SouthCambs Magazine
www.scambs.gov.uk
Summer 2017
Parklife - our free family fun day See page 28
Unique museum celebrates 20 years See page 39
Mayor elected See page 18
About Your Council | Waste & Recycling | Housing | Community | Planning | Environmental Health | Sport
A clar inet w orth nearly ÂŁ300 see page 4 3
Welcome
South Cambs Magazine
Welcome to the summer edition of South Cambs Magazine
Roll on the summer sunshine and our biggest free family fun day of the year. Parklife at Milton Country Park is taking place on Sunday 25 June – get the date in your diary now. The event is an action-packed day of sport activities and entertainment for all the family. You can even book some of your activities in advance. See page 48 for more information. Making sure we continue to deliver jobs and much-needed new homes for future generations who have grown up in the area is very important. I was delighted that we welcomed the first new residents to their homes at Northstowe in May. Like any development of this scale, it has taken a good while for Northstowe to get to this stage, but we are all now looking to the future and delivering a fantastic town with excellent facilities. You can find out more on page 11. We’ve begun to gather your views on what our priorities should be over the coming years. We want and need you to have your say. There will be lots of different ways to get involved - see page 16 for more. Cllr Peter Topping Leader South Cambridgeshire District Council
Our Vision: South Cambridgeshire will continue to be the best place to live, work and study in the country. Our district will demonstrate impressive and sustainable economic growth. Our residents will have a superb quality of life in an exceptionally beautiful, rural and green environment.
Contents Contact us ............................... 4 Planning .................................. 6 About Your Council ................. 16 Sport ...................................... 21 Waste & Recycling ................. 23 Community .............................. 28 Housing .................................. 40 Competition ........................... 43 Environmental Health ............. 45
South Cambs Magazine Enquiries should be directed to: Editor: Gareth Bell Editorial: Anna Efford and Kelly Quigley South Cambridgeshire District Council South Cambridgeshire Hall Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne Cambridge CB23 6EA e: South.CambsMagazine@scambs.gov.uk t: 03450 450 500 Design: Sean Gentle and Katie Rea
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Contact us
South Cambs Magazine
Contacting us The quickest and easiest way to contact us and to apply, report or pay for something, is via our website:
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03450 455 215
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Visit or write: South Cambs District Council South Cambridgeshire Hall Cambourne Business Park Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6EA Office open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm
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To make a payment Visit www.scambs.gov.uk and click on the ‘Pay for it’ button. Call our automated payment line on 03450 455 218 You can also pay using a payment card at any Post Office or Pay Point outlet. To request a direct debit form or a Post Office payment card, call 03450 450 064
Putting service first If you phone us we will resolve your enquiry as quickly as possible provide voicemail if the person you need is unavailable answer your phone message within three working days If you write to us we will reply to your letter or email within 10 working days If we write to you we will write in plain language arrange for translation, large type, braille or audio tapes upon request If we visit you we will carry identification that you can check with a phone call to our contact service on 03450 450 500 arrive at the time we say we will, or give you as much notice as possible if we have to change the time If we get it wrong we will apologise if we have made a mistake or failed to meet our standards acknowledge your written complaint within three working days reply in full to your complaint within 10 working days
Tell us how we’re doing We’re proud of what we are trying to achieve and recognise we can always do better. To help improve our services, we need your feedback. Whether it’s a compliment, a general comment or a complaint, we want to hear from you. www.scambs.gov.uk/contact-us
Summer 2017
Planning
South Cambs Magazine
Event lays foundations for good planning Over 150 people attended our first joint planning open day which aimed to demystify the planning process for residents and small businesses.
Our officers were joined by planners from Cambridge City Council and the 3C Shared Service building control team, as we work more closely together on planning for the Greater Cambridge area. We guided people through the planning and building process and offered free planning and architectural advice, including top tips to bear in mind for their projects. At the event, people could go to a series of seminars on topics such as how the pre-application service works and advice on planning applications concerning listed buildings and trees. We even gave career advice for budding planners. People were given guided tours of our planning department to understand what goes on behind-the-scenes once a planning application is submitted and how a planning decision is made. People also
met our New Communities and Planning Policy teams to understand their areas of work, which include the Loca Plan, neighbourhood planning and large-scale housing delivery. Cllr Robert Turner, cabinet member for planning, said: “The event was a real success and it was great to get so much positive feedback from those who came along. Councillors often get enquiries about the planning process as it can seem very complicated. For most people, they will only go through it once in their lifetime, so it is understandable that it can seem daunting. I was really pleased to hear on the day from residents who came along feeling unsure about what to expect and left with all the knowledge they needed to navigate through their planned application with ease.”
Could you benefit from our pre-application service? We offer extra advice before people submit a planning application to us. This extra service helps save time and money in the long run and speeds up the time it can take for your application to be considered. The service can also help you by: identifying key planning issues and requirements at the outset speeding up the development process minimising subsequent planning application costs avoiding unfinished applications You can apply for pre-application advice by visiting our website www.scambs.gov.uk/content/pre-application-advice The cost of pre-application advice starts from as little as £175 - which could save thousands in the long run.
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Back again in 2018?
The event was such a success that we’re looking at repeating it next year. If you have ideas for what you want to see and hear at the next open day please get in touch planning@scambs.gov.uk or 03450 455 215
Summer 2017
Planning
South Cambs Magazine
Hearings for Local Plan
June and July dates have been announced by the independent planning inspectors for remaining hearings to examine our Local Plan. The new dates include hearings that will consider sites that we have chosen not to include in the plan for how the area should be developed up until 2031. Some of these are on the edge of Cambridge in the green belt and at our existing villages. The inspectors will assess these as they were put forward by promoters and landowners who are suggesting additional sites to include in our plan for housing, employment and leisure. These are called omission sites. In the recent examination hearings the independent planning inspectors have listened to evidence and information put forward by local residents, parish councils, businesses and developers about the proposed new town north of Waterbeach and the new village at Bourn Airfield. These were proposals included in the Local Plan for our district following earlier public consultations on where new development should be focused. Cllr Robert Turner, cabinet member for planning, said: “It is not possible to put forward a plan that has complete consensus and we recognise that many people living close to the areas we propose for development have strong views. The inspectors have listened to these views and we look forward to receiving their findings.� For more information about the Local Plan and hearings, visit www.scambs.gov.uk/local-plan-examination
South Cambs Magazine
Planning
Cohousing - a first for the area
A new way of living will launch in 2018 as a 42 home state-of-the-art cohousing scheme springs to life at Orchard Park.
