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Devolution process begins for Cambridgeshire
The biggest shakeup of local government in a generation could mean the District/City boundary between Histon & Impington and Cambridge being removed, and South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council all being dissolved.
Devolution
A Government white paper published before Christmas revealed ambitious plans that would see a “transfer of power out of Westminster” to elected Mayors and other strategic authorities.
As Cambridgeshire and Peterborough already have a democratically elected Mayor leading the Combined Authority, they will potentially be handed more responsibilities.
The Government says the transition in Cambridgeshire should be complete by April 2028, and Jim McMahon, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution who is leading the re-structure, has now written to seven Cambridgeshire councils formally inviting them to work together and explore devolution options.
They have until the middle of next month to come up with a framework for delivering all public services from fewer unitary authorities, rather than the current two-tier system of district and county councils.
Ministers say this will deliver “simpler, more sustainable, local government structures” that will “increase value for money for council taxpayers”.
For residents, once the devolution transition is complete it could end confusion about which Council is responsible for which services.
Currently problems with bin collections, for example, must be reported to South Cambs District Council, while other services, such as roads, are among the County Council’s responsibilities.
500,000 is the magic number
The Government is recommending that each unitary authority should cover a population of around 500,000 “to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks”. But it has accepted there may be exceptions.
A natural partnership would be between South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council, who already share services such as waste and planning. As one councillor explained, the shape of the geographic area covered would go “from being a ring donut to a jam-filled one”.
South Cambridgeshire District Council headquarters. Photo: SCDC However, the population of the City and District Councils combined would only cover a population of 300,000 – nowhere close to the 500,000 recommendation.
Other options, such as bringing neighbouring East Cambridgeshire District Council or Huntingdonshire District Council into the fold, are likely to be considered. But there is a chance these councils would feel better aligned with their other neighbours.
Is now the right time?
Speaking before councils received their invitation to start their devolution discussions, County Councillor Ros Hathorn questioned whether now the right time is to announce and “force through” the biggest changes in local government in 50 years. When she spoke to HI HUB, the County Council was in the throes of budget setting and had confirmed local elections will still be held in May.
She said: “If I had a five year term like the Labour government do, the last thing I would do is essentially land a bomb in the whole of local government right now. This is what is happening here with devolution…
“I appreciate there is a strong argument for forming unitary councils. But the way it is being done, the way it is being forced through, and the notion it is going to save lots of money I think will be demonstrated as being utterly naive.
“There is no time to go out to public consultation and absolutely no time to do this democratically. If you want to do something like this properly, you do it by consultation and you do it with evidence. You don’t just allow council leaders and chief executives to handle something as important as this.”
Councillor workload
Another of Ros’s concern is that councillors could have a larger area to cover and would be representing more residents. She said: “There’s going to be fewer councillors and these individuals will be less connected to their areas as they’re going to have bigger patches to cover and greater responsibilities.
“What people should be worried about is that in the unitary authority there’s going to be so much work that councillors are not going to be able to do other jobs. They’ll basically have to become full time councillors and there is a risk you will lose diversity among the people elected.”
Martin Cahn, a South Cambridgeshire District Councillor representing H&I, commented he feels there are “so many unknowns” when it comes to the Government’s vision for devolution. Speaking at the same time as Ros, he said: “The Government is telling us this process is going to be voluntary, but there’s a feeling this is actually more ‘compulsory voluntary’.”
He also pointed out that Cambridge City Council does not have any Parish Councils, and questioned whether some form of local authority will need to be created at this level of local government too: “If we have one unitary authority, should there be a Parish Council covering the city?
“Will they want to reorganise the parishes around the edge where there are new developments? For example, Darwin Green, Trumpington, Eddington etc. – should there be some kind of co-ordination across these areas?”
He added: “I see the logic in devolution, but how it will work is another matter…”
Potential obstacles
Cllr Bridget Smith, the leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, outlined a potential predicament related to years of work on the Local Plan – the long-term strategy for future developments that all councils have to deliver and spend years working towards.
