Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats News Stories (North East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats)

Feb 7, 2012:
- Lib Dem budget tackles inequality and eliminates waste
  Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have revealed their alternative budget investing £10 million in transport over the next five years, supporting schools and young people and embarking on a radical programme of energy efficiency. The budget identifies around £67 million worth of savings in the years to 2017 while reversing the Tories' withdrawal of financial support for bus services. Transport investment includes: reinstating Cambridge's city shuttle as the county's first electric bus; an extra £300,000 next year for community transport and further cash injections over the following two years making a total of £1 million. A Quality Bus Contract scheme would be used to deliver an improved countywide bus service; transport interchanges would be built to make sure people in rural areas have better access to services; the Chisholm Trail, a strategic cycle route linking up Addenbrooke's Hospital, the CB1 development and the Science Park, would be built; the Wisbech to March railway line would be reopened giving an hourly passenger service to Cambridge and allowing people to travel by train to Peterborough and London. Young people feature high in the Lib Dems' alternative budget with the promise of a top up to the government's Pupil Premium for disadvantaged young people by a further £250 per pupil per year. And there would be free public transport for every young person seeking education or employment. Youth clubs would also be kept open. Over the next five years £10 million would be spent on maintenance and energy efficiency in schools and a further £1 million on solar panelling. The voluntary sector would receive £1 million worth of investment over the next two years and Citizens Advice Bureau would receive financial help to assist people facing hardship due to the tough economic climate. Concessionary fares for pensioners have also been protected. Among savings identified in the budget is £25 million on Northstowe and a further £12 million by replacing the controversial Ely southern bypass project with an underpass under the railway line. Liberal Democrat Leader, Kilian Bourke said: "This budget shows how a Liberal Democrat council would do things differently and better. We would tackle entrenched inequality, instead of just talking about it. "Well targeted investment in bus, rail and cycling infrastructure would allow people to access the wider community and its opportunities, regardless of age and geography. "We would target support at young people who need it and make smart enhancements to our library service and better maintain our schools. "We would eliminate Conservative waste and bad contract management and run the council as an efficient, modern organisation, embarking on a radical program of energy efficiency that would generate big savings. "We would implement a plan to responsibly manage Adult Care, instead of helter skelter budgeting that has demoralised staff and service-users alike and resulted in a 25 per cent cut in care levels mid-year. "While we cannot find a way to protect core services without increasing council tax, we recognise that working families are hard pressed at this time and would restore public trust by not using this increase to give ourselves a pay rise." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 31, 2012:
- Tories in pay increase row told help the elderly not yourselves
  Cambridgeshire Tories should invest £100,000 in cash-strapped care for the elderly rather than setting it aside to give themselves a pay rise, Lib Dems claim. They have called on the Tories to allocate the money to Adult Social Care rather than use it to line their own pockets. "At least that way if the Tories give themselves a pay rise the public will be able to see where they are taking the money from," said Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat Leader, Kilian Bourke. "We should not be giving ourselves a pay rise when front-line services are being cut and people are losing their jobs. Adult Social Care has been chronically underfunded for a number of years and desperately needs that money." The outcry follows a decision by the Tory administration on Cambridgeshire County Council to allocate £100,000 in its budget to fund an increase in councillors' allowances. The decision comes despite the fact that the allowances panel which will discuss the matter has not even been appointed yet. "Given the outcry over the 25 per cent increase in councillor allowances some months ago, I find it incredible that this administration has chosen to set aside £100k in its budget for this purpose," said Cllr Bourke. "It may only be a provision for a pay rise, but it is the equivalent of a 17.5 per cent increase in our basic allowances and that sends out a frankly incongruous message to members of the public who are facing hardship but paying their council tax." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Lib Dems fight on to stop Tories axeing vital bus services
  Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats made another bid to save £2.7 million of county bus subsidies today (Tuesday, January 31) as the Tories met to rubber stamp their plans and press ahead with their flawed replacement transport plan. They fought to reverse the decision after winning the first round of their battle which led to the Tories backing down and putting £1.5 million back into subsidised transport. And they spoke out vehemently against the plans again today during a Cambridgeshire County Council Cabinet meeting accusing the Tories of scrapping 100 per cent of bus subsidies without a viable alternative plan. Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport, Susan van de Ven, has launched a petition to stop the cuts to bus services in Cambridgeshire: http://epetition.cambridgeshire.public-i.tv/epetition_core/view/Buses She said: "The Tory administration is not listening to the people they are elected to serve. Their plans threaten to isolate vulnerable people, including the disabled and elderly, and people who have no other way of travelling to work. Yet they are still pressing ahead. "Their new Cambridgeshire Future Transport project, which is meant to fill in the gaps left by the withdrawal of subsidies, is not working. A pilot in the Duxford area has attracted one customer in two months because there is no research on transport needs underpinning it. The Tory administration is now prepared to sink £1.5 million into this project as the answer to withdrawing bus subsidies. "The administration has come to a very late acknowledgement that some public subsidy for lifeline transport is necessary - and then is willing to spend carelessly. Vulnerable residents will pay the ultimate price." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 27, 2012:
- Taxpayers fork out £120,000 for one passenger
  A flagship Tory bus replacement project which no-one wants has already cost Cambridgeshire taxpayers £120,000 with another £40,000 committed. Since launching a pilot for the planned countywide scheme, only one passenger has travelled three times between Sawston and Duxford Station. The traveller didn't have to buy a ticket as the route hadn't been registered so the journey was free. The pilot for the Cambridgeshire Future Transport scheme has been running for seven weeks across 11 villages in the Duxford area. It is the brainchild of Cambridgeshire County Council's Tory administration which wants to sink £1.5 million of taxpayers' money into it as a replacement for £2.7 million worth of subsidised buses across the county. A website has been set up to allow residents to book journeys, but there has been no take-up. Cambridgeshire County Councillor, Susan van de Ven, Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport said: "The Conservatives claim their new project will be a model of efficiency but in seven weeks it has transported one passenger at a cost of £120,000. This is is a disastrous waste of taxpayers' money. "The administration hasn't thought this through. They saw the bus subsidies as an easy way of clawing back money to bolster their finances. They said they didn't want empty buses running round the county but now they have used taxpayers' money to buy new minibuses which are standing empty. "The Tories don't understand what people want because they haven't done their research," added Cllr van de Ven. "What the administration does with £1.5 million had better be effective. Cambridgeshire Future Transport is not the answer, let alone what the administration has promised - something better than what we had before." Cllr van de Ven has launched a petition against the bus cuts which can be found here: Cllrhttp://epetition.cambridgeshire.public-i.tv/epetition_core/view/Buses Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 26, 2012:
- Tories set aside £100,000 for their pay rise as they cut services and jobs
  County Tories have put aside £100,000 in their budget to pave the way for giving themselves a pay rise. The money provides for an increase Members' Allowances despite the decision to cut £43 million from Cambridgeshire County Council's spending and axe 154 full-time jobs. Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat Leader, Kilian Bourke said: "This is utter hypocrisy. On the one hand the Tories are cutting services and making staff redundant while on the other they are hoping to give themselves a pay rise. "It is particularly tasteless that they have budgeted for a £100k addition to their pay packets while increasing council tax, a grossly unfair tax that hits the poorest hardest." "It is also worrying that there seems to be a presumption in favour of a pay rise." "This money would be better spent protecting frontline services like libraries and buses, not lining Tory pockets." Putting this £100,000 into services could have: Kept two small libraries open for a year Put two new community mini buses on the road Paid for more respite care packages for families with disabled children or the elderly Reinstated the city shuttle bus Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Tory budget ignores Wisbech
