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Cambridgeshire Matters

Welcome to the September 2024 edition of Cambridgeshire Matters.

Latest news from across Cambridgeshire

More than 70 community schemes proposed across the county

A total of 76 Local Highways Improvement schemes will be discussed at the Highways and Transport Committee next week (Tuesday 1 October).

This includes 16 proposed schemes in Cambridge City, 22 in Huntingdonshire, nine in East Cambridgeshire, nine in Fenland, and 20 in South Cambridgeshire.

The Local Highway Improvement programme covers all districts in Cambridgeshire, with applicants able to apply for funding of up to £25,000 per project. The schemes are community driven and give local people the opportunity to put forward proposals for highways improvements in their area.

A full list of the proposed schemes can be found on the council's website. The meeting will be live streamed on the council's YouTube channel.

See the proposed schemes in your area

Share your thoughts in the Big Commuter survey

On behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council, Smart Journeys are launching their Big Commuter survey.

The survey will collect data on travel patterns and your feedback will generate insights that will help influence future transport decisions and advise on public transport improvements across Cambridgeshire.

The survey is open from Monday 14 October until Sunday 27 October.

Take the Big Commuter survey from 14 October

Cambridgeshire Roman town given protection

A newly discovered Roman 'small town' south of Great Staughton has been given heritage protection as a scheduled monument by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.

The 31-hectare site was identified following surveys undertaken as part of the East Park Energy project, and initial archaeological investigations requested by Cambridgeshire County Council and Historic England.

Around 140 Roman small towns have been recorded in England.

Learn more about the discovery

Aerial photo of Roman town in Great Staughton

Council to create new homes for children with complex needs

New homes for children and young people with complex needs have been given the go ahead by the county council.

Two former farmhouses in Soham have been selected for this pilot project to increase the number of local places available for children and young people with complex needs.

Both properties are owned by the council as part of the rural estate and are currently vacant. The buildings will be fully refurbished to best support the children's additional and complex needs.

Public health

Seasonal vaccines

An important part of staying well this winter is getting your seasonal vaccines, if you are eligible. Seasonal vaccines are offered because of virus change, and protection fades over time.

Find out more about the different vaccines available and how to get yours if eligible.

Climate and nature

Funding for energy efficiency home improvements

Action on Energy Cambridgeshire provide communities with advice on how to maximise the energy efficiency of their homes, save money on energy bills, and cut carbon emissions.

Making energy efficiency changes to a home can be a significant investment, however Action on Energy have a wide range of funding options available, including the Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG 2) for eligible households. Eligibility criteria for HUG 2 can be found on the council's website and includes measures such as the installation of loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solar panels, and low carbon heating systems.

Watch a video with Cambridgeshire residents Maria and Richard to see how they retrofitted their home to make it more energy efficient.
See the full range of funding options from Action on Energy.
Access guidance and support on making your home more energy efficient.
Get inspired through a range of free tours and talks as part of Open Eco Homes from Cambridge Carbon Footprint.

Share your photos of nature in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

As part of the development of our Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), we're looking for local photographs that represent people and nature.

Submit your best nature photographs from around Cambridgeshire and Peterborough via the photo request form. Photographs submitted will have a chance of being included in the strategy or on our website. The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday 4 October 2024.

Cambridgeshire Libraries

New community space opens at March Library

Cambridgeshire Libraries has launched a new innovative and state-of-the-art community space at March Library.

Part of the 'EverySpace' project, this new flexible community resource will support people to develop their digital skills and empower local groups to host varied and exciting events and activities.

People will be able to get hands-on with new and exciting technologies, including video editing and sound recording equipment – and experiment with the flexible layouts to hold more workshops and events.

EverySpace is just one example of the ways that our libraries, at the heart of their communities, are expanding their services as they continue to evolve to meet changing local needs.

Returning favourites and new delights set to perform in Cambridgeshire libraries this autumn and winter

Libraries across the county will once again host an exciting programme of live performances and workshops running from October to December 2024. With 43 events taking place across 23 venues, The Library Presents offers something for everyone, from music and puppetry, to dance, theatre and storytelling.

Tickets are now on sale and are available to book via the Library.Live website.

Your library offers more than you might think

All our libraries across Cambridgeshire are open to everyone and free to join. You can browse and borrow from the collection, access PCs and Wi-Fi for free, or even study, meet, share and relax. Our libraries also run a range of events and activities, many for free or at a low cost.

They can also provide information about local services and groups, signpost to appropriate additional support, and offer opportunities for volunteering.

To learn more about what's on offer at Cambridgeshire Libraries and to find a library near you, visit our website.

Cambridgeshire Skills

Access a range of family learning courses with Cambridgeshire Skills

New dates have been added for courses delivered by Cambridgeshire Skills, including 'Supporting your anxious child' - a supportive, free course where parents can come together to learn how to recognise and manage childhood anxiety.

Gain essential skills in identifying stress, communication, and accessing support, all while exploring potential career paths in child-related fields.

With flexible online sessions and the chance to earn a digital badge endorsed by City and Guilds, this course is accessible to all parents eager to empower their children and themselves. No entry requirements are needed. To book, call 01353 613 013 or email cambsals@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Learn more about the course, as well as other family learning courses, on the Cambridgeshire Skills course directory.

Communities Service

Cambridgeshire Priorities Capital Fund

More projects have successfully completed under the Cambridgeshire Priorities Capital Fund to transform community kitchens and promote healthy living across the county.

In Wisbech, new workstations and a demonstration table have been installed to enhance the cookery school at Octavia House, and in Huntingdon, the Commemoration Hall has upgraded its cafe kitchen area to enable volunteers to offer a wide range of healthy and affordable menu options.

Meanwhile a grant from the fund has enabled the Teversham Parish Council to insulate the pavilion, helping to reduce the building's carbon footprint.

Scam Awareness campaign: 21 to 27 October 2024

The Communities Service plays a key role in supporting the work of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Against Scams Partnership (CAPASP) - a collaboration of public, private and voluntary sector organisations committed to working together to stop scams and doorstep crime across the county.

This year the partnership will be supporting the Scams Awareness campaign from Citizens Advice, taking place from Monday 21 until Sunday 27 October.

Learn more about scam awareness how you can support your communities during the campaign.

'Engaging new and emerging communities' conference

Cambridgeshire is currently undergoing substantial growth which will result in the emergence of new communities across the county.

The Communities Service has been working with partner organisations to plan a free event on 5 October to see how kinder, safer and greener places to live can be developed. The event is for those working in or near one or more of the existing new communities, or near where one is being planned, and will take place at Storey's Field Centre, Eddington, Cambridge from 9.30am until 3.30pm.

See the full programme and book your place.

Care Together

This month's update from Care Together features lots of positive news stories from across the county - including a free cooking school in Fenland, and social club in East Cambridgeshire which provides older adults with a chance to socialise and meet new people in their local community.

Read the September 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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