District Wide March 2011 - Huntingdonshire District Council

YOUR COUNCIL YOUR DISTRICT 

district wide 

Huntingdonshire District Council magazine www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk 

March 2011, Issue 23 

DISTRICT 

WIDE 

is disappearing 

See page 5 for 

more details 

• Top planning award for Great Fen 

• Green Heart community awards 

• Neighbourhood forums 

• Easter fun for all the family

Nene & Ouse 

Nene & Ouse 

Nene & Ouse 

Community Transport 

Community Door to DoorTransport 

“Without Community any fuss, without Transport 

any bother 

“Without any bother, without any fuss 

jump “Without aboard your any community fuss, without bus.” bus.” 

any bother 

jump aboard your community bus.” 

Do you have problems getting to the shops 

Do Do you you enjoy have socialising problems but getting feel that to the you 

shops 

miss Do out you due enjoy to lack socialising of public but transport 

feel that you 

‘Ring miss & out Ride’ due a door to lack door community of public bus transport 

service operating 

‘Ring in & the Ride’ towns a door and to villages door community of Huntingdonshire 

bus service operating 

in the towns and villages of Huntingdonshire 

Abbotsley • Abbots • Alconbury Ripton • • Alconbury Weston • Alconbury • Alwalton Weston • Barham • Alwalton & Woolley • Barham • Bluntisham & Woolley • Bluntisham 

Brampton • • Brington & & Molesworth • • Buckden • • Buckworth • Bythorn • Bury • • Bythorn Keyston Keyston • Catworth • Catworth 

Abbotsley • Alconbury • Alconbury Weston • Alwalton • Barham & Woolley • Bluntisham 

Chesterton Chesterton Brampton • Colne • Conington • Conington • Covington Brington &• Molesworth Covington • Denton • Denton & Caldecote Buckden & • Caldecote • Diddington Buckworth • Diddington • Earith • Bythorn • • Keyston Earith • Easton • • Easton Catworth • Ellington 

Ellington • Elton • Eynesbury Hardwicke • Farcet • Fenstanton • Folksworth & Washingley 

Elton • Eynesbury Chesterton Hardwicke • Conington • Farcet • Covington • Fenstanton • Denton Folksworth & Caldecote & Washingley • Diddington • Glatton • Earith • Godmanchester 

Glatton • Godmanchester • Grafham • Great Gidding • Great Gransden • Great Paxton 

• Easton 

Great Grafham Staughton Ellington • Great • • Haddon Gidding Elton • Eynesbury • Hail Great Weston Gransden Hardwicke • Hamerton • Great • Farcet Paxton • Hemingford • Fenstanton • Great Abbots Staughton • Folksworth • Hemingford • Haddon & Washingley • Grey Hail Weston 

Hilton Hamerton • Holme Glatton • Hemingford • Holywell-cum-Needingworth • Godmanchester Abbots • • Hemingford Grafham • Houghton Great Grey Gidding • Hilton • Wyton • Holme Great • Huntingdon Gransden • Holywell-cum-Needingworth 

• Great Kimbolton 

Paxton 

Houghton Kings Great Ripton Staughton & Wyton • Leighton • Huntingdon • Haddon • Little • Hail • Kimbolton Gidding Weston • • Little • Hamerton Kings Paxton Ripton •• Hemingford Morborne • Leighton • Abbots • Offord Little Gidding • Clunny 

Hemingford • Little Grey Paxton 

Offord Morborne Hilton D’arcy • Holme • Offord • Old • Holywell-cum-Needingworth Hurst Cluny • Old Offord Weston Darcy • Perry • Old Hurst • Pidley-cum-Fenton Houghton • Old Weston • Wyton • • Perry • St Huntingdon Ives • Pidley-cum-Fenton 

• Sawtry 

• Kimbolton 

Sibson & Stibbington Kings Ripton • Somersham • Leighton • Southoe Little Gidding & Midloe • Little • St Paxton Neots • St Morborne Neots Rural • Offord • Spaldwick 

Clunny 

Ramsey • Ives • Sawtry • Sibson & Stibbington • Somersham • Southoe & Midloe • St Neots • St Neots 

Steeple Offord Gidding D’arcy •• Old Stilton Hurst • Stow • Old Longa Weston • The Perry Stukeleys • Pidley-cum-Fenton • Tilbrook Toseland 

• St Ives • Sawtry 

Rural 

Upton Sibson • Spaldwick 

& Coppingford & Stibbington • Steeple 

• Waresley • Gidding Somersham • Stilton 

• Water • Newton Southoe • Stow 

• Winwick & Longa Midloe • The 

• • Wood St Stukeleys Neots Newton • St • Neots Tilbrook 

• Yaxley Rural • Toseland 

• Yelling 

• Spaldwick • Upton 

& Coppingford Steeple • Upwood Gidding & The • Stilton Raveleys • Stow • Warboys Longa •• The Waresley Stukeleys • Water • Tilbrook Newton • Toseland • Winwick • Wistow 

Upton & Coppingford Woodhurst • Waresley & Wood • Water Walton Newton • Wood • Winwick Newton • Yaxley Wood Newton • Yelling 

• Yaxley • Yelling 

A”Door to Door” community RING bus & service RIDE BUS operating SERVICEthroughout 

Huntingdonshire, A”Door to Door” providing community transport bus service for those operating who cannot 

throughout 

easily Huntingdonshire, access ordinary public providing transport. 

transport for those who cannot 

• ESSENTIAL easily access BUT ordinary ROUTINE public - Regular transport. shopping trips to 

Peterborough, • ESSENTIAL Stamford, BUT ROUTINE Huntingdon, - Regular Morrisons shopping Cambourne, trips to St Ives, 

St Neots, Peterborough, Tesco Bar Hill Stamford, and many Huntingdon, more. 

Morrisons Cambourne, St Ives, 

We transport St Neots, Tesco clients Bar and Hill their and shopping many more. to and from their front door. 

• SOCIAL We transport - Pub lunches, clients and holidays, their shopping bingo, seaside to and trips, from bringing 

their front door. 

people • SOCIAL together - Pub to form lunches, relationships holidays, and bingo, encouraging seaside trips, participation 

bringing 

and people involvement. 

together to form relationships and encouraging participation 

• RECREATIONAL and involvement. - Excursions to the theatre, cinema, stately homes, 

garden • RECREATIONAL centres and day trips - Excursions to places to of the interest. 

theatre, cinema, stately homes, 

garden To take centres advantage and day of trips this to great places service of interest. 

please ring: 

Tel: To 01480 take advantage 411114 • www.tvcthrapston.co.uk 

of this great service please ring: 

Tel: Tel: 01480 01480 411114 411114 • www.tvcthrapston.co.uk 

• www.neneouse.co.uk 

Registered Charity No. 1085987 

Registered Charity No. 1085987 

RING & RIDE BUS SERVICE 

The Volunteer Centre, 48 High Street, 

Nene & Thrapston, Ouse The Community Northants. Volunteer Centre, Transport, NN14 4JH 

48 High 48 Street, High Street, 

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 9.00am - 4.00pm 

Thrapston, Northants. NN14 4JH 

Friday 9.00am - 2.00pm 

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 9.00am - - 4.00pm 

Friday 9.00am - 2.00pm 

Registered Charity Number 1085987

welcome 

contents 

March 2011 

News 

05 District Wide is disappearing 

06 District council tax stays the same 

A strong local economy 

08 Free business start-up workshops 

08 Make it your market 

A clean ‘green’ attractive place 

10 Green Heart Community Awards 

11 Green House project continues to 

inspire 

13 The diary – pull out guide 

to local arts, events and 

entertainment 

Safe, vibrant and inclusive 

communities 

19 Will you be first past the post on 

election day 

20 Council tax collection steps up 

Healthy living 

22 Easter sports roadshows 

23 Noise Action Week 2011 

Hunts DW Summer 2008 30/5/08 1:06 pm Page 1 

05 

11 

21 

22 

Inside this issue 

We only have two issues of District 

Wide left. We are discontinuing it 

because you told us it would help 

towards the savings we have to make. 

We would still like to keep in touch with you 

and keep you informed of important news, decisions 

and events. To find out how go to page 5. 

We approved our budget in February, which 

included a zero increase in district council tax this year. 

Residents in a band D will pay £124, still very much 

below the national average. With scarce resources 

in the future we will concentrate on the services you 

told us are a priority such as keeping the district kept 

clean, helping the vulnerable or disadvantaged to live 

independently and encouraging new jobs, homes and 

facilities. Turn to page 6 and 7 for more information. 

Easter is just around the corner. There are lots of 

activities for the whole family. Our One Leisure centres 

have put together a packed programme of fun sport 

and leisure activities guaranteed to burn off those 

Easter treats. Also a variety of fun sports and free 

activity sessions are available to young people. See 

page 22. 

I am pleased to announce that our master plan 

documenting how the Great Fen project will be taken 

forward, won the UK’s top planning prize. This is a 

great success for us and our partners. See page 21 for 

more details. 

