Tag: Marco Cereste

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”

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””

Posh Ground Redevelopment Debate

07:10 Monday 17th January 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

Interviews with Paul Froggitt, Marco Cereste and Ady Mowles about the progress or lack of it on the proposed work at the Peterborough United Football Club stadium. Continue reading “Posh Ground Redevelopment Debate”

Cereste Celebrates Licence to Build

08:24 Wednesday 12th January 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

PAUL STAINTON: The blueprint for Peterborough’s future development has moved a step closer to being finalised. The Government has approved the Council’s vision of 25,500 homes, and 24,600 new jobs in the city by 2026. It includes the proposed 5,000 home development at Great Haddon, and makes provision for the Magna Park rail freight exchange plan for Stanground. Marco Cereste, Leader of Peterborough City Council with us this morning. Morning Marco. Continue reading “Cereste Celebrates Licence to Build”

Peterborough News 16th December 2010

A summary of the Peterborough Breakfast Show from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast from 06:00 to 09:00 on Thursday 16th December 2010.

Topics:
Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson says that yesterday’s woeful SATs results for Peterborough, with so many schools failing to meet the required standard, probably indicate a systemic failure within the Education Department at Peterborough City Council. Leader Marco Cereste blames the influx of immigrants, and says that new initiatives are in hand to rectify the problem.

Councillors from two of the Neighbourhood Council areas say that the Council Leader’s initiative is failing and that residents have minimal interest and no faith in Council’s willingness to devolve powers. Leader Marco Cereste rejects the argument, reports that in his area as many as 15 or even 20 people turn up to meetings, and says that one or both of the councillors raising the issue may have a personal axe to grind.

Yaxley Parish Council is fighting to save the Community Shop and prevent the reorganisation of the library. They suggest that the desired savings could be made by amalgamating the service.
Continue reading “Peterborough News 16th December 2010”

Peterborough News 15th December 2010

A summary of the Peterborough Breakfast Show from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast from 06:00 to 09:00 on Wednesday 15th December 2010.

Topics:
A lot of discussion today about KS2 SATs results, which cast Peterborough in a bad light. The conclusions were that SATs are an extremely divisive measure of performance, that schools can turn out well-rounded human beings without topping the league tables, and that academic success depends to a very large part on parental involvement.
EEDA have put together some funding to install electric car charging posts in this region. These are early days for electric vehicle take-up, so it remains to be seen how far this will be welcomed by the public, when electric car purchase costs are so very high, and the technology itself has yet to be a proven solution to modern day needs.
The Government will cut more from Peterborough’s budget than was forecast when the Council put together its budget plans, but the Leader thinks that those extra savings can be made without losing more staff.
Continue reading “Peterborough News 15th December 2010”

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”