It is with the greatest sadness that yesterday we learnt of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As we enter the period of mourning there will be opportunities for residents to share and express their condolences and respect for our longest reigning monarch.

Flowers may be laid at St Mary and All Saints Church in the area marked.  The Council would kindly ask that you remove any form of wrapping from the flowers before laying them. All flowers will be taken away the day after the funeral.

Details for the placing of floral tributes as well as books of condolences, church services etc will be put on the council website and notice boards.  These will be updated as quickly as possible once details are finalised.

The Parish Council office will be open as normal next week. If anyone has any questions or concerns then please do get in touch.

Parish Council Clerk

The above meeting has been postponed. Hopefully it will be rearranged soon and we will update the page when we hear anything further.

The above meeting has been postponed. Hopefully it will be rearranged soon and we will update the page when we hear anything further.

Dear hosts, volunteer coordinators and parish council colleagues

If this is the first time you are receiving this ‘Support for Ukraine community update’ from us as a host, please note that we send these out on a regular basis. They are issued whenever new and relevant information becomes available to hosts in South Cambridgeshire as well as to District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues. The idea is to share the latest updates that we have to support the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

All information previously shared can be found on our Support for Ukraine webpage – where you will also find our ‘Ukrainian Guest information hub’ which we encourage you to share with your guests. The online information hub is our equivalent of a ‘Welcome pack’ for guests (we are sharing information digitally so that we are able to keep our information regularly updated, and guests should be able to switch to view in their own language if they wish).

Please note that in addition to these emails, all hosts will receive information from us relating to DBS checks, accommodation checks, £350 monthly host and £350 one-off guest payments; hosts should already have received information from us about this through our welcome email.

For any questions not covered in this e-newsletter or on our Support for Ukraine webpages, please email duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

**IMPORTANT** update for all hosts and guests

As we approach the initial six-month point since the first guests arrived, all hosts and guests will by now have received, or will soon receive, an email from the Government to update them on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The Government update confirms, as expected, that it is encouraging hosts to carry on hosting beyond the initial six-months period. It hopes that hosts will feel able to continue for a year and confirms that the £350 per month thank you payments will continue to be available throughout this time.

The continuing generosity shown by hosts will make a big difference to Ukrainian guests, enabling them to continue to feel settled in our communities, schools and local workplaces, as they work to establish a secure and safe life for themselves while in the UK and during such uncertain times in their homeland.

For a variety of reasons, we know that some hosts will not be in a position to offer continued accommodation to their guests beyond six months (or at any time thereafter). If you are one of these hosts, please be reminded that you should let your guest(s) know in plenty of time, giving two months’ notice prior to the end of the first six-month period or at any date afterwards.

We had expected the Government to ask local councils to rematch guests to new hosts where a host is unable to continue, thereby enabling guests to remain in the hosted scheme for at least 12 months. However, this latest guidance encourages guests to find their own new hosts with less support from the local authorities.

Experience has shown that rematching a guest with a new host is not an easy task and, as your local council, we want and intend to take a far more active role in trying to steer both guests and hosts through this process. We have access to a list of hosts who have expressed an interest in taking guests but are yet to be matched to anyone and we would urge hosts or guests to contact us in the first instance by emailing duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk.

In addition, we MUST conduct DBS checks and home checks on any potential hosts, whether they have been found through the Council or by other means, and for safeguarding purposes these checks are required before Ukrainian guests move on and into new accommodation. Allowing time for the checks to be made should be factored into any planned moving dates.

• Hosts and/or guests should contact us in the first instance if unable to continue beyond their initial six-month hosting period.

• Guests must be given two months’ notice if hosts are unable to extend their hospitality.

• If onward accommodation is found via other means, hosts/guests MUST contact us so that we can carry out DBS and home checks, before guests move in.

We know that some guests might feel they are now ready to move on from being hosted and part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme and begin to seek their own accommodation. If this is the case, our teams can support people to consider their options. We have more information on the type of support we can offer in the ‘looking ahead’ section of our host information webpage. As part of our ‘moving on’ work for Ukrainian guests, we are also looking at how we can broaden the support and options available and will continue to provide more information as it becomes available.

