November 2020

5 Buckden Roundabout November 2020 County Councillor From your County Councillor In this rapidly - evolving situation, it is pointless to try to com- ment on the Covid crisis, given the inevitable gap between writing this report and it coming into your letter - box. What we do know for sure is that, even though our area has been rela- tively less afflicted than many others, vigilance is still necessary and will be so for many weeks ahead. So, ‘ Hands, Face, Space ’ still remain as the guidelines we must all follow. I can at least reassure residents that the County Council offic- ers have been working very hard to maintain services as best they can. Thanks to the development of Zoom, all the routine business meetings have been continuing. We still do not know the financial implications for the County Council. A lot extra has been spent on meeting local needs and tax rises at national and local levels are inevitable. When the County Council met in early October, there was cross - party agreement that we need to lobby central government about school funding. Although a national formula has been introduced (after years of pressure from the teaching organisa- tions), the detail of its application at local level can mean that small primary schools are disadvantaged. Also, the allocation of money to support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) falls short of what they need and deserve. Given my background as a local headteacher, you will not be surprised that I argued strongly for an improvement and will continue to do so on the national bodies in which I am still ac- tive. I work closely with your parish council to make sure that we are all fully aware of pending government decisions that might affect us at a local level. The parish council has responded to the consultation on the way housing development plans are scrutinised. Last month I alerted you to proposals to streamline local gov- ernment by reducing the number of tiers of governance. At the time of writing, it does not look as though this will apply to Cambridgeshire in the immediate future. The reference I made in last month ’ s Roundabout to inade- quate drainage systems prompted others to contact me about problems elsewhere in the village. Your vigilant parish council is ‘ on the case ’ and is liaising with flood management authori- ties to see what can be done. Some progress has been made in joining up the new cycle paths arising from the A14 works but progress on the Buckden to Hinchingbrooke cycle path improvements is irritatingly slow. November 5th is approaching and the Fire Services are anxious about bonfires and fireworks in the back garden, given that organised public bonfires are not possible this year. So, take care! Please contact me if there are any specific issues I can help with. I may not be able to call in person but many issues can be followed up by phone or e - mail. Peter Downes; 01480 509471 or 07765 833 486 peterdownes42@aol.co.uj Buckden Neighbourhood Watch WITH SADNESS I write this article with sadness. The village coordinator Clive Williams has passed away and I feel the loss of a colleague who was a pleasure to work with, and I will miss working with him. Clive cared about Neighbourhood Watch, always putting resi- dents first, keeping them informed and trying to prevent vil- lagers being the victims of crime. He was friendly, approacha- ble and helpful to me in the years I have been involved with Buckden Neighbourhood Watch. I will miss him; he was al- ways pleasure to meet and talk to. I am sure you will join me in sending condolences to the fami- ly and his many friends. With respect please update the details you may have and en- sure you contact me or the police on the numbers given be- low. Now Clive would, with British Summer Time ending, suggest it is the time to think about lighting. Good lighting can deter a thief so consider fitting exterior lights to the front and rear of the house. Exterior security lights are not expensive; preferred exterior lighting is ‘ dawn to dusk lighting ‘ rather than lighting with infra red sensors. AROUND THE HOME When you leave the house, even if it is only short time, make sure that doors and windows are secure, it only takes seconds to steal your property. SHEDS The first place that many burglars look is the shed because they are of light construction and are easily forced open. Sheds often contain tools which can be used for breaking into the main property. Do not leave keys in obvious places burglars know where to look, keep garage doors closed and locked. RICHARD WEST Village Coordinator 01480 811467 / 07841 866630 To contact the police: 999 in an emergency; 0800 555 111 Crime Stoppers; 0300 123 2040 Action Fraud. EMAIL burglarycrackdown@cambs.pnn.police.uk or visit www.crimestoppers.uk.org or you can telephone 101