Category Archives: Uncategorized

Cambridge City Council will be debating the future of the civic quarter at The Guildhall on 21 November 2024 from 5.30pm (See the papers here). Looking at the proposals, surely Mr Pennycook knows this is no way to govern a city with a globally-recognised name See Phil Rodgers’ Thread here. Also, for your in-depth scrutiny,Continue reading “The Housing Minister must know that existing funding and governance structures for Cambridge are unsustainable”

With over 1,600 jobs being created as a result of the proposed redevelopment of one of the old Peterborough brickworks, politicians need to consider how to upgrade the rail infrastructure in Peterborough and Fenland. (See also the Fenland Local Plan 2014) See the Cambridge News report here. Also, you can view the documents via https://www.publicaccess.fenland.gov.uk/publicaccessContinue reading “New Sci-Tech Park at Whittlesey must kick start rail infrastructure improvements around Peterborough”

If the Crown Estate is going to spend over £1billion on increasing the density of the business park on the southern side of Cowley Road, then some of that investment has to benefit the children and people of King’s Hedges ward next door. TL/DR? “Join us at our upcoming public consultation events to help shapeContinue reading “Crown Estate to revamp Cambridge Business Park – can it help fund a new swimming pool on the other side of Milton Road?”

This was for non-devolved parts of England that have not had their budgets devolved to Combined Authorities, picked up by FE Week. I dread to think what it’s like when you include the Combined Authorities FE Week wrote about it here Above – Josh Meoor for FE Week 08 Nov 2024 The data comes fromContinue reading “Why has there been a massive underspend in adult education in the early 2020s?”

Dr Andy Williams (again) asks for a much-improved system of information management to ensure everyone can keep track on what each other is doing Presumably this is prior to any massive overhaul of local institutions in the face of an over-fragmented structure, but it makes sense. Have a listen to Dr Williams at the CombinedContinue reading “Can Cambridgeshire’s local governance institutions keep all their papers in one place?”

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority have neither the funding nor the powers to provide for one – and neither do its partner institutions Let’s not kid ourselves into thinking that anywhere in England has got a ‘world class offer’ on adult education and lifelong learning. Which is why I was astonished to see thisContinue reading “What does a world class offer on adult education look like?”

Some lessons learnt from the East West Rail Debate hosted by Cambridge Young Greens at Emmanuel College, Cambridge on 06 Nov 2024 TL/DR? We’ve got to produce materials and content that can enable students to get up to speed as quickly as possible on whatever issue they are being invited to campaign on. Especially oneContinue reading “How can Cambridge residents help students get involved in shaping the future of our city?”

The developer either has to appeal or come back with new plans – but why did he sit on the site for so long, and not make greater efforts to preserve it? This relates to this earlier blogpost. I wasn’t at The Guildhall earlier today, but you can watch the video in full here. Additionally:Continue reading “Cambridge Planning Committee *refuses* permission to demolish Hobson Street Cinema for new offices”

Cllr Dr Dave Baigent (Labour – Romsey) raised an issue that reflected our city and county’s broken governance structures at Cambridge City Council’s Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee at Cambridge Guildhall last night. Image: The Trials of Democracy by Hilary Cox Condron and Friends – get involved here! You can see the meeting papers hereContinue reading “How should local government in/around Cambridge scrutinise Peter Freeman & his growth company?”

The all-party group of MPs representing the East of England risks being seen as a voice only for controversial corporate interests if it does not broaden the range of people and institutions involved in it You can see the East of England APPG website here “What is an APPG?” You can see the explanation fromContinue reading “East of England All-Party Group of MPs needs to diversify its group of sponsors”