An Open Letter to County Council Leader Jill Tuck, from David Jenkins, Leader of the Opposition

2.00.13pm GMT Fri 2nd Jan 2009

Dear Jill,

I am writing to you to follow up my letter of 28 Oct 08 in which I asked you to take a lead as chair of Cambridgeshire Together and to develop and implement initiatives to support people, businesses and communities as they must cope with the recession this winter and in 2009.

Unfortunately there has been a lot of talk and very little action. I had hoped that you would have been able to do something in the run up to Christmas. Although we've had fine words at Cambridgeshire Together, in the County Council's Cabinet and at the last full council meeting there has been nothing specific.

In making your New Year's resolutions, have you taken the following into account?

It's a time when people with employment uncertainty, mortgage issues and other difficulties see their problems magnified. They would appreciated better access to advice;

It's a time when businesses, especially on the High Street, are looking for a boost which adds the profits to their annual results. A concerted initiative to encourage trade would pay dividends; and

It's a time when communities can come together and provide extra support when it's needed but only if they have the resources. You should have taken a lead.

I worry that in Cambridgeshire we have lost 3 months. And these are not just any 3 months, they are the 3 months which included Christmas. An opportunity has been missed and the holes dug by the recession will now be deeper.

Please: make it a new year's resolution, no, make it YOUR New Year's resolution: To focus on action to support the people, businesses and communities of Cambridgeshire.

yours sincerely,

David Jenkins

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Cambridgeshire County Council