From our Local County Councillor
East Cambs District Council is now 30 years old. This is to be celebrated with
a ChairmanŐs reception at the Ely Maltings on Friday October 22nd. Alan White
has been a Councillor throughout, together with our longest serving officer
Alan Stevens.
The two public meetings on the office accommodation which were held at Ely and Soham were marred by public demonstrations concerned with a planning decision for Little Downham. Although the time for presentations and discussion was curtailed, a number of relevant points were raised and will be considered by members in the final decision.
Continuing on the theme of consultation, the results of the Parish Survey are now available. 113 completed surveys were returned representing a 35% response from parish Councils and individual Parish Councillors.
The first preferences for a preferred site location were as follows: Ely Business Park, Angel Drove (42%) the Grange (25%), Soham Bypass (13%), Lancaster Way Businees Park (11%).
On another note, the number of domestic properties on the East Cambs council tax register has reached 32,000. The Office for National Statistics has confirmed that our district in the fastest growing area in England. From June 2002 to June 2003 they have estimated that our resident population has grown from 72,400 to almost 78,000, a staggering 4.8% increase.
While this should be good news in terms of additional resources there is concern that the government may not use the figures for Revenue Support Grant purposes until the 2006/7 financial year.
With regard to the EDF Energy proposed 132K electricity line from Burwell to Horningsea. Amended plans regarding the landscaping for this project have now been received by East Cambs Council. As an affected authority we can only submit comments. The matter will finally be determined by the Secretary of State.
The proposal is for a second electrical power-line to run parallel with the existing line. The new pylons would be at the same height as the present ones. The new line is needed for rhe increased demand for electricity from the Cambridge area.