Cohousing developments are designed and run by their residents. They are communities where people not only know their neighbours, but actively manage their environment alongside them. Small enough that everyone can be familiar with each other, but large enough not to force them to be. Cohousing communities are built around a shared desire for a sense of belonging, neighbourliness and mutual support that some people feel is missing from modern life and contemporary housing developments. Developers TOWN and Trivselhus, along with the K1 Cambridge Cohousing group, will soon begin to build the Swedish-made homes after we gave planning permission. The K1 group says it will be a unique place with a special ethos. In fact, it is so attractive that one resident looking forward to moving in to her new home has relocated from Cheshire to be part of K1. Jan Chadwick said: “The Council and other partners were persuaded that cohousing is a good model. Without their support this scheme could not have gone ahead as land is so difficult to come by for a small group like ours.” Carefully planned shared facilities are part of the draw, as Hester Wells, who has already reserved her new home, explains: “The common house is a flexible space for everyone to use, whether for a gathering with friends, doing an exercise class, or sharing a meal. It’ll include a decent kitchen, kids’ playroom and laundry facilities for anyone not wishing to have a washing machine of their own.” Anne Dorber, a keen gardener, is particularly looking forward to getting involved in the shared gardens when she moves in: “The gardens are extra outdoor spaces for residents. I’m looking forward to growing my own food in the productive garden, and families with kids love the fact that there is a place their children can play in a natural setting away from busy streets.” TOWN Director Jonny Anstead explained that buying a home at a cohousing development is much like buying a new home anywhere else: “Homes are privately owned, but through Cambridge Cohousing Ltd. you also have shared ownership of the common areas – the gardens, common house, gym and workshop.”
New members can still join K1 group and reserve one of the remaining homes. Many of the 31 households that have already signed up to buy homes are from the local area, but others come from further afield, including London and Brighton. For more information visit www.cambridge-k1.co.uk
Summer 2017
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South Cambs Magazine
Planning
First residents move in at Northstowe
The first residents at Northstowe have moved in and are relaxing in their new homes. After many years in the planning, the momentous milestone for South Cambridgeshire’s first town was marked with an event with some of the first new residents. Attila Antalfy, 46, who has two sons and has moved from Histon to live at Northstowe, said: “The fact that the guided busway is just across the road from me and I don’t need to try and find a parking space in Cambridge, that’s nice. One of the really good selling points was the cycle path next to the guided busway too. I really like biking and running so that was one of the big ticks.” Attila also said that low energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint of a new build was important to him. When asked what it was like to be in his new home Attila smiled and said: “You just sit down and have a moment to think what did I just accomplish? You then think I need to go to bed in this house. This is mine. I’m associated with this.”
Sharing past, present and future
Cllr Tim Wotherspoon, cabinet member for strategic planning, said: “It is great news that we have reached such an important milestone in the future of Northstowe. Yes, the town has been a long time in the planning but now is the time to look to the future and the exciting opportunities it gives to new residents and the area as a whole. I am really pleased that a school is already at the new town and lots of plans are in place for more facilities very early in the development.” Northstowe, located near Longstanton and Oakington, will grow over the next 25 years to become South Cambridgeshire’s first town with 10,000 new homes and an expected population of nearly 25,000 people. Bloor Homes are building the first 92 homes at the new town with Taylor Wimpey, Bovis, Barratt Homes, David Wilson and Linden Homes also building in the first phase of 1,500 homes. For more information about Northstowe visit www.northstowe.com. To view and have your say on the latest planning applications for homes and facilities visit www.scambs.gov.uk and click on the planning button
Summer 2017
Residents living near the new town of Northstowe have been welcoming their new neighbours by hand delivering a pack to help them settle in. The Northstowe Community Working Group, a resident-led volunteer group, used their local knowledge to prepare the welcome pack. It includes everything someone may need from local walking and cycling routes and travel and transport options to details of health services and the nearest pub. The local history and heritage societies have also put together a keepsake booklet setting out the background on Northstowe, the site’s past and history of neighbouring villages. Residents of Longstanton, Oakington and Westwick have all received a copy and it will be presented to new Northstowe residents as part of the pack.
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South Cambs Magazine
Planning
The A14 story so far
The £1.5bn Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme includes a major new bypass to the south of Huntingdon and upgrades to 21 miles of the A14, boosting the economy and cutting up to 20 minutes off journeys. Work officially started in November 2016 and so far has included: traffic management installation and site clearance building three main construction compounds at Brampton, Godmanchester and Swavesey putting in around 28 miles of temporary safety barriers along the A14, A428 and A1, plus the section of the project away from the current road 13 hectares of archaeology work. Work is ongoing, but has so far revealed Roman pottery and evidence of iron age buildings starting construction on the local access road between Dry Drayton and Girton building a new habitat for endangered water voles in Alconbury. The Highways England project team is doing as much as possible to minimise the impact of the scheme on drivers. Nearly four miles of haul roads have been built to allow construction traffic to move within the site without adding pressure to local roads. The team has also installed temporary safety barriers on the A1 to allow work to take place without having to install further traffic management.
What’s next? Work has started to build some of the bridges included in the scheme, including the new River Great Ouse viaduct which will carry the new A14 across the 750m wide flood plain and river. Excavation has started for some of the scheme’s building materials. In total 10 million m³ of material is needed to build the project and 9 million m³ will be sourced locally, providing a more sustainable and economic solution than importing it from elsewhere. You can stay up-to-date on scheme progress and get traffic information at www.highways.gov.uk/A14C2H. You can also follow the project on social media: www.facebook.com/A14C2H/ or twitter @A14C2H
Keeping you informed Highways England has invested in a free to hire mobile visitor centre which allows them to come to you with the latest news on how the scheme is progressing. The visitor centre has already visited several communities, and the team is keen to go to as many towns, villages, events and business premises as possible over the next few years. The mobile visitor centre: is a 3.5 tonne vehicle - so village weight restrictions should not stop it getting to you has both ramp and step access needs an 8m x 4m space to set up has its own generator, so while an electricity supply is helpful, it is not essential. To ask about booking the visitor centre, call 0800 270 0114 or email A14CambridgeHuntingdon@highwaysengland.co.uk
Summer 2017
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Planning
South Cambs Magazine
Cycling boost for South Cambridgeshire A network of safe, high quality cycling and walking routes - linking villages across South Cambridgeshire with Cambridge - is a step closer thanks to Greater Cambridge City Deal funding.
South Cambridgeshire has the fourth highest levels of cycle commuting in the UK and there is huge demand for new and improved cycle routes in the district. It is anticipated that investment in these attractive new cycling and walking paths, known as Greenways, will bolster the number of people cycling even further, as well as helping to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in and around Cambridge. At a meeting in the spring, the Greater Cambridge City Deal committed £480,000 for the Greenways scheme. Further funding is expected from future developments in the Greater Cambridge area. Six routes are expected to be taken forward initially with more in the future as further money becomes available. Work is currently underway to analyse the benefits and costs of the different routes.
