It’s been a full-on start to 2026 at East Cambs District Council! I am delighted that we are proposing to freeze our portion of Council Tax for the thirteenth year running. We have a balanced budget for the next two years – unprecedented in Local Government nowadays, and despite government cuts – with no external debt and free parking continuing.
We secured equality among the school community in Soham, after plans were scrapped to change the admissions criteria to St Andrew’s Primary School for Wicken children.
I was also delighted to visit Wicken Windmill, the most productive in the country running solely by wind!
This month has also revealed more about the changes to the planning system, and, unfortunately, it is not good news for East Cambs. There will be presumptions in favour of development within existing settlements, and of nearly all renewable energy. However, on the Battery Storage near Wicken, I continue to raise residents’ legitimate concerns about the proximity to the village, as well as various other matters.
There will also be measures to remove the ability of Councillors to decide most planning applications, removing democratic oversight of small but controversial applications.
That is why I brought a Motion to Council last year to oppose these changes and find ways to keep local people involved. As a result, up to £5000 is available from the Council for new Neighbourhood Plans.
We must build, or government can void our Local Plan rules and build anyway. So, I am always keen that development must be well supported, high quality and locally led.
This month will see the start of the Government consultation on Local Government Reorganisation. I set out my case supporting Option B (East Cambs with rural partners Fenland, Peterborough and Huntingdonshire), for two distinct Cambridgeshire economies. Please do take the time to share your views with the Government before they decide.
I am always available for a chat via lucius.vellacott@eastcambs.gov.uk.
