Tag: Nick Sandford

Peterborough Trees Under Threat from Council

07:22 Thursday 28th July 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Council officials announced proposals to remove a third of the trees on Bridge Street in the city centre. The idea is currently open to consultation, but not everyone is impressed. Joining us now is Cllr Nick Sandford, Leader of the Peterborough Liberal Democrats. Morning Nick.
NICK SANDFORD: Morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: To tree or not to tree, why are we even asking this question?
NICK SANDFORD: Well I think we should be saying, to tree, because you’ve got to bear in mind Peterborough has got the smallest level of tree cover of the entire country, and you need to bear in mind that although we’re going through a cool spell of weather at the moment, the predictions are that we’re going to get much hotter summers, and trees provide a massive range of benefits. And so we shouldn’t be taking out a third of the trees in Bridge Street, when they’re not really causing any harm. Continue reading “Peterborough Trees Under Threat from Council”

Nick Sandford and Nazim Khan on Marco Cereste

07:13 Wednesday 18th May 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: In yesterday’s show we were speaking to the Leader of Peterborough City Council, Marco Cereste, after he made changes to his Cabinet at the Council. One of the changes involved Councillor Cereste taking on extra portfolios regarding business engagement, taking over from Councillor Gavin Elsey. Here’s what Mr. Cereste had to say, as he explained his thinking behind the move. (TAPE) “I’ve brought all the business bits and pieces under my portfolio. So now any businessman, any business person, investor, developer, entrepreneur wants to come to the city. You know, that’s my portfolio. It’s my responsibility. And they know where to go.” (LIVE) He went on to admit that the extra workload will be a challenge, so he’s asked the Cabinet Adviser to help him. (TAPE) “It’s far too much for me to do on my own, so we’ve reorganised the support that we had for the Cabinet. And we’ve put a Cabinet adviser in to help me .. And she will have .. personal responsibility for international links, business engagement and tourism” (LIVE) It means Marco is the key decision maker on growth, strategic planning, economic development and business engagement. It’s a lot. So has he taken on more than he can chew? Or do you agree with his plan to make it easier for investors by dealing with just one person? Later in the show we’ll be talking to a man who agrees with Marco’s decisions after eight o’clock. But first let’s hear from two local councillors who have very big concerns over the move, Councillor Nick Sandford Leader of Peterborough’s Liberal Democrat Group, and Councillor Nazin Khan, Leader of Peterborough’s Labour Group. Good morning gentlemen. Nick first of all, what’s your problem? It’s a one-stop shop for businesses coming to the city. Continue reading “Nick Sandford and Nazim Khan on Marco Cereste”

Nick Sandford Reflects

08:22 Friday 6th May 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Trying to bring you interviews with all the main protagonists this morning in the local elections. in Peterborough. But unfortunately none of them are answering their phones. It was a late night last night, I think, for Marco Cereste, who regained his seat in Stanground Central with an increased majority, and some would say a vindication of what he’s been doing in Peterborough as Council Leader. We’ve been trying to get hold of him this morning. Not picking up. Charlie Swift, re-elected in North ward, heading towards 60 years as a councillor. Not picking his phone up. And it’s goodbye to Graham Murphy, Mark Collins and Yvonne Lowndes. Not picking her phone up. Yes, they’re all in bed this morning. Yes, there’s a common thread. The one man who is picking his phone up and taking it on the chin this morning is Liberal Democrat Nick Sandford, of course the former Parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats in Peterborough. Morning again Nick.
NICK SANDFORD: Morning. Hi.
PAUL STAINTON: I won’t keep kicking you while you’re a bit down …
NICK SANDFORD: That’s extremely kind of you. Continue reading “Nick Sandford Reflects”

LibDems Keep their Chins Up

07:20 Tuesday 3rd May 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Just a couple of days now, and voters across Peterborough heading to the polling booths as part of the local elections. And since the last election of course it’s been a very interesting time in the world of politics, to say the least. The Tories are still being criticised for their plan to address the deficit. Labour have yet to come up with new policies. And the LibDems have upset many of their supporters after compromising on some of their key issues. So what can we expect for this week’s results? Let’s get the Liberal Democrat view. Councillor Nick Sandford is with us. Nick, morning. Of course you ran quite a successful campaign really to be MP for Peterborough at the last election.
NICK SANDFORD: Yes, we increased our vote significantly. We polled just under 20%. Yes.
PAUL STAINTON: But many of the people who voted for you might be thinking twice this time around? Continue reading “LibDems Keep their Chins Up”

Only the Best Will Do

07:09 Wednesday 20th April 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: A number of local councillors have complained at the decision to spend £15,000 of taxpayers’ money on hiring a new location for this year’s local election counts. Traditionally counts are held at the Town Hall, but this year Peterborough City Council are hiring the East of England Showground’s Executive Suite. City Council say the Town Hall isn’t big enough for the count, and two thirds of the bill is paid for by the Government, and not by the Council. Councillor Nick Sandford is from the Liberal Democrat group on the Council. Good morning. Continue reading “Only the Best Will Do”

The Mysteries of AV

07:35 Thursday 31st March 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: To AV, or not to AV, that is the question. On May 5th we’ll be asked to vote in a referendum on changing the way we elect MPs. The choice is between keeping the current system, or switching to Alternative Vote, where you can rank candidates in order of preference, rather than just putting one cross in one box, the old traditional way. A series of TV and radio adverts to promote the referendum is launched on Friday, and from next week all of us will get an information pack posted to us. But we’re going to give you the low-down first, starting with these five facts from our political reporter Alan Soady. Continue reading “The Mysteries of AV”

Mike Fletcher on the Use of Consultants Report

08:13 Thursday 24th March 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY GALL: 31 recommendations have been put before Peterborough City Council, after a report was produced into the authority’s use of consultants. Opposition politicians were concerned that spending millions of pounds on them was too much money. The report was commissioned after Councillor Mike Fletcher complained that the Council was spending too much on consultants. And Councillor Fletcher was at the meeting last night, and joins us on the line now. Good morning Councillor.
MIKE FLETCHER: Good morning Andy..
ANDY GALL: You wanted answers regarding consultants for some time. Continue reading “Mike Fletcher on the Use of Consultants Report”

Use of Consultants – Task and Finish Group Final Report

07:23 Thursday 24th March 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY GALL: A special meeting was held last night to discuss whether Peterborough City Council has spent too much money on consultants. It stemmed from complaints made by Councillor Mike Fletcher, who said that payments to consultants need to be more transparent. A group of three councillors were asked to investigate. One of the working group is Liberal Democrat councillor Nick Sandford, and joins us now. Good morning Nick.
NICK SANDFORD: Good morning Andy.
ANDY GALL: So can you remind us of how the investigation came about. Continue reading “Use of Consultants – Task and Finish Group Final Report”