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Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Welcome to Cambridgeshire Matters February 2024 Cambridgeshire Matters is our monthly newsletter which aims to share good news, highlights and updates from across Cambridgeshire to help our network of district, city and community members stay informed. Find out about the great work that is taking place to support everyone in the county. Share this newsletter with your communities and feel welcome to use any of the features in your own newsletter or on social media. County agrees budget: Highways and anti-poverty services prioritised On Tuesday 13 February, a meeting of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Full Council agreed a balanced budget for 2024/25.  The county council had to close a gap of £37.4m – with 75% of the council’s net spend now being funded from council tax.  The council has also prioritised a number of key areas, based on resident feedback from the Quality of Life survey, and are aligned with the vision to make Cambridgeshire greener, fairer and more caring.  These priorities include sustaining critical adults and children’s social care, highways funding, and support for vulnerable communities.  The county council agreed to a council tax rise of 4.99% (2% for adult social services) – raising £17.5m of local income to help maintain and protect critical services for the most vulnerable communities.  Read the full story on our website.    Have your say: Bus lane enforcement applications in South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire There is still time for residents to have their say about two proposed applications regarding civil powers to enforce bus lane and bus gate restrictions in South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire.  The surveys close on Monday 11 March.  Currently, bus lane and bus gate restrictions can only be enforced by the police. As part of the proposed changes, Cambridgeshire County Council is applying to the Department of Transport to transfer enforcement responsibilities from the police to the local authority. This would see offences treated as a civil matter and a penalty charge notice would be issued.  Find the Huntingdonshire survey here, and the South Cambridgeshire survey here.    Have your say on creating Healthy Places Our public health team is inviting Cambridgeshire residents to have their say on how new and existing communities can be healthy, supportive and inclusive. Work is currently underway to develop the Healthy Places Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, a piece of work which will support the development of healthier, easy to access, and inclusive communities. To inform this, the team has launched a survey asking for views on access to healthcare services, inclusive and accessible green spaces, opportunities for active travel and healthy play and leisure, and the provision of affordable healthy food options. The survey is open until Monday 15 April at 5pm. Complete the survey here.  It will take around 10-15 minutes to fill in and may be completed on behalf of yourself or someone you care for. If you’d prefer to complete a paper copy of the survey, you can pick one up from your local library or New Shire Hall from Monday 26 February. If you have any questions about the survey or the Healthy Places Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, please email healthinallpolicies@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.   Make sure you and your family are protected against measles With cases of measles rising in some areas of the country, we are asking everyone to check their MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination status and get vaccinated if not up to date.  Measles is a highly infectious illness which can be very unpleasant and sometimes lead to serious complications. Two doses of the MMR vaccination give long-lasting protection against measles.  In the UK, the MMR vaccination is given as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. The vaccine is free, available from GPs and anyone can catch up at any age on missed doses. An alternative MMR vaccination is available which does not contain pork products.  Walk-in vaccination clinics are taking place across Cambridgeshire. These are for anyone over the age of one year who is not up to date with their MMR vaccinations. Details of upcoming clinics can be found here. Individuals should check their vaccination status if possible before attending one of these clinics. Vaccination records are in a child’s personal health record (red book). Adults can check if they’ve been vaccinated with their GP or vaccination records from childhood. Further information on measles including symptoms to look out for can be found on the NSH website.    Share your views on electric vehicles and planning for more charging points With more and more electric cars on our roads, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority are asking people across the county for their views on electric vehicles (EV) and electric vehicle charging points.  Working with Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, the Combined Authority are seeking local opinions to help plan for more EV charging points in the region to help meet demand.  The Combined Authority is responsible for transport planning in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and its recently approved Local Transport and Connectivity Plan aims to transform journeys in the region, including lowering greenhouse gas emissions to support net zero carbon emissions targets.  The survey only takes five minutes to complete, and can be completed here. Alternatively, email your comments to transport@cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk or request a hard copy of the survey by emailing the same address or calling 01480 277180. The survey closes on 26 March 2024. Download the poster to share in your community spaces.    Download the ’50 things to do before you’re five’ app for fun experiences Parents and carers across Cambridgeshire can download the ‘50 things to do before you’re five‘ app, which includes free or low-cost activities for you and your child to experience together. Each of the ‘50 things‘ on the app have been carefully developed by education experts, early years practitioners and parents to provide a diverse and educationally enriching range of activities for children aged 0-5 years old.  All the suggestions on the app are free or low-cost experiences that include indoor, outdoors, seasonal, home-based, and out-and-about activities – that are not only fun but help with learning and language development.  