Your views are important to make sure the details of the plans are right and the City Deal team will be working with local communities and giving people the chance to have their say. Cllr Francis Burkitt, our cabinet member for the Greater Cambridge City Deal, and vice chair of the City Deal board, said: “The investment now means we can get the planning of these major projects underway so when further funding becomes available we are ready to hit the ground running without delay. For now we have funded the design phase, as the total for building the Greenways could be as much as £20 million. This could be funded by the City Deal beyond 2020.”
South Cambs Connections
An exciting project is underway to investigate whether small transport interchanges in some of our villages can give people better access to bus facilities closer to their homes. The project is in its early days as the City Deal is looking into the concept at this stage. Small transport hubs would mean that people could potentially move between buses, or connect to cycle and walking routes without going all the way to Park & Ride sites on the edge of the city. The City Deal’s first project, the initial phase of better provision for walking and cycling along the A10, opened earlier in the year. This new foot and cycleway connects Frogend and Melbourn.
A10 Cycleway Opens
Please note that scheduled June meetings of the City Deal Joint Assembly and City Deal Executive Board will now take place in July to avoid conflicts with the General Election.
Visit www.gccitydeal.co.uk for all the latest information on the plan for the area, meetings and opportunities for you to have your say
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Summer 2017
About your council
Let's talk What makes your community a great place to live now and why? What should we know about it that we don’t already? How can we preserve what is important to you whilst the district is changing? We’re embarking on an exercise to discover the answers to these and other questions. It’s your opportunity to influence our future thinking about what we want our district to look like in 5-10 years’ time, and what should go in our plans to achieve this. Whereas in previous years, we’ve consulted on a specific set of objectives and actions, this year we’re starting earlier in the process, working with you, learning from your knowledge and experience. As we plan for and deliver the new housing and transport
South Cambs Magazine
infrastructure needed in the area, we know that you want us to continue to maintain and improve prosperity and quality of life for everyone. This exercise will help us to identify how best to do this together. Cllr Peter Topping, Leader of the Council, said: “We believe two of our biggest challenges are housing and transport. To continue to be successful we must tackle both to make sure that transport links and services keep pace with growth. And to make the challenge even harder, we’ll shortly lose the last of our central government funding, so we need to think and act differently as a council to make sure we can still deliver the services and support our communities need whether this is directly or in partnership. The question for our communities now is what you think the issues are and how we can address them. Please make sure you have a voice as we gather your views.”
Get involved - submit your comments and views by Friday 28 July • Online
Our website has a summary of the main issues as we currently understand them. Visit www.scambs.gov.uk/letstalk to find out more and have your say. If you do not have internet access please contact 01954 713366
• Let us come and see you
If you’re involved with a community group then we’d like to come and talk to you, or to get the conversation going online. Email letstalk@scambs.gov.uk or give us a call
• Events
We will be at Parklife at Milton Country Park on Sunday 25 June - see page 28 for more details. A series of events is also being arranged over the coming weeks. Visit www.scambs.gov.uk for more details
• Next steps
Look out for the autumn edition of the South Cambs Magazine, when we will share the main issues identified. We will then develop a plan, which will be open to consultation from November
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Summer 2017
About your council
South Cambs Magazine
Election results are in James Palmer has taken up his role as Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s first ever mayor.
Results of the mayoral election: Candidate
Votes cast
He was elected on 4 May after residents from across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough headed to their local polling stations to cast their votes. The mayoral election coincided with Cambridgeshire County Council elections. We did not have any scheduled elections but following a councillor for Bourn standing down a by-election for the Bourn ward was held on the same day with Cllr Ruth Ellen Betson elected.
James PALMER (Con)
88,826 - Elected
Rod CANTRILL (Lib Dem)
67,205
Kevin PRICE (Lab)
37,297
Paul BULLEN (UKIP)
15,931
Julie HOWELL (Green)
12,628
Peter DAWE (Ind)
9,176
Stephen GOLDSPINK (Eng Dem)
2,256
Cambridgeshire County Council election results can be found by visiting www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk
The mayor
The mayoral election took place after Cambridgeshire and Peterborough secured a historic devolution deal with Government to unlock millions of pounds of additional funding for the area. Some of the benefits of the deal include: A new £600 million fund (£20 million annually for the next 30 years) to support economic growth, development of local infrastructure and jobs
James Palmer was elected as Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s first mayor
A new £100 million housing fund to be invested over the next five years to build more homes in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough including affordable rented and shared ownership The directly elected mayor will chair the Combined Authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. A representative from each council in the area and the Local Enterprise Partnership make up the board. This ensures that democratically elected representatives of local communities are making decisions about how and where the money is spent. In order to receive new funding and to make a greater number of decisions locally, Government was clear that a Mayor for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough was needed. Cllr Peter Topping, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, sits on the If you w board. He is covering the housing portfolio. ere regis tered to election Cllr Topping, said: “Now the mayor is in place, it is important the combined vote in s you a the rece re for th Unfortu authority hits the ground running. Transport and housing were the two vital areas e electio nt nately, it n o n 8 Jun is now to for us in any devolution deal and I am particularly pleased that we have managed to e. o late for people new to regis negotiate one that gives us funding to help address housing affordability. ter. Go to “Securing a devolution deal means we are in a great positon to negotiate further www.sc ambs.g deals with government, as they have in Manchester. A series of devolution deals there ov.uk/e for more lection informa s have seen more powers and funding devolved locally over time.” tion
Genera l Electio n
Thursd
ay 8 Ju
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ne
Summer 2017
South Cambs Magazine
About your council
Superfast broadband is ‘life changing’ for communities Even more South Cambridgeshire communities have gone live with fibre broadband in recent months bringing ‘life changing’ fast internet access for many residents and home-based businesses.
