A Councillor's Comments - April 2003

Dog Litter Bin Update
Dog Litter bins have been purchased from East Cambridgeshire District Council and will be strategically placed in our community. East Cambridgeshire District Council are taking this clean up scheme very seriously and have authorised officers to issue a fixed penalty of £50 to dog owners whose pooches foul footpaths or other public places. However, they need our help: if you see this happening please record owners name and/or address with the date and time of the offence. Contact East Cambridgeshire District Council on +44(0)1353 665555 and report this to the Dog warden.

We had a very busy agenda on the Soham Town Council Meeting held on the evening of Monday 10th March 2003 and I will inform you about the highlights.

Affordable Housing
This is housing provided by housing associations that are registered by the housing corpora Lion. Affordable housing is usually rented or shared ownership housing. We have a real need for this type of housing in Soham. This scheme is situated on land that could otherwise not he used because it is outside the planning envelope and cannot he used for speculative private development. Two possible sites have been identified in Soham, Bancroft Lane and Fordham Road. These potential homes will only be available for Soham residents. The town council supported this proposed scheme for the following reasons; local house prices have risen dramatically over the last few years and are now out of reach for many local people. People are moving further away from the town and affordable housing could help reverse this trend.

Development of Soham
Geoff Hall from East Cambridgeshire District Council presented the council with a draft development brief for land to the North West of Soham - again!! This is still in the early stages but in addition to the previous application this proposal could include affordable housing for key workers and may also provide a small country park. Whilst a number of issues such as drainage, highways, general open space and contributions to community still need to be resolved the council decided that discussion should proceed on this proposal. The council requested that public consultation including exhibitions should take place.

Pavilion Refurbishment
You will be pleased to hear that the floors are also to receive a makeover, This will be done in the next few weeks by a local company. Apologies in advance for any disruption whilst this essential work is carried out.

The Reading Game
The council gave a grant to Cambridgeshire Libraries to run this scheme in Soham during the summer holidays. Children who take part will get stickers, bookmarks and badges. This scheme encourages children of all ages to read during the summer holidays and they will get a certificate from a local celebrity at a prize giving party if they read six books. This scheme is free of charge and will help fill a few hours during the summer break!!!

Last but not least I will mention...

Annual Soham Town Council Meeting - 12/05/2003 at 8.00pm in the Pavilion
The purpose of this meeting is for the council to report to its electorate on what it has accomplished in the last year-to hear reports from County and District councillors and this year an update presentation on CCTV by the Cambridge Control Room manager.

There is the opportunity for the public to ask questions but please note: Specific questions need to be forwarded in writing to the Town Clerk by Friday 2nd May 2003.
Questions of a general nature can be answered at the meeting. Hope to see you there!!!

Fiona Ross
Soham Town Councillor