Residents in a Cambridgeshire town experienced a 68% increase in a council tax precept

A council has issued an update after a man was arrested on suspicion of fraud, following a nearly 70% spike in a council tax precept. Cambourne residents experienced a 68% increase in the portion of their tax bill that goes to Cambourne Town Council at the start of this financial year.

This increase was a result of “serious issues” around the “management of council reserves and the receipt and use of Section 106 funds”, a council spokesperson previously told Cambridgeshire Live.

A 63-year-old man from St Ives was later arrested by Cambridgeshire Police on April 15 on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position. He has since been released on bail until July 15.

After the arrest, an internal review has been carried out into Cambourne Town Council’s governance matters. These are “now subject to external consideration,” said a council spokesperson.

The council spokesperson added: “The council acknowledges that concerns were raised in accordance with its whistleblowing arrangements. The council recognises the importance of such processes in supporting lawful and effective governance and confirms that those concerns were considered through appropriate procedures.

“The council also acknowledges the role of the elected member who received and referred those concerns in accordance with their duties, as well as the elected member who undertook the internal investigation.”

Following the internal review, the council confirmed there were “no findings of wrongdoing” made by current staff members. The spokesperson added: “Officers of the council continue to implement governance and procedural improvements identified through these processes.

“To illustrate this, 41 out of 47 matters arising from the 2025 internal audit report have now been resolved. The council further confirms that it has acted in accordance with its statutory responsibilities and internal governance framework in considering these matters. Elected members have discharged their duties having regard to relevant legislation, guidance and the council’s adopted procedures.”

In its review, the council has been supported by external bodies, including South Cambridgeshire District Council, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Association of Local Councils, and dothenumbers ltd. The spokesperson said the council wanted to “record its thanks to these organisations for their professionalism and support throughout this process”.

The spokesperson went on to talk about financial matters. They added: “The council acknowledges that recent decisions, including the setting of the precept, have given rise to public concern.

“The council is under a statutory obligation to set a lawful, balanced and sustainable budget. In doing so, it has had regard to financial information indicating that such standards were not consistently achieved in previous financial periods. The measures implemented are considered necessary to ensure the council’s ongoing financial viability and its ability to discharge its statutory functions.”

Due to an active criminal investigation into the suspected fraud arrest, the council is “subject to legal constraints regarding the disclosure of information”. The spokesperson added: “The council will not comment on specific allegations, individuals, or operational details where doing so may prejudice ongoing investigations or any potential proceedings.

“The council continues to take legal advice and to liaise, where appropriate, with relevant regulatory bodies, including the Information Commissioner’s Office. Nothing in this statement should be taken as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by the council or any individual.

“The council reserves all legal rights in respect of these matters. The council reminds all parties that it is essential that staff are able to carry out their duties without interference or undue pressure. The council expects that all engagement with its officers is conducted in a lawful and appropriate manner.

“Cambourne Town Council remains committed to maintaining high standards of governance, accountability and transparency, subject at all times to its legal obligations and the requirements of due process.”

It can recommend sanctions against someone under investigation, but the decision has to be taken by relevant EU authorities. Among the recommendations possible are judicial, financial, administrative and disciplinary, so that could include revoking the former commissioner’s pension.

Newcastle Red Bulls: Hodge; Wade, Hearle, Beeckmans, E Obatoyinbo; Connon, Elliott; Brocklebank, Fletcher, McCallum, Hodgson, Baker, Clarke, Christie (c), Parsons.

Replacements: Adejimi, Rewcastle, Clark, Hawkins, Mafi, Stuart, Healy, Bolam.

Bristol Bears: Lane; Heward, Moroni, Janse van Rensburg, Ibitoye; Jordan, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Kloska, Dun, Taylor, Owen, Harding (c), B Grondona.

Replacements: Thacker, Woolmore, Lahiff, Ivanishvili, Cripps, Wolstenholme, Williams, Ravouvou.

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe

The Musso EV, is Korea’s first fully electric pick-up and it combines the running-cost advantages of an EV, the versatility of a working pick-up truck, and the comfort, and refinement of an SUV.

In this instalment of Drive Time, John takes a look at the new KGM Musso all-electric pick-up truck and a fresh CUPRA model which will arrive in the summer.

KGM Motors UK has revealed its new fully electric Musso EV pick-up.

The Musso EV, is Korea’s first fully electric pick-up and it combines the running-cost advantages of an EV, the versatility of a working pick-up truck, and the comfort, and refinement of an SUV.

A new key development, ahead of its arrival, is that the Musso EV now benefits from the full government Plug-in Van Grant of £5000, bringing the on-the-road proposition of £39,995 into sharper focus for both retail, and business users.

In addition, the vehicle attracts just four per cent BIK tax for 2026/27, which equates to £30 per month.

The Musso EV features an 80.6kWh BYD LFP battery with a range of up to 240-miles and rapid charging from 20 to 80 per cent in 31-minutes, supporting both day-to-day working use and longer journeys between sites.

Its tough working credentials remain central, with a 690kg payload and 2.3-tonne towing capacity, supported by load sensitive and self-levelling rear suspension.

READ MORE: JOHN MURDOCH’S DRIVE TIME: We examine Honda’s budget City EV the Super-N and discover Nissan is launching Pulse version of Juke SU

Performance comes from a dynamic full-time all-wheel drive system designed to maximise traction and stability, delivering 207ps and 339Nm of torque.

Kevin Griffin, managing director at KGM Motors UK, said “The Musso EV brings something genuinely distinctive to the market, combining usable electric range with serious capability, and the addition of the £5000 Plug-in Van Grant makes it an even more compelling option for businesses.”

The Musso EV is now available to order, with the first demonstrator units arriving with dealers during May.

And CUPRA has unveiled its new Raval – the newest addition to the Spanish brand’s growing EV line-up.

Arriving this summer, with a starting price of £23,785, the Raval is available in Origin, V1, V2, and VZ models, all based on the new MEB+ platform.

The base model, Origin, comes equipped with a 37kWh battery with a power output of 115ps.

The V1 and V2 trims will be available with a choice of 135ps or 210ps battery options, the latter boasting a range of around 280 miles and a charge time of just 23 minutes to 80 per cent capacity.

The CUPRA Raval VZ will only be available with the 52kWh battery and will have a range of around 250 miles and power output of 225ps.

The VZ also comes with a suite of performance features including an electronic limited slip differential and Dynamic Chassis Control.

With a new integrated digital instrument cluster, the Raval features a 10.25-inch digital cockpit and 12.9-inch infotainment system, allowing the driver to control all of the Raval’s parameters from one place.

The Raval also features a redesigned steering wheel, complete with physical buttons and satellite buttons for driving modes and regenerative braking paddles.

Marcus Gossen, managing director of SEAT and CUPRA UK, said: “Raval is the pinnacle of all things CUPRA – advanced, forward thinking, dynamic.

“It pushes the boundaries in automotive and encourgages drivers to form a real emotional connection to the drive itself.

“The combination of striking design, electrifying performance and unconventional features, reimagines what an urban EV can be for a new generation of drivers.

“This is a fully electric car designed to redefine urban mobility with CUPRA’s emotional and challenger DNA.”

READ MORE: JOHN MURDOCH’S DRIVE TIME: We take a look at the all-new Mazda CX-5 and the Mercedes-Maybach limo

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Mohammad Bashir, 31, pleaded not guilty on Friday to preparation of terrorist acts.

He also denied three counts of disseminating terrorist publications on WhatsApp on dates in November and December 2024.

The first charges alleges he drove Jihad Al-Shamie to the UK Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, last August 14 to carry out hostile reconnaissance of the location.

This was weeks before the synagogue attack.

Bashir did so “with the intention of assisting Jihad Al-Shamie to commit acts of terrorism”, the charge states.

The assistance allegedly provided by Bashir was not in relation to the attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall last October 2.

Worshippers Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed after 35-year-old Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born UK citizen, drove his Kia Picanto into the gates of the synagogue.

He then began attacking with a knife, wearing a fake suicide belt and was shot dead by armed police as he carried out the attack.

Bashir was arrested at Manchester Airport on November 27.

He faces a four-week trial from July 6 at Manchester Crown Court before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb.

Bashir, of Shaftsbury Road, Manchester, was remanded into custody ahead of a pre-trial review at the Old Bailey on June 5.

Wayne Rooney never played alongside Bruno Fernandes.

They faced each other once – and both remember the FA Cup tie between Derby County and Manchester United at Pride Park in March 2020. The visitors won 3-0, with Rooney denied a memorable goal against his former club when Sergio Romero saved a free-kick its taker was sure was going in.

Rooney and Fernandes are two men with so much in common.

Manchester United captains, talismen and inspirations; both eager that the club continues to climb out of the doldrums and reconnect with a glorious past Rooney was part of before Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

But there is more that connects them. One evening in June 2004 for starters.