Finally the Huntingdonshire Green Heart 

Community Awards are once again looking for 

applications to find those inspirational projects and 

motivated people who help the local environment. If 

you think you’ve got what it takes to enter see page 

10 to find out more details. 

Ian Bates 

Leader, Huntingdonshire District Council 

The opinions and views expressed in District Wide are not necessarily those of 

Huntingdonshire YOUR COUNCIL District YOUR Council COUNCIL YOUR or Magazine DISTRICT YOUR Publishing DISTRICT Ltd. All data contained in 

advertisements being subject to the Advertising Standards Authority guidelines, is accepted 

in good faith at the time of going to press. 

If you would like a translation of District Wide, a large text version, or an Advertising sales enquiries: Marie Brookes 

audio version, please contact us on 01480 388032 and 

Telephone: 01954 212906 email: marie@mpublishers.co.uk 

we will district 

try to accommodate your needs. 

wide 

Publishing Services: 

Huntingdonshire District Council, Pathfinder House, St Mary’s Street, Huntingdon, 

Magazine Publishing Ltd, The Irwin Centre, Scotland Road, 

Cambridgeshire PE29 3TN email: mail@huntsdc.gov.uk 

Dry Drayton, Cambridge CB23 8AR 

Telephone: 01480 388388 Fax: 01480 388099 Emergency out of hours: 01480 434167 Telephone: 01954 212906 Fax: 01954 212105 

email: info@mpublishers.co.uk www.mpublishers.co.uk 

Editorial and delivery queries should be directed to: 

Editor: Suzanne Engelbert tel: 01480 388257 

This magazine is printed on paper which is: 

email: news@huntsdc.gov.uk 

Huntingdonshire District Council magazine www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk Summer 2008, Issue 8 

Front cover: Riverside Mill, Godmanchester 

Huntingdonshire District Council magazine www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk May 2009, Issue 12 

If something’s not right, we want to know. You can report fraud, misuse, or waste of resources in the following ways: our 24hour benefit fraud or whistleblowing 

hotlines: 01480 388188 and 01480 387080, e-mail: whistleblower@huntsdc.gov.uk e-form: www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/whistleblowing or 

in person at Pathfinder House, St Mary’s Street, Huntingdon. All information received is treated in strict confidence. 

district wide March 2011 3

Apply for a Lifeline online at 

www.crosskeyshomes.co.uk for free delivery 

Transform your home 

If you can’t be there for them 

we can - 24-hours-a-day with our personal alarm service. 

From as little as £4.20 a week or £150 for the first year. 

Call: 08453 130190 

61234-92x135.indd 1 21/02/2011 14:48 

SMA July 2010.indd 1 21/6/10 14:53:59 

We have a selection of industrial units from 

350 -1200 square feet available on flexible 

terms in Huntingdon, Ramsey, 

St Ives and St Neots. 

We also have some new offices of around 

300 square feet in St Ives. 

For further details and to arrange viewings please 

contact Keith Phillips on 01480 388260 or email 

keith.phillips@huntsdc.gov.uk. 

The photograph in this advert is used for illustrative purposes only and should not 

be relied upon by any prospective tenant as being an accurate depiction of any 

particilar unit. 

• Laser Hair Removal 

• TITAN Skin Tightening 

• Vein Treatments 

• Skin Rejuvenation 

• Microdermabrasion 

• Injectables for wrinkles 

• Dermaroller therapy 

Essex House, 

71 Regent Street 

Cambridge CB2 1AB 

Tel: 01223 464171 

58 Broadway 

Peterborough 

PE1 1SU 

Tel: 01733 555200 

www.bodylaser.co.uk

news 

Heroes Welcome 

We have launched a Heroes 

Welcome scheme across the 

district, joining a growing 

network of towns and cities 

across the UK who wish to show 

their support for the British 

Armed Forces. 

Whilst Heroes Welcome is not 

a charity or a discount scheme, 

it does provide a free and simple 

method for businesses, whether 

they are a service provider, cafe, 

pub, shop, restaurant, hotel, or 

taxi to show open support to 

those serving in the Armed Forces. 

The Huntingdonshire scheme was launched in January when the chairman of the 

council, Councillor Jeff Dutton met representatives from the Armed Forces, support 

services and the scheme’s creator John Senior. 

Councillor Dutton said: “Huntingdonshire is a very friendly district and the Heroes 

Welcome scheme is another way of extending its traditionally warm welcome to all 

sections of the community.” 

Support of the scheme is by way of a window sticker and an agreement to give a 

special warm welcome to members of the Armed Forces. Individual scheme members may 

choose to offer a small discount or service upgrade. (By way of proof, all service personnel 

carry a clearly marked Military ID Card). 

Joining up is free and easy: 

• Register your details with karen.pauley@huntsdc.gov.uk to receive a window sticker 

• Display the sticker in your business/car window 

• Decide whether you wish to offer a service upgrade or small discount. 

Spending plan announced 

to businesses 

Our spending plans for the next four years 

were presented to over 60 businesses at 

the annual breakfast forum, held at our 

offices in Huntingdon. 

Councillor Ken Churchill, whose 

executive responsibilities include resources 

and policy reported that the main priorities 

for economic development include 

transport, infrastructure, skills and funding 

opportunities. He went on to highlight 

some of the successful projects over the 

past year, such as the Enterprise Centre in 

St Ives, the back to business and back to 

work clubs, as well as a pilot broadband 

scheme in Broughton. 

Councillor Terry Rogers, responsible for 

finance, outlined the council’s spending 

plans. He explained that district council 

tax will be frozen for 2011/12. Efficiency 

savings will continue to be made as council 

reserves will fall over the next four years. 

Our focus will concentrate on five main 

areas - waste collection and recycling, 

supporting vulnerable people, healthy 

lifestyles, strategic planning and growth 

and regulatory functions, such as licensing 

and elections. 

Questions and comments from business 

representatives at the meeting resulted in 

some discussion about funding reductions 

to the voluntary sector, and the need to 

invest in the whole district, not just the 

main towns. 

For more information contact Julie 

Drummond on 01480 387086 or email 

julie.drummond@huntsdc.gov.uk. 

Presentation slides and speeches can 

be seen on our business pages at 

www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/business 

District Wide is 

disappearing - 

register now for 

news straight to 

your inbox 

The next issue of District Wide is our 

last. We are discontinuing this because 

last year you told us that stopping 

District Wide is an area you feel can 

help towards saving we have to make. 

However, we would still like to 

keep in touch with you, and are 

planning to produce an e-newsletter. 

By registering your interest now 

we can email you with news 

about current issues affecting 

Huntingdonshire. 

If you would like to receive 

information about local planning 

developments and consultations, 

special offers at our OneLeisure 

centres, events information and details 

on ways to get involved in what is 

happening in your area, then go 

online and register your email address. 

It’s really easy to register – simply 

go to www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/ 

subscribe and give your name and 

email address. 

Holiday on Ice 

competition winners 

Congratulations to Mrs Alcock from 

Hartford, Huntingdon who won the 

family ticket to see the sensational 

ice skating production ENERGIA in 

Peterborough. Mrs Alcock said: "We 

thoroughly enjoyed the show, it was a 

lovely evening out and a breathtaking 

display." 


News 

District council tax stays 

We plan to stay a low tax council 

The district council tax will not increase 

this year. In 2010 the national average was 

£168 (Band D). Ours was £124, which is 

£44 less than the national average and 

a total saving of over £440 against the 

average since 1999. With our zero increase 

this year the benefit will continue. 

Your council tax bill 

As well as the amount you pay to us, your 

bill also includes what we are required to 

collect for Cambridgeshire County Council, 

the police, fire service and your town or parish 

council. If you have questions about their 

council tax, contact them direct using the 

details in the leaflet that comes with your bill. 

What do you get for your money 

In the coming year we plan to spend £82m 

providing a wide range of services. These include: 

• A refuse collection and recycling service, 

which thanks to your support is one of 

the most highly rated in the country. We 

collect from 70,000 homes and achieve a 

59 per cent recycling rate. 

• Five leisure centres, which offer a vast 

range of activities. We continue to 

invest in these centres each year to meet 

the high demand with the costs being 

covered by customers. There were 2.3m 

visits last year. 

• Managing 3,447 car park spaces across 

the district. 

• Dealing with around 1,500 planning 

applications per year. 

• Keeping the town centres, villages, and 

residential areas clean and tidy. 

• A closed circuit television system with 

cameras in our town centres and other 

key locations. 

• Housing advice and housing and council 

tax benefits services, which in the current 

economic climate, have had a major 

increase in demand. 

• Collecting council tax and business rates 

from every home and business. 

Capital investment 

In order to maintain a low council tax 

many capital projects have been reduced 

or stopped. However, we will continue to 

deliver the following: 

• The Huntingdon West Relief Road will 

cost around £10m and provide additional 

housing, shopping opportunities and 

relieve traffic congestion. Funding will 

come from developers’ contributions and 

land sales. 

• A proposal to extend our One Leisure 

centre in St Ives, providing it can 

demonstrate that the extra income from 

customers will exceed the costs. 

