South Cambs Elections 2008

On May 1st, South Cambs District Council elections took place in five wards in South East Cambridgeshire - Histon & Impington, Linton, Waterbeach, Willingham & Over and The Wilbrahams.

Its time for your voice to be heard. For far too long, our council in the grip of a Conservative majority has been badly run and is now in serious financial trouble. This poor management affects the basic services offered to you. Voters have been ignored and taken for granted. The Lib Dems believe the residents of South Cambridgeshire deserve better. Make your choices count and Vote Lib Dem for a real change on May 1st.

If you can help in anyway, please email organiser@removesecambslibdems.org.uk (please take out the remove part of the email address before sending).

Results.

Candidates.

Latest Stories.

Manifesto.

Results

Histon and Impington

Vanessa KELLY (LD) - 900

Mike MASON (IND) - 957

William QUINN (GRN) - 73

Philip SCOTT (CON) - 632

Christopher WILSON (LAB) - 129

Turnout - 42.2%

Linton

John BATCHELOR (LD) - 939

Roger HICKFORD (CON) - 672

Majority - 267

Turnout - 45.2%

Waterbeach

Jess BLAIR (LAB) - 57

James HOCKNEY (CON) - 1148

Adrian WRIGHT (LD) - 700

Turnout - 48.5%

The Wilbrahams

Frances AMRANI (LD) - 262

Robert TURNER (CON) - 639

Turnout - 44.6%

Willingham and Over

Norman CROWTHER (LAB) - 107

Les GELLING (LD) - 445

Ray MANNING (CON) - 1109

Turnout - 32.9%

Candidates

From left to right - Vanessa Kelly, John Batchelor, Adrian Wright and Frances Amrani

Histon and Impington

Vanessa Kelly

Vanessa Kelly

Linton

John Batchelor

John Batchelor has represented our village on the District Council since 1998. He has also served as your County Councillor since 2005. John has not forgotten his local responsibilities. A former Linton parish councillor, he is a governer of Linton Village College, Vice-chair of the Broadening Education Partnership and Chair of Linton Action for Youth. John and his wife Julie, a teacher, moved to Linton in 1987. Their son Henry went to village schools and is now at Long Road 6th Form College. John learnt the vital need for co-operation and partnership from running his own business. Patient hard work and partnership is less glamorous than banner headlines but he gets results. John get things done by working with others.

Waterbeach

Adrian Wright

Adrian Wright Wright is 64 and lives in Waterbeach with his wife. Their two grown up children and grandchild live in Milton and Marsh Land St James. He worked for 47 years in local government, Library's, Welfare and Registration (BM&D). Out of 42 years in Registration Adrian was for 24 years the Superintendent Registrar at the Cambridge Register Office covering Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire with a little of East Cambs. Prior to moving to Waterbeach 24 years ago Adrian born in Leicester, first became a Parish Councillor and Liberal in about 1969 for Kirby Muxloe Leics. Leicester Forest East and was a District Councillor for three years prior to moving to Northamptonshire where again he was on the Parish Council. In his village there he chaired a committee which raised finance to build a large village Hall and Changing / meeting rooms. Unable to resist being able through parish councils to have an impact on community life and work for its betterment he became a member of Waterbeach Parish Council and has just completed his three years as chairman. A committed Christian, Adrian is a member of a number of committees, synods and chairs a Diocesan committee. He supports better bus provision in rural areas, affordable housing, and local recreational and better library facilities. He also campaigns for safer roads and communities.

The Wilbrahams

Frances Amrani

Frances Amrani is 43 and lives in Teversham with her husband and three children who attend Hills Road Sixth Form, Bottisham Village College and the Spinney Primary. She has worked as an editor in ELT educational publishing for the past ten years and is also a qualified teacher. Frances is Chair of Governors at the Spinney in Cherry Hinton where she has been a governor for eleven years. Frances has a degree in Middle Eastern Studies , an MEd in Educational Technology and Teaching Language, and she is about to complete the Open University Certificate in Professional Management. Frances is committed to securing better public transport, recycling provision and feasible local housing. She is concerned at the threatened loss of green belt and has actively campaigned to keep green spaces such as Milton Country Park and Honey Hill. Shortly after moving to Teversham, nine years ago from Cherry Hinton, Frances was dismayed that the village post office and shop closed. Frances is committed to maintaining local services for local people and is campaigning against the closure of village post offices.

