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A Councillor's
Comments - January/February 2004
At our last town council meeting before Christmas
the usual lively discussions took place. The main items were as follows -
Crime Statistics
Unfortunately there have been more thefts from vehicles and burglaries from
homes and garages/garden sheds etc. Please make sure your homes and outbuildings
are secure. Julie Buck and Paul Omrod attended the meeting to discuss the
possibility of Police Community Support Officers. However. councillors agreed
that Soham had already invested in CCTV that any decision regarding CSO's could
be discussed at another time.
Soham Revival Scheme Initiative
Allison Callaby. Town Centres Manager for East Cambridgeshire District Council
attended to inform Councillors of this initiative. She said there would bear
strong emphasis on physical enhancement and town centre attractions. This would
run parallel to the Heritage Economic regeneration scheme already taking place
in Soham but would 'dig deep' into the community during a health check to see
what we, the people of Soham feel we need to enhance our town. You may remember
the 'Lets Make the Most of Soham' evenings , we had a couple of years ago, out
of that came the 'Soham Town Forum' a similar event is planned this time. This
is a real opportunity to comment on issues close to your heart. e.g. Transport
enhancements - cycle routes, tourism. Support for local businesses and work
force development, car parks, community safety - basically anything you feel is
important.
On a personal note, I think 2004 bodes well for our town. The effects of the
makeover will begin to be seen. The Town Forum are planning the launch of the
first ever Soham Festival and our resource centre is now up and running. A lot
of positive things are happening and my fellow councillors and I look forward to
serving our community in the year ahead.
12th January, 2004 - Crimewatch
Beware. Petrol is being siphoned from parked cars - if you do not already have
one, a lockable petrol cap may prove a useful investment. While on the subject
of cars our chairman (Anne is actually a woman!) read out disturbing information
forwarded by the transport police. Apparently the latest craze amongst gangs is
to hijack a car with a woman in it - this is some kind of initiation into the
gang. This actually happened to a woman who was filling up with petrol, a young
man snuck into the back of her car had it not been for a vigilant petrol
attendant who knows what could have happened!! Ladies if you are travelling
alone and leave your car for even the shortest time, just check it before you
get back in. Our CCTV is working, someone has been captured on camera committing
criminal damage in Clay street, the person has since been arrested and charged.
Precept 2004/2005
Once again our wonderful clerk John Wignall has produced our budget statement
for the next finacial year. It is important to have an ongoing programme of
capital schemes to effectively plan the continuing development of services to
the community but such plans tend to change within financial years and this
results in variations in annual budgets. Our costs have increased this year.
however the council has voted to accept this budget so as to continue with
existing levels of service.
Dog Litter Bins
Not enough use of these are being made! Just the other day I saw a man and his
dog walking along Brook Dam Lane, they paused while the dog stopped to do 'some
business' the man seemed totally oblivious to this as he stared into space! How
he managed to ignore his dog's dump God only knows, the pile was big enough for
aeroplanes to use as a landmark on route to Mildenhall!
Pavilion makeover
Flooring specialists have now, tendered for the contract to re-new, the flooring
for the Pavilion, hopefully work can start soon, however this may mean the
pavilion will have to close for a week while work takes place, the public will
be informed when this happens. .
Kindest Regards
Fiona Ross
Soham Town Councilor
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