Richard Taylor, Cambridge UK. LibDem Leader Cllr Sian Reid on Icelandic Investments Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council leader, Liberal Democrat, Sian Reid went on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on Wednesday morning to talk about money which under her party’s leadership the city council had invested in Icelandic banks which have now gone bust. Cambridge City Council had invested £5 million with Landsbanki and £4 million with Heritable Bank Limited. During [...] More ... ]]> 0.11916518211364746,52.204965555874494 2010-07-23 New Island Platform for Cambridge Station Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Rob Fairhead of Network Rail showing a Cambridge Cycling Campaign open meeting a computer generated image of Cambridge station with its new island platform. . On the first Tuesday of every month the Cambridge Cycling Campaign hold an open meeting, usually at the Friends Meeting House. I attended the July 2010 event where Rob Fairhead [...] More ... ]]> 0.1382651925086975,52.19485511055738 2010-07-22 New Trees for Jesus Green and Midsummer Common - Seminar and Workshop Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Plane Tree Avenue, Jesus Green, Cambridge. On Thursday the 1st of July 2010 I attended a seminar and workshop on new tree planting for Jesus Green and Midsummer Common. The fact the meeting had been scheduled was only revealed in public following a question I asked at the West Central Area committee on the 24th [...] More ... ]]> 0.12595653533935547,52.21225339505831 2010-07-04 Debating Proposals for Many More Academy Schools Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s Breakfast with Jeremy Sallis on the Monday 28th of June a news report stated: Over 20 schools in Cambridgeshire are thinking of cutting ties with the Local Education Authority to become academies. The legislation which would make this possible should become law before the end of July. Kevin Bullock is the headteacher [...] More ... ]]> 0.12957215309143066,52.203956603900444 2010-07-01 Julian Huppert on Homeopathy Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The NHS in the UK spends huge amounts of public money on “homoeopathic” treatments. This is despite a report published earlier this year by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee which concluded: That the NHS should cease funding homeopathy. Having been selected to ask a topical question on Health in the House of Commons [...] More ... ]]> -0.12505531311035156,51.4996253196017 2010-06-29 June 2010 North Area Committee Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
June 2010 North Area Committee. On Thursday the 10th of June 2010 I attended Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee. The meeting started at 18.30 to consider planning applications but the main agenda was not scheduled to begin until 19.30. When I arrived at just before 19.30 councillors were still debating the first of three planning [...] More ... ]]> 0.12936830520629883,52.22556105339437 2010-06-27 Secrecy and Confusion as Cllr Cantrill Takes Responsibility for Midsummer Common and Jesus Green Tree Planting Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council has felled many trees from Midsummer Common; significant funds have been allocated for replacements. During the “open forum” of the 24th of June 2010 West Central Area committee where members of the public are able to question councillors I asked: Is there a date yet for the proposed meeting to discuss new tree planting [...] More ... ]]> 0.1336383819580078,52.21022330800914 2010-06-26 Cambridge City Council Upgrades Online Planning System Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Screenshot of Cambridge City Council’s upgraded online planning web pages. Cambridge City Council has just launched a new online planning system. Key Points Plans, drawings and documentation for planning applications can now be viewed on the council’s public website. Previously viewing plans almost always required visiting the Guildhall in-person. The City Council is going to be able [...] More ... ]]> 0.12429356575012207,52.2025222022985 2010-06-15 New Plants for Akeman Street to Cost £42,000 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The Akeman Street - Stretten Avenue junction. There are bare patches and broken curbs, but £17,750 appears a huge amount to spruce it up. At Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee on the 10th of June 2010 councillors approved the spending of an astonishing £17,750 on plants, and a few new curbs, for Akeman Street in [...] More ... ]]> 0.11774897575378418,52.219108855470985 2010-06-11 Cambridge MP Julian Huppert Absent from Trident Vote Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Tellers report the result of a vote on an ambiguous SNP amendment on Trident which was supported by just 27 MPs. On the 8th of June 2010 MPs were discussing the coalition’s programme for government in the House of Commons. An archaic tradition, which does nothing for making Parliament more accessible and easy to follow, means [...] More ... ]]> -0.1248621940612793,51.49960528286013 2010-06-10 Trying to Improve The Cambridge City Council Licensing Policy Consultation Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Photo of room prior to Cambridge City Council Licensing Committee meeting. Photography and audio recording is banned during meetings. Cambridge City Council is about to launch a consultation on its licensing policy. The police, licensees, premises supervisors, the Campaign for Real Ale, the general public and others will be asked for their views. This morning [...] More ... ]]> 0.1188969612121582,52.20501618376914 2010-06-07 Cambridge Lib Dems Undecided on Building New Council Houses Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge’s Locally Based Housing Offices Are to be Cut by the Lib Dems At Cambridge City Council’s annual meeting on the 27th of May 2010 Lewis Herbert the leader of the Labour opposition group on Cambridge City Council put the following oral question to the Executive Councillor for Housing Cllr Smart: What recommendations will she [...] More ... ]]> 0.11924028396606445,52.20505168911573 2010-06-07 Removing Unnecessary Organisation and Procedures can Absorb Forthcoming Cuts Say Cambridge Lib Dems Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge Guildhall At Cambridge City Council’s annual meeting on the 27th of May 2010 Labour Councillor Lucy Walker put the following oral question to the Leader of Cambridge City Council Liberal Democrat Sian Reid: What services will you be seeking to protect in response to the Coalition Government’s proposed stringent cuts to the Department for [...] More ... ]]> 0.11915445327758789,52.20503853905011 2010-06-07 Cllr Tim Bick Presents City Council Position on Aggressive Punt Touting Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge punter wearing rubber gloves and a lifejacket earlier this year. At Cambridge City Council’s annual meeting on the 27th of May 2010 Tim Ward, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Arbury put the following question to the Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health, Cllr Bick. (Cllr Bick has also been given city wide responsibility [...] More ... ]]> 0.11810839176177979,52.21146484089087 2010-05-31 No Progress on Cambridge City Council Campaign to Oppose University Cuts Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At Cambridge City Council’s annual meeting on the 27th of May 2010 Lewis Herbert the leader of the Labour opposition group on Cambridge City Council put the following oral question to the Leader of Cambridge City Council Liberal Democrat Sian Reid: What progress has the Council made in its campaign launched at the February Council [...] More ... ]]> 0.11913299560546875,52.205012238706566 2010-05-29 Locals Priced Out of Cherry Hinton Village Centre Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At Cambridge City Council’s annual meeting on the 27th of May 2010 Cherry Hinton councillor Robert Dryden (Labour) put the following oral question to the Leader of Cambridge City Council Sian Reid (Liberal Democrat): Has there been any progress with the investigation of restructuring the administration at the Cherry Hinton Village Centre on how it operates [...] More ... ]]> 0.17459571361541748,52.186858797901834 2010-05-29 Executive Councillor for Bins Reports Amount of Waste City Sends to Landfill has Fallen Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cllr Pit reports the amount of waste the city sends to landfill has decreased and that compostable material is being extracted from Black Bin waste. At Cambridge City Council’s annual meeting on the 27th of May 2010 Cllr Ian Nimmo-Smith put the following oral question to the Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services, Cllr Pitt: What [...] More ... ]]> 0.11909008026123047,52.20498856852454 2010-05-29 Cllr Cantrill Asked for Update on Strawberry and Raspberry Fairs Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A rather empty Midsummer Common - Calm before the storm? At Cambridge City Council’s annual meeting on the 27th of May 2010 Cllr Sarah Brown put the following oral question to the Executive Councillor for Arts and Recreation Cllr Cantrill: Could the Executive Councillor provide the council with an update on the event that may take place [...] More ... ]]> 0.12878894805908203,52.209287122426716 2010-05-29 Questions to the Cambridge City Council Executive - May 2010 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At full meetings of Cambridge City Council there is a section where councillors are able to ask oral questions of the Executive councillors. Questions are submitted in advance and are randomly ordered by officers prior to the meeting. As many questions as it is possible to get through in the half hour allocated are taken. [...] More ... ]]> 0.11915445327758789,52.2050543188876 2010-05-29 Julian Huppert’s Maiden Speech Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Julian Huppert’s Maiden Speech At 17.41 on Wednesday the 26th of May 2010 Cambridge’s newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert made his maiden speech to the House of Commons: Thank you for giving me this chance to speak so early in this Parliament, Mr Deputy Speaker. It is great to see you in the Chair. [...] More ... ]]> -0.12469053268432617,51.499765576546054 2010-05-27 Public Money Wasted on New Logo for Information Commissioner Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
While using the Information Commissioner’s Office website this evening I noticed that the ICO’s logo had been changed. The ICO have published a document on their website revealing they have spent £38,399.83 on the new “corporate image”. I am astonished at this shocking waste of public money, which has been spent while we are getting [...] More ... ]]> -2.2067627,53.3324673 2010-05-26 Regulation of Cambridge University College Accommodation Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Murray Edwards College Cambridge - Undergraduate Licence Agreement. The thirty-six colleges of Cambridge University have all, en-masse, decided to withdraw from the Universities UK (UUK) accommodation code of practice. By walking away from this code they have forfeited their exemption from having their accommodation licensed and regulated by Cambridge City Council. According to the UUK’s [...] More ... ]]> 0.11917591094970703,52.20493070820486 2010-05-25 Republican Julian Huppert to Ditch Principles and Take Oath to Queen Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I am writing this article on the day that new MPs, following the May 2010 election, will take their oaths to the Queen. In the UK only avowed monarchists can sit in the Houses of Parliament. Before taking their seats in the commons those we elect as MPs have to take an oath of allegiance [...] More ... ]]> -0.12481927871704102,51.49973618945328 2010-05-18 Where Parliamentary Candidates in Cambridge Disagree With Their Parties Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge No2ID, Amnesty International Cambridge and Cambridge Oxfam Group hustings held on the 22nd of April 2010 At the Cambridge No2ID, Amnesty International Cambridge and Cambridge Oxfam Group hustings held on the 22nd of April 2010 Cambridge’s candidates were asked where they disagree with their parties. They responded saying: Tony Juniper - Green Mr Juniper said that in [...] More ... ]]> 0.11818885803222656,52.20114594856988 2010-05-06 Green Tony Juniper’s View More People Should be Employed Obtaining Energy and Food Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the 28th of April 2010 at a hustings event organised by Transition Cambridge and the University of Cambridge Geography Department I asked: What do the panel think of the Green party candidate’s view that we should have, and it would be desirable to have, a greater fraction of our population working to obtain our food [...] More ... ]]> 0.11820495128631592,52.201370176135946 2010-05-05 Providing Open Space in the City as Cambridge Grows Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge Liberal Democrats prefer spending money enhancing existing spaces like Jesus Green, rather than requiring developers to provide new green space as the city grows. At Cambridge City Council’s full council meeting on the 22nd of April 2010 the Labour opposition challenged the ruling Liberal Democrats over a message they’ve been putting out during the local [...] More ... ]]> 0.08909225463867188,52.22054370754621 2010-04-26 Paramedics Slow to Reach Seriously Injured Man on Jesus Green Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The plane tree avenue on Jesus Green, where on the 16th of April a 31 year old pedestrian was seriously injured in a collision with a cyclist. On Friday the 16th of April, under the plane tree avenue on Jesus Green, a man was knocked over by a cyclist and suffered serious head injuries. While [...] More ... ]]> 0.1242828369140625,52.21202988004833 2010-04-22 The West Cambridge Sports Centre - A Key Issue for Student Voters in City Council Elections Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Artist’s impression of how the west Cambridge sports centre could look. On the 25th of March 2010 Cambridge City Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee discussed “Open Space and Recreation Projects” which could be funded by contributions made by developers in lieu of providing sufficient facilities when building in the city. During this discussion Labour opposition [...] More ... ]]> 0.0858306884765625,52.20850081677973 2010-04-21 Cambridge Hustings Events in Advance of the May 2010 Elections Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Hustings at Clare College. Left to right: Martin Booth, Cambridge Socialists; Daniel Zeichner, Labour; Julian Huppert, Liberal Democrats; Tony Juniper, Green Party; Nick Hillman, Conservatives. In Cambridge we are lucky that there are a large number of hustings events at which it is possible to hear from our parliamentary candidates in person. The below [...] More ... ]]> 0.1186823844909668,52.20091974685852 2010-04-20 May 2010 General Election Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Over the weekend I went down to the river in Cambridge and made a video in which I talk about my views about the upcoming general election. I’ve listened to what the candidates from the main parties are saying and I’m not convinced that I should be voting for any of them. Very few people [...] More ... ]]> 0.1158285140991211,52.19950596108069 2010-04-19 Cambridge Cycling Campaign Hustings - Blanket 20 MPH Limit for Residential Streets Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The Cambridge Cycling Campaign ran a parliamentary hustings event on the 6th of April 2010. One of key points discussed was 20 MPH speed limits in residential areas. Within Cambridge this is a matter which results in lots of passionate debate on both sides. Many members of ruling Liberal Democrat group on the City Council [...] More ... ]]> 0.12007713317871094,52.20831672979773 2010-04-13 Tuition Fees - General Election Spring 2010 - Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Tuition fees were thought to be a key factor during the last general election in Cambridge. The next parliament may well take key decisions on the subject so I think it is an area where it is important the candidate’s views are clear. I am publishing videos outlining my own views, as well as the [...] More ... ]]> 0.1072239875793457,52.20452831325914 2010-04-12 Government Wastes £2.4m Building Cycle Route Planner Instead of Linking to CycleStreets.net for Free Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
