A Councillor's Comments - November 2002

Due to unforeseen circumstances I missed the deadline for last month’s issue of Lodestar, so I will give you a brief overview of events in Octobers’ meeting. East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) were looking for alternative uses for the Clay Street Car Park. The Town Council advised them that the Car park is used particularly on Wednesdays and Sundays. The town council requested that a further survey is carried out when revised opening times of the Fountain Lane car park have been implemented. John Selby, Conservation Officer (ECDC) gave a presentation to the council on ‘Soham Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme’ this is hugely exciting and will be beneficial to the town. There is also money available totalling £ 180k to improve our town - Soham is to have a makeover and very welcome it is too! On completion this scheme should help local businesses and therefore improve the local economy whilst making our high street more aesthetically pleasing; a truly win-win situation! Also there are to he 4 new bus shelters with grant money available from both District and County Councils. Our local businesses are assisting with Soham’s makeover by sponsoring improved landscaping on the roundabouts at each end of the town. People entering Soham should be impressed.

November: CCTV is here!!!
As part of Community Policing Strategies it is hoped to increase neighbourhood watch schemes and hold regular monthly meetings at the Pavilion. Also a shop watch scheme is to be established to run in conjunction with Soham’s CCTV. Unfortunately negotiations are still ongoing with the PCT to allow the community police to have the use of a room in the Weatheralls Health Centre, let us hope that a decision can be made shortly to accommodate our local bobbies/bobbettes in Pratt street, we can then all sleep safely in bed at night!

A community project is set to begin - a local information shop to be based centrally in town. This will be a fantastic resource for our town, the shop will be accessible to the community enabling groups and individuals gain help, information, guidance and advice on all aspects of living. This is just what we need - so watch this space for more details.

Fiona Ross
Soham Town Councilor