Also on the app is the option to create a memory bank of those special moments – to revisit, reflect on, and look back on later in life. Download the app on the iOS app store or via Google Play.     Read a Little Aloud sessions in libraries Why not join one of Cambridgeshire Libraries ‘Read A Little Aloud’ sessions and listen to volunteers reading aloud in a friendly and relaxed environment.  Six back, relax and listen – the sessions are a great opportunity to listen to a variety of poems and extracts from books, and discover authors who might be new to you.  The monthly themed sessions take place in different locations across Cambridgeshire, and are drop-in events with no need to book in advance. To find the closest library to you offering ‘Read A Little Aloud’ sessions, please visit the Cambridgeshire Libraries website.    Further updates from around Cambridgeshire Find below an additional range of news, highlights and updates from around the county this month: * Wisbech incinerator decision announced by Government. * Honorary Alderman award for former ‘father of the council’.  * Rural business opportunities on three council-owned farm sites.  * Access information and resources for your health and wellbeing on the Be Well in Cambridgeshire website.  * Access support with running or starting up a business with the Business and IP Centre Cambridgeshire. Updates from the Communities Service The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise between the nation, the government and the Armed Forces community –  ensuring that those who serve, and have served, in the Armed Forces and their families, are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged by their service. The Covenant covers all serving personnel, regular and reservists, and their families, as well as bereaved families, veterans and cadet adult volunteers. The Armed Forces Covenant Officer, Tommy Kelly, sits within the Communities Service, and plays a vital role across the county. One very practical way all of us can support this work is to download the Forces Connect app on our smartphones. Hosted by Surrey County Council, and with the Cambridgeshire section maintained by Tommy, the app contains links to, and information about, support and advice for the Armed Forces Community. There are links across all support areas to national and Cambridgeshire-based civilian and military-focussed organisations. The Forces Connect app is free, and downloading ensures you can provide signposting support for a member of the Armed Forces Community. Download the Forces Connect app You can download the app on both Google Play and the Apple app store. Use the links below or simply search “Forces Connect” in your preferred app store: Forces Connect on the Apple app Store Forces Connect on Google Play For more information about the Armed Forces Covenant, please contact Tommy Kelly.    Updates from Care Together Over 1,000 older people have already benefitted from Care Together In the summer of 2023, we saw a number of the projects funded by Care Together start to deliver opportunities and impact for older adults across Cambridgeshire. To date, over 1,000 older adults have benefitted from projects funded by Care Together. These have been co-produced with local communities, in partnership with City, District and Parish Councils, NHS colleagues and of course our vibrant Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. Projects that are making a significant difference in their communities include the Cambridge Independent Living Scheme Activities Coordinator, Over Day Centre Memory Café (in South Cambridgeshire), Cambridgeshire ACRE Community Hubs and Carers Neighbourhood Social Prescriber (both in East Cambridgeshire), Love to Move (in Huntingdonshire) and the Fenland Ferry Project Lunch Club. To find these and many other services in your community, search in your local area here. The impact of these projects has included increased physical activity and better health outcomes for older adults, respite for carers of those with dementia, social inclusion in rural communities and urban centres, and increased quality of life for older adults across the county. In addition, our team of Care Micro-Enterprise Development Officers have helped over 30 new Micro-Providers (CMEs) to provide local care and support across the county, with capacity for over 2,000 hours per week. You can find out more about CMEs on the dedicated webpage here. For more information, as well as video interviews with partners and people accessing services themselves, watch our celebratory video made just before Christmas 2023, or contact the team at care.together@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.   Improve your digital know-how with courses from Cambridgeshire Skills Improve your digital know-how this year with Cambridgeshire Skills, including the brand new, free online course ‘Introduction to AI using ChatGPT‘.  Learn more about ChatGPT and its capabilities, explore the ethical considerations in chatbot development, and discover practical applications of ChatGPT in real world scenarios.  Browse the Cambridgeshire Skills online directory to find more digital skills courses, including ‘Advanced formulas using Microsoft Excel‘ and ‘Digital Functional Skills Level 1‘.   Library coat rails keeping communities warm over winter Libraries in Cambridgeshire are helping dozens of people to stay warm this winter by offering free coats to those in the community experiencing financial hardship. Libraries in Bar Hill and March, run by Cambridgeshire County Council, have a rail of winter coats that visitors can discreetly take without any questions being asked. The rails in both libraries stock coats for adults and children and have proved very popular. Both libraries are still welcoming donations and plan to keep the rails available to anyone that might need a warm coat until the spring. March Library is planning to replace the coat rail with other clothing soon to be in high demand, and Bar Hill Library is happy to receive suggestions of other services is can replace the coat rail with over spring and summer – if you have any ideas, get in touch with colleagues in the library, over social media, or by calling 0345 045 5225. All our libraries are warm and welcoming spaces open to everyone. During particularly cold weather remember that you can visit your local library as a warm hub whilst taking advantage of their wide range of services.  We want to hear your views! Too long? Too short? Not enough relevant features? Let us know your thoughts after reading Cambridgeshire Matters so we can ensure our newsletter works for you.  Please email the Internal Communications team.

