Information

Neighbourhood Planning expert Andrew Ashcroft is returning to South Cambs to run a bespoke policy-writing workshop.  This session is aimed at parishes already designated as Neighbourhood Planning Areas who may, in the near future if not already, be at the stage of writing policies.

If this applies to you, the date for your diaries is Weds 22 February 2017, from 6-8.30pm in the Swansley Room at SCDC.

Attendees will be asked to have read the following:

·         the 'my community' guidance on policy writing - http://mycommunity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Writing-planning-policies-v51.pdf

·         the Sutton St Nicholas Plan, which Andrew will use as a mini case study - https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/media/4655608/sutton_submission_ndp.pdf

and each Neighbourhood Planning group will be asked to submit, no later than Weds 1 Feb:

• a schedule of policies you intend to include in your plan (without details/text)
• details of policies where you might be struggling; the draft policy and supporting text that you have assembled at that point.

Contributing this information will make the workshop very relevant to your particular circumstances and give you practical tips for use in developing your own plans. 

If you have not already done so, please book now along with your neighbourhood planning colleagues (no maximum number) and please also submit any policy information you wish to have reviewed in the session.

Can I also take this opportunity to remind you that we have a Neighbourhood Planning Facebook Group for your use as a forum for information exchange, and where we post pertinent news items:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/925756057520296/

Please sign up if you think this would be useful to you.

As promised, we have organised the next South East parishes patch meeting.  This meeting will look at 'services for older people' and will be an opportunity to find out about some of the services already in place locally, and for them to showcase what they do.  We will be looking at the kinds of services and ideas you might like to see replicated in your local area, how to make this happen and hopefully giving information about setting up, funding, training and support. There will be time allocated to networking, stalls and case studies to take away on the day.

Confirmed speakers and attendees include:

·         Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough - warden schemes, visiting schemes and handypersons scheme

·         Care Network Cambridgeshire - car schemes, navigators and care schemes

·         Jean Newman, Older People's Co-ordinator for Histon & Impington - her role and funding model

·         Joy Bray, Parish Councillor for Great Wilbraham - mental health first aid training

·         Helen Stepney / Jane Lampshire - activities for older people and Active & Healthy for Life GP referral scheme

·         Cambridgeshire County Council - a range of topics including Good Neighbour Schemes, scams and rogue trader prevention, time-banking

·         Cambridgeshire Community Foundation - funding opportunities

·         Cambridge CVS - support with setting up and running groups, funding, training and governance

If you, your parish council members, or members of your community with a keen interest would like to come, please contact kathryn.hawkes@scambs.gov.uk or call 01954 712932 as soon as possible.  Refreshments will be available on the night.

Thursday 2 February: BBC Online: Housebuilder wants “reassessment” of green belt

One of the UK’s largest housebuilders has called for a “critical reassessment” of green belt land to help solve Britain’s housing shortage.

Thursday 2 February: Guardian: Rush to build new homes will increase flooding, experts warn

The rush to build one million new homes in England by 2020 is set to increase flooding by overwhelming drains, according to a coalition of building and flooding professionals.

Thursday 2 February: Mail: Small firms criticise business rates reforms

Shopkeepers have criticised government plans to overhaul the business rates system, which will see about 500,000 small businesses facing bill rises of up to 300 per cent from April due to a revaluation of property prices.

Saturday 4 February: Times: Higher council tax for empty homes to tackle housing crisis

Councils are to be ordered to do more to bring hundreds of thousands of empty back into use.

Sunday 5 February: Observer: Ministers move to “shift blame for local council cuts”

Shadow local government minister Jim McMahon MP said he believes the Local Government Finance Bill is an attempt by the Government to avoid scrutiny of funding shortfalls and to make councils take ownership of unpopular cuts.

Monday 6 February: BBC online: Affordable rent measures promised in housing white paper

The Government has pledged to help people who rent their homes when it unveils its housing white paper tomorrow.

Tuesday 7 February: Guardian: Councils to be told to build thousands more new homes

Councils will be ordered to build thousands more homes, with an emphasis on high-rise blocks and city centre developments, as part of the Government’s new housing strategy.

Tuesday 7 February: BBC Online: Cambridgeshire taxi drivers’ list of convictions revealed

Taxi drivers in Cambridgeshire have convictions for violence, drug offences and fraud, a BBC investigation claims.

Wednesday 10 February: BBC Online: More affordable housing promised in White Paper

The Government’s new housing strategy for England includes plans to force councils to produce an up-to-date plan for housing demand and reduce the time allowed between planning permission and the start of building from three to two years.

Please click on the link below to find details of decisions made by officers under delegated authority:

https://www.scambs.gov.uk/content/access-information