Since the end of 2022, the Parish Council has been preparing a neighbourhood plan for Witcham with the help of volunteers and professional support.

What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

A neighbourhood plan is a community-led document for guiding decisions that need planning permission. Once complete it will become part of the legal planning framework for the area, sitting alongside the East Cambridgeshire Local Plan and used when planning applications are decided.

The Neighbourhood Plan covers the following key themes:

• Spatial Strategy

• Housing

• Natural Environment

• Historic and Built Environment

• Facilities and Services

• Highways and Travel

Whether the Plan is approved will ultimately be decided at a Parish Referendum when, if a majority of residents that vote agree with the Plan, East Cambridgeshire District Council will be required to adopt it.

Pre-Submission Consultation on Draft Neighbourhood Plan

We’ve now reached a major milestone and are consulting widely on the Draft Plan until Monday 10 February 2025. You now have the opportunity to say whether or not you support the content of the Plan or would like to see some changes and so influence planning and development policy for Witcham for the coming years.

We have distributed a summary leaflet to every household and known business in the Parish and the Plan itself can be downloaded below.

Link to Neighbourhood Plan

If you don’t have access to the internet, paper copies of the Plan will be available to borrow for a short time from the following addresses:

17 The Slade; 11 Silver Street; and The Old School, 30A High Street

We would welcome your comments. These can be submitted online or by completing the form below and returning it as instructed on the form. Comments must be received by midnight on Monday 10 February 2025

Online Comments Form

DownloadComments Form

We want your comments, even if you support everything in the Plan!

Supporting Documents

In addition to the Plan itself, there are a number of supporting documents referred to in the Plan. These can be found below:

Witcham DesignGuidance and Codes

WitchamAssessment of Important Views

Witcham Autumn2023 Survey: Results Booklet

LOOKING AHEAD

Once the consultation ends, all comments received will be reviewed and the Plan will be amended as necessary. It will then be submitted to East Cambridgeshire District Council who will carry out a second round of consultation before the Plan is assessed by an Independent Examiner. The Examiner will decide what changes are required to meet the national neighbourhood planning requirements and recommend that the Plan is subject to a Parish Referendum open to all on the Electoral Register. There is no minimum turnout for the Referendum and a simple majority in favour of the Plan will mean that it can be used by East Cambridgeshire District Council when making decisions on planning applications.

Avoid being a bonfire bandit this autumn

As the darker nights draw in, East Cambridgeshire District Council is advising residents to avoid being a bonfire bandit this autumn.

While bonfires are often considered a welcome opportunity to get rid of garden waste there is lots to consider before striking a match.

Check for hedgehogs

This time of year, hedgehogs are looking for safe places to hibernate and piled up garden rubbish can provide the ideal nesting place. Always remember to check bonfires before setting fire to them. Consider providing a dedicated hedgehog house in your garden, which offers safe nesting accommodation.

Pull out pallets

It may be tempting to stack up piles of unwanted wooden pallets on your bonfire, but many contain preservatives that mean burning them pollutes the environment. Disposal of them is also regarded as commercial waste, which requires a proper licence to dispose of.

To burn pallets legally you need to ensure you have prior permission from the Environment Agency.

Avoid oil-based products

Oil-based wastes, such as tyres, plastics, furnishings and polystyrene should not be burned under any circumstances, as these are harmful to the environment. You should also avoid dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins and batteries.

Don’t fuel the risk of a fire

Bonfires can easily get out of hand, particularly during windy weather. Advice from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is to think twice about having a bonfire. If you do decide to go ahead they advise you to build them well away from fences, hedges and sheds.

Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.

You should also never leave a bonfire unattended and always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case of fire.

Don’t smoke out the neighbours

Burning damp vegetation can cause thick smoke, which can cause a nuisance for neighbours.

The council provides a green bin collection service which allows you to dispose of garden waste without the need for burning.

Composting is a natural alternative to burning which reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill and is a cost-effective way of improving your soil fertility. Visit our composting web page for further advice

Alternatively, visit an organised display that should have taken all the above precautions in advance.

More information about bonfires is available on our website.

Quotations for grasscutting and grounds maintenance sought

Expressions of Interest welcomed

see attached

Cambridgeshire County Council has announced Capital Maintenance Programme 2024/25.

Check out proposals for works for roads, paths, drains, bridges, signals

Capital maintenance programme | Cambridgeshire County Council

Footway works on The Slade were completed on 9 September.

