John Fox on Neighbourhood Council Allowances

07:08 Tuesday 8th February 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Now the decision to scrap extra expenses for the three Chairmen of the Neighbourhood Councils has been passed on to the Independent Renumeration Panel. The idea to cut the allowances came after seven councillors conducted a report into the scheme, which was commissioned by Council Leader Marco Cereste. Abolishing the extra expenses would save the Council and us over £21,000 a year. John Fox is one of the seven councillors who was asked to carry out the review. He’s with us this morning. Morning John.
JOHN FOX: Morning. How are you?
PAUL STAINTON: I’m very good. So you were all tasked with carrying out a review. And then your opinion’s not good enough. Continue reading “John Fox on Neighbourhood Council Allowances”

RSA Under Fire Over Citizen Power Peterborough

08:10 Monday 7th February 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
Paul Stainton talks to Matthew Taylor, the Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts.

PAUL STAINTON: The big question this morning is, is the Big Society finished? Is David Cameron’s big idea turning into a big flop? This morning the head of one of Britain’s leading charities has warned the Prime Minister his project is being undermined by him and his spending cuts. In Peterborough, the Council has spent over £300,000 on Big Society projects over the last year. The Neighbourhood Councils, and Citizen Power Peterborough, tasked with getting residents more involved in shaping the city’s future. Earlier we spoke to Cllr Stephen Goldspink, part of a committee of councillors who voted for the Council to scrap Citizen Power. He told us why. Continue reading “RSA Under Fire Over Citizen Power Peterborough”

Citizen Power “A Mirage”

07:10 Monday 7th February 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: this morning we’re also asking if the Big Society is working anywhere, and especially here in Peterborough. A review will be presented later on the city’s seven Neighbourhood Councils, which cost the Council over £200,000 a year. But the criticisms are, are enough people turning up to make them worthwhile? At the same time, Council is spending a quarter of a million pounds over two years on Citizen Power Peterborough, which is also tasked with getting residents more involved in shaping the city’s future. Last week, of course, Liverpool Council gave up on the Big Society. So what should we do in Peterborough? On the line to discuss this, one of the councillors behind the review into Neighbourhood Councils, English Democrat Stephen Goldspink. Morning Stephen.
STEPHEN GOLDSPINK: Morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: Shall we just get rid of it? It seems like it’s a dead dog. Continue reading “Citizen Power “A Mirage””

The Royston Express

17:58 Friday 4th February 2011
Drivetime BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY BURROWS: The people of Royston can now travel on their own train. The Royston Express was named today, in a special ceremony, which also marked the opening of a longer platform at Royston. Well earlier, I spoke to Roger Perkins from First Capital Connect, and asked him to explain more. Continue reading “The Royston Express”

Council Merger Talks

17:12 Friday 4th February 2011
Drivetime BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY BURROWS: Reports today that three district councils in Cambridgeshire could merge. Fenland, East Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire District Councils are said to be considering coming together in a bid to save money. We can speak to the Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council now. He’s Cllr. Fred Brown. Evening to you Fred.
FRED BROWN: Good evening Andy.
ANDY BURROWS: Well, I suppose, are you considering combining some services? Continue reading “Council Merger Talks”

Peterborough City Council Consultants “on £1,300 a day”

07:08 Friday 4th February 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridge

PAUL STAINTON: A report into Peterborough City Council’s use of consultants has been delayed again. It was due last November, then again this week. But it’s findings have now been pushed back to mid-March. The review started after local councillors expressed concern over the authorities’ £6.6 million spend on consultancy, over a period of nine months in 2009. Councillor Mike Fletcher submitted questions about consultancy use to the Council last January, and they still haven’t been answered. He’s with us this morning. Morning Mike. Continue reading “Peterborough City Council Consultants “on £1,300 a day””

Mary Beard on Events in Egypt

17:09 Thursday 3rd February 2011
Drivetime BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

ANDY BURROWS: We’ve spoken over the last few days to Raph Cormack, who’s from Cambridge, and has been studying in Arabic in Cairo. He’s been keeping us updated on what it’s been like out there for the last few days. .. His almost daily dialogue with us has been rather compulsive over the last few days. We can now speak to his mother, Mary Beard, who’s a professor at Cambridge University. Good evening to you Mary. Continue reading “Mary Beard on Events in Egypt”

The Peterborough City Council Consultant Spending Report Saga

An extraordinary series of delays are leading some to conclude that Peterborough City Council is stalling on delivery of its report into the massive amount of money it has been paying to a group of consultants.
Continue reading “The Peterborough City Council Consultant Spending Report Saga”