We are also asking any groups or organisations which have helped Ukrainian guests and hosts in any way to ask them to contact the Council in the first instance if they are seeking help to move on. We want to be sure that enough time is allowed to carry out checks in advance of any potential moves.

If guests already have plans to move on to alternative accommodation, or have already done so, please let us know so that we can update our records and adjust any payments being made. Email to duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk as soon as possible, and include your name, address and details of the guests who have moved elsewhere. The Government scheme allows the Council to make thank you payments to hosts, but these must stop once a guest moves on.

We would like to thank those hosts who have worked with their guests to complete our survey regarding their plans at the six-month point. This has helped us to understand when guests will need our support. We will be sending a reminder to hosts who have not yet completed the survey and, as we move ahead, a Council officer will begin to contact hosts and guests to see if any further help can be provided, especially those from whom we have yet to hear.

Key information is available on our website here: Information for Homes for Ukraine hosts – South Cambs District Council (scambs.gov.uk)

Paid Job Opportunity Available with Wild Minds

We are searching for a Ukrainian-speaking Wellbeing Officer to provide support for special Wild Minds sessions which will run at Wandlebury Country Park from August 24.

Wild Minds is a scheme which was set up three years ago to help improve mental health in young people through outdoor activities, supported by a Clinical Psychologist.

The scheme will be running special ‘Ukrainian-only’ sessions for young people aged from 12 up to 17 who are struggling with issues of depression or worry, particularly related to their experiences since the outbreak of the war.

The Ukrainian-speaking Wellbeing Officer will support the sessions which offer free outdoor activities in small groups in a park setting to make the most of the natural environment, run by skilled activity instructors and youth workers. The right candidate must have prior experience in wellbeing, such as teaching, social work, youth work and therapy. The role entails attending Wild Mind Sessions once a week for eight weeks and providing emotional support to the young Ukrainians taking part. Please register your interest here.

Each session lasts for an hour and a half. Young Ukrainians who would like to take part can find more information and sign up for the sessions at Wild Minds – South Cambs District Council (scambs.gov.uk)

Call-out for volunteers for Conversational English Café

The Conversational English Café in Waterbeach is still on the hunt for multilingual volunteers to help out. The café is a collaboration between SCDC and local volunteers where guests are invited to come and chat to improve their spoken English. Sessions will start in September and run on Mondays from 6pm to 7:30pm and Saturdays from 10am to 12pm.

If you know or are aware of anyone who speaks English/Ukrainian/Russian and can help as a volunteer, then please let us know. We will conduct DBS checks prior to the commencement of these sessions to ensure the safety of our guests.

If the sessions in Waterbeach are a success, the scheme will be expanded to other areas of the district.

Online forums for hosts with traumatised Ukrainian guests

The Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT) is arranging a second date for its online forums to support hosts with Ukrainian guests who may be facing psychological trauma from the war in Ukraine.

The first forum is scheduled for August 24, with a second session being arranged for September 28. The virtual meetings will be hosted by Family and Systemic Psychotherapists as a monthly space for hosts to come and reflect on the challenges of having guests who are displaced from home, country and family, and may be traumatised.

The specific content of each session will be decided on the evening by those attending but will include elements related to self-care, preparing for your guests to arrive, challenges and opportunities of hosting, accessing resources in your community, thinking about the impact of trauma and help with anonymised specific challenges.

Sessions are free but hosts will need to register for tickets for

Wednesday 24 August 7-9pm and/or Wednesday 28 September 7-9pm

Marking Ukraine Independence Day

Next Wednesday 24 August is Ukrainian Independence Day, which marks the Ukraine’s declaration of independence from the USSR in 1991.

For Ukrainians across the UK, including our guests and hosts in South Cambridgeshire, it will be a particularly poignant reminder this year as they think of the situation in their homeland.

As part of our continued support for the Ukrainian people, we will be marking the day on our social media channels and by flying the Ukrainian flag at our Cambourne offices.

We would also like to hear from guests and hosts about what they will be doing on the day to mark the occasion, and if there are any messages guests and hosts would like to share, then let us know. We are also inviting children from guest and host families to share their thoughts by drawing a picture with a message, and then sending a photo of the drawing to duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk  The messages and drawings will be shared anonymously on our social media channels.