Of note, anyone travelling to St Ives/Huntingdon/Willingham - works are scheduled on the B1381 Sutton to Earith road on 6 January 2025.  10 Weeks.  8am to 6pm.  Road closed day and night and may include weekends.  Road signs confirming details will be erected nearer the time

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority seek your views on the future of our bus services.

Please take this opportunity to make your voice heard - see notice attached

Want to see improvements for our roads, paths, rights of way?

This is your opportunity to give your views

please get your comments in now.....

The Active Travel Hierarchy looks to introduce a way of prioritising maintenance activities to better reflect the use of the highway network by walkers, cyclists and other non-motorised traffic. This will support the Council’s Active Travel Strategy and its ambition to make walking or cycling the natural choice for shorter journeys, in turn helping to reduce road traffic congestion, improve journey times, and contributing to carbon reduction in the County.

We would like to invite your feedback on the proposals, so that we can better understand which active travel routes and public rights of way are considered important by our communities, and what maintenance activities stakeholders might like us to prioritise.

Launched by the Highways & Transport service at Cambridgeshire County Council.  This follows proposals for a consultation which were presented to the Council's Highways & Transport Committee in January 2024. The consultation seeks input regarding proposals for an 'Active Travel Hierarchy'.

This is a public consultation that is being promoted on the County Council's social media channels to encourage wide participating, that they may gauge residents’ views.

The consultation has been extended to 30 September 2024  Please get your responses in now.   

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/

https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/projects

https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/active-travel-hierarchy

6.9.24/13.9.24

Copy of Neighbourhood Plan Working Group - Survey and the Design Code

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority - advert - encourage use of concessionary bus pass

Annual Reports - Witcham APM 15 May 2024

REMINDER

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

 at Witcham Village Hall on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at 7.30pm

AGENDA

1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting of 28 April 2023
3. Matters Arising
4. Reports from County Councillor and District Councillors
5. To explore and discuss alternative options for annual Best Kept Gardens event
6. Annual Report of Parish Council, including 2023/4 Annual Accounts and 2024/5 Precept
7. To receive reports from the village clubs/charities/organisations on their activities and financial position for the year
8. To receive update from Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
9. To receive update on Speedwatch
10. Any Other Parish Business

Witcham Recreation Ground

City of Ely Cricket Club 3rd X1 team will be playing matches this year at the recreation ground on the following days:

4 May - CANCELLED

11 May

18 May (to be confirmed)

8 June

15 June

20 July (to be confirmed)

3 August

31 August

Opened - new play and exercise facilities

Witcham Play Project Phase 2

Works commencing for 1 week from Tuesday 2nd April 2024

Area closed to the public

see attached

Play Park Opening and events at recreation ground

Sunday 24 March 2024

Click for details

Sunday 24 March 2024, at 2pm  

Make a note on your calendar.  Further details to follow

Further details to follow.  See also noticeboards at the Village Crossroads

Cambridgeshire Guide to Independent Living | Care Choices

Take a look through the Guide

ECDC - Love Your Street, and Lorry Artwork for children

Consultation Meeting Tuesday 5 March, 7.30pm at The Glebe (behind St Andrews Church, High Street) Sutton Proposed Closure of Sutton Fire Station

#BeWinterWise #ColdWeatherAlert #Cambridgeshire

Don’t forget to look out for anyone close to you who might struggle with the drop in temperature.

Find out more about how to keep yourself and those you care for warm and safe by clickinghere: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keep-warm-keep-well-leaflet-gives-advice-on-staying-healthy-in-cold-weather/top-tips-for-keeping-warm-and-well-this-winter

#BeWinterWise #ColdWeatherAlert #Cambridgeshire

Make your voice heard and help choose events for this year's programmes - respond to survey at your local library or on line from 11 January to 9 February.  See attached

Applications are invited to fill Parish Councillor Vacancy by Co-option 

See attached details and how to apply

Xmas/New Year Parish Council Newsletter attached

Further update on Phase 1 Play project - Wicksteed are on site this week replacing fence and gates, and surfacing area for train.  Final safety report expected soon so that it an be opened before Christmas, with an official opening event planned in few weeks.  Wicksteed and the Parish Council take this opportunity to thank our residents for their patience in this matter.  With our good wishes  to you all for Christmas and the New Year

Sue

Parish Clerk   

11.12.23

Helping Cambridgeshire residents with information and advice throughout the winter, the County Council has launched it's "Be Winter Wise" campaign.

www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/be-winter-wise-campaign-launches-to-support-cambridgeshire-residents-as-clocks-go-back

It’s aim is to draw together a range of services, activities and offers, keeping communities across Cambridgeshire informed and prepared to stay safe and healthy during the winter months of 2023/24. And to support partners by signposting to services that they offer.

