Controversial proposals to franchise out services at Hinchingbrooke Hospital are back on the agenda.

Huntingdonshire district councillors will be briefed by health chiefs on a number of plans, including the possibility of a
private company running the hospital on behalf of the NHS.

Hinchingbrooke is believed to be about £38 million in debt, and efforts to deal with the deficit are being considered by the East of England Strategic Health Authority (SHA) – the body responsible for ensuring the sustainability of the local district hospital.

On Tuesday, December 6, the council's service delivery overview and scrutiny panel will be given a presentation by Dr Stephen Dunn, the SHA's Hinchingbrooke Next Steps project co-ordinator and Jessica Bawden from NHS Cambridgeshire.

Chairman of the panel Cllr Steve Criswell said the future of Hinchingbrooke Hospital being back on the table raised considerable concerns.

He said: "Unfortunately the future safety of Hinchingbrooke Hospital is back on the agenda. With the SHA considering franchising the hospital to a third party, there are considerable concerns particularly as, under current arrangements, a sizeable debt will still need to be repaid. Any decision could have major consequences for patients and staff. However, our scrutiny panel meeting will provide council members with an opportunity to be fully briefed ahead of the consultations planned for 2009."

"As always, the effective delivery of health services for the people of Huntingdonshire and beyond will be our prime concern."

There are still several questions about the hospital's future which haven't been answered, such as a timescale for changes being made by the Department of Health. There are also concerns about whether taxpayers or a possible franchisee would be responsible for the debt.

Talks on Hinchingbrooke's future date back to October 2007 when the SHA established a project board to explore several options.

The options included selling and leasing-back some services, a management contract for a defined period and the preferred option of letting the hospital be run as a franchise.

The franchising proposals have caused the most controversy. A protest march was held in October 2008, where UNISON accused the NHS of putting Hinchingbrooke "up for grabs" – an accusation which has been hotly denied by the NHS as scaremongering.

According to UNISON any private sector involvement would require "hefty sweetners", generous profit margins and guarantees to compensate for any risk involved.

This week, UNISON's regional organiser Phil Green said there were several options that the SHA could have gone with, including a merger between the hospital trust and the PCT provider which he described as the union's "preferred option" as it "would have provided seamless care between the hospital and the community".

Mr Green added: "There were other possibilities, but the SHA have made a decision and it now appears there will be just one option to be consulted about."

The union official added that he had attended a meeting with the SHA where he was informed that a franchisee would be given a higher tariff than at national NHS rates.

Mr Green, who is also a St Ives town councillor, said the issue will be discussed at a public meeting to be held in the near future.

Huntingdon resident Mike Gough, founder of the Save Hinchingbrooke Hospital campaign which was formed when the service was under threat of closure in 2006, was adamant the fight to keep Hinchingbrooke Hospital in the hands of the NHS was far from over.

He said: "Finally the truth is out. The Government can bail out the banking system to the tune of £50 billion, but can't bail out a hospital which has a Government-induced debt."

A formal decision from the Department of Health is yet to be made before NHS East of England can involve stakeholders during the consultation period.

When and if the nod of approval is given, the SHA is proposing to establish a stakeholder panel which would meet in public and represent a broad range of interests

St Neots buy-to-let firm loses millions
Source: Cambridge News
December 08

 A COUPLE have spoken of the "nightmare" of seeing their £3 million portfolio of buy-to-let homes collapse into debts of £500,000.

Geoff and Jane Morris, of St Neots, bought into the buy-to-let dream of the property boom years, but say the homes they bought were worth far less than the sale price and that promised tenants never materialised.

The couple are now taking legal action against solicitors and surveyors who advised them.

As well as buying properties from the buy-to-let firm, Mr Morris left his job as a software salesman to become an agent for the company.

He even persuaded two of his children and four family friends to invest in the company - which has now gone bust.

Mr Morris, a 62-year-old father of five, said: "Our life became a nightmare. I was so embarrassed about having drawn my children and friends into the mess that I didn't speak to them for more than a year.

"Christmas 2007 was the frostiest Christmas I have ever known. But now they can see I wasn't trying to cheat them."

Mr Morris said the properties were of far lower value and quality than billed. After tenancies he believed were part of the deals failed to materialise, he was forced to sell the properties at lower prices to meet his mortgage payments.

