Conversations – Page 145 – The New Listener

Chief Executive resigns at Opportunity Peterborough

John Bridge Chairman at Opportunity Peterborough talks to the BBC’s Paul Stainton about recent criticism and planned changes following the resignation of their Chief Executive Steve Compton. Broadcast at 07:55 on Wednesday 19th May 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

STAINTON: The other big story this morning is that the Chief Executive of Opportunity Peterborough Steve Compton has resigned. The regeneration company has recently been criticised for not doing enough to promote the city by Stewart Jackson, Chris Haworth also, from Carter Jonas, blaming politicians. John Bridge is the Chairman of Opportunity Peterborough. He joins us this morning. Morning John.
BRIDGE: Yes good morning Paul.
STAINTON: This is a shock, isn’t it? Continue reading “Chief Executive resigns at Opportunity Peterborough”

St Guthlacs and George Farmer Merger Proposal

Lincolnshire County Council have suggested merging St Guthlacs School Crowland and George Farmer Technology College Holbeach resulting in a possible forty mile round trip for pupils. Patricia Bradwell from Lincolnshire County Council talks to the BBC’s Paul Stainton. Broadcast at 07:10 on Tuesday 18th May 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

STAINTON: Now as you heard in the news plans are afoot for St Guthlacs School in Crowland to merge with the George Farmer Technology College to form an academy. The plans state that the academy would be based in Holbeach from twenty fourteen, which would leave pupils in Crowland a staggering forty mile round trip to school. Patricia Bradwell is the Executive Councillor for Childrens Services at Lincolnshire County Council. She’s with us this morning. Morning Patricia.
BRADWELL: Morning.
STAINTON: This is going to be a big big worry for parents around Crowland, isn’t it? I mean this is a heck of a journey for kids from Crowland, isn’t it?
BRADWELL: It is and I do understand parents’ fears and wories at the moment, but I would say that these are proposals and we will have to go out to consultation to discuss with parents and the community you know the proposals to replace George Farmer and Crowland with one academy. So this is the start of the process. But I would like to say as well that any child who lives more than three miles away from a secondary school you know will get free transport. That is the statutory policy that the County Council works to. Continue reading “St Guthlacs and George Farmer Merger Proposal”

Marco Cereste and Carter Jonas

Leader of Peterborough City Council Marco Cereste defends his record following recent criticism of council performance on redevelopment. Broadcast at 08:10 on Tuesday 18th May 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. The interviewer is Paul Stainton.

STAINTON: Now our new Prime Minister David Cameron has selected his Cabinet. It’s time now for our local council leader to do the same. Last night Marco Cereste announced his Cabinet for the next term. But did he follow David Cameron and add any Liberal Democrats? Is it a coalition of the willing? Marco Cereste is here now. Is it Marco a coalition of the willing?
CERESTE: No
STAINTON: No. I sort of guessed it might not be. (GENERAL HILARITY IN STUDIO)
STAINTON: I built you up there and you just .. anyway.
CERESTE: Well.
STAINTON: Any changes to the people that run this city? Continue reading “Marco Cereste and Carter Jonas”

Carter Jonas on Redevelopment and Council Disunity

Chris Haworth from Carter Jonas expresses his frustration at the lack of progress on major development schemes in Peterborough. Broadcast at 07:20 on Tuesday 18th May 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

STAINTON: Now last week MP for the city Stewart Jackson criticised Opportunity Peterborough for not selling the city enough.
JACKSON: (TAPE) One of the big things that we haven’t done, and a big failure, and I have to say I lay it at the door of Opportunity Peterborough, because it’s no-one else’s fault. We have not sold Peterborough on the national stage as robustly as we should. We haven’t had ads on the sides of taxis, ads in the Financial Times, radio ads, nationally. We need to get really serious about businesses coming to this city.
STAINTON: (LIVE) Well that’s Stewart Jackson MP for Peterborough, very critical. Now a large property consultancy firm has also come out in criticism. Chris Haworth from Carter Jonas in Peterborough is on the line. Morning Chris.
HAWORTH: Good morning.
STAINTON: We had the response from Opportunity Peterborough to what Stewart had to say. They said they are selling the city. They are going round. They are placing adverts. They’re doing lots of deals behind the scenes. Why are you critical? Continue reading “Carter Jonas on Redevelopment and Council Disunity”

Darren Fower on Opportunity Peterborough’s Golden Parachute

This is an interview with Darren Fower LibDem Leader on Peterborough City Council, talking about Opportunity Peterborough, vibrancy, and the fact that staff at Opportunity Peterborough have been handed jobs with Peterborough City Council. Broadcast at 08:10 on Tuesday 9th March 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. the interviewer is Paul Stainton.

