South Cambs Magazine

INSIDE // ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH // COMMUNITY // CONSERVATION // OLYMPICS // PLANNING // KEY ISSUES – TENANTS’ NEWS

See page 10

See page 14

Improved service at less cost

What are your priorities?

WIN £100

in our recycling

competition

see page 28

Winter 2012 ● Welcome

www.scambs.gov.uk ● 3

Letters to the editor should be sent to:

Editor: Gareth Bell

Editorial: Anna Efford and Kelly QuigleySouth Cambridgeshire District CouncilSouth Cambridgeshire HallCambourne Business Park, CambourneCambridge CB23 6EAISSN: [email protected]: 03450 450 500

All delivery queries should be directed to:PDC Telephone: 01904 606300 Email: [email protected]

Design, production & sales:

Design: Bright Publishing, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridge CB22 3HJ www.bright-publishing.com

For all advertising enquiries please contact: George Pearson: 01223 499464 [email protected]

Claire McGrath: 01223 499461 [email protected]

The opinions and views expressed in South Cambs Magazine are not necessarily those of South Cambridgeshire District Council or Bright Publishing. All data contained in advertisements, being subject to the Advertising Standards Authority guidelines are accepted in good faith at the time of going to press.

South Cambs Magazine

If you phone us we will● answer your call promptly – usually within 20 seconds● provide voicemail if the person

you need is unavailable● answer your phone message

within one working day

If you write to us we will● reply to your letter or email within

10 working days● if we cannot deal in full with your

enquiry, we will give you the name of the officer dealing with it and a date when they will get back to you

If we write to you we will● write in plain language● consider translation, large type,

Braille or audio tapes upon request

At all times we will● treat you with respect, be polite,

patient and honest

If we visit you we will● carry identification that you can

check with a phone call to our Contact Centre on 03450 450 500

● arrive at the time we say, or give you as much notice as possible if we have to change the time

● treat your home with respect

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

Particular services have their own additional standards. These are available at www.scambs.gov.uk/customerstandards or copies can be sent by post – please call 03450 450 500

Putting service first

ContentsHow to contact us 04Sustainability 05Community 07About your council 10Arts 16Environmental health 18Sports 20Recycling and waste 24Planning 29Business 33Housing 37 Tenants’ news 41

● FRONT COVER: Our new customer contact service● FRONT COVER:

elcome to the

Winter issue of South Cambs Magazine.

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Follow us on: search ‘South Cambridgeshire’ @southcambs


If you have any queries about your magazine delivery please contact PDC direct on 01904 606300 or email [email protected]

and they will be very pleased to help you

Delivery queries

In this edition we introduce our new in-house customer contact service. Designed with customers at its heart, it offers more ways to get in touch with us whilst delivering significant savings. By adding new communication channels like web-chat, text messaging and social media we can continue to offer you better access to services.

We’re also developing a new customer charter, outlining the standard of service we aim to provide. This will go out for consultation to make sure we get customer input. See page 10.

Cllr Ray Manning, Leader, South Cambridgeshire District Council

Community ● Spring 2012 South Cambs Magazine

4 ● www.scambs.gov.uk4 ● www.scambs.gov.uk

Main officeSouth Cambridgeshire HallCambourne Business ParkCambourne, Cambridge CB23 6EAOffice open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pmf: (01954) 713149 e: [email protected]: (01480) 376743

Telephone03450 450 500 general enquiries03450 450 051 housing general enquiries03450 450 061 housing and council tax benefits03450 450 062 building regulation inspections03450 450 063 environmental services03450 450 063 licensing03450 450 064 council tax and business rates03450 455 214 electoral services03450 455 215 development control03450 455 216 development services0845 650 0065 council tenants’ gas enquiries0800 085 1313 council tenants’ housing repairs

and heating

Need to make a payment? There are several ways to make a payment to SCDC. We encourage payments by direct debit or by credit or debit card. Our card service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

● by phone: 03450 455 218● or online: www.scambs.gov.uk/paymybill

You can also pay using a payment card at any Post Office or Pay Point outlet.

To request a direct debit form or a payment card call 03450 450 064

Payments can also be made in person at Cambridge City Council’s Mandela House, 4 Regent Street, Cambridge, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.

Our Vision● South Cambridgeshire will continue to be the best

place to live and work 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. The Council will be recognised as consistently innovative and a high performer with a track record of delivering value for money by focusing on the priorities, needs and aspirations of our residents, parishes and businesses.

This magazine is printed on paper which is:

Wood fibre from sustainable forests

Fully recyclable and biodegradableR

Elemental Chlorine freeECF

If you would like a copy in large print please contact:

03450 450 500 email: [email protected]

When you have finished with this magazine, please recycle it.

Tell us how we’re doingAt SCDC 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. You can do this in a number of ways:

● in person at our offices Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm

● by telephone on 03450 450 500 Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm and on Saturday 9am – 1pm

● by email to [email protected] ● in writing to the customer service coordinator at

our main office.

How to contact us

Contact us ● Winter 2012 South Cambs MagazineSSSSSSSSSSSSSoSSooSooSooSSSSSSoSSSoSooSooSSSSSoSoSSSSSSoSSoSoSSSoSoSoSSSoSSoSoSoSoSSSSSoSooSSSSoSSSSoSoSSSSSSSSSSoSSSSSooSSSSSSSSoSooSSSSSSoSSSSSSSoSooSSoooSSoSoSSSSSoSoSoSSSSooooSooSSSoutututututuutuutututuutttuutututtuutttuuutttttttuututtttttttttttuttttttttttttttttuttttttttttttutttututh hhhhhhhhhhh Cambs Magazine

Scan this Quick Response code with your smart phone to go straight to our website



olunteers from our Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership

(SPEP) have been getting into the James Bond secret agent spirit by using a gadget to help householders ‘see’ where heat is leaking from their homes.

The camera creates pictures where different temperatures show up as different colours – with the coldest areas appearing blue then ranging through yellow and red to white for the real hotspots. Gaps in insulation and ill-fitting windows and doors show up clearly because they are prime suspects for letting heat escape.

These ‘thermal images’ bring to life the problem of escaping energy, and are a great trigger for people to get on and do something about it. The volunteers undertaking the home surveys have attended a basic training course in using the camera, interpreting the images, and the next steps in tackling problems which commonly show up.

One of the volunteers who has already taken action after using the camera inside her own home is Penny Askew from Impington.

She said: “After seeing all my thermal

007 heat seeking mission

imaging pictures I was prompted to replace my leaky windows and doors and reinsulate my loft. I am currently in the process of having my cavity wall insulation checked as the camera showed that there were very cold patches on many of my exterior walls. I found it very helpful to have the thermal imaging carried out so I could know which problems needed to be tackled.”

Volunteers from one of our parish based groups, eCoton, surveyed a wide range of homes using the thermal imaging camera. This included homes of all types and ages. To share their work with the community they displayed pictures from the 17 homes, with notes giving possible solutions to the energy leaks they found.

The thermal imaging project is one of several initiatives to encourage sustainable and low carbon living carried out by volunteers from groups in the SPEP.

The Partnership includes 25 of South Cambridgeshire’s parishes, but new groups are always welcome.

If you would like to help in your parish with thermal image surveying, or other projects to encourage sustainable and low carbon living, then get in touch with Siobhan Mellon on [email protected] or call 01954 713395.

She will put you in contact with your nearest SPEP group or help you set a new one up in association with your parish council. For more information visit www.spep.net

V

● ABOVE Simple and cheap measures such as a draught excluder can make a big difference BELOW Volunteers use a thermal imaging camera to carry out surveys on homes in South Cambridgeshire

● ABOVE In Coton volunteers shared thermal images of properties to show what action could be taken

● ABOVE I C t l t h d

Problem: draught of cold air under door.Solution: draught excluder attached to bottom of door.

