Councillors at Cambridgeshire County Council backed five motions unanimously at yesterday's Full Council meeting (Tuesday, 13 October), including measures to increase awareness of e-bike and e-scooter regulations, improve water infrastructure planning and strengthen adult social care reform.
Councillors supported a motion from Cllr David Levien calling for better public awareness of the rules governing e-bikes and e-scooters, with Illegal and illegally modified vehicles representing a perceived and real safety threat to all members of the public.
The council agreed to develop a campaign to educate the public on the regulations and risks around eScooters and eBikes. They also asked the council’s Trading Standards team to engage with retailers on their responsibilities, Public Health service to work with NHS partners to better understand injury data, and the Chief Executive to write to local MPs seeking support for stronger national enforcement powers against illegal and modified vehicles.
A motion from Cllr Ros Hathorn highlighted the need for stronger collaboration and investment in water infrastructure to support economic growth, delivery of Government housebuilding targets and reduce disruption for residents. As a result of supporting the motion, council has agreed to write to Government and regulators seeking reforms to infrastructure processes and greater coordination of utility works and inviting water companies to work more collaboratively with the council on highway impacts, leaks and infrastructure planning.
Councillors also backed a motion from Cllr Richard Howitt concerning the future of adult social care. The motion called for greater local engagement with the national Casey Commission's Big Conversation on Care and encouraged cross-party engagement on social care reform. It also asks the Adults and Health Committee to consider feedback and findings.
A motion from Cllr Jonny Edge was approved, supporting consideration of a wider ‘Nurturing Cambridgeshire’ approach. As a result, the Strategy, Resources and Performance Committee will consider how nurturing, relationship-based and trauma-informed approaches could be developed further through the council’s business planning and budget-setting processes.
Councillors also supported a motion from Cllr Chris Thornhill, which highlights concerns about Stonea Bridge's history of vehicle strikes and calls for a more proactive approach to road safety. The council agreed to ask Vision Zero partners to consider incorporating a risk-based assessment framework into future updates of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Road Safety Strategy.
The Full Council meeting was live‑streamed on our YouTube channel, where it can now be watched back. The papers discussed are available to read on our website.
