From:	Kevin Blencowe <Kevin.Blencowe@cambridge.gov.uk>
To:	robert@oeffner.net <robert@oeffner.net>
Subject:	Re: Letter before local election
Date:	Wed, 02 May 2007 14:09:37 +0100
CC:	Ben Bradnack <Ben.Bradnack@cambridge.gov.uk>, Lewis Herbert<Lewis.Herbert@cambridge.gov.uk>, Miriam Lynn<Miriam.Lynn@cambridge.gov.uk>

Dear Robert,I seem to remember your letter being addressed to candidates and as I am not a candidate this year I'm afraid I didn't reply.However as not many people have replied to you on the subject may I offer my sixpenny's worth.The opposition labour group have never signed up to the licensing regime now in place on the river.It is a fact that it was introduced by the lib dem ruling group on the council,at the behest of Cllr Joye Rosensteil whose ward covers the Midsummer Common riverbank on the city side and continued by Cllr Julie Smith who is presently in charge of these matters.You could legitimately argue that since houseboat owners now pay a licence fee that they see themselves as stakeholders on river issues. But the point which I believe that you rightly raise is are they seen in a stronger light than other River users such as a rowing community?The reason why we have always been sceptical of the licensing policy is that the area between Elizabeth Way Bridge and the gates to Stourbridge Common is not included.The result has been more congestion of boats on this stretch which I imagine is the cause of problems to the rowers.As opposition cllrs our group are willing to take up legitimate issues and complaints from groups within the city and in that regard we would be happy to meet with you and others to improve matters.Regards Kevin. >>> "robert@oeffner.net" <robert@oeffner.net> 01/05/2007 10:27 >>> Dear Councillors, Your names were forwarded to me by Colin Rosenstiel and Lewis Herbert respectively regarding the letter I sent out articulating the concerns the rowing community has with the density of houseboats on the River Cam. I would be thankful if you could state your party's positions on these matters so that it is possible for people in the rowing community to cast a vote based on the information you present. Faithfully, Robert Oeffner -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web.com * Enhanced email for the mobile individual based on Microsoft® Exchange - http://link.mail2web.com/Personal/EnhancedEmail