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Jottings from CC

 Swavesey Parish Council News

THE STAGECOACH IS A-COMING?

At a recent meeting with the new local director of Stagecoach Bus Company it seems that Stagecoach is ready to listen. The Parish Council Chairman, Verity Ladds, went to the meeting and commented afterwards, "It was a good meeting and you felt that the Bus Company seemed to be prepared to listen and consider items raised." So will all buses have to go round Bar Hill in future? - wait and see.

PLAY AREA ON THE GREEN

Do you want to see this improved? Do you want to help improve it - and this does not mean the manual work. Do you have ideas on how it could be improved? If you do then contact Linda Miller, the Parish Clerk.

BUS PASS - FREE OF CHARGE!

Are you of pensionable age? Are you registered deaf, blind or partially sighted? Are you prevented from obtaining a driving licence on medical grounds? These and other groups qualify for a free Concessionary Bus Pass which gives you half price bus travel for any local journey starting or finishing in Cambridgeshire. The new system involves 2 cards and a plastic wallet to keep them in. One card is renewed annually and the other is a photocard, which is renewed every 5 years. This requires a passport-sized photograph, like the ones you can get at Tescos.

New passes and application forms are available from the Post Office, but don't forget the photo! There are other groups that qualify, so go and have a look at the application form in the Post Office -you might be pleasantly surprised.

TAKE CARE

The following is an extract taken from a recent letter sent to the Parish Council by South Cambs District Council.

"On Friday last week, green leaflets were put through residents' letter boxes along with a plastic sack which was left hanging from the letter box. The leaflet was asking for clothing etc. to be collected to be recycled for 3rd world countries, and collection would commence the following Monday.

The idea behind the 'scam' is that the plastic sacks are left sticking out of the letter box indicating if anyone is at home or away for a few days - hence the house could be broken into."

Take care always not to alert a thief of an empty house and do report anything suspicious to the police.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

Monday 25th June 2001, 7:30 p.m., Memorial Hall Monday 23rd July 2001, 7:30 p.m., Memorial Hall

Members of the public arc welcome to attend Parish Council meetings and wil have an opportunity to speak at the end, subject to the Chairman's discretion.

 Jottings From Your County Councillor

I would like to start by thanking all those who took part in the election - who delivered leaflets (for any party) who knocked on doors, or who simply went to the polling station on 7 June. What is worrying, of course, is the 35% of people in the Willingham Division who chose not to vote. This is an increase of 10% on four years ago and part of a disturbing trend. I am not an advocate of compulsory voting; rather that as we have a right to vote, we also have a right not to vote, but I remain concerned that so many people feel it is not worthwhile taking part in the democratic process. For a few weeks before an election and for a few days after, the size of my majority is extremely important, but for four years it will be my duty to represent everyone in the Willingham Division regardless of whether or who they voted for. For the record, the Conservatives were returned to power in Cambridgeshire, with an increased majority on the council.

We have changed to a new style of government, with the old committee system being replaced by a cabinet (similar to Westminster) consisting often numbers. One of our first tasks will be to draw up a new three year service plan, which will set out priorities for service development and for expenditure during the next council. Unless there is a complete change of heart by government with regard to the Area Cost Adjustment (about as likely as finding Little Green Men on Mars) then I suspect that we will continue with the same policy - namely to try to hold increases in council tax without cutting services. Time will tell whether we will succeed.

One of these issues which did arise during the campaign was the surface dressing between Over and Willingham. Despite using the same recipe as on previous days, for some reason the tar refused to set; although not in the same league as the debacle in Swavesey last year, a number of cars did suffer damage, which is very regrettable.

I am always available for consultation, either in person or by phone, letter or e-mail. I can be reached at the address or telephone number below.

Shone Johnstone
31 Pippin Close, Over CB4 5UA
Tel: 01954 202392
e-mail: shona.johnstone@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

JOIN THE QUEUE FOR A FREE BUS PASS

Catching a bus couldn't be easier thanks to a new photocard bus pass being launched throughout the County.

South Cambridgeshire District Council is just one of Ihe authorities lo hop onto the new scheme with a subsidy of over £200,000. From 1 April 2000 there is no charge for the pass, as in previous years, and the new passes wit] have a security identifying photocard.

Councillor Simon Kime, Chairman of South Cambridgeshire District Council explained, "This is a great bonus to our residents - many who are in quite rural areas and don't find it easy to get around.   Reduced fares are available on all local bus services throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. It also enables eligible passengers to travel on journeys that start or end in either or those areas-though unfortunately long distances express coach services or excursions off to the Continent are ruled out!"

To qualify for the new pass potentia! passengers need to belong to Ihe following groups:

• Pensioners (men aged 65 or over, or women aged 60 or over)
• Disabled people who qualify for the higher rate mobility component Disability Living Allowance. Registered deaf.
• Those who are without speech, and can provide medical evidence
• Those who are prevented from obtaining a driving license on medical grounds.
• These registered blind or partially sighted
• Those who have a learning disability which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning.

What does the pass offer?

The pass gives reductions of 50% on all single and return fares (there is no maximum reduction as in previous years). It will not give reductions on special tickets or passes, such as Rover tickets, 'Megariders', five or ten journey books of tickets. If passengers hold a pass because they are Blind or partially sighted, they travel free.