The Serious Fraud Office is investigating hundreds of allegedly fraudulent buy-to-let sales.

Firms are accused of using slick sales pitches to persuade investors to buy new-build flats at allegedly inflated prices with overstated promises of rental income.

But Mr and Mrs Morris have picked themselves up by helping other investors who lost out and contributing to a motivational book, Overcoming Obstacles.

Mr Morris said: "Jane and I have been so strong. Now we are coming through it and I have another business which I am hoping to build up.

"It is money. We made it before and we can make it again."

Wood Green; no more room at the inn
Source: Town Crier
December 08

There's no more room at the inn – Wood Green Animal Shelter in Godmanchester is full to bursting after the credit crunch has left many owners unable to afford veterinary bills.

Head of animal welfare policy Linda Cantle says the number of abandoned pets has never been higher, with about 500 filling its shelter to capacity because of the credit crisis.

She said: "The credit crunch is starting to hit us quite badly. A lot of animals are coming in because their owners say they can afford to feed and care for them but not the veterinary treatment, that's the biggest reason.

"This year we've seen more cats than ever before. We've got almost 300 dogs waiting to come in and also about 200 cats. We've even got sheep waiting. Obviously we care for animals but the only thing we can't give them is constant one-to-one attention which is what so many crave, that's the upsetting thing."

The London Road shelter currently has a wide range of animals, from sheep and chickens, to hamsters and horses, and all three of its shelters, in Godmanchester, London and Heydon, are full.

In total all three shelters combined have 750 animals in its care and there are more than 640 animals on its waiting lists. It also has a commitment to taking in strays regardless of its own circumstances.
Linda, 29, added: "There is literally no room at the inn at the moment."

The run-up to Christmas is always a busy time for the shelters as people become busy and stressed with festive preparations, but this year is an extreme, according to Linda.

The shelter has been very successful in re-homing pets, with between 5,500 resettled on average a year. But it is struggling to re-home older cats and dogs – perfect companions because of their love of attention – numbers of which are increasing all the time. About 50 per cent of its cats are over 10-years-old.

Linda said: "Because of the credit crunch, taking on older animals is much more of a consideration now than it used to be. People weren't so concerned about money before. Now I think people are concerned that if they take on an older animal there will be more veterinary bills.

"We've got lots more animals with medical conditions than ever before with animals dumped at vets, and strays with broken legs and heart problems are also a problem. We're having a lot more abandoned than ever before."

This is impacting on the shelter's own vet bills. Add to that the increases in gas and electricity and the cost of running all three shelters in the past two years has gone up by £4,000 leaving the animal charity with a £20,000 bill – and rising.

The best advice Linda can give to potential new pet owners is invest in insurance.

To find out more visit the website www.woodgreen.org.uk or call 0844 248 8181. Each animal is matched to the lifestyle and environment of any new home. The shelter is open to the public every day between 10am and 4pm, except on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

ANGRY St Neots town councillors have stood their ground, opposing steep increases for the hire of a popular community building.

Priory Centre staff approached the town council intending to increase the hall charges next year by five per cent.

Addressing councillors, centre manager John Giddings said: "We have checked our prices with competitors and we are cheaper than most. We offer competitive prices and would therefore recommend an increase in hall charges by five per cent."

However, Mr Giddings was stopped in his tracks by unhappy town councillors who believed such a high increase would drive community groups out of the hall.

Cllr Barry Chapman said: "We are now in a deflationary period so if we increase our prices by five per cent people will go elsewhere. We also have to be aware that putting prices up during a credit crunch when we are likely to see a decrease in bookings is not a good idea."

As a result of the economic slump, Cllr Derek Giles recommended a smaller increase. He said: "I believe that in this economic climate a five per cent increase is too steep. I would recommend a three and a half per cent increase and nothing above that."

Other councillors warned against any increases pointing out that the town council subsidises the centre as well as some of the groups who hire the hall. They said increase in charges would impact on the council's finances.

Cllr Paul Ursell added: "Community groups like the St Neots Players use the hall and we subsidise them so if we put up prices the extra money will just be going from our pocket, to theirs and then back to ours."

Cllr Gordon Thorpe said: "We have to get this right or we will have to increase the percept to cover the shortfall. But we need more information before we can make a decision."

