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JOTTINGS
FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR
It sometimes seems that no sooner than one reorganisation of local government has ended than another one starts. Last year, as a result of the Local Government Act we abolished the old committee structure which had served us well for many years and adopted a cabinet style of government. This year the new agenda is regionalism. Last month the government published its plans for regional government - designed to improve both the accountability of government and also its efficiency and effectiveness (I seem to recall those comments being made to justify the move to cabinet style local government too!) A Regional Assembly will be responsible for economic development transport, environmental protection and waste, housing, tourism, culture and employment - all of which apart from the employment are the responsibility of either county or district councils; but at the same time functions of regional assemblies will not be taken from local government but will somehow provide more accountability for existing regional functions. Perhaps someone can explain the logic of this, because so far I have failed to find any! Either there will have to be a transfer of responsibility - in which case the justification for county and district councils becomes less than convincing - or yet another tier of local government will be added to the list of parish, district and county councils. Either way I am somewhat sceptical. Before we could have a Regional Assembly in the east of England (probably covering the counties of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and possibly Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire) there would have to be a referendum on an elected assembly. But, and in my view running contrary to the statement that functions of local government will not be taken away to the Regional Assembly, the government has also stated that Regional Assemblies will only be introduced alongside unitary government. Effectively, this means that the existing county and district councils would be abolished and a new single tier authority would take their place. It would not cover the same geographical area as either the county or the district - my own view is that it might cover an area which incorporated the whole of South Cambridgeshire, Cambridge City and parts of East Cambridgeshire and possibly Huntingdonshire and Fenland. The aspect that really concerns me is how the membership of he new assembly will be made up - will they be directed elected - as for district and county councils - or will they be appointed like the proposals for the House of Lords? One scenario would mean there being more MP's in the region than Assembly Members. At present I try to attend most parish council meetings to keep abreast of local issues, but I could not see a member of the Regional Assembly being able to do the same thing. Of course I am being sceptical and the argument could equally be made that I am trying to protect my own position, but the bottom line is that changes to local government should be made only it they really will make a positive difference. At present I do no see that Regional Assemblies will satisfy this criterion. I am always
available for consultation, either in person or by phone, letter or e-mail.
I can be reached at the new address or telephone number below. |
| Mobile
Village Warden Scheme The mobile warden scheme is to assist elderly people to live independently in their homes. Want to set this up? There are grants available for various different sources. Want more information? There is a publication giving more information entitled 'Setting up a Mobile Warden Scheme' available from Julie Fletcher of Care Network. She can be contacted on 01223 724152 or email Julie.fletcher@scambs.gov.uk. A14 - the continuing story! The road now needs to be remarked between Fenstanton and Lolworth. This will happen at night time and weekends to try and reduce disruption. But please note that from 01 July for 3 months the junctions of Cambridge Road, Fen Drayton and Uttons Drove will be closed and diversions will be signposted. What about the Service Station and the roundabout? How many times have you been coming to Swavesey off the roundabout by the Service Station only to be met by a vehicle backing down to the roundabout? How may times have you been behind a vehicle that has then done a U-turn round the keep left sign at the junction at the bottom of the flyover with the Swavesey Road? The Parish Council have written to the Highways Agency and the Council County about the bad signing at the roundabout but feel that it is time for the popular voice to take over. If you experience or have experienced problems at this roundabout, then write to the County Council and/or the Highways Agency and state what happened to you. One or other or both of them then might take some action before a serious accident occurs. The Queen and Rubbish The Queen's Golden Jubilee did cause confusion over the Green Rubbish Collection in Swavesey. Cleanaway have apologised for the mix-up and have said things have returned to normal from the 17 June. So a big sorry from Cleanaway. Stones on Market Street After re-laying the road on Market Street there is (at time of writing) a problem with loose stones. The County Council have swept it 4-5 times (their figures) when normally newly re-laid roads are only swept twice. They will try again Memorial Hall Things still going to plan with the opening in September. Look out for details of this on the Parish Noticeboards. What Does Happen at Parish Council Meetings? What does happen? The only way to find out is to be there. Can I go along? Yes you can go and see and if you have an issue that you want to raise then there is opportunity to do this. The Parish Council usually meets on the fourth Monday of the month, except if it falls on a Bank Holiday and then it is the third. Why not come along and see how it happens. All are welcome at the Parish Council Meetings. |