The following planning applications in the Sutton division have been published by East Cambridgeshire District Council.

20/01747/CLE
Little Downham
Black Bank Business Centre Black Bank Road Little Downham
Change to mixed use for the entire site (except new units 20-25).

21/00013/CLP
Little Downham
Pippin House 10C Pymoor Lane Pymoor
Construction of a single storey garage to be joined to the existing dwelling.

20/01544/FUL
Sutton
14 West Lodge Lane Sutton CB6 2NX
First floor extension and ground floor battery store.

20/01513/FUL
Witchford
Site to south of 7 Manor Court Road Witchford
Construction of detached bungalow and garage.

21/00006/FUL
Witchford
The Old Milking Parlour 20 Main Street Witchford
Detached garage, gym and home office above (resubmission of 20/01040/FUL).

Further information can be found on the district council’s planning pages. If you would like to respond formally to the council about any planning application, comments should be addressed to the district council and not to me.  Comments may be made

• 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.

Liberal Democrat Lords helped defeat the Government by backing a cross-party amendment to the Trade Bill ensuring that future trade agreements meet the UK’s high standards of animal welfare and the environment.

The Amendment was passed by 290 votes to 274, a defeat for the Government.

The Conservatives have consistently failed to support such a measure, risking that future trade deals could permit the import of food that fails to meet the UK’s high standards. This puts significant pressure on British farmers.

Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Farming said:

“Farmers across the country are worried about their future – they’re worried that the UK will be flooded with poor quality food that undercuts the food they produce to high environmental and animal welfare standards.

“The Conservatives have continually failed to protect our farmers from these risks. This amendment will ensure that our farmers are protected and can continue to produce high quality food for our tables. That’s why Liberal Democrats in the Lords supported this amendment. 

“Liberal Democrats back British farmers and will continue to fight to protect our food standards and their livelihoods. British farmers have a vital role to play in helping us tackle climate change and protect our natural environment, driving them out of business will be damaging for everyone.”

The Liberal Democrats have called for the government to suspend business rates through next year, extend furlough, and support the self-employed as the UK enters its third lockdown.

Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, urged the Chancellor to take real action to save people’s jobs as businesses face months of hardship. 

Ed Davey said:

“This lockdown should have come sooner, Boris Johnson has once again ducked making a difficult decision and as a result we are now in a critical situation.

“But we must all support it now and do all we can to vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. 

“We also need real action now to save people’s jobs, their businesses and their livelihoods. 

“Small businesses have shown incredible resilience but now they worry whether they can survive another lockdown. We are calling on the Chancellor to publish an emergency Budget that will include a business rates holiday next year, an extension to furlough at least until the summer, and support for every self-employed person in the UK, including those who have so far been unfairly excluded.”

So here we are again, predictably, in another national lockdown – the third for the UK since the start of the pandemic.

Just a day after we were told that it was safe to send children to school, we are told tonight that all schools must close except for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

The new rules are at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

They’re not without ambiguity, but it’s clear that once again restrictions are tightening until March, and that we’re back to ‘Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives’. With many hospitals at imminent risk of being totally overwhelmed, we’re in for a difficult few months.

Information and help for Cambridgeshire residents is at https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus/coronavirus-information

Cambridgeshire County Council COVID hub is at 0345 045 5219.

East Cambridgeshire District Council hub is at 01353 665555.

Please wear a mask, wash your hands, make space. Look out for neighbours who may need support. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Cambridgeshire National Education Union has launched a petition to be presented to Cambridgeshire County Council calling for “No return to unsafe schools” in light of the COVID-19 pandemic until at least 18 January.

The petition can be found (and signed) at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uVGS5U2iT_eXAIUwBYJRWvJCuZU0ltkwLLzXiqI1Uz8/edit?ts=5ff19b4a

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper says:

“With the government’s own scientific advisors saying that they cannot provide any analysis on what is required to control the new strain of the virus until mid-January, the Government must think again and adopt a plan to get ahead of the virus.

“Time and time again, this Government has squandered opportunities to get ahead of the virus in schools and left pupils, parents and teachers understandably anxious if not terrified about returning next week.