The town council agreed to defer a decision on the hall charges until Mr Giddings had put together a business plan.

In the meantime the 2008 prices will remain in place.

THOUSANDS of St Neots taxpayers' money is to be spent on investigating whether the town's multi-million pound cinema dream could ever become a reality.

St Neots Town Council is working on producing an outline planning application to build a cinema on the former fire station site in Huntingdon Street.

At a town council meeting on Wednesday, December 3 it was revealed that the drawing up of the plans could cost up to £19,000.

However, councillors were adamant they could get the work done for "considerably less".

The thinking behind the scheme is that planning permission - even outline permission - will help lure a cinema operator to the town.

But the £2,000 in the town council's budget to cover the costs will fall short.

Cllr Barry Chapman, who is leading a cinema business group, said he thought the £2,000 to submit outline planning "was not nearly enough".

He told The Hunts Post: "I need to investigate further how much it is going to be but I'm pretty sure the £2,000 is not going to be enough."

At the meeting Cllr Chapman said the council needed to obtain outline planning permission as an incentive for a cinema operator to come to St Neots.

He said: "A cinema operator is not going to want to prepare plans for a cinema in the town if it is not going to be supported by Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC)."

To move the cinema plans forward, Cllr Chapman said he intended to submit a letter to Steve Ingram, head of planning at HDC asking for guidance on the application.

He added: "We are trying to pave the way for the operator so that they can enter into negotiations with HDC.

"But we need some encouragement from HDC, like a letter of comfort to show cinema operators they would be welcome in the town.

"We need to get to a position where the Huntingdon Street site is seen as the St Neots cinema site so that operators know that land is not going to be snatched away from them."

However, Cllr Gordon Thorpe felt it should be the operators doing more to bring the town's cinema plan to fruition.

He said: "HDC is awaiting planning applications for that site. They have told me that they have had no official approach from any cinema operators. I would strongly recommend that if an operator is interested in coming to St Neots they submit a planning application."

Cllr Derek Giles added: "We need to break this stalemate somewhere along the line."

It is more than 18 months since Lord of the Manor, Peter Rowley gave £1million to the town to provide a cinema. Reel Cinemas is said to be interested in developing the Huntingdon Street site in a multi-million pound development that would also incorporate three restaurants.

Cllr Chapman said: "Things are moving along. I know people expect it to happen immediately but for the best part of a year we have been in a stalemate and now we are making progress. The operators are still interested and they see St Neots as a very good place for them to open up a venue.

Public urged to drink responsibly after fatality
Source: Hunts Post
December 08

A GODMANCHESTER family is urging people to drink responsibly after their "loving and caring" son drowned on a night out.

Jon Haldane, 20, had been out celebrating the end of his exams in Bath when he became separated from his friends.

His body was found three days later on May 17 in the River Avon - less than a month before his 21st birthday.

Last week, a coroner investigating his death recorded an open verdict.

A toxicology report found that on the night of his death Mr Haldane had 234mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood - almost three times the legal driving limit.

Witness Lydia Meddings told the inquest how she had seen him drink a concoction of spirits at a nightclub.

She said: "He drank it through a straw and then lit it. The barman said he had never seen anyone finish it before."

Daniel Wild was walking along the river bank at on the night of May 17 and was the last person to see Mr Haldane alive.

His statement, which was read out in court, said: "I saw something in the water so I shouted out. He was obviously in trouble and looked like he was struggling or was a very bad swimmer.

"I called an ambulance but they were insistent I gave a street name so I had to go and look for a sign. By the time I got back the man had disappeared."

Coroner Terrence Moore confirmed the death was by drowning but said there was "precious little other evidence" for him to go on.

He added: "I record an open verdict because there is insufficient evidence for me to say it was an accident. This is a very sad case. My condolences are with the family."

In a bid to stop this tragedy happening to anyone else, the Haldane family have issued a warning for people going out celebrating this Christmas.

In a statement to The Hunts Post the family said: "The unexpected open verdict has unfortunately confirmed that we will never quite know or understand what happened on the night he died.

"We can, however, now continue on our journey adjusting to life without him and remembering who he really was.

"We would urge people, especially over this Christmas season, not to take their lives for granted and to watch what they drink."

The statement added that he would "remain in the memories of those who knew him well as a loving, caring man whose faith, compassion and friendship were extended to many".