Many thanks for reading this latest bulletin, which I hope will be helpful for you and your guests. We are grateful for your continued support for the Homes for Ukraine programme.

Bill

Bill Handley
Lead Cabinet Member for Communities
South Cambridgeshire District Council

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WhatsApp scam costs victims £1.5 million

Dear Subscriber,   The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) is warning the public about the continued increase in reports about scams where victims are targeted on WhatsApp by criminals pretending to be someone they know – typically their children. Between 3rd February 2022 and 21st June 2022, there have been a total of 1235 reports made to Action Fraud linked to this scam, with total reported losses exceeding £1.5mn. Criminals will usually begin the conversation with “Hello Mum” or “Hello Dad” and will say that they are texting from a new mobile number as their phone was lost or damaged. They will then ask for money to purchase a new one, or claim that they need money urgently to pay a bill The criminal will provide bank details for the payment to be made to, with some coming back with further demands for money.     Detective Chief Inspector Craig Mullish, from the City of London Police, said: “If you receive a message like this from a friend or family member, don’t send any money until you’ve had a chance to call them and confirm their identity. Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.” How to protect yourself: ·  STOP. THINK. CALL. If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person to confirm their identity.   ·  You can report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions.   ·  Never share your account’s activation code (that’s the 6 digit code you receive via SMS)

Message Sent By Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

The hole is 1.2 metres deep. Deeper excavation will commence at 6am tomorrow and it is hoped that if not further issues are discovered that the road will be able to be repaired on Thursday.

Councillor Neil Gough

The site has been secured and emergency works will commence tomorrow. The work will start at 4am due to the unprecedented heat expected. Lights will be operating while the repair takes place and we should have a better idea of how long the work will take tomorrow.

Please accept our apologies for any disturbance and inconvenience while these repairs take place.

Neil Gough.

A Currys email doing the rounds which is offering £250 Pampers gift package is a scam

An email purporting to be from Currys PC World offering a £250 Pampers gift package is a scam, Action Fraud has warned.

The UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime has issued the warning after receiving nearly 300 reports of the scam in just one week. 

Click the clink below for more details.

A Currys email doing the rounds which is offering £250 Pampers gift package is a scam! (deeside.com)

Good Morning

Please note the planned closure of B1514 Brampton Road this Saturday 23 has been postponed due to the Secret Garden Party taking place this weekend.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will advise you of the re-arranged date in due course.

Kind regards

A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme
National Highways | Woodlands | Manton Lane | Bedford | MK41 7LW
Web: http://www.nationalhighways.co.uk

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is developing a plan – the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) – that will shape the future of transport in our region. We need to tell them what the residents of Willingham would like to see in that plan. You can get further information and a survey form at yourltcp.co.uk or ring 0808 258 3225, or simply email your comments to contact@yourltcp.co.uk. Closing date 4 August.

This document briefly quotes from the draft plan and then describes how it will affect Willingham and the Parish Council’s view on what it should contain.

The Draft Plan

The Vision in the draft plan is:

“A transport network which secures a future in which the region and its people can thrive.

It must put improved public health at its core. It must help create a fairer society. It must respond to climate change targets. It must protect our environment and clean up our air, and it must be the backbone of sustainable economic growth in which everyone can prosper.

And it must bring a region of cities, market towns and very rural areas closer together.

It will be achieved by investing in a properly joined up, net zero carbon transport system, which is high quality, reliable, convenient, affordable, and accessible to everyone. Better cleaner public transport will reduce private car use, and more cycling and walking will support both healthier lives and a greener region. Comprehensive connectivity, including digital improvements, will support a sustainable future for our region’s nationally important and innovative economy.”

 There then follow a series of aims, objectives and strategies that are bland and vague, although one or two nuggets can be picked out:

• Under the Employment objectives: “connect all new and existing communities sustainably so all residents can easily access a good job within 30 minutes by public transport”.
• Under Productivity: “better public transport is needed to offer an attractive alternative to using the car. Buses need to be more available, frequent, reliable and affordable.”
• Under Connectivity:  There will be focus on better linking up of hamlets, villages, market towns and cities with places of work, education and other services. More cycling and walking options will also link villages, towns and cities.

