the A10.
Cllr Anna Bradnam anna.bradnam@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 31/03/2025