CycleStreets offers UK wide cycle route planning; it has received a few thousand pounds of public money. There has been a free online cycle route planner for Cambridge since the Cambridge Cycling Campaign Journey Planner was launched in 2006. The cycling campaign’s system has now become a nationwide project, CycleStreets, which suggests cycle friendly routes with [...] More ... ]]> 0.12802720069885254,52.201405355496775 2010-04-07 Opposing Plans to Build Homes on Cambridge Airport - Heart Radio Interview Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The approach of the general election is reinvigorating debate on the question of if houses ought be built on Cambridge airport. I’ve just been interviewed on Star Heart Radio about my views on the proposals to try and push Marshall off the Cambridge airport site and build houses on it. This was in the news today [...] More ... ]]> 0.1796865463256836,52.20712409049781 2010-03-31 Prompting a City Council Statement on Strawberry Fair Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A girl with a chicken’s head at the 2009 Strawberry Fair. At Cambridge City Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee on the 25th of March 2010 I asked a public question about the recently cancelled Strawberry Fair. I explained that I was using the public question to try and prompt a statement from the council and councillors [...] More ... ]]> 0.12964725494384766,52.20993009471283 2010-03-26 Digital Economy Bill Shouldn’t be Rushed Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The Digital Economy Bill has been returned to the Commons for a second reading; a date has not yet been set. I’ve written to Cambridge’s MP David Howarth (copying the Leader of the House) urging him not to allow the Digital Economy Bill to be rushed through Parliament: Dear Mr Howarth MP, I am writing [...] More ... ]]> -0.12546300888061523,51.50020370978522 2010-03-25 Friends of Midsummer Common 2010 AGM Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Midsummer Common - Cambridge On the 17th of March 2010 I and about thirty others attended an annual general meeting of the Friends of Midsummer Common. This was a meeting, open to all, which had been advertised on the common. Interesting Points Council officer Alistair Wilson reported that the Horse Chestnuts on Victoria avenue have only a year [...] More ... ]]> 0.12904644012451172,52.21073675530059 2010-03-21 South Cambridge Police Priorities - March 2010 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Police report to councillors at area committees and councillors approve policing priorities for the next few months. I observed Cambridge’s South Area committee on the 11th of March 2010 where the first thing councillors turned to was deciding policing priorities for the South of the city. The police presented their report on the last three months [...] More ... ]]> 0.13393878936767578,52.1878743867698 2010-03-12 City Council Propose Buying 11 and 12 Year Olds Local Secrets Discount Cards Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At Cambridge’s South Area Committee meeting on the 11th of March a proposal to spend a substantial amount of public money buying Local Secrets discount cards for all children in years 7 and 8 (11 and 12 year olds) was presented. Cllr Clare Blair, who made the proposal, explained that these cards would then [...] More ... ]]> 0.1293039321899414,52.20170750185328 2010-03-12 Tall Buildings in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Around 150 people attended a public event for Cambridge city residents to discuss the potential for tall buildings in the city. . On the 3rd of March I attended a series of talks, and a workshop, discussing tall buildings in Cambridge. Kati Preston, the wife of Cambridge City Council’s Historical Environment Manager, John Preston, explained [...] More ... ]]> 0.10818958282470703,52.20512598683298 2010-03-11 Castle County Councillor Belinda Brooks-Gordon Standing For Parliament in Haverhill Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A few days ago I noticed that Belinda Brooks-Gordon, the Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Castle Ward in Cambridge, had blocked me from following her on Twitter. This piqued my interest so I made sure I monitored her public twitter feed carefully. On Friday she posted a tweet saying she was in Haverhill and [...] More ... ]]> 0.10913372039794922,52.216355360935424 2010-03-08 Secret Meeting on Wednesday to Discuss Cycling And Parking on Church Street Chesterton Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cars often park illegally on Church Street in Chesterton. As part of a scheme to make the road more attractive to cyclists Cllr Clare Blair wants parking formally permitted. At the North Area committee on the 4th of March 2010 I asked a public question about consultation in relation to a proposed Arbury Park to Riverside [...] More ... ]]> 0.13930320739746094,52.21606021577003 2010-03-08 Councillors Approve Police Seizure of Cars Which Avoid Speed Humps Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Councillors approved police proposals to confiscate vehicles, like the one pictured, which swerve to avoid the Fen Road speed cushions. Drivers in North Cambridge who drive between, rather than over, speed cushions are to face confiscation of their vehicles under a new police priority approved by Liberal Democrat county and city councillors at the North [...] More ... ]]> 0.14816522598266602,52.21864677464997 2010-03-05 City Councillors Protest Publication of Police Strawberry Fair Video Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Did Councillors Gag the Local Paper? Update to article 17.00 5 March 2010 The Cambridge News published a video of the 2009 Strawberry Fair which had been presented by the police to a council licensing committee meeting on the 1st of March. Councillors objected to the publication of the video saying that it should not be made [...] More ... ]]> 0.1297760009765625,52.21030745886242 2010-03-05 Legal Action by Cambridge MP David Howarth Prompts Apology from Councillor Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Heavily Redacted Invoice for David Howarth’s Press Officer Ex. Liberal Democrat councillor John Hipkin, who is now an independent city councillor for Castle Ward, today wrote to recipients of his regular newsletter to issue an apology for an article in which he drew attention to some of Cambridge MP David Howarth’s expenses claims. Cllr Hipkin [...] More ... ]]> 0.1040804386138916,52.21818205962547 2010-03-03 Cambridge Colleges Open for Bed and Breakfast Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
It used to be only conference attendees and guests of college members who could stay in Cambridge’s colleges when visiting the city; the ability to book guest rooms was a significant perk of being a Cambridge academic. A new service, co-ordinated by “Conference Cambridge”, has been launched offering college rooms to the general public [...] More ... ]]> 0.11812448501586914,52.20293447842937 2010-03-01 Love Cambridge Considering Raising Taxes, Tackling Pigeons and Dealing With Unfriendly Customer Service Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the 23rd of February 2010 I attended the second members’ meeting of Cambridge’s City Centre management organisation: Love Cambridge. I am not a member but was invited to attend by Nicky Morrison, who serves as a director representing residents’ interests on the organisation’s board. Key Points Emma Thornton, Head of Love Cambridge, and the [...] More ... ]]> 0.12173742055892944,52.20339721578148 2010-02-26 Democracy Club - Bringing Openness and Accountability to Elections Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A meet-up of those interested in reinvigorating democracy and making the next election the most open and transparent ever is being held on Thursday the 25th of February from 19.30 in B-Bar, Market Passage, Cambridge. The Cambridge event, which is for those living in the surrounding region as well as city residents, is one of [...] More ... ]]> 0.1201629638671875,52.206357471089774 2010-02-23 Station Area Redevelopment On Hold as Infrastructure Payments Renegotiated Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
City Council Planners “Outwitted and Outflanked” by Station Area Developers Warns Ex Councillor. On the 18th of February 2010 Cambridge City Council’s Director of Planning, Simon Payne, was summoned to appear in-front of the East Area Committee. Councillors and members of the public wanted to grill the senior officer over payments the company behind the of [...] More ... ]]> 0.13698577880859375,52.19473689739565 2010-02-21 Richard Taylor - A Vision for Cambridge in 2020 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
My Vision of Cambridge in 2020 For anyone considering what Cambridge will look like in a decade’s time the city’s fringes, currently designated as development sites, have to be prime consideration. We’ve seen development in the North at Arbury Park building on other sites round the city is getting ever closer; though the fate of the [...] More ... ]]> 0.10720252990722656,52.23016515536297 2010-02-19 Labour Daniel Zeichner - A Vision for Cambridge in 2020 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Wednesday the 10th of February 2010 Cambridge’s Parliamentary Candidates from the Labour, Green, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties debated their “vision for Cambridge in 2020″ at an event hosted by the University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership at B-Bar on Market Passage. Each candidate from the main parties outlined their vision for [...] More ... ]]> 0.12042045593261719,52.20637062076504 2010-02-19 Green Tony Juniper - A Vision for Cambridge in 2020 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Wednesday the 10th of February 2010 Cambridge’s Parliamentary Candidates from the Labour, Green, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties debated their “vision for Cambridge in 2020″ at an event hosted by the University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership at B-Bar on Market Passage. Each candidate from the main parties outlined their vision for [...] More ... ]]> 0.12029170989990234,52.20641664459789 2010-02-19 Conservative Nick Hillman - A Vision for Cambridge in 2020 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Wednesday the 10th of February 2010 Cambridge’s Parliamentary Candidates from the Labour, Green, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties debated their “vision for Cambridge in 2020″ at an event hosted by the University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership at B-Bar on Market Passage. Each candidate from the main parties outlined their vision for [...] More ... ]]> 0.12029170989990234,52.20641664459789 2010-02-19 Labour Parliamentary Candidate Daniel Zeichner To Consider His Position on ID Cards Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
After the formal part of a hustings event held on the 10th of February I, along with Tim Green, Martin Lucas-Smith and others had the opportunity to ask Labour Parliamentary Candidate Daniel Zeichner about his position on ID Cards. In a previous article on my website I stated my opinion that a vote for Mr [...] More ... ]]> 0.12025415897369385,52.206403494936225 2010-02-15 Mrs Kesler Asks Cambridge City Council For Permission to Prune Her Apple Tree Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Owlstone Road, Newnham. Liberal Democrats ruling Cambridge City Council appear hell-bent on making the city an impractical and expensive place to live and do business in. Expanding the areas of the city which are covered by conservation areas is one of the ways in which decisions made by the local council have a damaging effect [...] More ... ]]> 0.11113196611404419,52.19429215513533 2010-02-10 Cambridgeshire Police Authority at the February 2010 West Central Area Committee Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridgeshire Police Authority gave a presentation at the West / Central Area committee on the 4th of February 2010. While it wasn’t clear from the meeting I believe the intention may have been that it forms part of a consultation process before the Police Authority decide how much they’re going to charge us though [...] More ... ]]> 0.09683847427368164,52.2059629790219 2010-02-10 Improving Public Access to Cambridgeshire Police Authority Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
For over a year now I have been lobbying for improvements in the way in which public questions to the Cambridgeshire Police Authority are handled. I have written to the Chief Executive and chair of the authority, spoken at the police authority in person to press the need for improvements to members, and have [...] More ... ]]> -0.19577980041503906,52.330453467697346 2010-02-10 New Dispersal Zone for Sidney Street and the Market Square Discussed Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The door into the West/Central area committee. Council rules prevented me from taking a more interesting photo showing councillors and the police inside the meeting. On the 4th of February I observed the West Central area committee where councillors were considering, at an early stage, the possibility of a new dispersal zone in the city centre. [...] More ... ]]> 0.12049555778503418,52.20650014493883 2010-02-06 Youths Still Riding Scooters Dangerously in Arbury Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