• A new multi-storey car park in 

Huntingdon to allow the redevelopment 

of Chequers Court and part of the 

Sainsbury’s site and car park. Income 

from parking will repay the investment. 

All this for £124 

The council tax only covers about 9 per 

cent of our total spending. £42.3m comes 

from the government to fund benefits and 

other activities, £15.5m comes from fees, 

charges and rents, £10.4m will come from 

government general grants and we will use 

£3.6m of reserves to cover the deficit. 

£m 

Gross Revenue Spending 82.4 100% 

Specific grants (mainly benefits) -42.3 51.3% 

Fees, charges and rents -15.5 18.8% 

Recharges (mainly to capital) -1.3 1.6% 

Interest -0.7 0.8% 

Net Spending 22.6 27.4% 

Funded by: 

Government general grants -10.4 12.6% 

Government reward grants -1.1 1.3% 

Council Tax -7.4 9.0% 

Deficit met from reserves -3.6 4.4% 

Neighbourhood 

Forums 

The next meetings are taking place on: 

• Monday 4 April at Fourfields School, 

Yaxley 

• Wednesday 6 April at The Corn 

Exchange, St Ives 

• Monday 11 April at The Priory Centre, 

St Neots 

• Wednesday 13 April at the Civic Suite, 

Pathfinder House, Huntingdon 

• Tuesday 19 April at Ramsey Community 

School, Station Road, Ramsey 

All meetings start at 7pm and everyone is 

welcome. 

As well as finding out what is going on 

locally, you can also raise any issues about 

crime and disorder and help to determine 

local policing policies. 

For more information visit 

www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/ 

getinvolved 

Contact us for all your printing needs 

We now offer a full range of 

design and quality digital print 

services to residents. 

Whether you are producing 

posters or leaflets for a school, 

voluntary group or charity, or 

you simply need invitations 

for a personal event – we can 

provide these for you. 

Our range of services 

includes: 

• graphic design and artwork 

• colour and black and white printing 

• posters, flyers, banners, forms, folders, newsletters, invitations and reports 

• finishing services including laminating, perforating and binding 

• scanning 

• ID card production 

We provide an efficient and competitively priced service. We would be pleased to have a 

chat with you about any of our services or to provide you with a quote. 

For more information email documentcentrestaff@huntsdc.gov.uk or call 

01480 388038. 

6 March 2011 district wide

News 

the same 

2010/11 Spending – good news 

We expect to have saved about £1.7m by 

the end of March mainly through good 

management. Re-negotiations of recycling 

fees and concessionary fares amounted 

to £0.3m, pay savings amounted to over 

£0.6m from awarding a zero pay award to 

many of our staff and holding posts vacant 

wherever possible. 

Leisure centre savings exceed £0.2m 

and successful appeals to reduce business 

rates amounted to £0.2m. This has been 

taken into account in our future financial 

plans and will make our reserves last 

a little longer whilst we identify future 

savings. 

We will only spend what we have 

For many years we have used our capital 

and revenue reserves (money in the bank) 

to keep the tax level down. They are now 

largely spent so our spending will be 

limited to what we get from council tax, 

government grant and the fees and charges 

from services (mainly leisure centre and car 

park users). 

We will spend £2.2m less in 2011/12 

than we planned to last year, and we expect 

to reduce staffing by 124 posts over the 

next four years. 

Priorities 

With scarce 

resources in 

the future we 

will have to 

concentrate on the 

services you tell us 

are a priority: 

• You want the 

district kept clean 

and your rubbish 

collected and recycled. 

You also want us to 

support safe and 

strong communities. 

• Many people suffer 

housing problems and we need to 

help them. Others are vulnerable or 

disadvantaged and need our help to live 

independently. 

• We also need to encourage new jobs, 

homes and facilities whilst safeguarding 

the environment and successfully 

managing the impact of growth. 

More information 

Our budget and medium term plan provides 

more information and can be found on 

our website www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/ 

budget 

For more information, or if you have 

comments or ideas about how we 

present financial information to 

you, contact Steve Couper on 

01480 388103 or email 

steve.couper@huntsdc.gov.uk 

27 March 2011 is Census Day 

You may have already received your 

questionnaire through the post. You need 

to complete it so we can take a snapshot 

of the population as it stands on one 

day – to give a consistent picture for the 

whole country. 

The answers you give should be about 

the people living or staying with you on 

27 March 2011, even if you fill in your 

questionnaire before, on, or after that 

date. You can complete it online, or fill in 

the paper questionnaire and send it back 

as soon as possible. 

Completing the census online is 

straightforward, convenient and secure. 

On the front of your postal questionnaire 

you will see your personal internet access 

code needed to sign in. You will need to use your code every time you access your 

online questionnaire. 

Simply go to http://2011.census.gov.uk for further more information. Remember 

that every householder is required by law to complete and return the census, and you 

could face prosecution if you don’t provide this information. All the information that 

you give remains confidential for 100 years. 

Rural 

broadband 

comes to 

Broughton 

Work on potential solutions to problems 

with access to broadband in our more 

rural areas continues. Our economic 

development team is working with 

the county and other district councils 

to develop a broadband strategy for 

Cambridgeshire, and preparing to bid 

for central government funding to help. 

Meanwhile a solution has been 

provided for one of our villages. 

A new high-speed broadband 

service has recently been launched in 

Broughton. The ‘fibre to the home’ 

service is provided by a company 

called Vtesse and enables connection 

speeds of up to 100 megabits per 

second. Residents and businesses 

interested in taking up this service can 

find more information at 

www.vtessebroadband.co.uk. 


usiness a strong, local economy 

St Ives Enterprise 

Centre welcomes 

its first tenant 

Security Systems 

Design Limited 

(SSD) has 

become the 

first occupier 

of the recently 

opened £1.1m 

St Ives Enterprise 

Centre. 

Having previously been based at home, 

Richard Slee decided the success and growth 

of his business required relocating to more 

appropriate premises, and identified the 

Enterprise Centre as an ideal location. 

SSD Ltd specialise in the design and 

installation of security systems provided 

to a wide range of sectors including 

governments, industry, retail and leisure and 

the public. 

Richard said: “The centre offered an ideal 

mixture of industrial and office space in a 

well established business location. The range 

of innovative sustainable features designed 

into the building appealed to us as hopefully 

they will contribute to keeping down our 

utility costs.” 

Developed by us the centre comprises 

eight industrial workspaces and six offices 

incorporating features such as under floor 

heating, air source heat pumps, climate 

control ventilation, rain water harvesting and 

a sedum roof providing enhanced insulation. 

For more information contact 

01480 388443 or visit www. 

huntingdonshire.gov.uk/enterprise 

centre or email economic. 

development@huntsdc.gov.uk 

If you've ever thought about becoming a market trader, this is the opportunity 

you’ve been waiting for. The Make it Your Market scheme, now in its third year, is 

running in Huntingdon and St Ives. 

Working with Business Link, Huntingdon Town Partnership and St Ives Town 

Initiative, we are offering free information sessions with everything you need to 

know to set up your own market stall. There are guides, hints and tips of the trade 

to help answer all your questions on becoming a market trader. 

Participants of the Make it Your Market scheme also benefit from free hire of 

market stalls and discounts on certain market pitch fees. 

No need to book, just turn up to find out more at Huntingdon All Saints Church 

on Wednesday 6 April and Wednesday 11 May 12pm–1pm and at 

St Ives Free Church, Friday 3 June and Friday 1 July 12pm–1pm. 

For more information contact Sue Bedlow 01480 387096 or email 

sue.bedlow@huntsdc.gov.uk 

Free business start-up workshops 

Opportunities to take part in free business start-up workshops and enterprise 

coaching are available to those of you thinking about starting your own business. 

The scheme, offered by us, Business Link and NWES will run in Ramsey, Yaxley and 

St Neots. Enterprise coaching will be offered on a one to one basis with a business 

start-up specialist, to help assess whether a business idea is achievable and highlight 

possible opportunities to move ideas forward. 

Business start-up workshop will take place on 11 March 9.30am–12.30pm at the 

Priory Centre St Neots. The workshop will go through the basics, providing a guide 

to everything you need to know about starting up a business, including the ‘three 

ingredients’ to success; business structure - the choices; tax, national insurance and 

VAT; and insurance premises and licenses. 

1-1 Enterprise Coaching sessions are available between 9.30am-1.30pm at: 

St Neots CreativExchange on 5 April, 3 May and 17 May and 6 June 

Yaxley Community Information Shop on 4 April, 9 May, 31 May and 14 June. 

Ramsey Community Centre on 11 April, 16 May, 7 June and 21 June. 

For more information, or to book an appointment for 1-1 Enterprise 

Coaching contact 0845 609 9991, or for the Start Your Own Business 

Workshop contact 0845 601 1000. 

Work team NVQ level 2 qualified in the laying of paving 

8 March 2011 district wide 

cambridge 91x64 press ad 250211.indd 2 

28/02/2011 09:52:00 AM

St Ives Enterprise Centre 

Caxton Road 

• Recently opened £1.1m centre offering 

quality premises for start up and fl edgling 

companies in well established Industrial Park. 

