Category: News

Fairer funding policy to benefit community groups
A Parish Council budget of up to £1,000 could be available for voluntary and community organisations in the village to apply for, if the Council’s draft Donations Policy is adopted. This is double the maximum of £500 under the current policy.
A separate Grants Policy is being proposed for supporting the work of “groups making a real difference for
residents where the need is for financial support.” These Grants would be unlimited in size, and the work wouldn’t be viable without Council’s support.
Annual opportunity
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If the draft donations policy is approved at Monday’s meeting of the full Parish Council, Councillors will in future consider applications for donations just once a year in November, rather than twice a year in June as well as November.
The change has been introduced to ensure that all requests can be assessed fairly and consistently, with the outcome of funding applications less affected by the amount of money remaining in the donations budget at different stages in the financial year.
Only projects relating to a specific ‘one-off’ local event could exceptionally be considered outside the annual review.
Who could apply?
All formally constituted not-for-profit organisations running activities that directly benefit Histon and Impington residents could apply for a donation, subject to some financial eligibility criteria.
Applicants are asked to describe the aims of their organisation or group, the purpose for which the funding is requested and the number of Histon & Impington residents who will benefit.
Donations would usually be between £50 and £1,000 and applications from groups and organisations would be assessed on their merits.
Grant eligibility
The draft Grants policy goes some way towards clarifying when the Council is buying a service, and when it is supporting a not-for-profit, charitable or volunteer organisation to achieve its objectives.
Organisations looking for larger amounts of money would be able to apply for grants, which the Council would be able to award “at its absolute discretion”. The size of grants would be unlimited and fresh applications could be made each year, though multiyear applications for a maximum of 3 years could be considered.
Among those ineligible for grants would be political parties, local groups where fundraising is sent to a central HQ for redistribution, and religious organisations, unless for purposes that don’t discriminate on grounds of belief. Any organisation with policies that the Parish Council deems to be unacceptable would be also be ineligible, as would activity likely to bring the Council into disrepute.
Change implications
The new policy would have significant implications for two organisations that currently receive over £25,000 a year from the Parish Council.
Local charity HI Friends is currently being contracted under a Service Level Agreement (SLA), which would have to be terminated under the new policy, and less restrictive obligations placed on the organisation.
Similarly, the current SLA with Connections Bus Project, which has been operating since 2017, would come to an end, and the charity would continue to be paid under the terms of the new Grants Policy until the end of the year.
Councillors will be voting on adopting the new policies and the termination of SLAs for the Hi Friends and Connections Bus Project at their meeting on Monday 17 March.
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Histon & Impington clubs, societies, and organisations can request a Donation Application Form from the Parish Office or download it from their website. Applications must be received by 15th November.
13/03/2025
Key issues for debate at next Parish Council meeting
A discussion about the value of the Neighbourhood Plan to the community will take place at the next meeting of the Full Parish Council, given that its impact on planning decisions has proved to be limited.
Councillor Simon Jocelyn will explain that, since May 2022, the Parish Council has made 39 recommendations of refusal for planning permission, but only 8 of these were actually refused by South Cambridgeshire District Council planners.
Councillors will be asked to vote to suspend additional work on an update to the current Neighbourhood Plan but review this within no more than one year.
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Other items on the agenda include:
- Review and approval of a donations policy and a grants policy
- To approve spending on Community Facilities projects, including Kay Hitch Way community Centre, Saint Andrews Centre and Salvation Army Hall.
- To approve obtaining quotes from surveyors for an updated Recreation Ground Masterplan
- Arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday 12 May 2025
The meeting of the Full Council will take place on Monday 17 March 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 the 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.
13/03/2025
Histon couple deny fly tipping accusation
A Histon couple are fighting a fly tipping allegation after an envelope with their address on was found in a pile of dumped bin bags. Jo Franklin, end of life support worker for the charity HI Friends, and her husband Andrew, are cooperating fully with the Cambridge City Council investigation.
“Anyone could find themselves in this situation,” Jo warns, “the experience so far has been very stressful.”
‘Not our rubbish…’
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The Council claims an envelope with the Franklins’ name and address on it was found in a pile of household waste in bin bags dumped in Barnwell Road, Cambridge – six miles from their home. The rubbish had been placed next to large industrial bins.
Inspecting the photographic evidence sent to them, Jo says the envelope appears to be from a Christmas card and their house number was crossed out and corrected on it. She says they do not use any of the household products photographed from the bin bags. They had never previously been to the location but visited after receiving the letter from the enforcement officer.
Jo, who has previously helped on litter picks in the village, said: “I know this is not our rubbish and we did not do this. We are now going through the motions to prove our innocence; but I’m still worried despite the fact I know we have done nothing wrong.