“Our council delivers a whole range of services which help and support residents throughout the year, but the need for this help often becomes even more acute as we head towards darker and colder months, “ said Council Leader Cllr Lucy Nethsingha.

“This year we are linking together everything from winter gritting, road safety activities, falls prevention, flu vaccination support, our household support fund – to help people with urgent expenses, or issuing vouchers to every child eligible for free school meals in the half term and Christmas holidays, under our single ‘Be Winter Wise’ banner – with Olly the Owl used as a helpful identifying motif.

“We’ll also be signposting to information from our partner organisations who provide essential winter support activities. And will continue our promotion of low or no cost winter activities for residents to support mental and physical health – which has been very successful over the summer.”

The County Council’s recent quality of life survey results which will be discussed at next week’s Strategy, Resource and Performance Committee showed that Cambridgeshire residents reported higher than average levels of loneliness, an issue particularly acute amongst younger people who also reported increased issues around their mental health. It also showed the effects that the cost of living is having on most residents, with many looking for more avenues for help and advice.

So, among activities already planned to be highlighted in the Be Winter Wise campaign are -

• Work being carried out on the county’s road network – including gritting, gulley and drain clearage, getting ahead of expected impacts of bad weather
• Road safety activities and advice - encouraging pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to wear reflective clothing, check lights and brakes and always travel according to road conditions
• Information to help residents stay warm and well through the colder months – with an emphasis on activities to reduce loneliness and support mental as well as physical health
• Further work to promote the council’s household support fund, open to eligible residents who are most affected by the cost of living crisis
• Supporting NHS colleagues by promoting flu, COVID and MMR jabs to eligible groups.

This proposal builds on the approach taken by the Council during its eight week ‘Get Activated’ campaign over the summer which promoted low or no cost activities for families and children, reaching 93,000 people and showing an increased uptake of the activities promoted.

Lucy Nethsingha added: “The #BeWinterWise campaign continues our vision to make Cambridgeshire a greener, fairer and more caring place. I also want to praise our outstanding, highly motivated and compassionate staff in the council and amongst our partners who go the extra mile every winter whatever the conditions, to keep residents safe and are there ready to help when people face a crisis.”

You can follow the campaign by searching on your socials for #BeWinterWise

LATEST Wicksteed plan to be on site finishing works week commencing Monday 11 December 2023

Once we have the all-clear we will advise about opening the facility.  See village noticeboards and on site for updates.

Update from Wicksteed on re-opening Play Park Phase 1   30.11.23

When is our play park opening?

UPDATE:  

The new play park is proceeding well and you will have noticed that the contractors installing the new play park equipment have removed their fencing. Unfortunately, this was a little hasty as there are some snagging issues that need resolving with some of the equipment and a clear safety report signed off BEFORE the equipment is handed over to the Parish Council and play park can be used.

The gates have therefore been locked shut to prevent it being used. Hopefully, the issues will be resolved quickly.  The Parish Council hope to hold an opening event as soon as possible after the works have been completed. Updates will continue to be posted up, including on site and village noticeboard at crossroads.

We are grateful for your patience and please do keep children off of the equipment until the park is opened.

Witcham Parish Council

Next meeting Tuesday 28 November 2023 Witcham Village Hall 7.45pm

Residents welcome.

See noticeboards at centre of village for updates

Tues 24 October 2023 - 7.30pm, Village Hall - Next meeting of Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Group - residents welcome to attend for next updates

The new play park is proceeding well and you will have noticed that the contractors installing the new play park equipment have removed their fencing. Unfortunately, this was a little hasty as there are some snagging issues that need resolving with some of the equipment and a clear safety report signed off BEFORE the equipment is handed over to the Parish Council and play park can be used.  

The gates have therefore been locked shut to prevent it being used. Hopefully, the issues will be resolved quickly and the parish council plan to hold an opening event as soon as is possible.

Further updates will continue to be posted up, including on site and village noticeboard at crossroads.

