Category Archives: Uncategorized

See the details here – do you know any local groups in your area who could organise similar debates, whether on specific local issues or on a wider range of things? See the meeting details here – do let the organisers know if you are going! Above – Harston Village Hall’s website is here TheContinue reading “Harston to kickoff the first pre-general election debates on 14 Jan 2024”

If you are a child of the 1980s/1990s, time to read up in before the general election campaigns start! TL/DR? Have a browse through some of the 21st Century books on Citizenship here – it’ll give you a crash course on the essentials of politics in the UK. Want a cheap paper copy that pre-datesContinue reading “I learnt more about democracy in this children’s book from the olden days than in 18 years at school/college in 1980s/1990s.”

One of the things about democracy education is ensuring we have an active civic society that knows what to look out for, when, and how to flag things up. Basically it shouldn’t be left to a small committee of councillors or some sad schmoo like me to pick up on these things. Furthermore, if doneContinue reading “Who is monitoring the Cambridge monitoring report? Anyone?”

The Council’s has published a draft Cultural Strategy document, which will be debated on 18 January 2024 at The Guildhall – get your questions in! You can read the report at Appendix A of item 8 here. Now, before I tear it to bits comment on it, remember that this is not the final version.Continue reading “Cambridge City Council’s cultural strategy must embed local history & lifelong learning”

But what do you do if someone breaks it, and your means of staying in touch with people without becoming a communications burden on them disappears under a deluge of bots’n’spam? Also, what does it mean for democratic accountability? Especially when changing circumstances (in my case, collapsing health) means your ability to adapt or evenContinue reading ““…when the internet got social, I was an early and enthusiastic adopter…””

Cambridge City Council submits plans for 120 new homes at the junction of Newmarket Road and Barnwell Road – but there are concerns about over-development TL/DR? Read Cait Findlay here Above – a CGI from the planning documents at the foot of the list (See below) From the above-image you can see why there isContinue reading “Planning Application – The future of East Barnwell in Abbey Ward”

The MP for Peterborough wrote to the new Leader of Peterborough City Council, re-stating his issues about the recent change of leadership in the cathedral city You can read the full exchange and the commentary by John Elworthy of the CambsNews here Above – Mr Bristow’s letter to Cllr Farooq, 02 Jan 2024 via CambsNewsContinue reading “MP for Peterborough helps make case for democracy education in the lifelong learning sector”

Cambridge City Council proposes allocating significant funding to give the Guildhall a much-needed overhaul (old buildings eventually need big maintenance programmes – and this one is nearly 90 years old) TL/DR? Please ask your councillors if we can use this as a starting point on revamping our guildhall. Talking of the guildhall, anyone wondering whatContinue reading “Can the ‘Development of the Civic Quarter’ revamp The Guildhall in time for Florence Ada Keynes’ mayoral centenary?”

Why have the architects chosen a grey colour scheme to replace the cladding on what already is an ugly building? TL/DR? See the Planning Portal here and type in the reference: 23/03907/FUL and feel free to comment. Alternatively go to https://www.writetothem.com/ and email your city councillor to make representations on your behalf. I’m a formerContinue reading “Anglia Ruskin’s proposed creative quarter is full of grey. Why?”

Their first meeting is on 09 Jan 2024 and they have two ongoing consultations – but they need to remind the public of who created it – Otherwise it’s left to people like me to carry out this task and that’s not right. Given the lack of public political and democratic literacy, more public sectorContinue reading “Cambridgeshire & Peterborough’s Combined Authority 2024”