This scooter was being ridden dangerously through Arbury today. Earlier today a scooter screamed past me as I was cycling home. A older teen was driving and an apparently younger boy, without a helmet, was clinging onto the back. The passenger was highly animated and shouting. As the bike tore down Carlton Way; not [...] More ... ]]> 0.12723326683044434,52.224151994795584 2010-02-05 City Council Consulting on Its Proposal to Deface Riverbank Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Illustrative design of potential mooring bollards; Cambridge City Council is currently consulting on if these should be installed along the riverbank on Midsummer Common, Jesus Green and Stourbridge Common. Cambridge City Council is currently running a consultation on mooring on the River Cam. A River Frontage Management Questionnaire is available as a Microsoft [...] More ... ]]> 0.11914372444152832,52.21248808510994 2010-02-05 Should We Buy Our Councillors iPads? Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Councillors are eyeing up the iPad and asking us if we’d like to buy them one. Photo derived from image by: Glenn Fleishman (licence) It looks as if Cambridge City Councillors have been so impressed by the launch of the iPad, the latest desirable consumer electronics gadget from Apple, last week that [...] More ... ]]> 0.11915445327758789,52.205006978555716 2010-02-04 Cambridge Dispersal Zone Renewed and Shrunk Without Discussion Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Red - Area of Current Dispersal Zone from 3 Jan 2010 Blue - Area of Previous Dispersal Zone to 3 Jan 2010 Note: East Road itself was excluded from the previous zone. View Via Google Maps On the 18th of January 2010 I attended Cambridge City Council’s Strategy and Resources committee to ask about council leader Ian Nimmo-Smith’s recent [...] More ... ]]> 0.13771533966064453,52.20262806645155 2010-02-03 Electronic Advertising Screens and CCTV in Cambridge Taxis Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge Taxi Cambridge City Council’s standard conditions on “Advertising and Livery on Licensed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles” were amended at a licensing committee meeting on the 25th of January 2010. The item had been placed on the councillors’ agenda following a letter from Alex Sharifi who is promoting a system called Cabcast; a [...] More ... ]]> 0.1217883825302124,52.20525518576444 2010-01-29 Jesus Green Update - January 2010 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Plane Tree Avenue, Jesus Green, Cambridge Key Points There is a current planning application to give the SkatePark permanent planning permission; it currently only has temporary permission,. It is unclear if the council’s proposals to expand the park would need a further application. Councillors have been dissuaded from tarmacing over more of the green [...] More ... ]]> 0.12296319007873535,52.21252884354629 2010-01-27 Reporting Cycle Crime at Cambridge Station Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The pannier rack was left hanging off my bike after I left it Cambridge station for the day. Last week I left my bike parked during the day at Cambridge station. As is regrettably necessary in this area of the city I had left it locked to a stand with a hefty D-Lock [...] More ... ]]> 0.13604164123535156,52.19453433862676 2010-01-27 Asking Cambridge City Council To Routinely Release Results of Food Premises Inspections Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridge City Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee on the 14th of January 2010. I used the fact the city council allows members of the public to speak at council meetings to ask the Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health, councillor Clare Blair, about how the council makes the results of its inspections [...] More ... ]]> 0.11915445327758789,52.205009608731544 2010-01-26 Where Council Tax Goes Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council Keeps 11.6% of the Council Tax It Collects I have just written to Cambridge City Council’s web-team and the major party leaders on the City Council: Dear Cambridge City Council Web Team, I would like to suggest that Cambridge City Council does more to make the 2009/10 “Council Tax Leaflet”, which is available from the [...] More ... ]]> 0.1242828369140625,52.20216252604854 2010-01-24 Observing History - Heathrow Robbery Trial Starts Without Jury Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Observing History - Heathrow Robbery Trial Starts Without Jury Supporters of the defendants in the UK’s first modern criminal trial where a jury has been denied placed banners on the railings outside the Royal Courts of Justice. This morning I went to the Royal Courts of Justice to personally witness the start of the first modern [...] More ... ]]> -0.11485755443572998,51.51419003370195 2010-01-12 Cambridge Bus Service Reduced to Meet Emissions Targets Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The frequency of the Citi 2 Bus to Addenbrooke’s has been reduced; apparently as a result of misguided attempts to tackle climate change. At the North Area Committee on the 7th of January 2010 Cllr Armstrong reported briefly on a meeting with Andy Campbell, Managing Director of Stagecoach in Cambridge. The reductions in the frequency [...] More ... ]]> 0.1384449005126953,52.223367267202434 2010-01-11 Vie Residents Highlight Poor Planning Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Residents of the Vie development in Cambridge are highlighting problems which councillors ought to have addressed during the planning process. In September 2008 Ian Manning used mySociety’s Pledgebank website to help start a residents association for those living in the Vie development in Chesterton. Mr Manning is currently chair of the association; he emailed [...] More ... ]]> 0.14059066772460938,52.215886020455315 2010-01-11 Councillors Give Permission for Chesterton Road Co-Op Move Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Thursday the 7th of January I attended the North Area Committee, where councillors were considering an application for planning permission to turn the ex car showroom on Chesterton Road into a shop. The Co-Op are proposing to move their shop to the other side of the road. All councillors were in agreement that the [...] More ... ]]> 0.12748003005981445,52.21505776073444 2010-01-11 Conservative County Council Responsible for Snow and Ice Say City Lib Dems Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Searle Street is one of many Cambridge streets where both the road and pavements have been coved by a sheet of ice for many weeks this winter.. Last night I attended the North Area Committee where the state of gritting in Cambridge was discussed. Key Points City Council Leader, Liberal Democrat, Ian Nimmo-Smith revealed the city and [...] More ... ]]> 0.1417064666748047,52.21200884356682 2010-01-08 First Modern Criminal Trial Without Jury Set for January 12th 2010 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The Royal Courts of Justice. The country’s great cathedral of justice is reduced to a mere reminder of a past era by the government’s erosion of the right to trial by jury. (Photo credit: antmoose) The first criminal trial without a jury in modern times is to begin on Tuesday the 12th of January 2009. [...] More ... ]]> -0.11384904384613037,51.51414763610258 2010-01-08 Minister Phil Woolas Fails to Show Up for ID Card Expansion Event in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Gathering outside Cambridge’s Post Office where minister Phil Woolas was supposed to launch an expansion of the ID Card and National Identity Register. At 8am this morning I joined about thirty others outside the main post office in Cambridge waiting to greet Labour Minister Phil Woolas who was scheduled to be arriving for an event launching [...] More ... ]]> 0.1226922869682312,52.20426448631673 2010-01-06 Cambridge Lib Dems Fail to Shortlist Credible Candidate Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Despite presiding over mass fellings of healthy trees and substantial folk festival losses Cambridge City Councillor Julie Smith appears to be the best the Liberal Democrats can come up with to stand for election as Cambridge’s MP. On Tuesday the 15th of December 2009 Cambridge Liberal Democrats announced the six person shortlist from which they will [...] More ... ]]> 0.10441303253173828,52.20520554475465 2010-01-05 Police Not Railings To Tackle Round Church Problems Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
For the second time councillors rejected proposals to reinstate railings around the Round Church in Cambridge. At Cambridge City Council’s West-Central Area Committee on the 10th of December 2009 councillors rejected a proposal to contribute public funds to the reinstatement of the railings around the Round Church in central Cambridge. Councillors had rejected the idea [...] More ... ]]> 0.11883258819580078,52.208433099237425 2009-12-17 Single Streetlight Foils Four Wannabe MPs Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
All elected representatives in West/Central Cambridge want a street-light under this archway, yet the county council refuse to fund the electricity. Four of of the six Liberal Democrats who are seeking to be the Lib Dem candidate for Cambridge in the forthcoming general election took part, as councillors, in the West / Central Area committee [...] More ... ]]> 0.1289069652557373,52.203580830072426 2009-12-16 Nick Hillman Selected as Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the morning of the 12th of December 2009 I attended the Cambridge Conservative “caucus” which selected Nick Hillman as the Prospective Conservative Party Candidate for Cambridge in the next general election. The meeting was open to any resident of Cambridge who had registered to attend. Six candidates had been short-listed for the position [...] More ... ]]> 0.1192617416381836,52.20499908882994 2009-12-12 Jesus Green Playground May Remain Desolate Till 2011 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The area of the playground on Jesus Green which is intended for younger children is rather desolate as old equipment has been removed. The city council may not improve matters before spring 2011. The play-area for younger children on Jesus Green is rather desolate at the moment as a number of pieces of play equipment [...] More ... ]]> 0.12435793876647949,52.213089061642215 2009-12-11 Councillors Refuse Permission for More Floodlights at Tennis Club Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
This evening I watched councillors refuse a planning application from Cambridge Tennis Club on Wilberforce Road. The club had applied for permission to put up floodlights on three currently unlit courts. The Vote Cambridge City Council don’t record which why councillors vote, even on matters of substantial public interest such as this application. I have therefore [...] More ... ]]> 0.09632349014282227,52.20814184641823 2009-12-11 Jesus Green Association AGM 2009 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Repairing the path under the avenue of plane trees on Jesus Green is at last high up the city council’s list of priorities. On Thursday the 3rd of December 2009 I attended the Jesus Green Association’s Annual General Meeting. This was a public meeting, open to all, which had been advertised by email, on posters [...] More ... ]]> 0.12217998504638672,52.21188525142881 2009-12-10 MP Condemns Hyperlocal Websites as Purveyors of Tittle Tattle and Opinion Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Adrian Sanders MP dismissed websites as ‘Tittle Tattle’ during a session of the House of Commons’ Culture Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday 8 December 2009. In a shocking exchange at the House of Commons’ Culture Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday the 8th of December 2009 Adrian Sanders MP (Liberal Democrat, Torbay) dismissed [...] More ... ]]> -0.12408971786499023,51.5003105711058 2009-12-09 Prospective Conservative Candidates for Cambridge Announced Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Those running in Cambridge’s “open primary” to select a Conservative Parliamentary Candidate have been announced: Nick Hillman The leading candidate appears to me to be Nick Hillman. Mr Hillman is the only one of those standing to have a personal / political website though even he only started his blog a week or so ago. [...] More ... ]]> 0.11913299560546875,52.204942543613825 2009-12-07 Gritting Riverside Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Riverside in Cambridge is treacherous when it’s icy but the councils are refusing to grit it. Photo: Cambridge Cycling Campaign (license) On the 12th of November 2009 I attended Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee. I asked City and County Councillors if Riverside would be gritted this winter. This area was a problem in icy [...] More ... ]]> 0.14174938201904297,52.211806363512515 2009-12-03 Taming Guerrillas Could Save Cambridge City Council Money Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
There are currently patches of bare soil outside the shops in Akeman Street, Arbury. At the North Area Committee on the 12th of November 2009 Cambridge City Councillors agreed to spend an incredible £4,750 on replacing plants on a tiny plot of land in-front of the shops on Akeman Street. Councillors were told that [...] More ... ]]> 0.11655807495117188,52.219273836490416 2009-11-25 Protest Against Increasing University Top-Up Fees Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Thursday the 26th of November students from all Cambridge’s universities are holding a protest against the levels of debt many students get in during their courses as a result of high, and increasing, tuition fees. The protest is to involve a walk through the city centre starting in East Road at midday and is [...] More ... ]]> 0.1334238052368164,52.203916824290815 2009-11-24 Police Ought Focus More on Criminals and Less on Those Reporting Crime Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridgeshire Police can’t cope with leaving questions on forms blank, even when they are irrelevant. I attended Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee on the 12th of November 2009. During the policing agenda item members of the public are given the opportunity to ask questions of the police and make suggestions. Councillors then vote [...] More ... ]]> 0.1293039321899414,52.22547824631983 2009-11-23 Ministers Given Power to Replace Inquests with Secret Inquiries Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Last week the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 was passed by Parliament. The act gives ministers the power to order an secret inquiry, without a jury, be held instead of a coroner’s inquest. I think inquests should be open, public, processes during which the circumstances of a death are determined discussed. An outcome should be [...] More ... ]]> -0.12454032897949219,51.5002791805972 2009-11-23 Will PCSOs Throughout Cambridge Wear Video Cameras? Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Earlier this evening I attended Cambridge’s South Area Committee in the British Legion Hall on Fisher Lane in Cherry Hinton. When the police attend area committee meetings the public are able to ask questions and make suggestions before councillors set the local policing priorities. I think this local democratic influence over policing is fantastic, [...] More ... ]]> 0.1765429973602295,52.18762641158689 2009-11-20 Should Lone Parents of Under 5s Have Their Benefits Cut if they Don’t Attend Government Courses? Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A couple of days ago I started a thread on the discussion site Mumsnet. I had been following a debate in parliament which had cumulated in Labour MPs voting to cut the benefits of lone parents of under 5s who won’t attend government run “back to work” courses. My post was removed from the site, [...] More ... ]]> -0.12460470199584961,51.49980297856958 2009-11-16 Keeping Marshall Flying at Cambridge - A Walk Around the Airport Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
More than 50 People Joined a Walk Around Marshall Airport in Cambridge on the 15th of November to Express Support for the Company Continuing to Fly from the Airport. On Sunday the 15th of November I joined a group of over fifty people who walked around Marshall Airport in Cambridge to show support for the company [...] More ... ]]> 0.1774120330810547,52.206362730880095 2009-11-16 Looking at How MPs Vote Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
