Swavesey Meridian Apr/May 2008
40
Swavesey Diary
Well, as predicted, the Government did not agree to give us any extra money so we had to make some tough choices in order to balance the books next year. But we had said to the Minister that we were not prepared to use our council tax to fund the provision of Northstowe, Government and Developers must share this.
This decision has allowed us to agree to fund the doorstep collection of plastic bottles from autumn this year. We feel this is a much-needed development, which is available to all the residents of councils, which adjoin South Cambs. It will reduce the need for villagers to travel to the Church site and reduce the rubbish that frequently disfigures the area.
We have also decided to fund the provision of a Planning Help desk manned by senior planners during normal working hours. This will reduce the frustration of waiting for a reply to simple queries, and speed up the planning procedure.
From Your District Councillor
Feeding the Ducks
It has been noticed that the School pond is becoming very cloudy and polluted. Unfortunately this is almost certainly due to the amount of bread and other materials thrown in to feed the ducks, which is uneaten and decomposing in the water and on the bottom. It is lovely to see that the ducks and moorhens have enjoyed the cleared pond, particularly with all the ducklings and chicks on there during last spring and summer. Hopefully they will nest there again this year. However, could we please ask that if you feed the ducks, could you only feed them on dry land and only as much as they will eat at that time. This will then help to keep the water clean.
Swavesey Parish Council
Swavesey Parish Council
The Audit Review has been completed and we are awaiting the result in late March. We hope they found that the Council had improved but we are more anxious that you find we have improved. Please tell us where we are not meeting your needs or have been less than helpful. I know the old saying “You can please some of the people some of the time etc. “ But I would like to ensure “we please more of the people more of the time”.
SCDC has also responded to The County Council’s consultation process in relation to the congestion charging proposals. Obviously people who live in Swavesey and have to go to Cambridge for work or Children will be most affected by this proposal. We have said that every other improvement in public transport and road improvement should be put into place and evaluated before consideration is given to Congestion Charging. Also some of the proposals would affect half a village and not the other half, half a street but not the other half – Clearly they will look at it in the light of all the comments they receive.
Happy Easter.