Winter 2012 ● Sustainability



ambridgeshire’s first new-build ‘pick and mix’ showhome

fitted with a range of optional sustainable living features is allowing homebuyers to select how they want to go green and save money.

Buyers at the Trumpington Meadows development on the edge of Cambridge can choose from a range of green extras when they buy off-plan, in the same way they can customise kitchens, bathrooms and other aspects of their new home.

The Barratt Homes ‘Nightingale Plus’ showhome includes solar panels, rainwater harvesting, eco-friendly garden features, triple-glazing, sustainable flooring, eco-paint, low energy appliances and an innovative energy-saving ventilation system.

Clever cut-aways have been designed into the showhome to show exactly where each of the optional extras are, with detailed display boards explaining the eco-credentials on show with information to take away.

This first for Cambridgeshire was required as part of the development’s

‘Pick and mix’ a new way to greener livingC

● ABOVE Richard Hales (left), team leader for Sustainable Communities, and John Eldridge, technical manager, Barratt Eastern Counties look at low carbon options

For more information and to request an application form visit www.scambs.gov.uk/CommunityGrants or

speak to our resource officer on (01954) 713359

For more information call 03450 450 063, visit www.scambs.gov.uk/hia or email [email protected]

f you have a disability, or suffer from a medical condition that requires special housing needs,

Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency may be able to help. They can assist you in applying for a disabled facilities grant that will finance essential improvement and adaption work to help you remain independent in your own home.

Grants are available to homeowners or private tenants and can include electrical works, the installation of safety rails and even bathroom and kitchen replacements.

inding funds to help get local projects off the ground can be a complicated and time-consuming process,

but help is now at hand. Whilst we offer a range of grant schemes of our own, we can

also now help residents, community groups and businesses to search a national database of over 7,000 funding opportunities. This follows our recent partnership with GRANTfinder - the UK’s leading grants database – which could help applicants to secure funding from £1,000 up to £100,000.

One local community group to have identified a potential funder through the new database is the Bike Bank project. They have made an application and are waiting to hear if they’ve been successful.

This national database search will be offered to anyone making an application through any of our grant schemes.

Grantfinder Home improvement grants

u

F

● RIGHT Safety rails can help prevent falls

I

Winter 2012 ● Sustainability/Community

planning permission.It is estimated that by taking up all the

green options available a typical family could save in the region of £1,000 a year on energy bills and reduce the carbon footprint of their home by up to 50%.

Cllr Ray Manning, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said:

“We’re committed to encouraging low carbon and sustainable living and this is certainly a very imaginative way to making sure future residents have every option available to them to tailor their house to their lifestyle. Their home will be more comfortable to live in, cheaper to run and help protect the environment.”

Community ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine

8 ● www.scambs.gov.uk

n October we celebrated some of the outstanding

achievements of local people in South Cambridgeshire during our annual Community Pride and Village Hero Awards.

This ceremony marked the third year of the awards and saw the introduction of a new category - Young Hero - which was shared between Kane Hawkes and Shane Holland. Kane for his bravery in saving an unconscious neighbour from their smoke-filled home in Cambourne, and Shane who was recognised for reinvigorating the volunteer group Sustainable Girton. Shane said: “I felt very proud and honoured to receive the award and my family and I enjoyed the

Community Pride and Village Hero Awards

I evening very much.”The Village Hero award went to Neil

Davies for his dedication to the Histon community for over 25 years, including organising the village feast, arranging community transport, serving as a school governor and helping with Histon Hornets Football Club. Neil said: “I’m grateful and humbled to receive this award. Like many other volunteers my sole objective is to try to improve the lives of residents in the community.”

The trustees of Coton Village Hall scooped the Community Pride award for leading a 10 year project that raised £130,000 to refurbish and improve the building. The trustees said: “We’re delighted to receive this award,

● CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Collecting their awards: Coton Village Hall trustees, Neil Davies, Shane Holland and Kane Hawkes.

which acknowledges the continuing enthusiastic support we have received from the community. Now that the building has been completely refurbished Coton has a village hall fit for the 21st Century.

Presenting the awards were Chairman, Cllr Tony Orgee and cabinet member for new communities, Cllr Pippa Corney.

Runners up included:Young Hero: Sam Robinson, Matt Davis and Tom Preece.Village Hero: Arpi Johnson and Michael Butler, Susan Anderson and Simon CoxallCommunity Pride Award: Whittlesford Millennium Group, Ickleton Sizzlers and Melbourn Mobile Wardens Scheme.

About your council ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine


New customer contact service

new customer contact service is coming to our Cambourne

offices giving you more ways to get in touch with us.

The new service has been designed to support the Council’s ambition to offer much more to residents, for less money. National austerity measures mean we, like all public bodies, face unprecedented financial challenges, but through innovative technology and smarter ways of working the new service will not only save £250,000 per year, but also offer a significantly improved customer experience.

“This has been a fantastic project to work on”, says Paul Knight, project manager for the implementation of the new customer contact service.

“We have kept a firm focus on getting

A the right technology and the right people, and delivering savings to provide an exceptional service for our customers. We will be one of the first councils to offer such a good range of ways to get in touch within a single contact service – giving residents real choice.”

The new customer contact service launches on Monday 3 December and from day one you will be able to get in touch by phone and email. None of the contact numbers have changed (see page 4).

Cllr James Hockney, cabinet member for corporate and customer services, explains the renewed customer focus:

“We are embracing modern technology to further improve customer service. We ran our recruitment process to make sure that we took people on

board who are committed, hard-working and go the extra mile.

“Our prime focus of the new service is to focus even more on the customer, and when it comes to measuring our performance the question we will be asking is: ‘are our customers happy?’

“People are increasingly using new ways of contacting each other and it is important that we keep up. We want to make contacting us easier and by adding new methods like web-chat, text message and social media, customers will have better access to services.”

Our PeopleThe new customer contact service presented an opportunity to do things differently when it came to recruiting staff. We asked customers ‘what’s important to you when you contact us’ and this feedback influenced a fresh set of priorities for our recruitment campaign.

We prioritised personal behaviours and values and went looking for people who are positive, enjoy building relationships and have a sense of urgency when it comes to resolving issues.

Our advertisements reflected the extremely high standards we expect from all customer contact employees. We attracted a large number of applications and put candidates through their paces including group workshops, competency testing and a series of interviews.

“We have a complementary mix of new and existing staff who are committed to providing the very best service” says Rachael Fox, newly appointed Customer Contact Manager.

“To look after our customers we need to have a highly skilled team who always put them at the heart of everything we do. Our standards will remain exceptionally high, and we want you to tell us how we are doing.”

Our service

Our new service will be open 8am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday. In addition to answering telephone calls and emails from day one, we are phasing in extra ways for you to contact us:

Web-chat (coming early 2013) – Accessed through our new website, web-chat will provide customers with the opportunity to interact with us through instant messaging. Customers will be able to type their enquiry and advisors will be able to respond immediately. Web-chat will be an excellent method of contact for those who are hard of hearing, or who prefer to make contact in writing but require a quick response.

Text message (coming early 2013) – We will promote a range of standard enquiries that can be accessed via text message. Customers will be able to make straightforward requests for information and services using a simple text.

Email – In an effort to respond to emails more quickly the new customer contact service will manage an increasingly wide range of email addresses on behalf of council departments. Our advisors will be empowered to resolve queries and provide information as requested.

Face-to-face – Our customer contact advisors will also be trained to deliver services at our reception desk, helping to reduce customer waiting time.

Self-service website – Our new website is coming soon and will provide an increasing range of self-service opportunities whether it’s a request for a specific service or general information.

Winter 2012 ● About your councilSouth Cambs Magazine


Our promiseAs residents of South Cambridgeshire this is your customer contact service. We will make sure that you remain at the heart of all future developments and improvements.

