Author Archives: Cambridge Town Owl

Cambridge 2030’s strategy for Arbury and King’s Hedges

I can’t find a copy of the strategy itself (although it was launched earlier today) but there are a few pitfalls to avoid – and one big elephant in the room that those with the greater wealth and influence could address TL/DR? Bring back Activate Cambridge – get in touch with Hilary Cox Condron whoContinue reading “Cambridge 2030’s strategy for Arbury and King’s Hedges”

Greater Cambridge Transport Strategy update looming

The Combined Authority have published an update notice, but it may not be until the new year before we find out what new sights the consultants recommend See item 11 of the meeting papers here. “Specialist consultants, WSP, have been commissioned to identify site-specific transport solutions needed to unlock and sustain future growth.A comprehensive longContinue reading “Greater Cambridge Transport Strategy update looming”

Broken academia’s knock-on impact on the cities they call home

The book Dark Academia by Peter Fleming (Pluto Press) highlights not only how broken the neoliberal higher education model is, but also shines a light on how the impacts go beyond campus boundaries TL/DR? Read this summary It’s not often that an article or book review thumps me in the stomach (metaphorically) because it’s somethingContinue reading “Broken academia’s knock-on impact on the cities they call home”

Minister for Policing announces abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners

“I didn’t know we had a Police and Crime Commissioner!” “The home secretary called the system a “failed experiment” – and less than 20% of voters can name their PCC, the Home Office said.” Above – BBC News 13 Nov 2013 The written statement to Parliament was uncannily short – which was inversely proportional toContinue reading “Minister for Policing announces abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners”

Confusing acronyms blur the proposals on Cambridge’s future transport

Transport professionals and their supporters have used the acronym HQPT for years. They should be banned from doing so! …on the grounds that it irrationally fills me with rage!!! (And I quite like the artwork from where I got the image for this blogpost!) One of the many things that come with being neurodiverse /Continue reading “Confusing acronyms blur the proposals on Cambridge’s future transport”

Leisure facilities and amenities in growing Greater Cambridge

The emerging Local Plan that goes out to consultation in December has a number of sections on things that our city and county lack – things that should have been provided for in previous rounds of expansion but were not. A quick reminder for the two free public workshops in Cambridge that I’m running whichContinue reading “Leisure facilities and amenities in growing Greater Cambridge”

What happens when hardly anyone responds to a developer’s consultation?

A current application due for determination next week generated very few responses. Yet with Cambridge’s huge inequalities, a new unitary council could take control of the consultation processes and ensure schools have the administrative resources to respond, and that developers organise their timetables that synchronise with the academic year. To be fair to South CambridgeshireContinue reading “What happens when hardly anyone responds to a developer’s consultation?”

Combined authority confirms narrow focus of adult skills is set by Whitehall

Which indicates that far from being independent institutions responding to local need, or innovative institutions able to come up with new solutions to chronic problems, combined authorities remain the delivery agents of central government policies Image: The Learning Age (HMSO 1998) – how does the current approach contrast with David Blunkett’s vision over a generationContinue reading “Combined authority confirms narrow focus of adult skills is set by Whitehall”