“This could happen to anybody and I feel it’s important to warn the community. All it takes is one item with someone’s name and address being found in the wrong place.”
She added: “We shred and rip up anything with our personal details on and then put it in the recycling. But this shows none of us have control over what happens outside our own homes.”
Households ‘duty of care’
Cambridge City Council’s letter to the couple dated 11 February explained householders “have a duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990” to ensure their waste is disposed of “in an appropriate manner and with a registered waste carrier”.
“Any breach of the duty or fly tipping is a serious criminal offence,” the letter states.
It later explains: “In this case, the evidence […] obtained so far suggests that you may have had some involvement in the matter, therefore please find enclosed with this letter a notice containing questions relating to the waste that was found.”
Next steps
Jo and Andrew were offered a number of options and have chosen to be interviewed under caution to help the Council with its enquiries. At time of writing, they were waiting to hear back on a date. They have also been liaising with councillors in Barnwell and in the village – and say H&I Parish Council has been “very supportive”.
A spokesperson for Cambridge City Council said: “As part of our standard investigative process, individuals linked to evidence found in fly tipped waste may be invited to provide an explanation, either in writing or through an interview under caution.
“The council is committed to tackling fly tipping, which is a serious environmental crime.”
READ ALSO: Rubbish heads to Northern Ireland for recycling
13/03/2025
Barley Mow franchise back on the market
Less than a year after Lyndsey and Mark Ward took over the running of Histon pub, the Barley Mow, the franchise of this village local is up for renewal again.
Lyndsey and Mark took over the pub on 25 March last year – moving into the village with their young family with the aim of creating a community pub here in Histon & Impington.
Troubled times
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The last few years have seen several changes at this village pub beginning with the retirement of landlady of 30 years, Dore McCann, in October 2023 and the subsequent departure in February 2024 by her successors after just a few months at the helm.
Responding to HI HUB, Lyndsey Ward said: “Yes, we have decided to leave. Unfortunately the village hasn’t been as welcoming as we’d hoped although we have had some amazing customers that have supported us.
“We would like to hope that the new people coming in continue to push the pub to its potential and keep it a family friendly place. Also hoping they don’t have the trouble that we have endured over the last few months.”
Potential opportunity
Listing this latest opportunity on their website, Greene King Pub Partners talks of the benefits to a future Hive Pubs franchisee including the pub’s recent full refurbishment, a good size garden and ‘a community in Histon offering affluent home owners and plenty of passing/commuter trade’.
The five-year franchise agreement offers also personal three bedroom accommodation, a guaranteed income of £20,000 per annum plus a percentage of net food and drink sales.
A Greene King spokesperson said: “We are seeking a new franchise operator to run The Barely Mow. Anyone with pub management experience looking to run their own pub with the full support of Greene King should contact our recruitment team.”
Full details of the franchise can be found on the Greene King Pub Partners website.
06/03/2025
Boy, 13, taken to hospital after Busway collision
A 13-year-old boy was taken to hospital with serious injuries following a collision with a bus on the Busway at Orchard Park. The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon (4 March) at around 3.45pm north of King’s Hedges Road.
A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson explained the collision was between the boy, a pedestrian, and a single decker bus travelling towards Cambridge. While the East Anglian Air Ambulance was called as part of the emergency response, the boy was transported by road to Addenbrookes hospital in a “serious condition”.
“There were no other injuries and no arrests,” the police spokesperson confirmed.
Cambridgeshire County Council explained the Busway, and the path that runs alongside it, were closed in both directions with diversions in place throughout the evening. The Busway reopened yesterday morning (Wednesday).
A County Council spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the pedestrian and their family. We’re working with the emergency services, and a full investigation has commenced.”
Stagecoach East confirmed the incident involved one of its vehicles and that its “first thoughts are for [the injured boy’s] welfare”.
A spokesperson for the bus company added: “Safety is our absolute priority. We will carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of this incident, working with the appropriate authorities.”
READ MORE: Windows broken at two homes on same Histon street
06/03/2025
New Sixth Form for autistic students to open
Cambridgeshire’s first sixth form solely for autistic students will open this September at The Cavendish School. The Impington school is the county’s first state-maintained special free school for autistic children, and this week announced its provision will expand in the upcoming academic year.
The Sixth Form will initially be available to its current students who are ready to progress beyond GCSEs and its offerings include a form of qualification that is recognised by some universities.
Tailored education
Options available for students will include support with obtaining an Open University Level One module, an insight into the world of work or volunteering opportunities. They will also be able to continue benefiting from specialist therapeutic support.
