A new community campaign entitled #OptionBforMe is gathering momentum across East Cambridgeshire.
OptionBforMe is all about protecting what we love and value in East Cambridgeshire, now and for future generations, and refers to the preferred option for Local Government Reorganisation being promoted by three district councils.
Option B will see residents benefit from the lowest Council Tax, inherit less debt from other councils and ensure they remain able to access locally based council services.
It will give local communities the power – and funding - to shape services and infrastructure, and will also see more money invested in health, transport and social care.
All of this is in response to a survey carried out among Cambridgeshire residents in which 81% of residents in East Cambs said they were concerned about local services being overlooked.
Crucially, it avoids East Cambs being overshadowed by Greater Cambridge and becoming its overspill building site, which is a huge risk of Option A.
Cllr Anna Bailey, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, which is spearheading the campaign, said: “OptionBforMe celebrates the close ties of our rural communities and paves the way for happier, healthier lifestyles.
“Importantly, it enables us to benefit from our close proximity and partnership with Cambridge, without being overshadowed and exploited by it.
“Why wouldn’t we want that for East Cambridgeshire?”
Option B will see the county split into Greater Cambridge in the south and a northern unitary, comprising the market towns of East Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Fenland, together with the economic powerhouse of Peterborough.
Anna added: “We understand the most logical thing would be to align East Cambridgeshire with Greater Cambridge. It’s only natural when Cambridge has the prestige, the power, the technology and the affluence. But peel away a few layers and it soon becomes clear this is not best for the people of East Cambridgeshire at all.”
Under Option A:
- all resources and focus will be directed at Cambridge
- East Cambs risks becoming the building site for Greater Cambridge, which needs to accommodate 150,000 new homes on top of Local Plan allocations. Residents will lose local control of where houses are built to the Cambridge Growth Company, which has been set up by the government to advance the development of Cambridge
- residents will pay the highest amount of Council Tax
- rural and local voices will be lost in a desire to become Cambridge centric
- close proximity to Cambridge means council offices and services could close
Option A does not have the support of any district councils especially Cambridge City Council and South Cambs District Council, which forms the Greater Cambridge Partnership. This is because they also recognise any new unitary must be focused on Cambridge city and meeting its growing needs.
On the other hand, Option B means the following for East Cambridgeshire residents:
Better off financially
Option B is the most financially viable of all the five identified options Statistical analysis shows there will be more money, less inherited debt from other councils, bigger buying power and bigger economies of scale. For residents in means Council Tax will be lower – meaning more money in people’s pockets.
Local community-based services
Size matters. Because the northern unitary is geographically larger there will be undisputed need for local satellite offices offering local services to communities. These areas will be supported by locally based staff and councillors who live and work in the same areas and know firsthand the communities they serve.
More jobs closer to home
People in East Cambridgeshire benefit from being in close proximity to Greater Cambridge, famed globally for technology, innovation and AI. Under Option B they will also be part of the northern economic powerhouse of Peterborough and its market towns, specialising in agri-tech, advanced manufacturing and fresh produce logistics. With each area playing to its strengths, both unitaries have a clear voice for attracting investment, which in turn leads to more upskilling and jobs.
Happy, healthier lifestyles
The northern unitary would use its size to negotiate better deals for care services, while Greater Cambridge would work with cutting edge companies to develop better care technologies. By working in close partnership with the NHS, care services, community groups, sporting and lifestyle organisations the aim is to keep people healthy and living independently for longer.
Out of all the options being debated by councils Option B is also the clear front runner when it comes to meeting all government criteria, and best addressing future challenges and opportunities for the whole county – not just East Cambs.
Anna added: “We are now nearing the deadline for submitting our business plan. Please, please, please do not confuse jumping into bed with Cambridge as the best option for the people of East Cambridgeshire. We are not Cambridge – we are our own special, unique place which our residents have told us time and time again that they love and want to protect.
“Option A will see us lose control of building, lose local services and lose money – all to the benefit of Cambridge.
“On the other hand, Option B gives residents, business and stakeholders the very best of both worlds.
Housing is controlled, services remain local, the rural voice is heard, we inherit less debt – and we still have Cambridge and all the benefits that brings on our doorstep. In other words, we can have our cake and eat it.
“It's definitely Option B for Me.”
Residents can find out more about Option B on the council’s website and share their views using this short survey.