In this spirit we are developing a new customer charter, outlining our commitments to you. Similar to our recruitment campaign we’re starting with a question ‘What’s important to you?’ We have already held workshops with residents from our consultation panel, and our youth council. Following this, we will put together a draft customer charter which will go out to full public consultation.

We will bring you more on how the new service is going, including how you are taking advantage of the new ways to contact us, in the next edition.

Dates for your diary

Most meetings are held at South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne. To view an up-to-date calendar please visit www.scambs.gov.uk/meetings or call democratic services on 03450 450 500.

Council meetings are where decisions are made that have a real impact on your communities. Most of these meetings are public - including our Council, Planning and Cabinet meetings - so why not come along and see councillors in action?

Our customer contact team will be available during the festive period at the following times:

Our Cambourne office will be open on the same days between 8:30am and 5:00pm.

Christmas and New Year opening hours

Monday 24 December 2012 (Christmas Eve) 8am-5pm

Tuesday 25 December 2012 (Christmas Day) Closed

Wednesday 26 December 2012 (Boxing Day) Closed

Thursday 27 December 2012 8am-5pm

Friday 28 December 2012 8am-5pm

Monday 31 December 2012 (New Year’s Eve) 8am-5pm

Tuesday 1 January 2013 (New Year’s Day) Closed

Wednesday 2 January 2013 (back to normal) 8am-5.30pm

If you would like to find out more, or get involved in the customer

charter, please contact Rachael Fox on 0345 450 500,

or email [email protected]

● ABOVE Cllr James Hockney with the

new customer contact service team.

About your council ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine


Your council, your services, your priorities

e’re beginning the debate with residents about what priorities you

want us to focus on next year to make sure we are spending our time, and your money, on what matters most. Finding out what you and your community want is really important to us as it is the starting point for setting our budget for next year.

With one of the lowest council taxes in the country, we’re constantly looking to drive down costs while keeping service standards high. However, until the Government announces what funding we’ll receive for services in December, we won’t know exactly how much money we will have to spend.

We’ve just published our ideas on what we think we should be doing next year to build on recent successes – but this is your chance to shape those plans and tell us if we have got it right for you.

Following last year’s consultation, councillors agreed a Corporate Plan setting out a long-term vision for the district, which we’re working to achieve through a set of aims, approaches and actions. We call this the ‘Three A’s’. We are using a similar format this year to help us put together a set of challenging objectives to keep South Cambridgeshire one of the top places to live, work and study in the country.

Last year you said promoting business in the district to create new jobs was important to you, and one of the results was the development of a new website – www.cambridge-plus.com – to promote the area as a business friendly district where firms should stay and set up.

Cllr James Hockney, cabinet member for corporate and customer services, said: “We know that issues such as creating new jobs, providing homes and waste collection never go away, and the aim of this plan is to build upon what we have achieved so far. The tough economic environment means we have significant ongoing challenges and there is still a long way to go. We made very good progress against a number

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of the aims you helped us set last year, but we really need you to tell us what’s important to you, and whether we’re on the right track.”

Our decision-making Cabinet – a group of senior councillors from the controlling party – has put forward a draft plan, which we’re now consulting on. There are a number of ways you can get involved:

– come along to one of our events between 2:30pm and 7:30pm at the following venues:

Hall, High Steet

High Street

– fill in, cut out and return the questionnaire on the opposite page, which summarises our intentions for the next 12 months.

– sign up for our panel and we will consult with you at regular intervals during the year about a range of council services and priorities. To sign up call Richard May on (01954) 713366 or visit http://scambs.jdi-consult.net/conspanel/

– give us your views online by visiting www.scambs.gov.uk

@southcambs

All responses will be considered for the final plan and budget to be agreed at the Council meeting in February.

●

the priorities you set for the Council

Winter 2012 ● About your councilSouth Cambs Magazine


The consultation closes on Friday 1 February 2013 and this questionnaire will help you give us your views. You can attach extra paper if needed, or visit our website to tell us what you think.

Name: .................................................................................................................................................................................

Address: ............................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................ Postcode: .......................................................................

E-mail: ................................................................................................................................................................................

Please cut out, complete and return to: Richard May, Policy and Performance Manager, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6EA

Our first aim is to listen to and engage with residents, parishes and businesses to ensure we deliver first class services and value for money. Some actions to achieve this could include: carrying out a major efficiency programme, working better with communities to improve services, managing our land and building assets more effectively, retaining and developing talented staff and councillors

Question 1 – what are your views, and are there other actions we should be pursuing?

Our second aim is to work with partners to create and sustain opportunities for employment, enterprise, and world-leading innovation. Some actions to achieve this could include: further support for existing, developing and new businesses, reducing barriers to employment, attracting investment to South Cambridgeshire, delivering Northstowe and other new communities – including more affordable homes.Question 2 – what are your views, and are there any other actions we should be pursuing?

Our third aim is to make sure that we continue to offer an outstanding and sustainable quality of life for residents. Some actions to achieve this could include: further improvements to community transport, Ageing Well initiatives, protecting and improving public health, delivering the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers, working with our Youth Council, working with parish councils and Police to further improve community safety.

Question 3 –What are your views, and are there other actions we should be pursuing?

Arts ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine


et your arts events noticed this spring by taking part

in the new EMERGE festival - putting the spotlight on the vibrant South Cambs arts scene.

EMERGE will run throughout February and March, bringing together amateur and professional performances under one banner to promote the rich and vibrant cultural life of our communities.

Venues and community groups are already planning comedy nights, workshops, talks, film screenings, pantomimes, dancing and much more.

EMERGE – arts on your doorstep

To add a local event to the growing EMERGE programme, or to find out what will be on in your area,

visit www.emerge-arts-festival.org.uk

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stART is a community-based arts network supported by South Cambridgeshire District Council and seven local village colleges. For support, advice or to find out what’s on in your community visit www.start-arts.org.uk or call 03450 450 500 for the contact details of your local arts development manager.

Get in touch

aterbeach residents have been given copies of In Hear It and Say – an interactive game based on the

history of the village that anyone can take part in.A new interactive art trail tells the village’s story. Fifteen

permanent artworks have been installed, with a stone-carved plinth on the village green marking the centre point.

The game was developed by artist in residence Emma Smith, working with us and the Waterbeach Cultural Collective - a group of local volunteers who aim to engage and support residents to take part in arts and cultural experiences.

Emma’s residency has been funded through money from developers Morris Homes secured by us to provide infrastructure, facilities and recreational services as part of planning permission for the local Cam Locks housing development.

Talking about the launch, Emma said: “Working on this project has been a fantastic experience as Waterbeach has some fascinating stories. It is really exciting to share them through the game and as so many people have contributed to this project it was great to be playing the game with them.”

Give the game away

EMERGE highlights ENERGISE Youth Dance Platform.

23 and 24 February, Swavesey Venue, Swavesey Village College. Tickets available from the venue. To book workshops contact April on (01954) 200533.

Custard Comedy brings top quality acts from around the country to South Cambs. 8 February and 8 March, 8pm Comberton Leisure, Comberton Village College 22 February and 29 March, 8pm @theatrium, Cottenham Village College. Over 18’s only. Tickets cost £8 to £10 from the venues or www.wegottickets.com

The 48th Sawston Drama Festival

will premiere new plays. 21-23 March, 7.30pm, The Marven Centre, Sawston Village College Tickets £6 (£5 concs)/Season ticket £15 (£12 concs) on the door or call 01223 880023, www.bawds.org/sawstfest.htm

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Anyone can take part in the game, with copies on general sale at Denny Abbey and Farmland Museum in Waterbeach.

● ABOVE L to R: Emma Smith, lead artist; Guinevere Glasfurd-Brown, writer, and Donna Lynas, chair of Waterbeach Cultural Collective, play the game.