Mr Haldane had been studying for a sports science degree at the University of Gloucestershire. He was the second of three sons and a former pupil of Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon.

He was a passionate rugby player and had been described by family and friends as "the kindest of people" and someone who had a "good heart".

Sex abuser stashed 42,000 porn pictures
Source: Cambridge News
December 08

A MAN who indecently assaulted a young girl over a period of years was found to have more than 43,000 filthy images of children on his computer after his victim reported what had happened to her.

Donald Coulson, 67, formerly from St Neots, was jailed for six years when he appeared at Peterborough Crown Court and admitted a series of sex offences.

Coulson was also made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for 15 years and banned from working with children.

The court was told that Coulson, who was of previous good character, now looked back with revulsion on what he had done.

Coulson, now living at Rose Terrace, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, admitted 12 offences of indecent assault, 17 offences of making indecent images of children and two offences of possessing indecent pictures of children.

Claire Matthews said the offences with the girl happened when she was aged between seven and 13 and started after Coulson showed her pornographic videos.

She said the girl tried to keep away from the man, but the assaults continued to take place until she was 13 when she feared he wanted to have full sex with her and she made sure she had no further contact with him.
Miss Matthews said the victim later complained to her partner because she was worried other girls might be assaulted and she remembered seeing indecent images of children which Coulson had.

She said that when police raided Coulson's home they seized his computer which had 43,398 indecent images of children on it, some at the most serious level. He had also printed off some images.

Nenad Spasojevic, defending, said: "Mr Coulson now looks back with a genuine mixture of abhorrence, revulsion and incredulity as to what has happened."

He said Coulson had previously lived a blameless life.

"This is a very sad case indeed. Right at the outset that was recognised by Mr Coulson with abject shame and that shame is going to live with him for the rest of his life," Mr Spasojevic said.

"It is a depressing day indeed when a court is asked to deal with cases of this kind. Nevertheless it is depressingly familiar."

A security guard was knocked to the ground during a robbery outside a bank in St Neots.

A man with a hat pulled down over his head approached the Group 4 Securicor worker, pushed him over and snatched a cash box from him near Barclays Bank in St Neots.

The offender, who was seen running down Moores Walk, was described as black and tall.

An ambulance was called to the scene and the security guard, aged 45, was treated for a head injury by paramedics.

Pc Martin Drury, from St Neots police station, said it is not known how much money was in the cash box.

A 47-year-old woman who witnessed the incident said: "I saw a bloke push his arm out and the security guard fell to the floor. The bloke then ran along the side of Barclays."

She added: "There were quite a lot of people around. I think it's quite frightening."
A spokesman from Group 4 Securicor said the crew of one of the company's vehicles was attacked "during a violent incident".

David Dickinson, chief executive of the British Security Industry Association, said: "This attack is another reminder of the serious nature of cash-in-transit robbery.

"Far from being a victimless crime, cash-in-transit attacks are perpetrated against men and women going about their everyday working lives and performing an essential public service."

Anyone with any information about this incident, which happened yesterday (Tuesday, 02 December) morning, is asked to call the police on 0845 456 4564, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

IF you drink at the work Christmas party, don't be tempted to drive home - that's the message from Cambridgeshire police.

The force launches its anti-drink and drug driving campaign across the county today (Monday, 01 December), with officers planning intensive stop-checks for motorists.

Breath tests will be used to detect alcohol while "field impairment" exercises will root out drug takers behind the wheel.

Pc Tony Barrios, the force's casualty reduction officer, said drivers should resist taking a chance.

He said: "Over the next few weeks drivers should expect to see a highly visible police presence on the county's roads as we target those who drive under the influence.

"Our message is clear - if you drive under the influence of drink and drugs, expect to be caught and brought to justice.

"The maximum penalty for drink-driving is a six-month prison sentence, £5,000 fine and a driving ban of up to 12 months - is it really worth the risk?"

Last year 149 people were arrested in the annual crackdown, compared with 201 the year before.

During the 2007 campaign, 2,204 motorists were breath-tested.

Pc Barrios said: "It was good to see the reduction last year but it is always disappointing to catch people driving under the influence.

"Cambridgeshire Constabulary is committed to reducing the number of drink-drivers and we will do all we can to ensure those over the limit or under the influence of drugs are caught and dealt with appropriately.

