Author Archives: Cambridge Town Owl

Birmingham City Council has been in the news in recent years for all of the wrong reasons – as this timeline on the Government’s website shows. Yet a long-lost publication reveals how great the city once was, before successive periods of centralisation reduced what was once an all-encompassing institution into something of a shadow today.Continue reading “How does your council compare with Birmingham in 1928?”

The remarks from Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and former Energy Secretary in the Coalition show how little room there is for any candidates to propose anything meaningful TL/DR? You can read Sir Ed Davey’s remarks in the Cambridge News here and come to your own conclusions. These read like theyContinue reading “Lib Dem Leader’s soundbites show how little flexibility there is in English local government”

One for Cambridge Connect supporters (myself included!) on some of the lessons learnt from a previous generation of failed light rail projects that never came to fruition TL/DR? Read the summary from the National Audit Office’s report on light rail here It started with such high hopes – the ten year transport plan presented toContinue reading “What National Audit Office said about light rail over 20 years ago”

So why is Labour not saying anything about light rail in these public debates? That’s something you’ll have to ask their mayoral and county council candidates – and MPs too. Image – books on politics that were gathering dust in a warehouse. Feel free to help get them into the hands of readers while alsoContinue reading “Four out of five mayoral candidates support light rail for Cambridge”

The Chair of the Cambridge Development Corporation / Growth Company will be speaking at Great St Mary’s, Cambridge on 15th May from 7pm Organised by the Federation of Cambridge Residents’ Associations, you can see the details here including links to free tickets And don’t forget the mayoral hustings on 23 April 2025 at the WesleyContinue reading “Peter Freeman to meet Cambridge Residents – and you can meet him too!”

In one of the least surprising decisions of year, DEFRA Secretary Steve Reed continued the pattern of Cabinet Ministers going against the advice of planning inspectors and approving large infrastructure developments in the name of growth You can see: “The recommendation was for refusal – so why did the Secretary of State go against it?”Continue reading “Government approves Cambridge sewage works move to Honey Hill”

This post in part looks at some of the things that can bring people together but not involve politics or religion. One of the best ideas I’ve seen is The Rebel Badge Club who are coming to Cambridge on 26th April 2025! (Hence the image!) Call for ideas from former Abbey Ward Councillor Alex Bulat You canContinue reading “Labour’s Dr Alex Bulat asks: What should councillors do to be more visible?”

For the first time – and last time ever, each seat is being contested by five candidates from parties represented at Westminster. TL/DR? Type in your postcode to https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/ and email your questions to the candidates! The candidates’ lists have been disaggregated by district-level council areas below. “Who can I vote for?” The more convenientContinue reading “Cambridgeshire County Council candidates for 2025 local elections declared”

Such is the size of the University of Cambridge that you’ll inevitably find examples of excellent practice swimming against the cultural tide of an institution reluctant to open up Image – Cambridge Past Present and Future – who objected strongly to the Beehive Redevelopment plans. Founded by a partnership of town and gown people, someContinue reading “Two tales of one University?”

The Patron of the RSA made a series of comments introducing her guest speaker Prof Robert T Putnam at the RSA’s Annual Patron’s Lecture You can watch to the Princess Royal’s introduction here, followed by Prof Putnam’s lecture. The event was also accompanied by the publication of an interim academic paper: “Prof Putnam’s books haveContinue reading “The Princess Royal on Social Capital”