Warning after vans are targeted by thieves

Do you have tools stored in a van overnight outside your home?   Between 1 and 15 February, 33 crimes have been raised for theft from vans across the county, with 24 of the vans having tools stolen from them.   The breakdown of the offences are: Cambridge: ·  5 February: Park & Ride, Babraham Road – forced entry – tools stolen ·  5 February: Cowley Road – lock drilled – tools stolen ·  6 February: Teversham Drift – forced entry – tools stolen ·  12 February: Randal Way – forced entry – tools stolen ·  15 February: Premier Inn, Ring Fort Road – lock drilled – tools stolen South Cambridgeshire: ·  6 February: Queensway, Sawston – forced entry – tools stolen ·  7 February: Travelodge, Newmarket Road, Little Abington – forced entry – tools stolen ·  7 February: Riddy Lane, Bourn – forced entry – tools stolen ·  7 February: Brookside, Toft – forced entry – tools stolen ·  7 February: High Street, Grantchester – not specified – tools stolen ·  9 February: Villa Place, Impington – lock drilled – tools stolen ·  12 February: Clarkes Way, Bassingbourn – unknown method of entry – tools stolen ·  12 February: The Tanyard, Bassingbourn – forced entry – tools stolen ·  12 February: Red Lion Hotel, Station Road, Whittlesford – forced entry – nothing stolen ·  13 February: Rectory Road, Duxford – forced entry – tools stolen Huntingdonshire: ·  7 February: Marlborough Road, Eaton Socon – forced entry – tools stolen ·  9 February: Landsdowne Road, Yaxley – forced entry – tools stolen ·  9 February: Herne Road, Ramsey – lock drilled – nothing stolen ·  10 February: Whytefield Road, Ramsey – forced entry – not specified ·  12 February: Kingsbrook, St Ives – forced entry – nothing stolen ·  13 February: Constable Road, St Ives – forced entry – tools stolen ·  15 February: Limes Park, St Ives – lock drilled – nothing stolen Fenland: ·  8 February: Shaftesbury Avenue, March – lock drilled – tools stolen ·  8 February: Church Street, Wimblington – not specified – tools stolen ·  8 February: Newgate Street, Doddington – lock drilled – tools stolen ·  8 February: Barton Road, Wisbech – lock drilled – tools stolen ·  8 February: Nightall Drive, March – lock drilled – nothing stolen ·  8 February: Church End, Leverington – lock drilled – nothing stolen ·  9 February: New Road, Chatteris – lock drilled – tools stolen ·  9 February: North End, Wisbech – lock drilled – tools stolen ·  13 February: Fillenham Way, Chatteris – vehicle unlocked – nothing stolen Peterborough: ·  8 February: Russell Close, Thorney – lock drilled – nothing stolen ·  9 February: Woburn Drive, Thorney – lock drilled – tools stolen   We are finding these thieves are breaking into the vans by drilling into the locks and forcing doors open.   While we’re working hard to identify those responsible, there are measures that can be taken to prevent your van from being targeted, such as installing anti-drill panelling.   Here are some tips to protect yourself from falling victim to this crime: ·  Get your tools marked. This makes them less desirable and more difficult to sell on as they can be easily identified. This can be done by visiting the immobilise website. ·  You can purchase and install small cameras that are designed to record the inside of vehicles and can help us in identifying offenders. ·  Keep a regularly updated inventory of what is kept in the vehicle, making note of serial numbers. This helps us to reunite the items with their rightful owners if they are recovered. ·  Where possible, reverse your van into a driveway. This makes it harder for thieves to access any rear doors ·  If you do not have any already, install outside lighting that is triggered by motion, as this can deter thieves.   Even if you do not own a van, be sure to look out for your neighbours! If you see something suspicious, please report it to us by calling 101 or through our online reports.   Always call 999 if you believe a crime is in action or someone is in immediate danger.   We would also be interested in seeing any footage from video doorbells or CCTV which may capture any suspicious activity. This can be passed to us via our website’s online reporting function.   Kind regards,

