Category: Conversations

Stewart Jackson on Europe

07:13 Tuesday 13rd December 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridge

PAUL STAINTON: Have you seen Nick Clegg?
STEWART JACKSON: No. I did see a rather unflattering picture of him in his shorts yesterday in the London Evening Standard, which quite put me off my tea.
PAUL STAINTON: Yes. That was a bit odd yesterday, not turning up in the House of Commons, wasn’t it?
STEWART JACKSON: Well it was a bit ridiculous. I think he should have sat down next to the Prime Minister and kept a stiff upper lip, and kept his chin out, and just taken the brickbats. But that’s for Nick Clegg to make a decision on. Obviously I wouldn’t have done it. I think it’s a bit of a PR mistake, not to turn up to a very important statement by the Prime Minister. But I sadly am not responsible for Nick Clegg’s actions. Continue reading “Stewart Jackson on Europe”

A14 Challenge – Suggestions Invited

The Government launched a major consultation exercise, to find out just what to do with the A14. They have made it very clear that no more public money will be available to fix the problem road, but they think that private companies will be interested in financing a new project. The Department of Transport’s so-called A14 Challenge calls on motorists, businesses and residents to submit proposals for delivering quicker more reliable and safer journeys, on the road between Cambridge and Huntingdon.

17:06 Monday 12th December 2011
Drive BBC Radio Cambridgeshire:

CHRIS MANN: The Government launched a major consultation exercise, to find out just what to do with the A14. They have made it very clear that no more public money will be available to fix the problem road, but they think that private companies will be interested in financing a new project. The Department of Transport’s so-called A14 Challenge calls on motorists, businesses and residents to submit proposals for delivering quicker more reliable and safer journeys, on the road between Cambridge and Huntingdon. The consultation will help to shape recommendations, which will be presented to Ministers next summer. Of course Chancellor George Osborne has already announced a £20 million package to fund quick win measures to reduce congestion. Mike Penning the Roads Minister made the announcement today, and he joined me from his offices a short time ago to tell me what he hoped would happen. Continue reading “A14 Challenge – Suggestions Invited”

Peterborough’s Solar Ambitions Baulked

08:08 Friday 9th December 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Peterborough City Council could end up losing out on about £6 million over the next 25 years when it comes to solar panels. Earlier this year the Council installed panels on the roof of the Town Hall, and the Freemans building, hoping to make money from the energy they produce. But changes to tariffs means although the Council applied for a higher return in energy, they’ll end up with a lower one. The figure comes from calculations made by Richard Olive, co-ordinator of Peterborough Friends of the Earth. (TAPE)
RICHARD OLIVE: Well over a 25 year period, it’s going to be £6.52 million. Of course we could do a lot with that money, couldn’t we? (LIVE)
PAUL STAINTON: Councillor Nick Sandford from the Liberal Democrats said if the figure is correct, it’s a huge blow to the city. (TAPE)
NICK SANDFORD: This feed-in tariff was introduced in April 2010, and it had been advertised for about six or twelve months previous to that. It was always envisaged that the feed-in tariff would be cut as the cost of the technology dropped. Now if Peterborough City Council had got in right at the beginning, we could have had not just panels on the Regional Pool. the Freemans building, the Town Hall, as Richard was saying we could have had them on social housing. We could have had them on other Council buildings. Continue reading “Peterborough’s Solar Ambitions Baulked”

Eye Village Under Attack Yet Again

07:19 Thursday 8th December 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: We brought you the news last year that Eye was one of the places earmarked for major development. The City Council recommended 85 more homes to be built there. But now an independent report has said that Eye could do with not 85 but 160 new homes. The news has been met with criticism from some residents. Dale McKean is one of those residents. Morning Dale.
DALE MCKEAN: Good morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: What are you so worried about? You’ve got all that land around Eye. We could put plenty of homes around there. It would be lovely. Continue reading “Eye Village Under Attack Yet Again”

Payrise Proposal for Peterborough Councillors

07:08 Thursday 1st December 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Yesterday we brought you the exclusive news about possible changes to councillor allowances in the city. An independent panel has suggested a cut in the size of the Cabinet, and a reduction in the money given to those with special reponsibilities, whatever that means. This could mean an extra cash rise in allowances for members by about 13%, if it all goes through. The recommendations will be debated at the Full Council meeting next Wednesday. Yesterday we spoke to the Leader of the Liberal Democrat group in Peterborough, Councillor Nick Sandford. This is what he had to say. (TAPE)
NICK SANDFORD: There’s a need to attract more people to become councillors. What they would rather do is take away some of these so-called special responsibility payments, or to actually reduce them, and to use that to increase the basic allowance payable to all Members of the Council. (LIVE)
PAUL STAINTON: Well that’s what Nick Sandford had to say. Ed Murphy, councillor for Ravensthorpe, is putting forward a motion at the Full Council meeting next week to cut allowances and expenses by about £200,000. Morning Ed.
ED MURPHY: Good morning.
PAUL STAINTON: So you’re not for this, obviously, for a rise in allowances effectively, a redistribution of the wealth, if you like. Continue reading “Payrise Proposal for Peterborough Councillors”

K1 Co-Housing in Cambridge

17:43 Tuesday 29th November 2011
Drive BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

CHRIS MANN: The new housing initiative known as K1 has been launched in Cambridge today, a scheme in which groups of people wanting new houses get involved in the project right from the very start at the planning stage, so they can help design and shape their new homes. Managing Cambridge K1 is Adam Broadway, the man to explain to us now how it will work, and who it’s for. Continue reading “K1 Co-Housing in Cambridge”

Peterborough Bids Farewell To Independent Local Radio

07:50 Monday 28th November 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Now let’s take you back, way back on your Peterborough Breakfast Show, to 1980. (MUSIC – ABBA SUPER TROOPER) Abba, number one, Dexy’s Midnight Runners in the charts. and the birth of independent local radio in Peterborough. (JINGLE HEREWARD RADIO ) How does that feel, Stewart Francis?.. How nice is it to hear those original jingles? July 1980, Hereward Radio 225, a milestone for the city really, wasn’t it? Continue reading “Peterborough Bids Farewell To Independent Local Radio”

Stewart Jackson MP on Thomas Cook

07:22 Monday 28th November 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Peterborough-based travel company Thomas Cook could axe 1000 jobs in a radical restructuring. It’s after the banks threw it a £200 million lifeline. It sells more than 22 million holidays in the UK every year, but bookings have dropped, partly due to the unrest in popular destinations like Tunisia and Egypt. Let’s speak to MP for Peterborough Stewart Jackson, who’s with us this morning. Morning Stewart.
STEWART JACKSON: Good morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: First of all I suppose we’ve got to say thank the Lord we can still not just book it, we can Thomas Cook it. That’s the good thing. Continue reading “Stewart Jackson MP on Thomas Cook”