"Drink and drug drivers are not only putting their own lives at risk but also the lives of others."

The operation runs until Thursday, January 1.

Police in the surrounding counties will be launching their own campaigns to stop drink-driving over the festive season.

The Essex force is planning to use Bluetooth technology and large screens in town centres to get the message across.

St Neots fire station to be demolished
Source: Town Crier
November 08

The planning committee on St Neots Town Council have given their thumbs up to a proposal by Huntingdonshire District Council.

Demolish the old fire station in Huntingdon Street - subject to two conditions.

The piece of land has been earmarked for a possible cinema by the town council, but the NHS is also considering using the site to create a new GP-led super surgery.

Members of the town council committee made it clear that they were not happy to leave the fate of the cleared land entirely in the hands of the district council, and requested the authority consulted with the town council on the eventual use of the vacant site.

The council also requested that any artefacts of historical value should be handed over to St Neots Museum.

Chairman of the town's planning committee Cllr Jennifer Bird said: "I was not happy about leaving the district council to determine on how the land would eventually be used. The town council definitely want to have a say in its future.

"As for the second condition regarding any historical artefacts, we know the museum want the plaque that is in front of the building or anything else of historical value on the site."

Cllr Bird added: "I am hoping that any decision regarding the land happens sooner rather than later. However, we are determined to have our say and then we shall have to wait and see."

Papworth Hospital is one of only 45 in the world trialling a new treatment to ease the suffering caused by severe emphysema - a debilitating illness which makes breathing difficult.

Papworth is one of only two hospitals in the UK participating in the worldwide trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an airway bypass procedure to relieve breathlessness in patients with advanced widespread 'homogeneous' emphysema.

Emphysema is a progressive lung condition which leaves sufferers struggling for breath. Eventually it can lead to fatigue and weight loss, and leaves some sufferers housebound and reliant on oxygen supplies. Eventually it can contribute to death.

Over time the air sacs in the lungs lose their natural elasticity – spent air is pushed back out into the lungs which makes it harder to exhale. This causes an overfilling of the lung and it is a struggle for sufferers to force air in and out.

Currently there is no cure for emphysema and damage done to the lungs is irreversible. But it is claimed the airway bypass procedure relieves this overfilling by creating new passages through the walls of the natural airways – providing a pathway for the trapped air in the inner lung to escape by 'bypassing' the collapsing small airways.

After each new passage is made, a small drug-eluting stent (a wire mesh similar to those used in coronary arteries) is implanted and keeps the passageway open. This allows trapped air to escape the lungs and thereby relieve breathlessness.

Dr Jas Parmar, respiratory consultant, said: "This is a very exciting treatment option and may revolutionize the treatment of severe homogenous emphysema. This procedure, if the trial is successful, could lead to a real improvement in quality of life for emphysema sufferers."

Anyone interested in participating need to meet certain criteria to tale part, so in the first instance it would be advisable for sufferers to talk to their own respiratory consultant and ask to be referred to Papworth Hospital.

Those with the condition may qualify if they are 35 years or older, diagnosed with advanced widespread emphysema and a former smoker who has stopped smoking for at least two months.

To talk to someone about the trial contact Heather Millington, research co-ordinator at Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, on 01480 364788.

The trial at Papworth was announced on World COPD Day (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

Flood defence gets green light
Source: Cambridge News
November 08

RESIDENTS in an area hit hard by flooding in recent years are jubilant after plans for flood defences were given the go-ahead.

Planners at Huntingdonshire District Council said yes to the £1.5 million project for Eaton Ford, St Neots.

The Environment Agency will now be able build a flood embankment from the bowling green behind The Paddock through the Riverside car park and towards the road bridge.

There will be flood gates at the entrance to the car park, where the embankment will dip, which will be closed if flood warnings are issued.

Plans for defences submitted a few years back after severe flooding in The Paddock were scrapped.

The new defences will protect 115 homes, including 29 in The Paddock, and three businesses.

Roger Howard, who lives in The Paddock, said: "At the moment I am in a sort of shock situation. We have been fighting for it for so long now. It's brilliant. I am over the moon."

Cllr Bob Farrer, county councillor for St Neots Eaton Socon, said: "It is a good thing and I am pleased it has happened."

