From our District Councillor
WORK BEGINS ON COMMUTER CAR PARK
Work has begun this week on the new car park at Cambridgeshire Business Park in
Ely, designed to make life easier for all those who use the Ely train station.
The new facility, projected to open in mid-December 2007, will have 205 spaces
and cost £2.50 per day and £11 for a seven-day ticket. Once completed the site
will also run a park and ride service on Saturdays.
The car park is part of the Ely Transport Strategy which aims to enhance accessibility; promote the city as a service, tourism and employment centres; improve the car parking experience and resolve the railway station parking problems.
Councillor John Seaman MBE, Chairman of the Environment and Transport Committee, said: "Starting work at the Angel Drove site is a major step forward in the development of the Ely Transport Strategy. The new car park, once completed, will offer commuters a safe and secure place to leave their car while they travel to their place of work. I believe the new facility will make a big difference to the lives of everyone who uses it. From commuters in the week who won't have to worry about driving endless around a full railway station car park, to shoppers who will have a convenient place to leave their car in the run up to Christmas."
The cost of the land for the car park was £635,000 and was bought from Cawdle Developments Limited.
NEIGHBOURHOOD PANELS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT
Residents throughout East Cambridgeshire are getting the chance to have their say on the futures of their communities. East Cambridgeshire District Council's Community Services Committee have decided to extend the recent and successful Soham pilot of the multi-agency `neighbourhood panel' project across the district.
There will be five panels in the district - Ely, Littleport, Soham, District South and District West; and each will be made up of representatives of the County, District and Parish Councils, together with other influential community figures elected by the Panel.
The Panel will discuss important community issues and influence what priority actions should be taken by local public service providers. The general public will be welcomed to the meetings, to raise their issues or concern and see that decisions are made with the best interests of the community in mind. Many organisations in the district have already been involved in the pilot and are keen to continue the arrangement.
Councillor Peter Cresswell, Chairman of the Committee and project champion within the Council said: "I am very excited that the Council has decided to go ahead with Neighbourhood Panels: This is a very new concept, and will allow members of the public to have their say on the priorities of the public service providers in the district, and will forge closer links between parish councils and these organisations. This is quite a commitment by the Council, so the public can see that we're serious about making this work."
Inspector Alan Savill, sector commander for East Cambridgeshire, said: "Here in the police, we are very keen to take account of what the community wants when we plan our work. We have taken part in the Soham pilot project and think this will be a very important way of working in the future. We are very pleased that we have this opportunity to do even more work with other organisations in the district."
Between now and Christmas, the Council's Corporate Strategy Team will be organising the inaugural round of meetings, to take place between January and March. For further information about the neighbourhood meetings, a copy of the agenda or the work of the East Cambridgeshire Strategic Partnership - please contact Jane Fletcher or Julie Cornwall on 01353 665555 and email jane.fletcher@eastcambs.gov.uk.
SCHEDULED REPAIRS FOR THE MALTINGS
An important historic centre for conferences, exhibitions and banqueting in Ely is to close for six months in 2008 for essential repairs. The Maltings, built in 1868 for the brewery of Ebenezer William Harlock, will be coming up for a scheduled refit of its roof in May 2008. Officers at the District Council have decided the building will need to close to protect the public for a period of up to six months.
The building was badly damaged by fire in 1967 and carefully renovated, restored and converted it into a hall.
The repair work will coincide with the end of the District Council's contract with Eliance who currently provide the catering and exhibition facilities at the Maltings. The Council has appointed an agent who over the next five months will gather expressions of interest regarding the building's future use for the benefit of the residents of East Cambridgeshire.
Councillor Peter Cresswell, Chairman of the Community Services Committee, said: "Given the number of events which take place at the Maltings and how many people like to book far in advance, we felt it was appropriate to give advanced warning that the building is to close. This will allow anyone who is scheduling a wedding, party or conference enough time to find another venue. I would like to stress that the building as it stands is perfectly safe and any work will be in keeping with the historic character of the building. Until the work begins in May 2008, the Maltings will remain fully open and will provide all its usual services for the public."