• Eight industrial and six offi ce units ranging 

in size from 210ft² (20m²) to 383ft² (36m²) 

offi ces and 570ft² (53m²) to 960ft² (89m²) 

industrial. 

• Utility costs minimised through key 

sustainability features. 

• 3 year lease with annual break provisions. 

Further information contact the Economic Development Department at Huntingdonshire District Council on 

01480 388443 or via email: economic.development@huntsdc.gov.uk 

Creativexchange St Neots 

RIBA award winning building offering unique 

workspace for businesses 

• Easy-in, easy-out tenancy 

• Offices, 12m² – 25m² 

• Staffed reception 

• Tennants have access to ongoing business advice 

New opportunity for large spacious office (64m²) 

benefiting from 270 degree views over Priory Park 

and Longsands Campus, with plenty of natural light 

and a balcony. Competitive in cost, the package 

includes utilities, broadband, telephone lines and 

handsets (exclusive of business rates and calls 

made). Available with a three year lease which 

includes a break clause after one year. 

For more details call 01480 223450 

or e-mail creative.exchange@nwes.org.uk 

Creativexchange, Longsands Road, St Neots, 

Cambridgeshire, PE19 1TE 

Managed by

environment a clean ‘green’ and attractive place 

Green Heart Community Awards 2011 

Huntingdonshire Green Heart Community Awards are once again looking for applications to 

find those inspirational projects and motivated people who help the local environment. 

The awards recognise community groups and individuals who are making a real 

difference by reducing their environmental footprint. From energy projects, waste and 

recycling schemes to sustainable growing schemes, and environmental awareness raising 

events to getting ideas off the ground. 

We want to know what has motivated you to take environmental action, what has been 

helpful in making projects successful and what challenges have been faced and overcome 

along the way. We are inviting applications under six categories: 

• Best environmental school 

• Young green achiever of the year 

• Best sustainable refurbishment project 

• Environmental business of the year 

• Green volunteer of the year 

• Best environmental project 

Jonathan Gray, executive councillor for environment said: “We want to find out more 

about the excellent environmental community projects in the district. We certainly came 

across many inspirational people and projects at the awards in 2010. We hope to see many 

more apply this year.” 

The entry pack is available to download at www.huntspost.co.uk or by 

contacting the environment team on 01480 388388. An awards ceremony is 

scheduled to take place on Saturday 4 June as part of the celebrations for World 

Environment Day. 

Be considerate with your bin 

Demonstrating 

our environmental 

success 

Leading architects visited our 

Green House project in St Ives. 

To demonstrate our successful 

environmental project, they were given 

a presentation and tour of the house. 

A visit was also made to our new 

St Ives Enterprise Centre, comprising 

offices and workshops for start-up 

businesses. The centre is innovative in 

design with environmentally friendly 

credentials. 

The purpose of the visit was to 

share ideas and to look at good 

design examples, and the architects 

were very impressed and enthusiastic 

about the projects. 

Our architect, Barry Le Bailly 

hosted the meeting, which was for the 

Eastern Region SCALA (Society of Chief 

Architects in Local Authorities). 

For some people bins left on the streets 

can become huge obstacles, particularly 

if you are a parent with a pushchair or 

a wheelchair user. To help reduce the 

problem, and to enable our bin service 

to continue to function efficiently and 

safely, here are few simple rules. 

Bins must be: 

• ready for collection by 6.30am on 

your collection day, or after 8pm 

the day before. 

• taken back into your garden 

as soon as possible after being 

emptied. Bins should not be left 

on the road for more than 24 

hours. 

If your bin is left on the street it can be unsightly and is more likely to be moved, 

stolen or knocked over, spreading litter around. Blue and green bins are also 

vulnerable to the wrong items being put in them by others. 

Please remember waste should be placed inside the correct bin. If the 

collection crew see that has not happened, the collection will not be made 

until the items have been removed. For more details on what items go in 

which bin visit www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/refuse 

Unsure of your collection dates Check online at www.huntingdonshire.gov. 

uk/bins 


a clean ‘green’ and attractive place environment 

Green house project 

continues to inspire 

We’ve had over 500 visitors 

since opening the doors to 

the green houses in 

St Ives and St Neots, and 

we hope to continue to see 

many more of you over the 

coming months. 

Here are just a few 

comments. 

• “Brilliant visit. Lots of information, so lucky to have 

this resource locally.” 

• “Extremely impressed – lots of information and ideas.” 

• “Good design and showing of energy saving solutions.” 

• “Very interesting and it looks like a proper house. 

• “Extremely interesting and knowledgeable guide. What a 

wake-up call.” 

During the next few months the St Ives Green House will be 

home to lots of exciting events. Visitors will have the chance to 

speak with experts about the different technologies that have 

been installed. Whether you want to find the best solution for 

insulation, or you are thinking about installing solar panels, the 

events aim to provide all the vital information you need. Keep an 

eye on our facebook page, twitter and the website for details. 

The green houses are open for everyone to see. Whether you 

are a school wanting to educate your pupils, a business that wants 

to green its premises or is looking to expand, or a resident who 

wants to find out how to improve their own home, a visit to the 

green houses is recommended. 

Visit the website at www.greenhouseproject.co.uk for 

a list of available opening dates and times. To book an 

appointment to view one or both of the houses call 

01480 388315 or 01480 388304. 

Take control 

of your 

heating costs 

With the cost of fuel still on 

the up, there has never been a 

better time to insulate your home 

and consider energy efficiency measures that 

can be easily installed. We must start looking 

at ways we can prevent heat loss in our homes 

and save energy to keep fuel costs down. 

One of the biggest savings can be achieved 

by installing cavity wall and loft insulation. A typical home can 

lose up to 30 per cent of its heat through walls that are not 

insulated, and similarly through an inadequate depth of loft 

insulation. 

As part of the ongoing improvements of housing across 

the district, we are promoting the Hunts CO2Y Homes scheme, 

offering eligible home owners free cavity and loft insulation. Along 

with this offer, home owners will also benefit from an assessment 

of their property to help identify where other home improvements 

can be made, and receive advice of financial assistance that may 

be available. 

The scheme is available for home owners and tenants in 

privately rented properties, who are in receipt of a disablement 

benefit or an income related benefit, including working tax credit 

and family tax credit where your income is less then £16,040. You 

are also eligible if you have children who receive disability living 

allowance or an elderly relative who receives one of the qualifying 

benefits and who permanently reside at your home. 

For more information, or to request an application form 

for the Hunts CO2Y Homes scheme, call the environment 

team on 01480 388388. 

For those who are not eligible for the scheme, the Energy Saving 

Trust provides free, impartial and expert advice on making your 

home more energy efficient. Call 0800 512012. 

Tips to saving energy in your home 

• Fit draught proofing to external doors and windows. If you 

can feel cold air coming in, warm air will be escaping out. 

• Improve your heating controls by installing a room 

thermostat and individual thermostatic radiator valves 

• Set your hot water cylinder to 60C 

• Insulate your hot water cylinder and hot water pipes to stop 

heat escaping 

• Turn your room thermostat down by just 1C. This could save 

up to 10 per cent on your bill 

• Fit energy saving light bulbs. These last up to 10 times 

longer than ordinary bulbs and can save you up to £10 a 

year on electricity. 

• Avoid leaving electrical appliances on standby. 

For more tips on saving energy and money visit 

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk 


Dare 

to be 

Different 

Come and see our fabulous New Range of Blinds and Curtains 

up to £200 of FREE UPGRADES on your purchase!!! 

For readers of Cambridge District Wide Magazine... Just bring this advertisement in to qualify 

Offer ends March 26th. Not to be used in conjunction with any other vouchers 

01223 460192 / 01954 211037 www.cambridge-sunblinds.co.uk 

Home Insulation Grants 

Government backed grants 

available to all homeowners 

CAVITY WALL INSULATION 

LOFT INSULATION 

Most Property Types 

You pay 

You pay 

only £149 

only £199 

Over 70’s 

get frEE 

insulation 

free loft insulation only available if you curently 

have less than 3 inches 

• Attendance Allowance 

• Disability Living Allowance 

• Council Tax Benefit 

• Pension Credit 

• Income Support 

• Housing Benefit 

Also FREE if you receive 

0870 042 1267 

Lines open 8 a.m to 8 p.m 

... or apply on line at www.energygrantsdirect.co.uk 

• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance 

• Working Tax Credit (Household income 

must be less than £16,040) 

• Child Tax Credit (Household income 

must be less than £16,040) 

All offers above are subject to survey and average property sizes - additional costs may apply for larger than average properties 

FUNDS ARE LIMITED- TO AVOID 

DISAPPOINTMENT, APPLY TODAY - CALL 

Energy Grants 

Direct

the diary 

APRIL 

AND 

MAY 

Your local guide to the arts, 

entertainment and events

the diary 

late MARCH 2011 

Saturday 26 

SCONE BAKING 

Find out how we make our delicious scones and have a go at making 

one yourself. National Trust, Houghton Mill, Mill Street, Houghton, 

PE28 2AZ. 11am to 4pm. Free event, normal admission charges apply. 