Rooney – the teenage golden boy of the England team. Fernandes – a nine-year-old football obsessive from northern Portugal watching the Euro 2004 quarter-final being played 170 miles away in Lisbon.

England were leading and in control until Rooney broke his foot. Portugal won on penalties. One day, one moment, elation and devastation revisited when the pair met at United’s Carrington training ground – a place both know so well.

“That was my first memory of the Portugal team playing,” said Fernandes.

“I shouldn’t say this, but when England lost on penalties, I was in my grandma’s house with my cousins. We ran outside in the streets screaming.”

“I was in hospital,” Rooney replied. “In a Portuguese hospital, still in my England kit, watching on a little TV.”

The mutual respect between Rooney and Fernandes is clear during a 40-minute chat for The Wayne Rooney Show.

The two men have made a combined 881 appearances for United.

Rooney is the club’s record goalscorer with 253. Fernandes, by common consent, has had the greatest impact of any of the club’s signings since Ferguson retired. If he claims three assists in the final five games of the season, he will break the record of 20 for the most in any single Premier League campaign.

Rooney won the players’ and writers’ player of the year awards in 2010. He thinks Fernandes should win them now, and is the perfect example for his team-mates.

“It’s a huge privilege to be in the conversation,” said the Red Devils captain, who is likely to face strong opposition from Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Gabriel.

“You can say as many times as you want that you want to win trophies collectively. That is true. But these individual accolades are always nice on the personal side.

“It is players voting for you. That has a different impact because you have been playing against them. If they recognise you as one of the best in the league, it’s a huge privilege.”

Sir Keir Starmer has committed to introducing legislation within weeks to proscribe Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Labour leader has faced increasing pressure to take action against the Iranian military organisation, which is already designated a terrorist entity by the European Union and listed as a state sponsor of terrorism in Australia.

While ministers previously maintained that proscription was not intended for state bodies such as the IRGC, the Home Office has now confirmed that new legislation is being developed. This framework will include “proscription-like powers” specifically aimed at clamping down on “malign state activity.” The Prime Minister recently reiterated that this legislation would be brought forward in a matter of weeks, making the announcement during a visit to a London synagogue targeted by arsonists.

Asked by the Jewish Chronicle about the prospect of proscribing the IRGC, Sir Keir said: “In relation to malign state actors more generally, proscription, we do need legislation in order to take necessary measures, and that is legislation that we’re bringing forward as soon as we can.

“We go into a new session in a few weeks’ time and we’ll bring that legislation forward.”

The next parliamentary session is set to begin after the King’s Speech on May 13.

During the same visit to Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis urged the Prime Minister to speed up the process towards proscribing the IRGC and “similar organisations”.

Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “increasingly concerned” about countries using proxies for criminal activity in the UK after a series of arson attacks on Jewish community venues.

A group that calls itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, that is suspected to be Iran-backed, has claimed responsibility for most of the incidents, along with other attacks in Europe, since March 9.

The IRGC is a branch of Iran’s military created to protect the ruling Islamic Republic but it has been linked to at least 20 credible threats in the UK since 2022.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Protecting our national security is the first duty of government, and we’ll do whatever it takes to keep our citizens safe from harm.

“We are bringing forward proscription-like powers to clamp down on malign state activity. Work on this legislation is well under way and you can expect to see more soon.”

Adam Thomas made reference to the ‘drama’ on the I’m A Celebrity final, hours after claiming that lots of his argument with Jimmy Bullard ‘couldn’t be aired’.

This season of the South African spin-off has been nothing short of dramatic, with the biggest blowout coming between Adam and Jimmy.

In the South African jungle, the pair had a huge row after Jimmy uttered the words, ‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here’, putting both of their positions on the show at risk.

During the live final, Adam referred to some of what went down after co-host Declan Donnelly said: ‘It certainly hasn’t been short of drama this year.’

Adam remarked: ‘I know there was a lot of drama that went on in a lot of camp but honestly we had the best time.’

Co-host Ant McPartlin voiced what we were all thinking: ‘It’s not going to kick off, what a shame.’

Jimmy, who left the show of his own accord, sat watching on in the audience.

The aired verbal spat between Adam and Jimmy contained many an expletive, but it’s been claimed that there was even worse language that in the end got cut.

An insider told the Daily Mail: ‘”Adam just completely lost it and went for Jimmy. He called him a c*** and Jimmy believes that he tried to kick him, too.”‘

On This Morning, fellow campmate Craig Charles claimed Adam was ‘dropping f-bombs and c-bombs’ and called it ‘traumatic’.