How the draft plan affects Willingham

There are no improvements for Willingham – and the buses are actually worse.

Local strategies are listed for each region and for our region are based on work already done by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) (which covers South Cambs and Cambridge City) on:

• four new public transport and cycling and walking corridors – Cambourne to Cambridge, Cambridge Eastern Access, Cambridge South East Transport and Waterbeach to Cambridge
• the future bus network
• travel hubs (like Longstanton to which our links are very poor),
• improved cycling and walking, based on the Greenways project

The New Corridors

Willingham’s problem seems to be that the Busway is seen as the solution to public transport for our corridor yet we don’t have access to it!

Bus Network

The new network is described in the GCP’s Making Connections consultation on which the Parish Council has already given its views. Willingham is worse off – only a rural hourly bus, on a loop connecting Swavesey, Papworth Everard, Bar Hill, Longstanton and villages in between. We lose our current direct bus service to Cambridge. There are no direct links to any urban centre or the village college at Cottenham, or to the sixth form colleges in Cambridge.

Willingham is one of the larger villages in South Cambridgeshire with a population approaching 5000, yet the consultant’s report, on which the proposal is based, almost completely disregards it. It is missing from the map showing the existing bus network and from the majority of the maps showing details of the new proposals. It is mentioned only in passing a few times as one of the stops on the rural loop. In its comments on the plan the PC proposed that buses (say two an hour) are diverted from the Busway, as originally promised, to provide direct links to Cambridge and St Ives. Alternatively, we need a 10 minute feeder service to the Busway. We also need direct links to Cottenham and the sixth form colleges.

Cycleways

The GCP’s flagship Greenways project is a wheel of 12 new or improved cycleways that converge on Cambridge. One is along the busway from St Ives, to which we are connected by one inadequate cycleway along Station Road, not due to be upgraded. The Parish Council commented last year on the GCP’s Cycling Plus survey, and in particular the need for links between villages, but have been told that there are no further plans for new cycleways until the huge Greenways project is completed.

Willingham is extremely badly served by cycleways compared to other local villages. It currently has just one – south along Station Road to the guided busway at Longstanton along the very busy B1050. It is welcome and heavily used, but urgently in need of improvement. It is very narrow in places and the shared-use with pedestrians and numerous exits from driveways make it often awkward and even hazardous at times. It also provides access to the fast-growing town of Northstowe.

There is much connectivity between Willingham and surrounding villages so cycleways are also needed in other directions, for employment, leisure and social purposes and to access facilities such as shops. In particular:

East to Rampton. The majority of secondary school pupils at Willingham attend Cottenham Village College, which is also an Adult Education Centre. It is the other side of Rampton and the road between Willingham and Rampton is narrow and winding and carries fast-moving traffic. There is an indirect cycle route via Station Road, the busway and Reynolds Drove but the Station Road part is inadequate as described above, and this route adds over a third to the distance. Another option for a new cycleway is along Iram Drove and Cow Lane, which is an existing backroad but with a very poor surface. Beyond Rampton there is an existing cycleway to Cottenham, which links to other cycleways into Cambridge.

West to Over. Willingham and Over are closely linked and there are numerous trips between them, e.g. Over residents use Willingham library and the Coop and other shops, and facilities.  This contributes to increased traffic in Willingham. The current road is fast and narrow with a semi-blind summit.

North to Earith – this is the only river crossing for 10 km in each direction and opens up connections to all the towns and villages to the North, such as Ely. The current B1050 is very dangerous for cyclists, as it is a speeding blackspot and carries a large number of HGVs. It is due for an upgrade and a cycleway from the centre of Willingham must be part of that project. An alternative is to upgrade the bridle path that runs from West Fen Road to the RSBP reserve.

The Council have a field on Meadow Road (Point B on the map below) which has been partly planted with trees and partly left as wild meadow. It is suitable for dogs and walks but currently lacks a memorable name. There was a suggestion box for a suitable name on the Council stall at the Jubilee Picnic and we are now extending the invitation to all residents – please submit your suggestions to the Parish Council office via clerk@willinghamparishcouncil.gov.uk