Have your say using our community engagement platform

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Our online engagement platform at: http://www.scambs.gov.uk/consultations  is a space for people who live in, work in, or visit South Cambridgeshire to be actively involved in local decision-making.

Our new platform offers a range of participation and engagement opportunities – enabling you to contribute to your community and the decisions that affect it.

We currently have two active surveys where you can share your thoughts on how we’re doing – one focused on our services and another on our online and digital offerings.The surveys only takes a few minutes to complete, and we greatly appreciate all feedback.

You can fill this out at: http://www.scambs.gov.uk/consultations

You can also get involved through our Community Forums, held quarterly at our growth sites. These forums keep residents up to date on the latest development and give the opportunity to help shape your community.

We want our residents, businesses and community groups to be involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives.

This new engagement platform is a vital step in making local government more open, accessible and responsive.

Help choose the next Blue Plaque

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Would you like to publicly commemorate a person or event in South Cambridgeshire?

Local charity Cambridge Past, Present and Future is inviting nominations for the Cambridge and District Blue Plaque Scheme, which celebrates people and events that made a lasting impact locally, nationally or globally.

Plaques have recently been installed in Foxton for  paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey, and in Fulbourn for Geoprge Brewster, whose tragic seath as a Victorian Chimney sweep helped end child labour.

To nominate, send an email to : "> with details of the person or event, the location, and why they matter.

Nominees must have died at least 10 years ago.

Nominations are especially welcome where supporters are happy to help raise funds.

Find out more at: http://www.cambridgeppf.org/blue-plaques/

Landlines are changing – Are you ready?

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Is your landline ready for the digital switchover?

By January 2027, traditional landlines will be upgraded to digital technology, meaning calls will be made over the internet rather than the old copper network. For most people, it will be a simple change – you’ll just need to plug your phone into your broadband router instead of the usual socket.

However, if you rely on your landline for telecare, a personal alarm, or dont have broadband at home, it’s important to check what this means for you.

Connecting Cambridgeshire’s Get Ready, Go Digital, Stay Connected Campaign is here to help.

Find out more by visiting: http://www.connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk/digitalswitchover

Village Bus Use and Improvement Survey

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Village Bus Use and Improvement Survey

 

Over the Summer we are running a survey to gather data on bus use in the village and preferred service improvements, to help us make the case for better bus services in the village.

 

You can fill in the survey here: https://forms.gle/CfQ7g83SH6m7XXpp8

Eco Whittlesford Nature Trails

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It’s a good time to get out with the family for a short Whittlesford wander.

Did you know there are three short accessible walks in the village which you can follow step by step on ther Eco Whittlesford website?

They are all family friendly and if you notice something new along the  route, do let us know!

For more information please see the Eco Whittlesford Website using the link below.

https://www.ecowhittlesford.org.uk

 

New weekly food waste collections to start next year

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New weekly food waste collections to start next year

After 31st March 2026 local councils will begin to offer weekly food waste collections to households. Provisional dates for district council collections in Cambridgeshire are as follows:

• Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire start in April 2026

• East Cambs District Council starts in mid-2026

The government has given Councils money to spend on: • new collection vehicles • new waste containers, (kerbside and indoor caddies) • information detailing the changes for householders

Over ten million tonnes of food is wasted every year in the UK so separate collections of food waste will be sent to specialist facilities and not to landfill. Taking food waste to these facilities will generate energy to power homes and businesses and cut down the more than 18 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

How will the new policy work?

• Households will be given separate containers for food waste, and (in some areas) separate bins for paper and cardboard will also be introduced. Councils across Cambridgeshire will continue to collect dry recycling together in one bin.

• This will cut the amount of food waste going to landfill and will ensure smelly waste doesn’t sit in bins for weeks.

As part of this drive to educate residents about the new service we’re running a project with volunteers from across the five district councils, (East Cambridgeshire, Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire, Fenland and Huntingdonshire) which will start in June 2025.

By 31 March 2026, food waste will be collected from most households every week, instead of once every two weeks. Food waste will then be collected separately from garden waste. As well as helping everyone think about the amount of food they purchase, we want food waste to be recycled effectively. We’re looking for volunteers to go out anytime, to talk to householders on their doorsteps and let them know about the new services. We’ll provide full training, as well as examples of the items that will be delivered by the district councils, to householders.

Sign up to become a food waste volunteer!

Phil Tomlin MCIWM

Waste Reduction, Strategy & Policy Manager

Cambridgeshire County Council Waste Team

c/o Thalia

Waterbeach Waste Management Park

Ely Road

Waterbeach

Cambridgeshire CB25 9PG

email: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Tiger Bus Routes

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From 27th May, the 7 new Tiger bus routes will launch across the region, delivering frequent, reliable, and affordable public transport connections.

These routes have been designed to:

  • Link key education, employment and health sites with surrounding towns and villages
  • Provide new and improved services for both rural and urban communities
  • Offer seamless onward travel through key hubs including Park & Ride sites, rail stations and city connections
  • Support affordable travel with £1 fares for the under 25s using the Tiger Bus Pass

Whether it’s getting to school or college, work, hospital appointments, shopping or visiting friends and family, the new Tiger routes are here to make everyday journeys easier.

