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Cambridgeshire Matters

Welcome to the October 2024 edition of Cambridgeshire Matters.

Latest news from across Cambridgeshire

Quality of Life survey shows that Cambridgeshire residents have high levels of happiness - but cost of living remains a concern

The county council has published the results of this year’s Quality of Life survey, which involved more than 5,500 residents.

Results from the survey show that most Cambridgeshire residents continue to feel happy and safe in the county, well connected to their local communities, and still believe it’s a great place to raise children.

However, cost of living remains the issue of most concern in Cambridgeshire amongst residents, with almost half of residents using less heating, and a quarter cutting back on nutritious food in the past 12 months.

This is the second year the survey has been carried out to help us understand what is important to local residents and to inform council decisions.

Highlights from the survey

Cambridgeshire plans for the future to meet a range of challenges

Cambridgeshire County Council has shared a series of connected strategic plans as the council prepares to develop its Business Plan and Budget proposals for 2025 and beyond. Councillors will discuss the plans tomorrow (Thursday 31 October) at the council's Strategy, Resources and Performance committee. The plans include the council's refreshed Strategic Framework; the Quality of Life Survey results; the council's Change Strategy and the current financial position.

Strategy, Resources and Performance Committee

Public consultation on A141 and travel improvements

A consultation has opened on proposed improvements to the A141 and the travel network around St Ives and Huntingdon. The consultation runs until Wednesday 27 November 2024. The proposed improvements include seven new active travel routes; eight new public transport initiatives with a focus on bus travel; and development of a bypass. Information on the proposals, as well as events and webinars for residents, can be found on the county council website.

View the consultation

Don't miss out on Pension Credit this winter

If you or a loved one are over State Pension age and on a low income, then you may be eligible for Pension Credit which is extra money to help with your living costs. In Cambridgeshire, up to one in three people who are eligible for Pension Credit are not claiming it. The average household could get around £186 per month. Claiming Pension Credit can also unlock other benefits, including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and hospital transport costs.

Find out more about Pension Credit

New commission launched to tackle poverty in Cambridgeshire

The Cambridgeshire Poverty Strategy Commission launched this month. The Commission will work independently, gathering and analysing evidence in order to build recommendations about how the system can work better together to support those in poverty. To support their work, the Commission are encouraging voluntary groups and organisations to submit their own evidence, which will help to ensure that recommendations are informed by a wide range of perspectives.

Learn more about submitting evidence

Further updates from across Cambridgeshire

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

Free bicycle events to help you prepare for winter

In partnership with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, we've organised four 'Winter Wheelers' events, designed to encourage Cambridgeshire residents to stay safe and keep cycling throughout the colder months.

Each event will include free bike checks, cycle maps and cycling advice, bike light giveaways, and much more.

Join us at any of the following events from 4pm to 7pm:

Monday 4 November at Huntingdon station
Tuesday 5 November at Cambridge main station (outside Gail's)
Wednesday 6 November at March station
Thursday 7 November at Ely station

Book your bike servicing time slot using the Winter Wheelers form.

Climate and nature

County council on track to reach its Net Zero 2030 goals

Cambridgeshire County Council is on track to reach its organisational net zero goal for its direct emissions by 2030.

This year's report shows that direct emissions from the county council's own assets are down 42 per cent compared to 2018/19 figures.

The ongoing reduction in direct emissions is due to a programme of retrofitting works and low carbon heating projects which have involved new insulation, LED lighting and other measures introduced in many of our buildings. As well as fossil fuel-based heating systems (like gas or oil boilers) replaced with low-carbon air source heat pumps. Read highlights from the report here.

Guidance for making your home more energy efficient

There are lots of steps you can take to reduce your home energy demand and even save some money in the process.

Read our energy efficiency guidance booklet to learn more about domestic energy efficiency and renewable upgrades, as well as available sources of funding to help you reduce our carbon footprint.

Cambridgeshire Libraries

Free walking stick ferrules

Cambridgeshire Libraries can supply free ferrules (rubber feet) to keep walking aids in a safe condition. Sizes are available in 19mm, 22mm and 25mm to suit most walking sticks, crutches and walking frames.

To find out more, speak to a member of staff in your local library or mobile library.

Enjoy the Cambridgeshire great outdoors

Boats near the lake at Grafham Water Centre

Explore Cambridgeshire green spaces

There are many free to access green spaces across Cambridgeshire, providing opportunities to get out on foot and connect with nature.

The Cambs Open Space website shares the top 200 parks in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to explore, as well as an interactive map of parks across the county and upcoming events in green spaces.

The county council also own eight Local Nature Reserves in Cambridgeshire, all of which are open to the public. They are excellent places to study and learn about wildlife, or simply enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of being in nature.

Visit the council's website to access walking routes and top tips.

The adventure awaits at Grafham Water Centre

Set against the backdrop of Grafham Water Reservoir, Grafham Water Centre (GWC) is a licensed residential outdoor activity centre run by Cambridgeshire County Council - offering fully inclusive outdoor learning experiences for schools, youth groups, individuals and other organisations.

GWC offer a wide variety of land and water-based activities including power boating, bush craft, raft building, sailing, archery, mountain biking, and more - as well as professional water sports and land-based courses, children's holiday and weekend clubs, and corporate team building days.

Learn more about what GWC do and get in touch with the team at grafham.water@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Communities Service

This month's update from the Communities Service features lots of positive news stories from across the county - including a remembrance message from Armed Forces Covenant Coordinator, Tommy Kelly and case studies from three schools who've benefitted from grants under the Cambridgeshire Priorities Capital Fund to make their facilities accessible to the wider community.

Read the October update to learn more about how we're working with groups and organisations across the county to benefit residents in Cambridgeshire.

For more information on the Communities Service, visit the council's website or contact the team at communities@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Care Together

Care Together is excited to announce that seed-funding applications for 2025/26 are now open.

The seed-funding offer is designed to kick-start new initiatives or support the expansion of effective, existing activities into new areas - to enable older adults to interact with one another through organised groups and social activities in their community.

Applications must be submitted by Monday 18 November 2024. Read our guidance document to learn more.

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

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

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