Democracy in Peterborough

There are very few opportunities in Peterborough for the public to easily comment on local issues.
One of them recently has been the lively comment section in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph.
It has had its problems, as all such efforts do. Comments are frequently deleted with one eye on the libel laws. Sometimes whole stories lose their comments.
And stories often quickly disappear from the main site indexing when things get hot.

But it’s sad today to see that the whole comment facility is inoperable.
Subscribers can log in and comment, but nothing happens, and the comments don’t appear.
In addition, there is no web facility to unsubscribe.
And there is never any communication from the site to the subscribers explaining what is happening.
Obviously the Peterborough Evening Telegraph is a private company and they do as they please.
It must be very disheartening for the people working there.

Full Council meets tonight. For those who are interested, this site contains many of the current issues dominating politics in Peterborough at the moment.

Peterborough News 8th December 2010

A summary of the Peterborough Breakfast Show from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast from 06:00 to 09:00 on Wednesday 8th December 2010.

Topics:
Full Council meeting tonight: concerns have been raised that Neighbourhood Councils will in future receive funding only as a by-product of housing developments in the ward.
The local LibDems are of the opinion that the current Conservative administration is suffering from a bout of megalomania.
As the numbers of homeless are predicted to rise, Peterborough Soup Kitchen wants a city-centre facility for the homeless, just as Cambridge do. The Council Leader thinks it’s a great idea, which doesn’t necessarily mean that anything will happen.
Continue reading “Peterborough News 8th December 2010”

Peterborough News 7th December 2010

A summary of the Peterborough Breakfast Show from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast from 06:00 to 09:00 on Tuesday 7th December 2010.

Topics:
IKEA expect to shed 52 jobs by transferring part of their distribution function to Doncaster. Opportunity Peterborough believes these numbers are not significant in the grand scheme of things, and that the future looks bright for Peterborough.
Cowgate traders hope to persuade Hammerson to create an extra entrance to Queensgate when they construct an extension to the shopping centre.
The well-reported connection problems being experienced by telephone callers to the new Peterborough City Hospital should abate by next week according to a spokesperson.
Continue reading “Peterborough News 7th December 2010”

Peterborough News 6th December 2010

A summary of the Peterborough Breakfast Show from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast from 06:00 to 09:00 on Monday 6th December 2010.

Topics:
Family Voice in Peterborough helps up to 250 families of children and young people with disabilities or additional needs. They face a probable loss of funding from 2010 and are launching a series of fundraising events, starting on Thursday at the Paul Pry pub in Lincoln Road.
Beat This is a music and arts service for Peterborough and its surrounding areas currently working at the Voyager School and enabling young people to have access to music technology.
Gritting the streets in current weather conditions is a top priority, and Peterborough City Council say they have the job well in hand.
Continue reading “Peterborough News 6th December 2010”

Peterborough News 3rd December 2010

A summary of the Peterborough Breakfast Show from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast from 06:00 to 09:00 on Friday 3rd December 2010.

Topics:
NHS Peterborough have succesfully moved their A&E Department from the District Hospital to the new site at Bretton but problems with the switchboard are still being addressed. They suggest callers use 0800 9178562 or visit www.peterboroughhospitals.co.uk to access a list of direct numbers.
Following the scrapping of the A14 widening programme a debate continues over whether a toll road is the answer or if rail can ease the problem.
Peterborough City Council intends to reduce its contribution towards speed cameras locally, but the Safety Partnership says fixed cameras will remain, although there may be no film in them. In addition an extra mobile camera will be used, and communications with targeted motorists prior to court will also be minimal.
Continue reading “Peterborough News 3rd December 2010”