Specialist planters designed to protect cash machines and stores from ram-raiders have been installed outside Histon Tesco Express. The location is one of 14 “high-risk sites” identified as part of a £100,000 initiative.
Ram raiding is a type of burglary where criminals drive a vehicle into a building, often one with a cash machine, to help them access property or cash to steal. It is said the heavy duty concrete planters can withstand the force of being hit by a vehicle or machinery.
The completed planters at the Cambourne Co-op. Photo: SCDC
Two were installed at the Tesco Express on 11 April, one close to the ATM and another near the car park. But the Council has explained there has been a delay with planting because of heavy rain over the Easter weekend and that the guttering from the Tesco Express building has been leaking into one of the planters.
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A South Cambridgeshire District Council spokesperson said the Histon planters will be planted up “asap”, once the repairs to the gutter have been carried out.
She added the same planters have been installed at the Co-op in Cambourne, and are “looking lovely, whilst doing an important job for our rural communities”.
In the meantime, residents have commented on social media about the new Tesco Express planters, with one joking it had become “a water feature” since it was installed. Another described it as “a total eyesore”.
‘Total eyesore’
Another planter has been placed next to the Tesco Express car park. Photo: HI HUB
One resident said: “Tesco roof gutter has been overflowing at that point for ages, so will continue to receive excess water after rainfall until that is fixed. Even if holes [are] drilled to allow drainage for planting, the volunteers’ work to make this nice will be ruined.”
SCDC says the planting and upkeep of the planters will be the responsibility of the Parish Council.
Gutter to be fixed
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We are working to fix the gutter at our Histon Express as quickly as possible, and thank customers for their patience as the work is completed.”
He added the store remains open as usual and that Tesco will provide updates on the works progress.
The £100,000 funding for the project to install heavy duty planters across South Cambridgeshire District Council has been provided by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
Notices have appeared in the window of Barkers Bakery on Histon High Street stating the landlord has now seized the property and the locks have been changed.
A ‘Notice of Forfeiture’ was posted in the window by Iridium Enforcement earlier this week. It means landlord James Howarth & Co. Ltd is taking action to end the lease and regain possession of the property because the tenant has breached the terms of that lease.
The notice says: “No unauthorised persons are permitted entry unless with prior consent and knowledge from the landlord” and points out that “it is a criminal offence to break an entry in this property”.
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A second notice gives the tenant until 15 April to recover any belongings that belong to them, else the landlord or managing agent may “dispose of them as seen fit”.
HI HUB has made multiple attempts to contact Barkers Bakery HQ, including calls to four Barkers Bakery branches that went unanswered. The former Cottenham High Street branch has been taken over by another bakery business.
Safety concerns
The closure of the bakery comes after food operators stocking the bakery’s products received an “urgent food safety alert” last month from South Cambridgeshire District Council.
The letter advised businesses to remove goods supplied to them from Barkers Bakery HQ in Cottenham because of “serious hygiene issues at their premises”. They were also warned “failure to take appropriate action may pose a risk to public health”.
The Council’s Waste and Environment team later extended their alert to Kings Cliffe Bakery products as well because this second brand was also operating from the same facility in Cottenham.
Change of ownership
Barkers Bakery was a family business established in 1950, but family members and others resigned their directorships two years ago in April 2023. Another director, Karen Lewis, was appointed to continue the business.
A new director was appointed on 21 March 2025 and this week the company’s registered office changed from the bakery’s Histon branch to an address in Liverpool. GTGUK Services, described as a “financial intermediation” company and also headed by Karen Lewis, was registered as “a person with significant control” on 8 April.
‘Very sad news’
Since the Histon branch’s closure, customers have taken to social media, upset that the High Street has lost another established business. One described it as “very sad news” and many sent their thoughts to the staff who worked there.
They added: “I have been having Barker’s bread for the last 68 years. Certainly will be missed in the Village and feel very sorry for all the staff who have lost their jobs at a difficult time.”
Another said: “What a shame, best bacon rolls around this area.”
Two separate office blocks in Histon have been granted planning permission, one to become a place of worship and the other a new driving test centre for Cambridge. Both sites are located off Chivers Way.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God City of David Parish in Cambridge explained to South Cambridgeshire City Council that it needed to relocate as it had been given notice to vacate its current site.