Environmental Health ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine


● ABOVE Back on course again, Terry Osborne and Lynne Potter

Ageing Well – spotlight on strokes

very five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke – most

are over 65. As part of the South Cambridgeshire Ageing Well partnership, councils, voluntary organisations and the NHS are working together to help stroke survivors.

The severity and effects of a stroke vary for each person, and local support is available to help people rehabilitate and live as independently as possible – no matter what level of short term or lasting effects a stroke leaves you with.

Following a serious stroke in 2010, Terry Osborne, 73, from Toft has benefited from our Active and Healthy 4 Life exercise scheme. Before his stroke, Terry led an active life enjoying gardening, table tennis and golf. Afterwards he was unable to sit up unaided or swallow.

Following physiotherapy, Terry was referred to the scheme. Lynne Potter, our exercise specialist, says: “I recall Terry saying: “This won’t do any good – gyms are a waste of time”, but he agreed to give it a try.”

A 12-week fitness programme plus home exercises improved Terry’s strength and stamina, while a specialist strength and balance class improved his confidence. Terry has changed his mind about gyms, saying, “I don’t know what I would have done without it. I’m back to playing nine holes of golf and my aim is to get back to 18 holes and return to table tennis.”

Active and Healthy 4 Life runs at nine sports centres across South Cambs, with over 340 patients referred each year for a tailored fitness programme. Specialist classes also run for cardiac and stroke rehabilitation and falls prevention.

Exercise programmes can help some people recovering from a stroke, but no two people are the same and scores of services are available.

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust’s community stroke team assess and treat people, often on their

discharge from hospital. Specialist physiotherapists, occupational, speech and language therapists work with patients one-to-one, and link into social services and other support networks.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s “Your Life, Your Choice” website offers a host of information, including advice about adult social care assessments, benefits and local schemes like Age UK Cambridgeshire’s home help service, which can help with jobs like cleaning, laundry and ironing for a small charge.

AskSARA is an online tool to help you explore products and ideas to help with health, home and daily activities, while the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency helps eligible residents apply for disabled facility grants for adaptations from grab rails to ramps to improving access to rooms and washing facilities.

If driving is an issue, the concessionary bus pass offers free off-peak bus travel and local community transport schemes offer both scheduled and tailored door-to-door services.

E

Active and Healthy 4 Life: referrals must come from a GP

or health practitioner.

Contact Lynne Potter on (01954) 713130 or [email protected]

Age UK Cambridgeshire: call 0300 666 9860 or visit

www.ageuk.org.uk/cambridgeshire including safer home scheme

AskSARA: visit www.asksara.org.uk

Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency: call 03450 450 063 or email

[email protected]

Concessionary bus passes: contact Cambridgeshire County Council on

0345 045 1367 or www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/buspass

Community transport: contact South Cambridgeshire District

Council on 03450 450 500 or www.scambs.gov.uk/CommunityTransport

Community Stroke Team: call 01223 723 054 or visit

www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk

Your Life Your Choice: contact Cambridgeshire County Council on

03450 455 202 or www.yourlifeyourchoice.org.uk

Sports ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine


fter an epic summer of sport, have you been inspired to

get out and get active? Sport England research shows

that our district has seen the biggest increase in adult sport participation over the last six years in Cambridgeshire. We’re also amongst the most active populations in the country.

Sport has major health benefits – mental and physical – and increasing partcipation has been a key aim of ours over recent years. With a London 2012 buzz still in the air, we hope even more people will be motivated to get fit and active.

Good sports

● ABOVE Charlotte Cox carrying the Paralympic lantern into Milton Country Park

GB: We’re working towards the European championships, taking it one step at a time, but ultimately we’re hoping to get to Rio.

Sporting dreamCC: To represent GB at the 2016 Paralympics, if learning disability is allowed in the sprints. GB: To become a Paralympic champion, no question, that’s what it’s all about.

London 2012 highlightCC: The Paralympic stadium on Thriller Thursday, seeing Johnnie Peacock and Oscar Pistorius. I was one of the crowd chanting Peacock, Peacock.GB: Walking into the Copper Box for our first game. The roar that exploded out from the crowd was just incredible.

Advice to young athletesCC: Try different sports until you find one you really enjoy and then work hard on your training to get the most from it.GB: Keep pushing yourself, set yourself targets and once you make them, push it even higher, no one else will do it for you.

To apply for funding visit www. scambs.gov.uk/eliteathlete

or contact Joseph Minutolo on 03450 450500 or

[email protected]

Local London 2012

Elite athletesNow in its fourth year, our Elite Athlete Scheme has awarded over 90 grants to 64 aspiring athletes. Two of our most successful athletes are European Champions:

Charlotte Cox

Four time world-record holding sprinter

Winner of 400m gold and 4x100m relay silver at this year’s European Championships for Special Olympics in Russia Georgie Bullen

Member of the 2009 European Championship winning Goalball team

London 2012 Paralympian, reaching the quarter finals

What has our funding meant to you?CC: The chance to travel to international competitions, see new places and meet new people. It’s a big help with my gym costs, keeping me in good condition.GB: We’re one of the lowest funded Paralympic sports and without funding like Elite Athletes, I wouldn’t be able to continue travelling to training, get the equipment I need or have personal training.

What next?CC: My winter training is focused on the 2013 European Championships, followed by the Special Olympics Summer Games.

ecord Park Life crowds welcomed the London 2012 mascots to Milton Country Park in July, and the Paralympic lantern travelled across the park’s

lake in August as it headed to the Olympic stadium.Special Olympics medal winner Charlotte Cox carried the lantern across the water: “I

really enjoyed my day and felt proud to be part of the local celebration”

Visit www.scambs.gov.uk/sport for inspiration.

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● ABOVE Georgie Bullen - Paralympic Goalball player

Winter 2012 ● SportsSouth Cambs Magazine


● ABOVE The first session at Impington

To find out more, or to be referred to the scheme,

contact Lynne Potter on 03450 450500 or

[email protected]

For details visit www.forever-active.org.uk

or call Helen Stepney or Kirsty Human on 03450 450 500 for the latest brochure and to request

classes in your area

ver 50 and looking for activities in your area? Have you heard of

Forever Active? It provides and advertises exercise classes and activities across Cambridge City and South Cambs, from chair based exercise to indoor bowls, golf and dancing.

ur GP exercise referral scheme continues to grow,

with Impington Sports Centre the latest venue to offer the scheme.

Over 300 patients benefit from a tailored 12-week fitness programme each year. Many conditions benefit from exercise including obesity, arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression. Specialist classes for cardiac rehabilitation and falls prevention also run.

Recent participants say: “I value the sessions and find it relaxing and enjoyable.” “I lost 6 kilos, my blood pressure and cholesterol dropped and I could reduce my medication.” “I can run around with the children again. I feel 10 years younger.”

Forever Active

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Active and Healthy for Life

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● Forever Active offers a range of

activities

popular. Paddleboarding sessions this summer were a particular hit. Neil from Over says: “I had an awesome time. The instructors were great and made me feel confident. Thanks for arranging these sessions at a price to allow people to try new activities – great!”

Linton says: “I’m sure the other ladies would agree that playing netball has helped them to become fitter, healthier and enjoy playing a team game again. If it weren’t for this course and league, our netball club probably wouldn’t exist. This project has positively encouraged women to enjoy sport again.”

If you’d like to see similar activities in your village contact Helen Stepney on 03450 450 500 or email [email protected]

Adapted bikes suitable for people with disabilities and limited mobility are now available to hire at Milton Country Park. They’re also suitable for people who are less mobile or have difficulty with their limbs.

who run the project. For more information or to book a bike, contact Milton Country Park on 01223 420060.

y Country

back into running?local groups in Cottenham, Melbourn,

help you improve fitness, set targets and make you feel good. Visit www.scambs.gov.uk/run4fun for information.

out, exercise and explore your local area.