Stephanie Smith, Head of School, said: “We have always looked at education for autistic children differently at The Cavendish School. Our education system is tailored to our pupils’ unique needs and aspirations and we want to ensure that this ethos and offering continues in Years 12 and 13.
“While there is already a range of post-16 options in Cambridgeshire, we are proud to offer our students an option that provides the same flexibility, accessibility and inclusion they experience during their academic journey at the school.”
Qualification
Credits from the Level One Open University module count towards further education options if the student continues to study with the Open University. It can also meet entry requirements for other universities in a similar way to A levels.
Anglia Ruskin University, Goldsmiths University of London and Leicester University are among the locations that recognise the qualification which is available in 64 subjects. These include sciences, maths, engineering, languages, law and business.
Therapeutic support available will include a class tutor, in-house therapists, job coach support and life skills lessons focused on independent living. The Sixth Form classrooms will be located in the same building as the main school for the continuity of the students’ learning experience.
The Cavendish School is hosting a free webinar on flexible post-16 provision for autistic learners on 2 April. Register to attend.
READ MORE: Ofsted: “No ceiling” to learning at the Cavendish School | HI HUB
06/03/2025
Rubbish heads to Northern Ireland for recycling
A new contract to process recycling collected from Histon & Impington’s blue bins will mean their contents being initially sent to Northern Ireland for sorting, instead of Waterbeach.
The contract, which begins this month, has been awarded to the company Re-Gen. Their Materials Recycling Facility features specialist machinery and is considered to be one of Europe’s most advanced, running on 100% renewable energy.
South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) and Cambridge City Council – which share the Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Partnership – claim the new Recycling Facility will be able to correctly sort and recycle 19% more material than previously possible.
There will be no changes to what goes into blue bins, but 99% of of all recyclable material will now be processed, including very small fragments which are currently difficult to sort and can end up as waste.
Cllr Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Action and Environment at Cambridge City Council, said: “The good news is that by working with a modern Material Recycling Facility, we are going to be able to guarantee an even higher proportion of what’s collected can be re-processed into even higher quality materials.”
Long-distance logistics
In recent years, Greater Cambridge residents’ blue bin recycling has been sorted at a Recycling Facility off the A10 at Waterbeach. But Thalia, that contractor, warned its customers that the facility requires a major upgrade to meet current processing requirements. Therefore, it was deemed unsuitable for any further work.
However, questions have been raised about the fact the Re-Gen Recycling Facility is based in Newry, Northern Ireland. This is initially where the blue bin recycling will be taken for sorting, though the company claims it will take over a facility in the UK mainland in the first half of this year.
Re-Gen Chief Executive, Joseph Doherty said: “Re-Gen operate our own haulage fleet and logistics service. Our fleet are already travelling from Newry, Northern Ireland to England with materials and products.
“Therefore, the collection of recyclables from Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council will take advantage of back haul arrangements, ensuring that HGVs already on the road do not return to Newry empty.”
Council discussions
Recycling was raised for five minutes at an SCDC Cabinet Meeting held in June of last year, where it was noted that costs were increasing. The decision to approve a new solution was delegated to the Head of Finance providing the spend was not above £120 per tonne.
The final contract is estimated to cost just under £2.34m and will be split across the two councils.
When Cambridge City Council councillors discussed the new contract proposal at an environment and community scrutiny committee meeting in January, questions were raised about transporting the waste to Northern Ireland and the challenges around the procurement process were explained to them.
Liberal Democrat City Councillor, Olaf Hauk, asked for the new contract to be deferred until “critical data” on the environmental impact was available for public scrutiny, but the amendment did not gain enough support to pass.
He said: “We are told the new contract will increase efficiency from 80 to 99% and most recycled materials will be sold on the UK market and this is encouraging.
“However, residents are rightly questioning the environmental and logistical impact of transporting waste over 400 miles from Waterbeach to Northern Ireland, a journey crossing the Irish Sea.
“You could hardly find a spot further away from Waterbeach within the UK.”
Cllr Moore explained at the meeting a lot of work had gone into finding the best option and she said the new contract was the “best option in these circumstances”.
She said she was “more than happy” to report back in six months or a year with data showing the impact and “totally disagreed” that there had been a lack of consideration about the carbon footprint.
Additional reporting from Hannah Brown, of the Local Democracy Reporting service.
READ ALSO: How well do you know your bins?
Details about what should go into which bin is available on the councils’ websites and magazines.
06/03/2025
Firs House requests catchment limit
Limited physical space at the Firs House surgeries in Histon and Cottenham has led them to apply for a change to the catchment boundary within which they provide medical services.
