Month: July 2011

Peterborough Trees Under Threat from Council

07:22 Thursday 28th July 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Council officials announced proposals to remove a third of the trees on Bridge Street in the city centre. The idea is currently open to consultation, but not everyone is impressed. Joining us now is Cllr Nick Sandford, Leader of the Peterborough Liberal Democrats. Morning Nick.
NICK SANDFORD: Morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: To tree or not to tree, why are we even asking this question?
NICK SANDFORD: Well I think we should be saying, to tree, because you’ve got to bear in mind Peterborough has got the smallest level of tree cover of the entire country, and you need to bear in mind that although we’re going through a cool spell of weather at the moment, the predictions are that we’re going to get much hotter summers, and trees provide a massive range of benefits. And so we shouldn’t be taking out a third of the trees in Bridge Street, when they’re not really causing any harm. Continue reading “Peterborough Trees Under Threat from Council”

Vernon Coaker on the Cuts to the Police Budget

17:40 Thursday 21st July 2011
Drive BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY BURROWS: Top story this afternoon, here on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, and it’s the news that 34,000 police jobs in England and Wales could go by 2015. That’s according to a new report. The figure includes over 16,000 police officers, almost 2,000 fewer Community Support Officers, and more than 16,000 fewer civilian staff. Now earlier on today we heard from Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary for the East, who says Cambridgeshire Police’s partnerships with neighbouring forces on things like firearms, major crime and road policing, will help protect front line jobs. But as you heard earlier on in the programme, Shaun Ryan, who’s the Chairman of the Cambridgeshire Police Federation, the police officers’ union effectively, said it confirmed his members’ worst fears. Well a short time ago I spoke to the Shadow Police Minister, Vernon Coaker. Continue reading “Vernon Coaker on the Cuts to the Police Budget”

Media Censorship

The item referenced below is a directly local slant on current events.  In this case, the poster discusses the Johnston Press-owned Peterborough Evening Telegraph. As always, one must judge for oneself. Comments are open.

Extract:
“From ancient Rome to the Third Reich people believe the propaganda issued by their dictators until its all too late and irrecoverable damage is done. It usually starts with the censorship of the media so that only official propaganda can be published. “

The full comment

Cowgate Rent Reduction Call to Kickstart Revival

08:19 Thursday 21st July 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Plans to regenerate Cowgate, Bridge Street and Long Causeway are going on show today. The aim is to make the areas more pedestrian-friendly, restore historic buildings and encourage independent shops. Now Steve Bowyer is Head of Economic Development at Opportunity Peterborough, He was on earlier. He said the plans are designed to increase footfall on Cowgate. (TAPE)
STEVE BOWYER: I have shown investors down Cowgate, and they liked the street, they think it looks good, it works well, but a lot of the comment is about footfall. So anything we can do to drive footfall, to make it a more interesting place .. and we’ve seen what footfall’s done in Cathedral Square. If we can get that down Cowgate, and attract the businesses, because businesses as we’ve said before, businesses follow people. And if this really inspires that area, it’s got to be good news. (LIVE)
PAUL STAINTON: Well John Drewnicki is Chairman of the Cowgate Traders Association. Morning John.
JOHN DREWNICKI: Good morning.
PAUL STAINTON: What do you think of the plans? Continue reading “Cowgate Rent Reduction Call to Kickstart Revival”

NHS Peterborough – £100 Million in Cuts Means Job Losses

08:15 Wednesday 20th July 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Well just how do you save £100 million on health care in this city without affecting patient safety and patient care? Well there was a big meeting last night. Russ Platt is the Interim Chief Operating Officer from NHS Peterborough. Russ, you were there. You spoke to the Scrutiny Committee. Were they happy with your plans? Continue reading “NHS Peterborough – £100 Million in Cuts Means Job Losses”

Jack Izzard on the Murdochs

17:40 Tuesday 19th July 2011
Drive BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY BURROWS: James and Rupert Murdoch have finished giving their evidence to MPs over the handling of the alleged phone-hacking saga. They’re used to running one of the world’s most powerful media organisations of course, but how did they do after the media spotlight was turned on them? Let’s speak to communications consultant Jack Izzard. Hello to you Jack.
JACK IZZARD: Evening Andy.
ANDY BURROWS: It was quite a spectacle. How did you think they did, especially given that rumpus just before five o’clock? Continue reading “Jack Izzard on the Murdochs”

Waterbeach Barracks Closure – Housing Development Possible

11:21 Tuesday 19th July 2011
Mid-morning Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY HARPER: Thank you for your responses to this decision to close Waterbeach Barracks .. It’s part of a restructural change which will see the UK relying more on the Territorial Army to fight on the front line, as announced by Defence Secretary Liam Fox. James Hockney is the Conservative councillor for Waterbeach on South Cambridgeshire District Council. James, good morning to you.
JAMES HOCKNEY: Good morning.
ANDY HARPER: Dave there says, “This is a bit of a shock for Waterbeach.” Was it a bit of a shock for you?
JAMES HOCKNEY: Well certainly we’ve been taken aback by this news. Definitely. Waterbeach Barracks was a very important part of our community, going all the way back to the Second World War, and the Engineer Regiment are doing a fantastic job representing this country. Continue reading “Waterbeach Barracks Closure – Housing Development Possible”