Area Committee Changes Reduce Residents’ Chance to Have Their Say

Cambridge Liberal Democrats fear sweeping changes to the City Council’s area committees could seriously reduce residents’ say in decision making.

The changes mean that all planning matters will be discussed by the full planning committee at the city’s Guildhall rather than in area committees across the city.

And Labour plans to reduce the frequency of area committees which Lib Dems fear will severely impact on residents’ opportunities to hold their councillors to account.

Councillor Rod Cantrill said: “This is a backward step for the City Council. It will mean the loss of local decision making and more decisions will be taken behind closed doors in the Guildhall.

“The frequency of area committees, which provide a regular opportunity for people to speak, will be reduced. Area committees provide an environment for residents to speak without feeling intimidated which the sometimes feel when attending meetings at the Guildhall.

Cllr Mike Pitt said: “Labour has wasted no time in making this move which will lessen residents’ involvement with the City Council. They have taken this decision without consulting residents who will be directly affected by these proposals.”

Area Committee Wrap-up

Lots to report from last night’s area committee – here are the highlights.

Matters arising
Cllr Andrea Reiner reported that she had called in the Parkside Kiosk planning application, so that it would be decided in public at the area committee, rather than delegated to a planning officer for determination.

Open Forum
A member of the public asked about lighting on Jesus Green. Cllr Andrea Reiner reported that the lights on the main diagonal paths would be replaced with new lampposts, in a similar style to those recently delivered on Parker’s Piece, however the lamp posts on Jesus Green would have a single light (not the double hanging lights as on Parker’s Piece).

Future Agenda Items
Cllr Tim Bick suggested that a representative from the Cambridge BID Ltd come to area committee to present its work.

Environmental Improvements
Your local councillors voted for funding to deliver the final proposals under the kite parking project. This is a project that was initiated by former County Cllr Sarah Whitebread, and has been taken up by her successor, Cllr Ed Cearns. We are really happy to see this go forward.

Your local councillors also voted to allocate funding towards introduce a weight limit on King Street. This is great news for residents in a heavily pounded narrow street.

We are grateful to the two residents who gave written representation at the meeting, and the third to attended the meeting to speak in favour of the proposal to fund the “greening” of the boundary between the Adam & Eve Street car park. This is a true environmental improvement project that should improve the appearance of a site which currently has a very industrial appearance. Councillors also called on the council to be sure to maintain the new greenery once it is in place, so that the area benefits from the full impact of the very welcome works.

And finally, under the final item called “West Corridor Funding,” your local councillors voted to allocate funding towards improvement of the paths across Midsummer Common. This proposal will now go to full consultation, but the hope is that it will deliver improvements that increase safety of these vital routes.

Until next time!

Free public wifi in Central Cambridge

Great to see the University has supported free public wifi in central Cambridge.

The Cambridge News reports that “Free public wireless internet launches in central Cambridge today – in time for the Tour de France and the climax of the World Cup. Parker’s Piece, the market square and Senate House Hill are among the areas which have been linked up with wi-fi in a bid to keep residents, visitors and students connected during major events and in their day-to-day lives.”

This is an excellent example of partnership working between City Council and Cambridge University as we delivered the new lights for Parker’s Piece earlier this year.

Area Committee 24 June 2014

The next West Central Area Committee is on Tuesday 24th June. It is being held at Lee Seng Tee Hall, Wolfson College, Cambridge, CB1 OJH.

Here is a link to a map with directions:

http://www.wolfson.cam.ac.uk/tour/leehall/

There are a number of notable items coming up that relate to Market residents:

A planning application for fencing at Milton House, Christ’s Pieces

It’s that time of year again, so councillors will be determining funding for potential projects for the Environment Improvement Programme for local areas. There a number of proposals coming forward for the city centre including additional funding for the kite parking changes which are in the process of finally being implemented. There will also be an update on projects already receiving funding.

There will be an item on transport project proposals for s106 funding (planning obligation) for councillors to be able to recommend priorities to the County Council.

In addition there is also the regular open forum section of the meeting and a discussion about future topics for the committee.

The planning part of the meeting will start at 7pm and the open forum and other
items not before 7.30 pm

The full agenda and papers can be found here:

http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=2668&x=1

Hope to see you there

Best wishes

Your City Centre Lib Dem Team:

City Cllr. Andrea Reiner – andreareiner23@gmail.com 07717 693 858
City Cllr. Tim Bick – tim.bick@btinternet.com – 07720 413173
County Cllr. Edward Cearns – edcearns@gmail.com – 07974837063