Many thanks for your patience and please do keep children off of the equipment until the park is opened.

Witcham Parish Council 

Last days to complete the survey !

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamSurvey/

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamYouthSurvey/

https://cambridgeshire-and-peterborough.steadyonyourfeet.org

Cambridgeshire County Council has launched an online fall risk checking tool to help you understand your risk of falling and simple steps you can take to stay active and independent.

From the age of 65, the risk of having a fall increases but many are avoidable. The new tool, Steady on your Feet, is aimed at those who haven’t previously had a fall but would like to understand what they can do to prevent this happening.

Steady on Your Feet is easy to use, asking a short series of questions to help understand any individual risks you might have and providing an action plan to keep you active and independent while increasing your confidence and reducing the risk of falling. You can fill it in yourself, or ask a family member or friend if you need extra help.

Suggested steps to prevent a fall might include arranging an eye or hearing test, increasing your activity levels and eating a balanced diet, or even looking after your feet and making sure you wear supportive footwear with non-slip soles.

Countdown......Have you done the village survey 

Please complete and submit by Monday 16 October...

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamSurvey/

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamYouthSurvey/

WITCHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Members are summoned to attend a Meeting of the

Parish Council to be held on Wednesday 11 October 2023

at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall, Witcham,

for the purpose of transacting the following business:

A G E N D A

SJBell

S J Bell

CLERK/RFO

4 October 2023

Applications for Dispensations must be submitted to the Clerk on the application form at least 4 days prior to the meeting.

NOTES:

Members of the public are welcome to attend this meeting and there is provision for public participation. Details may be obtained from the Clerk or Chairman prior to commencement of the meeting.

If the Council wishes to exclude the public and press from the meeting a resolution in the following terms will be passed:

“It is hereby resolved in accordance with section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, that as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the ( special ) ( confidential ) nature of the business about to be transacted at Agenda Item ( No ) namely ( state subject listed ) it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be temporarily excluded from this meeting and they are herewith instructed to withdraw. ( Mr/Mrs/Cllr ………….. ) to be invited to remain.” (as applicable)

Code of Conduct para 12(2) ‘If a Councillor with a prejudicial interest wishes to speak on an agenda item then that interest and intention must be stated immediately after the first item of the Agenda. The public will be allowed a maximum of six speakers who may provide information for up to three minutes only and each person may only speak once. The Chairman will look to secure a balance of public speakers. The public participation is not to be a part of the debate but merely fact giving and answering questions in the same manner as the councillor with the prejudicial interest” .

Hurry -- to complete on line

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamSurvey/

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamYouthSurvey/

Must be completed and submitted by 16 October please

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System

Next steps for future of Priors Field Surgery, Sutton

www.cpics.org.uk/sutton

Latest newsletter 

Play Project, Neighbourhood Plan, Councillor Vacancy, Headstones and more

Works expected to commence 25 September.  Recreation Ground/Village Green facilities closed to public until work completed

No requests for info - deadlines extended

Update on recent meetings

The Survey is nearly ready,  everyone encouraged to complete it when it arrives after holidays in September.  See attached

NOTICE

AN INSPECTION OF HEADSTONES/KERBING ETC WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT WITCHAM CEMETERY DURING JULY

ANY ITEMS FAILING THE ‘SECURE’ TEST WILL BE LAID DOWN AND THE COUNCIL WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT THE FAMILY IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS WITH THEIR REGISTERED NAMM STONEMASON TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS URGENTLY

ANY QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT

THE PARISH CLERK

clerk@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk

Tel 01353 778147

or speak to your local parish councillor who will pass your concerns/enquiry on to the Council

Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Group

Next meeting: Tuesday 27 June 2023 at 7.45pm in Witcham Village Hall

Update on survey and feedback on consultation session held Saturday 10 June 2023 at Witcham Village Hall

Notes of latest meeting posted on noticeboard at bus shelter

Contact members for further details or drop in on the 27th.

Judging is about to start!

Contact Julie Bibby 01353 777267 for details and to register your interest in entering

New Classes, - see News tab for full details

Judging is about to start!

Contact Julie Bibby 01353 777267 for details and to register your interest in entering

New Classes, - see News tab for full details

Parish Councillor Vacancy to be filled by Co-option - July 2023

The 2011 Localism Act introduced Neighbourhood Planning; an important and powerful tool giving communities statutory powers to shape how their communities develop and grow. Your chance to have a say over where new homes, businesses, facilities are built and what new buildings should look like. Maybe you want to protect and enhance specific areas of the village?

