Dear Mr Taylor

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request regarding the public
footpath between Parsonage Street and Auckland Road. The response to your
query is outlined below.

1. Was the option of brass lettering included in the consultation
with neighbouring residents and others to decide how the path was to be
resurfaced?

The consultation was for the reconstruction of the path surface. Although
the details of the brass lettering were included in the consultation
information, the option of inclusion or exclusion was not consulted on.
The minutes of the West/Central committee of 8 January 2009, at which the
consultation was agreed, state “both options to include the addition of
brass plates to celebrate the centenary of the path”

I attach a copy of the consultation document as sent to local residents
and stakeholders.

2. Was a cost for the lettering included in the consultation, and if
it was what cost was given?

The consultation was limited to the options for the surface of the
footpath only. Costs were not included in the consultation. The costs
for each scheme were raised in the West/Central Area committee on 8^th
January 2009.

3. How much did the lettering actually cost? Which councillor(s)
approved the spending?

The total cost associated with the brass plaques was £675. This cost was
for refurbishment of the original (CC 1909) plaque, production of the new
(CCC 2009) plaque, bonding the two plaques and their reinstatement in the
footpath. This cost was met in the overall approved budget for this work.
This budget was approved at West/Central Area Committee on 8th January
2009.

4. How was the lettering funded? Was it installed by a City Council
contractor?

See above. The plaques were refurbished by Mackays and installed by
Websters who are our contractor.

The reason I am asking is that Cambridge City Council’s West/Central
Area Committee on the 8th of January 2009 was told a quote had been
obtained for an incredible £3000 for the lettering. I realise this quote
involved rescuing the original characters and separating them from the
concrete whereas all new lettering has now been installed; but in light of
the astronomical initial quote I would like to know what was actually
spent.

The officer was asked during the course of the meeting to speculate on the
possible cost of the lettering. The officer had not investigated likely
costs for this element of the works prior to the meeting and gave the
quoted figure of £3,000 as an on the spot estimation.

As outlined in point 3 the original lettering has been retained, and
following refurbishment was reinstated along with a new date plaque.

If you are not happy with the way in which your request has been dealt
with please contact David Roberts, Head of Policy and Projects. You may
also contact the Information Commissioner if you are still not happy with
the way it has been dealt with. The Information Commissioner’s address
is:

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Regards

Dinah Foley-Norman

>>> Richard Taylor <[FOI #11202 email]> 02/05/2009
23:50 >>>
The footpath at the edge of Midsummer Common between Auckland Road
and Parsonage Street has just been replaced by Cambridge City
Council.

I would like to ask about the brass characters which have been
installed marking the dates on which the path was installed and
replaced:

1. Was the option of brass lettering included in the consultation
with neighboring residents and others to decide how the path was to
be resurfaced?

2. Was a cost for the lettering included in the consultation, and
if it was what cost was given?

3. How much did the lettering actually cost? Which councillor(s)
approved the spending?

4. How was the lettering funded? Was it installed by a City Council
contractor?

The reason I am asking is that Cambridge City Council’s
West/Central Area Committee on the 8th of January 2009 was told a
quote had been obtained for an incredible £3000 for the lettering.
I realise this quote involved rescuing the original characters and
separating them from the concrete whereas all new lettering has now
been installed; but in light of the astronomical initial quote I
would like to know what was actually spent.

--

Richard Taylor

Cambridge

[1]http://www.rtaylor.co.uk

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