In an effort to get a clearer picture of what MPs are doing in Parliament I have created an interactive table showing votes where parties have abstained and votes which have split parties. (Image:MONET) I’ve created an interactive table showing all House of Commons votes since the last general election. Using this it is possible to [...] More ... ]]> -0.12480318546295166,51.50050475697683 2009-11-09 Cambridge Parliamentary Hustings Focusing on Growth Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Top: Richard Normington, Daniel Zeichner. Bottom: Tony Juniper, Ian Nimmo-Smith. On the evening of Friday the 23rd of October I attended a hustings for prospective Cambridge Parliamentary Candidates run by the Federation of Cambridge Residents Associations with the cooperation of Cambridge Past Present and Future. The event focused on the subject of planned [...] More ... ]]> 0.11819958686828613,52.20158190927725 2009-10-27 Cambridge City Council Harassing Students for Council Tax Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Given the importance of research students to the City of Cambridge it is astonishing that the City Council has recently increased the level of harassment to which they subject those working towards a PhD. The council is sending council tax bills to research students. This has been a problem for many years, but in [...] More ... ]]> 0.11750221252441406,52.20220197878699 2009-10-21 Explosion of Complexity and Bureaucracy As City Council Introduces CCTV Policy Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Some residents of Martingale Close in Arbury Were Surprised when Cambridge City Council Deployed CCTV Cameras Outside Their Windows. At Cambridge City Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee on Monday the 12th of October councillors will consider adopting their first “corporate and unified” CCTV policy. I have been actively encouraging Cambridge City Council to improve the way [...] More ... ]]> 0.11954069137573242,52.20485443772304 2009-10-08 No Councillors or Council Officers Turn Up for Public Meeting on Tree Strategy Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
This year a large number of trees have been felled by the City Council in Cambridge. There are no long term plans for tree planting on the city’s green spaces. On the evening of the first of October I turned up at Parkside Pools for a City Council public meeting to discuss the tree strategy [...] More ... ]]> 0.12926101684570312,52.209338403077886 2009-10-08 Secrecy Surrounding Contract to Sort Cambridge’s Recycling in Peterborough Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
New blue bins for mixed recycling are to be distributed in Cambridge next month. Details of the city’s contract for dealing with the recycling have not been made public. On the morning of the 6th of October 2009 I attended Cambridge City Council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee. I used the opportunity for members of the public [...] More ... ]]> 0.11921882629394531,52.20488994279755 2009-10-07 Kevin Wilkins Replaces Ruth Joyce as FOI Lead on Cambs Police Authority Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Kevin Wilkins, Liberal Democrat County Councillor for West Chesterton in Cambridge, is the Police Authority’s new lead member on Freedom of Information. Unelected appointee Ruth Joyce was removed from her position as the police authority’s lead member for freedom of information during an authority meeting on the 30th of September 2009 . I have been [...] More ... ]]> -0.1961660385131836,52.33010335116278 2009-10-06 Addenbrookes Security Threatening People With Fixed Penalties Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A progress report on a trial involving security staff at Addenbrooke’s hospital being given police powers, including the ability to administer summary justice via fixed penalty tickets, was presented to Cambridgeshire Police Authority on the 30th of September 2009. It revealed that only “managers” had been given the powers and the powers had not [...] More ... ]]> 0.1425647735595703,52.176126604714646 2009-10-06 Unbelievable Presentation on Blue Recycling Bins Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A third, blue, bin for recyclable waste is due to be introduced to Cambridge shortly. I attended Cambridge City Council’s South Area Committee on the evening of Thursday the 24th of September 2009. One of the items on the agenda was an update and Q&A on Cambridge’s new co-mingled recycling which will involve those who [...] More ... ]]> 0.11919736862182617,52.2050326213588 2009-09-25 Cambridgeshire Horizons: A14 - Marshall Move - House Building Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I observed a Cambridgeshire Horizons Board Meeting which was held in South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cambourne Offices (Pictured) On the morning of the 24th of September 2009 I attended a Cambridgeshire Horizons board meeting. Cambridgeshire Horizons describes what it does as project managing the delivery of the growth strategy for Cambridgeshire. It is an organisation with [...] More ... ]]> 0.17955780029296875,52.20460852960012 2009-09-24 Cambridgeshire NHS PCT Board Meeting and AGM Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Chief Executive Chris Banks presents his report to the Cambridgeshire NHS PCT AGM. This evening I attended a board meeting of Cambridgeshire NHS PCT followed by their AGM. The event was held at the South Fens Business Centre in Chatteris. I used the opportunity available for members of the public to speak to at [...] More ... ]]> 0.04905223846435547,52.4639586821403 2009-09-24 Removing the Royals from Government in Britain Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Royals still have a significant influence in the governance of Britain. (Source: UK Parliament on Flickr / CC license) On Saturday the 19th of September, along with fellow WhatDoTheyKnow.com volunteer John Cross, I gave a FOI workshop at an activists day for Republic, the campaign for an elected head of state in the UK. The event [...] More ... ]]> -0.14189958572387695,51.50136313955386 2009-09-23 Cllr Julie Smith Speaks in Favour of More Spin and Media Management at Lib Dem Conference Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I have just watched Cambridge Liberal Democrat Councillor Julie Smith’s few seconds on the stage at the Liberal Democrat party conference. Only at a Liberal Democrat conference could someone give such a muddled and internally inconsistent speech and receive rapturous applause. Cllr Smith told the conference that she is a member of the party’s [...] More ... ]]> -1.8632125854492188,50.71505854575372 2009-09-22 Management of the Trees between Templemore Close and Holbrook Road Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Drastic crown reduction has taken place at one end of a previously magnificent line of trees between Templemore Close and Holbrook Road. Earlier today someone living near Glebe Road in Cambridge phoned me up to talk about tree works being carried out at the back of Templemore Close. Templemore Close is a small cul-de-sac of infill [...] More ... ]]> 0.1437664031982422,52.181177913194304 2009-09-18 Pelican Crossing Replacements in Coleridge and Cherry Hinton Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Work underway on the pelican crossing in High Street, Cherry Hinton. During the Open Forum section of Cambridge City Council’s East Area Committee on the 3rd of September resident James Woodburn raised the subject of pelican crossing refurbishment in the area. He drew councillors’ attention to the fact that one on Cherry Hinton road had [...] More ... ]]> 0.17389297485351562,52.1873758038017 2009-09-14 More Openness in Respect of UK Injuries in Afghanistan Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The response to a freedom of information request I made to the MoD reveals forty seven UK casualties injured in Afghanistan have suffered a traumatic or surgical amputation. I believe it is very important that the British public, and particularly MPs, are aware of the serious injuries which have been suffered by UK personnel in Afghanistan. [...] More ... ]]> -0.1261603832244873,51.505227914969026 2009-09-10 Suggestions to Save Public Money - Cut Obsolete Newspaper Adverts Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council’s £2,000 for a short stretch of double yellow lines on St. Margaret’s Square makes a small contribution to the over £20,000,000 annual national cost of publishing highways notices in newspapers. Using the Freedom of Information website WhatDoTheyKnow.com I asked my local Highways Authority (Cambridgeshire County Council) and the Highways Agency how much they [...] More ... ]]> 0.14816522598266602,52.187164003384815 2009-09-09 Proposals to Improve Cycleways Around Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Many people cycled, walked, and drove to Horningsea Village Hall to discuss plans for new cycleways. On Tuesday the 25th of August I went to Horningsea Village Hall to look at the County Council’s plans for new cycle ways around Cambridge, which include proposals to improve the road between Fen Ditton and Horningsea [...] More ... ]]> 0.18303394317626953,52.23562426864688 2009-09-08 Cambridge Councillors Ask Police to Tackle Speeding Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Police Sergeant Mark Kathro conducting speed checks in the East of Cambridge. I have recently observed councillors at Cambridge City Council’s North, West Central and East Area Committees discuss speeding enforcement with the police. In the North councillors have requested data be collected on speeding on Northfields Avenue and Kings Hedges Road, and have [...] More ... ]]> 0.1457834243774414,52.19015937695919 2009-09-08 A Walk Round Lammas Land With a City Council Tree Officer Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council tree officer Kenny McGregor explains why he thinks a tree ought be felled. Cllr Julie Smith, who will decide the tree’s fate, looks on. On Thursday the 3rd of September I attended a public walk-round of Lammas Land with, Kenny McGregor, one of Cambridge City Council’s tree officers. Cllr Julie Smith, the Executive [...] More ... ]]> 0.1117086410522461,52.19687159650031 2009-09-07 The Red Arrows Visit Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The Royal Air Force aerobatic display team, The Red Arrows, landed at Marshall Airport in Cambridge both before and after their appearance at the Duxford Airshow on Saturday the 5th of September. Prior to the display the Red Arrows flew over the city, including performing a fly-past for the CUFC game.         [...] More ... ]]> 0.16463398933410645,52.19939877463765 2009-09-06 Practical Places to Live Verses Conservation Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
An application to put a front dormer window in the roof of 7 Pretoria Road, and build a rear roof extension, was considered at Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee on the 27th of August 2009. The house is in the recently introduced “De Freville Avenue” conservation area. Other houses on the street [...] More ... ]]> 0.1286602020263672,52.21422948556911 2009-09-05 City Council Considering Felling Trees in front of Campkin Road Tesco Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council is Considering Felling Two Trees in front of Tesco on Campkin Road in Cambridge. At Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee on the 27th of August 2009 I observed councillors receive an update on plans for the area infront of Tesco on Campkin Road. The roots of the trees are making the [...] More ... ]]> 0.1363527774810791,52.2298477596855 2009-08-30 Cambridgeshire PCT Board Fail to Grasp Opportunity to Improve Out Of Hours GP Service Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the 26th of August 2009 The Cambridgeshire NHS PCT Board met in Cambridge’s Masonic Lodge. I attended Cambridgeshire NHS Primary Care Trust’s board meeting on the 26th of August 2009. One of the major items of business was to approve a specification for the provision of out of hours GP (and emergency dental) services [...] More ... ]]> 0.12414336204528809,52.19540178207518 2009-08-26 Determining Planning Applications At Area Committees - A Good Idea? Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The installation of a Mikvah at 37A Castle Street was one of three planning applications considered by the West/Central Area Committee on the 20th of August 2009. In Cambridge smaller planning applications which affect only one area of the city are decided at area committees. I observed the consideration of the following applications by the West/Central [...] More ... ]]> 0.11338233947753906,52.21128175231661 2009-08-23 Cllr Julie Smith Flailing in Efforts to Bring City Council Chainsaws Under Democratic Control Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
These two substantial trees at the junction of Newnham Road and Barton Road may be felled according to council plans. In April 2009 I was present at a West/Central area committee where Julie Smith, Cambridge City Council’s Executive Councillor for Arts and Recreation (a portfolio which includes the city’s green spaces) gave clear instructions to the [...] More ... ]]> 0.1110219955444336,52.19663616628689 2009-08-23 Asking Councillors to Ensure People Detained in Parkside are Treated Properly Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I am concerned by a report which found those detained in Cambridge’s Parkside police station were not being kept in a safe environment and not being offered appropriate access to medical care and food. In my recent article on a damning report into police custody in Cambridgeshire by HM Inspectorate of Prisons and HM Inspectorate [...] More ... ]]> 0.13023734092712402,52.20309688903632 2009-08-23 Asking Questions About The Police’s Attitude to Photographers in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Youths with an off-road motorbike look for more youths with similar vehicles on French’s Road, Arbury. On Thursday the 20th of August I attended Cambridge City Council’s West/Central Area Committee. Part of the meeting was dedicated to allowing members of the public ask questions of the police. PC Simon Railer gave the police [...] More ... ]]> 0.11441230773925781,52.21666693682333 2009-08-23 Inept Police Target Traffic Jams During Botched Attempt to Tackle Speeding Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
PC Julian Haynes and his Cambridgeshire Police colleagues have been out looking for speeding drivers in Cambridge’s traffic jams. Cambridge City Council’s East Area Committee will be meeting at 19.00 on Thursday the 3rd of September 2009. One of the things the city and county councillors for Romsey, Coleridge, Abbey and Petersfield will have [...] More ... ]]> 0.15209197998046875,52.19673086473534 2009-08-22 No Immediate Enforcement Action to be Taken Against Mill Road Tesco Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the 20th of August 2009 I attended a special Cambridge City Council East Area committee meeting which had been called to decide the council’s response to statements by Tesco indicating their intent to ignore planning conditions relating to their Mill Road store. The conditions state that deliveries of goods have to be made [...] More ... ]]> 0.14475345611572266,52.19785144598311 2009-08-20 Councillors Approve Parker’s Piece Ice-Rink for 2009 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
In 2008 the ice rink and stalls were very close to the paths bringing those trying to pass through into conflict with shoppers. (Photo - CycleStreets [license] During Cambridge City Council’s planning committee on the 19th of August 2009 councillors approved plans for an ice-rink, market, and fair-ground ride to be placed on Parker’s [...] More ... ]]> 0.1269221305847168,52.20174300984357 2009-08-20 Tree Preservation Order Placed on Tree Behind Councillor’s House Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