“For months, Liberal Democrats have been calling on the Government to come up with a proper plan to keep schools open safely. Instead, this latest botched decision and the Tories top-down attitude has once again led to last minute and inconsistent decisions that are wreaking havoc on people’s lives. 

“Given this new strain of the virus transmits faster, Ministers must think again to get ahead of the virus. 

“Moving primary schools to remote learning until 18 January would create time to work out new pupil bubbling strategies, ensure that all school-transport is single-school only, and build trust in the Government’s school COVID testing strategy so schools can open safely.”

Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat Group leader Cllr Lucy Nethsingha adds:

“With the number of cases still rising across the county, and pressure increasing on NHS services in neighbouring areas, re-opening primary schools seems risky.

“We all agree we would prefer to have children back in school, but only if it is safe for both children, families and staff.  

“We have all seen the impact of the new variant on NHS capacity in London, and with bed space in the East of England already being taken up with patients being moved out of London and Essex, reducing infection rates must be the top priority.”

The following planning application in the Sutton division has been published by East Cambridgeshire District Council.

20/01540/FUL
Little Downham
14 Lawns Crescent Little Downham CB6 2TT
Loft conversion with flat roof dormer and new front porch.

Further information can be found on the district council’s planning pages. If you would like to respond formally to the council about any planning application, comments should be addressed to the district council and not to me.  Comments may be made

• 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.

From today, Cambridgeshire is in Tier 4.

This means:

• No households mixing indoors
• Non-essential retail, gyms, leisure centres and personal care outlets will close
• Only up to two people can meet in public outdoor spaces

For more information, please click here

The following planning applications in the Sutton division have been published by East Cambridgeshire District Council.

20/01514/FUL
Coveney
Site north east of 2 Main Street Wardy Hill CB6 2DF
Proposed one three-bed two-storey dwelling to include single garage replacing double car park. Revised proposal of previously approved application 19/00644/FUL (at appeal).

20/01628/FUL
Little Downham
Wigeon House Downham Common Little Downham
Proposed single storey rear extension.

20/01697/CLP
Sutton
44 The Row Sutton CB6 2PD
Loft conversion utilising existing roof space, removal of one chimney breast, and other internal alterations.

Further information can be found on the district council’s planning pages. If you would like to respond formally to the council about any planning application, comments should be addressed to the district council and not to me.  Comments may be made

• 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.

Following the launch of four additional business grants, East Cambridgeshire District Council is urging business owners to check if they are eligible for the new and existing business grants available.

Pubs in East Cambridgeshire that predominantly serve alcohol are now able to apply for access to the government’s one-off £1,000 Christmas Support Payment through the district council.

East Cambridgeshire District Council is accepting applications from pubs that derive less than 50 per cent of their income from sales of food, which have been severely impacted over the festive season.

Final applications must be submitted by 31 January 2021.

There are two new grants to support businesses impacted by the Tier 2 restrictions.

• The Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG) for closed businesses is specifically for businesses with a rateable value which have been forced to close due to Tier 2 restrictions. There is a further LRSG for open businesses. This grant is for hospitality, hotel, B&B and leisure businesses with a rateable value that have stayed open, but whose income has been severely reduced due Tier 2 restrictions.
• Round two of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) for businesses impacted by the November national lockdown has also opened for applications. The grant was originally for businesses outside the business rates system forced to close during the November national lockdown, as well as those businesses with commercial properties who were severely impacted by the national lockdown due to supplying the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors or businesses in the events sector. This grant has now been extended to include businesses that operate from domestic properties and pay Council Tax.

The deadline for applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) round two is 31 January 2021.

More information on criteria for each grant can be found on the East Cambridgeshire District Council website: https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/content/coronavirus-business-grants-0

Businesses can also apply for the Christmas Support Payment, ARG round two, and LRSG for open businesses on the website.

The Council will contact businesses directly regarding the LRSG for closed businesses.

Enquiries regarding business grants can be emailed to covid19businessgrants@eastcambs.gov.uk

The following statement has just been issued by Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health for Cambridgeshire.

“I am writing to confirm the announcement made in Parliament this morning that Cambridgeshire will be under tier 4 restrictions from 12.01am on Saturday (26 December).

