Audit commission praise "good value" for City Homes tenants

The Audit Commission have published the report into their recent inspection of Cambridge City Council's housing services.

The Council was awarded two stars for this service, meaning a good service. What was very pleasing was that they said we had "excellent" prospects for improvement. Their lead inspector, Mark Elsworth said he was "confident" that our plans to improve those areas of the service that need improving (such as repairs) would succeed.

Congratulations to all the City Homes staff for their hard work and efforts to improve the service over the last few years.

See the Cambridge News website for more on this story, or go to the report itself.

Northfield Avenue update

At last night's North Area Committee I again passed on the request for police to monitor and enforce the speed limit on Northfield Avenue following the accidents.

Unfortunately I have met little cooperation from the County in terms of support with dealing with the problem.

I hope to have a petition on the Focus website soon.

North Area Committee this week

On Thursday it is the last North Area Committee of 2008.

At 6.30pm in the Manor School (Arbury Road) we will be considering one planning application.

The main meeting starts at 7.30pm. As ever the agenda includes an open forum, which is you chance to raise issues with the local Councillors.

There are items on environmental improvements and local policing too. The full agenda is available online.

Planning applications

Three to mention today:

1. An application for a "New pvcu conservatory to the rear" at 30 Craister Court. Application number is 08/1559/FUL
2. An application for "Erection of a detached two storey dwelling with access and off street parking" adjacent to 42 Ramsden Square (08/1521/FUL)
3. An application to put in "Dropped kerb and access across pavement and grass verge to property" at 376 Milton Road (08/1508/FUL)

As ever more details contact City Council Development Control (or us in case of difficulty!).

Congratulations to Histon FC

I doubt Cllr McGovern will agree but I just want to pass on congratulations to Histon on their superb FA Cup win today.

Our neighbours from just across the A14 gave Leeds a real tough game, and I think they earnt their luck. I'm sure the Cambridge City and Utd fans will disagree though.

Here's hoping for Arsenal (my team) v Histon in the 3rd round draw.

The big problem for me is putting up with my head of department at school all next week (he's a Histon season ticket holder)...

Update: Histon drew Swansea at home in the next round.

New battery recycling point in King's Hedges

Cambridge City Council has teamed up with Budgens in Arbury Court to provide a battery collection point in the store. This service opened today!

This is the third bin in the city, following one located in the council’s own Customer Service Centre on Regent Street and one in Waitrose in Trumpington.

Quoting from the City Council press release:

“Working with local shops is a good way to get the collection points where people really need them, and means people don’t have to make extra journeys to recycle” says Recycling Officer Rebecca Weymouth.

As well as helping to manage the collections, the retailers contribute towards the cost of recycling the batteries, as part of their producer responsibilities.

Budgens’ manager Brian Moorey was keen to get involved. “We recognise that as a key focal point for the local community we have the opportunity to support projects like this and help them to succeed. We want to give something back – both to people
living here and to the environment, and the battery recycling project is just one of many ways we are trying to do just that.”

Since the first battery bank was installed last year, about 130,000 household batteries have been collected for recycling. The old batteries are taken away by G&P Batteries and sorted in a UK facility before being sent for recycling in Europe. The metal casings are melted down and recycled, and the chemicals are extracted to be reused in other applications.

This is a welcome addition to the recycling opportunities in King's Hedges. Many thanks to the staff at Budgens and to the recycling team at the City Council.

Kings Hedges ASB group meeting

The King's Hedges ASB group meets this Thursday at 19.30 at the Community House (37 Lawrence Way, next to Tesco on Campkin Road).

Unfortunately Council business means that I won't be able to attend, but the meeting still gives a chance for people to raise concerns about criminal activity and anti-social behaviour in the ward to Council officers and the Police.

Of course you can also contact us directly if you prefer.