Read more........ see below

REMINDER - Annual Meeting of the Parish at the Village Hall, Witcham at 7.30pm All welcome

Copy of Annual Report from your County and District Councillors www.tinyurl.com/lornasreports

Agenda and Minutes - select from Parish Council tab above

2023 Annual Report and Accounts - will be delivered to each household soon.  Advance copy on this website under Parish Council tab - choose Reports and Audits

BEST KEPT GARDEN

COMPETITION

Judging planned for Mid-June 2023

Best Flowers, Best Vegetables

New Classes - Best Childrens, Best Organic and Best Small

To enter the competition this year, please contact Julie Bibby 01353 777267

(answerphone – please leave your name, address and/or telephone number)

Update 2023 Parish Council Elections

Statement as to Persons Nominated

Declaration of Result of Poll Uncontested

https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/elections-voting/elections-may-2023

For latest information on 2023 District and Parish Council Elections

PECT Energy Advice 0800 8021773

Anglian Water/Cambridge Water Company - New Reservoir Consultation Results

Interim arrangements for GP services

Notice of District and Parish Council Elections

Nomination Papers must be delivered to J Hill, returning Officer, East Cambridgeshire District Council, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely on any day including the publication of this notice, but not later than 4pm on 4 April 2023.

Nomination Papers available from East Cambridgeshire District Council

See attached/village noticeboards at crossroads

CLOSURE OF PRIORS FIELD GP SURGERY on 31.3.2023

www.fenlandgrouppractice.nhs.uk

An announcement has been made that the GP Partners at Priors Field Surgery, who currently hold a contract to deliver services at Priors Field Surgery, are taking retirement from the practice and have served notice to terminate their contract.

The practice will close its doors when the contract ends on 31 March 2023.

Arrangements are in hand with NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and NHS England to arrange for the patients of Priors Field Surgery to transfer to other local GP practices when the surgery closes. Ie others in the Fenland Group Practice and some for Haddenham and Ely. They are committed to ensuring all patients have access to high quality GP services and care in the future and will provide a smooth transition to patients’ new GP practice. But there are concerns for people who may have problems travelling to these new sites.

At this stage, patients do not need to take any further action. You will soon receive a letter confirming which local GP practice you have been allocated, and details about your transfer.

From now until your registration is complete you will continue to receive GP services from Priors Field Surgery in the same way as you do now.

Where a mobile phone number is held for you which allows the practice to send text messages to you, a text will be sent to confirm that your registration your new practice has been completed.

They appreciate patients may have some concerns about the closure and aim to address these through their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), which can be found on the Fenland Group Practice website

Drop in sessions for Tuesday 7 March and Wednesday 8 March are planned. See surgery website for details or contact the surgery.

East Cambridgeshire District Council has said it is extremely concerned over the announced closure of the GP practice at Priors Field and is ‘urgently looking into’ the issue and District Councillor Lorna Dupre has set up a petition

From May 2023, voters across England will need to show photo ID to vote in person in a polling station, following new requirements introduced by the Elections Act.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System

Feel Brighter

Are you 65 or older and feel like life is less colourful than it used to be? If you haven’t been feeling yourself, don’t suffer in silence.

Recent statistics show that 9.3% of the region’s population aged over 65 struggle with a common mental health condition such as anxiety or depression.

We want our older population to enjoy life to the full, so if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health symptoms, do reach out.

We’re here to help tackle feelings of anxiety, loneliness and low mood. Sometimes a professional listening ear is all it takes.

Tel 0300 300 0055

Or see Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System website for more details and benefits of talking therapies

East Cambs District Council are offering the opportunity to borrow Thermal Imaging Camera to survey homes at request of homeowner to see if their property is leaking heat.

If you are interested please contact Parish Clerk - clerk@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk

If there is sufficient interest the parish council will look at participating in the scheme.

‘Against Scams Partnership’ was launched by Cambs County Council last year.

For information and newsletters go to the Cambridgeshire County Council website.

At the Home page, click Residents, select Community Protection, click 'Against Scams Partnership'

East Cambs District Council have recently launched the Thermal Imaging Camera Loan Scheme which offers people the opportunity to survey their homes to see if their homes are leaking heat. The Parish Council would like to know if there is interest amongst residents. Please email clerk@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk to register your interest.