Adam cleared up some of the rumours himself: ‘I’ve seen some comments going around about things that some of my fellow campmates said during the row between me and Jimmy, and I just want to make one thing clear, I completely stand by them.

‘Not everything was shown, and honestly, a lot of it probably couldn’t be aired anyway, I’ll hold my hands up to that. So I understand where they were coming from, and I respect their honesty.’

ITV pushed back in a comment to Metro on claims that Adam tried to kick Jimmy, calling it ‘categorically untrue’. Talking about the network cutting part of the argument for broadcast, they said: ‘We show an accurate and fair representation of events.’

This isn’t the only feud that Adam is rumoured to be part of.

After clashing with David Haye about participating in trials, viewers think they’ve spotted Adam being criticised by fellow finalist Harry Redknapp.

During last night’s episode the campmates had to catch eggs for breakfast from a fake hen.

Adam was chuffed after he secured a pair at the same time and called out: ‘I caught two eggs at one time, some people might call me the eggspert.’

In the Telegraph, the former football coach seemed to take a swipe at Adam’s noise levels. He said: ‘Adam could have caught one in his mouth. He could have opened his gob and caught one, couldn’t he? Adam.’

On X, @putasinghonit made the observation: ‘Harry is not happy at Adam is he, crikey.’

While Sandra MaryHusk asked, ‘Is Harry saying that Adam got a big mouth?’ and @JAli89_91 commented, ‘Harry really doesn’t like Adam’.

I’m A Celebrity South Africa, the results, airs tonight at 10pm.

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MORE: Beverley Callard forced to pull out of I’m a Celebrity final for medical reasons

King Charles is set to participate in a 9/11 memorial wreath-laying ceremony in New York next week, alongside Mayor Zohran Mamdani, his office announced on Friday. The event will honour the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the Twin Towers, the deadliest assault on the United States.

Among the at least 2,606 people who died when al Qaeda militants crashed hijacked jetliners into the World Trade Center buildings were 67 Britons. Mayor Mamdani’s press secretary confirmed the King’s participation, adding that there would be no private meeting between the two.

The monarch is slated to make stops in Washington, D.C., New ‌York and Virginia during his April ‌27 to April 30 state visit. During the trip, King Charles will deliver a joint address before the US Congress, ⁠the first by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II spoke in 1991.

President Donald Trump will meet privately with King Charles, and host a state banquet for the king and his wife, Queen Camilla.

The trip comes amid strained US relations ‌with the United Kingdom. Trump told the ​BBC on Thursday that he believes King Charles ‌could help repair ⁠Washington’s relationship with London. “I know him well, ⁠I’ve known him for years. He’s a brave man, and ‌he’s a great ​man. They would ‌absolutely be a positive,” Trump ​said.

Mr Trump also warned he does not think Sir Keir Starmer “has a chance” of repairing the relationship unless he changes direction, including cracking down on immigration.

As well as policy differences, the two leaders have been at loggerheads over the Middle East conflict, with the president deriding the Prime Minister as weak and indecisive.

Charles and Camilla arrive in the US on Monday for a four-day visit.

Asked by the BBC whether the King’s trip will help repair strained transatlantic relations, Mr Trump said: “Absolutely. He’s fantastic. He’s a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes.

“I know him well, I’ve known him for years.

“He’s a brave man, and he’s a great man. They would absolutely be a positive.”

In a video shared on X by the US Department of State, Mr Trump said: “I look forward to having King Charles come. He’s a friend of mine. We’ve spoken and we’re going to have a great time.”

Mr Trump also earlier this week waded into the row over Peter Mandelson and his appointment as US ambassador, branding it “a really bad pick”, but added that the Prime Minister had “plenty of time to recover”.

Asked about his intervention and whether the pair can fix their relationship, Mr Trump said: “If he opened the North Sea and if his immigration policies became strong, which right now they’re not, he can recover, but if he doesn’t, I don’t think he has a chance.”

Asked for his response to the President’s remarks during a visit to Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, north-west London on Thursday, the Prime Minister said: “Well look, I’m the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and I make my decisions based on what’s in the British national interest, and not what other people say or do.

“I’m here to serve the British people always, to have their interests and to make sure that I make the right decisions for them.

“That is why I took the decision that we would not be dragged into the war in Iran.

“That is why I took the decision we wouldn’t be dragged into the blockade of the Strait.

“That is in our best national interest. That is my duty. I will stick to it, and I’m not going to be diverted or deflected from that by what anybody else says.”

