Tag: Histon & Impington Parish Council

  • Council tax set to rise again

    All but one public organisation has proposed increasing their portion of the Council Tax for the upcoming financial year. If all of the amounts are approved, it means households in an average Band D property in Histon and Impington will have to pay £2,432 in 2025/26. The overall total is over £100 more than this year. 

    The current breakdown as it stands for 2025/26 is as follows: 

    • Cambridgeshire County Council: £1,700.64 (Proposed) 
    • South Cambridgeshire District Council: £175.40 (Proposed) 
    • Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner: £299.43 (Approved)
    • Cambridgeshire Fire Authority: £87.21 (Proposed)
    • Mayoral Combined Authority: £36 (Approved)
    • Parish Council Precept: £133.32 (Approved)

    County Council increase

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    Cambridgeshire County Council has proposed increasing its proportion of the Council Tax payment by 4.99% – the maximum possible without a referendum being called. This includes its contribution towards Adult Social Care services. 

    The Council’s Strategy, Resources and Performance Committee heard at its last meeting how the demand for services, increasing complexity of need, inflation and market failures meant there is a £35.1 million gap in its 2025/26 finances. 

    However its proposed plans for the upcoming year include a £52 million investment in highways maintenance. The Council says this includes £14.5 million for the day-to-day management of roads and an additional £20m for planned maintenance including pavements, drainage, road safety measures and cycleways. 

    There are also proposals for £3 million funding to cover inflation for local care providers, an additional £9 million to support children who need to be looked after and £4.7 million for home to school transport services. 

    ‘…what choice do we have…?’ 

    New Sshire Hall – home of Cambridgeshire County Council. Photo: Hannah Brown, Local Democracy Reporter

    Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “We didn’t want to put the council tax up, but what choice do we have when we’re facing a challenging budget. This reflects the position faced by councils up and down the country, and we’ve seen the national profile on key services such as special educational needs and disability services. This the same in Cambridgeshire. 

    “Between 2020 and 2024, there was a 70% increase in children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), cost increases in home to school transport and in autism services over the same period. We do not receive the funding from Government to meet the needs of the growing population in Cambridgeshire, so we must do what we can to deliver value for money in the services we provide, whilst investing in what matters most to our residents.”

    The final decision on the increase will be made when the Full Council meets on 11 February. 

    4.9% increase for police

    Residents’ contribution towards policing will also increase by 4.9%, which was unanimously supported by the police and crime panel yesterday (Wednesday). This means residents in a Band D property will pay around £14 more in the next financial year for police officers, bringing this annual contribution to just under £300. 

    When first proposing the increase, Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston explained how the county falls short because of Central Government’s current funding model. 

    He said: “Police funding is based on a woefully inadequate funding formula which results in our county remaining one of the lowest funded forces in the country. Since the funding formula was set, our population has grown by 11% and is forecast to grow much faster than the national average. 

    “At the same time, there are areas of the country which have maintained the same level of population and some areas who have seen their population reduce. Yet the way funding is allocated using the existing formula is outdated and does not meet our county’s needs.”

    Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is proposing to increase its precept by just under £5 to £87.21. This will be debated next Thursday (13 February). Chief Fire Officer Matthew Warren said a long-term partnership which involved sharing resources with the Suffolk service is coming to an end. To break even, he said Cambridgeshire now has to find an additional £1 million. 

    Increased demand vs decreased funding

    South Cambridgeshire District Council headquarters. Photo: SCDC

    Both South Cambridgeshire District Council and Histon & Impington Parish Council’s increases work out to be around 3%. For a Band D property, the District Council will make a final decision at the end of the month on proposals to increase its precept by £5.09 to £175.40. South Cambs argues it is expected to maintain its position to be among the lowest 25% of district councils in the country when it comes to its Council Tax charge. 

    South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr John Williams, said: “It continues to be challenging for councils due to increasing demand for our services coupled with reduced funding. 

    “So, it’s a fantastic achievement for residents that we’re a financially sound Council – but important to remember we only retain a very small amount of the Council Tax we collect. Most of it gets passed on to other authorities – and we continue to do all we can to make the most of every pound we do receive.”