The district has seen record numbers upgrading with their internet service provider to make the most of speedy connections for work, learning and leisure – but remember it’s not automatic, you have to subscribe to a fibre broadband package to get it. Residents in the villages of Carlton, Croxton, Conington and Knapwell, Great and Little Wilbraham and West Wickham can now upgrade to fibre broadband to access superfast speeds of 24 Mbps and higher. Parts of Cottenham, Harlton, Fulbourn, Trumpington and Willingham have also gone live as part of the Connecting Cambridgeshire superfast broadband rollout, which has now reached over 30,000 premises in South Cambridgeshire that would not be able to get it otherwise. Alex Schuilenburg, West Wickham Broadband Champion, describes getting fibre broadband as ‘life-changing’ for his local community. He said: “Residents and businesses are now able to experience and enjoy the facilities and benefits of the modern internet. “Business professionals have the option of working from home, and arguments as to who has "stolen the internet" or "it's my turn on the internet" have disappeared from households. Students are no longer dependent on family and friends in nearby villages to provide access to the internet to research and access material for their assignments and homework, or simply to submit these online.” The Connecting Cambridgeshire programme is on track to bring superfast broadband access to 95% of premises across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by the end of 2017. Plans are underway for remaining areas of the county to be covered in follow-on phases of the rollout starting this summer and running until 2020. The programme is working with BT and Openreach using a range of solutions including Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) and Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) technology. Connecting Cambridgeshire has been led by Cambridgeshire County Council with support from us in the district. Leader of our Council, Cllr Peter Topping, said: “Excellent West Wickham Broadband Champion broadband is fundamental to giving people the access they need to Alex Schuilenburg with Julie Marshall services. I am really pleased that so many people who would not have and her daughter Olivia, who say had superfast broadband without the Connecting Cambridgeshire having the new fast broadband service programme can now upgrade and use the internet for work, education has transformed their lives as they can and leisure. It is even better news that those in the most isolated now work and study at home, without homes will not miss out either.” having to travel to get a decent connection
Find out if you can upgrade to fibre broadband
Visit the Connecting Cambridgeshire website www.connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk to check if you can upgrade to fibre broadband or are included in follow-on phases of the rollout. You can also find out how BT’s Community Fibre Partnership programme and the Government’s Better Broadband Scheme can help residents get faster speeds.
Summer 2017
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Sport
South Cambs Magazine
Adult friendly netball Are you an individual or group of friends who would like to give netball a shot? Perhaps you’re new to the game or haven’t played in a while and feel a bit rusty.
We run adult friendly netball coaching sessions and an adult friendly netball league for anyone wanting to play midweek evening games with other likeminded women. The adult friendly league has been going for over 10 years. Matches are played on Thursday evenings from September to March at Milton Community Centre. The season starts with a fun tournament to organise teams into appropriate divisions based on their ability. Melanie Gulston, from Girton, and some local friends took part in a netball coaching course we held in the village in 2012. They enjoyed netball so much that they wanted to join the adult friendly league as well as to train to put their new skills into practice. They have played in the league ever since and improved significantly, finishing third overall in Division A last season.
Winners of 2016/17: Division A - King Kayotes 1 (a group of mums from King’s College School, Cambridge)
For more information, and to register your interest in joining the coaching and league for the forthcoming season, email helen.stepney@scambs.gov.uk or call 07732 222905
Summer holiday camps Our popular summer holiday camps will be running again this year for young residents aged 7 to 15 (current school year 2 to 10).
These camps offer a fun and exciting way for young people to try out different activities and learn new skills in our safe, enjoyable and welcoming sessions. Sisters, Ruby and Tia took part in our Easter holiday netball camp. Ruby said, “It was an energetic few days, I really enjoyed it. All the coaches were extremely friendly and gave helpful feedback. Over the two days, I made loads of new friends and learned useful skills. It was a great experience.” Tia said: “It was a really enjoyable day. I would do it again and would recommend it to anyone wanting to develop new skills to improve their game.”
Netball camps at Impington Village College Sports Centre
at Wilberforce Road Athletics Track, Cambridge
Athletics camps
All camps run from 10am to 3.30pm
Monday 24 July
Wednesday 26 July
Places cost just £20 per person for the day or £18 per person for siblings/multiple days.
Tuesday 25 July
Thursday 27 July
and are open to all abilities.
All coaches are England Netball and England Athletics qualified.
For more information email holiday.camps@scambs.gov.uk or call 01954 713070 You can book a place online at www.scambs.gov.uk/sportscamps
Summer 2017
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Waste and recycling
South Cambs Magazine
The facts on biodegradable bags for food waste Did you know that biodegradable ‘plastic’ and corn starch bags used for disposing of food waste do not fully break down in the composting process we use?
Instead, we ask that you put your food waste loose in your green bin, in paper bags or in newspaper. This will make sure the organic material breaks down and we can make compost from what is collected in the green bin, which is then used on farmer’s fields for crops or by Cambridgeshire residents on their gardens. Many of the biodegradable ‘plastic’ bags don’t break down fast enough for the composting process we use and it has cost Cambridgeshire councils around £220,000 a year to deal with these and other incorrect items put in the green bin.
Keeping contaminants out of the mix will keep costs down so that money can be better used on other vital services. Paper bags can be purchased online from www.alina.co.uk/ southcambridgeshire and we also sell these in packs of 50 for £4.10 from our Cambourne office. You will need proof of a South Cambs address and payment card as we cannot accept cash. These paper bags work well to line kitchen caddies, which are available from our Cambourne office free of charge. The Love Food Hate Waste website also has great tips on how to reduce your food waste such as how to use up any leftovers, making the right size portions and explains sell by/ best before/use by dates. Go to www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
What goes in the green bin? No thanks
Biodegradable bags / corn starch bags
Treated wood or timber e.g. planks or furniture
Logs or branches thicker than a broom handle
Cardboard (small amounts with Plant pots food on are ok, otherwise put in Plastic bags blue bin) Soil or stones Cat or dog waste (bag and put in black bin) Textiles or clothes
Yes please Paper towels, tissues and kitchen paper (do not put these in the blue bin)
To see how the composting process works, you can visit www.recap.co.uk where you can watch a short three minute video.
Summer 2017
All food waste, including cooked, uncooked, bones, dairy, etc. Garden waste including leaves, grass, small branches, stems and weeds
Need compost? If you would like some of the soil improver we make from green bin waste for your own garden, you are welcome to it free of charge. Simply take a shovel and some containers to Amey Waste Management Park on the A10 near Waterbeach and help yourself. We advise you call first on 01223 861010 to check availability.
