The Rights of the River Cam – and Cambridge’s Biodiversity Strategy

The consultation on the new strategy opens next week – subject to approval from city councillors Some of you may have spotted this by Tony Booth for Friends fo the River Cam. [Update – the Cambridge News report from the event is now up here] See also the poems via Alice Willitts here. A numberContinue reading “The Rights of the River Cam – and Cambridge’s Biodiversity Strategy”

There’s much more that Labour’s Angela Rayner could consider on civil service diversity beyond oxbridge graduates

It goes far beyond the Civil Service Fast Stream (of which I was an in-service candidate back in 2006), and covers issues such as lifelong learning, and the local-central division of powers. Labour’s deputy leader could commission some in-depth research that could incorporate those issues that collectively may have a far greater impact on diversityContinue reading “There’s much more that Labour’s Angela Rayner could consider on civil service diversity beyond oxbridge graduates”

The Kite in Cambridge is an unsuitable site for commercially marketed laboratories

Above – Christ Church Cambridge on Newmarket Road, from Britain from above [EAW013079] in 1948. Most of the buildings to the right of it were demolished to make way for The Grafton Centre. Savills would be far better advised if they worked with the people of Cambridge in deciding the future of The Grafton CentreContinue reading “The Kite in Cambridge is an unsuitable site for commercially marketed laboratories”

Mill Road For People – and the new Cambridge Living Streets survey results

How do you solve the problems of a street like Mill Road? And what did the survey of over 300 people by the new Cambridge branch of what was originally The Pedestrians’ Association have to say? Some of you may have seen the proposals from the https://millroad4people.org/ group. You can also see this account ofContinue reading “Mill Road For People – and the new Cambridge Living Streets survey results”

How skilful is Cambridgeshire?

The Combined Authority’s Skills Committee is due to discuss this 100+ page document under the chairmanship of the new County Council leader, former LibDems MEP Cllr Lucy Nethsingha You can view the papers here. The party-political balance of the Combined Authority means that the Conservatives have a 4-3 majority. (Representatives from Peterborough City, Fenland District,Continue reading “How skilful is Cambridgeshire?”

On the concentration of further education (16+) institutions in South Cambridge

How did this part of the county end up with such a high concentration of young people travelling such great distances for post-16 courses in and around Cambridge? Yesterday I bumped into a group of sixth form students raising money for the homelessness charity Jimmy’s in Cambridge. There were a number of different groups doingContinue reading “On the concentration of further education (16+) institutions in South Cambridge”

Boundary Commission proposes an additional Parliamentary seat next to Cambridge

The new proposed seat of St Neots incorporating rapidly-growing Cambourne may be added to the county, as Cherry Hinton could be moved into a re-oriented South Cambridgeshire with wards now dominated by Liberal Democrat councillors You can read the essentials from Ben Hatton in the Cambridge Independent. You can also see other constituencies and submitContinue reading “Boundary Commission proposes an additional Parliamentary seat next to Cambridge”

East Cambridge lakes and the eastward expansion of the city

Two significant planning applications are up for your scrutiny and comments – the land south of Coldham’s Lane – including the lakes, and the next phase of the Marleigh expansion next to the Cambridge Ice Rink – now re-opened. You can read the news articles for the essentials: Planning permission sought for 420 homes inContinue reading “East Cambridge lakes and the eastward expansion of the city”

If Greater Cambridgeshire (i.e. Cambridgeshire + Peterborough) is to be the county of culture 2025, heritage and transport are key components

Oh – and it would be nice to have a new large concert hall for Cambridge by the end of the period as well. (Because the time has arrived for it). Some of you may have spotted my live-tweets from earlier. …since written up by Mr Hatton in the Cambridge Independent. (It’s worth subscribing toContinue reading “If Greater Cambridgeshire (i.e. Cambridgeshire + Peterborough) is to be the county of culture 2025, heritage and transport are key components”