She told a select committee last month: “I have been working on a Local Plan jointly with Cambridge City Council for six years now and it has cost millions to get this far. If I unitarise [with the Cambridge City Council], our local [population] numbers would be somewhere over 300,000.
“If I am forced to include another council to get me up to 500,000, I will have to throw that local plan in the bin and start all over again. That will have serious impacts on this Government’s aspirations for growth in one of the key areas for bio-med and knowledge intensive industries because there won’t be a Local Plan, and I will have to start all over again on a call for sites…
“… So there are unforeseen or unintended consequences to some of this, which I really hope the Government is going to listen to.” While she accepted the Government wants to move forward with plans to reorganise local government, Cllr Smith said she wanted to fight for the cause of “smaller unitaries”. These, she feels, would “maintain connection to local places” which is important when considering new planning developments.
Tight timeline
The Government is already moving ahead with its devolution timeline. Neighbouring Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council are among the local authorities to have already agreed to join the Devolution Priority Programme.
The Cambridgeshire councils have been given until March 21 to submit their interim plan or plans to the Government for review. Following feedback, full proposals are to be submitted by November 28 of this year.
While other local authorities have decided to postpone elections this May, Cambridgeshire County Council has confirmed theirs will still go ahead on May 1, 2025. Voters will also take to the polls on the same day for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayoral election.
Elections for the shadow authorities that are created are proposed to take place in Spring 2027, with the vesting day for new unitary councils a year later.
Additional reporting by Hannah Brown at the Local Democracy Reporting Service
Pressure grows to resolve Park Primary traffic issues
Local residents are stepping up their challenge to Cambridgeshire County Council to resolve “worsening” parking problems on streets around Park Primary school. The school has now reached full capacity and traffic to the site has increased since these issues were first raised in 2021, heightening local concerns about the safety of active travel in the area.
Longstanding concerns
The absence of an adequate vehicle drop-off area at the school is at the heart of the problem, leading to motorists using nearby streets to park and walk their children to the school.
Private grass verges are being damaged, say residents, as motorists try to avoid blocking the routes of cyclists and pedestrians. “This is becoming urgent”, one told the Council, “with buggies forced into the road and cyclists having to avoid reversing traffic.”
The Council is being asked to first acknowledge how the situation has arisen and then to make progress on resolving it.
Residents point out that before the school was built, the Council predicted around 120 vehicle movements in the area during drop-off times. But the school believes the turning circle provided for drop-off is only suitable for 30 vehicles, especially when special needs are taken into consideration.
As a result, Narrow Close sees 20 to 30 vehicles turning around and parking there on each school day.
Call for action
Residents say that neither the school nor the Council has made a formal traffic and/or safety assessment of the present situation, and the Council is not contemplating any changes to the facilities provided to the school.
They suggested that Council officers make a site visit to see for themselves the conflict between walking and cycling, and motor vehicle flows.
In a letter on behalf of a group of residents, Dr. Alan Jones is now escalating resident concerns, asking the Leader of the Council, Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, for her views on “whether the Council should be held accountable for its stated intention to provide on-site drop-off to all parents (120+ vehicles).”
He told HI HUB that these concerns were first raised when the plans for the site were drawn up: “Many in our community raised objections in writing that the bays around the turning circle did not seem adequate for when the school reached full capacity, but the County Council did not change its plans.
“We are now trying to get the County Councillors and the appropriate Officers to agree whether the facility provided by the County Council is indeed fit for purpose. If it is, then we would ask them to help us and the school to bring it into full use as originally envisaged.“If it is not fit for purpose, then we would like them to work with us to redesign the on-site facilities to accommodate what was promised in the planning documentation.”
Action promised
Apologising for delays in addressing the issues, Jeremy Smith, Head of Sustainable Transport and Strategy is now proposing to meet residents in person at the site to see the situation for himself.
He has replied to Dr Jones saying: “Given the time that has passed and how things have moved on it might be best for us to meet on site as you suggested in your letter, and with a member of the Council’s road safety team, to discuss the matters raised further.”