Info: Philip O'Donoghue 01480 301494 www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

CHOIR CONCERT - HUNTINGDON MALE VOICE CHOIR 

Performing with a gifted young ensemble of singers from Ramsey, 

including Natalie Davies and Hannah Butson, winners of Rotary Young 

Musicians of the Year 2010 Vocal Ensemble. 

St Mary’s Church, Church Street, St Neots. 7.30pm, £7. 

Info: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/paylinnz/main.htm 

APRIL 

Friday 1 

ST NEOTS AND EYNESBURY 1911 CENSUS 

Talk by Peter Ibbett at the St Neots Local History Society 

Eynesbury Church of England School, Montagu Street, PE19 2TD. 

7.30pm, £2.50. 

Info: Dave Jerrett 01480 216065 

APRIL FOOL'S FLING 

A fun musical evening for all - featuring Flat Lemingz, Nick Gellatly and 

Andrew Hickson. 

Little Paxton Church, St James’ Church, High Street, PE19 6HA. 

7.30pm, £5. Tickets available from Little Paxton Post Office. 

Info: June Griffin 01480 399773 or Annette Reed 01480 211048. 

Saturday 2 

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT MAKING 

Visit Houghton Mill and create a gift for someone special. Event includes 

a voucher for £1 off a cream tea on Mothering Sunday 3 April. 

National Trust, Houghton Mill, Mill Street, PE28 2AZ. 

11am to 4pm. Free event, normal admission charges apply. 

Info: Philip O'Donogaue 01480 301494 www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

Tuesday 7 

ENGAGE IN THE AFTERNOON - THE GARDENS OF THE NATIONAL TRUST 

A club for the over 50s. Each month there will be a guest speaker, and the 

opportunity to socialise, meet new people and enjoy refreshments. 

Huntingdon Library, Archives and Learning Centre, Princes Street, PE29 3PA. 

2pm-3.30pm, Free. 

Friday 8 – Sunday 10 

GRAFHAM WATER CENTRE PARENT AND CHILD WEEKENDS 

The chance for mums and dads to spend some time with their children 

at Grafham Water. This residential weekend will start at around 7pm. 

Activities include sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, 

archery, mountain biking and high ropes challenges. 

Grafham Water Centre, West Perry, Perry, Huntingdon, PE28 0BX. 

7pm, £290 for one adult and one child plus £90 for additional child. 

Info: 01480 810521 or visit www.grafham-water-centre.co.uk 

Thursday 9 

MESSIAH 

To celebrate Ramsey Choral Society’s 20th anniversary. Handel’s 

Messiah with professional soloists and orchestra will be performed. 

Thomas A Becket Church, High Street, Ramsey. 

7pm, £12, £10 concessions in advance, £14, £12 concessions on 

the door 

Info: www.ramseychoral.org 

Thursday 9 – 23 

EASTER TRAIL 

Follow the clues to collect the Easter bunnies from around the museum 

and receive a yummy reward. 

St Neots Museum, 8 New Street, PE19 1AE. 11am - 4pm. 

Free to local residents. Visitors £2 adults, £1 children and OAPs. 

Info: www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk 

Sunday 10 

BALLROOM DANCING 

In aid of MAGPAS with Chris Lewis and Ray Jenkins playing as “Tonica”. 

Water is provided. Hemingford Abbots Village Hall, High Street, PE28 

9AH. 2pm to 4.15pm £6. 

Info: Annette Gray 01480 463862 

Thursday 12 – Monday 16 

FAME - THE MUSICAL 

Based on the hit TV series of the 1980s the show is set in the High 

School for Performing Arts, New York and follows the progress of 

students to graduation. 

Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Hinchingbrooke School, 

Brampton Road, Huntingdon, PE29 3BN. 7.30pm. £8.50 and £7.50 

concessions. 

Info: www.spotlight-theatre.co.uk Box office 01480 477212 

Wednesday 13 April – 14 May 

THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE 

Local artist Mike Fleming looks at the lighter side of life, creating 

attractive and amusing cartoon scenes. St. Neots Museum, 8 New 

Street, PE19 1AE.11am - 4pm. 

Free to local residents. Visitor’s £2 adults, £1 children. 

Info: 01480 214163 www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk 

Friday 15 

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA 

Bring along a hard-boiled egg and transform it into a funky 

masterpiece, or get crafty and make a pop-up Easter card. No need to 

book. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

St Neots Museum, 8 New Street, St Neots, PE19 1A. 11am - 3pm, 

£2 per child. 


Thursday 16 

ORGAN RECITAL BY MAUREEN MCALLISTER AND ROBIN JACKSON 

An organ recital by this renowned duo. 

All Saints Church, Market Square, High Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3EA. 

7.30pm, £5, concessions £4. 

Info: John Dillistone 01480 455573

CROMWELL OPEN ART EXHIBITION 

Entries to the open art competition will be on display and some will 

be for sale. This event is in conjunction with the ‘Modern Takes on 

Cromwell’ exhibition. Huntingdon Library, Archives and Learning Centre, 

Princes Street, PE29 3PA. Free. 

Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 

EASTER TRAIL 

Explore the mill whilst following our special Easter trail. 

National Trust, Houghton Mill, Mill Street, Houghton, PE28 2AZ. 

11am to 4.30pm. £1.50 per child, including admission to mill. Normal 

adult admission charges apply. 

Info: www.nationtrust.org.uk Steve Bellis 01480 301494 

Saturday 22 

EASTER FUN 

Follow an Easter Teaser trail, have a go at Easter crafts, join the egg and 

spoon race and admire some farm animals. Easter bonnets are essential 

wear for adults and children with prizes for the best one of the day. 

Hinchingbrooke Country Park, Brampton Road, Huntingdon. 

Entry is free, but there may be a charge for some of the activities. 

Info: 01480 451568. 

Your local recycling 

centres at Alconbury, 

Bluntisham and St Neots 

are open for longer from 

1 April. 

Alconbury 

Mon - Sun: 8am – 5pm 

Bluntisham Mon - Sun: 8am – 5pm 

St Neots 

Mon - Sun: 8am – 6pm 

Sunday 23 – 25 APRIL 

MAMMOTH BOOK SALE 

100s of quality second hand books. Antiquarian, chic-lit, 

autobiographies, science fiction, crime, crafts, history and hobbies. Also 

a good selection of CDs and DVDs. 

Ramsey Rural Museum, The Woodyard, Wood Lane, PE26 2XD. 11am - 

5pm. Admission adults and concessions £1, children free. 

Info: 01487 815715 www.ramseyruralmuseum.co.uk 

Sunday 30 

GUIDED WALK 

Guided walk with Pat Doody at Portholm Meadows, Brampton. 

10.30am. Donation per person £1.50. 

Info: Alan Palmer 01354 656207 

www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk 

MAY 

Thursday 5 

ENGAGE IN THE AFTERNOON - WRITING 

Join Hazel Newton from Huntingdon Writer’s Group for a discussion on 

writing for the over 50s. Each month there will be a guest speaker, and 

the opportunity to socialise and meet new people. 

Huntingdon Library, Archives and Learning Centre, Princes Street, 

PE29 3PA. 2pm to 3.30pm, free. 

Friday 6 

MONKEY POET 

A double bill of Edinburgh shows. First up comedy-drama ‘Welcome to 

Afghanistan’ it’s 1839, join up with Lt John Greenwood as he travels to 

India and is hurled into the First Anglo-Afghan war. Based on Greenwood’s 

memoir published in 1844 and other accounts from the time. 

Huntingdon Commemoration Hall, 39, High Street, PE29 3AQ. 

7.30pm. £8.50, concessions £7.50 

Info: www.cremm.co.uk 

AVIATION ARCHAEOLOGY IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE 

Talk by Julian Evenhart. St Neots Local History Society. 

Eynesbury Church of England School, Montagu Street, St Neots, 

PE19 2TD. 7.30pm, £2.50. 


Saturday 7 

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT - HUNTINGDONSHIRE PHILHARMONIC 

Performing Arts Centre, Hinchingbrooke School, Brampton Road, 

PE29 3BN. 7.30pm £10, £6 for children and students. 

Info: Annabel Capon 07940 785980 www.huntsphil.org.uk

the diary 


THE BATTLE OF NASEBY - IN MINIATURE 

Play out the Battle of Naseby in miniature. 

Cromwell Museum, Grammar School Walk, Huntingdon, PE29 3LF. 

10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.00pm. Free. 

Info: 01480 375830 

Tuesday 10 

THE BATTLE OF NASEBY 

The most important battle of the English Civil Wars took place at 

Naseby in Northamptonshire in June 1645. This travelling exhibition 

from Market Harborough Museum explains why it is so significant. 

Cromwell Museum, Grammar School Walk, Huntingdon, PE29 3LF. 

Free. 


