Local Government Reorganisation
The government plans to dissolve District, City and County Councils and reorganise as (fewer) Unitary Authorities. Three business cases, each to create two unitary authorities, are being drawn up. In all cases the current county council functions would become the responsibility of the new unitary authorities:
A – Unitary1: Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire and East Cambridgeshire
Unitary 2: Peterborough, Huntingdonshire, Fenland
B – Unitary 1: Cambridge South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire
Unitary 2: Peterborough, Fenland and East Cambridgeshire
C – Unitary 1: Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire.
Unitary 2: Peterborough, Huntingdonshire, Fenland and East Cambridgeshire
You can take part in a survey until 20 July – using this link
https://can-campaigns.co.uk/local-councils-in-cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-are-changing/
BUS ROUTES – announcement from Stagecoach
“We are making service changes to some routes in Cambridgeshire from Sunday 31st August 2025
We have been in discussion with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) about the updates since January, and hope that discussions can continue on how the routes can be best served. These service changes are needed to keep the local bus network viable after the rise in National Insurance increased annual costs by £1m per year, putting the cost of provision up for those services already struggling to cover their cost of operation….
Route 9 (Littleport – Ely-Cambridge) – The timetabled part of this service which is operated by Stagecoach East will be passed over to the CPCA in order for them to find another operator.
[AB – I have spoken to A2B who currently run the other buses on the route. They would dearly like to run the whole service and through the villages.]School Routes 604 (Milton – Impington); 606 (Impington – Cambridge) – These services will be withdrawn due to extremely low passenger numbers.”
BAITS BITE LOCK
A number of parishes have asked me about Baits Bite Lock and the River Cam. This link takes you to updates from the Conservancy website in chronological order as the project to stabilise Baits Bite Lock Island has evolved: Lock Islands 2024/25 | camconservators They start in April but I will only repeat the most recent posts from June, here:
05/06/2025 BAITS BITE UPDATE
- Last week (on 29 May), as part of finalising the design plans for the stabilisation work, a dive survey at Baits Bite Lock confirmed the extent of the damage on the offside (river side) of the lock island. This is considerable in places, having washed away sections of the wall, exposing the wooden piling foundations, which are themselves eroded, and the flow of water over the years has created sizeable voids behind the island wall that need to be filled.
- The dive survey also revealed a bulge in the offside wall, above the riverbed but below the water line.
- Considering this, at yesterday’s meeting (3 June) of all parties involved in the project, it was clear that the design is going to have to be reviewed and changed. To help with this, we have commissioned a bathymetric survey to profile the riverbed on the offside, to give us a better idea of where to place the rock bags needed as part of the stabilisation work.
- Sand martins and bats have been observed around the lock, so we have also commissioned an ecological survey to see if the martins are nesting, and the bats roosting, in the lock structure.
- Video footage from the dive, along with the divers’ detailed report, is being reviewed this week, and on Tuesday next week (10 June) the project teams will meet again to agree to the necessary changes to the design.
- We will issue another update after that meeting.
13/06/2025 – BAITS BITE UPDATE
The Baits Bite Lock Island Stabilisation Project continues to make progress through the detailed design and planning stages.
As a complex and environmentally sensitive scheme, it has experienced some delays, mainly due to the extensive survey work and ecological considerations required to ensure the proposed works do not negatively impact the surrounding environment.
Recent investigations – including underwater dives and ecological surveys – along with earlier studies such as topographical and utility surveys, trial pit excavations, geotechnical testing, and the installation of monitoring devices, have identified two high-priority areas requiring remediation.
As a result, the design approach has been refined, including the adoption of diver-placed cement bags to address site-specific challenges.
Environmental concerns, particularly the presence of birds and bats, are being actively managed in line with the latest ecology survey findings. Coordination with the Environment Agency is ongoing as final design details are confirmed.
For safety reasons, the site remains closed to both pedestrians and boat traffic. In the meantime, the project team is continuing to develop the design and engage with the contractor in preparation for the next phase of works. This remains a high-priority project, with a focus on delivering a robust solution that is both environmentally responsible and achievable with our limited budget.
The project team intends to issue the final design and proposal to the client by the end of this month. This will pave the way for site works to begin in late June or early July, with completion targeted before the end of 2025.
20/06/2025 – BAITS BITE UPDATE
The project manager received the works design today from the designer and distributed it to involved parties. The principal contractor is currently reviewing this design against their proposal for works. Conservators will issue a further update next week.
On 26/06/2025 David Goode, the Chair of the Conservators was interviewed on Radio Cambridgeshire. He explained the further survey we have commissioned with financial support from the Environment Agency, Cambridgeshire County Council, South Cambs District Council and Cambridge City Council. David made the case that if Baits Bite Lock failed, the water level around The Backs would drop to a level where punting would be impossible. He pointed out the Conservators will not be able to do major repairs on the locks unless significant financial support can be offered by external bodies.
National Highways and Transport (NHT) – Public Satisfaction Survey.
Cambridgeshire residents are being asked for their views on Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways and transport services in this national survey. In June a questionnaire is being sent to a random sample of at least 3,300 Cambridgeshire residents, followed by a reminder. Since the survey is based on a sample, residents who receive a copy are being urged to take part.
