If ministers are serious about devolution, they will put schools back under local government oversight

That also means getting rid of academies and the multi-academy trusts, and moving away from inflexible systems of commissioning and contract management. Before I start – quick note about new workshops scheduled. Image from the Trials of Democracy This is the position of the National Education Union, the largest teaching union in the country andContinue reading “If ministers are serious about devolution, they will put schools back under local government oversight”

Greater Cambridge Local Plan drawing and Lego competition for Under-18s

The Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service have launched a series of competitions. (See here – scroll down) For the Lego one, you’re not allowed to go to LegoLand and get your photo taken behind one of the nice buildings and claim that it’s yours. If you’re not familiar with the ‘draft local plan’ and whatContinue reading “Greater Cambridge Local Plan drawing and Lego competition for Under-18s”

Growth can cause conflict with local communities, says Cambridge Science Park director

Jane Hutchins, the director of Cambridge Science Park was filmed for an interview with BBC Look East on 07 Jan 2026 …and quoted in this piece for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. “[Jane] Hutchins accepts that growth can cause conflict with local communities adding “we as a sector need to be better at telling people about theContinue reading “Growth can cause conflict with local communities, says Cambridge Science Park director”

It’s like the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster read my blog!

The Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board published a report called The Economic Power of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. The report calls an overhauled, simplified governance structure The top-three recommendations are: Above – Report preamble page I wrote about the lack of governance structures and institutions a month ago I wrote this following the recent skills conference atContinue reading “It’s like the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster read my blog!”

Romsey House opposite Romsey Labour Club to become student accommodation

EF applies for Change of Use for historic house that previously it used for corporate language courses. In the meantime, will there be a new proposal for the Romsey Labour Club? “The applicant added that it would “help meet the growing demand for resident facilities” for the school’s growing student numbers. It would also provideContinue reading “Romsey House opposite Romsey Labour Club to become student accommodation”

The governance of England in 2050

The Local Government Information Unit published a report on the future of local government in England – looking into the longer term over the next quarter of a century. See: Ministers cannot have a meaningful conversation about local government without having a comprehensive overhaul of the taxation and spending powers of local councils and anyContinue reading “The governance of England in 2050”

Offline publicity for Future of Cambridge proposals

In a nutshell there isn’t enough of it, and there are some easy wins that Cambridge City Council and the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service are missing out on. At the foot of the poster I state who I am (“With local historian Antony Carpen”) because I don’t want anyone to get the impression I’mContinue reading “Offline publicity for Future of Cambridge proposals”

When your day job becomes your identity – Loneliness in society

Live to work, or work to live? Continuing on the theme of Loneliness in 2026 In my further reading on Loneliness in Society and the multiple articles now coming out regularly on our individual struggles to find community and belonging (I found another one in The Guardian here for 2025, along with Malala’s take forContinue reading “When your day job becomes your identity – Loneliness in society”