Message Sent By Lucy Ward (Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Communications Assistant, Peterborough and Fenland)

Cambridgeshire Peterborough Children’s Health: A Platform for Families

Introducing www.cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk the new online NHS resource for parents and carers. Designed with local families, 0-19 Healthy Child Programme and other NHS children’s services to be a go-to resource for children and young people’s health advice. Using a collaborative approach based on need and evidence the platform focuses on:

Easy access to health information – with a family focused design, information is quick to access and easy to use on a phone, tablet or laptop. Accessibility has been prioritised to ensure information can be translated, downloaded and adapted to suit a family’s reading needs. Being a local resource connected with local services – seamless linking to local resources such as ‘Keep Your Head’, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough SEND Hubs and partner NHS services. There are also dedicated service pages where professionals can find the most up to date contact details, referral forms and guidance.

Evidence based topics for our families’ diverse needs – offering a mixture of general and specialist NHS advice for families with children and young people. Covering many topics including:

Behaviour, emotions and mental health Child development and growing up Common illnesses  Feeding and eating Moving and being active Peeing, pooing and toileting Sleep Speech, language and communication Staying safe and accident prevention There is also specialist information on topics such as sensory differences, physical skills development, communication skills, physical and mental health and more.

With a mixture of original content and linking to local information, Cambridgeshire Peterborough Children’s Health is a resource supporting and connecting local services.     Built on the foundation of the NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough joint services, this new online resource combines all the online offers previously provided on the Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust website.

How professionals and local partners can help

Supporting the campaign As our promotional campaign launches over the next few weeks, we would appreciate any support from colleagues and partners. There will be a social media campaign on Facebook, X (formally known as Twitter) and Instagram @CambsPboroCYP. Any shares, likes and comments would be very helpful. There are also template materials to help spread the word:

A Template article and bulletins for any external newsletters you create for local families.  A poster you can easily print out. A TV slideshow for waiting rooms. Template message for internal and professional updates.