This ash tree in the garden of 16 Corona Road is now protected by a Tree Preservation Order. A planning application to redevelop the site from which photograph was taken is anticipated. On the morning of the 19th of August 2009 I observed Cambridge City Council’s planning committee (well the five of them who turned [...] More ... ]]> 0.12398779392242432,52.214984465418325 2009-08-19 Mill Road Tesco - Application for Alcohol Licence Refused Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Councillors rejected Tesco’s application to sell alcohol in their new Mill Road store. City Council rules forbid photography at meetings without permission so this photograph was not taken during the meeting. On the the 17th of August 2009 I observed a Cambridge City Council licensing committee comprising Cllr Benstead, Cllr McGovern and [...] More ... ]]> 0.14453887939453125,52.19781988058497 2009-08-17 Planning and Licensing Challenges Face Mill Road Tesco Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Shopfitting work is underway inside the shop on Mill Road which is due to open as a Tesco store on Saturday the 26th of August. Tesco is proposing to open their new store on Mill Road, Cambridge, on the 26th of August 2009. The store is to be smaller than Tesco wanted as their [...] More ... ]]> 0.1446676254272461,52.19781461958276 2009-08-12 Cambridge City Council’s Spending on Trees and Open Spaces Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A cow enjoys munching on a tree at Midsummer Common in Cambridge. During the open period under the Audit Commission Act 1998 I visited the accounts department of Cambridge City Council to inspect the council’s accounts (I had written them first to let them know I was coming). Having written about this on my website I [...] More ... ]]> 0.1627349853515625,52.18761522966866 2009-08-11 Cambridge City Council Plans to Fell Eighteen Trees on Lammas Land Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Consultation documents relating to Cambridge City Council’s proposed tree works on Lammas Land reveal the two substantial trees near the junction of Newnham Road and Barton Road may be felled. Cambridge City Council has plans to conduct major tree works on Lammas Land; the area between the City Centre and Newnham bounded by [...] More ... ]]> 0.11256694793701172,52.197255647343425 2009-08-11 Police Custody in Cambridge Condemned by Inspectorate Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridgeshire police say criticisms of uncaring attitudes amongst custody staff have caused great distress to the force. I am more concerned about those detained not being kept in a safe environment, not being offered access to medical care and not being given food. On the 4th of August 2009 a damming report into police custody [...] More ... ]]> 0.13052701950073242,52.203118587710954 2009-08-10 Looking At Some of The Detail in Cambridge City Council’s Accounts Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Geoff Jones and I Visited Cambridge City Council’s Finance Offices to Look Through the Council’s Accounts. For twenty working days a year the Audit Commission Act 1998 allows people to go into local councils and inspect their accounts, including all documents such as invoices and contracts from which those accounts derive. Cambridge City Council’s open [...] More ... ]]> 0.12134313583374023,52.20520028442605 2009-07-25 Cambridge City Council Decide to Make a Huge Leap Forward In Terms of Openness and Transparency Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A buffet was provided for councillors and officers during a break in the meeting. I was hungry so I took up an offer of a sandwich. There were no professional press present. I guess I got the sandwich which would have otherwise been offered to them. (Photos of the meeting itsself were not permitted) I attended [...] More ... ]]> 0.11891841888427734,52.20473740116179 2009-07-17 Cambridge City Council’s 2008/9 Accounts, Receipts, Invoices and Contracts Opened to the Public Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
More ... ]]> 0.120849609375,52.20495043334965 2009-07-08 Chesterton Road Zebra Crossing - Lighting Maintenance Problems Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The zebra crossing on Chesterton Road between Carlyle Road and the Jesus Lock footbridge has been an accident blackspot, however following the installation of fantastic quality floodlighting and orange LED halos around the belisha beacons (Zebrite Belisha Beacons ) the number of incidents appears to have been falling. From what I can glean from the [...] More ... ]]> 0.12044191360473633,52.21314218646998 2009-07-08 Abandoned Cycles Clogging Cycle Parking at Babraham Road Park and Ride Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
There are lots of bikes parked around the Babraham Road park and ride site’s car-park, the official bike parking area is full. In the mornings as many people now cycle or walk from the site as get the bus. I recently visited the Babraham Road park and ride site and was a surprised to see [...] More ... ]]> 0.1585078239440918,52.169128299226024 2009-07-07 Association of Police Authorities’ Advert for New Chief Exec. Highlights Influence of Organisation Not Subject to FOI Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The front page of the appointments section of the Sunday Times on the 5th of July 2009 carried an advert for a new Chief Executive of the Association of Police Authorities (APA). The APA is one of many organisations which are publically funded and have a substantial influence on the way the British state [...] More ... ]]> -0.13449668884277344,51.49638726793612 2009-07-06 Ideas Sought to Improve A Stretch of Milton Road Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
This stretch of Milton Road in Cambridge could be made safer. The photograph shows faded and battered cycle lane signage. At Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee on the 2nd of July 2009 Cllr Boyce asked for ideas for how the council could spend some of its “Environmental Improvements” budget on Milton Road. I believe [...] More ... ]]> 0.13325214385986328,52.21989563088869 2009-07-06 Asking the Police to Record The Costs of Crime Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I am concerned Cambridgeshire Police are not recording the costs of criminal damage like this. During Sgt. Wragg’s update on North Area policing at Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee on the 2nd of July 2009 he said he had received no suggestions on ways to improve the police’s regular reports. When he invited me to [...] More ... ]]> 0.11595726013183594,52.21762137169521 2009-07-03 Police Claim 20mph Average Speed on Water Street / Fen Road in Chesterton Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
During June 2009 Cambridgeshire Police Monitored Speeding Through the Speed Cushions on Water Street, Chesterton. I attended Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee on the 2nd of July 2009. Sgt. Wragg of Cambridgeshire Police gave an update on policing North Cambridge as an introduction to the agenda item during which policing is discussed by councillors and [...] More ... ]]> 0.14796137809753418,52.21862442621592 2009-07-03 Giving Evidence to the Cambridgeshire Transport Commission Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridgeshire Transport Commissioners Brian Briscoe and Tony Travers heard from the police, academics, and city residents at a session on the 25th of June 2009. On the 25th of June 2009 the Cambridgeshire Transport Commission held an evidence gathering session in the University Centre. I was one of a number of Cambridge residents asked, on the [...] More ... ]]> 0.11642932891845703,52.20108019222314 2009-07-02 Commenting on Government Plans to Regulate Banks and Reign in Personal Debt Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
In white paper to be published next week the UK Government is reportedly going to announce new plans to regulate the banking sector. A key feature will be increasing the amount of capital banks are required to hold, in particular the minimum amount of liquid capital banks are required to hold will be increased. [...] More ... ]]> -0.12786626815795898,51.50170174622178 2009-07-02 Highlights from an Audit Meeting: Cambridge City Council Pays its Chief Executive £120,000 and is Still Collecting Poll Tax from Four People Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council’s Chief Executive was paid at least £120,000 in 2008/9. Cambridge City Council’s Civic Affairs Committee met on the 24th of June 2009. The committee is the council’s audit committee, they were reviewing the council’s accounts and audit reports. Often at a council meeting one word will be picked on and over-used by all [...] More ... ]]> 0.11917591094970703,52.20498593874878 2009-06-29 Cash Injection for More Affordable Housing Prompts Restart of Arbury Park Building Work Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Some homes at Arbury Park are very close to the busy A14 dual carriageway. There are proposals both to widen the road and to build homes even closer to it. Building work has restarted at Arbury Park in North Cambridge; this has been prompted by a relaxation of the rules intended to ensure that the [...] More ... ]]> 0.119476318359375,52.233726665317874 2009-06-28 Members’ Inquiry into Folk Festival Approved Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council lost almost £650,000 of public money after the company it appointed to run the online ticket sales for the 2008 Folk Festival failed to hand over any money. I have written a number of articles following the council’s attempts to understand what went wrong so that similar disasters can be avoided [...] More ... ]]> 0.1650524139404297,52.18562480001307 2009-06-27 Trees Just Large Weeds Made Out of Wood Says Councillor Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The Paradise Nature Reserve Often Looks A Little Overgrown and Wild Photo from CycleStreets (license) On Monday the 22nd of June 2009 Cambridge Liberal Democrats issued a press release titled Lib Dems welcome cash help for city’s wild spaces in which they announced a number of projects to be carried out in Local Nature [...] More ... ]]> 0.11394023895263672,52.19434756297563 2009-06-24 Planning Permission for 13 Bulstrode Gardens Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A new house being built at Bulstrode Gardens in Cambridge. Bulstrode Gardens is a quiet dead-end private road with loose gravel pavements and no street lights. It is situated off Madingley Road near Churchill College in Cambridge. At Cambridge City Council’s West/Central Area Committee on the 18th of June 2009 city councillors from Castle, Market [...] More ... ]]> 0.09863555431365967,52.21111690619926 2009-06-21 Whymans Lane - A Free City Centre Parking Place? Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Car Parked in Whymans Lane, Cambridge. Whymans Lane is Situated between Pound Hill and Castle Hill (Near the Castle Public House). During the open forum section of Cambridge City Council’s West Central Area Committee on the 18th of June 2009 a local resident raised the question of parking on Whyman’s Lane. The meeting was held [...] More ... ]]> 0.112934410572052,52.21188771678676 2009-06-21 Posters on Railings in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The Vibrancy of Cambridge’s Culture is Illustrated by the Number and Variety of Posters on City Centre Railings. Photo by Prisoner 5413 (license). I attended Cambridge City Council’s West Central Area Committee on the 18th of June 2009. During the open forum section of the meeting which is for members of the public to ask questions [...] More ... ]]> 0.1179957389831543,52.205452928480995 2009-06-19 Cambridgeshire Police - Latest Information Released Under Freedom of Information Act Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridgeshire Police provide a “disclosure log” on which they list selected freedom of information requests they have received, along with the responses they have given. There are currently two such lists on the force’s website. One of which is well indexed in Google and appears not to have been updated so far this year; [...] More ... ]]> -0.19678831100463867,52.33033938497802 2009-06-17 Meeting Dorothy Gregson, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Police Authority Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I met the Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Police Authority at the Police Headquarters. Outside, the force flag was flying and the Chief Officers’ luxury Landrover and Volvo were on display. On Monday the 8th of June 2009 I met the Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Police Authority Dr Dorothy Gregson. The authority’s Media & Communications Officer Anna [...] More ... ]]> -0.1966381072998047,52.33026070717955 2009-06-15 Diane Abbott Raises Concerns About Oakington Immigration Removal Centre in Parliament Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At around 22:30 on Monday the 8th of June there was an adjournment “debate” in the House of Commons on the subject of the Oakington Immigration Removal centre. MP Diane Abbott used her valuable opportunity to decide the topic for the debate to discuss the centre. Key Points In response to Diane Abbott’s speech Home Office [...] More ... ]]> 0.059523582458496094,52.27836059511075 2009-06-08 2009 Strawberry Fair Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
These Three Children Appeared to be Enjoying the 2009 Strawberry Fair Immensely Cambridge’s Strawberry Fair was held on Midsummer Common on Saturday the 6th of June 2009. I was present at a number of times during the day of the fair and on the day before. Cambridge-News billboards and the newspaper’s front page on the [...] More ... ]]> 0.12885332107543945,52.20988012988896 2009-06-07 More Votes Counted Than People Who Turned Out in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridgeshire County Council’s election results are currently being published. I had received an assurance that the number of spoilt papers would be published alongside the ward by ward results. The council are not doing this, but they are reporting turnout figures on a per-ward basis from which I ought be able to approximate the [...] More ... ]]> 0.11415481567382812,52.213006765430954 2009-06-05 Tree Felling Starts on Midsummer Common Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Stump of a large Lime tree which Cllr Julie Smith, Cambridge City Council’s Executive Councillor for Arts and Recreation, decided to fell. On Wednesday 3rd of June the first few of the latest batch of trees to be felled on Midsummer Common were removed. This follows a decision to fell the trees which was taken [...] More ... ]]> 0.13597726821899414,52.21056122418568 2009-06-05 Cambridgeshire County Council - Party Leaders on the Congestion Charge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the 2nd of June 2009 the Andie Harper show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire interviewed the leaders of the three main parties currently making up Cambridgeshire County Council. I submitted a question, which was put to the councillors: Conservatives in the City of Cambridge are opposed to the Congestion Charge, however Conservatives ruling the County [...] More ... ]]> 0.13200759887695312,52.19373724893886 2009-06-04 European Elections 2009 - Cambridge Hustings Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
