Soham: Cllr Lucius Vellacott writes for the Ely Standard

Residents in Soham South, Wicken and Upware are delighted that the Cambridge congestion charge will not proceed to a vote on the county council. 

East Cambridgeshire District Council also voted down plans involving road charging from Combined Authority mayor Nik Johnson. I continue to believe that light rail for Cambridge and a proper rural bus network (especially between Wicken and Soham) is the way forward.

Soham is consulting on our Neighbourhood Plan for local development.

It puts forward additional, localised policies to the East Cambridgeshire Local Plan which will guide development in Soham and Barway for the next 10 years.

The six-week consultation starts on November 1. Please go to: www.soham-tc.gov.uk to see the documents and make your comments.

Elsewhere, the Growth and Infrastructure Fund remains open for improving existing, beneficial community infrastructure. Details are on the council's website.

Full council on October 19 was exciting! The Lib Dems abstained on our motion opposing road charging, and we approved a reduced housing target for our Local Plan.

You can view the proceedings online. A new policy was approved to tackle environmental crime and crack down on offenders.

I met with a brilliant local group aiming to help Soham to be more dementia-friendly and accessible. I enjoyed hearing their ideas, and I am committed to ensuring that Soham is supportive of dementia patients and their carers.

My campaign to improve local youth facilities is ongoing. I am currently supporting Soham Village College in their attempts to fund a 3G all-weather pitch for students and the wider community.

This is a hugely valuable project. Work is also ongoing to review the use of Soham Scout Hut.

And the Soham Pumpkin Fair was a resounding success – many thanks to those who organised and attended. I am always available for a chat: lucius.vellacott@eastcambs.gov.uk. I wish all residents the best for a chilly November!