Spout off on the Licensing Policy

Cambridge City Council is currently consulting on a revised Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003. This results from the amendments made to the Licensing Act 2003 by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 in April 2012. For information and access to the draft Statement of Licensing Policy, please visit the city council website.

If you have any comments on the draft policy, please e-mail Licensing@cambridge.gov.uk by Monday 17 September 2012. The results of the two consultations will be presented to the Licensing Committee in October 2012 prior to referral to full Council.

Street lighting campaign: County Council commits to structural tests

Today Cllr Sarah Whitebread and Cambridge MP Julian Huppert met with staff at the County Council to discuss residents concerns about loss of the few remaining cast iron columns in the city centre.  Many residents will be aware Sarah has been campaigning on this issue since she was alerted to it in May by residents of Christchurch Street.

The main result of the meeting was the County Council committing to carry out surveys of the cast iron columns to check whether they are structurally sound. Sarah pushed for the results of these surveys to be made public, and Council staff to attend a public meeting to discuss the way forward when the tests have been carried out.  Sarah and Julian were keen to impress on County Council staff the need to consult with residents on the plans and take their views into account.

Sarah commented “It was a more positive meeting today.  I am pleased the County Council have now agreed to carry out structural tests.  It was ridiculous when they were proposing to remove the columns without testing them.  I will keep pressing for proper consultation with residents as the process continues.”

Sarah’s petition to save the historic street lights in the city centre is still open for signatures online and can be found here: http://epetition.cambridgeshire.public-i.tv/epetition_core/community/petition/1896

Reminder: BIN DAYS TO CHANGE IN CAMBRIDGE

The new bin collection regime will commence as of Monday, 30 July.

Bin days will change for some residents, while others will need to change which week they put out their black or green and blue bins. Many more households may find that their collection takes place earlier or later than it used to, but on the same day.

Cambridge City Council is asking that residents put their bin out by 7am to make sure they don’t miss their collection. Bins can also be put out at the kerbside the evening before collection day, after 6pm.

Residents whose bin day or week is changing have been issued with a sticker on their black bin, or a letter. You can check whether your street is affected on the city council website, or by calling the council on 01223 458282.

Taxi rank changes – Councillors pressing for full consultation

At yesterday’s meeting of the County Council, local ward councillor Sarah Whitebread pressed the Conservative Cabinet member responsible for transport, Cllr Tony Orgee, to ensure any changes in location of the city centre taxi rank are only considered after full consultation with residents – and particularly the elderly and disabled.

Sarah also suggested that if the taxi rank at St Andrews Street is moved to a new location, the city centre shuttle bus must be reinstated to allow people with mobility problems to easily access to market square, and cross town between the Grafton Centre and Grand Arcade area.

Sarah commented “I am pleased the County Council has won Government funding to improve public transport in Cambridge, but the changes have to be made in a way that is sympathetic to the residents who live here.  The details of  the consultation process have yet to be announced, and I am keen that all local residents get a chance to have their say.”

Full details of the Better Bus Fund Area proposals can be found online here: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/strategies/fundingbids/bbaf.htm