From left to right: David Bannerman (UKIP), Andrew Duff (Liberal Democrat), Andie Harper (Chairman), Richard Howitt (Labour), Tony Juniper (Green Spokesman), Vicky Ford (Conservative) On the evening of the 1st of June I attended a European Election Hustings at the Emmanuel United Reformed Church in Cambridge. Amnesty International, Oxfam and NO2ID had collaborated to organise the [...] More ... ]]> 0.11802792549133301,52.20134288747477 2009-06-04 Oakington Immigration Reception Centre Debate in Parliament Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Mr Howarth (MP for Cambridge), I would like to draw your attention to the adjournment debate on Oakington Immigration Reception Centre to be held in the House of Commons on the 8th of June. I am writing to encourage you to take part in this debate given the fact the city you represent is the nearest [...] More ... ]]> 0.05978107452392578,52.27743634915406 2009-06-01 Commenting on Cambridge City Council’s New Tree Protocol Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Would this tree be facing the city council’s chainsaws if a proper decision making process had been in place? I have responded to Cambridge City Council’s consultation on how it makes decisions with respect to tree works. The consultation closes on Friday 5 June 2009. Mr Payne, I am writing to respond to your current consultation [...] More ... ]]> 0.1360630989074707,52.21048759281901 2009-05-28 Concern About the Independent Monitoring Board at Oakington Immigration Removal Centre Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Just outside Cambridge over three hundred men are detained at the ex. RAF base at Oakington which is now an immigration removal centre. Those held include people waiting to be deported as well as those waiting for legal due-process to make decisions on their immigration status. Many have been released from prison to the centre. [...] More ... ]]> 0.056476593017578125,52.280705257894226 2009-05-27 Mayor’s Charities Include School for Bullied Children Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Councillor Russ McPherson has been elected Mayor of Cambridge by his fellow City Councillors. At Cambridge City Council’s annual meeting on the 21st of May 2009 Councillor Russ McPherson was elected Mayor of Cambridge for 2009-10. The first thing he did was announce the charities which will benefit from his work during the year. [...] More ... ]]> 0.13026952743530273,52.203911563809655 2009-05-27 IPCC Says Police Complaints System Flawed and Underfunded Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I observed Cambridgeshire Police Authority’s Professional Standards Committee on the 13th of May 2009 and watched Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) commissioner Len Jackson contribute to the committee’s discussions. Main points: 89% of complaints against the police are deemed “unsubstantiated”. According to the IPCC commissioner this is so high because the system is flawed and [...] More ... ]]> -0.19626259803771973,52.330256117556964 2009-05-26 Arbury Vandals Force Playground and Path Closure Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Youths with a motorbike on the playground at St. Luke’s School in April 2009. A PCSO is shown to the right of the photograph. St Luke’s School, French’s Road, Arbury, Cambridge has posted a letter dated the 22nd of May 2009 on its gates announcing it is no-longer going to allow the public access to its [...] More ... ]]> 0.11449813842773438,52.21793293910342 2009-05-24 Following up the Folk Festival Losses - An Update Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council lost £644,951 of public money when the company it contracted to sell folk festival tickets online in 2008 didn’t pass the money it took on to the council. On the 30th of March 2009 the council’s civic affairs committee received the report of an internal review into the loss and asked questions on [...] More ... ]]> 0.16445159912109375,52.185899756759426 2009-05-24 Cambridgeshire Police Authority Discuss Retention of DNA Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridgeshire Police Authority’s Professional Standards Committee on the 13th of May 2009 and observed a discussion on the retention of DNA samples and data. This follows the December 2008 ruling of the European Court of Human Rights which decided the UK police’s disproportionate retention of DNA information / samples from unconvicted people was [...] More ... ]]> -0.19613385200500488,52.33038069068618 2009-05-20 UK Freedom of Information Act to be Extended Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
It has been reported that during a speech at a conference entitled Private Data, Open Government: Questions of Information held by the Information Commissioners’ office on 13 May 2009 Justice Minister Michael Wills announced that there will be an expansion of the number of institutions to which the Freedom of Information Act applies. I [...] More ... ]]> -0.1306772232055664,51.50070194764357 2009-05-16 Cambridgeshire Police to Consider Amnesty International’s Views on TASERs Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridgeshire Police Authority’s Professional Standards Committee on the 13th of May 2009 and watched them discuss the expanded TASER deployment to non-firearms police. The only elected individual present was Cllr Kevin Wilkins. While I don’t think there is the appetite for directly elected police authorities I think more existing elected representatives could [...] More ... ]]> -0.19620895385742188,52.3303787238248 2009-05-14 Cambridge’s Riverside Promenade Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
There are proposals to change Riverside in Cambridge, narrowing the road and building a “promenade”. I made some brief comments in response to plans displayed in the area during May 2008 in which I suggested improved consultation, for flooding / drainage to be taken into account and for a clear cycle-route through the site. [...] More ... ]]> 0.13799428939819336,52.21103850958327 2009-05-13 Cambridge City Council Reshuffle Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I observed Cambridge City Council’s Civic Affairs committee on Monday the 11th of May 2009 which discussed councillors’ roles for the upcoming year. The formal discussion at a public meeting occurred following a Liberal Democrat group meeting on the Saturday two days earlier, the real decisions had been made there. The headline changes are: Cllr [...] More ... ]]> 0.11917591094970703,52.20502538898062 2009-05-12 Discussing TASER on LBC Radio Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At just past 18.00 on the 5th of May 2009 I was interviewed by James Whale on LBC’s drivetime radio show. I had been asked on to the show to talk about the UK police’s use of TASER. TASERs were being discussed following an announcement earlier that day by the Independent Police Complaints [...] More ... ]]> -0.12955069541931152,51.51026058045579 2009-05-06 Police Stopping People Taking Photographs in Public Places Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended a meeting of the Cambridgeshire Police Authority on Wednesday the 29th of April 2009 . I used the opportunity for members of the public to ask questions to raise the problem of Police Officers stopping people from taking photographs when they have no powers to make such a demand. My Question - [...] More ... ]]> -0.19623041152954102,52.33036102116802 2009-05-02 Cambridgeshire Transport Commission - Police Input Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I used the opportunity available to members of the public to ask questions at meetings of Cambridgeshire Police Authority to ask the following question on the 30th of April 2009: My Question - TRANSPORT COMMISSION Will the Chairman of the Police Authority and Chief Constable be giving evidence to the Cambridgeshire Transport Commission? How will the [...] More ... ]]> -0.19626259803771973,52.33038724705692 2009-05-02 Improving the Openness and Accessibility of Cambridgeshire Police Authority Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Wednesday the 29th of April 2009 I attended a meeting of the Cambridgeshire Police Authority. I asked about the procedures for public speaking. My Question - PUBLIC SPEAKING Why was I not allowed to speak and make a statement at the December 2008 or February 2009 full police authority meetings? Mr Walters did not [...] More ... ]]> -0.19632697105407715,52.33029545647776 2009-05-02 Cambridgeshire Police Authority Dodge my TASER Questions Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Wednesday the 29th of April 2009 I attended a meeting of the Cambridgeshire Police Authority. Members of the public are able to submit questions in advance. I asked about the increased deployment of TASER weapons. My Question - TASER Why has the expanded deployment of TASER to all response police officers announced by [...] More ... ]]> -0.19625186920166016,52.33033938497802 2009-05-02 Alerting Cambridgeshire Police Authority to the Fact Cambridgeshire Police Ignore the PACE Codes Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Wednesday the 29th of April 2009 I attended a meeting of the Cambridgeshire Police Authority. Members of the public are able to submit questions in advance and they are read out, along with answers which have been prepared by the authority’s secretariat in conjunction with the police. Prior to reading out my questions [...] More ... ]]> -0.1963484287261963,52.33039577048745 2009-05-02 Rare Outbreak of Common Sense as Cambridge City Council Shelves “Tree-Chess” Plans Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Substantial plans for felling, transplanting and planting trees on Midsummer Common, Jesus Green and New Square were taken to Cambridge City Council’s West/Central Area Committee on the 30th of April 2009. The plans involved: Playing chess with the trees on Jesus Green, moving them into straight lines. The felling of healthy trees on New Square [...] More ... ]]> 0.13149261474609375,52.210035283547484 2009-05-01 Cambridge City Council Lacks Imagination on Cycle Parking Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council’s West/Central Area Committee on the 30th of April 2009 received a report from officers on progress towards installing cycle parking at the King Street - Manor Street junction. Officers reported that they are working towards providing six wall mounted loops on the wall to which bikes can be locked. The committee [...] More ... ]]> 0.12338697910308838,52.20745299006773 2009-05-01 Proposals for Yet More Trees to be Felled on Midsummer Common and for New Planting to Encroach on the Open Space. Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council’s tree officers have published a new plan for tree works on Midsummer Common. The proposals are being put before Cambridge City Council’s West/Central Area Committee to be held on Thursday 30 April 2009 at 1915 in the University Centre off Mill Lane. It is not clear if the final decision to go-ahead [...] More ... ]]> 0.13184666633605957,52.21010299884842 2009-04-30 Proposed Felling, Planting and Transplanting of Trees on Jesus Green Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Following the rejection by the Heritage Lottery Fund of Cambridge City Council’s bid for £4.4 million pounds worth of work on Jesus Green which would have involved the felling of fifty-nine trees a new proposal for tree works has been published. The new proposals involve felling eight trees immediately and transplanting a further twenty-eight [...] More ... ]]> 0.12511968612670898,52.2120377685257 2009-04-28 Emerging Influenza Epidemic in Mexico and the USA Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I have been closely following the emerging swine flu virus which is being transmitted from human to human in Mexico and Southern California. It has already resulted in more than sixty deaths in Mexico. Analysis of the virus by the USA’s Centers for Disease control has shown the current virus contains sequences from swine flu, [...] More ... ]]> 0.11361837387084961,52.2135984084101 2009-04-26 New Square - Another Cambridge City Council Grandiose Plan Involving Felling Healthy Trees Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Plans for tree felling and planting at New Square in Cambridge are on the agenda of Cambridge City Council’s West/Central Area Committee to be held on Thursday 30 April 2009 at 1915 in the University Centre off Mill Lane. The proposals include felling five healthy trees (pictured) which the council’s own experts describe as being [...] More ... ]]> 0.1275014877319336,52.206844006483216 2009-04-25 Public Questions for the April 2009 Cambridgeshire Police Authority Meeting Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
There is to be a Full Cambridgeshire Police Authority meeting on the 29th April 2009 at 16:00 in the Police Headquarters, Huntingdon. Members of the public are able to ask questions or make statements at the beginning of these meetings. I have submitted the below, all of which I think are important things the Police [...] More ... ]]> -0.19614458084106445,52.33036561087977 2009-04-23 Cambridge to Lose Police Station Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A report released today in advance of a meeting of a Cambridgeshire Police Authority next Wednesday, the 29th of April reveals that Cambridge is likely to lose its police station at Parkside. The Police Authority is shockingly not being asked for its comments on the plans, or to approve them, it is being asked [...] More ... ]]> 0.13007640838623047,52.203374366598965 2009-04-23 Cambridge City Council to Debate Tree Felling Policy Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Trees are set to be a major item of discussion at Cambridge City Council’s Full Council meeting later today (Thursday 23rd April 2009). Liberal Democrat ruled Cambridge City Council has recently felled hundreds of trees in the city. Many have been felled for spurious reasons ranging from increasing biodiversity by allowing more light into [...] More ... ]]> 0.1343679428100586,52.210197010935104 2009-04-23 Missed Opportunity at the Penny Ferry Car-Park Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council is currently refurbishing the riverside car park and adjacent areas in Chesterton at a cost of £62,523; a very large amount of money given what is being done. In the last few days it has become apparent that the “Lead Councillor” for the project, Cllr Liddle, is not happy with what is [...] More ... ]]> 0.15043571591377258,52.21887740472443 2009-04-20 Cambridgeshire County Council to Consider Improving Oversight of Spying Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridgeshire County Council’s Cabinet on the 21st of April is to receive a Review of the Application of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) This report reveals that the county council currently allows a large number of relatively junior officers (23) to authorise the use of its spying powers (It follows from the [...] More ... ]]> 0.11366128921508789,52.213021885213834 2009-04-18 Love Cambridge Partnership Fails to Fulfill Promises Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
