Don’t Forget to Vote for ED CEARNS on Thursday 2 May!

As many residents know, the Cambridgeshire County Council elections are on Thursday 2 May.

Local Resident ED CEARNS is running for the Liberal Democrats in Market Ward. Cllr Whitebread said, “I wholeheartedly endorse Ed Cearns to take over from me as County Councillor for the city centre on May 2nd. Ed has the energy, enthusiasm and passion for this area to make an excellent councillor. I urge residents to give him their vote on Thursday.”

Poll cards have been sent to registered voters in Cambridge, although residents do not need a poll card to vote. Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm.

The polling stations for Market Ward are the Wesley Church and Fisher Square. Your polling station is listed on your poll card and can also be found on cambridge.gov.uk/elections or by phoning 01223 457048.

The count will take place from 10am on Friday 3 May, with the final results expected by mid-afternoon. Official updates for the county election will be available throughout the day on the county council’s
website, www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

West/Central Area Committee Wrap Up

Thanks to everyone who attended Thursday’s meeting. Here is a brief summary of the highlights.

1. Power supply to Midsummer Common Gate
A member of the public raised a question about the power supply to the gate on Midsummer Common. I have been told that we are waiting for the final connection to the supply then testing and final ok from the electrician next week.

2. Police Priorities
The committee agreed new police priorities, including:
– Overranking of the taxis in St. Andrew’s Street
– Waste risk management, which relates to risk of arson to trade waste
– ASB in the Grafton Centre and in our green spaces

3. Developer Contribution Projects
The committee also heard a report from Tim Wetherfield regarding the Developer Contribution projects. Tim answered questions about how the decisionmaking works, and what residents need to do to make sure their proposals are considered. If residents are unclear about the decisionmaking process, or what needs to be done next, please do be in touch with your local city councillor. There is also a helpful website that explains the decisionmaking process for projects funded by developer contributions.

4. Grant Applications
Finally, the committee voted to award grants to various organisations across the West/Central Area. Even after the grants awarded last night there is still budget available for new projects. For more detail contact your city councillor or read more on the City Council website. If there are barriers to applications — such as the paperwork required for the application itself! — please do feed back to your local councillors so that we can improve.

Safer City Grant Application Deadline 14 May

The Safer City grant scheme provides start-up funding to new, potentially on-going community projects or one-off grants to time-limited community projects that will help tackle crime, the fear of crime and antisocial behaviour in Cambridge.

You can apply for a grant up to a maximum of £5,000. Applications must be submitted before 14 May 2013. The West/Central Area Committee will consider the applications at its meeting on 20 June 2013.

To learn more about the grants, contact your local councillor, or read more about the grants on the City Council website.