NATIONAL MILLS WEEKEND 2011 

Victorian themed fun. Meet the costumed staff and play with Victorian 

toys. Come dressed in Victorian style. The mill will be running on the 

Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1pm. 


11am to 4.30pm. Free event, normal admission charges apply. 


Sunday 15 

RAMSEY RURAL MUSEUM - ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL 

A fun day out for animal lovers, hosted in conjunction with Cromwell 

Veterinary Practice. 

Ramsey Rural Museum, The Woodyard, Wood Lane, PE26 2XD. 

11am - 4pm. adults £4.50, concessions £3.50, children £2.50, Children 

under 5 free, family ticket £12 (2 adults and 2 children 5-14). 

Info: 01487 815715 www.ramseyruralmuseum.co.uk 

Saturday 28 

MEDIEVAL MERRIMENT 

The Capriol dancers will perform dances of medieval Europe. Live musicians 

and jugglers in period costume will also entertain the crowd. 

Norris Museum, The Broadway, St Ives, PE27 5BX. 

11am to 3pm. Free. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Info: www.norrismuseum.org.uk 

Tuesday 31 

CREATIVE COOKIES 

Shape, bake and decorate your own biscuit to take home using freshly 

ground Houghton Mill wholemeal flour. 


1pm to 4pm. Free event, normal admission charge applies. 


JUNE 

Friday 3 

ST NEOTS AND THE GREAT WAR 

Talk by Ken Wood run by St Neots Local History Society. 

Eynesbury Church of England School, Montagu Street, PE19 2TD. 

7.30pm, visitors £2.50. 

Info: Dave Jarrett 01480 216065 


SOMERSHAM OPEN GARDENS 

Private gardens of all sorts and sizes will open their gates to the public 

for the sixth Somersham Open Gardens Weekend. Plants, home produce, 

and refreshments on sale. Tickets and programmes (inclusive of both 

days) are available during the event from The Cross in Somersham or 

from any participating garden. 

12noon - 5pm, £2.50 (under 16s free). 

Info: Geoff Baines 01487 740727 

the diary is compiled from information on 

www.cambridgeshire.net. 

If you have an event coming up or you wish to promote 

your organisation, log on to this website and register your 

details. 


Scudamore’s Self-Hire 

Season Tickets 2011 

Make the most of the River Cam this year and enjoy 

regular canoeing, kayaking, punting and rowing 

without breaking the bank. So, whether you are a 

boating fanatic or just enjoy the occasional social 

trip, we have the ticket for you! 

Ultimate 

value for 

river lovers! 

Value: prices start at only £90. 

Choice: individual or shared users. 

Longevity: valid for 6 months from April. 

Availability: online, by phone or on-station. 

Contact: 01223 359750 or www.punting.co.uk. 

# 

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Alconbury 01487 834188 

reception@donarbon.com 

OB2967 DistrictWide 135x190 25/2/11 09:49 Page 1 

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safe, vibrant and inclusive communities Communities 

Make a Difference Day 

As part of the CSV Make a Difference Day 2010, 

Huntingdonshire Volunteer Centre organised an event 

for people to volunteer and make a difference to the MS 

Therapy Centre, a charity which supports people with 

Multiple Sclerosis across the district. The project included 

tidying the garden and planting spring bulbs. 

Penny Shaw, manager of the Hunts Volunteer Centre, 

said: “Our team of volunteers thoroughly enjoyed the day. 

We hope to make this an annual event, so please look at 

our website to find out how you can take part in 2011.” 

Huntingdonshire Volunteer Centre is a charity 

supported by us. Last year it found over 600 volunteer placements 

in over 160 different organisations. 

If you are interested in volunteering, contact your nearest office: Huntingdon on 01480 

414766, Ramsey on 01487 814117, St Ives on 01480 301462 or St Neots on 01480 476047 or 

e-mail huntsvolunteercentre@googlemail.com stating which area you live in or visit 

www.huntingdonshirevolunteercentre.co.uk 

Abbots Ripton 

Abbotsley 

Alconbury 

Alconbury Weston 

Alwalton 

Barham and Woolley 

Bluntisham 

Brampton 

Brington 

Broughton 

Buckden 

Buckworth 

Bury 

Bythorn 

Catworth 

Chesterton 

Colne 

Conington 

Covington 

Denton & Caldecote 

Diddington 

Earith 

Easton 

Ellington 

Elton 

Farcet 

Fenstanton 

Folksworth and Washingley 

Glatton 

Godmanchester 

Grafham 

Great Gidding 

Great Gransden 

Great Paxton 

Great Staughton 

Great Stukeley 

Haddon 

Hail Weston 

Hamerton & Steeple Gidding 

Hemingford Abbots 

Hemingford Grey 

Hilton 

Holme 

Houghton & Wyton 

Huntingdon 

Keyston 

Kimbolton 

Kings Ripton 

Leighton 

Little Gidding 

Little Paxton 

Little Stukley 

Molesworth 

Morborne 

Needingworth 

Offord Cluny 

Offord Darcy 

Old Hurst 

Old Weston 

Perry 

Pidley-cum-Fenton 

Ramsey 

Sawtry 

Sibson-cum-Stibbington 

Somersham 

Southoe 

Spaldwick 

St Ives East 

St Ives West 

St Ives South 

St Neots 

Stilton 

Stow Longa 

Tilbrook 

Toseland 

Upton & Coppingford 

Upwood & The Raveleys 

Warboys 

Waresley-cum Tetworth 

Water Newton 

Winwick 

Wistow 

Woodhurst 

Woodwalton 

Wyton on The Hill 

Yaxley 

Yelling 

Will you be 

first past 

the post 

on election 

day 

Bank holiday 

markets 

For a shopping trip that’s fun for 

all the family, visit the St Ives Bank 

Holiday Monday market. The town 

is host to four Bank Holiday markets 

throughout the year on 25 April, 2 

May, 30 May and 29 August. 

The town centre also offers a wide 

range of shops, cafes and pubs, all 

within easy walking distance of the 

town centre car parks. 

To finish off your day, the scenic 

riverside setting invites you to take a 

stroll and admire the view. 

For more information on markets 

visit www.huntingdonshire.gov. 

uk/markets 

On Thursday 5 May, the UK will go to the polls to decide on whether 

the voting system for Parliamentary elections should be changed. In 

Huntingdonshire, elections are scheduled for some district council seats and 

for all seats on 36 parish or town councils. Some residents will get one ballot 

paper, some two papers and in certain areas voters will have three. 

You should receive your poll card by 1 April. If you think you are eligible to 

vote but do not receive a poll card, call 01480 388017 to check that you are 

registered. You do not need a poll card to vote but you must be registered. 

The last date to register to be eligible to vote on 5 May is 14 April. 

If you would like to apply for a postal vote, visit www.huntingdonshire. 

gov.uk/postal for an application form, or call 01480 388017. Completed forms 

must be returned to the electoral registration officer by 5pm on 14 April. 

To find out which elections are taking place in your area, see the table on 

the left. Each polling district is listed and coloured according to the poll taking 

place. White denotes a referendum, green is referendum and district election 

and yellow is referendum, district and parish elections – although your parish 

elections maybe uncontested. 

What is the Alternative Vote 

At present the UK uses the ‘first past the post’ system to elect MPs, which means 

the candidate with the most votes wins. The referendum will ask whether the 

‘alternative vote’ system should be used instead. 

To cast your vote using the ‘alternative vote’ you use numbers to rank the 

candidates in order of your preference. You put 1 next to your first choice, 2 

next to your second choice, 3 next to your third choice and so on. When the 

votes are counted, if a candidate receives more than half the total number 1 

votes cast, they win. However if it is less than half the votes, then the secondpreference 

votes of the candidate who finished last on the first count are 

redistributed. This process is repeated until someone gets over 50 per cent. 


Communities safe, vibrant and inclusive communities 

Crackdown on housing tenancy fraud 

BLOW THE 

WHISTLE ON 

HOUSING 

C HE ATS 

An anti fraud initiative set up by us and 

Luminus, to crack down on housing fraud, 

has proved a success. The initiative has been 

so effective that we are now working in 

partnership with Muir Housing Group to 

investigate similar matters. 

The Audit Commission’s report Protecting 

the Public Purse exposed areas of risk for 

local councils to consider, including social 

housing tenants who unlawfully sub-let 

their properties to people for financial gain. 

Until now this area of work had relied 

almost entirely on reports from members of 

the public. To date 13 reports have been 

received of people sub-letting their properties 

unlawfully, and three properties have been 

secured for re-letting to other households. 

Other tenants have either had to return to 

the address and live in it, or been warned 

that they face eviction if they continue to 

breach their tenancy conditions. A number of 

investigations are continuing. 

Councillor Andrew Hansard, executive 

councillor for housing and public health said: 

“It is important that we make the best use 

of the social rented housing given the level 

of demand we face. This initiative makes 

sure that those who no longer need their 

housing association property, and are looking 

to gain by sub-letting it, will be caught and 

the property re-let to those with a genuine 

housing need.” 

