From our local County Councillor
May started on County Council duty with a real pleasure - being invited to be
part of the Mayor of Cambridge's party to proclaim Reach Fair and help
distribute coins. I was also invited to lunch, where I discovered another
tradition - the new boys and girls are expected to give a speech (without
warning!).
I attended a meeting of the Children and Young People's Policy Development Group where provision of secondary schooling and post-16 education in East Cambs were the main topics of discussion.
I also participated in 2 service appeal hearings relating to home to school transport provision. As I have reported before these cases can be quite difficult and the 2 held in May were certainly that.
Full Council met on 18 May. Owing to family commitments I had to send my apologies. Cllrs Linda Oliver and John Powley were due to be re-confirmed as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively, with Cllr Jill Tuck remaining as Leader of the Council. I was re-appointed to the Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee, Service Appeals Committee and the Adult and Communities Policy Development Group. I was also appointed to the newly-formed Stronger Communities Scrutiny Committee. I remain as a substitute member on a number of other Committees and Groups. I also remain the County Council representative on: the Littleport Masterplan Working Party; the LGA Rural Commission; and Cambridgeshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs. Progress with Guided Busway was a major agenda item, as has been widely reported.
I have attended a number of meetings considering the future direction of Highways Policy in the County - more details next month.