May 2015

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FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR
The past 12 months have seen some commitments from the Highways Agency and the government to investment
into the roads in Cambridgeshire. From April 1st 2015 the Highways Agency will become Highways England. In the
Autumn Statement the government announced a commitment to upgrade the A1 to motorway status from Baldock
to Alconbury. The proposed A14 scheme has been submitted to the government for their approval and will be con-
sidered by the Planning Inspectorate later this year with a decision made before the end of 2015 as to whether or
not the scheme will go ahead. The government have also announced that funding will be made available to up-
grade the A428 and proposed plans will shortly be forthcoming. A change of government this May cannot change
these commitments as Highways England will become a separate company at arms length from the government.
This is huge investment to Cambridgeshire’s infrastructure and needed to support the amount of residential devel-
opment proposed at St Neots, Wyton and Alconbury over the coming 5 and more years.
Set against this background are pressures on budgets from decreasing government grants to Local Authorities
and increasing demographic pressures, making it more difficult to provide services in the same way that they have
been delivered in the past. Efficiencies are required and also new ways of working. Local Authorities are having to
look at other ways to increase their income, making their assets work better for them and looking at more efficient
ways of delivering services.
On a more local level, The Cromwell Museum is moving forward through a transition period over the next year
when it will move to charity status. The museum will need support from local residents if this important local asset
is to continue to flourish once County Council funding ceases in 2017.
Please contact me by email, telephone or post and I am also available at my surgery Buckden Village Hall 6.30 to
7.30pm every other month from May 12th 2015. This is a drop in surgery so no appointment is necessary.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Julie Wisson County Councillor Buckden and the Offords
07725 791459, 01767 677837
FROM YOUR DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
There is no District Council election for Buckden this year. I was elected last year and have another three years to
serve. I feel very honoured to have the opportunity to try to represent the views of the residents of the village and
am grateful to those who voted for me. During the year I have been involved in a whole raft of issues some arising
from questions raised by the public and others due to the normal business of the District Council. Please do not
hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or problems that you feel I may be able to help you with.
The current lovely Spring weather is the ideal opportunity to explore the excellent footpaths that encompass the
village. The six mile circular walk from the village down to and along the River Ouse is a delight but the similar six
miles to the West of the village rival it with its panoramic views across Grafham Water. I urge you to explore. I do
a lot of walking in the local area and know of no other village that can boast a similar number of excellent Rights of
Way.
Terry Hayward (Cllr) Buckden Ward, Huntingdonshire District Council
01480 810974
East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH)- Can you help?
EACH is a local charity giving care and support to life-threatened Children,
Young People and their Families. This can take place in the local community or
at their nearest Hospice, which for Buckden, Stirtloe and Diddington is Milton
Hospice. We regularly put on fun events in the community to raise money to pro-
vide the valuable care required. These range from popular big events such as
the Peterborough Abseil in April, St Ives Community Choir Event in May, to col-
lections at your local supermarkets. You can get involved by coming along to our
events or volunteering your time to help the charity.
The EACH Huntingdon and St Ives Volunteer Friends Group committee have
regular meetings at which you would not need to attend, but if you are interested
in helping out we can send you details of upcoming volunteer opportunities on a
regular basis. You would be very welcome to come along to a meeting to meet
me and the committee members and to find out more about EACH.
To find out more about the events in your area or to volunteer your time to help
out and make some new friends please contact me- Beccy Gillings on 01223
205198. Thanks for your support.