Month: June 2013

The Machines Are Taking Over

17:50 Friday 28th June 2013
Drive BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[C]HRIS MANN: Over 300 of the world’s leading internet experts are gathering in Cambridge next week to try and work out the future of connected devices. The concept of the so-called Internet of Things in theory brings billions of devices together, but the question for the 5th Future of Wireless International Conference is how to use the data and the content that’s generated. Professor William Webb helps run the not-for-profit industry forum, Cambridge Wireless, and he explained more to me. (TAPE)
WILLIAM WEBB: The concept here is we’re more used to being able to communicate as individuals, but we are heading towards a world where lots of our devices will start to communicate all by themselves. And this is sometimes called machine communications, or the Internet of Things. And those could be devices like washing machines or smart meters. or a cat collar that’s helping us track our cat down. And this is an area that’s predicted to grow enormously over the next decade, with perhaps billions of these connected devices emerging. And the conference is trying to frame that whole area really.
CHRIS MANN: When you say they talk to each other, what do you mean by that? Continue reading “The Machines Are Taking Over”

Richard Taylor On Open Democracy

17:23 Friday 28th June 2013
Drive BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[C]HRIS MANN: Should council meetings be recorded and filmed? Well the local Government Secretary Eric Pickles thinks so, and he told people recently. But when a Cambridgeshire man tried to follow his guidance and film in a meeting at Huntingdon District Council, he was threatened with arrest. Thirty three year old journalist and campaigner Richard Taylor, who is from Cambridge, joins me in the studio now. Richard, hello.
RICHARD TAYLOR: Good afternoon Chris.
CHRIS MANN: So Eric Pickles told you personally? Continue reading “Richard Taylor On Open Democracy”

Energy Crisis – Government Floats Plan B

07:26 Friday 28th June 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: Would you stop using electricity if you were rewarded with a bit of cash? Well the National Grid has suggested large business consumers could be asked to lower use on weekday afternoons. So could this be the start of the lights going out? Well Adam Kirtley is here from our business unit. Morning Adam
ADAM KIRTLEY: Morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: Ofgen are saying what? Please turn off your lights? Or turn off your machines? Continue reading “Energy Crisis – Government Floats Plan B”

Queensgate Footfall Rise – Small Shops Neglected

07:07 Friday 28th June 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: It seems that Peterborough city centre is seeing something of a revival. New figures from the Queensgate shopping centre show that footfall has risen by 4% since November last year. The opening of discount clothes retailer Primark in November last year has contributed to a 4% rise in shoppers at the Queensgate centre. .. Meanwhile there’s something of a cafe culture emerging. Now nearly 300 seats available for outdoor dining across the city centre, and Cowgate has been much improved, after an £800,000 revamp. .. Rachel Parkin owns Reba, a gift shop on Cathedral Square Peterborough. She told me her shop hadn’t felt the benefit of the city centre revamp any time yet, and felt independent shops need much more help. Continue reading “Queensgate Footfall Rise – Small Shops Neglected”

Alex Colyer South Cambs Funding Cuts

08:25 Thursday 27th June 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Our local councils are going to have to tighten their belts still further. The Chancellor has said local government will have its funding cut by a further ten per cent on top of the savings they’ve already had to make. So how will they cope? Well on the line now is Alex Colyer, Executive Director for Corporate Services at South Cambs District Council. Morning.
ALEX COLYER: Good morning.
PAUL STAINTON: Well, find another ten per cent is basically what he’s saying, isn’t it? Continue reading “Alex Colyer South Cambs Funding Cuts”

No News Is Good News – Cambs Agog On A14 Upgrade

17:19 Wednesday 26th June 2013
Drive BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

JULIAN HUPPERT: I think it’s a nationally important road, and it should be funded nationally, because it’s national taxes that will benefit. I don’t think a toll is the right thing to do. We’ll hear tomorrow about the tolling.
CHRIS MANN: Is that a hint that it might not happen?
JULIAN HUPPERT: And and and I think we will have to ..
CHRIS MANN: Oh. It is a hint that it’s not happening.
JULIAN HUPPERT: Wait and see what happens tomorrow.
CHRIS MANN: Ok. Are you in the know Julian?
Continue reading “No News Is Good News – Cambs Agog On A14 Upgrade”

Rescue Remedies For Victims Of Cambridgeshire’s Housing Crisis

08:20 Tuesday 25th June 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: A homeless hostel in Littleport is reopening to support families who find themselves with nowhere to live. It’s part of a five year plan by East Cambridgeshire District Council to reduce the amount they spend on emergency bed and breakfast accommodation. earlier we heard from Council Leader James Palmer. He said the hostel was closed in 2009 because homelessness wasn’t a problem. (TAPE)
JAMES PALMER: No problem goes away for good, but for several years we hadn’t had an issue on homelessness at all. And obviously, as any council does, savings have to be made where they can. Now the situation arose that there were people in homelessness. We made changes to the system we were using. We had I think twenty three families homeless at Christmas, and now we’re down to one. And obviously we are reopening, we’ve refurbished and we’re reopening the hostel in Littleport, which will help, should there be an influx in the future. (LIVE)
PAUL STAINTON: Well Jenny Rhodes is running that hostel. She’s from Sanctuary Housing. Morning Jenny.
JENNY RHODES: Morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: So who exactly does the hostel provide accommodation for? Continue reading “Rescue Remedies For Victims Of Cambridgeshire’s Housing Crisis”

New Rules For Whistleblowers

07:26 Tuesday 25th June 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: If you’re thinking of exposing wrongdoing in your workplace, then you’ll get more protection under changes to the law being brought in today. The new rules mean whisteblowing must be in the public interest, and employees will have more rights protecting them from harrassment at work that may occur as a result. Sean Farrington is from our business unit. Morning Sean.
SEAN FARRINGTON: Morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: Now we’ve had quite a few incidences of whistleblowing lately. I think the latest one involves a public toilet in Billericay. But it’s a big thing to put your head above the parapet, isn’t it? Continue reading “New Rules For Whistleblowers”