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Welcome to the August 2024 edition of Cambridgeshire Matters. 

Latest news from across Cambridgeshire

Investment in improvements and major projects on Cambridgeshire's highways

Work is well underway on major highways improvements around the county. An additional £43 million is due to be spent over the next two years on new infrastructure and major improvements.

This is part of the council's capital maintenance programme and commitment to improving the quality of the county's transport infrastructure - including roads, pavements and drains. Keeping the highways network well-maintained, and making it safer and more sustainable, is key for residents, visitors, and Cambridgeshire's economy. 

The 2024/25 programme is available on our website. Schemes are searchable by district and work type, and you can see when work is due to start, how long it will last and traffic management measures.

The capital maintenance programme includes works such as road and footway reconstruction, bridges and structures work, signal improvements and drainage projects. 

Planning is also underway on which schemes to include in the 2025/26 programme. 

Views sought on proposed new 20mph speed limits in Cambridge

A public engagement survey has opened to find out what people think about a proposal to extend the 20mph speed zones in Cambridge city. Cambridgeshire County Council wants to hear from residents, schools and businesses and is encouraging everyone to share their thoughts on the proposal.

There are already 20mph roads in Cambridge, which have been in place for nearly 20 years. The proposal is to extend the speed limit to more than 30 additional roads in the city. 

The survey closes at midnight on Wednesday 25 September 2024. 

Information can be found the county council's social media channels and website, and in community centres and libraries in the local area.

For further information, or to request printed versions of the survey, please email local.highways@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or contact Cambridgeshire Highways Services on 0345 045 5212.

Have your say on bus services across the county

Supporting opportunities for families in Huntingdon

Let's Get Moving video competition

Further updates from across Cambridgeshire

Find below additional news, highlights and updates from around the county this month:

• Appeal launched to address the shortage of school governors in Cambridgeshire.
• All Cambridgeshire Child and Family Centres receive 'My Smile' accreditation.

Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership

Hot Pots Cafe in March showcases work by people with learning disabilities and autism

The Hot Pots Cafe, which helps support people with learning disabilities and autism develop independence and employment skills, recently held an open day.

Coffee and cake were on offer, as well as a chance to find out more about the opportunities the cafe provides.

Located at March Community Centre and March Town Cricket Club, the cafe is one of several employment projects run for adults with learning disabilities in Cambridgeshire - designed to enhance the confidence, work ethic and social skills of young adults who volunteer at the cafe. 

For opening times and volunteer opportunities, visit the Hot Pots Facebook page. 

Climate and nature

Have your say on active travel in Cambridgeshire

We're looking at how our footpaths, highways and public rights of way networks could be improved going forward. We have launched an eight-week consultation asking the public how they would prioritise the maintenance of our roads and pathways.

Complete the consultation by Monday 16 September 2024. 

Are you interested in the benefits of community energy?

Cambridgeshire County Council is keen to hear your views on community energy and what we need to do to support local people to contribute to our county wide aims for a Net Zero Cambridgeshire by 2045. 

Please review our ideas and let us know how we can help you and your ambitions by sharing your feedback as we develop our offer to local communities. 

Complete the survey by Monday 16 September 2024.

We're running two online sessions where you can learn more about community energy and ask questions about the project. Join on Monday 2 September from 10am until 11am or Wednesday 4 September from 7pm until 8pm. 

Advice for battery safety

Battery-caused blazes are becoming increasingly common as we buy and throw away more electronic items. 

Never put lithium-ion batteries into your recycling or household waste bin as they can cause fires. There have already been several fires in bin lorries so far this year caused by batteries not being disposed of correctly. 

Take your batteries along to a household recycling centre - many shops also have battery banks. Make sure you are awake when using and charging devices or appliances with lithium-ion batteries. 

When buying lithium-ion batteries, make sure they have a CE or UKCA mark to signify it meets UK standards, buy from a reputable retailer, and always use the manufacturer approved charger. 

For more information visit the Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue website. 

Cambridgeshire Libraries

Get connected with the National Databank

Cambridgeshire Libraries are part of the National Databank, a scheme from the Good Things Foundation which provides free SIM cards to help digitally excluded people get connected. 

The scheme is available for those who are 18+ years old and from a low-income household, with no or insufficient access to the internet. Support is available for a maximum of 12 months and the data can be used with any SIM-enabled device.

The scheme is available at Arbury Court, Barnwell Road, Bar Hill, Cambourne, Cambridge Central, Clay Farm, Ely, Huntingdon, March, St Ives, St Neots and Wisbech libraries. 

For more information, you can speak to a colleague at one of the above libraries.

Communities Service

More projects successfully complete under the Cambridgeshire Priorities Capital Fund

We are delighted to announce that three more projects supported by the Cambridgeshire Priorities Capital Fund have been successfully completed. 

The solar panel installations at the Wilbrahams' Memorial Hall and Upwood and the Raveleys Village Hall are already generating power, enhancing the sustainability of these community buildings both financially and ecologically.

Meanwhile a new trim trail in Dry Drayton, constructed from 100% recycled plastic, will provide hours of enjoyment for local children, with equipment suitable for a variety of ages and abilities - including a new accessible area with activities and games. 

Read more about the three new projects. 

Prevent awareness training for venue hire staff

Prevent is at the heart of safeguarding children and adults. It aims to provide early intervention to protect and divert people away from being drawn into terrorist activity.

All venues run by authorities covered by the Prevent Duty are expected to have measures in place to ensure their facilities are not exploited by radicalisers. This training session is aimed at staff who are responsible for taking booking for venues/rooms, or who regularly book speakers and work alongside the guidance issued within your local area and your own venue hire policy. This includes staff from: 

• Local authorities
• Town and parish councils
• Voluntary and community sector organisations
• Educational establishments. 

This session is open to staff from across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk County Council areas. It is not open to staff from private organisations. 

Sessions will take place between September and December 2024. All sessions are held via Microsoft Teams and a calendar invite with a joining link will be sent to you upon registration. 

You can register onto one of the sessions via our registration form. 

Care Together

This month's update from Care Together features lots of positive news from across the county, including fitness and wellbeing events in Huntingdonshire and interactive lunch clubs in Fenland.  

Read the August update to learn more about how we're supporting older people in Cambridgeshire to remain independent for longer. 

For more information on Care Together, visit the council's website or contact the team at care.together@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

For enquiries about Cambridgeshire Matters, please contact internal.comms@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

This email was sent to clerk@hailweston.org.uk using Microsoft Dynamics on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council.

New Shire Hall, Alconbury, PE28 4YE

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