Country Park, Papworth, Sawston,

or volunteers, they often end with a hot drink and a chat. Visit www.scambs.gov.uk/walk4fun for details

DISABILITY SPORTS

PADDLEBOARDING & NETBALL

Trampolining and Golf sessions at Impington Village

Contact Helen Stepney on 03450 450 500 or [email protected] for details.

Waste&Recycling ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine


Collection datesCollection one day later Black bin

● Bins must be out by 7am on your collection dayGreen & blue bins

Babraham, Balsham, Gt Abington, Gt Shelford, Harston, Hauxton, Hildersham, Hinxton, Ickleton, Lt Abington, Lt Shelford, Pampisford, StaplefordMonday

Bartlow, Castle Camps, Horseheath, Linton, Sawston, Shudy Camps

10Dec

10Dec

3Dec

17Dec

24Dec

8Jan

2Jan

Carlton, Coton, Gt Wilbraham, Histon, Horningsea, Impington, Lt Wilbraham, Madingley, Orchard Park, Six Mile Bottom, Teversham/ Cherry Hinton*, West Wickham, West Wratting, Weston Colville

Fen Ditton, Fulbourn / Cherry Hinton*, Girton, Milton, Oakington, Stow-cum-Quy, Westwick*Cherry Hinton: north of the railway as Teversham

*Cherry Hinton: south of the railway as Fulbourn

Tuesday

2Apr

21Jan

8Jan

2Apr

Boxworth, Caxton, Conington, Cottenham, Elsworth, Fen Drayton, Lolworth, Over, Rampton, Willingham

Wednesday

Cambourne, Comberton, Croxton, Eltisley, Graveley, Hardwick, Papworth Everard, Papworth St Agnes, Toft

Abington Pigotts, Arrington, Bassingbourn, Bourn, Croydon, Gamlingay, Guilden Morden, Hatley, Litlington, Longstowe, Lt Gransden, Shingay-cum-Wendy, Steeple Morden, Tadlow

Thursday

Barton, Foxton, Grantchester, Gt Eversden, Harlton, Haslingfield, Kingston, Lt Eversden, Newton, Orwell, Shepreth, Thriplow & Heathfield, Whittlesford, Whaddon, Wimpole

Barrington, Caldecote, Duxford, Fowlmere, Gt Chishill, Heydon, Lt Chishill, Melbourn, Meldreth

Friday

Bar Hill, Childerley, Chittering, Dry Drayton, Knapwell, Landbeach, Longstanton, Swavesey, Waterbeach

Wed

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Winter 2012 ● Waste&RecyclingSouth Cambs Magazine


What goes where?

Garden waste

Cooked/uncooked food waste

(meat, fish & dairy)

Non-recyclable / non-compostable material● Please use your black bin for material that cannot be put in green or blue bins● Excess black bin material cannot be collected. Please take it to Milton or Thriplow Recycling Centres● 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/recycling or call 03450 450 063

TEAR ME OUT & STICK ME TO YOUR FRIDGE

Any type of cat litterCartons (e.g. Tetrapak) - put in blue bin

Turf and soil - due to its weightAny type of plastic inc bags/sacks

Biodegradable bags (cornstarch, potato starch)

Corrugated cardboard - put in the blue binCardboard - put in the blue bin

Paper Newspapers &

magazines Telephone directories CataloguesEnvelopes (with or without windows) Shredded paper*

Junk mail

Jiffy bags, wrapping paper, greeting cards,

tissue, cardboard & kitchen paper

● Place the caddy inside your blue bin● Excess blue bin material will be collected if placed alongside the blue bin in a returnable container● Put items loosely in the blue bin and not in carrier bags● Rinse items to remove any food contamination

* Put shredded paper in an old envelope before placing in the paper only caddy

● Excess green bin material cannot be collected. Please compost it or take it to Milton or Thriplow Recycling Centre

Paper only caddy

Batteries inc. AA & AAA cells,button batteries, size C & D and

any laptop & mobile batteryLead acid batteriese.g. vehicle batteries

Batterybag

Plastic bottlesPlastic bottle tops

& triggers Plastic bagsPlastic film &

clean food wrapping Glass jars & bottles

Food & drinks cans Aerosols Tin foil & foil trays Cartons (e.g Tetrapak)

PolystyrenePyrex, flat glass,

non packaging plastic e.g toys, bowls

Blue bin

Green bin

Black bin

● Bins must be out by 7am on your collection day ● Close lids firmly

Plastic packaging (pots, trays & tubs)

Cardboard

Kitchen paper and tissues

Winter 2012 ● Waste&RecyclingSouth Cambs Magazine


hristmas bins are the fattest of the year, with an extra 750,000 tonnes of waste produced in England over the

festive period.There are lots of ways to reduce waste over Christmas – not

all of them obvious. Test your green credentials and see if you can spot opportunities for you, your friends and family to ‘slim down’ Christmas and recycle, reduce or reuse your waste. The ten answers and suggestions can be found at the bottom of the page.

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Can you slim down for Christmas?

ANSWERS:Wine bottlesChocolate’s tinUsed paper napkins – green bin or use cloth napkins that can be Duplicate presentsGift wrap – blue bin or use gift bags which

Leftover turkeyLeftover vegetables – green bin or turn into soup or a hearty bubble and squeak Real Christmas tree – chop up and put into your green bin or buy an artificial tree which can be

Paper hats – blue bin Unwanted Christmas jumper – donate to a local charity shop, hold a gift swap session or take to a recycling bank

Waste&Recycling ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine


ix lucky residents will win £100 each in our fantastic paper recycling

competition. It’s easy to take part, all you need to do is answer a simple question and get into the paper recycling habit.

To be in with a chance of winning:

1. Fill out your details below2. Answer the qualifying question

(hint: read page 25)3. Cut out this whole page and put it in your

blue bin paper caddy* for collection between Monday 10 and Friday 21 December 2012

4. Then make sure that you put your paper caddy (with your paper recycling) out for every blue bin collection during the rest of December and throughout January and February.

Six winners and 12 runners up will be selected at random when the paper is tipped at the depot. Winners will receive a cash prize of £100 - kindly donated by AmeyCespa and Aylesford Newsprint. Runners up will be offered the chance to take part in a trip to Aylesford Newsprint’s recycling factory in Kent.

*If you don’t have a paper caddy you can still enter the competition. Complete this page and put it out for collection with your recyclable paper in a returnable container alongside your blue bin.

Call 03450 450 063 if you need a replacement caddy.

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What’s it worth to recycle your paper?

● ABOVE Place your completed entry in the paper caddy between 10 and 21 December

Please complete the information below, including the qualifying question:

Name: ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Address: ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Telephone number: .............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Email: .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Which item cannot be recycled in the blue bin paper caddy (please tick the correct answer)a) Newspapers b) Junk mail c) Cardboard

Winners and runners up will be notified by 1 March and announced in the summer issue of South Cambs Magazine. Terms and Conditions are available at www.scambs.gov.uk/papercompetition or can be requested by calling 03450 450 063.

● Ayouentcadand

WIN £100 in cash

Winter 2012 ● PlanningSouth Cambs Magazine


Plans for first phase of Northstowe approved

lans for 1,500 new homes, a primary school and shops

at the proposed new town of Northstowe were given the go ahead by councillors in October.

The landmark decision to approve outline planning permission for the first phase of the exemplar new town – which will ultimately see 10,000 new homes built – means the first homes could be ready in 2014.

Before they can go ahead, a further report will be presented to the Northstowe Joint Development Control Committee – a group of councillors from South Cambridgeshire District and Cambridgeshire County Councils – early next year with details of how construction of the town would put “quality first” while making sure it is still financially viable.

Plans also included a sports hub, areas of open space, a local centre, employment opportunities and a site for a household recycling centre in the first phase.