Further details, visit the East Cambs District Council website Select Residents tab, select climate change in the drop down box and across to thermal camera loan scheme

Designation of Witcham parish area as a 'Neighbourhood Area'

The parish of Witcham has been successfully designated as a Neighbourhood Area and the Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Party will now work with consultants in moving forward for the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan.

Visit:

https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk

Click on ’Residents’ tab, select ‘Planning’, at dropdown list select ‘Planning Policy’ and down to ‘Neighbourhood Planning’ to view update for Witcham and examples of other village Neighbourhood Plans.

Next meeting 24 January 2023 Village Hall 7.30pm

Ely Library - 25 January 2023 - Cost of Living Information Fair

Updates on works on Ouse Washes, Barrier Banks

Could you spare few hours as Speedwatch volunteer?

Expressions of Interest invited for next Grasscutting and Grounds Maintenance contract 

Contact Clerk by 12 December 2022 for further details and schedule.

Closing date for submission tender noon Tuesday 3 January 2023

Making Connections 2022 – Consultation - ends mid-day Friday 23 December 2022

The Greater Cambridge Partnership invites comments on proposals which includes transforming the bus network and access into Cambridge including Addenbrookes and extensive area surrounding the centre.  New bus services effective from mid 2023.  How does this affect you - work, leisure, shopping, education, healthcare, protecting the environment - find out more now

http://www.greatercambridge.org.uk/mc-2022

The Sustainable Travel Zone includes a road user charge. Vehicles would be charged for driving within the zone between 7am and 7pm on weekdays, and money raised would fund improvements to the bus network and other sustainable travel schemes. The Zone would be fully operational in 2027/28 but only once the first bus improvements are introduced.

For further information/queries email consultations@greatercambridge.org.uk

Regular updates www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk and social media @UKPowerNetworks.

UKPN say that their electricity network is built to be resilient but high winds and rain can damage overhead power lines resulting in some customers losing their electricity supply. Where this happens they will work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. They do organise for additional staff in their contact centre to help customers whose electricity supply might be affected by the predicted weather, and call-up additional engineers to carry out repairs to the electricity network.

Anyone experiencing a power cut can:

· Call 105 to report power cuts and damage to the electricity network, or 0800 3163 105 (from a corded phone or mobile phone if you have no power)

· Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk for the latest updates

· Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut and type in their postcode to view our live power cut map

· Tweet @ukpowernetworks to report power cuts or to receive updates

The public are urged to stay well clear from power lines and anyone spotting a damaged power line needs to report it immediately by calling 105 from a landline or mobile phone.

If they see electricity lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public they should call 999.

Households with older or disabled people, those with children under five, or where someone uses medical or mobility equipment that requires electricity as well as other reasons can join the Priority Register. You can find out more information about the Priority Service at their website:ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority .

You are invited to call in for hot drink and guidance for your concerns on 27 October 2022, from 9.30am until 2.00pm at Ely Library, the Cost of Living Drop In Event

Organisations present:  East Cambs Community Advice Service, East Cambs District Council Home Energy Adviser, PECT (warm homes energy advice charity), Cambridgeshire Skills, Anglian Water, P3 (advice on housing, debt and well being), AgeUK, NHS - Stay Well This Winter, Scam Awareness, Job Centre (coach), How Are You (well being) and more...

ECDC normally delivers the black sacks for the ensuing year around October.  They are experiencing a delay of two or three weeks getting the order from their supplier.  If residents need extra sacks to tide them over to delivery of the 2022/23 batch, please contact the Council

Next meeting of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Party scheduled for 

Tuesday 25^th October 2022 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

Cambridgeshire County Council has developed three transport strategies and would like your thoughts

Two district based transport strategies for Fenland and Huntingdonshire, and the Active Travel Strategy for Cambridgeshire - setting out approach for improvements for active travel across the county

https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/.

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/transport-plans-and-policies/cambridgeshire-transport-strategies

see village noticeboard

Consultation events planned across the County.  Coming to Ely Market on Thursday 27 October 2022 from 10am to 3pm

Closing date to complete survey is 7 November 2022

Invitation to tender for design and build of children's play area and outdoor fitness equipment Witcham Recreation Ground

WITCHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Meeting of the Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Party

Tuesday 26 July 2022

at 7.30pm

in the Village Hall, Witcham

Do drop in to find out more and share ideas, skills and interests

We shall also be at the Village Hall Afternoon Tea on Sunday 24 July 2022.  Come along for a chat with members of the working party to find out more about the project

LOVE YOUR LOCAL HERITAGE?

