A Councillor's Comments - June 2000

Before the business of the day a warm welcome was given to our new Co-opted member Councillor Haydn Davis. Then as it was technically the start of our new year the first item on the Agenda was to elect our Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year. No surprises  Lionel Hart re-elected Chairman and myself as Vice-Chairman. Following on members elected to standing committees and Chairmen of these committees.
On matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting Traffic, Crime and Disorder raised a few voices. Firstly PC Williams report on the increase of criminal damage in Soham, in particular the skateboard park. The Town Council has had to close it down due to vandalism that has made it unsafe to use. We are looking at ways and means to prevent this as it has been repaired before. The play areas on the recreation ground and Weatheralls Health Centre are other areas of recent vandalism. A Councillor made this point the “Easter holiday” break being one of the factors for the increase.
It also seems that in future because of shift changes and problems in other areas of East Cambridgeshire we will see less police, especially at junctions. This caused some uproar once strong views were voiced which PC Williams will pass on to his superiors. Tempers also flared regarding Churchgate Street/Paddock Street enhancement scheme - although it was felt disenchantment was more appropriate. A Town Councillor sent out a plea to all District Councillors to complain about poor access to the Vicarage, the state of the site and the Old Grammar School some swift action to address these problems was called for.
A serious traffic problem on the A142 Soham Bypass is the junction on East Fen Common. There was a renewed call for lighting and a slip road. The County Council are resurfacing and trunking is being put in for highway lighting — it was felt for safety’s sake this would prevent accidents in the future. Qua Fen Common could be done at the same time.
Soham’s Community Transport Management Team will be meeting for the first time on Friday, 12th May so watch this space yes, we will have a Community Scheme to fit Soham’s needs soon.

Anne Tuite
Soham Town Council - Vice Chairman