Following a public consultation in the summer, negotiations took place with developers and a cycleway linking Northstowe and Bar Hill has now been included in phase one. A network of cycleways and footpaths will also be built to give easy access for Northstowe residents to the Guided Busway and improvements to the Bar Hill junction of the A14 will be funded by the first phase.

The Government recently announced £7.7 million to widen the A14 between Girton and Histon during 2014 as a short term measure to alleviate congestion and improve safety, in advance of a major upgrade to the road. Further Government support was also received in October when Housing Minister, Mark Prisk MP, wrote to Cllr Ray Manning, Leader of the Council, to reaffirm Northstowe was a

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We will update you in future editions, for more information visit www.scambs.gov.uk/northstowe or call 03450 450 500

● ABOVE Northstowe will be next to the guided busway near Longstanton and Oakington

high priority.“We are committed to working with

you and other partners as a matter of urgency to develop a package of support that will help to accelerate delivery and remove barriers to the establishment of a high quality new town demonstrating exemplar standards,” said Mr Prisk.

He also recognised that a major upgrade to the A14 and the construction of Cambridge Science Park Railway Station were important and said the Government remained committed to the timely delivery of the schemes.

Plans of where homes, roads and facilities will be built on the site, including landscaping and drainage details are now being worked up by developers.

Detailed planning applications are expected to be submitted throughout 2013 and we will consult with communities and the Northstowe Parish Forum, every step of the way.

Cllr Tim Wotherspoon, cabinet member for Northstowe, said: “We are now at the stage of turning a vision into a reality and will begin to look at the fine detail to make sure the town is of the highest quality possible. There is an acute need for new homes in South Cambridgeshire – especially affordable properties – to support the jobs being created, but we will continue to put existing and future residents first by striving for making sure high quality facilities are there from day one.”

Planning ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine


Successful summer consultation

Public consultation on new issues

For more information visit www.scambs.gov.uk/ldf/localplan or

contact the Planning Policy Team on [email protected] or 03450 450 500

big thank you to everyone who took part in our recent public consultation on how South

Cambridgeshire should develop over the next 20 years. We received 20,000 comments during the 11 week consultation.

Over 1,000 people attended events across the district to talk to our planners about options to provide up to 30,000 new jobs and an additional 9,300 new homes by 2031.

Any new homes would be in addition to the 14,200 that have planning permission, or are part of the current Local Plan.

We have received views on possible options for development, including whether most homes should be built on the edge of Cambridge, as a new town or village - possibly at Waterbeach Barracks or Bourn Airfield - or on land in and around our larger villages.

second round of consultation will run from 7 January to 18 February 2013.

We’re working closely with Cambridge City Council to make sure our new Local Plans are joined up, since our areas are so interlinked. Subject to agreement by both Councils, there will be a joint consultation on the ‘big picture’ for South Cambridgeshire and the City, with possible sites for development on the City edge which are currently in the green belt.

We will also consult you on any new issues or site options for development in our district coming from the summer consultation that we consider may be suitable for inclusion in the new Local Plan.

Consultation documents will be available on our website and you will be able to put your comments forward in a variety of ways.

Come along to one of our joint exhibitions with the City Council in January between 2.30pm and 7.30pm: 7th – Granchester Village Hall, High Street9th – Fulbourn - The Swifts, Haggis Gap 10th – Cambourne - The Hub, High Street 12th – Trumpington Village Hall (12-4pm), High Street16th – Great Shelford Memorial Hall, Woollards Lane18th – North Cambridge - Meadows Community Centre,

St Catharine’s Road22nd – Histon & Impington Recreation Ground,

New Road

We are also holding exhibitions to cover specific local issues for the consultation. These dates and venues were not confirmed at the time of going to print and will be advertised locally and on our website and through Facebook and Twitter.

We must receive any comments by noon on Monday 18 February 2013.

A new local planomments from both consultations will be taken into account and we will consult you again next summer on

a draft Local Plan for South Cambridgeshire. This will include specific sites and policies to meet our needs for the new jobs, homes and supporting services and facilities over the next 20 years, in a way that protects what is good about our district. An independent public examination will be held in 2014 before the plan is finalised.

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A New Local Plan

● ABOVE Over 1,000 people attended events during our first round of consultation

Winter 2012 ● Planning/ConservationSouth Cambs Magazine


A river runs through it

long-term community project to conserve the River Mel was

completed in September. Work in the summer saw a pump used to suck out 20 years-worth of silt then a team of volunteers moved 134 tonnes of chalk and gravel to restore the natural riverbed.

Local volunteers from the River Mel Restoration Group worked with the Wildlife Trust and our ecology officer, Rob Mungovan, to ensure that the work was delivered safely and to plan.

The new river bed has brought this previously muddy and dark looking section back to life with bright clean gravel and babbling water. The clean riverbed will support invertebrates which in turn feed fish and birds.

Previous work by the Group

has included creating fish spawning areas, water vole habitats, and native planting. The dedication of the Group was recognised at our Natural Heritage Awards in 2011.

Rob Mungovan said: “This and previous projects have been sccessful due to the impressive community spirit generated by the Group. Their continued dedication to improving our natural environment is

making a real difference to the river and its wildlife. Long may it continue.”

● RIGHT Volunteers worked hard to lay the new river bed INSET The River Mel brought back to life

● IMAGES Artist’s impressions of the site between Huntingdon and Madingley Road

Cambridge University plans move aheadlans for 3,000 new homes, student accommodation and employment

space on northwest Cambridge has been given the green light.

The outline planning permission was granted to Cambridge University in August by councillors from Cambridgeshire County, Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District councils. We now expect more detailed applications to be submitted for the area between Madingley Road and Huntingdon Road early next year.

Along with Cambridge City Council, we are working with the University to put together a legal agreement, known as a section 106, to make sure facilities and services to help build a new community are in place at the right time. We already know there will be shops, a senior care centre, primary school, community

centre, nurseries and a new hotel – but residents are now being invited to public events before the more detailed plans are submitted.

The northwest Cambridge community forum has been set up to give everyone a chance to view plans, meet council officers and developers, ask questions and have their say.

The first forum will be held on Monday 10 December at Castle Street Methodist Church, Cambridge, from 4pm to 6pm. You can drop in to this session at any time. At 6.30pm at the same venue developers will also be giving a more formal presentation on the plans, but there will still be a chance to ask questions.

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For further information on plans visit www.scambs.gov.uk/NorthWestCambridge or contact Tracy Mann on [email protected] or 0345 450 500

Winter 2012 ● BusinessSouth Cambs Magazine


n September we launched two new initiatives to help local

businesses during the current tough economic times.

A new £20,000 grant fund is now available to support small and medium sized businesses who have been most affected by the economic downturn. This funding boost means that more businesses can bid for up to £1,000 to help them source the specific support they need.

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Help for local businesses to start, survive and thrive

We have also launched a series of free practical business workshops to help tackle the support needs that businesses in the area have asked for to help them thrive.

Cllr Nick Wright, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said; “We recognise that local businesses continue to face challenges and hardship as a consequence of the economic downturn

and supporting them is a priority for us. These two initiatives have been really well received as they fill the gap left by agencies such as Business Link who no longer offer local firms support in this way.”

Leemya Mckeown of Histon based Cernunnos Group recently attended a workshop. She said: “It can be hard to start-up a business and without support and advice there is a danger of making costly mistakes. As a small business we have very little capital for training and so this was a welcome opportunity.”

The support fund and workshops will be delivered by leading business support specialists Exemplas.

Showcasing South Cambridgeshireor many national and international visitors to our

area, their first port of call is the Visit Cambridge website which, we are excited to announce, has been improved to include a comprehensive insight into the many delights of South Cambridgeshire.