Cambridgeshire County Council Local Heritage List Project

                                                            Tell us which

· Buildings and structures

· Archaeological remains

· Parks and gardens

· Landmarks and public art

are important to the character of YOUR local area

Get involved and have your say to help protect your local heritage. Nominate buildings and archaeological sites 

  www.local-heritage-list.org.uk/cambridgeshire

Witcham What's On in the Community. Contact editor whatsoninwitcham@gmail.com

Items of news for the village required by 20th of the month preceding publication

Sign up for digital copy

WITCHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Meeting of the Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Party

Tuesday 28 June 2022

at 7.30pm

in the Village Hall, Witcham

Agenda to include appointment of lead for the group, review consultants available to help, fix programme of meetings and plan timeline with next stages - All welcome

Due to staff shortages, some collections have not been completed in some areas of the District.

Please leave your waste presented ready for collection.  ECDC will be working on clearing the outstanding areas as quickly as possible.  Thank you for your patience.

https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/east-cambs-street-scene/waste-service-disruptions 

https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/east-cambs-street-scene/waste-collections-and-street-cleansing  

Greater Cambridge Partnership

A New Road Classification for Cambridge

Consultation 2022 (on-line survey, phone or email)

We are consulting on a new road classification for Cambridge that would change the categorisation of roads in the city, and we want to hear your views to help shape it.

A new road classification for the city gives us an opportunity to make a major change to the way that traffic and people use roads and streets to move around the city. Space on the roads could be freed up for more frequent and reliable public transport. It could also create a safer and more attractive environment for people walking, cycling or using other methods of active travel.

There are six proposed classifications of road. Different means of transport, whether motorised or active, would have different degrees of access to these. You are invited to give your views on the overall approach and the proposed classifications.

See the Brochure and Plan

https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/road-network-hierarchy-2022

Find out more at GCP Public Meetings on Zoom on 15 June 2022 5-7pm or 29 June 6-8pm. Or public meeting in person on 4 July 2022 6.30-7.30 at Fenners Gallery, Kelsey Kerridge Sports Hall

CLOSING DATE MONDAY 18 JULY 2022

Inaugural Meeting 7 June 2022 7.30pm Village Hall

The monthly village newsletter is back.  Delivered to each household.  Electronic copy available.

Email whatsoninwitcham@gmail.com if you have events or information to disseminate to residents.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF ALL RESIDENTS

It’s time to think about future DEVELOPMENT for Witcham

Annual Parish Meeting

27 April 2022 Witcham Village Hall 7.30pm

Agenda attached - the future of Witcham

As a result of#StormEunice, heavy rain and high winds are due to arrive on Fri 18^th Feb.@UKPowerNetworks has extra field engineers and call centre staff on hand to support any customers affected. Call 105 to report a powercut or visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut #ukpnnews

Do you, or someone you know, need extra support during a power cut? @UKPowerNetworks provides free services to customers in vulnerable circumstances during a power cut. Visit ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priorityfor more information. #StormEunice #ukpnnews

Proposals and options for changes to 06:52 Ely Zipper service for Witcham.  See attached

Proposals for 3 options for play and outdoor fitness equipment at recreation ground displayed at village hall.

Contact Parish Clerk - clerk@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk  to obtain questionnaire for your preferred option - Nos. 1, 2 or 3 to feedback your comments - by 9am on 8 February 2022.  Comments will be reviewed at the Council meeting on Wednesday 9 February 2022

Complaints about antisocial behaviour late at night/early hours of the morning on the Elean Business Park  received at January meeting.  Residents had reported on the Cambridgeshire Police 101 live webchat which proved quick and easy, with good response 

Link to Cambs Police online webchat

https://bchpolicesupport.imsupporting.com/welcome3/index.php?id=726201605932&dept=Cambs_101

Recreation Ground/Village Green Works

If you were unable to attend to view and comment on proposals for revamping the children's play areas and outdoor fitness facilities and works at the recreation ground on Friday or Saturday (21 and 22 January) information will be left displayed in the window at the front of the village hall for a few more days or contact the Clerk. Any comments can be sent to clerk@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk   by 8 February 2022.