In our drive towards making savings we 

are expanding our work around housing 

tenancy fraud to use intensive data-matching 

to identify tenants who use their properties 

unlawfully. Tenants who are found to be 

in breach of their tenancy face eviction and 

prosecution if they have committed any 

criminal offences. 

If you know someone who is sub-letting 

their Luminus or Muir Housing property 

contact the fraud investigation team on 

01480 388480 or call the confidential 

fraud hotline on 01480 388188 or visit 

www.hundingdonshire.gov.uk/fraud 

Provider of concessionary bus passes is changing 

Don’t forget that from April 1 2011, the responsibility of providing concessionary bus passes 

will transfer from us to Cambridgeshire County Council. 

For more information or for an application form contact Cambridgeshire 

County Council on 01223 715588 or visit http://tinyurl.com/695ngrn or email 

concessionary.fares@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 

Council tax collection steps up 

At this time of year all monthly council tax 

and non-domestic rates should have been 

paid, although this is not always the case. 

Working with bailiffs Newlyn Plc, we have 

stepped up action to recover unpaid debts. 

Prior to instructing bailiffs, a liability 

order is issued by Huntingdon Magistrates 

Court and a notice is sent to the debtors, 

giving them the opportunity to contact us 

to arrange payment. A minimum of five 

notices are sent. All cases are checked to 

ensure that the correct procedures have 

been taken, and that there is no alternative 

before instructing bailiffs. 

Teams from Newlyn Plc have worked 

across the district and made contact 

with debtors to collect full payment or 

make short-term arrangements in certain 

cases. They patrolled areas in tow trucks, 

equipped with automatic number plate 

recognition cameras, and were prepared 

to remove vehicles unless debtors arranged 

outstanding payment. This action resulted 

in several full payments, and some shortterm 

arrangements being made. Additional 

enforcement action will continue. 

If you have council tax arrears contact 

the local taxation recovery team 01480 

388030 or contact the bailiff if your case 

has already been passed to them for 

collection, Newlyn Plc 01604 633001, or 

Rossendales Ltd 0844 701 3980. 

For more information visit 

www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/ 

counciltax or contact the council tax 

team 01480 388030 or benefits team 

01480 388388. 

Small businesses 

receive over 

£40,000 in refunds 

There are over 1300 businesses in 

Huntingdonshire that receive small 

business rate relief, but many more 

could be entitled. 

Small businesses with a rateable 

value below £6,000 will pay no 

business rates until the 30 September 

2011. Those with a rateable value 

of between £6,000 and £12,000 will 

get a phased relief, and those above 

£12,000 and below £18,000 will have 

their bill calculated at a reduced rate. 

Our local taxation team has 

contacted small businesses that may 

be entitled to this relief to encourage 

them to apply. As a result, 30 local 

businesses have received a refund of 

rates totalling over £40,000. In most 

cases these businesses will not have to 

pay any more rates until next October. 

It’s worth checking your rates bill 

to see if your property has a rateable 

value below £18,000. If you are not 

paying business rates on another 

commercial property, you could be 

entitled to business rate relief. 

If you have received an application 

form, please read, complete and 

return it. It could save you money. 

Visit www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/ 

businessrates or call 01480 388030. 

New Ramsey library 

We will continue to offer the services 

that were available from the community 

information centre within the new Ramsey 

library for two days a week. The new 

library, opening this summer, is situated 

on the site of the former Ramsey Grand 

on the Great Whyte. It will provide 

an exciting combination of the latest 

technology and all the popular services 

that customers currently enjoy. 

New services include self-service 

machines, allowing customers to borrow, 

return and renew items quickly, and pay 

overdue charges, a learning centre to hold 

seminars and courses, community rooms 

for hire and baby changing facilities. 

When it is time to move in to the new 

building, the current library will close and 

a mobile service will operate. 

Visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ 

leisure/libraries for more information 

on services available, opening times 

and promotional events. 


safe, vibrant and inclusive communities Communities 

Planning just 

got easier 

Viewing and commenting on planning 

applications is now easier than ever, thanks 

to recent updates and improvements to our 

Public Access system. 

Public Access is an online system that allows you to find out about 

planning, building control and licensing applications. Once registered you can also comment 

on applications easily and retrieve tailored information whenever you want it. 

New features include being able to register a user account which will allow you to take 

advantage of the advanced profile features such as ‘The My Profile’ area. This allows you to add 

your personal details as well as manage your searches and applications. (Personal details will be 

securely stored) 

The benefits: 

• Searches performed frequently can be saved and repeated easily. 

• You can track any application or appeal, keeping up to date with progress. 

• Automated notification (within Public Access and by email) of status changes to applications 

that are in a saved search or are being tracked. 

• Your comments on applications can be submitted using name and address details saved in 

the My Profile area to save time re-entering. 

The search facility has also been improved. It provides a variety of methods to allow 

you to find the information you are looking for: 

• Simple search – for applications or appeals according to your entered text 

• Advanced search – according to a wide combination of factors 

• Map search – using an interactive map tool 

• Property search – for a particular property 

• Weekly/monthly lists – for applications whose status is validated or decided within a particular 

time period. 

Public Access has been designed to be accessible to a wide range of users, and independently 

assessed for usability and meets the RNIB See it Right Guidelines. Further improvements to the 

licensing and building control areas of Public Access will be made later this year. 

We would like to hear your views on the system, email developmentcontrol@ 

huntsdc.gov.uk To view the system visit www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/publicaccess 

Call centre gets top marks from 

mystery shopper 

Top marks were awarded to our call 

centre in a mystery shopping exercise. The 

exercise, carried out by Mystery Shoppers 

Ltd, assessed the quality of telephone calls 

and emails by looking at helpfulness, the 

nature of the query, how the customer was 

greeted and professionalism, and the council achieved 100 per cent in a number of 

these areas. 

Of the 14 authorities that were assessed, we were placed in first position for 

emails and second position for calls, with 17 out of 18 calls marked as good or 

excellent, and 17 out of 18 emails marked as excellent. 

Councillor Terry Rogers, whose executive responsibilities include customer services 

said: “It is our priority to provide excellent customer service. The results of the mystery 

shopping exercise confirm that we are responding positively to our customers. We 

will be looking to build on our strengths and make improvements, where necessary.” 

Top planning award 

for Great Fen 

A master plan documenting how the 

Great Fen project will be taken forward 

has won the UK’s top planning prize. 

The project was awarded the Silver 

Jubilee Cup, the Royal Town Planning 

Institute’s overall top award after 

already receiving the institute’s award 

in the Rural Areas and the Natural 

Environment category. The awards are 

widely regarded as being the ‘Oscars’ of 

the planning world. 

The Great Fen Masterplan sets 

out how the Great Fen will re-create 

fourteen square miles (over 9000 acres) 

of ancient fen landscape over the 

coming years and decades, to become 

an internationally important place for 

wildlife and people. The plan was 

drawn up by us with the Environment 

Agency, Middle Level Commissioners, 

Natural England and The Wildlife Trust 

for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, 

Northamptonshire and Peterborough, 

and LDA Design led the preparation of 

the Masterplan 

In their comments about the 

project, judges said: “The Great Fen 

project directly addresses Defra’s key 

areas of sustainable development by 

contributing to diversification and 

development of the rural economy. 

The project demonstrates the role that 

planners and the planning system can 

play in providing sustainable green 

infrastructure. As such it provides a 

model for planning work elsewhere and 

a sound basis from which other similar 

projects can learn.” 

Councillor Doug Dew, whose 

executive responsibilities include 

planning strategy said: “This is a great 

success for us and our partners in the 

Great Fen Project. There is a huge 

amount of credit due to our planning 

officers and this award shows that 

they are on top of their game. To be 

recognised by your peers is an honour 

indeed, and I congratulate them on 

their and our success. Our partners also 

deserve to be congratulated for their 

huge contributions to this top award.” 


health healthy living 

Easter sports road shows 

A variety of fun and entertaining sports and free activity sessions are available to young people during the Easter holidays. 

Sports courses include golf, mountain biking, climbing and sailing. The activity roadshows are free of charge and provide sports based games 

from 1.30pm–4.00pm for 5–11 year olds. Plus free Playtimes will be taking place in the mornings, 10am–12noon, for 4–9 year olds. 

These sessions are part of the sport and active lifestyles programme, and a majority of the sports courses are run in partnership with local 

sports clubs. 

For more information visit www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/activelifestyles to download the Easter brochure, or contact 01480 388244. 

Easter fun at One Leisure 

Get involved in 

the Sports Festival 

in the Park 2011 

The Huntingdonshire Sports Festival in 

the Park is being held on Sunday 24 

July 2011 at Hinchingbrooke Country 

Park between 11am and 2pm. This 

event is part of the London 2012 

Open weekend, celebrating one year 

to go until the start of the London 

2012 games. The festival follows on 

from the successful event in 2010 

which attracted over 500 people. 

This family orientated event 

aims to give local sports clubs and 

organisations the opportunity to 

showcase their activities. The free event 

will have many sporting challenges and 

activities for people to try. 

We are looking for any sports clubs 

and organisations interested in having 

a stand or running an activity on the 

day to get in touch. 

