Cllr Geoff Heathcock

Geoff has asked for update on the future of Service 114 through his ward

geoffheathcock — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:22:50 +0000

Geoff has written to Transport Officers at Shire Hall – seeking an update on the future of the 114 which runs through the ward from the Hospital and on to Grafton Centre via Mowbray and Fendon Roads. This follows an announcement by the Council Cabinet that all subsidised routes are under review – in the case of the 114 we know it is currently costing nearly £45k a year to prop it up. The bottom line is more people need to use it – otherwise there is a distinct chance we we loose it altogether. Officers have given an temporary assurance to Geoff that the route is ok at the present time, but its something that needs to be watched ongoing.

Clarification sought from the Police over burglary occurence

geoffheathcock — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:19:55 +0000

Geoff has asked the Police for some clarification about what they are aware of in relation to the number of burlaries that have either happened or have been logged by them – following representations from some local residents that the Police may not be aware of all incidents that have been happening in the South of the ward. If this is so says Geoff then clearly there is a problem that needs to be addressed urgently. Burglary is acknowledged as one of the most traumatic crimes to be committed and we must ensure every effort is made to stamp them out.

Geoff welcomes Government moves on Compensation for crime

geoffheathcock — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:32:38 +0000

Geoff a former JP in Cambridge and East Cambridgeshire has welcomed the a nnouncement by Justice Secretary that the whole criminal compensation system is to undergo a radical review. This is both timely and necessary as we see many prisoners make stupid claims for a cut finger in a cell and the victims of crime even serious crime wait years to get anything and then its often a pittance.

We surely have to return to a culture where the perpetrators of crime really do pay a price and the victim becomes the focus of attention and care – with practical assistance from the criminal and State to ensure they can rebuild their lives once more.

Councillor calls for major investment in Parking Review across South of the City

geoffheathcock — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:28:39 +0000

Geoff as one of the County Councillors involved in the South Area Parking Review has called for major investment to be made in connection with this review to return “his ward” to the residents having suffered years of ongoing overflow parking from Addenbrookes Hospital which in recent months has ensured that there are more and more issues with both inconsiderate parking which significantly impacts on residents on the one hand and is undoubtedly making life more difficult for the blue light services when they try and attend emergencies in roads like Almoners Avenue, Chalk Grove, Nightingale Avenue, Topcliffe Way, Holbrook Road and Glebe Road.

As the Hospital expands and we know there is more to come, a few more bus services will not do it for my residents where armies of motorists working at the Hospital or research facilities swarm on to my roads and streets from 6 oclock in the morning and many are still there at ten or eleven at night!

What in the end are my residents getting out of this expansion, absolutely nothing positive but they are certainly getting plenty of aggravation and in many cases pay amongst the highest bands of Council tax in the City.

I want to see some definitive answers from the Parking review which will relieve this aggravation – put meters in on the key roads so as to limit timescales for parking and bring some revenue back into my ward – at the moment its all pay for the residents and a free ride for everyone else.

Time taken to complete Highway repairs questioned

geoffheathcock — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:43:09 +0000

Geoff has asked County Highways for an explanation as to why damaged bollards and railings on the corner of Hills Road and Queen Ediths Way involved in a recent road incident has taken so long to be repaired. These sorts of incidents should be sorted out within a week but its clear – from the times i have passed it virtually abandoned that something had gone wrong with the tracking mechanisms at Highways to ensure a speedy repair. There needs to be an improved method of work monitoring to ensure these delays dont occur in the future.

Geoff hits out at the problems associated with Winter bugs at Addenbrookes

geoffheathcock — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:39:35 +0000

Geoff has hit out at the number of wards that are currently closed at Addenbrookes – due to the effect of winter virus which has also seen a significant number of elective operations cancelled and again questions the whole cleaning regime and standards deployed ongoing.

This is a far too regular occurence in our Hospitals – and has to bring into question the whole regime of cleaning that is deployed these days – ever since Hospital Cleaning became a contracted out operation standards have frequently slid because it is finance driven not clinically driven especially in key areas like wards for the vulnerable and very ill.

Its a disgrace in the 21st century that cleaning is so poor and in some cases hit and miss – that every winter our Hospitals are subject to close down or deep clean as an emergency feature, Boards and Senior Management should get a grip of this once and for all.

Band Concert for the RNLI huge success

geoffheathcock — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:35:01 +0000

Geoff reports that the Band Concert held on Friday evening in aid of the RNLI – was a huges success both in terms of the number of people who came along – over 130 but also the standard of the music given by the Cottenham Brass Band and the sheer enjoyment of the audience. The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic and even the band asked if they could come back again on a future occasion. We shall certainly look forward to that in due course. Meanwhile financially it was also a hit with a profit in excess of £900 for the Lifeboats, wonderful

Geoff continues to assist those who have suffered a loss

geoffheathcock — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:09:35 +0000

Geoff who has been connected with the Funeral Trade for nearly a decade now – and worked with two local companies, continues to assist those families who have suffered a loss of a loved one, although i dont have a permanent “funeral home” to work with – i am able to see families at their home or they can come and see me – in order to talk through what options are available in arranging a funeral which they feel comfortable with or fits in with the loved one’s wishes. I will shortly be announcing a new website, but in the meantime anyone who may need my help 24 hours a day can call me at home (244901) or send me an email – geoff.fire9@hotmail.co.uk for further advice and information.

Burger Van on Nightingale Avenue is neither appropriate or wanted

geoffheathcock — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:01:26 +0000

When residents contacted Geoff on Thursday advising him that a mobile burger unit and vehicle had appeared on Nightingale Avenue near the junction of Rotherwick Way – he went and saw for himself what was going on. Then contacted Environmental Health at the City Council questioning planning authority, licencing, safety and the clash with established business on Wulfstan Way nearby – who both pay Business rates and Rent to the City Council. A Senior Officer from EH visited the scene and checked especially the safety aspects of what was happening. Geoff also contacted the Police to see if there were things that could happen under the Road Traffic Act, no response too date!

Meanwhile the vehicle and trailer were seen in Wulfstan Way on Saturday and further representations to the City Council have been made, the situation continues to be monitored.

Spalding Way Light removal still rumbles on

geoffheathcock — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:57:30 +0000

Following the removal of a strategic street light near the junction with Godwin Way in Spalding Way – Geoff has had a variety of representations from residents which resulted in a site meeting with County Lighting engineers to look at why the light had been removed and examine costs for getting it back in its original position.

That is when the problems have started – with a series of different estimates all ignoring the fact that the electrical cables remain in the ground, County Officers are holding out against paying for it to be put back in, but i remain on the case to persuade them with the opening of the Queen Emma Primary School nearby – the light is needed especially on late winter afternoons.