The formation of a new Liberal Democrat & Independent Group on East Cambridgeshire District Council has set the political balance on the 28-strong council on a knife edge.

The new Group has fourteen members—thirteen Liberal Democrats plus one independent (James Lay, Woodditton). So does the ruling Conservative Group, which is now expected to cling onto control of the council and its committees by the casting vote of the chair at every meeting. 

The new Group’s leader, Cllr Lorna Dupré, says:

“This new Group will work together in the best interests of the residents of East Cambridgeshire. Its formation will now force the council to review the size of council committees and the number of members on them. For too long the Conservative group on the council has forced through its agenda by clinging on to a majority which is not justified by either the number of seats or the number of votes it has.”

Cllr James Lay (Independent) adds:

“I was elected in 2023 as a Conservative councillor to represent Woodditton on East Cambridgeshire District Council. I believe the residents of Woodditton deserve an explanation of my reasons for leaving the Conservatives, and joining a new Liberal Democrats & Independent Group on the council as an Independent councillor.

Under the Conservatives, too many decisions have been made behind closed doors without debate in council. The full council meets only five times a year, to restrict and control debate. By contrast, neighbouring South Cambridgeshire, West Suffolk, Fenland, Babergh, and Huntingdonshire meet eight times a year.

Conservatives on East Cambridgeshire are told what to think, and theirs is not a happy ship. Major decisions in the next six months may bring matters to a head and we may see further changes in the Conservative Group then.

Leaving the Conservative Group has not been an easy decision for me. But I hope our new Group will bring more democracy and debate to East Cambridgeshire District Council, for the benefit of all who live in our District.”

Cllr Christine Whelan has been elected as the Group’s Deputy Leader.

The new Group has submitted a requisition to the Chair of the Council calling for an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Council to agree sizes and membership of committees. By law these must be proportional to the balance of the membership of the council as a whole.

Applications are now open for spaces on Cambridgeshire County Council’s Christmas Holiday Activities and Food Programme.

Children in receipt of income-related free school meals can access a fully funded place at a participating holiday scheme or family experience for up to sixteen hours. Recently arrived refugee families and families struggling financially are also eligible.

Further information can be found at

• Cambridgeshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme | Cambridgeshire County Council
• HAF Provider Directory | Cambridgeshire County Council

Residents are invited to find out more about local nature recovery projects in a free event at Ely Library on Saturday 16 November from 10:00AM to 3:00PM.

There will be four talks:

• 10:00AM  Witchford Climate Action Group
• 11:00AM  Wicken Fen: peatland restoration
• 12:00PM  Oxwillow: restoring farmland habitat
• 12:30PM  Natural Cambridgeshire: doubling nature

There will also be a range of stalls including Wildlife Trust BCN, RSPB, Renew: Ely Cathedral Environment Group and East Cambs Climate Action Network. The event is organised in partnership with East Cambridgeshire District Council and East Cambs CAN.

All welcome, no need to book.

Today I proposed a motion at the meeting of Cambridgeshire County Council about the safety of lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes, e-scooters, and other appliances. I was delighted that it passed unanimously. This is what I said.

“Many here today will be aware of the tragic death of a mother and her two children in Cambridge nearly sixteen months ago. They died in a fire which took hold rapidly in their home, when a faulty replacement e-bicycle battery caught alight. It had been purchased online after the original battery had been stolen.

Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly being used in a wide range of household goods. When they overheat—which they can do for a variety of reasons—this can lead to unstoppable thermal runaway, uncontrolled chemical reactions, explosions, and fires which are very difficult to control.

The importation of lithium-ion batteries into the UK without adequate requirements for independent testing is a particular risk, especially when bought online. While high street shops have a responsibility to ensure the safety of electrical goods they sell, online retailers do not. It is even possible to buy online electrical products no longer available on the high street because they have been recalled by the manufacturers.

Increasing use of lithium-ion batteries has led to increasing risk of fire. Fires in people’s homes, as in the Cambridge tragedy. Fires in waste collection vehicles. Fires at waste sites. A growing threat—to residents in their homes, to council waste crews, and to firefighters. Local authorities such as ours, and our partners are doing what we can to spread information. But it’s not enough.

Lord Foster of Bath and the charity Electrical Safety First have been calling for some time for changes in the law to improve the safety of lithium-ion batteries.

• Firstly, there must be a regime of independent approval testing so that the UK public can be assured that the batteries they are buying are safe.
• Secondly, there must be regulations for the safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries.
• And thirdly, there must be adequate controls to address specific fire safety concerns. These include the safety of chargers, and of conversion kits such as those that turn pushbikes into e-bikes.

This motion asks that we, as a council, endorse the proposals by Lord Foster and Electrical Safety First.

Furthermore, it asks that the Chief Executive write to the Minister to encourage the Government to support new legislation; and to our partners in the Fire Authority, RECAP, and its constituent authorities, to spread the message and encourage them to make their own representations.”