Councillor Andrew Hansard, whose 

executive responsibilities include sport 

and active lifestyles said: “I hope that 

as many sports clubs and organisations 

as possible take up the chance to get 

involved. Having attended in 2010, 

I know it is a fantastic event that 

clearly demonstrates the diverse sports 

available in Huntingdonshire.” 

The festival forms part of the 

Sport England Funded DASH project 

(Delivering Activities and Sport in 

Huntingdonshire) and the project 

is delivered by our sport and active 

lifestyles team. 

For more information contact David 

Reeve on 01480 387098 or e-mail 

david.reeve@huntsdc.gov.uk 

If you are on the hunt for activities to keep children active and entertained during the Easter 

holidays, look no further than your local One Leisure site. 

All our One Leisure centres, located in Huntingdon, Ramsey, Sawtry, St Ives and St Neots 

have put together a packed programme of fun sport and leisure activities guaranteed to burn 

off those Easter treats. 

Activities include the popular kids holiday clubs, swimming courses, archery, street dance, 

football, cheerleading, roller skating, arts and crafts, cooking and the new Camp Rock 

workshop. These activities are aimed at children from three to 14 years of age. 

Leo’s Funzone is an indoor adventure play centre at One Leisure Huntingdon and One 

Leisure St Neots suitable for babies, toddlers and children up to nine years of age. Adults 

can relax in Caffè Zest whilst watching their children enjoy the multi levels, packed ball pools, 

slides, spinning panels, wobble floors and a stimulating play area for 

babies and toddlers. 

Don’t hesitate to hop on down to your local 

One Leisure site and see what activities are on 

offer, or visit the website 

www.oneleisure.net 

Get on your Ex-Bike 

One Leisure St Ives has invested in the latest TechnoGym 

group cycles to provide customers with a quality experience 

in this new Ex-Bike fitness class. 

Led by a qualified instructor, you can cycle away to 

motivational music whilst toning and shaping your whole 

body. 

There are beginner classes for those who have not 

attended before and Elite classes for those who want to 

be pushed to the limit. The group cycles allow for the 

resistance on the bike to be adjusted to suit all levels. 

Choose from 25 different Ex-Bike classes seven days a 

week. 

With the One Card, you can book Ex-Bike classes up to 

seven days in advance. Bookings can be made in person, 

by phone or using the online booking system. 

For an Ex-Bike timetable contact One Leisure 

St Ives on 01480 388500 or visit www.oneleisure.net 


healthy living health 

Noise Action Week 2011 

We receive over 500 complaints about noise every year. This year our Noise Action Week campaign will focus on 

neighbour noise and raising awareness on the dangers of listening to personal music players at a high volume. 

Look after your ears now; enjoy music forever 

Many of us like to listen to music while working, in the gym or on public transport. However, if you turn the 

volume up too loud, you could be putting your hearing at risk. Research for the Royal National Institute for the 

Deaf shows that two thirds of people in the UK, who use personal music players, listen to music too loudly and risk 

permanent ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing damage. 

Over the last few years, leisure noise has developed into a significant hazard to hearing as it is often too loud 

and a growing number of people, particularly young people, are exposed to it. 

When you listen to your personal music player, take regular breaks, consider investing in a pair of headphones 

that are noise-cancelling or sound-isolating, and if your player has a volume limiter make sure you set it at a 

sensible level. Sound-induced hearing damage includes difficulties understanding speech in noisy environments, 

tinnitus and hypersensitivity to loud sounds. 

Be considerate to your neighbours 

We all have a right to enjoy our homes and choice of music. However, we do not have the right to spoil other 

people’s enjoyment of their homes by having regular late-night noisy parties or playing loud music. 

Noise from entertainment, such as stereos, radios and televisions is the biggest causes of complaints between 

neighbours. This behaviour can cause distress, loss of sleep and even illness. 

The environmental health department has a duty to investigate complaints about noise, and to take action if 

the noise is considered to be a statutory noise nuisance. 

To find out more visit our information display at Huntingdon Library from 12 to 20 May or at 

the main council offices from 23 to 27 May, email us at noiseactionweek@huntsdc.gov.uk visit 

www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/noiseactionweek or call 01480 388302. 

2 

FREE 

introductory sessions 

at the following clubs 

Does your sports 

club or organisation 

need help 

Jolly Archers of Houghton 

and Wyton 

Dates: 16th April & 14th May 2011 

Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm 

Age: All 

Venue: Jubilee Park, Kings Ripton 

Road, Huntingdon 

Qualified archery coaches will introduce 

the basic skills of this exciting sport. The 

club welcomes archers of all abilities and 

ambitions. For those who’ve 

shot before come along 

and develop your skills 

further. Please come in 

comfortable clothing as 

it will be outdoors. 

St Ives Roosters Rugby 

League Club 

Dates: 6 th April & 13 th April 2011 

Time: 7.30pm-900pm 

Age: 15+ 

Venue: One Leisure St Ives Outdoor 

Playing Rugby League has many benefits 

including keeping fit, and meeting 

new people. Whatever your level or 

ability St Ives Roosters provides varying 

degrees of competition 

over the summer and for all 

those rugby enthusiasts or 

anyone interested in taking 

up the sport will find it both 

rewarding and enjoyable. 

St Ivo Racquets Club 

Dates: 4 th April & 11 th April 2011 

Time: 7.00pm-8.30pm 

Ages: All 

Venue: One Leisure St Ives Outdoor 

If you are looking for a great way to 

get fit, meet new people, and have fun, 

squash could be the sport for you. Come 

along and have a go - learning the basics 

if you have never played, or pick up 

some tips from the club coaches. Some 

rackets are available but please bring 

your own if you have one. 

All sessions open to all ages except where specified. 

All equipment supplied where neccessary, no booking required 

Contact: Paul Ashbridge 01480 388842 or email activelifestyles@huntsdc.gov.uk 

• Increasing membership 

• Marketing the club 

• Raising the standard of the club 

• Increasing the clubs profile 

Not the big 4 is a marketing 

strategy aimed at improving the 

profile and quality of clubs and 

sports in Huntingdonshire (other 

than the big 4 of football, cricket, 

swimming and golf). 

www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/activelifesyles 


Advertisement Feature 

Courtesy of East mag 

Greener environment Sound InVESTMEnT 

We visited an installation of PV Solar Energy Panels in Comberton, 

Cambridgeshire, to learn more about the eco friendly green energy 

source that saves money on electricity plus can return 12% per 

annum on the investment. 

Ian McFarlane, who owns the house in 

Comberton, had solar panels installed in 

his home and revealed to us how easy the 

process was. “The installation was surprisingly 

simple, he told us. “It was all completed in just 

under 3 hours and we are very pleased with 

the results. The panels were fixed to the rear 

of the garage roof because of being south 

facing and for us, the advantage of not being 

seen from the front of the house.” 

Not only is Mr McFarlane’s installation 

helping the environment, he is also benefiting 

from some convincing financial incentives. 

“We are expecting to save around 50% on our 

electricity bills,” he says. “But more important 

is the Government tax free ‘Feed In Tariff 

Scheme’ (FIT) that should yield an estimated 

£1,200-£1,400 per year for the next 25 years.” 

Once the panels are fixed to the roof, 

cables are connected to the Inverter box that 

converts the power from DC to AC, for the 

electricity mains in the house. 

The electricity sourced by the solar 

panels, if not consumed by the home as it is 

produced, is fed back into the National Grid, 

Inverter 

box 

hence the Feed In Tariff. 

Mr McFarlane had chosen the 4kw system, 

as that is the most common choice and the 

most efficient for the rebate, however you 

can choose less panels and still benefit from 

the FIT. 

All installers of solar panels now have 

to be government approved, via the MCS 

(Microgeneration scheme), providing added 

assurance for homeowners 

An average house installation is between 

£10,000-£12,000 in total, however, receiving 

around £1,250 per year over 25 years from 

the FIT scheme and the electricity savings, 

there is no question that this is a sound 

investment. 

Paul Shiels, founder and co-owner of 

Biggleswade-based company G.R.E.E.N. 

Ltd explains how the market is showing 

incredible growth... 

Average installation cost is around 

12K. We have over the past three 

months generated around 60 sales 

averaging around five a week. First 

week in February generated 8 sales. 

The market is envisaged to reach 

250,000 installs by 2012. The tariff 

budget allocated for the FIT is 400 

million up to December 2012. That’s an 

awful lot of installs. 

The FIT started April 2010, it runs for 

25 years. It is both index linked and tax 

free for domestic homes. Commercial 

buildings are not exempt from tax. VAT 

is set at 5% on domestic installs and 

at the standard 20% for commercial 

buildings. 

It is likely that the Government will 

restrict joining the FIT once satisfactory 

numbers have been reached. This was 

the case in most European countries. 

Germany, the worlds largest solar user, 

restricted the FIT after six years. This 

means that all those already joined still 

enjoy their 25 year bonanza but no-one 

else can join.

District Wide March 2011 - Huntingdonshire District Council

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