A Councillor's Comments - October 2003

As I write this article Autumn is well and truly upon us - so are the leaves! Many of you will be committed environmentalists/gardeners so here is some exciting news:-

The Cambridgeshire Master Composter Programme
The above programme is looking for more volunteers in promoting home composting. Did you know that approximately one third of the average household bin can he composted? No, neither did 1!! However Home composting is great for the environment because it; reduces the need to transport waste, reduces methane and leachate emissions from landfill sites, provides a useful product for you garden and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers thus saving you money at the garden centre. Please contact John or Gloria at the council office for more details.

Affordable Housing Plans
Affordable Housing Plans have been submitted by Circle 33 for the development of land near Bancroft lane. It is anticipated that all going well this scheme will commence in the near future. These homes are much needed in our community where housing is a real issue. Also Cambridge Housing Society have just completed a development of 20 new homes at Foxwood South and have been asked to investigate the site at Fordham Road. Affordable housing as I have mentioned previously in 'A Councillor's Comments', is a scheme to provide homes for local people only, particularly in areas like East Cambridgeshire where house prices and properties to rent are often way beyond the financial reach of the indigenous population. The council believes this scheme will help a lot of families and local young people who want to get their own place and become more independent, but still be near enough to drop in to the family home for meals, DIY advice and Laundry etc!

Money Matters
Accounts of the Town Council year ending 31/03/03 have been audited and have received a clean bill of health. Anyone wishing to inspect the accounts are very welcome to do so, no need to book an appointment, just pitch up anytime between 9.30am and 12.30pm Monday to Friday at the Town Council Office.

The Pavilion - The makeover
Many of you will have noticed that our Pavilion has been decorated and I am aware that a lot of people seriously dislike the colour scheme - I don’t know who chose it! Presumably it was the Council, but I do not recall voting for lime green doors - honest!!! The Pavilion is looking brighter, too bright some of you have said!! I am sorry that some of you feel the need the need to wear sunglasses because the glare from doors hurts your eyes!!! In this column I'd like to relay the good things that happen in the Council - however we do need to acknowledge when we get things wrong!!! We now have public information notice boards. The final phase (the floors!) is yet to commence. It was hoped that the floors could be cleaned, however after twenty years in use, the floors are distinctly tired and because the cost of cleaning them is prohibitive it was decided to replace the existing flooring - I can assure you I have checked, the new flooring will be appropriate for the age of the building and the original tiles in the hall will remain.

Kindest Regards,

Fiona Ross
Soham Town Councilor