It offers helpful listings for accommodation, sightseeing tours, museums, colleges, theatres, nightlife, shopping and restaurants, as well as links

to available business support, including the Cambridge Plus business investment website - www.cambridge-plus.com.

The new and improved Visit Cambridge website also offers visitors the ability to plan an itinerary for their visit, which we hope will encourage them to do more and stay longer, increasing investment in the area.

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If you know someone who is planning a visit to the area, direct them to www.visitcambridge.org for everything they need to know, or why not pay a visit yourself to see what you may be missing out on?

● RIGHT Wimpole Hall is just one of our local tourist attractions

● ABOVE October’s ‘How to research your market’ workshop in Cambourne

WORKSHOPS3 December23 January30 January

7 February

21 February22 February 27 February

20 March20 March

Each workshop has limited space. For more information visit www.exemplas.com/southcambs and to book your place call 0844 346 0755 or email [email protected]

Business/Housing ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine


To register your demand visit www.connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk and to register as a broadband champion email [email protected]

ince May we’ve been putting our weight behind a

countywide campaign to secure superfast broadband, which is vital for businesses and communities in South Cambridgeshire to thrive.

Connecting Cambridgeshire is one of the fastest growing broadband campaigns in the country, recording close to 1000 new registrations every week, overtaking neighbouring counties.

Latest figures show that over 20,000 homes and businesses have registered their demand across Cambridgeshire and our district is leading the way with over 8,000 registrations alone.

Much of this success is attributed to the efforts of our 37 Digital Champions who have been instrumental in promoting the campaign among local businesses and communities.

Next StepsThe campaign is now targeting communities in areas with poor broadband coverage and low registration levels, and recruiting more local Digital Champions to lend their support in these areas.

Whilst we continue to urge businesses and residents to demonstrate their demand for superfast broadband, we are also undergoing a formal process to award contracts to suppliers who can roll out the better broadband services throughout 2013 and 2014.

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Could this be your lifeline? man whose mother was saved from her home when a

fire took hold has called on more people to sign up to a ‘Lifeline’ alarm service.

Mrs Doreen Puffett, 83, was able to press the pendant alarm – which she wears around her neck – before smoke and flames engulfed her.

Her grateful son, John, said he had no doubt that without the “prompt response” from the Lifeline Service the consequences could have been “unthinkable”.

When Doreen pressed her alarm it raised a warning with Lifeline’s 24/7 call centre and the fire brigade were quickly called.

John said: “The Lifeline equipment did its job when it was most needed. Sadly all the house contents were destroyed by the fire, but the Council has installed new equipment for my mum at her temporary address. I’m glad she has it, it certainly gives me peace of mind.”

Over 900 people in South Cambridgeshire already have a Lifeline alarm installed in their home giving them a safety net to help them live independently.

There is a weekly charge of £4.18 for South Cambridgeshire District Council’s personal alarm service, which can be paid quarterly by Direct Debit, plus an installation fee of £18.

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Super-connected citiesTogether with the City and County councils, we’re also supporting a project to make Cambridge and its surrounding urban area a super-connected city with ultrafast broadband speeds of 80-100mbps. Coupled with the Connecting Cambridgeshire campaign, this will reinforce our efforts to drive forward economic growth and sustain thriving, connected communities to achieve sustainable long-term benefits.

For more information about Lifeline pendent alarms contact Jane Poole or Sheila Sneezum on 03450 450 500

Get Connected

● ABOVE Mrs Puffett used her Lifeline pendant alarm to call for help when she most needed it

Winter 2012 ● HousingSouth Cambs Magazine


he biggest council house building programme for two

generations has got off the ground as plans for four one bedroom homes in Linton have been announced.

The homes proposed at Chalklands would replace a block of our garages that were identified as being under-used.

Up to 1,000 new properties are planned over the next 30 years following changes to the rules relating to Council housing finance – which mean we now have the funds and freedom to start building again.

Local residents were invited to a consultation event to view proposals at Chalklands and initial feedback has been really positive. New homes could be completed early in 2014, subject to planning permission.

Cllr Mark Howell, cabinet member for

housing, said: “The fact is councils have not had the money to build significant numbers of new council houses for the last 60 years, but now we have control over our funding we want to get on and

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Tops for rural housing

elebrations took place across South Cambridgeshire

in October as residents and councillors marked a special week for rural housing.

The National Housing Federation’s rural housing week aims to demonstrate the important role affordable housing plays in maintaining small rural communities, and we are pleased to say we’ve been leading the way.

Three developments on exception sites – which would only be given planning permission for affordable homes

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start building. Affordable homes are in great need and our aim is to work with parish councils across the entire district to build homes where they are most needed.”

Can we build it? – yes we can

● ABOVE Local councillors Roger Hickford and Trisha Bear meet with Cllr Mark Howell (centre), cabinet member for housing, to discuss plans for developing the under- utilised garage block

● FAR LEFT Residents at a newly opened affordable housing scheme in Whaddon gather to mark rural housing week LEFT Cllr Tony Orgee, chairman of the council, helps put tiles on new homes in Steeple Morden

– hit landmarks during the week as we added to the 90 new properties that we’ve delivered in the last 12 months alone. The second highest build-rate in the country.

We teamed up with Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association – the group who built and manage the properties – to celebrate the week, and events were held in three villages where new affordable housing had just been completed, or are close to being ready for residents to move in.

In Haddows Close, Longstanton, and St Mary’s Close, Whaddon, tenants

of new homes got together in true British fashion for tea and cake. Over in Steeple Morden a ‘topping out’ ceremony was held to celebrate the roofs going on homes ahead of their completion in spring.

Cllr Mark Howell, cabinet member for housing said: “It is great news that we are right at the forefront of delivering affordable homes for local people, and our officers have done a great job. We’re not going to rest on our laurels though as we strive to keep up the good work.”

Housing ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine


rom 1 April 2013, the Government is introducing

changes to housing and council tax benefits. We want to make sure you are aware of how this may affect you and your family.

Will I be affected?If you are of working age - 16 to 61 - and currently entitled to benefits, the changes will apply to you. You may need to start paying rent or council tax for the first time, or increase the amount you currently pay.

The Government has stipulated that pensioners are protected from these changes. If you are old enough to receive Pension Credit in April 2013 - 61 years and 6 months or over - you will not be affected.

Changes to housing benefitPayments for working age claimants living in local authority, housing association or other social landlord properties will be based on the size and occupancy of your home.

If you are assessed as having more bedrooms than necessary, you will be considered to be under-occupying and your benefit will be reduced - by 14% if you are under-occupying by one bedroom and 25% for two bedrooms or more.

The new rules allow one bedroom for:

under 10

with you) if you or your partner need overnight care

Similar restrictions have applied to claimants in privately rented homes for some years.

We’ve sent all council tenants a questionnaire asking you to confirm the number of people living in your home. Please return this to us as soon as possible to make sure our records are correct.

For more information about these changes visit www.scambs.gov.uk

Changes to council tax benefitThis benefit will be run by councils instead of Government through new council tax support schemes.

We’re being given approximately £1million less to pay for the new scheme than we get from the current national arrangement.

This shortfall means that we need to make some difficult decisions to develop a fair and financially achievable scheme. We’ve taken feedback on board from our recent consultation, but residents who are not considered vulnerable will have to start paying more towards their council tax.

Our new scheme has not been confirmed yet, but more details will be available on our website at www.scambs.gov.uk in the coming months.

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What are we doing to help?We want to help you prepare for these changes so that you can continue to budget for essentials. We’re working with

you manage your money, and you don’t need to be in debt to get help.

CAB can provide advice on:

Changes to housing and council tax benefit

The advice is free, unbiased, confidential and delivered by an

experienced CAB adviser.

Please contact our benefits team on 03450 450 061 for an

appointment.