    Histon & Impington Parish Council has voted in favour of increasing its Council Tax precept to £133.32. Meanwhile, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is the only public body covering the village to freeze its contribution to £36. However, last year it tripled the amount and says separate funding for public transport has helped its finances. 

    READ MORE: Mayor advised to go ahead with bus franchising

  • Price increases proposed for using Rec facilities

    Price increases proposed for using Rec facilities

    Items on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting of the Parish Council’s Wellbeing, Recreation and Leisure Committee include:

    • Price increases for clubs and public to use the Recreation Ground facilities
    • A verbal update on the Youth Provision Working Group
    • An update from the Rec Development Group

    The meeting takes place on Monday 10 February 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 agenda pack here

  • Council moves to remove barriers to public accessibility

    Council moves to remove barriers to public accessibility

    A project that aims to help residents get around the village using the path network wants your views to help guide its next steps. The Parish Council has shared seven H&I locations where access barriers to be removed – and residents are being invited to say if they agree with each suggestion or not.

    Metal chicanes across footpath entrances, barriers at cul-de-sac ends and street links are among the challenges preventing people from moving around the village. Especially pedestrians using wheelchairs, mobility scooters or pushchairs. 

    Improving accessibility

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    access barrier
    Cllr McKeown has been able to illustrate what locations with the access barrier removed with the help of an AI tool. Photo: Cllr Tom McKeown / Dall-e AI model

    Cllr Tom McKeown, Chair of the Highways Committee has been championing this project since he first joined the council. The initiative is in line with the Equalities Act 2010 and a Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan priority is to improve footpaths for sustainable travel. 

    He said: “All residents can take part in the survey which looks to understand the community’s views on our proposals. We are seeking views on seven locations where a safety audit has approved direct removal of an existing barrier. 

    “Locations where white lining, addition of signs, installation of bollards or other measures may be required are not being considered at this time. We hope residents will understand the primary motivation for improved accessibility and the additional secondary benefits to sustainability.”

    The seven locations

    Twenty-six barriers have been identified for evaluation. Guidance from Cambridgeshire County Council and road safety experts suggests 15 of them are completely removed, nine require more involved redesigns and one is relocated. One has already been removed as part of works on the Guided Busway. 

    Last November, HI HUB reported the Parish Council had allocated funds towards removals for the first round of works. The seven initial locations being suggested as simple removals in the survey are:-

    • The Coppice – Central
    • The Coppice – South
    • Henry Morris Road
    • Symonds Close (proposal includes metal and concrete barrier)
    • Parlour Close
    • Narrow Close
    • Parr Close

    Contributors are also welcome to add further comments to the proposals. Locations that require replacement bollards or other measures will be visited in later rounds of work. 

    The survey is available here or can be accessed via QR codes attached to barriers around the village. It will close on Monday 3 February ahead of discussions at the Highways, Drainage and Formal Spaces committee on the evening of Tuesday 4 February.

    READ MORE: Two local groups selected for Co-op Community Fund

  • Parish Council vacancy follows resignation

    Parish Council vacancy follows resignation

    Histon & Impington residents have the chance to influence local decision-making and spending following the resignation of Councillor Walter Davey from the Parish Council. 

    Walter served on the Council for almost seven years, first joining in May 2018, and was an active member of the Planning and Development Committee. 

    On behalf of all councillors, Council chair Yvonne Murray thanked him for his service, saying he helped her “further understand that every councillor was there to make a difference and everybody deserved to be heard”.

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    She continued: “Walter is an amazing engineer and innovator; he has confirmed that he will always be willing to help out the Council with repairs to the recreation ground equipment. One of his greatest strengths is fixing things that no one else can.”

    Notice of Vacancy 

    The Electoral Commission told HI HUB that when such a vacancy arises, a Parish Council is “legally required to publish a public notice of the vacancy” and this “must be displayed in a conspicuous place within the parish.” But this legislation dates back to 1972, so there is “no legal obligation” to promote such vacancies online, though “using additional channels, such as social media or newsletters, is considered good practice”. 

    For example, Cottenham Parish Council currently has a Notice of Vacancy dated 16 January on its website following a councillor’s recent resignation. At time of writing, it had not been posted on Cottenham Parish Council’s Facebook page. 