  County Tories have been accused of ignoring Wisbech with their latest budget. They have recognised the major problems facing the town but taken the decision not to address them in their £472 million budget for Cambridgeshire County Council. Despite agreeing major capital spending in other parts of the county, they have ignored projects which could help Wisbech's economy and provide jobs. And worse still they limit the area of economic growth to a 'diamond' south and west of March. "This budget is extremely bad news for Wisbech," said Cambridgeshire Lib Dem Leader, Kilian Bourke. "The Tories have highlighted the problems faced by this town and taken a conscious decision to ignore them. This is a missed opportunity which offers the people of Wisbech nothing to address the real problems that they face. "The Conservatives are once again failing to improve the Wisbech economy and bring jobs to the town. They should propose improving transport links to and from Wisbech, but they haven't. They should be improving Wisbech schools, where the town's children need to be given a fair deal, but they're not." Kevin Wilkins, Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, (pictured) added: "If the Tories can spend £200 million on a Guided Busway and £30 million on a bypass in Ely the least they can do is provide some better transport infrastructure for Wisbech." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Tories heed Lib Dem advice on buses, roads and libraries and back MP's station plan
  Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have welcomed the fact that county Tories have listened to their advice and scaled back cuts to buses and libraries and invested more in care for older people in their budget. The Tories have also taken their lead from the Lib Dem Highways Review in proposing a massive up-front investment in roads, pavements and cycleways to halt the ongoing decline. And they have supported a Lib Dem plan for a new railway station in Chesterton which is a personal triumph for Cambridge MP, Julian Huppert. But the Lib Dems have expressed fears as to whether the Conservatives, who have a poor record at managing big projects, will be able make a success of this budget with its extra capital spending. "This budget is half good and half bad. It shows the influence of an effective opposition as many ideas previously promoted by the Liberal Democrats have now been accepted by the Conservatives," said Liberal Democrat Leader, Kilian Bourke. "The Conservatives have accepted that their cuts to many core services went way beyond what was necessary and scaled-back some of the worst. As a result the huge cuts to rural buses and plans to close libraries have been reduced; but substantial cuts will still go ahead and people who use these services will be far from reassured. "The extra investment in Adult Care is a long overdue recognition from the Tories that this service has been chronically underfunded and mismanaged. "The County Council's support for a new railway station in Chesterton is a great personal triumph for Cambridge's MP, and the massive overhaul of our roads comes straight out of a Lib Dem Highways Review, and should stop the steady decline in their condition that the Tories have allowed." "In terms of the overall financial picture we are deeply sceptical about the ability of the Conservatives to manage projects on this scale. With £90 million at stake in the Guided Bus court case, their track record on contract management is not reassuring. But they added that their alternative budget will expose Tory inefficiency and waste, safeguard vital services and better provide for the long-term future of the people across the whole county. Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 24, 2012:
- Residents must be told about Army move to protect village
  A Cambridgeshire County Councillor has called for better communication between the military and Waterbeach residents as the Army prepares to pull out of the village. Michael Williamson, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Waterbeach and a governor ofWaterbeachPrimary School, fears the move could jeopardise the future of businesses and the school as Army personnel and their families prepare to leave the barracks. But he says there has been no official confirmation of a date for the move or whether new families will move in to military housing. "This move will have serious implications for the future of the village primary school, potentially removing up to one third of the pupils and reducing funding," he said. "It will also affect local businesses and the village pubs. The military personnel bring a large amount of business to the village and that could be lost virtually overnight. "The military has been a welcome and important part of this village community since the RAF came here in the 1940s and then the Army in the 1960s. We have heard that some of the personnel will be moved to RAF Wittering and others to Kinloss inScotlandbut we have had no official confirmation of the dates of the moves. "We need to know when the move will happen and whether military housing will be available for other families who could bring new pupils for the school and new trade for our village businesses." Waterbeach Barracks is being closed, as part of Ministry of Defence cuts. There are also proposals to develop the site for over 12,000 new homes. Residents have warned that a development of this size would change the face of the village and create a town the size ofNewmarketor Ely. It could also create gridlock on the already overstretched A10. Cllr Williamson, who is fighting the plans, said that such a development would require up to five new primary schools and a new secondary school. Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- County councillor fights to save bus services for the elderly