They can comment on everything from the condition of roads and footpaths to public transport and the quality of cycling facilities in Cambridgeshire. Local and national results will be published in late-October 2025, and the County Council will use the feedback to manage and improve local services. This standardised annual survey enables Cambridgeshire to be benchmarked against the other local authorities who take part. Each year members of the public are asked the same core questions so that comparisons can be made across the country.
The council is currently investing a record amount of money into highways and transport, so it is more important than ever that we understand residents’ views and priorities. I encourage anyone who receives a questionnaire to respond and take part.
Milton Park and Ride – Consultation on a proposed Public Space Protection Order
Local people are being asked for their views on plans to tackle antisocial behaviour at Milton Park and Ride. A public consultation opens today (1 July) on proposals to stop dangerous and disruptive driving at the site in Butt Lane. The consultation closes on 1 August.
South Cambridgeshire District Council is planning to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) aimed at curbing anti-social behaviour through new regulations. Anyone who violates the rules could be fined. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and existing CCTV will be used to help enforce the rules. This means the council can track vehicles and issue fines without needing someone to be there at the time.
The move follows 65 complaints over the last two years about drivers speeding, revving engines, racing cars, performing stunts, playing loud music, and using threatening or rude behaviour.
To comment on the consultation visit our webpage. The consultation runs from July 1 to August 1. More information can be found in the consultation decision notice.
Around the County Committees:
Children and Young People
Amongst other things, in June the CYP agreed to enable Academy schools to lead on construction of expansion projects on their premises and for developers to lead on some new build schools. We approved funding to renew early intervention mental health services for children and young people, re-commissioned the National Child Measurement Programme (which enables parents and carers to be alerted to weight gain and to be supported around healthy eating options for children.) The committee agreed to externally commission the service that seeks to use Council-owned property to provide homes for children with complex needs and challenging behaviour. They also renewed provision of the Children and Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service.
Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion
Adult Learning Services gained high praise from Ofsted.
Applications to the Household Support Fund can be made until 31 March 2026.
Environment and Green Investment
The government has announced it will take over the delivery of nine reservoirs including the Fens Reservoir, near Chatteris, to ‘speed up delivery’. Current plans aim to deliver this plan by 2036. It is not clear how the government intend to deliver water from the reservoir sooner than this.
Consultation on a new Nature Recovery Strategy is expected to open on 18 July. The document is here https://naturalcambridgeshire.org.uk/
Highways and Transport
The H&T agreed to note the measures that have been put in place to improve safety on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway; and agreed to the proposed measures to further improve safety. This included committing significant funding for busway fencing (£6.58m) and busway flooding mitigation (£7m). The Committee agreed to endorse the ongoing engagement with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority on bus franchising and bus reform.
Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant – County Council officers have discharged the following Requirements for the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant Relocation:
Requirement 09(2)(a)i: Detailed Community Liaison Plan
Requirement 14: Detailed Construction Lighting Design Strategy
Being a project of National Significance (NSIP) the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) made the decision to grant consent for the project 8th April 2025. As part of the Development Consent Order there are a number of Requirements (similar to planning conditions) for Cambridgeshire County Council to discharge. The discharge of these Requirements follows consultation with relevant consultees (including colleagues from Greater Cambridge Shared Planning, The Environment Agency, as well as internal CCC colleagues). The County Council will publish this information on our web site, and it will be available to view on our public access planning webpages.
Illegal vapes and cigarettes – seized
On 24 June Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards led a multi-agency operation alongside Cambridgeshire Constabulary and HMRC to crack down on the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes in East Cambs. Inspections in Ely, Soham, and Littleport, lead to the seizure of 32,040 cigarettes, 8.8kg of hand rolling tobacco and over 3000 illegal vapes from three separate premises.
This is part of an ongoing multi-agency enforcement across the county to tackle the supply of illegal tobacco and nicotine products. Products seized include vapes with oversized tanks and incorrect labelling, as well as unauthorised vapes which means they are not legal for sale in the UK. Also seized were tobacco products without the correct warnings and labelling in English.
You can report suspicious products online, anonymously if you wish, at www.keep-it-out.co.uk. The website also contains extensive information on how to spot illegal tobacco and nicotine products.
Or you can contact Trading Standard’s advice partner, the Citizens Advice Consumer Service, on 0808 223 1133 Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, remaining anonymous if you wish.
LOCAL HIGHWAY MATTERS
Ditton Lane, Fen Ditton
This scheme is materially complete The slabs on edge at No.s 106 and 104 will be replaced with the Tobermore wall with construction to begin during the school summer holidays. Survey work will be required prior to commencement.
Road permits for the works are in place for four weeks from Mon 28 July. The team will be doing some Comms in mid-July to ensure residents, Cllrs and the PC are aware of the works.
High Street, Milton
Some of the worst holes at the junction with Butt Lane were patched during June.
I have asked for repairs on the large potholes on Cambridge Road, south of The Rowans.
Landbeach – High Street
I note the 30mph sign on the east side of High St (collapsed) has been reported.
I note the parish councils queries about High Street and hope to have a verbal response by 7 July.
Horningsea
IN response to the Chair’s request, the GCP are arranging a post construction walk through of the Horningsea Greenway with Cambridgeshire County Council Highways maintenance and the contractor in early July. They are also planning a post-construction parking assessment scheduled in August and will undertake a further Road Safety Audit.
Cllr Anna Bradnam anna.bradnam@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 1 July 2025