    The Notice of Vacancy to replace Walter was formally declared on 8 January and displayed on the Parish Council notice board at the Rec. To trigger a by-election, 10 people eligible to vote in the parish have 14 working days after that date to give notice in writing to the Returning Officer at South Cambridgeshire District Council. 

    Co-option

    If too few electors have made contact with the Returning Officer by the time the Notice of Vacancy expires on Tuesday 28 January, Councillors can select an individual of their choice on the electorate’s behalf.

    The Parish Council told HI HUB that further information about fulfilling the vacancy by co-option will be outlined on its website and social media. The clerk explained this has been the procedure when other vacancies have arisen. 

    To be eligible to stand as a candidate at a Parish Council election, or for co-option to the Council, you must be at least 18 years old and be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or a qualifying EU citizen with retained rights.

    Guidance is outlined on the Electoral Commission website, which states that candidates must also meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

    1. Be a registered local government elector for the parish in which they wish to stand. 
    2. Have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the parish area for 12 months. 
    3. Have worked in the parish area for the past 12 months.
    4. Have lived in the parish area, or within three miles, for 12 months.

    READ MORE: How well do you know your bins?

  • Youth work contract extended to end of 2025

    Youth work contract extended to end of 2025

    The Connections Bus Project will continue to run four hours a week of youth activities in the village until at least December 2025, after Parish Councillors committed over £18,000 to extend their contract.  

    Despite concerns being first raised in January 2024 that this service does not offer value for money, a proposal was put to a full Council meeting this week to pay the charity a further £8,695 to extend their activities in the village for four months from April to July 2025, coinciding with the end of the academic year.

    But the working party that was due to present a full review of youth provision in the village in June 2024 want more time to assess alternatives and produce a community action plan for youth work.

    They have now pledged to report back in June 2025. To give themselves and the charity more time to adjust, and maintain services for young people attending the sessions if the review concludes that new arrangements should be made, the meeting voted to extend the Connections Bus contract until the end of the year.

    As the charity have raised their termly fee by 5%, the bill for the work will total £18,261.

    Contract issues

    During school term time, Connections Bus currently runs a 1.5 hour after-school youth club and a 1 hour ‘mindfulness and yoga’ session at the Rec, plus a 1.5 hour babysitting course at Histon Baptist Church.

    The charity has been providing youth work in the village since 2017, when a member of Parish Council staff moved across to them. The Council then contracted Connections Bus to deliver youth services instead of providing them itself.

    Councillors couldn’t recall how the original fee to them was set, but thought it was linked to the salary of the person who joined the charity.   

    However, the contract has been neither formally reviewed nor put out to tender since, and its annual value is now such that for the past two years it has breached the £25,000 ceiling above which all public sector contracts must be advertised through the government’s Contracts Finder service.

    To continue paying for any services at this level will require the Council either to put them out for tender, or offer the money as a grant, which places fewer conditions on the recipient. Decisions on whether a service should be offered a grant or a contract will be part of a wider discussion at the next full council meeting in February, where a draft grants policy will also be considered.

    READ ALSO: Decision time for Connections Bus

  • Decision time for Connections Bus

    Decision time for Connections Bus

    Delays in deciding the future of youth work in the village mean that more Council Tax income could be earmarked for a service whose value for money has been a concern since March last year.

    At their next meeting Parish Councillors will be asked to approve a youth provision budget which, every year since 2017, has been allocated to Connections Bus Project.

    The charity currently runs after-school activities in the village for 4 hours a week during term times, for which they charged Histon & Impington over £26,000 in 2024/5 – around 5% of all the village’s total Council Tax income.

    Questions have been raised about the cost vs. benefits of the service, given the limited number of young people who use them, but the Council is now proposing to extend funding to the Connections Bus Project until July 2025 at a cost of £8,695.   

    Falling attendance

    The Connections Bus Project’s services in the village include a 1.5 hour after-school youth club and a 1 hour ‘mindfulness and yoga’ session on Mondays. These are held at the community room at the Recreation Ground: although the charity’s two bespoke double-decker youth buses serve many other villages, they are not used in Histon & Impington.

    The charity also runs a 1.5 hour babysitting course at Histon Baptist Church on Tuesdays, which is open to young people across the District.