A year of fundraising inspired by two very special people
Twelve months. Twelve sporting challenges. Twelve hours each. Martin Dickson tells Lucy Callington why 2025 will see him pushing himself to the edge of his physical limits.
For Impington resident Martin Dickson, 2025 looks likely to be a bit busier than usual! The not-quite fifty-year-old was inspired by his approaching half century, to take on a huge challenge for a cause that is very close to his heart.
Taking on a different 12-hour physical trial every month for 12 months, Martin will be trying his hand at everything from cycling and circuit training to football, pickleball and padel – with the aim of raising £12,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Martin, who works at Girton based care home Arlington Manor, is no stranger to adventure. Before settling in Impington in 2013, he travelled extensively and lived in many different countries before meeting his future wife, Sinead on a bus in Laos. Taking on a charity challenge at 50 is just the next chapter.
Daunting and challenging
Martin explains: “I wanted to test myself, and inspire people, but it’s more than a little daunting too. I’ve taken part in sports for years, so I know I have a good fitness level, but each sport is going to be a proper test and only real determination, with my inspirational family in mind, will keep me going throughout them all. Some of the challenges are sports I play regularly while others I have only dabbled in. I just hope I am fit enough to survive them all!”
Martin racked up almost 200km and £800 in 12 hours on a bike this January Martin kick-started his challenge in January with a gruelling 12-hours of cycling, hosted by Arlington Manor. “It went very well”, he tells me. “I had residents, family members and people from right across the community come and join in, support and donate.
“I was pretty sore for a few days, but managed just under 200km on the bike and had lots of generous donations – raising over £800”.
Giving back
Twelve months of pushing yourself to the limit takes real dedication and Martin’s inspiration for this challenge comes from two very special people – his mum and dad. “Both of my parents were true inspirations to me and my family, and to countless friends, neighbours and colleagues”, he shares. “They touched so many people and cancer took them both from us far too early. Mum was only 44 when she passed away and Dad was just 59”.
Martin’s Dad was a born sportsperson; an excellent rugby, football and tennis player and also a dab hand at squash and table tennis, while his Mum’s passion lay in supporting their local community and volunteering for various charities. Martin has clearly inherited both parents’ strengths and qualities – putting them to great use in this year’s challenge!
“Macmillan were incredible during their illnesses, supporting our whole family so wonderfully”, Martin tells me. “Without them I’m not sure how any of us would have been able to keep going, and I wanted to give something back to help others in the same position”.
Tough trials
Having taken the decision to undertake the challenge just last September, Martin wasted no time at all in committing himself to planning the year-long schedule of events. Some months are still in the planning, but next up is a 12-hour session of circuit training on 16 February, followed by pickleball on 29 March and badminton on 26 April.
I ask him what does he think will be the hardest challenge? “I am slightly dreading the 12-hour circuit training in February”, he reveals, “as I haven’t really been a regular at the gym for about 15 years! The running one is going to be hard, but it’s likely the football challenge on 24 May is going to be the toughest. 5-a-side football is hard at the best of times but 12 hours straight up! I dread to imagine what my feet will look like at the end. Plus, gathering together enough people to play and support could also be tricky!”
Moral support
Martin would love as many people as possible to join in with his challenges or even just come along and offer their support. “Having people involved is going to make or break these challenges”, he enthuses, “and if anyone is able to come and join in, that would be fantastic”.
And into the future? Does Martin have any further fundraising plans? “Never say never”, he smiles, “I have fundraised often and always for Macmillan. I’ve taken part in two 100-mile bike rides and a 12-hour tennis match as well as many runs, walks and sporting events over the years. However, this is my biggest challenge yet so I may need to keep 2026 a little quieter to allow my aching body a chance to recover!”
For full details of Martin’s challenges email him on ferretbadger@gmail.com or find out more on his fundraising page here.
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Nine more trees to be felled at Homefield Park
A diseased tree that fell across a fence and footpath in Homefield Park, damaging two properties, has prompted a further review of the health of other trees in the area.
The tree was suffering from honey fungus disease, which would not have been visible before it fell, but the review has found that six sycamores nearby are dead or dying from sooty bark disease and must be removed.