Mr Trump also repeated that he was “not happy” with the support offered by the UK during the Iran conflict, which Sir Keir had been reluctant to be drawn into.

He said: “I didn’t need them at all but they should’ve been there. I didn’t need them, obviously.”

“I didn’t need anybody. I wanted to see whether or not they would be involved.”

He described his calls for support as “more of a test”.

One person said the high street had ‘nothing’ to offer

Residents in a rural town say their hometown is relaxing, but most are disappointed with its “dying” high street. The rural market town of Ramsey is home to around 8,800 people, according to the 2021 census.

It’s a town full of history and beautiful surrounding countryside, but some of its residents have mixed views on their hometown. As part of our Exploring Cambridgeshire series, we spoke to people about what it’s like to live there.

Jeff Kinpton, who lives in Ramsey Forty Foot with wife Jane, thinks Ramsey is “lovely”, but “that was about it”. Jeff described the town’s high street as “crap”.

He added: “It’s full of barbers. We had a fruit shop which was lovely, but it went within a few months. There is a coffee shop which is brilliant, but other than that, we don’t use anything because you walk down the high street and there is nothing. There is nothing to come here for.”

Jane believes there isn’t “enough footfall” to bring people to Ramsey’s high street. She added: “They are on about taking away parking, which is going to kill the shops. The footfall is going to be worse and we are going to lose more shops. There is not a lot of reason to come into town.”

Elaine Baxter lives in Scotland, but regularly visits Ramsey to visit her elderly parents. She likes Ramsey, describing it as a “calm and nice” place. She believes the high street has a “reasonable amount of shops”, but finds it a “shame” that the town has “lost a lot of banks”.

She added: “There used to be a few nice ladies’ clothes shops, but that was about 20 years ago. Do they really need as many tanning shops? But, then if they want to attract younger people, maybe they do.”

Debbie Lowther is a long-term resident of Ramsey, but also volunteers at the Sue Ryder charity shop in the high street. On the state of the high street, she said: “It’s always a shame because any new shop tends to come and go very quickly, just because they don’t have the customers. You would think with all these houses it would bring more people in?

“Shops only last a few months. I think people need to research more, some shops aren’t going to work in Ramsey.”

One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, described Ramsey as a “relaxing place”, but it is better for people who want a “quiet life”. She said: “I wouldn’t scream about Ramsey, it’s just average.

“If you want a quiet life, then this is the place. But if you want somewhere that has a bit more happening and more on offer, this isn’t the place.”

The woman described the high street as “dying”. She added: “It pulls down the town. It’s made up of mostly barbers and vape shops, but then I think a lot of places are now.

“There is the odd nice café, and we do have big shops like B&M and Tesco, but that’s about it. The high street needs a good boost if they want more people to come here, but that is never going to happen.”

Despite some shops only opening for a few months at a time, Martin Law has proven how to run a long-running business in the town. He has run Crafty Ideas for around 35 years. On running his business in Ramsey, he said: “It’s ok, considering I get no help. The high street could be better.”

Martin believes he has made his business work as he “turns up everyday”. He added: “You can’t just show up one day and not turn up the next. If you support the people, they will support you. If you have time for people, then they are going to be there for you.

“It is difficult though when you are up against online. If someone came to me now and said they wanted to open a shop here, I would say don’t.”

Martin believes Huntingdonshire District Council don’t help local businesses in Ramsey. He added: “The people at HDC are not business people. They don’t know how to run a business or help with the issues of running a business. They seem to make decisions that are not good for Ramsey.”

A spokesperson for HDC said supporting towns such as Ramsey remains a “key priority” for the council. They added: “We are working with partners to strengthen the town centre and increase footfall.

“Through our Market Towns Programme, we are developing plans to enhance the Great Whyte area, including improvements to public spaces, a proposed timed pedestrianised area (subject to consultation), and potential retail pods to diversify the town centre offer and support independent businesses.

“We have already delivered improvements such as upgrades to Mews Close car park and supported enhancements to the Rivermill area, including better accessibility and environmental works. Our Economic Development team continues to support local businesses through initiatives like the Ramsey Business Booster, offering one-to-one advice, access to funding and wider networks to help businesses grow.

“We are also working to boost footfall through events, including festive activities in December 2025 and the recent Mother’s Day Market, which recorded the highest footfall day in March. In addition, Ramsey is promoted through the Discover Huntingdonshire platform to help attract more visitors. We will continue to work with residents, businesses and stakeholders to shape future improvements and support a more vibrant and resilient town centre.”