TRIBUTES have been paid to a 19-year-old man who died in a car crash.

Laurence Oliver Moody, of Rectory Close, Great Paxton, died from his injuries after the incident which happened on Friday at about 9.40pm.

Mr Moody's Peugeot 306 left Huntingdon Road, just north of its junction with Priory Hill Road, near St Neots, and went into a ditch.

The former Longsands College student left behind mother and father Debbie and Nigel, and two older brothers, Craig and Nathan.

Caroline Mulliez, a neighbour, said: "He was a lovely, lovely boy. He was well liked and always had a smile on his face. He was a very caring, genuine guy."

Another neighbour and friend, Ian Taylor, said: "He was very kind and considerate. There was nothing he wouldn't do for you.

"There are an awful lot of people who knew him in the town and the village."

Flowers and tributes were left at the spot on Huntingdon Road where the crash happened.

One note read: "Lozza, I can't believe you are gone. You were truly an amazing person. I'll never forget all the memories. I'm going to miss you so much. Always thinking of you, Amy."

Another read: "Lozza, A good friend and will be missed but will always be alive in our hearts. Lozza you were a great person and mate. Anthony, Darren and Jay."

Graham Dale, managing director at Lely, in St Neots, where Mr Moody was an employee, said: "We were all shocked and devastated at the news that Laurence has died. Laurence worked with us for 15 months as an apprentice and showed great interest, promise and ability.

"He was a confident and cheeky person with a big smile, who was very well liked. Laurence will be greatly missed by us all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, who should be very proud of their son and the fine young man that he had become."

Friends have also posted tributes to Mr Moody on two groups set up on the social networking site Facebook in his memory.

His mother Debbie has said that instead of a funeral the family have organised a celebration of Laurence's life.

The service was held on Thursday, 27th November at 4pm at Bedford Crematorium. Laurence's family asked that there be no flowers and instead donations made to Co-op Funeral Services, St Neots, in memory of Laurence. Money raised will go towards a memorial for Laurence, which is being organised by his friends. They are hoping to put a bench at Riverside Park and a basketball hoop in Great Paxton.

Town council's blunder will cost tax payers
Source: Hunts Post
November 08

TAXPAYERS in St Neots have been left to pick up a £2,000 bill for the town's Riverside Festival after the event's supposed sponsor "disappeared".

It was revealed at the meeting of St Neots Town Council last Wednesday (November 5) that the council is chasing a debt of £1,990 while the total lose from the festival was £2,500.

The money had been promised to the council in a verbal agreement between the town centre manager, Tom McCormick, and an unnamed man.

Councillors were told last week that the man had approached Mr McCormick offering to help cover some of the costs of the first St Neots Riverside Festival, which took place in August.

The festival itself was a replacement to the town's carnival which was disbanded due to lack of support and funding. Organisers had been pleased with the success of the festival considering they had only a few months to organise it.

However, it seems the festival's success has been blighted by an unexpected debt.

Mr McCormick, who organised the festival, said that he had a "verbal contract" with a man who had offered to pay for the toilets, marshals, classic cars and some rides.

However, after numerous e-mails, phone calls and text messages the man has not contacted the town council or paid them a penny.

Mr McCormick said: "Lessons will be learnt from this. In a sense this is not all bad as we will learn from this.

"The support other participants gave us was incredible. The amount of people who flocked to the event shows that although we did not have much time to organise it there is a lot of support from the people of the town for such an event."

This week Mr McCormick told The Hunts Post that the proposal was discussed with the man at a meeting with witnesses and since then he has been following up the debt with formal correspondence.

Mr McCormick said: "Unfortunately, a donor has let us down and as it stands we are going to lose more than expected.

"It is very disappointing. This is a first time and we have learnt lots of practical lessons. We have the essence of an event and the goodwill of the community to stage something more permanent for the future. Nothing is lost at the end of the day."

Cllr Paul Ursell told councillors at the meeting: "The money has been spent - it is gone. Now we need to decide [which budget] going to be taken from."

Cllr Derek Giles said: "This event was sprung on us and we did not budget for it. We are now left in the red and I do not think we can afford not to follow up this debt."

The council decided to investigate whether the money could be taken from the town centre manager's budget, but has since ruled this out and will explore raiding other budgets.

