Thursday 18 December 2008

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.

Friday 12 December 2008

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.

Reverse County Cuts to Children's Support!

As reported in the Cambridge News, the County have decided to change how they fund support servcies to children and families in Cambridge.

The overall effect is that Homestart, a service who provide support for many vulnerable or in need families in King's Hedges and elsewhere in the City are facing a cut of £48,000. The King's Hedges Family Support Project is likely to lose £36,000.

This would leave both projects facing massive reductions in what they do. Possibly even stopping them in the area.

These cuts are opposed by the Liberal Democrats. We do not want to see a gap in this vital support work. Organisations like this plays a vital role in supporting our communities.

Members and users of both groups came to North Area Committee last Thursday and put their case persuasively.

At the meeting I asked that the chair of the Committee invite the County Cabinet Member responsible for this decision, Conservative County Cllr Martin Curtis, to our next meeting. We will see whether he accepts!

(His ward is in Whittlesey... another decision being made by the County without considering the impact on the City.)

Monday 8 December 2008

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!).

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