Report of Councillor Carla Hofman and Councillor John Williams to
Parish Councils for May 2025.
This report contains factual information which we hope will be of use and of interest to the parish council and to the wider community of the parish.
For queries pleaser email us at cllr.williamsjg@scambs,gov.uk or cllr.hofman@scambs.gov.uk
Also, look out for the Parish Clerks e-Bulletin from South Cambridgeshire District Council
Cambridge Waste-Water Treatment Plant Relocation – Development Consent Order Granted by Secretary of State
On 8 April the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs approved the Cambridge Waste-Water Treatment Plant Relocation application. Anglian Water’s Development Consent Order (DCO) seeks to relocate the existing wastewater treatment facility from Cowley Road, Cambridge, to a new site between Horningsea, Fen Ditton, and Stow cum Quy, adjacent to the A14 in South Cambridgeshire.
The North-East Cambridge site unlocked by this decision as a highly sustainable location for new housing – close to workplaces, public transport and social infrastructure – and is something we must take full advantage of, maximising the benefits to everyone in our area.
Throughout the planning process as a consultee, South Cambridgeshire District Council in its role as the local planning authority, strove to ensure the impact of the new water works on both residents near the site and the environment is fully mitigated where possible, including maximising biodiversity net gain.
We recognise that the Government’s decision will be a blow to campaigners who have fought long and hard against this outcome, but we would like to reassure them that we are listening to their specific concerns and are working to address them.
Separately, the Cambridge Shared Planning Service major projects team are sending out their regular newsletter with an update on all large infrastructure projects which includes this development, so do look out for that.
Support for local climate action in South Cambridgeshire continues with seventh round of Zero Carbon Communities grants
The seventh round of South Cambridgeshire’s Zero Carbon Communities (ZCC) grants has been launched offering a share of £125,000 to successful applicants.
The grant scheme supports projects which help reduce carbon emissions or ‘lock up’ carbon, as well as projects that foster community engagement on climate change.
Since its launch in 2019, the scheme has awarded over £625,000 in grants, supporting more than 70 community-led climate action projects. Previous projects include solar panels for community buildings, a strengthened repair café network to encourage waste reduction, an electric bicycle scheme and an event kit for a local group helping people adopt climate-friendly gardening practices at home. Grants range from £2,000 to £15,000 per project.
This year projects are invited under two themes:
• Projects that reduce carbon emissions or ‘lock up’ carbon. The grants have previously supported village halls and other community buildings to reduce their energy use by installing measures such as heat pumps, LEDs, insulation and solar PV. Projects funded under this theme have allowed organisations to reduce their emissions in other ways, such as replacing vans needed for their work with electric vehicles.
• Projects that achieve wider community engagement on climate change and promote sustainable behaviour change. Projects in previous years have included support for repair cafes, sustainable food projects and training for community climate leaders such as Cambridge Carbon Footprint’s Net Zero Now course. You can read case studies of past ZCC projects on our website.
The ZCC grant scheme is funded through the Council’s renewables reserve (business rates from renewable energy projects) and builds on a long-standing commitment to supporting community-level action on sustainable energy.
Council tenant is convicted of fraud after misrepresenting his circumstances on housing applications
Following in from last month’s report about the South Cambridgeshire district council fraud team getting back £360,000 from council tax underpayments, a man from Fulbourn has been given a suspended prison sentence after fraudulently claiming to be homeless to apply for Council housing – while renting out a private property. He sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to temporary housing application fraud, permanent housing application fraud and Council Tax support fraud.
In addition to surrendering his council tenancy due to the investigation findings, proceedings have begun to recover financial loss to the Council, the hearing at Cambridge Crown Court heard. This is a reminder to residents to ensure their circumstances are reported to the authority accurately and fully when applying for Council’s limited resources, as it can change their priority or entitlement to housing.
Taxi driver loses licence for driving offences
And a taxi driver has lost his licence after South Cambridgeshire District Council successfully defeated his appeal in court. The taxi driver first appeared before the Council’s Licensing Sub Committee in August 2024 after an application to renew his private hire driver licence was refused as he had not made the Council aware of three DVLA speeding endorsements he had received between 2021 and 2022 – which was a condition of his licence. He decided to appeal against this decision at the Peterborough Magistrates Court but lost his appeal.
Updated New Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Community Lottery
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation is launching a new community lottery on 20 May. The lottery aims to provide an effective way for local charities and community organisations to fundraise and engage with supporters. A total of 60p in every £1 sold in tickets goes directly to good causes.
A marketing pack will be provided to the Council at the end of April which we will share with you and local groups. It will provide a webpage with more information. Once it is available please also share locally. All non-profit organisations operating within Cambridgeshire can sign up to be a benefactor of the money that will be available to local groups. Organisations eligible include charities, sports clubs, community groups, Community Interest Companies and schools.
Although more detailed information is not available just yet, charities or community organisations keen to register early can do so now. This could mean they are also featured in the launch communications. Please ask any organisations keen to get on board early to email info@cambscf.org.uk and mention the community lottery when they get in touch.
Local organisations that could benefit will also be asked by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation to pass on details about the lottery to their supporters who may choose to give a little extra by purchasing tickets.
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation is partnering with Gatherwell to run the community lottery. Gatherwell runs many community lotteries including the one in Watford. Watford has been running theirs since June 2023 and is now selling over 900 weekly tickets. 63 causes have signed up and £40,000 has been raised for those local causes since launch.
Carla & John