Congratulations to the residents of Soham and Barway this evening on the passing of the referendum on their Neighbourhood Plan.

Soham and Barway join a growing number of communities in East Cambridgeshire—including Sutton, Witchford and Mepal in my own division—whose area is covered by a Neighbourhood Plan. These plans are a great way of enabling local residents to design and shape their places.

The East Cambridgeshire Community Fund will be open to applications between Monday 28 October and Monday 9 December 2024. 

Grants are available to support local community groups to provide new, or develop existing, community services and initiatives that improve the quality of life for residents of East Cambridgeshire. They cannot provide capital funding for buildings but can be used to buy equipment. 

Grants are available to cover up to 75 per cent of your project costs. The minimum grant is £250 and the maximum £1000.

Applicants must have a written constitution, a management committee with a Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, a bank account with a two-signatory requirement, up to date accounts, and an Equal Opportunity and Child Protection Policy where applicable.

Voluntary and Community Action East Cambridgeshire can offer advice to help you meet these requirements. Please call 01353 666166 or email Voluntary and Community Action East Cambridgeshire.  

For further information contact 01353 665555 or visit https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/finance/east-cambridgeshire-community-fund where you will find more information and application forms.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging individuals to act now and check their National Insurance record to fill any gaps in their National Insurance records from 2006 onwards, to maximise their State Pension.

People have until Saturday 5 April 2025 to maximise their State Pension by making voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill any gaps in their National Insurance record between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018.

HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions are encouraging people to act now and use the online State Pension forecast checker to see if they can increase their retirement income.

The service enables people to check if they have gaps in their National Insurance record, calculate if making a payment would increase their State Pension, and then make a payment if they wish to do so.

East Cambridgeshire District Council has published the following planning applications in the Sutton division.

24/00898/FUL
Witcham
Park House 2 The Slade Witcham
First floor extension over existing flat roof.

24/00636/FUL
Witchford
1 Clover End Witchford CB6 2XD
Proposed porch to front.

24/00943/FUL
Witchford
175 Main Street Witchford CB6 2HP
Two storey side extension, part first floor extension at rear, raise roof level of remaining existing single storey element, replace existing conservatory. Porch over front door and new fenestration.

You can find further information on the district council’s planning pages. If you would like to respond formally to the council about any planning application, please write to the district council and not to me.  You can comment

• online using the council’s public access web page (the link above);
• by email to plservices@eastcambs.gov.uk;
• or by post to the Planning Department, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, CB7 4EE

East Cambridgeshire District Council has published the following planning applications in the Sutton division.

24/00748/FUL
Coveney
Commrooks Farm Straight Drove Coveney
Change of use of land from ancillary recreational use to use for the stationing of a former railway carriage to be used for tourist accommodation—retrospective.

24/00721/FUL
Little Downham
2 Pymoor Lane Pymoor CB6 2EE
Single storey porch to comprise an entrance hall and WC.

24/00738/FUL
Little Downham
Land North East of 1 Seventh Drove Little Downham
Proposed replacement dwelling.

24/00568/LBC
Mepal
Wisteria House 3 Brangehill Lane Mepal
Front wall railings, replacement rendering on front elevation, cast iron guttering to front, trellis to front and associated works.

24/00588/FUL
Sutton
5 Redwood Gardens Sutton CB6 2QN
Two storey and single storey extensions to side and single storey extension to front.

24/00577/FUL
Witchford
1A Sutton Road Witchford CB6 2HX
Proposed outbuilding.

24/00604/FUL
Witchford
4 Field End Witchford CB6 2XE
Single storey extension to rear and associated works.

You can find further information on the district council’s planning pages. If you would like to respond formally to the council about any planning application, please write to the district council and not to me.  You can comment

• online using the council’s public access web page (the link above);
• by email to plservices@eastcambs.gov.uk;
• or by post to the Planning Department, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, CB7 4EE

East Cambridgeshire District Council has published the following planning applications in the Sutton division.

24/00796/FUL
Little Downham
Commonside Station Road Little Downham
Proposed extension to rear of existing dwelling with new access driveway.

24/00837/FUL
Little Downham
Fen Dale Adventurers Drove Oxlode
Demolition of existing house and garage and erection of a two-storey house.

24/00870/FUL
Little Downham
Quince Cottage 5 Park Lane Little Downham
Demolish existing single storey side extension and rear conservatory, and construct a two-storey side and single-storey side extension.

24/00826/FUL
Witcham
14 Martins Lane Witcham CB6 2LB
Internal and external alterations including proposed bay window. Garage conversion (retrospective).

You can find further information on the district council’s planning pages. If you would like to respond formally to the council about any planning application, please write to the district council and not to me.  You can comment

• online using the council’s public access web page (the link above);
• by email to plservices@eastcambs.gov.uk;
• or by post to the Planning Department, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, CB7 4EE