Author Archives: Cambridge Town Owl

…and have it based on non-fiction books about the world around us that are found in the children’s and young adults sections of bookshops The idea of a ‘general studies’ course for adults, or a series of informal talks on contemporary local issues was one I got from the old Adult School Union’s annual schemesContinue reading “An alternative book group for adults – on what the world has discovered since we left school…”

In a sort of reverse of this headline, Transport secretary resigns following media storm over spent conviction over a decade old as the Westminster media bubble goes into an orgasmic overdrive over ‘further information emerging’. On the face of it, this was a big and unexpected blow – and not just for Labour but forContinue reading “Lou Haigh fixed/repaired things and moved [on] fast”

“The Department for Transport is developing a strategy which will set the high-level direction for how transport should be designed, built and operated in England over the next 10 years.” (Image from Unite Ayrshire – public transport for everyone!) “Anything major?” One thing is. Regional Roadshow coming to a city near you! “[The consultation] willContinue reading “Transport Secretary asks for your input into new national transport strategy”

I missed this significant paragraph in a letter from the Minister for Local Government, Jim McMahon (Formerly Leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council in Gtr Manchester) to councils on the Oxford-Cambridge Partnership Also, a quick reminder of The Trials of Democracy: Who Gives a XXXX? the third of three workshops this weekend at the MillContinue reading “Minister for Local Government proposes regional councils”

Coming up on 28th November – likely to coincide with the Devolution White Paper, these two major policy announcements will have a huge influence on the future of Cambridge & Cambridgeshire. The Transport Secretary Lou Haigh posted this on Sunday morning Above – Lou Haigh on Birdsite 24 Nov 2024 If trams become a bigContinue reading “Tram-tastic! Lou Haigh to set out Government’s vision for an Integrated National Transport Strategy”

The Government’s new major policies on the governance of England (including local government) are expected to be published in a White Paper – a statement of new or major changes to government policies, is expected in the next week. What’s interesting is that before the general election, Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner said the impression thatContinue reading “The Government’s vision for devolution in England – and the looming White Paper”

The looming Devolution White Paper has to overhaul over-complicated and convoluted structures described in the document published earlier this week. You can discuss how to improve these at The Trials of Democracy project on 23rd and 30th November at the Central Library and the Mill Road Community Centre respectively – see here Above – startingContinue reading “The Cambridge Biomedical Campus’s travel and transport plan will fail under current governance structures”

…so said Matt Johnson – Head of Development for North West Cambridge for the University of Cambridge to councillors on the Joint Development Control Committee of Cambridge City & South Cambridgeshire District Councillors Hopefully this will translate into… ***getting the long-delayed West Cambridge Swimming Pool built*** You can listen to Mr Johnson here at TheContinue reading “Eddington consultees wanted far more sports provision… …about that swimming pool”

Can Cambridge City Council ask the other applicants for permission to publish their bids and/or invite the applicants to publish their competing alternative bids? You can see 5th Studio’s thread here Above – 5th Studio Cambridge, Nov 2024 – vision for Cambridge Market Square outside The Guildhall ***Crikey that’s an improvement*** But that’s hardly aContinue reading “5th Studio’s alternative vision for Cambridge’s Civic Quarter”

More details on p4 here, where you can put your questions to one of the people who puts together train timetables, Phil Hutchinson of GTR – Thameslink to you & me Unfortunately the meeting does clash with the Mill Road Winter Fair as it does annually, but as it starts at 2.30pm (I’ve scheduled itContinue reading “RailFuture East Anglia – annual Cambridge meeting 07 Dec 2024”