An arboricultural expert has indicated that the removal of those trees will expose three more sycamores located near the fence line, properties and footpaths to winds, making them more liable to fall. They too are likely to succumb to sooty bark disease at some point, and their removal is also being recommended.
Other trees in the area could be allowed to grow into the space, and the site could be replanted, potentially with disease resistant trees.
Nesting season concerns
This latest blow to the landscape of Homefield Park follows a tree felling programme that began in 2023.
The new work, which will cost up to £9,000, must be done as soon as possible due to the potential dangers to the public and the likelihood that the diseased trees would spread sooty bark disease to others.
This means, like other urgent work on the site done in 2024, it is likely to take place during the bird nesting season.
As the nine trees earmarked for removal are all covered by a Tree Protection Order, consultations may be needed with both residents and the ‘tree officer’ at South Cambs Council. Permission for the work from South Cambs is likely to take 6-8 weeks , which would run into the start of the bird nesting season.
The Parish Council has pledged that “All necessary checks would be taken to ensure there were no nesting birds or other issues, and work would not proceed if anything was found”.
Salvation Army steps up to run Ladybirds playgroup
Long established village pre-school, Ladybirds, will now be run by The Salvation Army Church.
The pre-school, which looks after children aged between two and four years old, has been run from the Salvation Army building on Impington Lane for around 40 years, and this change means that the church will now also be responsible for its day-to-day management.
Firm foundations
The Ladybird pre-school currently has an Ofsted rating of ‘Good’, has 24 children on its roll and opens for three mornings a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Under the new management, it is planned to extend this to four mornings a week.
Previously, Ladybirds has been run by a management committee of parents and staff – providing education through play, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) – and, since the closure of Stepping Stones and Squirrels, is one of few such settings in the village. After what the church leaders describe as a challenging 18 months for Ladybirds, it is hoped the new link with the Salvation Army will provide the support and backing that comes from being part of a larger organisation.
Community support
Majors Rob and Georgina Symons took over Histon Salvation Army in 2018. On the church’s link-up with Ladybirds, Rob said: “Our mission is to support communities in meaningful and practical ways and early years education is such a crucial foundation for a child’s development.
“The pre-school already had an extremely good reputation. We look forward to building on its existing strengths and ensuring it continues to thrive.”
Georgina, who is already on the pre-school management committee, added that the move “felt like an obvious transition”, continuing, “it feels like a God-given gift to our church. It’s a joy being able to spend time in the setting.
“There is a need for early years settings in our area, and this is a great opportunity to invest in our community, and for the preschool to be part of something bigger, where there is holistic support available for the family.
“Rather than just being a group who hire our building, they are very much integral to our ‘service to others without discrimination’ that is part of our mission as a church. Caring for, nurturing and supporting our Ladybirds families is a practical outpouring of our mandate to love God and love others.”
Sarah Stonham, joint leader of the pre-school said: “We are excited about this new chapter and are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing these facilities which parents and carers have come to trust. Our setting allows us to get to know families really well and we look forward to working hand in hand with them to make a lasting impact on young lives.”
For more information on The Ladybird Pre-school email Sarah.Stonham@salvationarmy.org.uk or call 07786 752949.
Council gears up to review Neighbourhood Plan
At a Parish Council Planning Committee meeting next week, members will be aiming to agree a date and action plan for a review of the Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan, which was adopted in 2021, setting out an agreed framework for future development of the village.
A Full Parish Council meeting during the same week will consider further financial support for training the village’s traffic management operatives, who volunteer to support road closures associated with village events such as the Feast and Remembrance Day. The meeting will also consider proposals for further tree felling at Homefield Park.
The Full Council meeting takes place on Monday 17 February and the Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday 18 February. Both meetings are in the Community Room at the Rec, starting at 7.30pm. All Histon & Impington residents are invited to attend to listen to the debates, and any resident wishing to address either meeting should contact the office to request a slot. Email clerk@hisimp-pc.gov.uk For more details, see the Full Council agenda pack here and the Planning Committee pack here.