Planning documents explained the church office will be open weekdays between 8:30am and 5:30pm.
The Church’s proposed timetable includes a worship service on Sundays between 11am and 1:30pm, and other group meetings such as bible study, mother and baby group and choir practice. It would also like to offer a food bank service on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Possible noise impact
Planning permission has been granted for offices at 1-3 Trust Court to provide facilities for a church. Credit: SCDC planning portal
The District Council agreed to grant planning permission for the change of use, but advised that a management plan should be put together and regularly reviewed to address and reduce any potential noise impact on the area.
There were no public comments to the application, but this request was added after concerns were raised by environmental health officers about potential noise from the choir practice and worship services.
The report said: “… it is encouraged the applicant draft a management plan to ensure these concerns are addressed and reduce any potential impact on the community.
“This could include keeping windows and external doors closed during these activities, use of acoustic equipment rather than amplification, amending times when these activities take place so as to have less impact, noise attenuation schemes and a complaints procedure (if complaints are received). This is not an exhaustive list.”
Approval of an application for change of use to mixed use office and car driving test centre could see the existing Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) centre at Cambridge (Brookmount Court) close, with learner drivers taking their test instead from Compass House on the Vision Park here in Histon.
Currently Brookmount Court hosts car tests only as well as Approved Driving Instructor tests part 2 and 3. DVSA confirmed to HI HUB that an average of around 75 practical car driving tests currently take place daily from Brookmount Court, with testing beginning from 7am and the latest test finishing at approximately 5pm.
‘A huge benefit’
The driving test centre for Cambridge will relocate to Compass House in Histon.
One public comment was received in relation to the application, saying it would “be a huge benefit for Histon and Impington and will help to revitalise the retail park which has seen a large drop in tenancy”. The individual added: “It will also bring more people to the area and make businesses more attractive and encourage more local businesses which would help boost the local economy.”
The Highways Authority also concluded there should be “no significant adverse effect” upon the public highway.
Both developments need to be underway within three years of their decision notice and must be carried out in accordance with the plans submitted to planners. The Church has also been told the associated bin and bike stores need to be in place before the building is occupied for its new use.
Additional reporting by Hannah Brown, of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The councils that serve H&I are among a group of local authorities that have told the Government more time is needed to explore options for local government restructuring.
Before Christmas, the Government announced ambitious plans that will involve changing the way local government is organised. It will essentially see two-tier councils abolished and replaced with unitary councils. Cambridgeshire’s local authorities were invited to think through their new structure last month, and had until last Friday (21 March) to present their interim plans to the Government.
In response to that deadline, six out of Cambridgeshire’s seven councils signed a joint letter outlining where they all stand with the process. While it does not set out exactly what the Government asks for, it states the authorities are “working closely and effectively together” on proposals but more time is needed. The leaders of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridge City Council are included as signatories.
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Approaching ‘with an open mind’
The letter, addressed to Jim McMahon OBE, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, said: “A working group of officers from all our authorities is also meeting regularly to develop a shared evidence base that can inform subsequent proposals.
“We are entering into Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) with an open mind and spirit of wanting the best for all our residents and for the local area as a whole. Not all of us would have chosen this path but we accept that it is the path we are on.”
It added: “We are not currently in a position to respond to all the points raised in your [invitation] in the time available.
“Our councils have been focused on setting legal budgets, driving efficiencies and improving services. Pre-election period begins on 25 March and local attention is now turning to Mayoral and County Council elections which may have a bearing on the development of our LGR plans.”
The Councils say further work will take place “at pace” after the local elections. A statement released alongside the letter adds “when the time is right” further discussions will also be held with residents, Members of Parliament and other partners including the police, NHS, fire service and town and parish councils.
Idea ‘really stinks’
Cllr Ros Hathorn speaking at Cambridgeshire County Council’s debate about Local Government Reorganisation, also referred to as devolution.
Councils across Cambridgeshire held meetings last week to debate the concept of devolution and their responses to the Government. At Cambridgeshire County Council’s meeting, Cllr Ros Hathorn said the plan “really stinks” and likened it to “putting a bomb under the local authority” at a time when it is facing many challenges.