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Waste Waste&&Recycling Recycling
South Cambs Magazine
New collection dates Green bin
Black bin
Monday A - Balsham, Carlton, Cherry Hinton, Fulbourn, Great Wilbraham, Horseheath, Little Wilbraham, Six Mile Bottom, Stow-cum-Quy, Teversham, West Wickham, West Wratting, Weston Colville
22
Monday B - Babraham, Bartlow, Castle Camps, Great Abington, Hildersham, Linton, Little Abington, Pampisford, Sawston, Shudy Camps, Whittlesford
22 22
May
Tuesday B - Barrington, Foxton, Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth
Thursday A - Bourn, Boxworth,
Cambourne, Caxton, Childerley, Conington, Croxton, Elsworth, Eltisley, Graveley, Knapwell, Papworth Everard, Papworth St Agnes
Thursday B - Bar Hill, Dry Drayton, Fen Drayton, Girton, Lolworth, Longstanton, Northstowe, Oakington, Over, Swavesey, Westwick
Friday A - Cottenham, Histon,
23
5
12 12
19
26 26
3
30 Tue
5 5
12
19 26 19
3 3
31 31
23 23
10 10
17
24 24
31
10
17 24 17
31 31
7 7
14
7
14 14
21 21
21
24 24
Wed
June
July
13 13
20
27 27
4
6 6
13
20 27 20
4 4
Thu
7
7 7
11 11
18
25 25
1
11
18 25 18
1 1
July
14 21 14
28 28
5
21 21
28
5 5
14
8 8
15
22 22
8
15 22 15
12 12
19
12
19 19
26 26
2
26
2 2
9 9
16
9
16 16
23 23
23
2 Fri
8
8 8
15 22 15
29 29
6
22 22
29
6 6
Friday B - Chittering, Fen Ditton, Horningsea, Milton, Waterbeach
26 26
15
June 3 3
13 13
20
13
20 20
27 27
3
27
3 3
10 17 10
24 24
17 17
24
10
9
July
Sat
Wed
30 30
5 5
12
5
12 12
Sept 31 Thu
31 31
6 6
13
6
13 13
Sept 1 Fri
1 1
7 7
14
7
14 14
16 23 16
30 30
7
23 23
30
7 7
14 14
21
9 9
16
14
21 21
Sept
August 28 28
4
28
4 4
11 11
18
11
18 18
25 25
Sat
3
11 11
Fri
May 26
30
August
Fri
25 25
4
Sept
August
July
June 2 2
11
Thu
May 25
29 29
August
Thu
1
Tue
4 4
Wed
June 1 1
29
Tue
6
31
Sept
August
July
Wed
Impington, Landbeach, Orchard Park, Rampton, Willingham
24 ď Ž www.scambs.gov.uk
June
May
May Wednesday A - Abington Pigotts, Barton, Bassingbourn, Grantchester, Guilden Morden, Harlton, Haslingfield, Litlington, 24 Orwell, Shingay-Cum-Wendy, Steeple Morden, Whaddon, Wimpole
Wednesday B - Arrington, Caldecote, Comberton, Coton, Croydon, Gamlingay, Great Eversden, Hardwick, Hatley, Kingston, Little Eversden, Little Gransden, Longstowe, Madingley, Tadlow, Toft
30 30
Later collection day
Tue
Tuesday A - Duxford, Fowlmere, Great
Chishill, Great Shelford, Harston, Hauxton, Heydon, Hinxton, Ickleton, Little Chishill, Little Shelford, Newton, Stapleford, Thriplow & Heathfield
Blue bin
Bins must be out by 6am at the latest on your collection day
25
2 Sat
2 2
8 8
15
8
15 15
Sat
Summer 2017
Waste & Recycling
South Cambs Magazine
What goes where? Blue bin
Extra blue bin recycling will be collected if left alongside your blue bin in a cardboard box or returnable container
Plastic bottle tops & triggers
Plastic bottles
Plastic packaging (pots, trays & tubs)
Bins must be out by 6am on your collection day Close lids firmly
Paper caddy
Green bin
Put the caddy inside or beside your blue bin
Paper
Plastic bags
Plastic film, bubble wrap & clean food wrapping
Cartons (e.g Tetrapack)
Newspapers & magazines
Catalogues
Cooked/uncooked food waste (meat, fish & dairy)
Food & drinks cans
Aerosols
Tinfoil & foil trays
Telephone directories
Envelopes (with or without windows)
Kitchen paper and tissues
Cardboard/ wrapping paper
Polystyrene, Pyrex, flat glass, non packaging plastic e.g toys, bowls
Glass jars & bottles
Put items loosely in your blue bin Rinse items to remove any food contamination Squash cartons and plastic bottles, flatten boxes
Batteries
Batteries inc. AA & AAA cells, button batteries, size C & D and any laptop & mobile battery
Put in a battery bag or clear plastic bag and tie it to your blue bin lid
Shredded paper (put in an old envelope)
Jiffy bags, wrapping paper, greeting cards, tissues, cardboard & kitchen paper
Please remember to recycle from all rooms
Any type of Bio-bag
Garden waste
Junk mail
Any type of plastic including bags/sacks, biodegradable bags (cornstarch, potato starch) Any type of cat litter, turf and soil (due to its weight) Cardboard - put in the blue bin
Kitchen caddy and paper liners Available from our Cambourne offices use them in the kitchen and empty into the green bin when full Extra garden waste cannot be collected Please compost it or take it to Milton or Thriplow Recycling Centres
Black bin Non-recyclable / non-compostable material
Please consider donating items and recycling before placing them in your black bin We cannot collect extra black bin material. Please take it to Milton or Thriplow Recycling Centres Disposable nappies should be put in the black bin Empty and full paint tins cannot be collected. Please take them to Milton or Thriplow Recycling Centres
For more information visit www.scambs.gov.uk/bins or call 03450 450 063 Summer 2017
TEA OUT R ME & ME T STICK O YO UR FRID GE
www.scambs.gov.uk
25
Waste Waste&&Recycling Recycling
Thank you Bin collection days changed for over 80% of households in the district in February and we would like to extend a big thank you to our residents for their patience and understanding during the change while our bin crews adapted to their new rounds. The changes were introduced to: reduce our crews’ mileage by 20,000 miles per year contribute to savings of £700,000 over three years provide a service that reflects the growth and pace of change in the area Our bin crews are out collecting more than 30,000 bins each weekday, and many have been learning completely new routes, so we apologise if you were missed whilst the changes took place. We are now fine-tuning the collection routes to ensure they are as efficient as possible and updating our systems with all the data needed to ensure that every bin is collected when we say it will be.
South Cambs Magazine
Community
South Cambs Magazine
r o f t e s Get
7 1 0 2 e f i l k r Pa
Our popular family fun day, Parklife, will be returning to Milton Country Park for the ninth time on Sunday 25 June. Organised in partnership with Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust, who manage the Country Park, Parklife brings together crowds of over 5,000 people to enjoy a variety of activities and entertainment, all for free!
