The Cambridge City Council Liberal Democrat Group's amendment to the Housing Budget that will be tabled at the Housing Scrutiny committee on Wednesday 16th January provides much needed help to address the major issue of the provision of housing in Cambridge.

Councillor Rod Cantrill, Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Spokes commented:

"The Liberal Democrat housing amendment last year had the support of the Housing Scrutiny Committee including the housing tenant representatives, but was rejected by the ruling Labour Group.  It is good, therefore, that a number of our proposals have finally been adopted by Labour in their Housing Budget proposals this year. Our amendment this year seeks to build on our proposals last year by providing much needed help in three areas. 

“Firstly, investing in resources to lay the foundations for a medium term council housing vision for Cambridge, “Our Cambridge 2030 – housing for all”.  Our goal is to build up to 1,000 additional council houses, materially reducing the number of households currently waiting for a council house and in parallel explore a comprehensive council house replacement programme.  This work is critical to ensure that the Council continues to deliver on new council housing, once the current building programme is completed.  The work will include how we take advantage of the government’s proposal to allow councils to borrow in their housing revenue account. 

“Secondly, providing much needed help for existing and new council housing tenants. Many tenants, particularly new ones, have told us about not being able to make ends meet and they continue to worry about the changeover to Universal Credit, despite the changes that the government has announced.  Our proposals will help large families renting one of the new 500 new council houses to save up to £2,000 per year. In addition, we will create a specific fund to provide discretionary housing payments to council tenants impacted by the transfer over to Universal Credit.  We also propose to invest in dedicated officer resource to ensure the successful delivery and support of the council’s proposed Housing First accommodation for a number of entrenched homeless tenants.

"Finally, we propose to provide support for tenants impacted by the Council’s new zero tolerance policy on items kept on communal areas and landings by providing funding to assist them in purchasing noncombustable door mats and plant pots outside their homes.

"Like last year, our amendment reflects the concerns that council tenants across the city have voiced regarding the cost of living in a new council property, the impact of the introduction of Universal Credit and the impact of the council’s zero tolerance policy."

Latest update: Arbury Road likely to be closed until Friday 2019-01-18 - three way temporary lights will go in at the Milton Road junction from today/tomorrow and crews are working overnight to fix the leak.

I've asked for some analysis to be done on the effect of traffic elsewhere in the City on the closure.

Cllr Tim Bick, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Cambridge City Council said in response to the news of the death of Cllr Nigel Gawthrope, current Mayor of the city:

“This sad news is a terrible shock to us all.

The County Council publishes a highlights newsletter each month, this is the latest - please bear in mind this is the County's own view, not mine or a Liberal Democrat view on the Conservative-led Council!

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/briefings/member-newsletter-january-2019/

New councillor, Cheney Payne is calling out the Labour run Council for being complacent on the safety of people in the city at night after Labour councillors said the council is already doing enough to promote safety in the evening in the city.

The works on the A14 have lead to Huntingdon Road being used as a diversion route for HGV's throughout the night.  Histon Road is also being used incorrectly by many HGV drivers, as it is not part of the approved route.  This is causing huge disturbance to residents at night.

Apologies for the delay in getting this survey live, due to my illness.  The survey can now be found here:

http://www.cambridgelibdems.org.uk/hurst_parking_survey_2019

Cambridge Labour Party have today scrapped their cruel and financially illiterate charges for the Shopmobilty electric scooter lending service in the city centre after a campaign by Cambridge Lib Dems.

A petition is to be handed to Cambrishire County Council calling for The Haven care home to be kept open.

Lib Dem Leader Cllr Tim Bick’s comment on the news today that Cambridge City Council is finding £750,000 in an emergency bail out of Cambridge Live and is now bringing it back in house: