District Councillors Report February 2026 – PDF Version
Supplementary Report of Councillor Carla Hofman
and Councillor John Williams to
Parish Councils for February 2026.
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
Three council leaders make the case for Option B in Local Government Reform
South Cambridgeshire, along with Cambridge City and East Cambridgeshire have set out why their plan to reorganise Cambridgeshire’s seven councils into two new unitary councils – known as option B, which would create one for North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and another for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire – is the most beneficial plan for the whole region.
This comes ahead of the government’s public consultation on the four options that were submitted by Cambridgeshire’s councils to the government in November, which is expected to begin this month.
Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire District and South Cambridgeshire District councils all support Option B, which proposes two new unitary councils which would deliver all of the services currently delivered by different district, city and county councils:
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A Greater Cambridge council, covering Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire
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A North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough council, covering East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough.
Option B is considered by the three councils to be the best option for everyone living and working in Cambridgeshire because:
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Both new councils would be financially secure, with anticipated savings of £43 million a year. Savings would be reinvested to improve front line services across the region, as residents have called for. This level of ambition from the three councils is much greater than any of the other proposals for Cambridgeshire, which are very modest compared to all local government reorganisation proposals submitted to government from across the country.
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The two councils would represent two areas that have different strengths, but are economic equals, limiting any north-south imbalance. Greater Cambridge with its world-leading science and tech economy, with North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough as an agricultural and industrial powerhouse.
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Greater Cambridge being smaller in size would enable closer collaboration with key local institutions, such as the Cambridge University Hospitals and University of Cambridge – to help drive innovative solutions to local challenges, especially in the health and technology sectors.
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North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough being larger in size means more council tax and government funding, and better ability to commission services, to help tackle pockets of deprivation and help shape local care markets. Both councils would have lower social needs than the England average, and of any of the other proposals.
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Aligning council boundaries to existing partnership working: Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire are already working together on a joint Local Plan for Greater Cambridge for well-managed growth in the years ahead, the councils have shared services including waste and planning, and both councils have a combined 13,000 council homes between them – whereas the northern councils do not have council housing stock.
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Recognising rural communities in the northern unitary: The rural nature of the northern unitary would drive it to work closely with local communities to deliver what’s needed, through Resident Engagement Pathways – what’s right for one area may not be relevant in another, allowing council resources to be targeted more effectively.
South Cambridgeshire District Council smashes record for new Council houses
South Cambridgeshire District Council has confirmed the completion of 113 new Council homes since 1 April – the highest annual number achieved. This surpasses the previous yearly high of 91 homes – with more than two months of the financial year still to go.
This achievement reflects the Council’s commitment to tackling the local housing need while ensuring developments are energy-efficient and future-ready. Many homes feature renewable energy systems and electric vehicle (EV) charging points, supporting the Council’s Corporate Plan priority to create sustainable homes and vibrant places.
Since 1 April 2025, new Council homes have been completed in:
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Barrington (with developers Redrow) – 31 new homes, with all houses having air source heat pumps and EV charging points and maisonettes featuring electric radiators, heat pumps for water cylinders and EV charging points.
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Northstowe (with developers Keepmoat) – 26 new council homes, featuring a communal solar panel system on the roof.
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Fulbourn (with developers Hill) – 17 new Council homes so far, with all houses equipped with air source heat pumps and EV chargers – with flats also having electric radiators and heat pumps for water cylinders.
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Cottenham Grove (with developers Redrow) – 14 new homes with EV chargers.
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Over (with developers Hayfield Homes) – 11 homes, all with air source heat pumps and EV chargers.
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Fulbourn (with developers Shelbourne- Morris Homes) – 10 homes with solar panels and EV charging points.
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Cottenham (with Developer Tilia) – four more homes, all with EV charging points.
The new Council homes across South Cambridgeshire are a range of tenures. To express an interest in any Council home in South Cambridgeshire, you need to be registered with Home-Link. For enquiries about the shared ownership properties, you can contact William H Brown by email at SCDC@williamhbrown.co.uk
Groundbreaking for renewable energy scheme to future-proof bin collections
Construction has begun on a pioneering renewable energy solar park to power electric bin lorries for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire. The £6.1 million scheme is jointly funded by Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority – which agreed its contribution in December 2022.
It will see the installation of a one-megawatt solar system paired with a battery that can store enough energy to keep operations running smoothly. This will feed into 36 electric vehicle charging points for use by electric bin lorries and other vehicles at the councils’ Waterbeach Depot. The aim is to help future-proof waste and recycling collections locally – a vital frontline service for residents.
The Waterbeach Renewable Energy Network will enable the councils to significantly reduce carbon emissions from their waste fleets. These carbon emissions are currently among the highest contributors to the councils’ overall emissions.
By 2027, the Greater Cambridge Shared Waste service between the two councils will have 18 electric bin lorries in operation, supported by clean, renewable energy generated on-site. There are currently four electric bin lorries in use but there is not enough capacity in the local electrical grid to power more without this work.
As well as powering electric bin lorries, the project is expected to supply 59% of the depot’s total energy needs from renewable sources and achieve over 40% biodiversity net gain through measures such as wildflower planting and new hedgerows to create a haven for local wildlife.
Carla & John