Where can passengers collect their passes?

Residents of South Cambridgeshire can collect their pass from the Council Offices 9-11 Hills Road, Cambridge or from any village Post Office in the District,  :

To collect a pass there is a simple application form to complete and a requirement to prove eligibility. This could be evidence of age, or a registration form or card. All passes issued from 1 April will require a passport sized photograph.

KNOCK, KNOCK, WHO'S THERE?

Burglars won't go to the trouble of breaking in if they can just knock and be invited in. Often, and quite unnecessarily, people feel embarrassed about refusing to let someone in at the door. So always be on your guard when anyone you are not expecting - a man, a woman or even children turn up unannounced at your door. Most people who are likely to come knocking at your door will be genuine but it is sensible to take precautions.

Increasingly, the Community Safety Unit are receiving calls from members of the public concerning Bogus 'dealers' who call at your door and offer to buy your antiques, furniture and jewellery, at what seems to be a good price. Chances are they are more interested in the items you do not want to sell and can be very persuasive in tricking you into selling something for a lot less than it is worth.

If you want to sell something or have an item valued, choose one or two well-established dealers to value it or ask a friend or relative for their advice. There are several in the telephone directory who would be willing to visit your home by appointment only.

If you would like some advice on dealing with callers at the door or would like to discuss this article in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact Hilary Conner, Community Safety Advisor at Parkside Police Station or telephone Cambridge 823479.'

DID YOU KNOW?

Since the Crime and Disorder Act was introduced in 1998, a number of groups have been established in Cambridgeshire to help reduce and prevent crime and disorder. Each Partnership group is made up of a number of different agency representatives including, Police, Local Authorities, health and Probation, who each work together to reduce crime and disorder in the community.

All the Partnerships have set up groups to take a more detailed look at particular problems. South Cambs, for instance, have groups looking at the most prevalent types of crime, namely, burglary, vehicle crime, anti-social behaviour, substance misuse and domestic violence. However, in East Cambs, there are groups taking an overview of all the community safety issues in areas with the highest crime levels.

Each Crime and Disorder Partnership has a small amount of money available for funding crime reduction projects that link to the priorities of the Partnerships.

If you are interested in joining a group or would like more information about funding contact: Tara Edwards, Community Safety officer, South Cambs District Council: 01223 724144, or Gemma Plummer, Community Safety and Partnership Co-ordinator, Parkside Police Station: 01223 823527.

POLICE CRIME REPORT

MONTHLY CRIMES 15 FEB-12 MAR 01 SWAVESEY

13/02/2001 12:00-13/02/2001 22:30 TUE MIDDLE WATCH SWAVESEY OFFENDER GAINED ENTRY. HOUSE SEARCHED. RINGS, PEARLS, EARRINGS, MIXED, COSTUME, POCKET, MEDICAL/NAT INS CARD

12/02/2001 07:55 SUN MARKET ST SWAVESEY REAR SIDE FIRE DOOR FORCED WITH JEMMY, PREMISES SEARCHED EXIT AS ENTRY

22/02/2001 17:00-23/02/2001 07:15 THU  HIGH ST SWAVESEY GRAFFITI SPRAYED ON FENCE & HOUSE,WINDOW FRAME ON HOUSE BEING BUILT FORCED AND CRIMINAL DAMAGE CAUSED ONCE INSIDE,ALSO WALL PUSHED OVER AND FLASHING LIGHT STOLEN FROM DIGGER.DAMAGE £500

22/02/2001 21:10-23/02/2001 09:00 THU BUCKINGWAY SWAVESEY SIDE WINDOW SMASHED AND OFFICE ENTERED ON BUILDING SITE, PROPERTY STOLEN. VDU/MONITORJELESCOPES

11/03/2001 12:00-12/03/2001 05:25 SUN MARKET ST SWAVESEY ATT MADE TO ENTER VIA FRONT WINDOW, WINDOW REMOVED BUT NO ENTRY GAINED

24/02/2001 11:00-25/02/2001 11:00 SAT WHITEGATECL SWAVESEY BLUE MAZDA 2000 VAN REAR DOOR GLASS FORCED, EXPENSIVE TOOLS REMOVED

22:0018/02/2001 22:05 SUN STATION RD SWAVESEY R7N/S WINDOW SMASHED ON RED FORD SIERRA,   DAMAGE ONLY

23/02/2001 16:45-26/02/2001 07:30 FRI HIGH ST SWAVESEY DIGGER DAMAGED,BRICKS KNOCKED OFF WALL,SAND & SOIL PUT IN ROLLER MACHINES DIESEL TANK, DAMAGE £300.

03/03/2001 11:30-03/03/2001 15:00 SAT HIGH ST SWAVESEY FENCE CUT TO FIELD CONTAINING HORSES, NOTHING STOLEN. DAM EST £25

If you have any information regarding these crimes or any other crime it can be reported in confidence to myself on the number below or to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

PC. Richard Jakins. Community Beat Officer. Histon Police Station, 01223-358966. Voice Mail 1787. Richard.jakins@cambs.police.uk