Category: Conversations

Whooper Swans at Welney in Record Numbers

07:51 Monday 31st January 2011
Cambridgeshire Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

JEREMY SALLIS: .. a record number of Whooper swans are in the Fens. There are normally around 5,000 swans, but at the last count there were over 7,000, way above the average. Well, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Welney, and the RSPB, did the count, and our reporter here at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Sophie Suhleria, went along to the Trust in Welney as they fed the birds. (TAPE-OB) Continue reading “Whooper Swans at Welney in Record Numbers”

Andy Campbell Stagecoach on Cambridgeshire Bus Cuts

08:07 Friday 28th January 2011
Cambridgeshire Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

JEREMY SALLIS: Over the next four years more than 50 of Cambridgeshire’s subsidised bus services could be removed. Subsidised transport costs the County Council just under £3 million to run, and provides access to the wider community, helping people to get, say, to local libraries, and to the hospital. Well earlier on in the programme we spoke to Glenn Edge, who’s the Head of Passenger Transport from Cambridgeshire County Council. (TAPE)
GLENN EDGE: They’re subsidised as social needs. We recognise they’ve grown up over time, but unfortunately we’re in a difficult position. The reality of the Comprehensive Spending Review and the financial situation the Government is in today is now coming home to roost. We’ve got reduced monies from Government. We’ve got inflationary pressures, demographic changes on the County, and therefore trying to make budget prediction over the next four years, while taking into account growth in the County, has meant that our councillors have had to make some very tough decisions. We’ve got to save, as you know, over £160 million over the next four years. (LIVE)
JEREMY SALLIS: Well joining me in the studio now is Andy Campbell, who’s Managing Director of Stagecoach. Morning to you Andy. Thank you for coming aboard.
ANDY CAMPBELL: Good morning.
JEREMY SALLIS: You run, what, around 20 of those subsidised services which we were speaking about?
ANDY CAMPBELL: We do. Yes.
JEREMY SALLIS: OK. So what was your reaction when the Council came to you and said we’re going to have to remove that subsidy? Continue reading “Andy Campbell Stagecoach on Cambridgeshire Bus Cuts”

The Woodland Trust on the Privatisation of the Forestry Commission

07:24 Thursday 27th January 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Now later on today the Government launches its consultation on forests. It’s considering selling off some publicly owned woodland to raise funds to help tackle the budget deficit. We mentioned this last week. There’s been a heck of a hooh-hah though since it came out. Paul Hetherington is from the Woodland Trust. Morning Paul.
PAUL HETHERINGTON: Good morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: What are the Government potentially thinking of doing? Continue reading “The Woodland Trust on the Privatisation of the Forestry Commission”

New Chairman at CPRE Cambridge

10:20 Tuesday 25th January 2011
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY HARPER: Well earlier we heard about fears for the future of England’s forests. But joining me now is a man who’s concerned about the future of rural Cambridgeshire. Michael Monk is taking over as Chairman of the county branch of CPRE, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. Despite the 10,000 home new town of Northstowe being stalled, there are still large developments planned across the county. But life for the local people living in villages outside of the main cities is becoming increasingly difficult, because of the rising cost of petrol, for instance, but so many other things as well. So can CPRE help? Well let’s find out. Michael, good morning to you. Continue reading “New Chairman at CPRE Cambridge”

Shailesh Vara on Uganda

07:37 Tuesday 25th January 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Now it’s been 40 years since the dictator Idi Amin seized power in Uganda. We all remember the pictures of him in the ’70s and 80’s in his uniform. It’s thought between 100,000 people to 500,000 people died under his brutal regime. Conservative MP for North West Cambridgeshire Shailesh Vara was born in Uganda. He joins me on the line now. Good morning Shailesh.
SHAILESH VARA: A very good morning Paul, and a very good morning to all your listeners as well.
PAUL STAINTON: Thank you. You left I think quite early on didn’t you? What memories do you have of your country of birth? Continue reading “Shailesh Vara on Uganda”

Peterborough Contracting Out Services

17:40 Monday 24th January 2011
Drivetime BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY BURROWS: Peterborough City Council has announced where it will be outsourcing some of its front-line services for the next 23 years, would you believe. Enterprise Managed Services will provide waste collection and street cleaning in Peterborough, and will also look after the city’s green spaces. Earlier on today, on the Paul Stainton Peterborough Breakfast Show 95.7FM, we heard from one side of the new deal. Matthew Lee, who is the Deputy Leader of Peterborough City Council, said he’s hopeful that the new partnership will be successful. (TAPE)
MATTHEW LEE: This is a contract that’s over a long period of time. It allows lots of investment from this private sector company, but with all long-term contracts effectively there are break clauses, so if the company doesn’t perform, or there’s something wrong, it can come to an end. (LIVE)
ANDY BURROWS: That was Matthew Lee speaking to Paul Stainton this morning. Ian Edser is from Enterprise Managed Services, this company that’s going to take over the business for the next 23 years. 23 years! Ian Edser. Continue reading “Peterborough Contracting Out Services”

Peterborough City Councillors’ Allowances and Reduced Workload

07:08 Monday 24th January 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show. BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Let’s kick off .. with a plan to save us hundreds of thousands of pounds, possibly. Councillors are costing Peterborough taxpayers too much money. It’s a claim from the city’s Independent Councillor Forum, ahead of next month’s budget setting. They say there should be fewer councillors, because the Council has outsourced many services and there’s less work to do. Their Leader, Councillor Charles Swift, says by removing the Cabinet system, and taking away Special Responsibility Allowances that some councillors receive would save £250,000 a year. Charlie Swift’s on the phone now. Morning Charlie. Continue reading “Peterborough City Councillors’ Allowances and Reduced Workload”

Buglife on Bees

17:55 Friday 21st January 2011
Drivetime BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY BURROWS: Let’s talk bees. Scientists may have the answer to why the number of bees is in the decline. Earlier I spoke to Matt Shardlow. He’s from the Peterborough-based organisation Buglife, who told me that the amount of bees have been falling for sometime. (TAPE) Continue reading “Buglife on Bees”