STAINTON: So as we revealed in the first hour, Peterborough now has a Head of City Vibrancy. It’s a new title for one of Opportunity Peterborough’s Directors. The organisation is currently being restructured, with all regeneration stuff returning to the City Council. But do the people of Peterborough know what a Head of City Centre Vibrancy does?
VOXPOP (TAPE): I’ve no idea at all, absolutely no idea. No. Vibrancy? = Vibrancy would be making life fun and jolly and enjoyable, so how about that? The Head of making Peterborough a jolly place to live === I ain’t got a clue === I don’t actually know === I haven’t a clue. It sounds interesting. I might apply. I’m quite vibrant, so I might be eligible.
STAINTON: (STUDIO) Well not as vibrant as Steve Bowyer. He is the Vibrant One. Earlier he told us what the title actually means. Continue reading “Darren Fower on Opportunity Peterborough’s Golden Parachute”

JLS Peterborough Tickets On Sale

Cllr Gavin Elsey tells BBC’s Paul Stainton that tickets will be going on sale this weekend at the Destination Centre for the JLS Embankment Concert in Peterborough scheduled for Saturday July 18th 2010. This interview was broadcast at 07:55 on Thursday May 13th 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

(MUSIC: BEAT AGAIN)

PAUL: Now just a couple of months until Peterborough’s Aston Merrygold and the rest of JLS get down and dirty on the Embankment. The concert takes place on Saturday July the eighteenth. Tickets go on sale this Saturday. We’ll speak to Councillor Gavin Elsey Cabinet Member for Pop Music .. no for Regional and Business development. Morning Gavin.
GAVIN: Morning Paul.
PAUL: How are you?
GAVIN: I’m good. Yourself?
PAUL: I’m very good. Are you going to be first in the queue then Saturday?
GAVIN: I’ve already bought tickets unfortunately, so I can’t be first in the queue. Continue reading “JLS Peterborough Tickets On Sale”

Opportunity Peterborough and Amazon Jobs

Steve Bowyer from Opportunity Peterborough talks about Amazon’s plans to recruit part-time and temporary staff in May ready for the Christmas rush. This interview was broadcast at 07:35 on Friday 14th May 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. Interviewer is Paul Stainton.

STAINTON: It’s Friday and it’s been a great week for jobs in Peterborough. Earlier we told you that RSA was creating more than two hundred jobs at its site at Lynch Wood. Now on-line retailer Amazon has confirmed it will create hundreds of jobs at its warehouse near Farcet. Let’s speak to Steve Bowyer from Opportunity Peterborough. Morning.
BOWYER: Good morning Paul. How are you?
STAINTON: I’m fine. You had a bit of criticism earlier this week from the local MP, and others. But this is sand in their face, isn’t it? Continue reading “Opportunity Peterborough and Amazon Jobs”

Save The Cresset Theatre Campaign

The Cresset Theatre Peterborough could be saved from closure thanks to a spirited campaign and encouraging support received from promoters and public. This interview by Paul Stainton with campaigner Andy Jardine was broadcast at 07:10 on Thursday May 13th 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
It is followed by an interview with Jonathan Martin from the YMCA which operates the Cresset Theatre. This second interview was broadcast at 08:10 on the same day.

The Cresset Theatre Peterborough could be saved from closure thanks to a spirited campaign and encouraging support received from promoters and public. The first interview by Paul Stainton with campaigner Andy Jardine was broadcast at 07:10 on Thursday May 13th 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
It is followed by an interview with Jonathan Martin from the YMCA which operates the Cresset Theatre. This second interview was broadcast at 08:10 on the same day.

PAUL: Let’s start with the big story this morning though. What is the future of the Cresset Theatre in Peterborough? Just a few weeks ago it was announced all shows would end in June. But the Bretton venue’s website is still advertising comedy nights and music acts appearing as late as November. In the next hour we’ll speak to Jonathan Martin Chief Executive of the YMCA which operates the Cresset. First though let’s speak to Andy Jardine who lives in Wansford and is one of a number of people who started campaigns to keep the theatre open. In fact, we had a look round at all the people that are doing this and starting campaigns, and we spoke to a lady, there’s about eight thousand people joined various things. Andy, good morning.
ANDY: Good morning Paul.
PAUL: You’ve started an internet campaign, haven’t you? Continue reading “Save The Cresset Theatre Campaign”