From our Local County Councillor
Annual Report
Since I was first elected I have given a summary County report to all six
annual parish meetings (APMs). I try to review the County's affairs over
the preceding twelve months, particularly relating to our villages of Burwell,
The Swaffhams, Reach, Bottisham and Lode. Because so few members of the public
attend these meetings, it seems sensible to give a condensed review to your
village magazines, all of which go to every house in your parish. In addition
to the annual report I keep in touch by a regular County article monthly or
bimonthly depending on publication frequency.
This year at the APM's I first gave a general overview which included the appointment of the new County Chief Executive, Ian Stewart, achievement of national "Beacon" status, given in recognition of Cambs' and E.Cambs' leadership on ICT; and a "Good" assessment of the County's general performances judged by the Audit Commission.
I spoke briefly on the recent Council Tax increases which continue at more than the UK rate of inflation. The 9.2% County increase would have been less, had the Government given us the full amount at once, instead of spreading £10M of grant over the next two years. In theory this should mean a lower tax demand next year - we shall see!
The County consulted widely on whether the County share of Council Tax should be 12% with no cuts to services or 6% involving severe cuts. Public opinion was strongly in favour of 12% so the decision was taken to go for 9.2% and make up the difference by withdrawing from reserves. Even then there were some cuts, e.g. Bottisham Community Library.
Every year as the Council Tax rises I am more and more convinced that it is a thoroughly bad tax, only marginally better than the infamous "Poll Tax" which it replaced. Depending on the property you live in you may pay the same amount as a wealthy neighbour, whose income continues to grow, yet you are possibly stuck on a low pension or other fixed small income.
An increasing number of councillors are seriously wanting Council Tax replaced by a fairer means of paying for our local services, such as a local income tax. Maybe the time for that change is coming sooner, I hope, than later.
Turning to specific services, much the largest is EDUCATION. Here media exaggeration about generous Government grants was subsequently brought down to earth with a bump when it was realised that Cambs secondary schools had been short changed to the tune of several million pounds. Some schools are threatened with a deficit Budget but not Bottisham. Nevertheless, standstill is the best we can hope for in 2003/4.
From other aspects Bottisham Village College has had another successful year. The best exam results appeared at the Key Stage 3 but the older children still did better on GCSE than the County average. With Beacon School Status (only 4 in Cambs) the College has much to be proud of in its high standards.
The school and community suffered a major blow in the decision by the County cabinet to save a modest amount of money by closing ten of the smaller community libraries in the County, including Bottisham. Inspite of a vigorous campaign to save it, the Cabinet was impervious to contrary views and confirmed the decision. Not to be beaten we locals, supporting the library, are replacing it with a similar service but run by villagers from Bottisham, Lode, Swaffham Bulbeck and other nearby interested parties. We hope it will succeed and be well supported by nearby library users. The school side of the library is not affected by the County's decision.
SOCIAL SERVICES have improved over last year but at a cost. We seem to be stuck in a perpetual financial deficit only solved by transfers of money from other activities. Unforeseen costs of out of county placements and the ever-increasing cost of elderly care are large contributors to the shortfall. It is of course undeniable that we are, on average, living longer. The cost of care for the over 85's rises dramatically year by year.
On the ENVIRONMENT the County Structure Plan rumbles along at a steady pace with some of its more controversial proposals becoming clear. Round here I hope we have seen off the idea of a new town at Six Mile Bottom which received universal criticism. The new settlement is more likely to be confirmed at Oakington / Longstanton. For all that, pressure to build many more houses in the Cambridge area increases.
Turning to ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION there were several changes in the last year. The success of Park & Ride around Cambridge is now accepted and is likely to be expanded. The A14 is to be widened from Fen Ditton to Conington and a new road built therefrom to the Al.
The Fordham by-pass has now completed its planning stage and will start to be built as soon as possible. Traffic calming along Mill Hill, Swaffham Prior is now completed with the arrival of the interactive speed signs. The B1102 will also be made safer between Swaffham Bulbeck and Longmeadow. I am pushing the completion of the national cycleway (R 51) between the Swaffhams and a route designated in Burwell. Pedestrian crossings are also scheduled for Burwell Ness Road and Swaffham Bulbeck.
Lastly, the CAMBRIDGESHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE continues to put out fires and rescue car drivers and passengers at a tiny cost of 57 pence per week each. The sad national dispute with the full-time firefighters has still not been resolved in spite of many months negotiations. Locally, our two stations at Swaffham Bulbeck and Burwell worked normally as they are manned by Retained part-timers. We owe them a debt of gratitude for all their efforts.