She said: “We have so many challenges we face as a council, fixing the roads, adult social care, children’s social care, special educational needs, getting children to school, it is so difficult. This is not unique to Cambridgeshire, this is across the entire country.”
“And what has the Government done? The Government’s idea of the best way to fix this is just to put a bomb under local authority, so that all we are going to talk about is ourselves for the next three years, it is just ridiculous.”
The County Council’s chief executive has previously said that the estimated cost of local government reorganisations across all of the councils is anticipated to be “at least £18.6million”.
However, Councillor Richard Howitt (Labour) said this was a “once in a generation chance” to affect local government in the area, adding that it was important to “get it right”.
He said: “The idea that we live in one of the most centralised states in Europe and that we should try and devolve power locally is a powerful and good idea and therefore we must seize the opportunity in my view in order to do it.”
4-day week query
Cllr Bridget Smith raised concens about devolution plans with MPs at a select committee hearing.
During South Cambridgeshire District Council’s debate, the leadership were asked what would happen if the 4-day week becomes a permanent fixture as the Council will be abolished and replaced under the plans. A public consultation on the trial working arrangement closed on Sunday night (23 March), and the analysis is expected to be made public in the summer.
The Council’s leader Bridget Smith explained the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations (TUPE) would deal with how staff transfer to a new organisation, no matter what their terms of employment are.
She said: “These are processes we have used before, I think we used it with the waste service, with the shared planning service, so I think we have got considerable expertise within the council for managing these situations.”
Additional reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting service.
A public consultation on the 4-Day working week trial at South Cambridgeshire District Council closes at midnight on Sunday (23 March). Anyone, from anywhere in the world, is invited to have their say on the working arrangement through the survey. The Council says the results will be used to guide its next steps with the initiative.
Take part
The consultation can be accessed online. South Cambridgeshire residents who would prefer to complete a paper survey can email communications@scambs.gov.uk or call 01954 713 000.
As South Cambridgeshire District and Cambridge City councils share some key services – Greater Cambridge Shared Planning and Greater Cambridge Shared Waste – residents of Cambridge city are also being encouraged to comment on their experiences of using these services using the online link.
Cambridge city residents who would prefer to complete a paper survey can email communications@cambridge.gov.uk for a copy.
Criticism
Opposition councillors widely criticised the consultation publicly before it went live eight weeks ago.
They argue residents may struggle to answer questions that refer back to before the 4-day week trial was introduced in January 2023. It was also felt people should be asked directly whether they support the working arrangement or not – with the response being a simple yes/no answer.
However, Lib Dems argue this would make the survey a referendum and the current format offers a richer insight.
Next steps
HI HUB asked the Council if there was any information available on how many responses it had received so far and how long it takes on average for people to complete the survey. A spokesperson said these details are not available while the consultation is still active.
He explained after the closing date, the results will be independently analysed by the market research company DJS Research, who will provide a report on the findings. At a previous council meeting, it was revealed the findings should be made available by the summer.
Last weekend our community’s love for its trees was transferred into some very real results which will benefit our village for years to come. Amanda Borrill catches up with Dan Mace, the man at the root of so much of our village’s greenery, to hear more.
The weekend of 1-2 March was a big one for our village tree population as the community came together to demonstrate, in very practical terms, their value to the people of Histon & Impington.
Histon & Impington Parish Council donated most of the trees for planting, with a further three gifted by South Cambs District Council. Helping to plant them were a range of village-based groups; ably led by Dan Mace (well known for his work with Community Orchard/HI Trees) and assisted by Daphne Fisher.
New growth at The Coppice
Starting things off on Saturday, were residents of The Coppice who were keen to replace some of the diseased trees that had been removed recently, including the magnificent beech that used to grow at the road entrance. The first tree to be planted was a native oak, near the site of the removed beech. “Over the years this should grow into a wonderful tree, at least as impressive as the tree it is replacing”, explained Dan. The residents then moved on to a clearing at the Southern end of The Coppice, created by the removal of more diseased trees, and planted two hazels and a hornbeam.
Coppice resident Stephanie Norris said, “the residents were sad to see the removal of the diseased beech tree at the entrance to The Coppice, so we were delighted to help plant a new native oak tree as a replacement. We’re looking forward to watching it grow over the coming years.”