    But young people’s engagement with the youth club declined during the 2023/4 academic year. By the summer term 2024 it was attracting an average of just 15 attendees per session, compared with 38 during the same term the previous year. Attendance at yoga sessions held steady at an average of 5 participants per session, and the babysitting course attracted an average of 12.  

    Five sessions were cancelled, with staff shortages blamed for some of them.   

    Value for money

    Concerns about the value for money offered by the Connections Bus sessions were first raised by a resident in January 2024.

    A subsequent investigation and report was presented to Councillors in March 2024. It recommended ‘starting afresh’ to find out what the community wants in the way of youth work in future, commenting that there are many other youth groups serving the village – most volunteer-led and without any Parish Council funding.  

    The report included an estimate that the per-session fee being paid by the Council for the youth club was £330, plus £137 for each yoga class and £278 for each babysitting class, plus free use of the community room.

    Questions were raised as to whether Council taxpayers in Histon & Impington may be subsidising services for other villages, as no figures are published to show how many of the young people using the services are actually residents in the village.

    The report also highlighted “unreasonable” differential with youth club fees paid to Connections Bus by other parishes.

    Last year the charity provided youth work services at 14 different villages in Cambridgeshire, yet Histon & Impington was the source of almost a quarter of all their income from Parish Councils. The investigation into the hourly fees charged to other villages revealed that Histon & Impington was paying 40% more than Cottenham, more still than Orchard Park, and no other villages were running baby sitting or yoga sessions.

    Connections Bus Project denies that such comparisons make sense, telling the Council that “Due to the nature of the venue and facilities that are used for the youth club, four youth workers are required [while] many other villages only require three” and noting that “Additional services are provided: babysitting course and youth yoga.”

    They also comment that “a much higher proportion” of the Assistant Manager’s contract hours are allocated to Histon & Impington, because of the “additional support/follow-up for young people” being provided – though this work is not specified in the Council’s service agreement with the charity.   

    Decision delays

    Despite concerns, in February last year Councillors agreed funding of almost £17,400 for the Connections Bus youth services through to December 2024, aiming to set up a Youth Provision Working Group and give it time to conduct a review and decide whether to continue with the services beyond December 2024.

    The Group was first due to present its findings and recommendations for consideration at a Full Council meeting in June last year. Delays have meant this and plans to present to Council in October both fell through – though conversations with other potential youth service suppliers, including Sawston and Shelford Youth Initiative and Romsey Mill, have taken place. 

    The delays led Councillors to approve a further payment of £8,696 to Connections Bus, to cover the three months from December 2024 to March 2025.

    To enable them to plan ahead, the charity has now requested a decision about extending their contract beyond March 2025 to be made this month.

    But the findings of the Youth Provision Working Party have yet to be shared with Councillors and, in spite of concerns, a decision to continue with current arrangements may yet be agreed. Some Councillors have already expressed support for extending them to synchronise with the academic year, instead of the Council’s financial year.

    The decision whether to extend funding to Connection Bus Project is scheduled to take place on Monday 20 January at the meeting of the full Parish Council, starting 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 agenda pack here.

  • Council Tax, grants policy and youth services on the Parish Council agenda

    Residents are welcome at the next Full Parish Council meeting, where Councillors will be asked to approve a 3% increase in the Parish element of 2025/6 Council Tax. This would mean each Band D property paying £133.32 of their total Council Tax bill to the Parish (an increase of £3.89) and would take the total value of Parish ‘precept’ to £455,489.17.

    Other agenda items for discussion include:

    • Youth Provision in Histon and Impington to end of Academic Year 24/25, including the extension of the funding of Connections Bus Project for four months to July 2025 at a cost of £8,695, and approval for a Youth Provision Group to complete a draft Community Action plan for Youth Provision in Histon and Impington by June 2025.
    • A new Grants Policy to cover the funding of initiatives proposed by community groups.
    • A funding request for £11,000 for Age UK to provide Community Warden services in the village.
    • Approval of a spend of £40 to allow for two Parish Council attendances at monthly markets in the Methodist Church.

    The meeting takes place on Monday 20 January 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 agenda pack here  

  • Who you gonna call?

    Who you gonna call?

