February 2016

FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Parents are encouraged to get Sugar Smart

New figures have revealed that 4-10 year olds are estimated to consume over 5,500 sugar cubes a year, the

same average weight of a 5 year old. The new data is part of the Change4Life Sugar Smart campaign urging par-

ents to reduce the amount of sugar their children eat. Local health experts are backing the Sugar Smart campaign

to highlight the role sugar plays in children’s health and the importance of lowering the amount they eat to avoid

obesity and other health problems. Obese children are more likely to become obese adults with an increased risk

of type-2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Tooth decay is another serious problem associated with high

sugar intakes, with approximately 28% of children in England suffering from tooth decay by the age of 5. In Cam-

bridgeshire, over 7% of children aged four to five are overweight or obese. By the time children reach the ages of

10-11 this figure has doubled to 15%. Although there are differences around the county all areas have substantial

numbers of children who are either overweight or obese.

Children are having 3 times the maximum recommended amount of sugar. Sugary drinks are the greatest source

of sugar in a 4 to 10 year old’s diet. Sugar from biscuits, cakes and breakfast cereals contributes almost as much.

Surprising amounts of sugar are found in everyday food and drinks. A new Sugar Smart app quickly shows how

much sugar products contain by simply scanning the barcode. New government recommendations for daily maxi-

mum amounts of sugar are covered by the campaign, such as a total of 24g or 6 cubes of sugar for a 7-10 year

old daily.

Cambridgeshire County Council Public Health team are supporting the Change4Life Sugar Swaps campaign.

Families can also join in oline by searching Change4Life and downloading the new free app. People can also fol-

low the campaign locally via Cambridgeshire County Councils Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Please contact me if you would like any further information regarding this article or if I can be of help with any oth-

er matter. My next surgery will be at The Millennium Hall Buckden The Aragon Room 6.30pm to 7.30pm Tuesday

March 2016. All are welcome, no appointment is required.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Julie Wisson, County Councillor Buckden and the Offords

07725 791459 01767 677837 Julie.Wisson@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

FROM YOUR DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

Both the District and County Councils are now wrestling with the problem of how to provide the services that resi-

dents expect with an ever decreasing budget. There are certain services which each Council has a statutory obli-

gation to provide and others which have been provided but now may have to face cuts. I am concerned about the

future upkeep of the Ouse Valley Way and our local footpath network and will be chairing a meeting of all local

Parish Councils involved. In the past there has been an expectation that the HDC should not increase its precept

and I wonder whether residents would rather see a small increase rather than lose the loss of services. I will pro-

vide an update in the next edition of Roundabout.

We shall soon know the final decision on the A14 and if approved work will soon start on this important improve-

ment to our local road system. I fear that the Village’s long battle to keep the A14 bridge over the Brampton Road

has been lost. We must now ensure that the works, which will take over four years, will have the minimum ad-

verse effect on the village. The Parish Council has already expressed its concerns about the frequent traffic jams

on the Brampton Road leading into Huntingdon. There is an important meeting about the future of the A1 at the

end of the month and the Parish Council will receive an update at its February meeting.

Christmas is the season of goodwill and the switching on of the lights, the Christmas Carol service and other local

celebrations and festivities all provided the opportunity for local residents to meet and get to know their neigh-

bours a little better. All this good will was marred by the person who stole the jar containing the Lion Hotel staff

tips: I cannot wish them a happy new year but hope they feel some contrition and shame.

If you would like to discuss any local issues with me please contact me on 01480 810974

or terry.hayward@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

With best wishes to all for the New Year

Terry Hayward (Cllr)

Buckden Ward, Huntingdonshire District Council