District councillors report Bassingbourn PC meeting 7th December 2021
- TRANSPORT STRATEGY
We were given a presentation on the emerging transport strategy for the region. This is a high level strategy and the issues arising in individual villages are not specifically included. However to the extent that these issues have a common theme ( such as transport congestion) they will be reflected in the strategy. A strategy like this is not particularly new but it needs to be brought up to date to reflect the fundamental national and regional changes for instance
. The effect of Covid and the likely permanence of working from home
. Brexit and the changing patterns of growth arising from this
.reducing our carbon footprint and moving to a zero carbon society
. The introduction of electric vehicles
. major infrastructure proposal such as east west rail
. The impact of the oxford Cambridge arc
Transport is to be widely interpreted and includes ancillary issues such as car parking
Matters and the desire for a public footpath network connecting our villages which has
Long discussed but never implemented
Concern was expressed at the fact that the strategy seems to have reached a fairly
Stage without the detailed involvement of the affected District Councils and also the need
To ensure that the strategy took into account the emerging local plans and did not
Contradict the policies being developed
It is not clear whether Parish Councils will be asked to contribute to this work but we were
Told that there would be a further round of consultations in the new year.
- COVID
As you are aware the government has accelerated the plans to ensure that everyone is
Fully vaccinated. The timescale for doing this is quite tight and. The main constraint is the
Shortage of vaccinators and in order to complete the programme, the requirement to
Use only registered vaccinators has been dropped and it is understood that volunteers
Are being actively sought. Some concern was expressed that adequate training was
Essential as well as a screening requirement to ensure that unsuitable applicants would
Not be used.
- THE LIMES
I have contacted the housing director to ask him if he could be available for a zoom
Meeting, if needed to finalise the lease in order to avoid any further undue delay
Which he was happy to do.
- THE BELLE
The community support section at the District Council is anxious to retain as many village
Pubs as possibly especially in the light of the difficulties caused by COVID and I intend to
Discuss the closure of the Belle with them to see what support and advice can be
Provided by them in order to facilitate its reopening, especially as it has been confirmed
As an asset of community value. I will report back to the PC on this but clearly the PC
may Also wish to be constructively engaged on this matter as well.