The council agreed to also pursue the debt, but without spending any more money.

TEENAGERS and adults in Huntingdonshire are at risk of catching potentially life-threatening diseases by using amateur tattooists who operate from home.

Tattoo artist Steve Cutter, who works at Jewells Spellbound in Huntingdon, said he has seen a sharp rise in the number of children and adults coming to him with 'illegal tattoos'.

Tattooing kits are readily available via the internet and, he says, the kits being regularly used in Huntingdonshire.

He said he is visited by three or four people a week asking him to fix the poor tattoos.

Mr Cutter told The Hunts Post: "There are a lot of tattooists operating illegally in Huntingdon and a few in St Neots. These scratchers, as they are known in the trade, have no regard for people's health and are putting lives at risk."

It is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 and tattoo premises have to be licensed and inspected. Breaking these laws could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

If a premise is not licensed then there is no guarantee that the equipment being used is clean and safe. Using unsterilized equipment can lead to diseases such as hepatitis and septicaemia.

Mr Cutter added: "It is absolutely soul destroying. How do you tell a 16 or 17-year-old or even an adult who should know better that their bad tattoo is the good news? The bad news is that they now need to go to hospital and have a blood test because they may have HIV or hepatica."

Mark Austin, owner of Jewells Spellbound in Market Hill, said: "Not only are these people scarred for life but they could also have shortened their life. One young girl came to us who had been on a drunken night out in St Neots and ended up at a house where someone tattooed her. It was just awful - they made a real mess."

On another occasion a mother and her 14-year-old child went into the shop for help after getting illegally tattooed.

Mr Cutter said he believes the number of underground tattooists is surging because of the increasing number of DIY tattoo kits available on the internet.

"It has always been happening but over the last few months it seems to be happening more and more. I put it down to the availability of tattoo kits on online auction sites. Anyone can pick one up for under £80 with a 20 minute DVD on how to do it.

"I have been tattooing for 15 years and I'm still learning so to think of someone picking it up from a short DVD is just ridiculous."

A spokesman for Huntingdonshire District Council said anyone with information about illegal tattooists should contact them on 01480 388010.

Road safety chiefs have issued public warning
Source: Town Crier
November 08

Road safety chiefs are urging people to be safe and be seen now that the clocks have gone back.

Improving road safety is a top priority for Cambridgeshire County Council which is urging people to wear something bright in these dark mornings and nights.

Adults and children should take precautions through the year to make sure they can be seen by drivers when out walking, but especially during the autumn and winter months with dull weather, and due to the fact that many children may walk to and from school in the dark.

The county council works hard to improve road safety for children. Over the last 10 years there has been a 40 per cent drop in the number of primary school children hurt on Cambridgeshire's roads - despite a 30 per cent rise in traffic over the same period.

Here's some safety tips:

During the daytime, wearing something bright, coloured and fluorescent can increase your visibility to others, such as yellow armbands, coats, or putting stickers on schoolbags. Cyclists are particularly at risk on roundabouts and at crossroads, and wearing bright and colourful clothing, fluorescent tabards and stickers can be especially helpful.

At night reflective clothing and items are crucial, such as reflective strips on coats, schoolbags, slap wraps and even shoes with lights imbedded into the shoes which are particularly popular with children!

Cyclists should use clean, white lights at the front of their bikes, with red lights and reflectors at the back. Fitting spoke reflectors and reflective pedals on your bike can reflect street and car lights well.

Drivers should ensure that they slow down, use their lights in the dark and conditions of poor visibility, and be aware that pedestrians and cyclists may not have seen their vehicles.

Cambridgeshire county councillor Matt Bradney, Cabinet member for growth and infrastructure, said "The county council is committed to creating safer communities and protecting Cambridgeshire's children. Improving road safety is a top priority for me and the council. The fall in the number of children hurt on our roads is good news but just one child injured is one too many.

"Ensuring that drivers can see us or our children when we're on or near the roads is vital, and especially during the darker seasons. Whether you're walking, cycling, or even jogging outside, wearing and using bright, coloured, fluorescent, reflective items can help significantly to avoid casualties on the roads."

Act now on FREE Christmas parking
Source: Cambridge News
November 08

BUSINESS leaders in Huntingdonshire are putting pressure on the district council to take action to attract Christmas shoppers to the town's High Streets, rather than city shopping malls.

