Category Archives: Uncategorized

Bogs have higher standards than the proposed registry office for Cambridgeshire

But if that’s what the majority Conservative-run County Council thinks the people of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire deserve, that’s their call to defend at the ballot box this year – something that the pandemic has brought along its own set of unique challenges. Residents of Cambridgeshire (and anywhere else across the country for that matter) canContinue reading “Bogs have higher standards than the proposed registry office for Cambridgeshire”

A late starters’ orchestra for adults in Cambridge?

A musical challenge for Cambridge students on the Social Innovation Programme at The Cambridge Hub. They have until the end of March to come up with their proposals. And it all has to be done online. Not easy by any means – but having seen what the students on the Cambridge Hub’s Social Innovation ProgrammeContinue reading “A late starters’ orchestra for adults in Cambridge?”

Bronwen Maddox dissects The Government’s performance in 2020 – IfG’s Annual Lecture

The Director of the Institute for Government provided some much-needed expert analysis, unpicking the record and the decisions made by the Prime Minister and his ministers in a week where the former said his Government had done everything it could in response to the pandemic, and that he took ‘full responsibility’ for everything that hisContinue reading “Bronwen Maddox dissects The Government’s performance in 2020 – IfG’s Annual Lecture”

Will Mayor James Palmer’s independent review of local government in Cambridgeshire report before the elections?

I hope so, as it should provide a sound evidence base for politicians, candidates, and voters to debate the future of our county at a time when (in Cambridge at least) we have an unprecedented number of elections and votes to take part in and cast. With the various local elections in England due toContinue reading “Will Mayor James Palmer’s independent review of local government in Cambridgeshire report before the elections?”

The Right to Regenerate – the Hobson Street Cinema?

The Housing Secretary has launched a new policy – but it applies to council-owned buildings only. His list of questions in the consultation here does not mention privately-owned assets. To respond to the consultation (and call for the powers to be extended to privately-owned long-term unused buildings) you can email directly righttocontestconsultation@communities.gov.uk or at theContinue reading “The Right to Regenerate – the Hobson Street Cinema?”

Background reading for local elections in/around Cambridge scheduled for 2021*

*Subject to review from the Government. The full statement from the Minister for the Cabinet Office Chloe Smith MP to the Commons is here. Challenge: “What’s the one small behaviour change or one small one-off activity you can undertake to support local democracy in your area?” It could be as small as buying and readingContinue reading “Background reading for local elections in/around Cambridge scheduled for 2021*”

Playgrounds for adults in Cambridge’s new developments? (and/or even the older parks as well?)

It was urban planner Sarah Bannister who came up with this one. Will any local council candidates write this commitment into their personal or their party manifestos for future elections? Turns out there are some around already. The above video is from 2017 so all of the restrictions following from lockdowns past and present toContinue reading “Playgrounds for adults in Cambridge’s new developments? (and/or even the older parks as well?)”

Robert Halfon MP calls for a revolution in lifelong learning – new report by the Commons Education Select Committee

The influential Chair of one of the more higher profile parliamentary committees (especially given the CV19 pandemic and schools) seeks to reverse decades of decline You can read Mr Halfon’s remarks to his local constituency media here, and can also read the full report by the House of Commons Education Select Committee here. Unfortunately andContinue reading “Robert Halfon MP calls for a revolution in lifelong learning – new report by the Commons Education Select Committee”

Erasmus – a personal anecdote reflecting a wider institutionalised ignorance in the face of inequalities

It’s hard to put into words the impact that a seemingly invisible illness has on a person where it stops them from working full time and functioning as before. I stumbled across some very old posts from nearly a decade ago from those who I was familiar with then, but not so now. “I wonderContinue reading “Erasmus – a personal anecdote reflecting a wider institutionalised ignorance in the face of inequalities”