From our local County Councillor
I represented the County Council at a meeting of the Local Government Association Rural Commission. One of the main topics for discussion was the practicalities of the Government plans to roll-out superfast Broadband nationwide. The Greater Cambridgeshire Local Enterprise Partnership has applied to be one of the first areas to take part in the project.
The East Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership, which I sit on, met to receive various updates on crime and disorder matters. The ECCSP has been given a new duty by Government, which is to undertake a review of any homicide in which domestic violence has played a part. We had a lengthy discussion on how to fulfill that duty (which hopefully will not be needed) and agreed to ask the next meeting to appoint 2 Councillors to a County-wide panel from which an independent Chairman for any review will be selected.
I also attended a number of informal cabinet meetings.
As reported previously, Cllr Jill Tuck has announced that she will not be seeking re-election as Leader of the Council at the Annual Meeting on 17 May. At a Conservative Group meeting we elected Cllr Nick Clarke as Leader (designate) of the Conservative Group. Subject to a formal vote on 17 May Cllr Clarke will be confirmed as the new Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council. I feel greatly honoured that, subject to a formal vote at the same meeting Cllr Clarke has asked me to join the County Council Cabinet to take responsibility for the Children and Young People's portfolio. Since that news became public my Email in-box has been filling up with meeting requests! I am currently receiving numerous briefings from Directors and other officers and I am really looking forward to the challenge of my new role.