On the lake We will be offering taster sessions in paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking and fishing as well as hovercraft rides across the lake courtesy of local charity Hoveraid. Water sports are always popular so there will be a booking system for these with a limited number of spaces bookable in advance and the remainder bookable on the day. Visitors can book one activity per person in advance online at www.scambs.gov.uk/parklife from 9am on Thursday 1 June to 5pm on Monday 19 June. Age and height restrictions apply so please check the eligibility criteria. An administration fee will apply for advance bookings. Bookings on the day will open at 10am in the Marquee close to the visitor centre through the main entrance. These will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Back on dry land
Take a ride, HoverAid are asking for a donation
New for this year, we are pleased to welcome Cambridge United’s Soccer School with its inflatable football pitch and Cambridge United’s new Olympic School, launched following the success of Team GB during the Rio Games, that will give visitors the opportunity to try their hand at a number of Olympic activities. The old favourites will also be returning, including the mighty climbing wall, bouncy castles (please bring socks to avoid disappointment), archery, balance and all ability bikes, mountain biking, bush craft and pond dipping.
Sit back and relax Our entertainment area will showcase a variety of local music and dance talent from groups across the district and the Right Side Up Circus School will be running circus activities throughout the day. There will be an excellent range of onsite catering, as well as a Vintage Tea Tent in the orchard. Alternatively, visitors can bring their own packed lunches and find their perfect picnic spot. Parklife is a great chance to get a taste of lots of different activities and to see which ones you could take further to help you lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
28 www.scambs.gov.uk
Summer 2017
South Cambs Magazine
Community
Getting to Milton Country Park
On foot or by bicycle Footpaths and cycle routes from Cambridge and the surrounding villages enter the park off Cambridge Road or Fen Road in Milton.
By car Follow the brown “Country Park” signs from the A14-A10 junction, for SATNAVs use CB24 6AZ. There is all-day car parking at Milton Country Park (car parking charges will apply), with overflow parking available at Milton Park and Ride. Paking here costs £1 and it is a 15 minute walk to the Country Park
Get updates and share your photos and fun with us by following @southcambs and #parklife17
Supported By
Parklife would not be possible without the kind support of these organisations:
Summer 2017
www.scambs.gov.uk
29
South Cambs Magazine
Community
Exercise for cancer patients
A special exercise class aims to help people undergoing cancer treatment to keep fit and reduce side effects.
Running since March at Sawston Sports Centre, the CAN MOVE class meets once a week and is run by cancer rehabilitation specialist, Marlene Sharpe-Westwood. Marlene explains: “Oncology consultants or nurses refer patients to the class. I then chat to the patient to set up a fitness programme for them. As an instructor for the Active and Healthy for Life exercise referral scheme, I often meet patients with cancer-related health issues. I decided to learn more about how different cancers affect the body, treatments and their side effects plus how exercise can help people with cancer. I also learnt that cancer survivors need to feel normal, and that exercise can help this as well as increase general fitness and reduce the side effects of treatments.” Subsidised by the council, classes cost £36 for 12 sessions. Each class runs for one hour with exercises designed to be done either standing or sitting in a circuit style. Marlene has created a mix of strength and cardiovascular work, using equipment including resistance bands, steps, balls and balance pads. Exercises are adapted to suit individual needs, depending how they feel that day and how any treatment has made them feel. “I’ve had good feedback so far, with everyone who comes to the class saying that they’re happy, and more patients are being referred by their oncology Exercise Referral Scheme team.” says Marlene.
For a referral form and to find out more, contact Michelle at mwilson@sawstonvc.org or call 01223 712555/571431
We know that exercise can hugely improve our health and wellbeing, but do you know how much it can benefit you? It can:
Lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of strokes and heart disease Lower high cholesterol and the risk of heart attack Improve symptoms of Diabetes type 2 Strengthen muscles and bones, Reduce pain and improve function in Osteoarthritis & Osteoporosis Our Active & Healthy 4 Life exercise referral scheme can help you get started. Sessions run at centres across the district. Just ask your GP to refer you using the form at www.scambs.gov.uk/active For details email AandH4L@scambs.gov.uk or call 01954 713070
Summer 2017
www.scambs.gov.uk
31
Community
South Cambs Magazine
Keeping you safe and well Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) have now visited over 1,000 homes in the county to help keep the most vulnerable residents in the community safe and well.
The Safe and Well scheme launched last summer to build on the previous home fire safety checks. The visits look at a range of other areas including preventing falls in the home, monitoring alcohol use and consumption, smoking, staying well, warm and nourished at home and crime reduction, including fraud and scams. We are working in partnership with CFRS on the scheme along with Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Health and Wellbeing Network, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, the Drug and Alcohol Action Team and CamQuit Paul Clarke, Community Risk Manager at CFRS, said: “It is great to see the Safe and Well model having a positive impact on the lives of those living in our communities and empowering the most vulnerable to continue living independently with the support networks around them that they need access to, but may not have known existed prior to their visit.” The visits last no more than 60 minutes and are free of charge. If you would like to find out more information or refer someone for a Safe and Well visit www.cambsfire.gov.uk/home-fire-safety-checks-508.aspx or call 0800 917 9994
Help on hand to improve your community Ever had a great idea to improve your community but not known where to turn first? Look no further as local charity, CCVS, could be the answer.
They regularly speak to people with great ideas and help them on projects ranging from supporting people with additional needs, tackling loneliness and improving local facilities and the environment. In short, they are a onestop-shop for advice on how people can set themselves up, manage their activities, organise their volunteers and seek funding. They also help more established groups. They act as a voice for voluntary groups at key meetings, bringing groups together and providing training and one-to-one advice.
Summer 2017
Hales Road Allotments in Swavesey wanted to attract a wider range of plot holders including families, schools and youth groups. However, the lack of toilet facilities limited the time people could spend enjoying the site. Alan at CCVS worked with Selwyn from Hales Road to create a robust project plan so the group could put together a winning funding bid to the Big Lottery Fund and the Saffron Community Foundation. The site now has a waterless composting ecotoilet. Selwyn said: “Thank you for all the support and advice that I received from CCVS because without you I would not have put together such a convincing case.”