    From fallen trees to flooding, knowing who to call when things go wrong in the village is the first step to getting them put right. Denis Payne lists the most common incidents – and what to do about them.

    Knowing who has the authority to sort out problems that arise in public places is a useful starting point for resolving them, but with four levels of ‘local’ government and several other bodies involved, it’s difficult working out who does what and who to speak to if things need fixing.

    Local government

    Some of the issues are dealt with by ‘local’ government and other bodies paid for from our Council Tax, so here are some clues:

    The Parish Council – closest to us, 19 Councillors elected from Histon and Impington, and with offices in the village. They have few duties (i.e. things they have to do), but for us, among other things they provide the civic cemetery, recreation and play areas, and look after various areas of the village, including the Green. They’re our voice to higher authorities – particularly on planning.

    The District Council – based at Cambourne, with 3 Councillors for us to vote in. They collect refuse, manage most of the planning decisions, provide and manage housing, are responsible for the key drains, and other environmental issues (noise, pollution).

    The County Council – now based at Alconbury, with just one Councillor representing the village, Orchard Park and King’s Meadows. They provide essential social services for vulnerable adults and children. Schools and education (but not academies), maintain highways (but not the A14, M11) and dispose of waste (collected by the District Council). 

    The Combined Authority are based in Huntingdon, and the Mayor is elected by everyone in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Other members of the Board are appointed by Unitary (Peterborough), County and District (& City) Councils. They have funding from the Government, and our Council Tax. They support public transport, and are responsible for top level transport planning. They support and deliver a range of projects focusing on economic growth and helping to improve lives.

    Other key players

    Also funded by Council Tax are some emergency services:

    Cambridgeshire Constabulary – there’s a single elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough. On more day-to-day issues there’s a Chief, Deputy Chief and Assistant Chief Constable.

    Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue – is run by a Board of 17 Councillors appointed by the County Council and Peterborough City Council.

    And finally:

    Greater Cambridge Partnership – has members appointed by City, District and County Councils and also business and university representatives. It’s funding comes from Government grants. Most times it is unable to act without the support of one or more of the Councils – who are therefore the final decision maker.

    Dealing with a problem

    As always, if it is an emergency, as someone is hurt or lives may be at risk, call 999. Most Councils only work office hours (and not weekends) so outside those hours you’ll only be able to report something – and it will take time to fix.

    Several problems could require police action but aren’t life threatening. In that case 101 is the number, but in Cambridgeshire you can jump the inevitable phone queue by using their new online reporting system at www.cambs.police.uk/ro/report/. Just click ‘Report’ on the left hand side of the home screen. Reports are dealt with in exactly the same way as 101 calls.

    What to do if…

    Here are some of the most common incidents that arise in the village – and what to do about them.

    Anti-social behaviour – is always a Police issue, so call 101 (or 999 in an emergency) or www.cambs.police.uk/ro/report/. Even if you think nothing will happen, do report it. The total amount of ASB influences policing patterns.

    Bin not collected – needs to be reported online after 3:30pm on the day of the missed collection, at https://forms.scambs.gov.uk/MISSEDBIN/launch

    Broken glass in play areas – the Parish Council has a ranger who will clear this (during work hours). Call 01223 235906.

    Fallen tree – if it’s blocking a road, it’s a highways emergency so call the County Council on 0345 045 5212 during office hours, or Police on 101 or www.cambs.police.uk/ro/report/ outside of those hours. Otherwise, it will be the owner who will need to deal with it. The Parish Council may be able to help find out who that is, so call them on 01223 235906.

    Flooding (roads) – it’s a highways emergency if the road is impassable so call the County Council on 0345 045 5212 during office hours, or Police 101 or www.cambs.police.uk/ro/report/ outside of those hours.

    Overflowing bin – on the High Street, report to a nearby shop. Elsewhere, report to the Parish Council on 01223 233577. Because these are cleared by the District Council it may take a while to get sorted.

    Potholes (and all non-emergency road faults) – have to be reported online at highwaysreporting.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/

    Power cut –going online is the quickest way to report a power cut and get updates.  www.powercut105.com/en/report-a-power-cut, or call 105.