Willingham and Over

Les Gelling

Les Gelling

Latest Stories

Wed 23rd Apr 2008:

John gives a helping hand.

Several Paynes Meadow residents have told John Batchelor they would welcome a play area for local children. It was suggested when the second phase of the development was proposed, but later dropped.

Hanley Grange- a threat to our area.

When developers revived the Abington new town plan in 2004, local Liberal Democrats led the campaign to stop it.

Tue 22nd Apr 2008:

A1307- another week, yet another tragedy.

Another week, and yet another tragic death, when Linton Village College pupil Alice Westland was killed near Horseheath. Speaking as a College governor, John Batchelor said "We cannot go on bearing more tragedies like these."

We would do it better says John Batchelor.

The Conservatives control our area. They run the District Council. They run the county Council. We don't claim that if the Liberal Democrats were running the councils, everything would suddenly be marvellous overnight.

Sun 20th Apr 2008:

Anti-social behaviour still a problem.

The increased police presence has had an impact on anti-social behaviour (ASB) in our villages over recent weeks. But it remains a persistent problem: mini motorcycles speeding on footways in Arbury Park, along the Guided Busway, and around Impington Lakes; alcohol-fuelled ASB in the Meadows by a small number of youths. These can all contribute to a growing fear of going out at night.

Lib Dems want better pavements and more consideration for wheelchair users.

Local Liberal Democrats have joined forces with disabled campaigners in calling for better access arrangements within Histon and Impington.

Vanessa Kelly campaigning for tougher road safety measures.

Traffic danger is a real issue for Histon & Impington residents. Many vehicles speed through our two villages, especially on the B1049, and other main roads, at off-peak hours.

South Cambs Elections - it's time for change!

On May 1st District Council elections will be held in 19 wards across South Cambridgeshire.

Les Gelling is the Liberal Democrat candidate here on May 1st.

Hardworking local resident Les Gelling has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Willingham and Over in the South Cambs District Council elections on May 1st. Les lives in Over with his family and is a governor of Over school.

Mon 31st Mar 2008:

Feeling the real cost of flying.

When residents were woken by bombers taking off from local airfields like Wratting Common in 1943 they were pleased. The RAF was vital to our future. But continual disturbance by aircraft today is quite different. We face the threat of severe noise from planes using Stansted. There's a plan to put one of the main queuing sites right over our area. You can read all about it by going to: www.consultation.nats.co.uk/text/15/cambridge.html.

Sat 29th Mar 2008:

Still no answer to our Arbury questions.

At a recent scrutiny meeting held in The Meadows, we raised a number of questions about Arbury Park, its community and development. The answers were either weak or non-existent.

Vanessa Kelly standing for the Lib Dems on May 1st.

Parish Councillor Vanessa Kelly has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Histon & Impington in the South Cambs District Council elections on May 1st.

Adrian Wright standing for the Liberal Democrats on May 1st.

Hardworking local resident Adrian Wright has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Waterbeach ward in the South Cambridgeshire District Council elections to be held on May 1st.

Mon 10th Mar 2008:

A long wait for the bus.

When the one-way system was introduced, the County Council agreed to put up a bus stop on Back Road. They said they'd do it when they repaired the pavement. After more than two years of pressure from County Councillor John Batchelor, the Parish Council and local residents, the pavement has finally been fixed.

It's a disgrace!

Local residents have called for more police patrols to address the recent vandalism and criminal activity in The Meadows.

Earlier Stories

Complete archive on the official site.

South Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat Manifesto 2008

Planning and Sustainability.

Rural Services.

Social Rented Housing.

Environment.

Law & Order.

Council Efficiency and Democracy.

It is time for a change; time to give the Liberal Democrats the opportunity to show the strong positive leadership that will be essential in managing the recovery of the council. The bungling and mismanagement so roundly condemned by the Audit Commission continues under what has proved to be an inept Tory cabinet. The Tories have failed the council and the District. This is not the time for revolution; it is the time for consolidation, focusing on putting the Council in good order and delivering the best possible service to you the taxpayer. Our manifesto outlining our policies and principles will be the basis for the recovery programme. We enthusiastically commend it to you.

Sebastian Kindersley - Group Leader.

