South Cambridgeshire District Council officers have been asked for details on how they scored faith groups bidding for land in Northstowe new town

Council officers have been asked to show how they scored two bids from religious groups for use of land in a Cambridgeshire new town. Northstowe is planned to be the largest new town since Milton Keynes with 10,000 homes, 1,700 of which are already built and occupied.

Land to be used by faith and community groups was allocated as part of an agreement with the developer when the proposal was approved. Two groups submitted bids for use of the land – Northstowe Church Network (NCN), a Christian group with support from Northstowe Muslims, and Hindu Samaj Northstowe (HSN).

For several years, Cambridgeshire’s Hindu community has been without a dedicated space for spiritual process after their Mill Road temple was shut in 2019 due to water damage.

Council officers said their bidding criteria was based on the group’s local association, charitable status, the feasibility of their plans and a guarantee that a shared space be open to all other groups “regardless of faith, belief or lifestyle”.

A panel of eight officers, six from South Cambridgeshire District Council and two external specialists, scored both bids with the Northstowe Church Network winning out. Their bid received a score of 81% while Hindu Samaj Northstowe’s bid was given 65%.

The council’s scrutiny and overview committee were asked to approve the recommendation to the cabinet that the bid be accepted but questioned how the panel came to their figures.

Cllr Heather Williams, the Conservative opposition group leader, said: “I can see the bid but what I can’t see is the scoring for the matrix, where can I find that information? Surely how can you assess and scrutinise if you haven’t actually got the results of that process?”

Monitoring officer Katevu Nurainatta said the scoring “wasn’t directly requested by scrutiny as a whole” but it could be provided on a confidential paper.

Cllr Dr Lisa Redrup, lead cabinet member for healthy communities, said it was left to officers to assess, come up with their scores and give their recommendation. She said it was the job of scrutiny to determine if policy had been followed and pass the recommendations on to the cabinet.

She said: “I’m not sure in my opinion if you would need to see all the details of what has happened to be able to make that determination.”

Cllr Dr Richard Williams, chair of the committee, said the officer’s assessment of the recommended bid was just 151 words long.

He said: “Now I assume that the value of the land at least in commercial terms that’s being disposed of here is significant, hence the need for the secretary of state’s consent. We are proposing that the cabinet makes a decision of that significance on the basis of a 151 word summary which doesn’t include much detail.”

Cllr Heather Williams said she felt the cabinet “cannot make a good decision” with the information from the report. She said: “We don’t need the granular, we don’t need who said what or anything like that.

“But, in order to come to the top figures – those figures were calculated somehow and I think it’s important that scoring is before the cabinet before they make a decision.”

The committee added a recommendation to provide further details of the assessment.

The full New State Pension rose by 4.8 per cent in April to £12,548 – just £22 below the Personal Allowance

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An increasing number of elderly individuals are expected to face income tax obligations as the State Pension climbs to within £22 of the Personal Allowance this year. The full New State Pension rose to £12,548 annually in April following a 4.8 per cent uplift under the Triple Lock, which ensures yearly increases aligned with earnings growth, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation or 2.5 per cent – whichever proves highest.

While the enhancement means those retired are nearly £1,300 better off than had the State Pension merely increased with CPI inflation at 3.8 per cent, it also leaves many perilously close to incurring income tax. It is crucial to note that individuals whose only income stream is the State Pension will not face tax.

Nevertheless, with the Personal Allowance frozen at £12,570 until April 2031, pensioners now require merely £22 of supplementary income before they begin paying income tax.

This represents a stark shift from several years ago. During the 2021/22 tax year, pensioners could receive over £3,200 on top of their State Pension before breaching the tax threshold.

Fresh analysis from Vanguard demonstrates the impact is already being experienced. The number of taxpayers aged 66 and above has surged from 6.7million in 2021/22 to 8.8million in the previous tax year – a rise of nearly 2.1million individuals, reports the Daily Record.

James Norton, head of retirement and investments at Vanguard, cautions the most recent State Pension increase is likely to drag even more retirees into the tax system, especially those with modest private pensions or savings income. He explained: “The value of the Triple Lock is clear, with the inflation-busting increase confirmed.

“Our analysis shows that those receiving the full new State Pension are almost £1,300 better off compared to if there was just an inflation link in place.

“But with the Personal Allowance frozen, many pensioners will find they are paying tax for the first time or paying more than expected. A considered approach to retirement income is essential to avoid unnecessary tax.”

With the State Pension now accounting for nearly all of the tax-free allowance, retirees are being advised to manage any additional income with care.

This may encompass earnings from private pensions, savings interest or investments, all of which could push total income beyond the tax threshold.

Experts at Vanguard warn that withdrawing too heavily from private pensions risks triggering avoidable tax bills, while keeping money invested for longer could help limit tax exposure.

Couples are additionally being urged to plan their finances jointly, making full use of both partners’ allowances and potentially lowering their overall tax liability.