    Seen something suspicious? – tell the Police on 101 or online at www.cambs.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/

    Sewage issues – Anglian Water deals with these so call them on 03457 145 145

    Smell gas – call 0800 111 999. This is the National Gas Emergency Line and is staffed 24/7.

    Street light out – call 0800 783 8247 or report online at www.lightingcambridgeshire.com/contact-us/report-fault.htm

    Traffic lights – if all the lights are out, that’s an emergency so call the County Council on 0345 045 5212 during office hours, or Police 101 or www.cambs.police.uk/ro/report/ outside of those hours.

    Water leak (road or path) – Cambridge Water supplies water to the village, so call 0800 316 76 76.


  • Stellar rise into the Premier League for former Hornets junior

    Stellar rise into the Premier League for former Hornets junior

    Former Histon resident Carlton Morris will be playing Premier League football next season following Luton Town’s triumphant win against Coventry City in the Championship play-off finals at Wembley stadium in front of an 85,000-strong crowd. The win means Luton will return to top-flight football for the first time since 1991/92 – before the Premier League was founded.

    Luton’s top goal scorer of the season, he only signed for the club last year having played for Barnsley the previous year. He contributed to an emotional conclusion to the tense Wembley match, which went to penalties after a 1-1 full-time draw. Carlton was the first player to face the Coventry goalie in a shoot-out that ended in a 6-5 win for ‘the Hatters’.

    Lucy Fraser the new hyperlink

    Other drama saw Carlton’s close friend and Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsing on pitch and taken to hospital just 8 minutes into the game. “Locks, I love you mate we’ve done it” he said, as the players finally paraded their captain’s shirt around the pitch after the game. And on social media he said: “Your shirt’s a bit small for me brother. But we done it… Luton are in the premier league.”

    The two players have been jointly named ‘Players’ Player of the Season’. Their club tweeted: “Their team-mates can’t split them…congratulations Tom Lockyer and Carlton Morris!” Carlton has also been nominated as PFA Vertu Motors Championship Fans’ Player of the Year.

    Local tributes

    Histon & Impington residents have also reacted with huge pride and respect on hearing that the ‘local lad’ had hit the big time.

    His mum [name], dad John and brother and sister Owen and Ellie?? still live in the village. [name] told HI HUB: “………..”

    The tension for them during the match was clear. One of Owen’s friends tweeted: “Owen said a really funny thing – that during the game his Apple watch couldn’t work out why his heart rate was so high when he wasn’t engaged in actual activity”!

    Other tributes poured in on social media. More than 200 people reacted to the news of Carlton’s stellar performance, one predicting that he is “definitely destined for great things”. Other reminisced about his time playing as a junior in the village. Richard Rose shared a 2007 photo of Carlton, taken when he took a team from the junior school to the Cambridge City penalty shootout at their Milton Road ground. “Good to see him using those skills tonight!”, he commented.

    Looking back – and forward Carlton began his footballing career with Histon Hornets when dad John got him into football as a young lad. “To be fair, I didn’t love it early on”, Carlton revealed in a 2020 interview. “He made me stick with it and it turned out, I was alright!” A midfielder growing up, he eventually “gravitated towards scoring goals”, he said.

    Aged 10 he was signed into Norwich City’s Academy – which has since joined forces with Impington International College in a Football & Education Scholarship scheme. “My Mum and Dad had to take me there three or four times a week and I owe so much to them for that” he said. Ten years ago this month he went on to become part of the Canaries’ FA Youth Cup winning squad.

  • Have your say – Parish Council meeting Monday 20th February

    Among the items on the agenda of the next Parish Council meeting is a proposal from the HI HUB team for the Parish Council to support the start-up of a new community magazine.

    This would be published in print four times a year and delivered to every household. By creating opportunities to advertise, it would aim to support local businesses to connect with residents in the village.

    Also on the agenda is a funding request from Histon & Impington Green Spaces that would bring them long-term financial stability; decision-making around King Charles III Coronation celebrations; and collaboration with the village’s schools to support families that are struggling to pay for school dinners.

    The meeting takes place on Monday 20th February at the Community Room on 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 Councillors can speak at the meeting.

    For full details, see the agenda here.

    To speak at the meeting, contact the office to request a slot. Email clerk@hisimp-pc.gov.uk