The Council aims to submit applications for grants for the development of these projects to meet application deadlines at the of end February/beginning March.

Young people are given the opportunity to have their say

Young people are being asked to share their views on how they spend their leisure time and talk about the impact of COVID-19.

Anyone aged five to 18 can take part in the survey, which can be accessed here:    www.eastcambs.gov.uk/consultations/current-consultations.

Please respond by 24 January 2022

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/communities-localism/consultations

Cambridgeshire County Council, the Lead Local Flood Authority for Cambridgeshire, in consultation with its partner organisations, how flood risk will be managed across Cambridgeshire between 2021 and 2027.

For information about events to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year, including the period 2 - 5 June 2022 visit  https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/queens-platinum-jubilee

Residents are reminded to check their waste calendar to find out more about festive bin day changes this Christmas and New Year.

All residents will have their waste collected earlier than scheduled ahead of Christmas Day.

Following Christmas Day, collection dates will be later than usual.

The first earlier services will commence on Saturday, 18 December, instead of Monday, 20 December.

These changes are implemented every year to allow for Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

As previously advised, East Cambs Street Scene are under extra pressure to collect waste as they juggle the effects of COVID-19, combined with a national shortage of HGV drivers.

Black sacks and blue bins will continue to be collected under the normal frequency but on slightly different days, however, ECSS has made the tough decision to temporarily suspend green waste collections from Monday, 13 December to Friday, 28 January inclusive.

All residents are asked to support East Cambs Street Scene during this particularly busy and difficult time by keeping an eye on collection dates and minimising waste where possible.

See ECDC website for more details or the noticeboard at village crossroads

What should you do with your waste:

Cardboard and hard plastic packaging from toys and cards can be recycled.

Embellished or sparkly wrapping paper cannot be recycled and including them in blue bins could potentially contaminate the whole truck’s load.

Plastic containers, tins and bottles should all be washed out before being placed into blue bins for recycling.

To minimise food waste, we are encouraging our residents not to over-shop this festive season and buy only what they need.

Uncooked food waste can be composted.

East Cambs Street Scene will also be collecting real Christmas trees when green bin collections return after Friday, 28 January. If the tree is taller than the bin, it should be cut into pieces no higher than the bin and placed next to the green bin.

Bins and black sacks must be outside residents’ properties by 7am on the day of collection and not before 6pm the day before.

Residents can find details of their bin dates using the‘Find your collection day’ tool on East Cambridgeshire District Council’s website.

Young people are given the opportunity to have their say

Young people are being asked to share their views on how they spend their leisure time and talk about the impact of COVID-19.

Anyone aged 5 to 18 can take part in the survey, which can be accessed here:www.eastcambs.gov.uk/consultations/current-consultations.

The team at East Cambridgeshire Street Scene have been juggling the effects of COVID-19 combined with a national shortage of HGV drivers.  Now with the extra pressure of Christmas and the New Year period which sees blue bin and black sack waste increase substantially, we've made the tough decision to temporarily halt the collection of green waste services.  While BLUE recycling bins and BLACK sacks for non-recyclable waste will continue to be collected as planned, GREEN waste will not be collected from

Monday 13 December 2021 to Friday 28 January 2022 inclusive

PLEASE HELP by

   Showing support for waste operatives

   Reducing food and garden waste

   Home composting

Green waste can also be taken to the Waste Recycling Centre at Witchford

Please be careful if disposing of green waste on bonfires!

https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/east-cambs-street-scene/green-wheeled-bins

https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/east-cambs-street-scene/suspended-green-waste-collections

Message from East Cambs District Council 28.11.21

The Middle Level Commissioners and Cambridgeshire ACRE are asking you to keep an eye out for the invasive weed Floating Pennywort in our waterways. It grows very quickly and can block rivers and drainage channels. At present it is not in our waterways, but it is close by and could arrive any time. Identification and reporting details are on the leaflet. Thank you.

Tree Planting

Recreation Ground 

High Street/Martins Lane

Saturday 6 November 2021 at 9.30pm

Do come along 

Do you need to renew your bus pass - available online - see attached pdf

Covid-19  Face to face Council meetings resumed at the Village Hall following expiry of the Coronavirus Act 2020 s.78 and The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 in May 2021. Future meetings will comply with the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions operating at the time of each monthly Council meeting. See agendas each month for advice on attendance

Have you and your family completed your survey delivered to your door couple of weeks ago