As of the 1st of April 2009 the Love Cambridge Partnership took over running City Centre management from the City Council. The primary argument for establishing a new organisation was that private companies would be more willing to contribute funds to an organisation independent from local government and not subject to local government bureaucracy. [...] More ... ]]> 0.12032389640808105,52.20609250438399 2009-04-17 Jesus Green Lottery Bid Rejected; Trees and Green Space Given Reprieve Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council’s bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to do £4.4 million pounds of work on Jesus Green has been rejected by the Lottery. This is excellent news as the bid contained plans to fell 59 trees and pave over huge swathes of grass. The trees, and the grass, are safe for now. [...] More ... ]]> 0.1215362548828125,52.21199438027786 2009-04-15 Should Addenbrooke’s Continue Discriminating on the Basis of Race? Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) (Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie) have just completed a consultation on their “Single Equality Scheme”. The organisation is due to publish a final scheme, describing its policies on equality and diversity, by May 2009. One element of the CUH’s proposed “action plan” reveals that the hospitals propose continuing with a “Positive [...] More ... ]]> 0.1413416862487793,52.17504626904771 2009-04-15 Proposed Tree Works at Vicar’s Brook Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council is about to fell a series of trees on Vicar’s brook, the stream which runs from Brooklands Avenue across the green areas called “New Bit” and “Coe Fen” and on to the river Cam. A notice at the site states: Cambridge City Council manages trees on the Parks and Open Spaces on a [...] More ... ]]> 0.12134313583374023,52.193324229970486 2009-04-10 Routine Tree Works - Cambridge City - April 2009 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council has circulated its latest list of proposed tree works to councillors. I have spoken at two council meetings now asking for better advance notice of the council’s intentions with respect to the city’s trees however it does not yet make its plans available publicly. I have reviewed the current list and [...] More ... ]]> 0.15107274055480957,52.20138464248228 2009-04-08 Policing Addenbrooke’s Hospital - April 2009 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridge City Council’s South Area Committee on the 2nd of April 2009. I used the opportunity to raise some questions about policing the Addenbrooke’s hospital campus. I told the meeting what the Chief Constable had said during the December 2008 meeting of the Police Authority which I observed: “At Addenbrooks’ - there is [...] More ... ]]> 0.14067649841308594,52.176392408246244 2009-04-04 Cycling on Hills Road Bridge During the Roadworks Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridge City Council’s South Area Committee on the 2nd of April 2009. During the policing agenda item James Woodburn, representing the Cambridge Cycling Campaign, spoke about the situation on Hills Road Bridge. The roadworks on the bridge have resulted in narrow lanes for traffic, it is impossible for cyclists to be [...] More ... ]]> 0.1347970962524414,52.190974947046406 2009-04-04 Horrendous Speeding on Queen Edith’s Way Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A recent survey conducted by Cambridgeshire police on Queen Edith’s Way revealed that 32,000 vehicles per week were speeding to a degree which would prompt prosecution. Some were speeding to an extent which would result in them losing their license in one go if they were caught. Other statistics included: Over 75% of vehicles were [...] More ... ]]> 0.1457834243774414,52.17901088130894 2009-04-04 A Democratic Decision to Fell Trees on Midsummer Common Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridge City Council’s planning committee on Wednesday the 1st of April 2009 where councillors considered the proposed felling of trees on Midsummer Common. The decision to fell was originally taken by officers, however following an objection I made, it was referred to Executive Councillor Julie Smith who in turn decided to seek [...] More ... ]]> 0.1331019401550293,52.210282476368754 2009-04-02 Novel Traffic Control Experiment Proposed at Addenbrookes Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Speaking at a public session of the Cambridgeshire Transport Commission on the 26th of March 2009 Roger Cutting, Addenbrookes’ planning and development officer, gave what I believe was the first public description of the scheme currently proposed to prevent the new Addenbrookes’ link road being being used by people wanting to access the south of [...] More ... ]]> 0.13269424438476562,52.17661610292167 2009-04-01 Looking into the Folk Festival Mistakes Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the evening of Monday the 30th of March 2009 Cambridge City Council’s Civic Affairs Committee considered a report into how the council came to lose £644,951 which was not paid to the council by the company it appointed to sell Folk Festival tickets online in 2008. I have written a previous article on [...] More ... ]]> 0.11902570724487305,52.20495043334965 2009-03-31 Bad Language in Government Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The UK Parliament’s Public Administration Select Committee is currently calling for people to send them examples of the Government’s poor use of language. I have submitted the following: The HMRC’s description of their online forms for self assessment taxation as software. I feel that the use of the word “software”, while not technically inaccurate, suggests that [...] More ... ]]> -0.12445449829101562,51.50008549450517 2009-03-30 Holding the Police to Account - March 2009 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Thursday the 19th of March 2009 I attended Cambridge’s North Area committee, where councillors vote on what they believe ought to be the local policing priorities and hold the police to account for their performance in the areas they have prioritised. The police were represented by Sgt. Jason Wragg. Using the opportunity given to [...] More ... ]]> 0.12938976287841797,52.225556452916244 2009-03-24 Damming Report on Cambridge Folk Festival Fiasco Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The report paints a picture of the City Council as institution in a state of chaos where junior council officers working on the folk festival were free to ignore advice from the council's finance and legal departments. The key questions of where the city's money is, and what's being done to try and get it back have not been tackled. It also isn't the independent, external, report promised. More ... ]]> 0.16494512557983398,52.18658055940804 2009-03-23 Cambridge Congestion Charge - The Liberal Democrat View as of Thursday 19th March Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Thursday the 19th of March 2009 I watched the leader of the City Council Ian Nimmo-Smith and the Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth Sian Read give evidence to the Cambridgeshire Transport Commission. Notable Comments The Liberal Democrat councillors put forward their policy to extend a charge to include the park and ride sites. Cllr [...] More ... ]]> 0.11951923370361328,52.20493070820486 2009-03-20 New City Centre Signage for Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council’s Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on the 16th of March 2009 discussed the new signage proposed for the city centre. My responses to the consultation on the proposals which was held in May 2008 are available via this link; we are yet to see how many, if any of the suggestions [...] More ... ]]> 0.11833906173706055,52.20836077933237 2009-03-17 Future Management of Cambridge’s Parks and Green Spaces Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Residents of Garlic Row Enjoying Stourbridge Common Cambridge City Council held a Community Services Scrutiny Committee on the 12th of March 2009. One of the items on the agenda was a draft Parks and Open Spaces Strategy for the City. I spoke on this item to comment on the fact that no specific mention of the [...] More ... ]]> 0.14822959899902344,52.2154350811275 2009-03-16 Cambridge City Council Parks and Open Spaces Strategy Omits Trees Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council held a Community Services Scrutiny Committee on the 12th of March 2009. I used the opportunity for members of the public to speak at council meetings to ask why the draft Parks and Open Spaces Strategy being put to the committee didn’t mention the trees on the parks and open spaces. I [...] More ... ]]> 0.1444476842880249,52.17680690043231 2009-03-16 Cambridge Congestion Charge - The Business Perspective Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Tuesday the 10th of March 2009 I attended a public evidence gathering session of the Cambridgeshire Transport Commission. The independent commission has been set up by the county council, possibly in an incredibly cynical move to prevent the Conservatives having to defend their support of congestion charging during the forthcoming county council elections in [...] More ... ]]> 0.11951923370361328,52.204860683910184 2009-03-15 Response to the Cambridgeshire Transport Commission Consultation. Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The Cambridgeshire Transport Commission has been set up by the County Council to look at ways of tackling the transport problems the region experiences now and is expect to face in the future. The commission ran a survey on their website in Spring 2009. My response is reproduced below. There will be further opportunities for [...] More ... ]]> 0.119476318359375,52.18397371735459 2009-03-13 Marshall of Cambridge - A Centenary Celebration Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Wednesday the 11th of March 2009 I attended a free public presentation entitled: “Marshall of Cambridge ‘A Centenary Celebration’” which had been organised as part of Cambridge University’s Science Festival. The “lecture” was given by Group Captain Terry Holloway a retired RAF officer who has worked for Marshall since 1995. Marshall is a fantastic company, [...] More ... ]]> 0.1732921600341797,52.209973485177414 2009-03-12 The TV Licence Fee Has Had Its Day Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Not many MPs bothered to turn up to debate the TV license fee in October 2008 Thanks to ToryRadio.com I was able to put a question to Jeremy Hunt MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport today. Via Twitter I asked: “Will you commit to abolish the TV Licence? If you [...] More ... ]]> -0.1436913013458252,51.51832844644765 2009-03-10 A Congestion Charge for Cambridge - The Debate Continues Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I oppose introducing a congestion charge to Cambridge, and will continue to oppose it for at least a decade. We are reducing car use in the city centre without it. A congestion charge isn’t the way to preserve the historic core of the city, a congestion charge will damage the viability of the city and [...] More ... ]]> 0.13171792030334473,52.194440293399666 2009-03-05 Opposing the Database State - Clause 152 of the Coroners and Justice Bill Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Saturday the 28th of February NO2ID organised a “Convention on Modern Liberty” held in various locations “across the UK”. A satellite meeting , which I attended, was held in the Cambridge Union. This article focuses on just one of many important items which were discussed during the day. Clause 152 of [...] More ... ]]> 0.11962383985519409,52.20866304282043 2009-03-04 Five Mature Trees Under Threat on Empty Common Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council are proposing to fell five mature Leyland cypresses on Empty Common, the area containing allotments to south of Brooklands road by Hobson’s Brook. Already we have seen the highly controversial felling of many trees along the brook in this area on the grounds of improving the biodiversity of the watercourse though letting [...] More ... ]]> 0.1252269744873047,52.191373518241356 2009-03-04 Regulating Punting in Cambridge in Summer 2009 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I observed a meeting of the Conservators of the river Cam in January 2009. One of the major items discussed was the regulation of punting in the summer of 2009. Independent punters present warned there were increasing numbers of independents and it was looking as if Garret Hostel Lane (pictured) was going to end up [...] More ... ]]> 0.11422388255596161,52.20595640412443 2009-03-03 Proposed Job Cuts at the Cambridge University Press Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The Cambridge University Press (CUP) are planning to cut 160 jobs in the city, probably as the first stage of plans to close the printing business of the CUP within three years. There was discussion of CUP’s plans at Cambridge City Council’s Full Council meeting on February 26th 2009, a full record of what [...] More ... ]]> 0.13100981712341309,52.18706928455527 2009-03-02 More Than 665 Trees Felled In Cambridge Last Year Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At Cambridge City Council’s Full Council meeting on February 26th 2009 Labour opposition Councillor Lucy Walker received an answer to a written question in which she had asked: Where and how may trees have been felled in the city during the last year, and where are more planned to be felled? I do not think [...] More ... ]]> 0.12696504592895508,52.20339475020315 2009-02-27 Questions to the Cambridge City Council Executive - February 2009 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At full Cambridge City Council meetings councillors are able to ask questions to executive councillors; these have to be submitted in writing the day before the meeting. A ballot is held to determine the order of questions and as many as can be dealt with in thirty minutes are answered. Any questions remaining beyond [...] More ... ]]> 0.11920809745788574,52.204800686396176 2009-02-27 Ambulance Obstructing Councillor to Step Down Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A member of the Liberal Democrats in Cambridge has tonight told me that Cllr Colin Rosenstiel is to stand down from his position as a City Councillor. This follows the finding of a city council hearing panel which concluded that Councillor Rosenstiel failed to comply with two provisions of the Council’s Code of Conduct [...] More ... ]]> 0.13076305389404297,52.20573680182948 2009-02-25 Friends of Midsummer Common 2009 AGM Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Tuesday the 24th of February 2009 I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Midsummer Common. About eighty people were present, including city councillors Bick and Blair. A number of council officers attended: Debbie Kaye, Cambridge City Council’s Active Communities Manager, Green Space Officer Sarah Tovell and Green Space Manager Alistair [...] More ... ]]> 0.12903571128845215,52.21020424267213 2009-02-25 Proposed Demolition of 13 Chesterton Road Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the 4th of March 2009 Cambridge City Councillors on the planning committee are going to consider an application to demolish 13 Chesterton Road and replace it with a modern block of flats. The proposal has attracted lots of comments from people opposing the demolition of the existing building on aesthetic, historical and environmental [...] More ... ]]> 0.11755317449569702,52.21221970356933 2009-02-23 Trees to be Felled for Temporary Car Park on Jesus Green Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the 12th of February 2009 EDF Electricity applied to Cambridge City Council for planning permission to set up a compound on Jesus Green for them to use during work on the substation by the Glassworks gym. The proposed compound is to be located between the tennis courts and the path which runs between [...] More ... ]]> 0.1197834312915802,52.2110505895848 2009-02-22 Application to Join the Love Cambridge Board Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Following encouragement from a number of sources, including the Park Street residents’ association, and considering the point of view that the more people who apply the stronger the position of the individual eventually appointed I have submitted an application for the position of residents’ director on the Cambridge City Centre Management Partnership (Love Cambridge). Dear [...] More ... ]]> 0.11934757232666016,52.20456513409658 2009-02-20 Cambridge University Student Takes Police Bait Bike from City Centre Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge University student, Andrew “Lewi” Lewis, of St. Catherine’s College has today posted an account on the internet about what happened when he took a cycle, which he now believes to be a police “bait” bike, from outside a Cambridge City Centre nightclub. His account was posted at 0315 in the morning. He [...] More ... ]]> 0.12155234813690186,52.20511053549122 2009-02-19 Cambridgeshire Police Authority February 2009 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I went to observe a meeting of Cambridgeshire Police Authority on Wednesday the 18th of February 2009. The agenda for the meeting had only been made publicly available on Monday the 15th, after the suggested deadline for members of the public submitting questions. When I questioned the late publication of the agenda by email in [...] More ... ]]> -0.19623041152954102,52.33033938497802 2009-02-19 Liberal Democrat Inconsistency in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Only a mile or so separates Cambridge’s Guildhall where Cambridge City Council sits and Cambridgeshire County Council’s Shire Hall however the gulf between what the Liberal Democrats are saying in the two chambers is enormous. The Liberal Democrat