Archive for June 2014

Boosting apprenticeships for our youth

June 28, 2014 Parks & Green spaces Comments Off on Boosting apprenticeships for our youth


thumb-iconsOn Friday, the Skills Minister, Matthew Hancock MP, announced a new range of apprenticeships in subjects like aerospace that are being designed by employers. But even more that this, the Governments wants to hear from employers interested in designing their own apprenticeships.

Since 2010 there have been 1.8 million apprenticeship starts, which includes developing a simpler and more rigorous system which works for employers and apprentices.

In my view helping create opportunities and supporting our young people achieve their ambitions is crucial to driving social mobility.

It is also about a choice issue as it must and be recognised as the norm for young people to go into an apprenticeship or go to university, two equally prestigious routes into employment.

So far the Government has;

Given employers greater control over apprenticeship courses. We are getting employers involved in setting apprenticeships to make sure they give people the skills they need to get a job.

Improved the quality of apprenticeships. All apprenticeships now must involve meaningful on-the-job training, as well as English and Maths for young people who haven’t yet achieved good GCSEs in these essential subjects.

Made it easier for companies to take on a young apprentice. Offering £1,500 grants for businesses of up to 1,000 employees to take on new 16 to 24 year old apprentices if they haven’t taken one on in the last year.

There are record numbers of new apprenticeships. Since 2010 more than 1.8 million young people have started an apprenticeships. In 2012/13 alone there were over half a million apprenticeship starts whereas Labour never exceeded 280,000 in any given year.

 

Pothole fund for Cambridgeshire welcomed

June 23, 2014 Parks & Green spaces Comments Off on Pothole fund for Cambridgeshire welcomed

Cambridgeshire is set to receive £1.9 million pounds as part of the Government’s £168 million pound dedicated pothole fund. Coupled with the winter repair fund equates to £3.5 million.

WinfoldThis is most welcome news. Road and path maintenance features as a regular key issue to local residents in Waterbeach Ward. Recently we have seen some success with the resurfacing work on Winfold Road that local campaigner Sarah Smart and I campaigned on during the local elections. Many additional roads like Old Cambridge Road in Waterbeach and School Lane in Chittering for example need to see action. Hopefully this money can support the much needed road improvements locally. Although I am a District Councillor I will continue to press on this County issue.

The latest announcement combined with existing plans will mean more than £24 billion spent on England’s strategic road network between 2010 and 2021 – the biggest investment in the road network for forty years.IMG-20140421-02516

On the Soham by-election trail

June 17, 2014 By-Election Comments Off on On the Soham by-election trail

soham2I was delighted to help today in the East Cambs District Council by-election in town of Soham – close to the City of Ely where I was born and grew up.

Soham is a growing community where infrastructure is a major issue. Conservatives are working hard to secure the A142  Ely by-pass and re-opening Soham’s train station. Vital for the economy – to bring jobs and investment.

Hamish Ross is a strong local candidate – living in the ward, already a town councillor and working locally.

Certainly I very much hope that Hamish is elected on Thursday.

Celebrating 10 years of service to the community

June 14, 2014 Events Comments Off on Celebrating 10 years of service to the community

10-Year-AnniversaryIt does not seem possible, but yes, I have now been District Councillor for Waterbeach Ward; Waterbeach, Landbeach and Chittering for 10 years.

I have to say I am enjoying now as much as I did on day one. Many people ask me me why I became/are a Councillor. For me I see being a Councillor as a tool – it is an effective way to get change, make a difference  and put something back into society.

It has been a real privilege to serve the community over the last ten balloonsyears, successfully showing leadership by taking on hundreds of pieces of casework and launching countless campaigns on the key local issues.

Thank you to everyone that has worked with me and has supported me on this journey.

Landbeach Tithe Barn – A part of our history

June 9, 2014 History Comments Off on Landbeach Tithe Barn – A part of our history

TithetalkI was delighted to have been asked to speak at the Landbeach Parish Council annual public meeting on the Landbeach Tithe Barn. There was a good turnout at the meeting and great interest in the talk that I gave.

You may ask what a Tithe Barn is. Put simply it was a building for the Parish Priest to receive 10% of local farmers produce.

Tithe Barn’s are now quite rare in the UK. It is estimated that at least 90% have of them have been converted. It is thought at most 190, at lowest 20 remain. The Landbeach one is the only example left in the whole of Cambridgeshire and is known to be unique with still having its original floor in place.

The challenge ahead is setting up a Trust to help maintain the building and secure it’s long term future. Already there has been much media interest including local radio and printed press in addition to regional television. From this many organisations and people have come forward offering help – which is great news.

Preserving the building won’t be inexpensive, costings range between £50-100k. That said a number of private individuals have committed to making donations in excess of £20k. This would mean with grant bids/match funding the restoration of the building in my view is an achievable goal.

We look forward to the workshop meeting on June 30th where we will bring together the community, experts and interesting parties – on how we will secure the long term future of this wonderful Tudor building for future generations.

On the Newark campaign trail – in London!

June 4, 2014 By-Election Comments Off on On the Newark campaign trail – in London!

IMG-20140602-02572Following my visit to help campaign in Newark on Thursday, I also helped with telephoning residents in Newark from our Campaign Centre at Conservative Central Office in London on Monday.

The campaign overall has clearly been going well with the most recent Lord Ashcroft poll showing the Conservatives in the lead by 15 points in Newark.

That said we are not complacent and will be pushing for the line!

Local connection housing – a crucial part of housing delivery

June 1, 2014 Housing Comments Off on Local connection housing – a crucial part of housing delivery

IPark Crescent am so delighted to say that we now have our first Local Connection Housing Scheme for Waterbeach after agreement was reached on the Park Crescent MoD Houses.

Pictured with local activist Sarah Smart and Parliamentary Candidate Lucy Frazer QC.

This process was started last year when I led efforts with the MoD, local MP’s office and SCDC about these empty properties. Many months of delicate negotiations have led to the MoD and SCDC arm’s length housing company agreeing a 5 year lease deal.

It has involved a lot of behind the scenes work since last year. So it is great to see that it has come to fruition.

We have a very real need for local connection housing and this is a real step in the right direction. It will also help our local economy and boost the ‘Shop Local’ campaign that I founded. Already I have spoken to many of the new tenants and am really pleased to be welcoming many of them back into our community.

Most of the 27 former empty MoD houses in Park Crescent in Waterbeach are now occupied.

Councillor Mark Howell, Housing Portfolio Holder at South Cambs District Council said, “I can only commend Councillor James Hockney for all the hard word he has done to put to make sure this happens. He started the whole process and has been actively involved ever since. The residents moving into the properties owe him a debt of thanks”.