Winter 2012 ● Tenants’ NewsSouth Cambs Magazine


Green-fingered gongshe awards ceremony for our 32nd Best Kept Garden

competition was held at Scotsdales Garden Centre in September, with tenants picking up a bouquet of awards.

Our judging panel - Phillip Whaites and Janet Saunders, gardeners at Wimpole Hall, and housing officer Jane Poole - visited nominated gardens to choose the pick of the bunch.

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● ABOVE LEFT Best new tenant’s garden - first place - Joan Pickup, Whittlesford, second place: Malcolm and Brenda Norris, Sawston ● ABOVE Best greenhouse (vegetables) - first place: Edward Hall, Bourn, second place: Peter Ludman, Great Wilbraham● LEFT Best greenhouse (flowers) - Harold Gawthrop, Balsham

Cllr Mark Howell, lead councillor for housing, said: “It’s a pleasure to present these awards. The inspiration and hard-work that goes into creating such beautiful gardens deserves recognition.”

Scotsdales and Hill Residential are long-standing sponsors of the competition.

Caroline Owen, Scotsdales managing director, said: “It’s not been an easy year to be a gardener weather-wise, but the

displays in this year’s competition were as fantastic as ever. These awards are very well deserved.”

Andy Hill, Hill Residential chief executive, said: “From our experience in planning and building new homes we know how important it is to create a pleasant environment with planting and gardens. It’s a pleasure to sponsor a competition that recognises the very best.”

● Best kept garden - first place: Derek Page, Linton, second place: Edward Hall, Bourn, third place: Pauline Enderle, Cottenham

● Best vegetable garden - first place: Peter Ludman, Great Wilbraham, second place: Harold Gawthrop, Balsham

● Best window box - first place: Barbara Matthews, Fulbourn, joint second place: Mary Page, Meldreth and Harold Gawthrop, Balsham

● Best sheltered scheme communal garden - first place: Stevens Close, Cottenham, second place: Franklin Gardens, Cottenham.



Changes to your housing service

New tenancies

ue to new Government legislation, some big changes are being made

to how we award tenancies, how we let our homes and how much housing benefit people are eligible for.

We know that many of our tenants are concerned about how the changes will affect them. On this page and page 45, we detail the main changes taking place from April 2013.

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New tenancies will be offered on a flexible 10-year fixed term basis instead of the current ‘lifetime’ (or secure) tenancy.

A review will be carried out before the end of each 10-year period to make sure that a property still meets tenant’s needs. The majority of tenants will be granted a further 10-year tenancy in the same property, but in some cases – such as under or over occupation – we may look for alternative suitable accommodation.

‘Lifetime’ (or secure) tenancies will still be offered to people aged 65+ and people with a long-term disability that requires a specially adapted property.

These changes will not affect existing tenants.

Also, in most cases, transfer or mutual exchange to another property will not change the terms of existing tenancies. However please check with your Housing Officer.

Introductory tenanciesNew tenancies will include a 12-month probationary period. This will make sure that tenancy conditions are being met, and any problems resolved, before a new tenancy is agreed.

Breaches of tenancy conditions may see a probation period extended up to 18 months or beyond. Serious breaches will lead to legal action to end the tenancy, helping us to tackle anti-social behaviour quickly.

Succession rightsOnly a spouse or civil partner will automatically be entitled to take on a tenancy when a tenant dies. In exceptional circumstances, another family member may be granted the tenancy if they are considered to be vulnerable.

This change will not affect existing tenants who held a tenancy before 1 April 2012, where other family members may also qualify to succeed.

● ABOVE A new 12-month probationary period is being introduced for new tenancies

● RIGHT From April, new tenancies will run for 10 years



We’re changing the way we let properties through the Home-link Choice Based Lettings Scheme. Some of these changes are due to Government legislation and some are service improvements.

The three main changes are:

1. Website improvementWe’ll be introducing more information on housing options on the Home-link website and the ability to apply and renew applications online.

2. No more Home-link magazineThe last magazine will go out in December. Information will be available online and we’ll send out fortnightly ‘personalised property sheets’ to applicants without Internet access – providing a more tailored service and saving money.

New rules for Housing Benefit will restrict the size of property based on who lives there.

If someone is assessed as having more bedrooms than necessary, they will be considered to be under-occupying their home, and their benefit will be reduced.

These changes only affect working age claimants so you won’t be affected if you or your partner receives Pension Credits.

The new rules allow one bedroom for:

with you) if you or your partner need

For more information and advice please contact your housing officer on 03450 450 051 or [email protected]

More information can be found on our website at www.scambs.gov.uk/housing or you can contact the housing options team on 03450 450 051

3. Lettings policy changesThe main changes include:

to register for housing in South

bereaved families), who will also be awarded additional priority.

occupying their home

being overcrowded

that are the right size for them, based on the Local Housing Allowance size

for local lettings plans.

and you will be notified if you are affected by these changes.

Lettings changes

Housing benefit changes

● ABOVE We’re making some changes to Homelink

overnight careWe realise that these changes are of

great concern for many of our tenants. Our housing officers have been busy visiting everyone who may be affected by the changes to look at options such as moving to smaller accommodation, taking

in a lodger or seeking independent financial advice. Over the coming year we will be working hard to help those who want to move to find a smaller home.

Page 38 also has more information on welfare changes.

Tenants’ News ● Winter 2012 South Cambs Magazine


Sound familiar? Well, we’ve been listening and want you to help us change your housing service for the better.

We’re working with you to set up tenant-led scrutiny - looking into the detail of the service we provide, the background, the money, and the rules behind things.

While the elected Tenant Participation Group (TPG) does scrutinise decisions and procedures, it’s not done in a formal way. To help support and train tenants from both the TPG and outside it, we’ve employed tenant-run training consultancy The Linchpin Project to train people to scrutinise housing services thoroughly and effectively.

We’re looking to recruit and train:Tenant Inspectors –to inspect services such as landscaping, external painting and maintenance worksMystery Shoppers – to call us to test our response and actions to scripted questions or problems.

If you are interested in getting involved, contact Gill Anderton on 03450 450 051 or [email protected]

Taking a closer look

● ABOVE We’re looking for village voices in South Cambs – in villages from A to W

● ABOVE Our officers welcomed tenants to open days, giving them information on a range of issues and services

“What they need is tenants running things, then it would be better”“Why have they decided to do that? That’s what I’d like to know”“It’s ridiculous what they spend our rent money on, why don’t they at least ask us?”

Village Voices

Tenants’ open days

e own over 5,000 properties in 95 villages, and we know that

what our tenants and leaseholders need varies across the district.

To get every community involved in shaping housing services, we’re relaunching our volunteer Village Voices scheme. A Village Voice is a tenant who becomes a local point of contact between our housing team and their village.

Village Voices:

by flagging up issues and putting forward local ideas and views

councillors, parish councils and our officers to understand what different communities need

hank you to all of the tenants and leaseholders who came to

our three open days in September and October.

Held on Saturdays in Impington, Melbourn and Sawston, the events showcased the work of the Tenant Participation Group, disability forum, leaseholder forum and sheltered housing.

Housing and benefit officers and contractors were also on hand to chat about repairs, benefits and housing allocations.

Local councillors, Mark Howell, our lead councillor for housing, Stephen Hills, housing director and Jean Hunter, chief executive, also came to chat to tenants.

Turnout was not as high as we had hoped, but open days are just one of the ways we keep in touch with you.

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scrutiny process.

We will provide volunteers with support and advice on how to get started and put you in touch with other village voices. You can make a real difference to your neighbours and your community.

For more details contact our resident involvement team on 03450 450 051

We aim to be a landlord who listens. If you have any ideas for how we could improve our

communication with you, contact our resident involvement team leader, Gill Anderton, on 01954 713377 or [email protected]

There’s also:

section on www.scambs.gov.uk

tenants and leaseholders which should arrive before Christmas

Documents

South Cambs Magazine