The calculation of a practice’s physical capacity to manage its patient list looks at patient population size compared with its internal area.
Calculations for Firs House Surgery, including the branch location in Cottenham, indicate that they already lack 338m² of space, and therefore do not even have the recommended capacity or resources to maintain their existing property at present, let alone accommodate growth.
Implications
If the application is approved by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care board, residents of properties built for Phase 3A of the Northstowe development would not be eligible to join the practice.
No decision about the application has been made yet, but if it is approved, any residents currently registered with Firs House will remain registered, regardless of whether they are outside any new boundaries, unless a house move takes them outside the new boundary.
06/03/2025
Rose and Crown upgrade on hold after planning refusal
Milton Brewery has reacted angrily to South Cambs District Council (SCDC) turning down their planning application for creating more space and improved facilities at the Rose & Crown.
Pub group Individual Pubs Ltd, established to run pubs serving Milton Brewery beers, had requested Listed Building Consent to replace some outbuildings with a new single storey side and rear extension. Their plans also proposed other related external works, including an air source heat pump.
‘Unsympathetic addition’
Consultees included Histon & Impington Parish Council, who expressed their support for the work, subject to Highways Authority concerns being resolved and an acoustic fence installed to protect neighbouring properties.
But objections to the plans were raised by the SCDC Conservation Officer, who said the “position and form, and to some extent size”, of the proposed extension “fails to be sympathetic to the listed buildings”. They also commented on the proposed “boundary placement” of the building, saying it is “harmful to the character and setting of the listed building at No.4 Glebe Way” – also a Grade II listed building.
In refusing the application, planners endorsed the Officer’s view, saying that the proposed extension is an “unsympathetic addition” to the building and that the plans breach a section of the legislation covering listed buildings and conservation areas, as well as the National Planning Policy Framework and the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan.
Challenges and ambitions
The Rose & Crown had sat empty for some considerable time under previous owners, Everards, before Milton Brewery announced plans to take over the pub in September 2024.
Talking to HI HUB last autumn, brewer Richard Naisby was mindful of the pub being a Grade II listed building when he revealed some of the challenges they faced. “Radical change is not just unlikely but forbidden”, he said.
Sharing his frustrations at refusal of the plans, he told HI HUB: “The decision is a shocker. The local plan mentions the Rose & Crown by name as something to be supported and, though a listed building, [SCDC’s] own decision refers to ‘less than substantial harm’ to the heritage asset. What they seek to ‘conserve’ is the motley collection of outbuildings which is frankly an eyesore.

“We reached out to the three local councillors to ask them to call in the decision – without effect. All of the public comments were supportive of our plans including the Campaign for Pubs and Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). We put a lot of work into the application and the arbitrary way it has been rejected is infuriating.

“We are considering our options – including appeal to the Planning Inspectorate – but it all adds vastly to time and expense and represents a genuine risk to the future of the pub. We’ve posted the decision notice in the pub so people can judge for themselves – but it is a shoddy piece of work.”
Support and advice
Commenting on the situation, recently elected District Councillor for Histon & Impington James Rixon, shared: “All three District Councillors have endeavoured to provide supportive advice on and explanation of the planning process to the applicant Mr Naisby.
“Collectively we recognise the importance of the Rose and Crown to Histon & Impington and the challenges faced in updating it to be a thriving business and community asset.
“The feedback from officers was clear in that, whilst they suggest a new extension to the property could be supported, the submitted design was not acceptable from a heritage perspective, due to its impact and close proximity to the listed property.”
Full details of the application, reference 24/04242/LBC, can be seen on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning website.
READ ALSO: milton-brewery-prepares-to-revive-histons-rose-and-crown and rose-and-crown-opens-for-business
27/02/2025
Windows broken at two homes on same Histon street
Police have been made aware of windows being broken at two nearby homes in Histon this week. The residents of both properties in St Audrey’s Close say they have reported the incidents to officers.
The first resident said she noticed the window of her spare bedroom was broken on Friday of last week (21 February). She was not concerned initially but further suspicious activity on Tuesday (25 February) prompted her to contact police and raise awareness of the issue on social media.
The crime reference number is 35/1404/25. Contributors commenting on her post suggested the window may have been hit with a catapult, although this has not been confirmed.
Second report
Meanwhile, the other resident of St Audrey’s Close said she was in her living room when her window was hit on Tuesday afternoon (25 February) at around 4.30pm. An investigation for criminal damage has now been launched. The crime reference number is CC-25022025-0356.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “Officers attended and found a broken window at the address. A crime has been raised for criminal damage and an investigation is ongoing.”
READ MORE: Resident subjected to terrifying afternoon robbery
27/02/2025