Let’s talk – help shape the future of South Cambridgeshire

People in South Cambridgeshire are being urged to have their say on the priorities for their local district council during a six week ‘Let’s Talk’ initiative.

South Cambridgeshire District Council is calling on people to tell them what's important to local communities and what makes the place they live special so they can help councillors and officers to draw up a business plan for next year.

Cllr Peter Topping, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We’ve changed the way we look at our business plan by asking our communities to give their views at the earliest possible opportunity. In the past we have put a lot of thought in to creating a draft plan before shaping it later when we consulted on it. Engaging with our communities is an opportunity for them to think about what they want our district to look like in 5-10 years’ time, and what should go in our plans to achieve this.”

Between 2011 and 2031, 19,500 homes are planned to be built in South Cambridgeshire but council bosses have reiterated that housing affordability remains one of the greatest challenges in the area.

Transport and connectivity have also consistently been a top priority for residents and businesses over recent years which councilors have said must go hand-in-hand with new homes to support future generations growing up in the area.

Cllr Topping said: “There is a lot of growth taking place in the district and it is important that we preserve, and enhance where we can, what makes the area special. We need people to tell us about that so we can maintain the excellent quality of life we enjoy here.

“One of the other challenges we are facing is that we will shortly lose the last of our central government funding, so we need to think and act differently as a council to make sure we can still deliver the services and support our communities need - whether this is directly or in partnership. The question for our communities now is what you think the issues are and how we can address them.”

You can also give your views by visiting www.scambs.gov.uk/letstalk where there is a summary of the main issues.