D Parish Annual Meeting	May 2009

From Cllr Anthea Davidson

Report for 2008/2009

To start on a high note, the latest audit of East Cambridgeshire District Council by the Government Audit Commission highlights the authority as providing ‘unqualified value for money; financial management is strong’ and ‘whose core services are performing well’.

The Council was judged to be delivering higher quality services in areas such as benefits, planning and affordable housing.  The last is rated amongst the best nationally.

The Council was shocked at the level of Government grant - less than 1 per cent increase over the previous year (just over one penny more per resident per week!)

Despite this the Council managed to keep the council tax increase to 4.5 per cent, which works out at 10 pence per week for a Band D household.  

I would like to say that the Council was very disappointed at having to increase council tax this year, but would like to point out that East Cambridgeshire’s council tax is one of the lowest in the country.  Of 201 District Councils in England, nearly 170 have a council tax higher than here.

The Council will spend around £11 million this year on essential front-line services.  In addition, £5,000 has been found to carry out a detailed review of community transport in rural areas, which includes the south of the district, and £10,000 to the Newmarket Citizens Advice Bureaux to provide support to residents of East Cambridgeshire who look to Newmarket rather than Ely as their service centre.

Last May I had the honour of being elected Vice Chairman of the Council.  This has meant a considerable increase in my Council commitments, and so I am sorry I have been unable to attend as many local meetings as I would have wished.

Also during the year, as the Olympics Member Champion for East Cambridgeshire, I was asked to represent the Council at regional level to promote 2012 London Olympics inspired sporting and cultural activities throughout our district.

Moving on to more local news now: 

I was pleased to be invited to join The Ellesmere Centre Trustees (to represent Dullingham) and very much enjoy being associated with such a hard-working group of volunteers whose sole mission is to see that the Ellesmere Centre has facilities to suit all ages and abilities and that it eventually becomes financially self-sustainable.  They are doing a great job and all the surrounding villages need to support their endeavours to retain this valuable local asset.

I also became a member of the Southern Neighbourhood Panel.  After a slow start with only a few attendees, meetings are now becoming increasingly well attended and gaining importance as they allow local people to have their say directly to District and County Council as well as the Police and other authorities to explain what needs improving in their community.  

Having campaigned with others, including the horse racing and breeding industry, to fight the NATS proposals for a holding area over the south of the district, I am pleased to say that NATS has reconsidered.  However, the threat has not yet gone away. NATS are due to come back with revised plans later this year.  I will continue to object in the strongest possible terms to any proposals that will impact on the quality of life for people in our area.


As a result my involvement with the Southern Neighbourhood Panel, I was moved to sign up with local co-ordinator, Carey Simpson, as one of the volunteers to be trained to operate the Speed Watch camera.  So, any motorists who break the speed limit in Dullingham will, in future, need to watch out!
  
As Council Lead Member for Affordable housing, I am still very concerned by the lack of affordable homes in the south of the District.  Although East Cambridgeshire is delivering affordable housing units and has exceeded its Government target of 150 houses this year, there is still a real need for affordable accommodation, both to rent and buy throughout my Ward.

 During the year I have taken up a wide range of matters on behalf of residents and the parish council.  These have included planning and planning enforcement issues, waste and recycling collection problems, dog fouling and issues over public rights of way. 

I appreciate the Council may not always do a perfect job, but we strive to give value for money and deliver good service.  If there are any District Council issues I can take up on your behalf, please contact me either by phone or email.

Anthea Davidson