 

📍 The Routes Include:

  • Tiger 1– Express service between Huntingdon and Cambridge via key villages including Histon, Oakington and Fenstanton
  • Tiger 2 & 3 (Cambridge Orbital Services)– Connecting the north and south of Cambridge, including Cambridge North Station, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Addenbrooke’s, Trumpington and key Park & Ride sites
  • Tiger 4 & 5 (B1102 Corridor Services)– Serving communities between Soham, Burwell, Newmarket and Cambridge, improving travel options into the city
  • Tiger 7– New route from Wisbech to Chatteris via Emneth, Outwell, Christchurch and Manea
  • Tiger 12– A rural connector between Longstanton Park & Ride and Sutton, including Willingham and Earith

 

Further information including links to full timetables can be found here: https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/tiger-bus-routes/

We would be very grateful for your support in helping to spread the word. I have attached a toolkit with digital flyers and posters, route maps, timetables and an image for sharing on social media. Printed materials are also available, please just let me know how many copies you’d like of each item and the address for me to send them to.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like more detail on any of the routes.

Best regards

Sophie Clarke
Corporate Communications Manager

Annual Parish Meeting & Reports for 2025

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The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Friday 23rd May 2025 in the Millennium Room of the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm

You will find our agenda under the usual Agenda and Minutes section. Please do come along and have your say.

Refreshments will be provided by the Parish Council and served by the Whitsers Commitee

We look forward to seeing you all at the meeting.

If you are unable to attend but have a question or query please do get in touch by emailing the Parish Clerk at:

Please see Annual Reports that have been provided by village clubs, groups and organisations.

Annual Village Reports 2025 for LOOK Publication

 

 

 

Funding Opportunities for Rural Businesses, Charities & Schools – April 2025

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If you’re a rural business, charity, school or community group in Whittlesford, there’s a wide selection of grant schemes available this April to support your work—from building community infrastructure and restoring historic buildings to boosting local sports, music, and environmental efforts.

Here’s a breakdown of the key funding opportunities currently open for applications, grouped by theme:

🔌 Energy

Green Heat Network Fund – Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Supports low-carbon heat networks across England. Available to public and private sector applicants aiming to decarbonise heating systems.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-heat-network-fund-ghnf

Energy Resilience Fund – Power to Change

Grants for community businesses to improve energy efficiency or implement renewable energy solutions.

​https://www.powertochange.org.uk/what-we-do/projects/energy-resilience-fund/

🌳 Environment

Community Tree Planting Fund – Network Rail

Grants for planting trees near rail lines to support biodiversity and community engagement. ​https://treecouncil.org.uk/grants-and-guidance/our-grants/network-rail-community-tree-planting-fund/

Forestry England Woodland Partnership
Supports large-scale woodland creation through partnerships with landowners and local groups. ​ www.forestryengland.uk/woodland-creation

Electricals Recycling Fund – Material Focus
Funds initiatives that boost electrical item recycling, reuse, and education.https://www.materialfocus.org.uk/partnerships-with-material-focus/electricals-recycling-fund/

🏛 Historic Buildings

Grants for Historic Church Interiors and Churchyard Structures – Church of England

Funding for the conservation of historic interiors and features in churchyards.. https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/our-conservation-grants/grants-historic-church-interiors-and-churchyard-structures

Project Viability & Project Development Grants – The Architectural Heritage Fund
Supports early-stage work and project planning for historic building restoration. ​https://ahfund.org.uk/grants/england/

Small, Medium and Large Grants – National Churches Trust
​Grants for repairing and modernising church buildings. Available as small, medium, or large awards. https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/grants

 

💼 Business

Grants and business support for people using enterprise to solve social or environmental issues. ​ https://www.unltd.org.uk/awards

The UK Fund – The National Lottery Community Fund
Provides grants for projects that address societal challenges and improve communities, supporting initiatives that bring people together and build strong relationships. ​ https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/the-uk-fund

Rural England Prosperity Fund
Aims to support rural businesses and community infrastructure projects, enhancing economic growth and quality of life in rural areas. Funding is available for capital projects that improve productivity and strengthen rural communities. ​ https://www.scambs.gov.uk/grants-and-funding

⚽ Sports

The Big Bike Revival – Cycling UK
Grants for events and initiatives that get more people cycling and remove access barriers. https://www.cyclinguk.org/bigbikerevival/delivery-partners ​

Football Foundation Grants
Funding for improving pitches, facilities, floodlights, and more at grassroots level. Funding is available for clubs, schools, and local authorities. https://footballfoundation.org.uk/looking-for-funding

The Movement Fund – Sport England

Supports organisations that make it easier for people to be active, especially those underrepresented in sport. ​ https://www.sportengland.org/funding-and-campaigns/our-funding/movement-fund

🫶 Community Initiatives

Healthy Heart Grants – Heart Research UK
Funds community projects focused on improving heart health and preventing disease. https://heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-heart-grants/

Youth Music Trailblazer Fund
Supports music projects for children and young people facing barriers to participation. ​ https://www.youthmusic.org.uk/funding/i-need-funding/trailblazer-fund

Stobart Sustainability Fund
Provides grants for projects that deliver environmental and community benefits, supporting initiatives that promote sustainability and social responsibility. ​ https://eddiestobart.com/the-stobart-sustainability-fund/#enquires

Literacy Small Grants Scheme – JJ Charitable Trust
Offers funding for projects that improve literacy skills among children and adults, aiming to enhance educational outcomes and opportunities. ​ https://sfct.powerappsportals.com/jjapplication/

SUEZ Communities Fund
Supports community and environmental improvement projects, including public amenities, biodiversity initiatives, and recreation facilities. Funding is available for nonprofit organizations and community groups. https://grantscape.org.uk/fund/suez-communities-fund/suez-communities-fund-england/

💬 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a small school looking to plant trees, a heritage group restoring a church, or a local entrepreneur making a difference—these grant schemes offer exciting opportunities to grow your work and impact. Be sure to check eligibility and deadlines for each scheme.