Developing the future of Cambridgeshire focus of plans

As part of a new corporate strategy, Cambridgeshire County Council has agreed funding of more than £45 million to increase school places across the county and develop four new clean energy schemes.

The authority’s General Purposes Committee agreed the spend in line with the development of a new corporate strategy. This includes four new energy schemes at a total cost of £30.6 million, which are expected to generate a total net income of £77.4 million to return to front line services over their 25 year life.

This will be split between the development of smart energy schemes at the Trumpington and Babraham Park and Ride sites and a ‘clean energy’ solar photovoltaics and battery storage project, set to generate £9 million for frontline services over the next  25 years.

A further £14.6 million of additional borrowing in 2019/20 will help finance six planned school building projects, including a new primary school, extensions to increase the capacity of local primary schools and planned works at Highfield and Samuel Pepys Special Schools in Ely and St Neots, providing  much-needed sports and staff facilities to bring the school in line with other special schools in the county.

Steve Count, leader of the council, said: “The development of our new corporate strategy, which was also discussed at our meeting today, and which  sets out the key outcomes, activities and behaviours that the Council will pursue over the next three year - sees us focus even more clearly on developing the future of Cambridgeshire. In our strategy we propose a more dedicated focus on delivering a good quality of life and thriving places to live for all residents, and the best start in life for every Cambridgeshire child. The additional investments agreed today show that we are keen to put our money where our priorities lie.”