Case numbers have more than doubled in Cambridgeshire in the most recent week, with the most rapid increases seen in South Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, and Cambridge City. There are significant increases in all districts.

It is thought that this rapid increase in infections – after a period of reducing rates – may be associated with the new variant of the disease which is being seen across London, the East of England and South East England. Peterborough was placed in tier 4 last weekend (20 December).

Under the new restrictions, all non-essential shops must close as well as personal care services such as hairdressers, gyms and entertainment venues such as theatres and cinemas. Hospitality venues such as pubs, cafes and restaurants must also close, offering only take away and delivery services.

People must reduce their contact with anyone outside of their household /support bubble to the absolute minimum and can meet with only one other person from another household outdoors, socially distanced at all times.

People should stay local and travel outside the tier 4 area is only permitted for essential reasons such as work, education, or medical appointments. It is a great shame that we have reached this stage, especially when I know how hard so many people have worked to keep rates of the virus down, and how much we have done as a council with our district and city council colleagues and partners to keep people safe and to protect our health services.

However, this isn’t simply a reflection on everyone’s efforts so far. We know that the new variant is up to 70% easier to catch, and this may have contributed to the increases seen in Cambridgeshire and also elsewhere. Thankfully, there is currently no evidence that the virus leads to worse outcomes than other variants.

With rates of the virus rising sharply it is clear that we need to do even more. We will be working with our district and city council colleagues on this, and we need everyone across Cambridgeshire to do more as well.

I will be asking residents to play their part and avoid all non-essential contact with anyone outside of their household or support bubble – and any help you can give to promote those messages internally and externally will be extremely helpful.

The tier 4 rules, which I ask you to share with residents, are as follows:

• Don’t invite anyone into your home for social reasons, who you don’t normally live with or who isn’t in your existing support bubble.
• Only leave home for essential reasons (for food/medicine/essential care or personal safety) and when you are out, remember to keep 2 meters away from anyone you don’t live with, wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay in well ventilated, uncrowded places.
• You can go out to exercise alone, with people you live with, or with one other person you don’t live with providing this is in a public place like a park.
• Everyone must work from home unless they are unable to do so, and if it is essential to work outside the home take maximum precautions – particularly travelling to or from work (avoid car sharing and busy public transport, wear a mask, regular hand washing or sanitising, staying in well ventilated places, and cleaning surfaces).
• Don’t travel outside tier 4 unless for essential work or education or a legally permitted reason – and reduce the journeys you take inside the area. People from tiers 1 – 3 should not travel to tier 4 areas, except for essential purposes such as work, education or a legally permitted reason.

Other impacts of the tier 4 rules are as follows:

• All non-essential shops have closed. Click and collect is allowed.
• All hospitality is closed – except for take away, drive through or food delivery.
• Businesses offering personal care, hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons, gyms etc are all closed.
• No weddings except in exceptional circumstances, funerals with only a maximum of 30 people.
• Places of worship open for private prayer or communal worship – but don’t mix with anyone not in your household.
• Visits to care homes can take place if there are arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, or behind windows.
• Close-contact indoor care home visits supported by rapid testing, which are allowed in some care homes in Tiers 1-3, will not be allowed in Tier 4.
• Entertainment venues are closed. Some outdoor sports facilities are allowed with Covid secure measures

The link to the Tier 4 guidance is here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home

I am also asking people across the county to look out for neighbours and friends who may be alone or under specific pressures and suggesting that they ring or contact them online

The network of support hubs run by the district and city councils and the Countywide Co-ordination Hub can offer support to those who may be lonely or isolated, or who suddenly need very practical support. To contact the hub network people need to call 0345 045 5219 or visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk 

For anyone whose mental health is being more severely impacted, there is the Lifeline support number 0808 808 2121 which operates daily from 11am to 11pm and for people with a mental health crisis you can phone the NHS 111 number and ask for Option 2. More information about mental health support is available on the Keep Your Head website  www.keep-your-head.com

While we must protect people’s health – protecting the economy is vital too. There is financial support available for businesses, and individuals affected by the return to a strict lockdown or affected by the virus. Please contact your district council to find out more about the support that is available.”