  A leading Cambridgeshire County Councillor is calling on giant bus company Stagecoach to rethink changes to two Cambridge services heavily relied upon by elderly residents. Caroline Shepherd, who represents Trumpington, is worried about people living in the Royal Albert Home at Hills Road who use the City 1, City 3 and two Park and Ride services. The buses stop outside the home and the elderly residents use them for visits to the doctor and the shops and to attend church services, socials and lunches. But as the CB1 development progresses, Stagecoach plans to divert the buses around Station Road so that they will no longer stop outside the home. The company claims the changes are designed to alleviate congestion in this busy part of the city. Residents will be left with just one bus service - the number 13 - which, although it runs every half hour during the week and hourly on Sundays, doesn't stop at Tesco where the residents shop. Cllr Shepherd said: "Although these residents are independent, they can't walk far and these buses are convenient because they stop outside their homes and take them where they want to go. "And there has been little chance for people to have their say on these proposals. The consultation consisted of details posted at the Park and Ride sites, a sign on the side of a bus and a discussion at a county council P and R business strategy group meeting. "I have raised this issue with Stagecoach but so far it has had no effect. These residents rely on these services not only to take them to medical appointments and for shopping but also for their social life. "I am worried that without them they will find it difficult to get out and about and could lead to some of them becoming socially isolated which in turn leads to poor health. Stagecoach needs to realise that elderly people living in the city rely on bus services just as much as those living in rural areas." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 20, 2012:
- Lib Dems victory as Tories U-turn on bus cuts - but fears for the future
  Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats are celebrating victory after the Tories staged a dramatic U-turn over their decision to axe 100 per cent of subsidised bus services across the county. Lib Dems, who had fought a sustained campaign against the cuts for a year, have welcomed the move to invest £1.5 million - just over half the bus subsidies cash - into bus transport. But they have expressed their concerns about the alternative transport project which they fear could still lead to services being lost in the future. The money will be handed over the next three years to provide subsidised buses under a six month franchise scheme with operators through a project called Cambridgeshire Future Transport Liberal Democrats fear, however, that when the initial funding support ends Cambridgeshire Tories will withdraw the money leaving operators with services which might be lost because they are unprofitable. They have called for a commitment to continue the financial support, if it is needed, to ensure services survive. The Cambridgeshire Future Transport project has already suffered its first failure after a £120,000 pilot service in Duxford, launched before Christmas, was boycotted by residents in protest at losing their subsidised buses. Susan van de Ven, Lib Dem County Council Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport said: "This partial u-turn is a big victory for the Lib Dems and good news for local bus users. The Tories have finally relented and accepted the principle that you cannot provide socially necessary rural transport for nothing. "Abating 50 per cent of the cuts is a big improvement on the 100 per cent cut that was planned which was the worst in the country. "This will allow some of the bus services the Tories still intend to cut to be replaced with some form of alternative; it is just a shame they didn't listen to the public's concern and reinstate more of the funding. "But we are extremely concerned that Cambridgeshire Future Transport is not the best way to deliver these services; in one year it has delivered almost nothing. "Money spent on the failed pilot in Duxford could have paid for three new mini buses for Cambridge Dial-a-Ride or other community transport providers. And we want guarantees that the Tories will not pull the plug on funding after the initial period of support leaving services in danger of collapse. "Tories are walking a tight-rope in terms of the council's legal position. They are willing to cut 100 per cent of bus subsidies after barely evading a judicial review. Their 'ingenious' new idea is no more than the Emperor's New Clothes. Cambridgeshire cannot afford to play games with lifeline transport and scarce public money." A recent consultation by Cambridgeshire County Council on bus subsidies showed that 37 per cent of residents have no other means of transport and only three per cent of residents supported bus service cuts. Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 19, 2012:
- Heathcock throws light on council's costly error
  County highway chiefs have removed a street light near a Cambridge primary school and told worried parents it could cost £1,700 if they want it back. Residents were not consulted when Cambridgeshire County Council took away the light in Spalding Way close to the Queen Emma Primary School. The decision left the route to and from the school in darkness and residents called on Lib Dem County Councillor, Geoff Heathcock, who represents Queen Edith's to help. He and residents met county council officers on site to discuss the decision and they were told it could cost £1,700 to reinstate the light. Cllr Heathcock said: "This decision was taken without talking to the residents to find out how this would affect people living in the area. "This is where a policy on paper might look right but has little flexibility when it comes to looking at the consequences of such an action. A decision taken in haste could now cost the taxpayers of this district a considerable sum." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Decision to cut bus subsidy cost county £5m transport grant
  A legally challenged Tory decision to cut millions of pounds from bus services across the county has resulted in Cambridgeshire losing a £5 million government transport grant. Cambridgeshire County Council has been told that its latest bid to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, to help schemes such as Cambridge Dial a Ride, could not be justified in light of the decision to cut bus subsidies. "This fund would have injected badly needed cash into community transport schemes which ironically were identified by the Tory administration to fill the gaps resulting from bus subsidy cuts," said Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport, Susan van de Ven (pictured). "This decision to cut bus subsidies has cost the county dearly. The government has made it quite clear that it has no intention of making up the money taken away by the Tories to plug holes in their budget caused by years of financial mismanagement. "This ill-thought out decision is preventing the county council from securing government money which could have helped some of the county's most crucial services survive." Jessica Matthew, Deputy Director of Sustainable Travel at the Department for Transport invited the council to put in another bid but warned in a letter: "The community transport component was not felt to be justified in the context of other local decisions and the revised bid should not include this component." Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat Leader, Kilian Bourke said: "The publication of this previously unseen letter is the first evidence that the government explicitly rejected the bid for £5 million of transport funding because of the Conservatives' local decision to scrap 100 per cent of bus funding." A sustained campaign by Liberal Democrats against last April's decision to cut £2.7 million from bus subsidies led to the Tories making a dramatic U-turn and calling a public consultation. "This is the first clear-cut evidence that the local decision to scrap 100 per cent of bus funding is costing Cambridgeshire money," added Cllr van den Ven. "I urge the Conservatives to reinstate in their forthcoming budget funding for buses in whatever form, otherwise the council risks missing out on further funding opportunities from central government. "Sadly admitting they were wrong came too late to save this grant." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 12, 2012:
- Lib Dem victory over glaring inefficiencies in bus contract
  Glaring inefficiencies in Cambridge County Council's Park and Ride contract are to be addressed thanks to the Liberal Democrats. The move will save money for the taxpayer and could see the sites used more widely as rural bus interchanges potentially providing better services for travellers. Lib Dems revealed a deal between the council's Tory administration and bus operator Stagecoach that cut departure charges for Park and Ride buses by 25 per cent for the duration of the contract in return for a freeze on ticket prices. But after the first year, Stagecoach continued to increase ticket prices above inflation while the departure charge - commission the operators pay to the county council to use the Park and Rid sites - remained frozen at the reduced rate. Papers released for the Tory-run Cabinet meeting today (Wednesday, January 11) revealed, however, that departure charges have been increased by 25 per cent and further significant rises are planned. The Lib Dems have welcomed the move but warned that the Tories must now make sure that the operators do not pass the increase on to passengers. Kilian Bourke said: "The Lib Dems exposed the glaring inefficiency of this contract over a year ago and it is good news that the Conservatives are finally doing something about this. "They have unequivocally accepted our argument that the levy on the commercial operator should be dramatically increased, and already implemented a 25 per cent hike, although the proposals don't go far enough. Whatever the outcome, the council needs to make sure any increase is not simply passed on to bus passengers through ticket prices." Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport, Susan van de Ven (pictured) said: "The open access model is the right choice and we have long argued for it. It is the most risk-free option and could potentially introduce some competition into this local monopoly. The Tories have also taken on board our idea of using the sites as rural transport hubs, which is welcome news." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 11, 2012:
- English Heritage condemns handling of Ely bypass project
  English Heritage has condemned the handling of the controversial Ely bypass project expressing grave concerns that the historic setting of the city's Cathedral has not been given proper consideration. The organisation, which is the main advisor to the government on heritage matters, has expressed worries over how the project has been dealt with so far by Cambridgeshire Conservatives. It attacked the lack of information in the public consultation, lack of analysis to support decision making and the infrequent consultation with English Heritage. The charity's East of England Planning Director, Greg Luton warned: "If this is to continue, there is a strong likelihood that any Inspector examining the proposal would consider the historic environment has been given inadequate consideration in the process." English Heritage has spoken out as Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats prepare to call in the Tory-run Cabinet's decision to press ahead with the multi million pound bypass plan. The decision will be challenged by the Lib Dems at tomorrow's (Thursday, January 12) meeting of the county council's Enterprise, Growth and Community Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Councillor Nigel Bell, (pictured) who represents Ely North and East on the county council and called in the decision, said: "English Heritage has echoed our fears over the irreversible damage this project will do to the historic city of Ely and views of its magnificent cathedral. "Clearly, the Tories have not thought this through or carried out the essential work to show how it will impact on Ely's historic setting. This is incredibly worrying and shows a real lack of understanding of the city and its valuable heritage." Mr Luton's condemnation came in letters to Cambridgeshire County Council Leader, Nick Clarke and East Cambridgeshire District Council Leader, Peter Moakes. He told Cllr Moakes: "The public consultation carried out in October 2011 included no assessment of impact on cultural heritage, no visualisations to understanding the impact of the proposals, no assessment of noise, no up-to-date origin/destination traffic survey and only a diagrammatic, two-dimensional map on which the consultees were expected to make their judgment. "We also noted that after many years of relatively slow consideration, the project is now moving at a rapid pace. At some stage the scheme will be exposed to detailed public scrutiny and it will be in everyone's interest to ensure that the preferred solution has robust data to support it." And he warned Cllr Clarke: "In the case of Ely and the Cathedral the topography is of great significance and their setting extends for a considerable distance over the adjacent fens, as captured in the description of the Cathedral as 'the ship of the fens.' While there have been changes over time to this setting, it remains a major contributor to the significance of both the historic city and the Cathedral, especially on their east, south east and southern sides. Changes to this setting therefore have the potential to harm the significance of both historic assets." Kevin Wilkins, Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for Planning, Enterprise and Environment said: "This project involves building a massive concrete structure 40 feet up in the air which will block the views of this great cathedral and destroy a valuable stretch of historic fenland. "English Heritage has given a very timely warning about the impact this project will have on Ely. I hope the Tories take the charity's concerns on board before they are responsible for destroying a unique heritage site." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 6, 2012:
- Keeping council tax down threatens front line cover
  Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have attacked plans to cut frontline fire cover in a bid to keep council tax increases well below inflation. Nigel Bell, Lib Dem leader on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority claims that a rise of just 2.5 per cent, half the rate of inflation, would lead to unacceptable future cuts in emergency cover. He says an increase of just one per cent more would cost the public only a few pence extra a week, but protect services for the future. Cllr Bell welcomed, however, the authority's intention not to accept the offer of a one-off government grant of around £400,000 as an alternative to a council tax rise. "If we were to accept this government grant, it would be disastrous for long-term funding and inevitably lead to future cuts in front-line services," he said. "But the