From our Local County Councillor

1. Cambridgeshire Police report road deaths have fallen in Cambridgeshire by 30 per cent in the past year.
2. A decision has been made to open the Guided Busway from Cambridge to St Ives in the late summer following a review over the New Year period. It is promised that all features of the scheme will be ready for passengers from the beginning.
3. Contractors are expected to hand over Central Library in February and subject to that, the Library will reopen in May.
4. Journeys on Cambridge's Park & Ride have exceeded four million for the first time. Stagecoach have been criticised for a rise in the price of park and ride ticket. The cost of a weekly park and ride ticket has now risen from £9 to £10. Individual return tickets will cost £2.50 per person when bought on the bus, compared to £2.20 - the same as the current price - if purchased in advance from new machines being installed at park and ride sites.
5. Cambridgeshire Citizens'Advice Bureaus (CABs) are very busy with financial enquiries and have experienced a steep rise in employment queries. The county council is now directing more resources to the charity, which is working on the front line of those affected by the credit crunch.
6. CCC's Integrated Plan and budget for the next financial year are now published. Part of its 'protect and invest' strategy includes budget concentration on social care for adults and children; support for people during the recession and addressing items such as transport and road safety. The average council tax increase is 3.9% (for a band D property) or £38 per year. The opposition budget proposes an increase of 2.45%.
7. The Transport Commission website (www.cambstransportcommission.co.uk) has been set up enable local people to give a picture of the transport and congestion problems in Cambridgeshire. Sir Brian Briscoe and Professor Tony Travers are not only looking at the TIF proposals but are able to make suggestions if they find other ways of helping improve the transport problems in Cambridgeshire. The website address is www.cambstransportcommission.co.uk.
8. The Children's Centre is running from Bottisham with activities across the area, including the Swaffhams, Burwell and Reach, for families with under 5's. Activities include dads groups, health clinics, young parents support and messy play. I am chairing the partnership board (an advisory group).
9. The County Council Research group has won an award for the best piece of research undertaken by a local authority for its work on the Post Office Network Change Group.
10. Abington and Guyhurn are the only two schemes to be awarded money in the medium sized highways schemes.

Hazel Williams

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