East Cambridgeshire District Council

10^th February 2012

Dear Colleague

Last Friday, I attended a Stakeholder Workshop at Police Headquarters, which considered the impact of the new Police & Crime Commissioners and Crime Panel, and how we might best prepare for these.  Whilst at Headquarters, I was able to speak with the new Safer Neighbourhoods Manager for East Cambridgeshire, Inspector Paul Ormerod, who explained how the new restructuring of the Constabulary would affect East Cambridgeshire.

For our District, the changes all appear positive with the District becoming its own Policing Area, with a new Senior Management Team of C/Insp Russ Waterston (Area Commander), Insp Paul Ormerod (Safer Neighbourhoods Manager) and DI Donna Wass (Crime Manager). All police officers and staff at Ely will now be managed locally - aligned to neighbourhood teams - and Ely will have its own Criminal Investigation Department.

As part of these changes East Cambridgeshire will also be receiving an additional two Police Sergeants and eight Police Constables.  Not only is the increase in numbers of police officers at East Cambridgeshire welcome, but the new senior managers are confident that the new structure will allow a much more focussed local policing service, that can better respond to the needs of local communities.

I doubt whether any of us have been unaffected by the snow this week - it is not often that we are met with the adverse conditions we have seen this week as the snow, then the ice, took hold.  At the Council, the waste and recycling collections had to be suspended due to the weather on Monday but I am sure residents understand how difficult it was for the crews to operate on streets and roads which were icy or covered in snow.

Residents in Littleport are saying enough is enough to dog owners who let their animals foul their town without clearing it up and local Councils are doing their bit to help.  The issue of dog fouling is frequently raised in Neighbourhood Panel meetings and is rated as serious anti social behaviour creating real public health concerns.  In Littleport, concerned residents are appealing to dog walkers to clear up after their animals so they and their children can avoid the health risks associated with dog mess.

Dog waste contains a number of bacteria including Campylobacter and Salmonella as well as infections caused by the roundworm Toxocara canis.  The fine for failing to pick up dog mess is a £50 fixed penalty, which can rise to £1,000 for persistent offenders.

This week, officers have warned anyone hiring a stretched limousine for a prom night, a day at the races or a birthday party, to beware of unlicensed and unscrupulous companies.  The warning comes after a successful court action against the limousine company Skooters and its owner Mr Sooty Edwards from Haddenham who was fined  £2,700 and made to pay costs of £3,493 for:

* Operating a stretch limousine company without a private hire operator’s licence;
* Driving a stretched limousine without a private hire driver’s licence;
* Using a private hire limousine vehicle without a current private hire vehicle licence.

The company was caught following a number of complaints and an undercover operation involving officers from the local authority, Cambridgeshire Police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).  Private hire vehicles operating without the correct licences or insurance are illegal and carry significant risks for passengers who would have not be able to claim any compensation should they be involved or hurt in a collision.  Unlicensed drivers will not have been subject to the required safety checks, which include a driving standards test and importantly a Criminal Record Bureau Check (CRB).  Unlicensed vehicles will not have been through the required mechanical inspections and tests to ensure they are mechanically safe to use on the road and to carry fare paying passengers.

Finally, it is always good to end on a positive note and this week Ely’s Jubilee Gardens is celebrating its 10th birthday.  The Gardens were opened by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh on 11 February 2002 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee year of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Over the years, the impressive Jubilee Gardens have become a part of Ely with its beautiful riverside setting and magnificent Cathedral backdrop.  I think we have all seen how trees, flowers, sculptures and garden features have flourished with the bandstand also becoming a valued community facility for a wide variety of outdoor events such as fetes, fairs and open-air concerts.

In its ten years, Jubilee Gardens has grown into a wonderful place to visit no matter what time of year you wander down there.  It has become a place where all residents can enjoy nature, tranquillity and – for the young children – it is a great place to play.   It is a credit to the hard work and dedication of the Friends of Jubilee Gardens and the Open Spaces team from the Council who have, over the years, carefully nurtured and developed the area to become the lovely place it is today.  It is no surprise to me that so many people value the Gardens and I am sure in years to come it will remain close to all our hearts.

There are no meetings taking place next week