proposed 2.5 per cent council tax rise is half the current rate of inflation and I am concerned that it will lead to unacceptable cuts to the frontline being imposed in future years. "A rise of just one per cent extra to 3.5 per cent would ensure that we could maintain the front-line emergency service at its current level without cutting vehicles, stations and fire fighters. The Lib Dem group asked that an option to support a 3.5% rise be included in the consultation but this was outvoted and rejected by Conservative members. This is despite a Fire Brigade Union survey showing that the public were overwhelmingly in favour of paying the few pence a week extra required. "It is unacceptable that we should be cutting frontline services in order to keep council tax rises well below inflation." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Dec 22, 2011:
- Councillor calls for crossing to protect youngsters
  A call a new crossing on a Cambridge road is being made by a leading county councillor after fears that a child will be hurt. Cambridgeshire County Councillor, Geoff Heathcock, who represents Queen Ediths, is worried about families with children crossing Fendon Road. He says a raised roundabout covered in shrubs is blocking visibility for families walking to Queen Ediths Community Primary School. He has called for a meeting with Cambridgeshire County Council road safety officers and residents in early January to discuss the possibility of installing a crossing on the road. Cllr Heathcock has expressed similar concerns previously about a raised roundabout at the end of Mowbray Road following an accident with a lorry and a cyclist. He said: "These roundabouts might have been felt to help road safety in the past but it's absolutely clear to me now that they are causing us great difficulty. They create blind spots both for pedestrians trying to cross extremely busy roads and for road users who can't see pedestrians until the very last minute. "I am worried that there will be a serious accident on this stretch of road and a child will be injured or killed if we don't act." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Lib Dem campaigner given assurances over Blue Badge fears
  Leading Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat campaigner, Clare Blair has received assurances that national changes to the Blue Badge system, designed to prevent fraud, will not affect existing users. Clare contacted Cambridgeshire County Councillor, Ian Manning, who represents East Chesterton because she was worried that existing disabled users might have to immediately changeover to new style badges leaving them without their permits. She said: "It can take a long time to get a new or replacement badge and I was worried that the changes could have meant users having their service interrupted while the new badge was sent. "I've received assurances that existing users won't be affected and current badges will continue until they expire. For new badge applications the process will remain exactly the same as before although new style badges will be issued. This is good news for all disabled people who rely on their badges." The Department for Transport has launched changes to the badges to reduce the potential for fraud and misuse and to streamline administration of the scheme, which is carried out by local authorities. The move will save up to £20 million per year. Other changes include the potential to increase the price of a badge from £2 to £10, to cover the cost of the new technology. But a decision will not be made on whether to pass this onto users until Cambridgeshire County Council's Cabinet meets in January. Cllr Manning said: "I know how valuable these Blue Badges are for people with limited mobility and the thought that they might lose them while the new system is rolled out can be extremely worrying. "The assurances Clare has been given will put a lot of minds at rest." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Dec 20, 2011:
- Lib Dems demand rethink on Southern Bypass to protect taxpayers
  Cambridgeshire Lib Dems are forcing the county council to think again about their plans to double what taxpayers have to pay to solve the problems at Ely's railway crossing. They claim that opting for the Tory's plan for a new Southern Bypass instead of an underpass would cost residents at least a massive £13 million more. And the scheme, which would involve a new road 40 feet in the air, would block beautiful views of the magnificent Ely Cathedral. Lib Dem County Council, Nigel Bell, (pictured) who represents Ely North and East said: "This huge, elevated and over-expensive bypass will destroy quintessential views of the Cathedral from the surrounding fen as well as damaging biodiversity and creating noise and light pollution in a county wildlife site. "The underpass option is a better solution on all counts in that it will attract exactly the same levels of outside funding as well as allowing the closure of the level crossing in order to boost rail traffic. "The issue of traffic in Station Road can be tackled separately if the Tesco's move is finalised and the land freed up to provide opportunities to boost public transport connections and traffic flow. The county council has a duty to