The figures shine a light on an increasingly pressing concern for older people, whereby rising State Pension payments are being counteracted by frozen tax thresholds — drawing ever more retirees into the income tax net each year.

Dr Amir Khan explains how hormonal changes can cause women to gain belly fat and weight around the tummy

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A doctor has explained why women tend to develop belly fat as they get older, describing it as a “normal” aspect of ageing. The expert said women can anticipate changes in their weight distribution as they grow older.

In a clip from his podcast No Appointment Necessary, posted to his Instagram account, Dr Amir Khan offered some reassurance regarding weight fluctuations before and after the menopause. He described how fat is stored differently across the body as a result of this hormonal shift.

Menopause is a natural life stage that usually occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55. It takes place when hormone levels in the body decline to a point where periods stop altogether.

As a result of these hormonal changes, the body can go through a wide array of symptoms that can affect both physical and mental wellbeing. These include hot flushes, mood swings, and brain fog.

Yet it can also influence how your body distributes fat. On the podcast, his co-host Cherry Healey said: “Lots of women find that when they go through perimenopause and menopause, they gain weight.”

Dr Amir responded: “So, before the menopause, fat distribution in women is usually around the hips, thighs, and buttock area. And that fat distribution is completely normal and healthy and women should have fat there, you don’t want to lose it.”

He explained why. “It’s really good for your fertility,” he said.

“It’s really good for your overall health. It is expected and needed.” However, following menopause, you may find yourself more susceptible to weight gain around the abdomen. Dr Amir continued: “After the menopause, as the hormones shift, things change.

“And that fat usually deposits around the tummy area and the hips as well and so people can refer to it as a ‘meno belly’. It’s not really a great term but it is just the shift of weight, really.”

He added: “Normal, natural, not the end of the world, part of being a woman, an adult woman.” His guidance aligns with the NHS website, which states: “Weight gain during perimenopause and menopause is common.

“It often happens around the stomach and upper body.”

Other symptoms of menopause

The other symptoms of menopause, as listed by the NHS, include:

• Changes to your periods
• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes, poor memory and brain fog
• Vaginal problems such as dryness, a burning feeling, irritation or itching in and around the vagina
• UTIs (urinary tract infections)
• A faster, slower or more noticeable heartbeat (palpitations)
• Weakening bones (loss of bone density), which can lead to osteoporosis
• Feeling the need to pee more or not being able to control when you pee (urinary incontinence)
• Headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
• Muscle aches and joint pains
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Skin changes, including dry and itchy skin
• Reduced sex drive (loss of libido)
• Sensitive teeth, painful gums or other mouth problems

The health body says you should contact your GP if:

• You think you have symptoms of menopause or perimenopause and want to know what your options are
• You have symptoms like a fast heartbeat (palpitations)
• You still have periods but your bleeding pattern has changed and you’re bleeding more, not less, than before
• You have not had a period for 12 months or more, and you have any vaginal bleeding

The most commonly prescribed treatment for menopause symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Wilson Vets, located on Tenters Street, has launched a dedicated rehabilitation service with a focus on supporting recovery, mobility, and long-term wellbeing in pets.

The service combines physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to offer a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and preventative healthcare.

Wilson Vets in Bishop Auckland has introduced specialist physiotherapy and hydrotherapy services for dogs and cats (Image: Chris Booth)

Claire Bake, practice manager at Wilson Vets, said: “The combination of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy can be life-changing for some pets.

“From helping dogs walk confidently again after surgery to supporting weight loss and improving mobility in older pets, these services are about giving animals the best possible quality of life.”

Wilson Veterinary Practice, Bishop Auckland. The vets now have a hydrotherapy pool together with physio and hydrotherapist Ellie Campbell. Border terrier Stark undergoes a physio assessment. (Image: Chris Booth)

The service is led by a qualified physiotherapist with a degree in animal physiotherapy and further qualifications in hydrotherapy and laser.

It is designed to support pets recovering from orthopaedic surgery, soft tissue injuries, and neurological conditions.

Older animals with arthritis and those needing help with weight management or general fitness are also eligible for treatment.

Wilson Veterinary Practice, Bishop Auckland. The vets now have a hydrotherapy pool together with physio and hydrotherapist Ellie Campbell. Border terrier Stark undergoes a physio assessment. (Image: Chris Booth)

Hydrotherapy uses warm water and low-impact exercise to help pets build strength, improve mobility and regain confidence while reducing strain on painful joints and muscles.

The launch means local pet owners no longer need to travel long distances to access specialist rehabilitation services.

Tailored treatment plans are now available as part of their pet’s ongoing veterinary care.

Ms Bake said: “By offering both physiotherapy and hydrotherapy under one roof, we can provide a truly joined-up approach to care.

“Every pet is different, so we create tailored rehabilitation programmes to suit their individual needs, helping them recover, regain confidence, and enjoy a more active, comfortable life.”

The service is also available to healthy pets looking to improve fitness, maintain mobility and support their long-term wellbeing.