And they want HDC to look at making permanent free parking arrangements in the New Year.

Huntingdonshire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) say they hope the district council realises that the clock is ticking if it wants to boost retail trade in market towns in the run-up to Christmas. 

The move follows HDC's "very helpful announcement that it is considering a range of options to help retailers and boost the local economy by encouraging shoppers to stay local instead of travelling to larger towns and cities," the two business organisations said today (Friday). 

John Bridge, chief executive of Huntingdonshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Although we welcomed the recent announcement, we very much hope that the council understands the urgency and will not just continue to talk about how it is considering this 'range of options', as there are only so many shopping days left until Christmas.

"What we don't want to see is local retailers missing out because the council hasn't made a decision quickly enough. Peterborough and Cambridge are already proactively promoting their shopping centres, Christmas events and parking initiatives," he added. 

"Free parking on Saturday would go a long way towards attracting shoppers. The chamber would actively support such a campaign for Huntingdonshire's market towns, but we must act fast in order for it to be successful."

Malcolm Lyons, chairman of the Huntingdonshire Branch of the FSB added: "We also welcome the council initiative and very much hope this will turn out to be a reality, and that the council will continue free Saturday parking into the New Year to attract shoppers during the sale period.

"We also hope, with the chamber, that in the future the council will review its longer term policy and consider introducing free parking permanently. 

Fuel reduction good but not good enough
Source: Cambridge News
November 08

MOTORISTS across Cambridgeshire were delighted when prices for unleaded petrol finally dipped below the £1 a litre mark.

Led by the supermarket giants Morrisons and Tesco, other petrol stations followed suit to cut prices to levels not seen since October last year.

It meant an end to dreaded trips to the pumps, where a full tank of fuel had cost up to £70 as petrol prices soared to an all-time high of 119.7 pence a litre.

Across Cambridgeshire, unleaded now costs 95.9p a litre at Morrisons in Cam¬bourne, 96.9p a litre at Tesco in Milton and 97.9p at the supermarket's Bar Hill branch.

At Texaco's in Cherry Hinton Road, it stood at 97.9p and the same level at Ely's Tesco store.
However, there are still calls for further price cuts after last week's announcement that Shell and BP had enjoyed bumper profits.

Shell's profits between July and September were £6.6 billion - up £2.5 billion on the same period last year - while BP saw profits of £6.4 billion.

Steve Stokes, from Ely, said: "Prices should come down a lot more. My wife drives to and from St Neots from Ely and it was costing her £60 to £80 a week - it's too much.

"I travel to the States with work and people are moaning about $4 a gallon - we are paying $10 a gallon."

Kevin Bryant, from Haddenham, agreed.

"Running a car is costing me about £30 a week just to get to work, without including the weekend shopping trips and everything else. A lot of my wages go on running a car, so another 10 or 20 pence off a litre would be beautiful."

Carmen Brooks-Pollard, from Cambridge, believed cheaper petrol was vital for family life in today's society.

She said: "Not many families live in the same area, so higher fuel prices affect them. For instance, if parents have children at university and they want to get home it will affect them greatly."

Dean Young, from Cambridge, said: "I've definitely noticed the difference in my pocket over the last year - it means I'm having to budget more when my wages come in each month and it's costing me more and more each time."

But Krystyna Gollabek, from Cambridge, believed the emphasis on cheaper fuel prices was short-sighted.

She said: "I do not drive because it's ridiculously expensive, but I do not need to because you can cycle or walk most places or use public transport if it's a longer journey.

"Public transport is the way forward and we need to get more buses and trains linking up and providing a good service, perhaps by bringing it back under Government ownership."

Keen cyclist Guy Stepney, from Cam¬bridge, said: "I've never been tempted to drive because of the cost. We need more cycleways and better public transport to encourage people out of their cars."

Commenting on the latest average price falls, a spokesman for the AA said: "The cost of petrol tumbled to 98.63 pence per litre with diesel 111 pence.

"Compared to the record high price of 119.7 pence per litre in mid-July, this has put nearly £45.16 a month back into the budget of a family with two petrol cars."

The fall in prices follows a slowdown in global demand in response to higher prices and the impact of the economic crisis, which knocked crude oil some 60 percent lower to around $60 a barrel.