Eco-toilet, Hales Road Allotment, Swavesey
To talk to CCVS about your ideas call 01223 464696 or email enquiries@cambridgecvs.org.uk
www.scambs.gov.uk
33
Community
South Cambs Magazine
Get in gear for cycling event Well over 500 riders will be tackling the Strawberry 50 community cycling event on Sunday 3 September - could you saddle up to join them? We’re supporting the event, which is now in its third year, with routes planned carefully on country roads passing through over 30 of our villages. Marshalls are on hand throughout the well signposted course, with drink and snack stops and maintenance support provided by Rutland Cycling. With a choice of a 55 mile route, 28 mile route and family friendly 14 mile route, the event is open to all abilities and ages. All routes start and finish at Histon & Impington Recreation Ground and new for this year, the 55 mile route
will have an alternative start and finish at Gamlingay Eco Hub for people living at the other side of the district. The event is organised entirely by volunteers from the charity Friends of Histon & Impington Recreation in partnership with Histon & Impington Bicycle Club with support from Gamlingay Eco Hub. Funds raised from the event help support sports, older people and mental wellbeing initiatives in Histon and the Gamlingay Eco Hub. Cllr Mark Howell, cabinet member responsible for sport, said: “This is a fabulous event and one we are fully behind as we are always trying to promote active and healthy lifestyles.” For more information and to register for the event, visit www.strawberry50.co.uk
Community
South Cambs Magazine
What’s on
We’ve brought together local community events in this new South Cambs Magazine feature to help people find out more about what there is to do and see in the area. If you have a not-for-profit local community event that you wish to add to our calendar, visit www.scambs.gov.uk and click on the Apply For It button. There is a form to fill in called Community Calendar listing. The more information you can provide, the more likely your event will be listed. We will consider events taking place between 11 September and 10 December for the next edition. We cannot guarantee we will be able to feature all events and it will be at our discretion.
Events Calendar Summer 2017 13 to 17 June Melbourn Bloomsday Festival
Sat 24 June
24 to 25 June
Bingo night
Barrington Flower Festival
A range of entertainment and activities throughout the village. Participants are invited to dress up in 1904 period costume on 16 June. www.facebook.com/ MelbournBloomsdayFestival/
The Hub Community Centre, Cambourne - 7pm
All Saints Church, Haslingfield Road, Barrington
£12 per person - includes fish and chip supper. All proceeds to Light Up Cambourne for Christmas lights.
Flower festival and celebration of village life.
lightupcambourne@hotmail.com
chrissmbaynes@aol.com
1 July
2 July
2 July
Bar Hill Fete
Coton Cream Teas & Messy Church
Histon & Impington Feast
St Peter’s Church & Village Green, High Street, Coton
12 noon to 4pm
Bar Hill Village Green, The Spinney 12.45pm to midnight
Free to enter
High Street, Histon Stalls, music stages, circus skills, crazy golf, flower festival and much more.
www.barhill.org.uk
Messy Church from 11am to 12 noon and traditional afternoon teas from 2pm to 4pm.
9 to 16 July
15 July
9 September
The Shelford Feast Week
Over Carnival
Cambourne Community Fete
A range of activities throughout the village for all, over a whole week culminating in the feast itself on the final day.
Over Village Green, Long Furlong
Great Cambourne Green, off Monkfield Lane
Fete during the day with music from 5pm to midnight.
www.shelfordfeast.co.uk
Summer 2017
1pm to 10pm Parade, live entertainment, funfair, stalls, food and drink. www.overcarnival2017.weebly.com
www.histonfeast.co.uk
12 noon to 6pm Food, live music, displays and lots more. www.cambourneparishcouncil.gov.uk
www.scambs.gov.uk
37
Community
South Cambs Magazine
Unique museum celebrates 20 years at Denny Abbey The Farmland Museum is celebrating 20 years at its Waterbeach home of Denny Abbey. To mark the milestone a special exhibition is taking place. It tells the story of how a small boy’s collection of pieces of pottery found in his garden in 1969 became a unique museum. It moved to Denny Abbey and reopened there on 1 May 1997. The displays tell the story of agriculture and farming life before great changes took place in the mid 20th century. Denny Abbey, which is in the care of English Heritage, takes the story further back. The museum and Abbey together A number of special events are taking place this season to celebrate provide a fascinating experience. The museum the anniversary, including Father’s Day on Sunday 18 June, a Farm and is a reminiscence trip for some and a learning Countryside celebration on Sunday 9 July and re-enactors at the Abbey experience for others showing how rural life in the over the August bank holiday. district has changed since the middle of the There are special family activities every Wednesday and Thursday 20th century. during school holidays. Around the site there are lots of hands-on For more details of all events visit activities for children and plenty of space to run www.dennyfarmlandmuseum.org.uk about, picnic or just sit and relax. There is a small cottage which is furnished to The Museum is open daily between 1 April and 29 October show what life would have been like for a farm from 12 noon until 5pm on weekdays and 10.30am until 5pm at labourer’s family living in the 1940’s. weekends and on bank holidays. Jane Williamson, Chair of Trustees at the Farmland Museum, said: “Walking through the door it is hard to believe that the family that would have lived there haven’t popped outside and will return in a few minutes from the lovely cottage garden.” The museum is less than a minute’s drive from the busy A10 yet the site is a quiet and peaceful oasis for a fun day out for all. Jane said: “The museum’s move from Haddenham in 1997 and its continued existence would not have been possible without the tremendous help and support from South Cambridgeshire District Council. As well as Cut out this voucher and take it with you to claim a FREE cup of tea supporting our move to the or coffee for two people in the Farmland Museum’s shop or café current site they have also (the café is open at weekends and on bank holidays) provided grant funding to Offer available until 29 October 2017 make sure we can continue to keep this unique slice of Ref:South Cambs Magazine Summer 2017 history on show for all.”
FREE tea or coffee offer
Summer 2017
www.scambs.gov.uk
39
Housing
South Cambs Magazine
Spotlight on shared ownership If you have a household income under £80,000 and are looking for the first step on the housing ladder then shared ownership could be an affordable option for you.
As the name suggests, shared ownership allows you to buy a proportion of the property rather than purchasing the whole thing outright. The part you buy is mortgaged while you pay a subsidised rent on the rest. The great thing with shared ownership is that the part you purchase can be as small as 25% ranging right up to 75%. This means that there is more chance of it being a realistic option for you than you might think. Leon Smith and Caitlin Millar, both 39, recently moved into a shared ownership home in Caxton with their two daughters. Housing Association, CHS Group, provided the home. Leon said: “We had been researching on the internet of ways how we could buy a house and found shared ownership to be the best way to achieve this. We absolutely love our new home. “Caitlin and I found the prospect of buying our first new house an excellent opportunity. To take ownership of these properties you had to have a connection to the local area which was perfect as we had family living around the corner. We were especially impressed with the high standard of finishing with the house and all the support from the CHS Group.” In most cases you can also buy more of the shared ownership home when you can afford to, and can even own the whole home through purchasing a larger share as time goes by.
Could I afford to buy? We find that many people have ruled out owning their own home completely until we talk to them about shared ownership. We have given a typical example on the right to help show you if it could be an option for you.
Am I eligible? Your annual household income can be no more than £80,000 You should be unable to purchase a home to meet your needs without assistance You cannot be a current home owner (or named on the deeds of another property) either in the UK or abroad You must not have any outstanding credit issues such as county court judgements.
