Frances Amrani

Councillor Amrani submitted the following written question:

‘It has come to my attention that some developers claim to be unable to secure RSL partners for the social housing units stipulated as part of their section 106 on planning consents. (I refer members specifically to item 19 of the planning committee meeting 13th January.)
What steps can this council take to support local developers in finding suitable RSLs and ensure local social housing is being provided as fully as possible within the district? Are there any ways in which the council can ensure the paperwork on our side is processed more efficiently to reduce the timescales involved in such transactions?’

Frances is commited to ensuring social housing is a priority for South Cambridgeshire District Council  and will continue to raise this as an issue at every available opportunity.

Councillor Amrani attended the Airport Consulative
Committee meeting at Marshalls on 2nd December. The main business of
the meeting was an overview of the centenary celebrations for Marshalls
which had taken place in 2009; in particular the airshow with the Red
Arrows in September and the visit of HRH Queen Elizabeth in November.
The committee were informed that the Queen had planted a commemorative
tree at the airport during her visit. There was also a brief statement
to clarify that Marshalls have no immediate plans to move, as they have
no viable alternative site at the present time.

On Saturday 28th November Frances will be sleeping rough on Parker’s Piece come rain , come shine. She will be doing this as part of the Streetbite sponsored sleepout, an event run by Cambridge University Students.  If you  would like to sponsor her please contact her contact her via this site or donate via http://www.justgiving.com/Frances-Amrani.

Frances says” Homelessness is one of those issues no one really likes to tackle. It is often an invisible problem with rough sleepers being just the tip of the iceberg where people are on a downward spiral of B and Bs, sleeping on friends floors (using up favours until they have no social network left) and then hostels and finally the street. When you have no fixed address you virtually become a stateless person- no access to a bank account, no access to regular health care, no vote, no access to employment. There are many reasons for homelessness- family breakdown and substance abuse are just two, but there are lots of others. I’m raising money for Jimmy’s night shelter because they help at the sharp end of the homelessness spectrum, but I am also keen to raise public awareness to the issue of homelessness as a whole. As a country we need to review our provision of social housing and to address the growing need for it.”

Event: Classic Café - Fortnightly

Over 60’s Café

Special events during October

Date/time: 2nd, 16th, 30th October

2.30-4pm

Venue: Teversham Chapel,

Teversham

Contact: Tony Sharpe

Tel 01223 292052

Event: Hope Celebrates Age

Afternoon Tea

Followed by special service

from 5-6pm celebrating the

important place of older people

in our community

Date/time: 11th October 3.30- 6pm

Venue: Teversham Chapel, Teversham

Contact: Al MacInnes Tel 01223 249454

Event: Tea and Chat

Older residents of Fen Ditton

invited to visit the school, have

a cup of tea and talk to the

children about their memories

Date/time: 12th October 1.30-3pm

Venue: Fen Ditton Community Primary

School, Horningsea Road

Contact: Liz Bassett Tel 01223 292342

head@fenditton.cambs.sch.uk

After a request from myself, SCDC are running an extra exhibition on gypsy and traveller sites for Cambridge East, in Teversham on Tuesday 15th September 4pm-8pm at Teversham Primary School. This will be of particular interest to residents of Teversham, Quy, Fen Ditton, Abbey, Romsey and Cherry Hinton. If you want to find out more about the proposed sites around the South Cambridgeshire District, talk to council officers directly and/or want to give your comments more formally, this is a good opportunity to do so.

I’ve been getting numerous complaints about grass cutting and shrub control along pathways in Foxgolves.

I am passing these on to the council department concerned and trying to obtain a confirmed date for these to be dealt with. The current response is that there are financial problems relating the provision of landscaping maintenance in that location and basically no money available at present.

I am working together with the Parish Council to arrange a meeting to discuss this issue further with SCDC and see what progress can be made.

In the press at the current time there is a great deal of discussion about removing live-in wardens at sheltered accommodation and replacing them with teams of managed support workers for the elderly. I’m trying to keep an open mind on this, but think there are are two main issues: 1)How can councils countinue to provide a high level of support to the elderly on dwindling resources? (financial) and 2) Should councils be focussing on providing a service - which is what the team-model seems to do - or in building communities -which is what the live-in warden model does?(social).

I know which I would favour if I was faced with having to choose for a close relative, but with my council hat on, I’d be really interested to know what your thoughts and experiences of this are on this issue.

The tenant ballot on  the SCDC proposal to transfer their council properties to South Cambridgeshire Village Homes closed at 12noon on Thursday 4th June.

The results are:

Yes: 27.4%
No: 72.6%
Turnout: 73.4%

This means the Council will continue in its role as landlord.

An advisory ballot of leaseholders was also held.  The results of this ballot are:

Yes: 46.6%
No: 53.4%
Turnout: 61%

Frances says”Common sense has prevailed. In the current financial climate this was the best decision since the risks associated with transfer had not been fully explained to tenants. My main concerns now are that a significant amount of money has been spent on trying to persuade tenants to vote for transfer (plan A) and that now the council needs to clarify exactly what plan B is.”

Later this month (March) I will be meeting representatives from Stagecoach to discuss the 16/17 bus service. If you have any comments, complaints or suggestions on this topic  please let me know.

The Cambridge Freecycle Network is open to all who want to “recycle”
useful items rather than throw them away. Whether it’s a chair, a fax
machine, piano or an old door, feel free to post it. Maybe you’re
looking to acquire something yourself?

Frances says “I have regularly used freecycle and think it is a great concept. Anything that can reduce landfill and make your money go further has to be a good thing. ”

If you want to find out more there is a link on the left.