Sue Gymer and David Jenkins

When Cottenham residents heard that the link between between Pelham Way and Harlestones Road was being opened up to traffic as a part of the Lamb’s Lane resurfacing project they feared the worst. However County officers met and briefed David and Sue and members of the parish council and explained what they really planned to do.

The road will be resurfaced in 2 stages and will be closed to through traffic throughout. When the southern part is being done the link will be opened up to allow residents an easy route in and out. It will not allow a through route between the High Street and Lamb’s Lane. When the northern part is being done the link will be closed. When it is all finished the bollards will be replaced.

In addition to resurfacing the road the pavements are also to be rebuilt.

Sue complemented the officers on a practical proposal to minimise the inconvenience that the project will cause to residents. She said: ‘the initial communciation was poor and it’s not surprising that people were worried. However it’s a good plan and although there will of course be some disruption it will soon be over and we will see end of the big dipper!’

The first County Council meeting of this new council took place last Tuesday. As usual it was full of procedural stuff and coincidentally offered little opportunity for councillors to provide an input. Coincidentally because there were no Cabinet meetings between this meeting and the previous council meeting and there is no provision in the Constitution for motions or written or oral questions. That’s unfortunate because the meeting did take up the valuable time of Officers (senior and otherwise) and Members. Read the rest of this entry.

The new Cambridgeshire County Council Lib Dem group met for the first time last Friday. 10 of its 23 members are new and there is now a healthy mix of young and old, the average age is less than 50, and male and female. Members also bring experience of both the private and public sectors. Read the rest of this entry.

… and for the Meadows, Oakington, Orchard Park, Rampton and Westwick.

It was a humbling result in Cottenham, Histon and Impington this week. After a long and exhausting campaign the Lib Dems won both county council seats. David Jenkins retained his coming top of the poll and Sue Gymer was elected just ahead of the two Tory candidates.  The margin between 2nd and 3rd was slim enough to justify a recount. Read the rest of this entry.

The first time residents of Impington Lane knew that it was going to be closed was when the signs went up. No-one thought to warn them in advance. And it came as a double blow to some as 14 Jun 09 is the day that the Histon and Impington gardens are open to the public and blocking a major thoroughfare on that day would be bad news. Read the rest of this entry.

My May 2009 is now available on-line. Click on May 2009 report for parish councils in the box on the left to acccess it.

If you want an update on my re-election campaign click on the David and Sue’s Campaign link in the box on the left. Or simply click here.

Ahead of a visit to Ely Cathedral where he spoke about his recent book on the economic crisis, The Storm, Vince Cable met with Lib Dem candidates standing in the upcoming local elections. Characteristically, he had thought-provoking things to say in response to current economic and political concerns. He covered a range of issues and highlighted the absence of any real leadership from the Labour Government and the absence of any real, practical alternatives from the Tories. Read the rest of this entry.

The County Council has now posted a spreadsheet of all councillors’ 2007/08 expenses. It shows their allowances and their expenses. Click here for access. For my 2008/09 expenses click on expenses in the What’s Inside box on the left.

It was one of Margaret Thatcher’s infamous quotes and it was perhaps misrepresented but there is such a thing as society and it’s something we all have to work hard to preserve it. Not so the owner of the dog which left the mess in the picture. Read the rest of this entry.