get best value for money for the taxpayer and this road doesn't do that. Corners were cut and the appraisal process seriously flawed." Cllr Bell has called in the decision by Cambridgeshire County Council's Cabinet to push ahead with the bypass. The call-in will be discussed by members of the Enterprise, Growth and Community Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January. The Lib Dems have always maintained an underpass would be the cheapest, most environmentally-friendly solution to the problems at the railway crossing which is closed for around 40 minutes an hour to allow trains to pass. A new underpass could be built for half the cost of the bypass, without planning permission and quickly. The bypass, on the other hand would need to be the subject of a hugely expensive public inquiry which would delay the project for at least a year. "The bypass is a terrible idea all round," said Shadow Cabinet Member for Planning, Kevin Wilkins. "It's hugely expensive, bound in bureaucratic protocol and comes with a massive price tag for the taxpayers of this district. The noise and light pollution from the new road would be immense and incredibly damaging to a small heritage city like Ely. "A new bypass would be crippling for the taxpayers of Cambridgeshire and very bad news for anyone who understands the importance and historic value of Ely Cathedral. The views of the Cathedral from the south and east would be obliterated by this massive concrete structure sitting directly in front of it and it would possibly spoil views from the other directions as well. "We need a solution that is affordable and can be implemented quickly without destroying the surrounding countryside. That is why we have put forward our idea for an underpass to get Ely moving without generating even more traffic and ruining its character." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- Lib Dems welcome moves to re-open Wisbech line
  Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have welcomed Network Rail's positive moves towards reinstating the railway line between March and Wisbech. They say work to bring the line back into operation, including reinstating rails across the A47 level crossing is well overdue. The Liberal Democrats have supported the regeneration of the line for years and have included it in their alternative Cambridgeshire County Council budget for the past two years. In 2009, they also brought a motion to the county council calling for the line's reinstatement, but it was defeated. Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport, Susan van de Ven (pictured) said: "It is good to see that finally positive moves are being made to reinstate this line. "I would urge the Conservatives on Cambridgeshire County Council to give its support to this project so that it can become a reality." Wisbech District Councillor, Dave Patrick said: "The reopening of this rail link is widely regarded as key to unlocking economic development opportunities for Wisbech and the surrounding area, where unemployment is high and education and health outcomes are poor. "A through train from Wisbech to Cambridge would take about 35 to 40 minutes, much quicker than a journey by car or bus, easing congestion on our roads and cutting carbon emissions. It makes complete sense." Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Dec 7, 2011:
- Lib Dems move to attact new councillors to be discussed publicly
  A move by Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats to attract councillors from a wide range of backgrounds is to be discussed publicly with a view to forming a county council policy. The group has been invited by the Tory-led administration to produce a report increasing the diversity of elected members by holding a quarter of council meetings out of office hours and organising training in the evenings. Cambridgeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance, Steve Count agreed the idea was a positive one and promised that the report and its recommendations would be presented to a public forum. Cllr Ian Manning, (pictured) who proposed a motion setting out the idea, said "I'm pleased that the Conservatives have agreed our idea is a positive one and have invited us to form the policy. "It is particularly important that the report and recommendations are presented to a public forum - meaning it will be transparent and open." Cllr Sue Gymer seconded the motion explaining her reasons for wanting training out of hours. "After the allowances debate, I thought long and hard about what would make it easier to get working mums like myself to become councillors. I voted against because it was the wrong amount at the wrong time. In addition a small pay rise would make no difference to me personally but being able to get training outside of working hours would make it a lot easier to mix my council duties with my employment. "I am pleased to see that a report would be coming back to a public meeting like Cabinet or council. Published and promoted by Lesley Innes on behalf of Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats, all at 16 Signet Court, Swann Road, Cambridge CB5 8LA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

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