Category: Conversations

David Harvey BBC Cambridgeshire’s Managing Editor on Scheduling and Presenters

10:22 Thursday 10th February 2011
Andy Harper Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY HARPER: I’m delighted to welcome our Managing Editor, David Harvey, who is going to talk about a couple of things that he needs to talk about, but also to answer some of your questions as well. David, good morning.
DAVID HARVEY: Good morning Andy.
ANDY HARPER: Now I think the best thing to do is to start by you telling people a little bit about your background. Because it has to be said that when these posts are advertised, all sorts of people apply, very often with very little experience in local radio. They may be national radio or television or whatever. But in your case, local radio is in your blood isn’t it? Continue reading “David Harvey BBC Cambridgeshire’s Managing Editor on Scheduling and Presenters”

Geoff Heathcock Joins LibDem Rebellion Against Coalition Policy

09:21 Thursday 10th February 2011
Andy Harper Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY HARPER: Over 90 prominent Liberal Democrat councillors, including the Leaders of 18 local authorities, have criticised the scale and pace of the cuts being implemented by the Coalition Government. In a letter to The Times, they say the spending reductions are too big, and are being implemented too quickly. One of the signatories is Cambridge City Council Leader Sian Reid. (TAPE)
SIAN REID: I think Eric Pickles has upset local councils throughout the land, of all colours really, through his approach. Local authorities recognise that there is just a massive national debt, and we are really keen to play our part constructively in cutting it. But Eric Pickles has really front-loaded the cuts onto councils, so they’re facing across the country very heavy cuts in the first year of these programmes. And it’s important in local authorities that we don’t just swing the axe in a blunt way, that we think about our savings, service by service, intelligently, thoughtfully, consult with people, so that we can respect what communities need, and not deliver blows to them right at the start.(LIVE)
ANDY HARPER: Councillor Sian Reid speaking on our Cambridgeshire Breakfast Show earlier today. So, are the cracks beginning to show in the Coalition? Liberal Democrat County Councillor Geoff Heathcock, who represents Queen Edith’s ward, and he has been an outspoken critic of the cuts. Geoff, good morning to you.
GEOFF HEATHCOCK: Morning to you Andy.
ANDY HARPER: .. You have been an outspoken critic of the cuts, and the way they’ve been implemented. But you are, and have been for some time, a member of the Liberal Democrat Party. But as I was saying earlier on, to both of our Breakfast presenters, the Liberal Democrats are nothing if not a grass roots party. That has been their strength for so many years. And there must be many good people very worried. Continue reading “Geoff Heathcock Joins LibDem Rebellion Against Coalition Policy”

Cambridge Railway Station Upgrade

17:24 Tuesday 8th February 2011
Drivetime BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY BURROWS: We heard just a couple of weeks ago about planned improvements to Peterborough train station. And now Network Rail has been given the go-ahead to build a new platform extension at Cambridge train station. Let’s speak to Russell Spink. He’s the spokesman for Network Rail. Evening to you, Russell. Continue reading “Cambridge Railway Station Upgrade”

Marco Cereste on Neighbourhood Council Allowances

08:13 Tuesday 8th February 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: The decision to scrap extra expenses for the three Chairmen of Peterborough’s Neighbourhood Councils has been passed on to the Independent Renumeration Panel. The idea to cut the allowance came after seven councillors conducted a report into the scheme. Abolishing the extra expenses would save the Council over £20,000 a year. John Fox was one of the seven who was asked to carry out the review. (TAPE)
JOHN FOX: All seven people decided this unanimously. There was no real debate about it. We were all convinced that there was no necessity to pay these. In fact myself and Councillor Goldspink offered to do the job for nothing, therefore saving money. But unfortunately that’s not been taken on. (LIVE)
PAUL STAINTON: Well let’s speak to the Leader of Peterborough City Council, Marco Cereste. Morning Marco.
MARCO CERESTE: Good morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: Now you launched the review, didn’t you, after a number of councillors complained about the scheme. And the review reported back, saying, just scrap the allowance. But you’ve decided to refer it to this panel. Why is that? Continue reading “Marco Cereste on Neighbourhood Council Allowances”

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”