Discover the history of your local area at a free event

Cambridgeshire residents are being given a unique opportunity to find out more about their own personal history as well as that of the local area.

Free workshops and talks will take place in Cambridge, St Neots and Wisbech during June and July in celebration of BBC Two’s The Great British Story: A People’s History series.

Through talks, writing and storytelling, residents will be invited to imagine the story behind an object, whether it’s their own or one belonging to items from Cambridgeshire Libraries, Archives and Museums.

“Come along and explore fascinating objects and paintings from the Cambridgeshire Collection and Archives, the Fitzwilliam Museum, St Neots Museum and Wisbech Museum and imagine the story behind them.”

Charity giving tax relief cap lifted

I recently met with a number of charities who all were very worried about the cap on tax relief on charitable giving outlined in the budget.

I wrote to our local Members of Parliament urging them to apply pressure to have a rethink on this change as it would hurt a large number of charities who in turn help the people of Cambridgeshire.

I was pleased to see a change of heart. Politics is sometimes about trying something and if it doesn’t work think again. Well done to this government for listening.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18278253

Check finds 90% of mopeds to be illegal

Some of our youngest and least experienced road users are not helping to protect themselves from harm.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s Road Safety Team joined forces with the Police and Cambridge Regional College as part of an initiative to improve safety among students who ride mopeds and scooters.

CRC organised an education morning as part of the college’s ongoing safeguarding programme, and the session found a number of faults and defects with machines – which will now be put right during a drop-in workshop for students that has been arranged by the college.

Twenty mopeds and scooters were checked and 90% of them failed the Police checks which disclosed faults including illegal tyres, no mirrors, riders not using eye protection and modifications which enabled the bikes to exceed the speed limit imposed according to the rider’s licence.

Lisa Pollitt, CRC’s Safeguarding Co-ordinator, said: “We are grateful to the road safety officers for highlighting scooter safety, which, like all safeguarding issues, is a priority for us.

“We do everything we can to keep our students safe, and as a result of the findings have arranged drop-in sessions at our vehicle workshops so that our student moped and scooter riders can get help in correcting the defects identified by officers and stay safe on the roads.”

In recent years overall road casualties in Cambridgeshire have steadily declined, while at the same time casualties among moped and motorcycle riders under the age of 25 have increased by 12% over the last decade, with the most vulnerable riders being aged between 16-17.

County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Access, Councillor Tony Orgee, said: “We recognise how important mopeds and scooters are to young people, enabling them to access important education and training and we are keen to work with all the colleges in Cambridgeshire to help ensure the safety of their students as they travel to and from college and I would like to thank CRC for the positive way in which they are helping their students stay safe on the roads.”

During the checks, riders of the faulty machines were warned of the penalties they would face if they were stopped again and the defects had not been rectified which can include a fine, penalty points on their licence and the risk their bikes could be seized and crushed for certain offences.

PC Steve Gedny, Casualty Reduction Officer for Cambridgeshire Police, said “The aim of this event was to educate the moped riders by pointing out the safety issues related to their mopeds, giving them the opportunity to rectify them, rather than face prosecution.”

Top Marks For County Council Respite Service

A respite service for adults with learning disabilities has been given top marks in every category after a visit by Government inspectors.

The service in Alder Close, March, recently underwent an unannounced routine inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and was found to be performing well in all aspects of the inspection.

The centre provides respite care for up to five people at a time with overnight and weekend stays. In total Alder Close provides support and services to around 40 people.

CQC inspectors spoke to service users, families and carers. They reported that people were positive about the care and support provided and the variety of activities available. Relatives interviewed were complimentary about the service and staff and found what was provided met their relative’s needs well.

One relative commented that the service gave their family member: “A good break and they really enjoyed their stay at weekends and at other times.”

CQC looked at all aspects of the work in the home, including measures to ensure users were kept safe and supported in a away which reflected their individual needs and they were protected from abuse with respect for their human rights. The quality and accessibility of the building, staff training, supervision and management practice and processes were also checked.

CPSN Launch – My Speech

I include my speech for those who follow such things.

CPSN launch speech

Virgin Media Business have published my comments.

http://www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk/News-and-events/Business-blog/2012/Breaking-down-barriers/

Launch of Cambridgeshire Public Services Network

Today, it was my pleasure to launch this fantastic communications network. The network  joins up a number of our partners including fire, Citizens Advice  and all our district councils with the exception of Cambridge City who did not want to join in.

CPSN feeds into our schools, offices, libraries and public community access points.

The launch was held at the Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesea, an excellent venue with superb IT facilities.

After my speech we heard from Mark Heraghty, the MD of Virgin Media Business who told us how he was so impressed with our project mangement of the particular project. Top marks to our IT team for all the good work. It seems not all such  projects are as well run.

Following on was a short video which is now on youtube.

A great launch for a great new network.

Cambridgeshire Open for Business – Marshall’s new contract secures 500 jobs

With so much of my time spent working to support Cambridgeshire’s businesses to grow, yesterday’s news of a new £350m contract for Marshall Aerospace was a huge boost.

Here is a link to the Cambridge News article; CEN article.

The Marshall Group is a true local success story. The company has a proud history in Cambridge dating back over 100 years, and today is a globally significant company of nearly 4,500 employees.

As a county council, it is important for us to work with companies like the Marshall Group to explore opportunities that will benefit the people of Cambridgeshire. From my experience I can say that they are a company that really care a lot about this area. For example, we have an agreement in place for the land used by our Newmarket Park & Ride site. Getting Park & Ride in place has been a big factor in the growth and development of Cambridge city centre we’ve seen in recent years.

In March last year the Council passed a motion recognising Marshall’s unique contribution to Cambridgeshire; Council motion.

Leaders diary – week ending 25th May

Have a look at the meetings I attended from the 21st – 25th May. All meetings are published unless they are commercially, personally or professionally

leaders diary online

Cricket

Cricket is a funny game. Some people think it is very gentle, played politely with much decorum and finesse.

The games I play in seem to feel much more like a war zone with incredible determination, bravery and the emergence of the odd hero.

This week has been a mixture.

On Tuesday evening I kept wicket for the first time in many years. Result, a massive nose bleed following being smacked on the nose by a rising ball off my gloves. Secondly, thighs that ached for two days. Not good. Lots of pain.

Saturday, chasing a huge target, with a weakened side we won in the last over. I kept wicket again, bent some fingers but ………. I scored 92 in a 175 opening partnership. Result, a great feeling and could hardly feel the pain.

The power of positive thought.

Local Newspaper Week

This week focuses on local newspapers. Now you either love them or hate them but we must all recognise the role they play in holding public authorities to account.

A strong local press is essential to allow issues to be aired, the single voice to rise above the many and the vulnerable to be heard. Democracy is looked after by an active press.

Given the current weak Lib Dem opposition at the County Council the press is even more important to keep an eye on the executive.