John Batchelor - Deputy Group Leader

This manifesto is based upon these fundamental principles:

• Decisions are best taken as near as possible to the people they affect.

• Local services should be protected and enhanced.

• South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) should be a financially responsible and well-run authority.

Planning and Sustainability

We will encourage and support the growth of sustainable communities by:

1. Requiring that homes built are appropriate in terms of sustainability, character, location and as energy efficient as possible. Ensuring that developers fully meet their affordable homes obligations and provide a mix of house sizes to meet local needs.

2. Reviewing the planning fees and regulations applied to residents seeking "green" improvements to their property.

3. Ensuring rigorous and fair planning enforcement through the employment of more legal and enforcement officers.

4. Challenging government imposition of unsuitable development, and strive to protect the green belt.

5. Retaining in-house expertise in the important area of drainage in this low-lying district.

6. Staffing the Planning Department to a level that allows them to deliver a quality service.

Rural Services

SCDC is predominantly a rural area and as such pockets of deprivation and / or rural isolation are not recognised by central government. The Liberal Democrats will increase the sustainability of village life. We will:

1. Support village shops and Post Offices by ensuring that Council payments can be made there.

2. Support communities, through grant aid and Council Tax exemption, to maintain their services e.g. multi-use pubs or village stores, community ownership.

3. Work with the County Council and other partners to improve transport provision for the villages, and pursue an integrated transport policy.

4. Oppose congestion charging if it does not deliver a step change in public transport services from the villages and the provision of an outer ring of park and ride facilities.

5. Support the development of rural employment through farm diversification, tourism, farm shops, country markets, and other sustainable local production and trade.

6. Work in partnership to provide proper facilities and support for young people.

7. Work with partners to sustain life-long education opportunities in South Cambridgeshire.

Social Rented Housing

There is a huge waiting list for mainly rented accommodation in South Cambridgeshire. We will campaign at the highest level to heighten Government awareness of rural housing need, but will also:

1. Encourage the provision of more affordable housing for rent.

2. Set up a Housing Board to which tenants and equity share residents will be elected to help direct the management of the housing stock.

3. Undertake to give council tenants our absolute support in any negotiations about the future ownership of the housing stock. We will only support a transfer initiative if it is a fair and just solution for the future of the tenants and their homes, and is supported by the appropriate majority of tenants.

4. Promote the existing exception site policy HG/5 through frequent reminders to Parish Councils.

5. Improve service delivery to the homeless.

Environment

Liberal Democrats will pursue environmental improvements throughout the District. Environmental considerations will be a green thread running through all our polices. In addition we will:

1. Address the need to increase the collection of plastics, in the most cost effective manner, through an expansion in the number and capacity of recycling banks, at the same time improving the management of sites to avoid capacity problems and littering.

2. Actively pursue initiatives to address the problems of litter in village and along roads.

3. Promote green corridors for wildlife by preserving existing hedgerows and verges and encouraging new hedgerow schemes with wider field margins.

4. Enhance current practice in making SCDC a Fair Trade Council.

5. Lead by example by insisting that SCDC premises and vehicles reach the highest energy-saving standards,

6. Promote the provision of green grants for individual householders to install insulation and energy generation equipment.

Law & Order

South Cambridgeshire is considered to be one of the safest areas of the country to live. However, there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour in some areas, which has led to an increased fear of crime in the District. We will tackle anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime by:

1. Lobbying for an increase in fully trained police officers in the villages.

2. Supporting grant aided preventative programmes providing diversionary opportunity for those who are at risk of engaging in anti-social behaviour or criminal activity.

3. Working in partnership with agencies such as Police, Schools, voluntary groups, and families to address the causes of unacceptable behaviour.

4. Taking quick tough action on fly tipping and littering.

Council Efficiency and Democracy

Liberal Democrats will ensure that the District Council is run prudently, with priority given to direct services. We will:

1. Keep Council Tax rises as low as possible whilst preserving services and setting a sustainable balanced budget

2. Work with partners to reduce costs and improve services by pooling resources.

3. Assist residents to become involved with the Council, and to encourage transparent democracy, we will alter times of Council meetings, hold the meetings around the district, and provide opportunities for public participation and challenge.

4. Not tolerate bad behaviour from members.

5. Bring democratic accountability to partnership groups spending taxpayers' money.