Andrea Reiner on the Shuttle Bus

Over 1000 people signed the Liberal Democrat petition to save bus subsidies, which would have protected the free city centre shuttle bus.

Unfortunately, the County Council have ignored the strength of local feeling and voted not to allow a one-year stay of execution while alternative funding sources are investigated.

Local campaigner Andrea Reiner said, “by cutting this bus, the Conservatives on the County Council are cutting off access to the city centre for those who aren’t as mobile.”

Cllr Bick with Manor Place resident looking out her sitting room window at the proposed pub site

Local residents and local Liberal Democrat councillors worked together to fight plans to open a pub at the empty premises at 60 King Street. An application for an alcohol licence was submitted to the city council’s licensing department.

Three local residents spoke against the application and presented a 67-signature petition. Cllrs Rosenstiel and Bick also spoke.

Under the Council’s licensing policy the applicant had to show that an extra pub in King Street would avoid exacerbating the nuisance from the night economy. “With 4 other pubs, 3 restaurants and a takeaway along the street already causing plenty of disturbance, this was a difficult task – and they failed it,” said Colin.

Residents told the panel of the audible disturbances they have from the commercial premises and of how this impacts their sleep. They described the incidents of antisocial behaviour and the detritus it leaves in its wake.

“The flats on the front of Manor Place abut directly onto the street, with their bedroom and living room windows facing number 60. The residents include many frail and vulnerable people. “They face quite enough disturbance from buses flying past their windows in the daytime, not to have their nights made even worse,” said Cllr Tim Bick. Residents and councillors were pleased with victory in their campaign.

Before the hearing Cllr Bick spoke on Radio Cambridgeshire.  You can hear the interview here (approx 2 hours 12 minutes into the programme):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00frrk9#synopsis

Thanks to Big Lottery funding, the Cambridge’s play boat was launched this week.  According to the city council, the boat is the first of its kind in the country and offers a unique experience for children and young people, schools, community groups and families to play on the River Cam.

“The play boat is a custom-designed, 60-feet-long, 10-feet-wide narrowboat.  A group of children – the Vikings – have been heavily involved in the development of the project, meeting regularly and working hard to help with design and activity ideas and develop their confidence in and around water.

“The play boat’s internal space is open plan to enable lots of space for play. Sessions running from the boat will include open access drop in sessions and closed group work, involving activities such as environmental art, river dipping, cooking and fishing projects,” the city council website said.

The boat will also be available for trips and overnight residentials, where there will be an opportunity to work the locks and steer the boat.

Mayor Sheila Stuart officially opened the community play boat on the afternoon of Tuesday 22 March 2011. There will be a boat party on 9 April that will be open to all children, young people and families across Cambridge.

For more information about the Chypps community play boat, please email Karl Wilks at karl.wilks@cambridge.gov.uk or telephone 01223 457873.

Local elections will take place on Thursday 5 May.  There will also be an Alternative Vote referendum the same day, which could change how we vote at parliamentary elections.

You must be registered to vote by 14 April if you wish to vote at the local elections and the referendum.  You are not automatically registered even if you pay council tax.

If you are planning to be away on 5 May, given the extra Bank Holiday for the royal wedding, you should still register to vote before 14 April and then you can either apply to vote by post before 14 April or apply to vote by proxy before 21 April.

If you have moved recently or know that you are not registered to vote you can download a voter registration form from www.cambridge.gov.uk/elections or request one by phoning 01223 457048.

For further information about voting and eligibility you can also visit
www.aboutmyvote.co.uk