Full Value: £300,000 25% share cost: £75,000 (shares available on new homes from 25% 75%) Deposit: £3,750 Monthly rent: £515.63 Monthly cost of 30 year mortgage (3.99% interest rate): £375.69 Total monthly cost: £891.32
For more information visit www.helptobuyese.org.uk or call 03450 450 051 to speak to a member of our housing team
40 www.scambs.gov.uk
Summer 2017
Housing
Praise for housing We’ve just missed out on a prestigious national award after being the only council in the UK to be shortlisted for ‘Outstanding Landlord of the Year’.
The Chartered Institute of Housing picked us out as top performers after industry judges were impressed by our innovative approach to delivering efficient services and outstanding homes. Some key initiatives that we have led on nationally include the setting up of a property company - Ermine Street Housing - that rents homes in the private sector to generate income to support our other services and set up the Housing Development Agency with Cambridge City Council to deliver 250 social homes each year. We are also one of the top three performing councils in the country for re-letting homes. For more information about the award visit www.insidehousing.co.uk/events/awards/uk-housing-awards
South Cambs Magazine
Guaranteed payments for rental homes We’re still looking for more landlords interested in our Private Sector Leasing Scheme. We would like to hear from you if you own a property in the district, and are interested in leasing it to us, in return for a guaranteed monthly payment. For more information please contact Louise Moulding on louise.moulding@scambs.gov.uk or 01954 713046
South Cambs Magazine
WIN…
Competition
A prize that will hit the note - a clarinet worth nearly £300 We have teamed up with Woodwind & Reed to give one lucky reader the chance to win a Leblanc Clarinet and gig case. Playing a musical instrument is something you can take up at any age. Whether you are eight or 88, now is the time to take up the clarinet and begin your journey in music. The Leblanc clarinet is a great starter instrument for any aspiring musician that could set you on the path to joining your school orchestra, playing film themes or joining a jazz band. Woodwind & Reed is the area’s premium name for all your brass and woodwind musical instrument needs. You can find them at 106 Russell Street, Cambridge, CB2 1HU, visit www.wwr.co.uk or contact them on 01223 500442 or shop@wwr.co.uk. To be in with a chance of winning the clarinet, just answer the following question:
What is the date for Parklife this year - our free family fun day at Milton Country Park? a) Sunday 25 June b) Sunday 25 July c) Sunday 25 August You can enter the competition online at www.scambs.gov.uk - click the ‘Apply for it’ button and then select ‘Readers’ competition’. Don’t have internet access? You can enter by post. Send your name, address and telephone number, along with your answer to the question, to:
Winner’s spotlight
South Cambs Magazine Competition South Cambridgeshire District Council Cambourne Business Park Cambridgeshire CB23 6EA Closing date for entries is 9am on Monday 26 June. Terms and conditions are available at www.scambs.gov.uk/t-c or can be requested by calling 03450 450 500. The winner will be notified by Friday 30 June and announced in the summer edition of South Cambs Magazine.
Summer 2017
Congratulations to Tony Thomas from Whittlesford, who won our spring readers’ competition. Tony will enjoy a sizzling summer this year with his new Weber barbecue set courtesy of Bury Lane Farm Shop on the A10 near Melbourn. Tony said: “I was delighted to win the barbecue set and am looking forward to trying it out this summer with family and friends.”
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South Cambs Magazine
Environmental health
Happy event ... and tummies
If you’re organising a community event this summer, such as a BBQ or village fete, make sure you check that any business selling food is registered for hygiene.
We look after the national Food Hygiene Ratings scheme in the district. If the people coming to your event are based elsewhere they must be registered with the local authority where the van is usually stored or where the stall holder runs the business from. This includes anyone who regularly sells, prepares or handles food, including charities.
You can check if a food business is registered by searching for them on http://ratings.food.gov.uk The website will tell you the food hygiene rating given to a business based on our last visit. It is not a guide to food quality. A score of 3 or above is recommended as it means their rating meets the ‘generally satisfied’ score. It is unlikely you will need to be registered if you are doing your own catering for a one-off event in your village. If you are unsure contact our health and environment services team on env.health@scambs.gov.uk or 03450 450 063
Summer 2017
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45
Environmental health
South Cambs Magazine
Eye for detail sees licence revoked Eagle-eyed licensing officers spotting a fake drivers’ badge led to a police investigation into fraudulent taxi licences. The team spotted the fake badge after a scanned copy was submitted by its Buckinghamshire-based holder for checking. On further observation it became evident that the driver had not obtained the badge from us and it was proved to be counterfeit, so the matter was immediately referred to Thames Valley Police for investigation. A police operation took place at two Buckinghamshire properties, and our licensing officers worked alongside police at a taxi office to check driver badges and vehicle plates. A second fake South Cambridgeshire badge was seized as evidence, along with revoked plates from another council outside the area. Due to a judgement known as the Berwick Case, licensed taxi drivers and vehicles can work in any council area, but councils only have the authority to suspend or revoke driver and vehicle licenses which have been directly issued by them. Cllr Mark Howell, cabinet member with responsibility for licensing, said: “We carry out frequent spot checks in our area, and the clear majority of drivers are hardworking people offering an excellent service. However, we would urge anyone with concerns about a driver or vehicle to get in touch.”
4X8
AE21 XXX
Grey VW Passat
12/04/2019 4 PASSENGERS
42A
FE11 XXX
Blue SKODA Superb
12/04/2019
How to tell if your taxi is licensed
There are two types of taxi: a hackney carriage that can be flagged down in the street or pre-booked, and a private hire vehicle which can only be pre-booked through a licensed private hire operator
All vehicles licensed by South Cambridgeshire have a plate fixed to the rear of the vehicle, which displays a unique licence number. White plates for hackney carriages and yellow for private hire vehicles
Tips to help you stay safe Private hire vehicle: Book with a licensed operator - you can check our public register by visiting www.scambs.gov.uk/taxi-licences
Ask for the details of the taxi you are expecting so you know what vehicle you should get in - some companies will send these to you by text message
Confirm your booking with the driver when they arrive. Note licence number on the council plate on the rear of the vehicle Always sit in the back behind the driver Let someone know where you are going
Hackney Carriage vehicle:
Fares are normally calculated using a meter. If the journey is outside our area the driver is not obliged to use the meter - negotiate the fare with the driver before you start your journey
Will have a “TAXI” roof sign on top of the vehicle
Drivers:
Must display their driver ID badge which includes their name, licence number and expiry date of their council issued driver licence
South Cambridgeshire DC
Name
June
SMITH Number
PD 0X00
Expires 22 September 2019
Private Hire Driver
Make sure you check for the taxi plate before you get into a licenced taxi and make sure the driver has their driver badge on display
4 PASSENGERS
46 www.scambs.gov.uk
Summer 2017