Soham Annual Town Meeting Report 2026
Key Achievements of East Cambridgeshire District Council
(On behalf of Councillor’s Mark Goldsack, Lucius Vellacott, Ian Bovingdon and Keith Horgan)
1. Leadership in Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
East Cambridgeshire District Council has played a central role in shaping Cambridgeshire’s future governance structure following the Government’s 2024 White Paper on unitary reform. The Council helped develop and promote Option B, a two-unitary model combining East Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Fenland and Huntingdonshire which is projected to deliver up to £43 million in annual savings and a four-year payback period. The work entailed:
• Designing a governance model that balances rural and urban representation
• Ensuring local identity and community decision-making remain protected
• Supporting a structure that enables long-term economic growth across the region
2. Financial Stability and Responsible Budget Management
Council Tax Frozen for the 13th Consecutive Year
One of the Council’s most notable achievements this year is its decision to freeze its share of Council Tax for the 13th year in a row. This continues East Cambridgeshire’s long-standing commitment to protecting residents from rising household costs while maintaining essential services.
This achievement reflects:
• Strong internal financial controls
• Effective long-term planning
• A consistent focus on value for money
3. Democratic Stability and Good Governance
The Council confirmed that 2026 is a fallow election year, maintaining its stable four-year electoral cycle. This supports long-term planning and reduces administrative costs.
The Council also continues to engage constructively with the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman, ensuring high standards of service and accountability.
4. Community Engagement and Local Partnerships
The Council has continued to strengthen relationships with parish councils, volunteer groups, and community organisations. Leadership has publicly recognised the vital role these groups play in supporting local wellbeing, civic pride, and neighbourhood resilience.
The latest example of this engagement was the announcement of two new grants, the Local Infrastructure Fund and the Inclusive Play and Open Spaces Fund using CIL funding. The Local Infrastructure Fund has been set up to provide local communities with access to thousands of pounds worth of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to deliver new infrastructure required as a direct result of growth. the Inclusive Play and Open Spaces Fund which will provide CIL funding to meet the capital costs of ensuring playgrounds are accessible to all.
The Soham to Wicken cycleway, with the aid of a significant grant from ECDC, was completed this year and now offers a useful route for al to exercise in safety.
Our County Councillor, Mark Goldsack, continues with his unrelenting effort to get potholes fixed and better-quality repairs made through his strong relationship with the Highways team. In 2025/26 he orchestrated visits to Broad Piece, Fordham Road and other locations to address blocked gullies, overgrown vegetation and other highway improvements.
Councillors Mark Goldsack and Keith Horgan have been working with Soham Town Rangers FC and West Suffolk College to bring a Further Education scheme to Soham that will offer a range of apprenticeships for our local youth.
Councillor Lucius Vellacott has been championing the new Tiger bus services serving Soham and has helped deliver additional stops to make the service more accessible for residents. In addition, he has been working with Highways and the Liden Homes developer to improve the state of the roads in the south of Soham.
Councillor Ian Bovingdon has been focusing on helping to improve the anti-social parking problems in the High Street by calling out those who illegally park around the Co-Op and Post Office area.
5. Strategic Planning and Performance Oversight
The Council has maintained strong oversight of its service performance, ensuring that residents receive reliable, efficient, and cost-effective services. This includes regular scrutiny, transparent reporting, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
As we move into the final two years of this administration, East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) continues to build on the recognition as the second-best performing council in the country. The Times newspaper, in 2024, declared ECDC as the second-best council in the country. This ranking was based on the Office for Local Government’s (Oflog’s) data, which measures the performance of local authorities across various services. The Times placed 317 councils into a league table with East Cambridgeshire coming in at second place.
Summary of Impact
Over the past 12 months, East Cambridgeshire District Council has delivered financial stability, strategic leadership, and community-focused governance. The 13-year Council Tax freeze stands out as a major achievement, demonstrating the Council’s ability to manage resources responsibly while shielding residents from additional financial pressure.
We continue to focus on what’s important to residents in terms of reliable waste collections, support for local projects and retaining our rural identity.