Collaboration and partnership working This is just the launch, there is still lots of exciting work to come to continue developing the platform. There are also lots of opportunities to collaborate and ensure seamless linking between local resources. We are looking forward to working with our fantastic local colleagues. Please use the collaboration form to get in touch.

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust: providing services across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Peterborough and Suffolk   Delivering excellence in Children and Young People’s Services: a partnership between Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.

Please see below letter from Cambridgeshire County Council regarding its intention to make an order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 regarding the above. Information on closing dates etc are also included.

New bus stop posters warn of emerging scam

The force has launched a campaign warning the public about the dangers of an emerging scam.   It works through QR – quick response – codes and can see victims unwittingly download malware or provide fraudsters with sensitive information.   In some cases victims have lost thousands. One victim lost £13,000 after scanning a code on a station parking machine, which took her to a phony website.    Posters have been put up at bus stops in Cambridge in a bid to spread the word about the threat.   The posters show someone scanning a QR code on a menu – just one of the many places QR codes can be found – with the words, “Never been quished? Let’s keep it that way”, written across them. The posters encourage people to scan a code, which will take them to a dedicated force webpage, packed with messages on how to stay safe from this latest scam. It also highlights how quick and easy it is to scan a code.    Fraud and cyber prevention officer Dave York said: “Quishing, also known as QR code phishing, involves tricking someone into scanning a phony QR code with their phone or device. The QR code then takes the user to a fraudulent website that might download malware or ask for sensitive information. It’s the latest trend used by scammers to get to your hard-earned cash.   “QR codes are often found on things like parking machines, charging points, emails, even restaurant menus. Once scanned, scam codes will take you to a bogus website where you innocently input your details thinking you’re paying for a service or visiting the genuine site, when in fact, you’re sharing all your personal details with the scammers.     “There are a number of things people can do to keep themselves safe, including:   –  If the QR is on a poster in a public area, always check whether it appears to have been stuck over the original. If the sign or notice is laminated and the QR code is under the lamination or part of the original print, chances are it’s more likely to be genuine   –  If in doubt download the app from the official Google or Apple store or search the website on your phone’s internet browser, rather than scanning a QR code to take you there. It may take longer, but it’s more secure   – Check the preview of the QR code’s URL before opening it to see if it appears legitimate. Make sure the website uses HTTPS rather than HTTP, doesn’t have obvious misspellings and has a trusted domain   –  Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t share your details     “It’s hoped the posters, coupled with the webpage, will highlight the potential risks around scanning QR codes, what to look out for and how to keep yourself safe from the scammers.   “Technological advances bring a whole host of benefits, but sadly also a whole host of opportunities for scammers.”   For more on quishing, visit the website.   Attachments Poster.PNG

Message Sent By Larissa Chapman (Police, Communications officer , Corporate Communications)

We have been advised that a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order has been approved for Bar Hill intersection on and of slips to A14 and Hattons Road (B1050) as lies between Hazewell Court and Saxon Way Bar Hill.

Works are anticipated to go ahead to fix the ramps on the flyover on both sides of the B1050.

Work will be carried out over night between 8.30pm and 6am Friday 9th February to Monday 12 February 2024. A Diversion will be in place.

For more information please contact Highways at Cambridgeshire County Council on 0345 045 5212 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) or go to https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/roadworks-and-faults/roadwork-and-traffic-information

Willingham Parish Council have been asked to share the following information about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Fenland, which covers Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.

If not familiar with AA, you may find the following of interest: 

1. Over 4,800 AA meetings nationally, weekly. 

2. Free to attend, no waiting lists. 

3. All inclusive, AA welcomes everyone, the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. 

4. A safe, confidential space. Where a warm welcome awaits.  

5. Non religious, a spiritual program. 

6. Available 24/7, along with Zoom meetings, and a free 24 hour confidential helpline. 

7.  280,000 estimated admissions to hospitals 2019/2020. A 2% increase over the previous year. 

(https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/statistics-on-alcohol/2021)