Across the community
Sunday morning saw Dan, Daphne and Daphne’s family plant a Summer Sun Cherry near the War Memorial. “This English cherry produces large black fruit in July – either local residents or the birds should enjoy the fruit from this tree in the future”, added Dan. And, next on the list was Clay Close Lane where the tree planters put in a Norway Spruce and Scots Pine. “It was really great to see local people – both adults and children – taking pride in their green spaces and planting trees for generations to come”, Daphne enthused.
Last, but most certainly not least, came Manor Field. “The Cubs did a fantastic job at Manor Field”, smiled Dan. “There are no plans to turn Manor Field into a forest, but we are planting a few specimen trees, well-spaced across the field. This is the third year the Cubs have planted trees on Manor Field – this year they planted three native hornbeams and replaced a silver birch that had died last summer.
Planting for future generations
“The Cubs are super-enthusiastic, ask loads of great questions and, at about 8-years old, stand a good chance of being able to return to the trees when they’re fully grown in decades to come”, reflected Dan wistfully. “I probably won’t live to see these trees fully grown, but hopefully the Cubs will. Of course, at 8 years old it is hard to imagine being as old as 58, so they settled for returning on their 18th birthdays to enjoy the shade of the trees they’ve planted,” he laughed.
Cub leader Maria was delighted that there was another opportunity for the Cubs to plant trees, and she and Dan are already starting to think about their planting plans for next year.
“It was a great weekend”, Dan shared, “and it was amazing to be able to plant a few trees right across the village. Huge thanks go to both our Parish and District Councils for funding these”.
Gallery of photos from across the weekend. All permissions given. Photos copyright Dan Mace.
Tree planting season is over for this year, but Dan is keen to continue to help with further tree planting in 2026. If you know of somewhere that would benefit from some new trees, please do get in touch with Dan directly.
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.
A Cambridge church could be moving to Histon’s Vision Park, if a change of use planning application is approved. South Cambridgeshire planners are currently considering the proposals to convert three office units at 1-3 Trust Court into a “place of worship”.
The City of David Church – which is described as a “vibrant, multicultural pentecostal church” – needs to relocate because its current home at The Paddocks is set to become a research and development facility.
Relocation
A planning statement supporting the application explains: “The Redeemed Christian Church of God (otherwise known as RCCG) City of David Parish in Cambridge is a vibrant, multicultural church which is currently based at The Paddocks employment area on Cherry Hinton Road.
“Due to plans to redevelop The Paddocks into a research and development facility the Church has been given notice to vacate the building by March 2025 hence the need for new accommodation.
“Units 1, 2, 3 Trust Court are ideal for the Church with ancillary offices as well as serviced offices to rent out.”
Plans
Drawings for the proposals show the ground floor offices will be knocked through to create a main hall, two reception areas and WCs. A family friendly area with a creche, sensory room and nursing room are included in the first floor plans, as well as a gallery, coffee area and office space. More offices are proposed for the building’s second floor.
Proposed opening hours for Sundays are 9am-2pm, with Worship Service between 11am-1:30pm. The food bank is suggested for Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. Evening events are planned Tuesdays-Thursdays. The planning document explains a congregation of 150 is expected on a Sunday and points out the “busiest time is when surrounding offices are closed for the weekend”.
Transport
The Church employs 11 staff and has 16 part time volunteers; seven staff with four cars are said to be “associated with the church office element during the working week”. The site has 26 car parking places, and is accessible by foot, bicycle and public transport. Eighteen new cycle parking spaces are also being proposed with the application.
The planning statement said: “The Church already actively implements a range of travel measures designed to reduce dependence on the private motor car e.g. lift sharing and provision of a community bus. In addition, some of the congregation are local and will walk or cycle to church.”
The majority of the Parish Council’s Planning and Development Committee voted in favour of approving the application on 18 February, with six votes for approval and one vote against. The Local Highways Authority commented there should be “no significant adverse effect” on the surrounding area.
Fundraising
Towards the end of last November, the Church launched a fundraising campaign to raise £200,000 towards its new home. The “New Church Home” page on its website explains the support would go towards expanding the food bank services, enhance IT and training courses and help for other community initiatives.
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
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
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.
