News from your local councillors

This blog has been merged with the Focus blog. So follow the links below to see latest news from the team.

Focus on King's Hedges: Campaign Updates from the Team

Tuesday 20 January 2009

North Area Committee this week

On Thursday this week (22 January) is the next North Area Committee at the Manor School on Arbury Road.

Apparently we are in a different room so if you wish to attend look out for signs.

Planning is at 6.30pm with applications in Milton Road, Hertford St and Ramsden Square.

The main meeting starts at 7.30pm with the Open Forum (your chance to ask questions of local councillors) and an item on Environmental Improvements.

Unfortunately Tory County Cllr Martin Curtis has turned down his invitation to speak to justify the cuts to many Children's services in Cambridge. He will be asked again!

Do come along if you can make it!

Monday 12 January 2009

Hawkins Road improvements

City Homes are about to start consultation on works to improve the Hawkins Road area, including Wilson, Atkins and Larkin.

If you live in the Hawks area then please use the consulation to let City Homes know your view on the proposed works.

The results of consultations are very important: proposed changes to recycling in Nuns Way were changed recently following a big response to consultation and the work of your local LibDem City Councillors.

The improvements are part of the Cambridge Standard Improvement Programme of the City Council which aims to raise the standard of the City's Council House stock. Whilst we're on the topic I must mention (again!) the superb inspection result. I have been told that the report is the best given to a council who retain their stock!

Wednesday 7 January 2009

Street name plates

Just a quick note about street name plates. I've noticed that the signs for Apthorpe Way and Albemarle have been fixed. I didn't notice exactly when.

I've now reported the Woodhouse Way sign which has lost a D and one of the Beales Way plates, which has just gone!

If you spot a missing or damaged street plate, get in touch with us or email snp@cambridge.gov.uk directly.

Tuesday 6 January 2009

Guided busway meeting Thursday

The next meeting of the County Council's "Guided Busway Local Liaison Forum - Oakington to Cambridge" will be on Thursday at the Meadows Community Centre.

The meeting starts at 7pm. If you wish to attend please contact Neil McGovern or myself in the usual way: the County rules do not allow members of the public but we believe guests of Councillors are allowed.

Monday 5 January 2009

Burglary

At the last NAC we made burglary a local police priority due to the worrying rise in burglaries.

If you see anyone acting suspiciously please do report it to the police on 0845 456 456 4. Use 999 if you think a crime is happening! The police need this information to build up pictures even if it isn't enough to catch a burglar on its own.

The main reason for this post is that in the December Neighbourhood Watch newsletter the police mention something called Smart Water, which they say is "a fantastic way of marking your property and making it less desirable to burglars and thieves, etc. It is virtually invisible to the naked eye, can be applied to just about anything and once applied is practically impossible to remove."

If you are interested go to the SmartWater website for more details.

There will be more on what the police have done later.

Friday 2 January 2009

Planning applications

There is one application in King's Hedges to mention: A single storey front extension to 102 Crowland Way (08/1656/FUL)

As ever more details can be obtained from development control at the City Council.

Dog fouling

I have had a number of complaints about Dog Fouling issues over the last year.

If there is a problem StreetScene will clean it up. Contact them on 01223 457000 or via the web form.

The City's dog warden team deal with the criminal side for the City Council. They can be contacted in office hours on 01223 457898. Be prepared to leave a message as they are often out and about in the City!

They do need information however: if you know the type of dog, the time it happens or (better yet) the owner then they can act more easily. You can also report it to the Police on 08454 564564.

If you'd rather do it via one of us then get in touch in the usual way.

Road works on Northfield Avenue

The Cambridge Water Company have written to local Councillors to warn us of long term road works on Northfield Avenue.

The letter informs us that the work will begin in January and run for about 18 weeks (which is until the middle of May).

The work, to renew the mains water supply, will eventually involve Northfield from the turn into Cameron Road as far as King's Hedges Road.

They say that any interruption to water supply will be "kept to a minimum" and that you should get advance warning. If you have any concerns you can contact Cambridge Water on 01223 706050 or get in touch with us and we will see if we can help.

Roman Courts update

I hope everyone had a happy Christmas and that the new year has started well.

A quick update on Roman Courts: A proposal is probably coming to January's Housing Management Board meeting proposing that the courts be let to a company who run nursing homes (or provide staff to such properties).

This lease would run whilst a long term decision is made for the site. Obviously this hasn't been approved by committee yet and could change. The plan for the company is to use it as accomodation and training provision for staff who they would bus to and from their places of work.

The long term plan is still being discussed.

Watch this space for an update.