A Councillor's Comments - July 2006

The Town Council meeting in July 2006 had rather a full agenda of some 18 items, which was headed as usual by "Public Comment Time." It may be of interest to members of our community that this is your chance to have your say. At every Council meeting we schedule 15 minutes of "Public Comment Time" at 7.15pm before our meeting formerly commences at 7.30pm, this allows members of the public to air their opinion on any agenda item. Our meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month, except August and on the 3rd, Monday in December and January. You will need to contact the clerk and be there by 7.15pm.

On this occasion the concern expressed was Brook Street being used as a racetrack, resulting in a crash and damage to property, and also the road being used by very large vehicles whose turning manoeuvres posed a threat to property. This concern linked itself to agenda item "Jointly Funded Minor Improvements," and although the Council was already considering another scheme for Berrycroft / Hall Street, we decided to submit another scheme for Brook Street.

The Town plan also got another airing. It has been sent to East Cambridgeshire District Council, they have responded, and it was to the issues they raised that our Council responded to counter their points, and it was our response that we were looking at. One point that our Council have always expressed is the mistake of the past in creating the gulf between Downfields and the Town Centre, and to avoid this in future development.

The Council also responded to the Soham Community History Museum's request for support for their proposed Memorial to train explosion in 1944 and the bravery of those men who saved Soham from greater devastation. After some discussion the council declined to give their support by majority voting, expressing the view that Soham already has two memorials for this event.

I suppose the real meat of the meeting was under the heading 17-21 Churchgate Street. If you are not quite sure where this is a walk in that direction will soon tell you. There is an open area in front of buildings, in which almost every inch is filled with vehicles, although the latest innovation seems to resemble shed construction. This has been a problem for a long time and your Council has not been complacent about it, they have made many approaches to different departments without success, the problem is, its private property on private ownership. Its up to the owner to agree to clear up the site. This site if cleared and made presentable could enhance this area, which already has had regeneration money spent on its frontage, it is after all an important historic site of Soham Grammar School. The Council are considering ways to resolve this situation.

In contrast to 17-21 and again in Churchgate Street, the Council had a request for financial assistance for the Viva Centre. You will well be aware of the money spent on restoring the frontage of this old Wesleyan Chapel to its former glory, but it has the problem of replacing fire exit doors. The Council were pleased to grant them some money towards the quotes they received because the Viva Centre is a community resource and many of us benefit from its existence.

Kindest Regards

George Ginn
Soham Town Councilor