groups in each council appear almost entirely at odds with each other when it comes to the [...] More ... ]]> 0.11442303657531738,52.21287923230702 2009-02-16 Openess and Accessibility of Cambridgeshire Police Authority Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Dr Dorothy Gregson has moved from her previous position of Director of Public Health at Cambridge City Primary Care Trust to become the Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Police Authority. Her first regular Police Authority meeting is scheduled for Wednesday the 18th February 2009, and she doesn’t appear to be getting off to a great start [...] More ... ]]> -0.1962733268737793,52.3302711974007 2009-02-15 Cambridge City Council 2008/9 Budget Scrutiny Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council’s budgets were yet again under scrutiny at a meeting at the guildhall this evening (13th February 2009). The meeting was scheduled to enable scrutiny of the opposition budget presented by the Labour group, but because of the significant changes in the Liberal executive’s budget made in January the scope of the meeting [...] More ... ]]> 0.11921346187591553,52.20479756324834 2009-02-14 RIPA - Regulating Councils’ Spying Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Tuesday the 10th of February 2009 I attended a Westminster Briefing event on The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA). The meeting was addressed by: Sir Christopher Rose - Chief Surveillance Commissioner John Peerless, Head of Brighton & Hove Trading Standards and a member of the Management Committee of the National Anti-Fraud Network Councillor [...] More ... ]]> -0.12502312660217285,51.50704799232632 2009-02-13 Residents’ Representation on the City Centre Partnership Board - Love Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the 9th of February 2009 I attended the residents’ briefing for the new Cambridge City Centre Partnership, “Love Cambridge”. The meeting was organised primarily as a director of the new organisation to act as a representative/advocate for Cambridge residents is being sought. A Job description and Person Specification for the residents’ representative was distributed, [...] More ... ]]> 0.12881040573120117,52.19995114413848 2009-02-11 Gonville Place - Gresham Road Crossing Review Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended the Cambridge Traffic Management Area Joint Committee on the 26th of January 2009. While the County Council is the Highways Authority for Cambridge they delegate many decisions on highways to a joint committee made up of both City and County Councillors. County Councillor John Reynolds (Girton) is a member of the [...] More ... ]]> 0.12885868549346924,52.20044366772993 2009-02-03 Luard Road - Sedley Taylor Road Traffic Calming Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended the Cambridge Traffic Management Area Joint Committee on the 26th of January 2009. While the County Council is the Highways Authority for Cambridge they delegate many highways decisions a joint committee made up of both City and County Councillors. County Councillor John Reynolds (Girton) is a member of the committee, as [...] More ... ]]> 0.13402462005615234,52.17964771267861 2009-02-03 Parking Controls - Blinco Grove Area Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On-Street Parking Controls - Blinco Grove Area I attended the Cambridge Traffic Management Area Joint Committee on the 26th of January 2009. While the County Council is the Highways Authority for Cambridge they delegate many decisions to a joint committee made up of both City and County Councillors. County Councillor John Reynolds (Girton) is [...] More ... ]]> 0.14194250106811523,52.18652596380749 2009-02-03 Cambridge City Councillor Colin Rosenstiel Accused of Obstructing Ambulance on Jesus Green Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A complaint against Cambridge City Councillor Colin Rosenstiel, in which it is alleged he obstructed an ambulance responding to a 999 call on Jesus Green, is to be heard by a panel of the council’s Standards Committee on the 11th of February 2009. The panel is made up of councillors Bick, McGovern, and [...] More ... ]]> 0.12607991695404053,52.21211731382091 2009-02-01 Budget Cuts Without Service Cuts - Too Good to be True? Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I observed a meeting of Cambridge City Council’s executive on the 29th of January 2009 at which a report on proposed savings required to balance the 2008/9 budget in light of strains (which I have detailed in a separate article) was presented.   Council Leader, Ian Nimmo-Smith described the situation  as a “perfect storm”, factors contributing [...] More ... ]]> 0.11916518211364746,52.20501092381941 2009-01-31 Cycling Funds Redirected to Cover Losses from Icelandic Investments and Folk Festival Ticketing Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council is currently attempting to find savings so that it can balance its budget for 2008/9 in light of a number of strains on the budget which it is only just taking account of. These strains (detailed a separate article) include losses due to money taken online for Folk Festival not being passed [...] More ... ]]> 0.1322650909423828,52.16833075445212 2009-01-31 The Role of Police Authorities in Decisions to Extend TASER Deployment Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday the 28th of January 2009, Vernon Coaker the Home Office Minister of State for Policing, Crime & Security spoke on the expanded deployment of TASER: With regard to Taser training, the roll out of Tasers has been widely welcomed as a good thing. The training costs will be [...] More ... ]]> -0.1966381072998047,52.33020694385673 2009-01-30 Policing Arbury Ward - Cambridge - January 2009 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended an Arbury Ward police meeting on the 28th of January 2009 in the Meadows Community Centre. Attendance The session was led by Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Luke Upcott and Sam Bagshaw. Labour Councillor for Arbury Mike Todd-Jones was present, and in addition six residents had turned up. I think the fact the [...] More ... ]]> 0.11808156967163086,52.23058571754189 2009-01-29 Counter Terrorism Act 2008 - Making a Bad Law Worse Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 is a poorly written law which states: (1) A person commits an offence if— (a) he collects or makes a record of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, or (b) he possesses a document or record containing information [...] More ... ]]> -0.12459397315979004,51.500008687723486 2009-01-29 Cambridge City Council Cuts Identified Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council has released details of proposed savings which it is having to make following losses of the money from online sales of folk festival tickets and as a result of its investments in the collapsed Icelandic banks. The proposals have been made public in advance of a meeting of the council’s executive on [...] More ... ]]> 0.11911153793334961,52.204991198701435 2009-01-28 City Centre Partnership Board - Love Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A new “City Centre Partnership Board” is being formed to help run the historic core of Cambridge City Centre; it is to be be launched on the 1st of April 2009 as an independent public/private sector partnership operating under the name of “Love Cambridge”. Currently only scant details of the make up [...] More ... ]]> 0.12939512729644775,52.200485752287435 2009-01-26 New Street Lights for Cambridgeshire to Dim in the Early Hours Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At North Cambridge’s Area Committee on Thursday the 23rd of January 2009 a member of the public asked about street lighting. Rupert Moss-Eccardt the County Councillor for Arbury replied. He told the meting that there is a program in Cambridgeshire to introduce brighter lights which use less electricity than the current street lights. He [...] More ... ]]> 0.11404752731323242,52.21282795614417 2009-01-23 Conservators of the River Cam - January 2009 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Last Thursday, the 15th of January, I went to see how decisions relating to Cambridge’s River Cam are made at a meeting of the Cam Conservators, which was held in the fantastically opulent setting of the old hall at Queens’ College. One of the main items the Conservators discussed was regulating punting in the [...] More ... ]]> 0.11568903923034668,52.20227430871654 2009-01-20 More Questions on the Cambridge Folk Festival Ticket Money Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Following from my my response to the news that Cambridge City Council is owed £618,000 by SecureTicket UK Ltd., the company it engaged to sell Folk Festival tickets online and the questions which I asked about this money on the 8th of January, another opportunity to ask questions arose last week. At Cambridge City Council’s [...] More ... ]]> 0.16460180282592773,52.18691273528202 2009-01-19 Cambridge City Council Tears Up Budget and Looks for Cuts Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The collapse of icelandic banks in which Cambridge City Council had invested £9m left a major hole in the council’s finances. While the government had instructed local authorities not to budget for the loss of the capital, they had not made any allowance for loss of interest which councils had expected to be paid. The [...] More ... ]]> 0.11919736862182617,52.20479394704026 2009-01-19 More Threats to the Green Space on Jesus Green Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A number of items of proposed work on Jesus Green were taken to Cambridge City Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee on the 15th of January 2009 for approval. These are all to be funded by “section 106″ money which comes from payments developers make to the city council in lieu of providing community, social [...] More ... ]]> 0.12050628662109375,52.21148817904934 2009-01-17 Cambridge Homeless Offered Emergency Accommodation in Peterborough Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A Cambridge City Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee on the 15th of January 2009 the council’s homelessness strategy was discussed. Preventing homelessness, and helping homeless people, particularly those sleeping on the streets, has been something Cambridge City Council has done well over the last few years. Though there have been a few blips, such as [...] More ... ]]> 0.11891841888427734,52.20488731281531 2009-01-17 Midsummer Common Footpath - Auckland Road Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The prospect of replacing or resurfacing the footpath on the edge of Midsummer Common between Auckland Road and Parsonage Street was discussed at Cambridge City Council’s West/Central Area Committee on the 8th of January 2009. The path’s surface is broken up and the council have decided to improve it. The various options are all about [...] More ... ]]> 0.13246893882751465,52.20937521952815 2009-01-16 Trees to be Felled on Midsummer Common Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Barry Higgs and Dick Baxter of the Friends of Midsummer Common attended the West Central Area committee on the 8th of January 2009, they reported that on the day before they had been shown around the common by a City Council Officer who identified a number of trees to be felled. They asked if there [...] More ... ]]> 0.13406753540039062,52.21025486439715 2009-01-16 Introducing Co-Mingled Recycling to Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the 13th of January 2009 I attended the Cambridge City Council meeting where a decision was made to go ahead with plans to replace the recycling boxes currently used in homes in the city with a third wheelie bin. This new bin, which will be dark blue, will be able to take mixed recyclables [...] More ... ]]> 0.14121830463409424,52.200383828705455 2009-01-14 Cambridgeshire Police Not to Prosecute In Case of Rottweiller Seriously Injuring Cambridge Postman Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Since the day of the awful attack on a postman by dangerous rottweilers in Gazeley Lane, Trumpington, Cambridge in December 2008 the police have been hung up on the issue of weather the attack occurred on a public road or not. At first the police said they were investigating if the attack was on a [...] More ... ]]> 0.1174163818359375,52.17956876752775 2009-01-10 Policing West and Central Cambridge - January 2009 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridge City Council’s West Central Area Committee on the 8th of January 2009. One of the main items on the agenda was “Safer Neighborhoods”, the meeting’s chair was almost tripped up by the cryptic title and had to ask the committee manager what the policing item was called saying: “Is it Safer Communities?”. [...] More ... ]]> 0.10580778121948242,52.20591037981489 2009-01-09 Asking Questions About Money Owed to Cambridge City Council from Folk Festival Online Ticket Sales Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridge City Council’s West Central Area Committee on the 8th of January 2009. During the public forum I asked a series of questions about the Cambridge City Council news release stating the council is owed £618,000 by SecureTicket UK and is taking legal action in the High Court in an attempt to recover [...] More ... ]]> 0.16518115997314453,52.186489128626306 2009-01-09 Cambridge City Council Owed 618K by Folk Festival Ticket Seller Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the 7th of January 2009 Cambridge City Council issued a news release stating that the council was owed £618,000 from ticket sales for the Folk Festival which the ticket seller “SecureTicket UK” was due to pay in August 2008 but had still not been received by the council. The council has initiated legal proceedings [...] More ... ]]> 0.16518115997314453,52.186489128626306 2009-01-08 Cambridge City Council to Fell 73 Trees at Byron’s Pool Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council manage Byron’s Pool local nature reserve which is on the River Cam upstream of Grantchester, near the A14. A tiny “article” in the Winter edition of Cambridge Matters magazine with the headline of “Native tree-planting” states: 73 non-native trees are being removed from Byron’s Pool Local Nature Reserve. Removing the Sycamores and [...] More ... ]]> 0.10088324546813965,52.172874990490044 2009-01-06 Punting Enforcement Officer Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The Budget Setting Report to Cambridge City Council’s Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on Monday the 19th of January 2009 reveals that despite the council looking for savings in many areas of its operations it is planning to fund an enforcement officer to “support the regulation of punting”. The explanation of the request for this [...] More ... ]]> 0.11860191822052002,52.21179124291468 2009-01-05 The Future Management of Cambridge’s Swimming Pools Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee on Thursday the 15th of January 2009 will be discussing an item entitled: “Leisure Management Contract September 2010 Onwards”. Not only does this item have an obscure title, but it is scheduled to be discussed in secret, with the press and public excluded. I believe what is to [...] More ... ]]> 0.13121366500854492,52.201615444384764 2009-01-05 Cowley Road Car Boot Sale Closed Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At Cambridge City Council’s meeting on the 4th of December 2008 Labour Councillor for Arbury Mike Todd-Jones asked Councillor Rod Cantrill the Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources an oral question: Following the move of the Park and Ride from Cowley Road to Milton, can he assure the hundreds of regular users of the weekly [...] More ... ]]> 0.1520061492919922,52.230864337951836 2009-01-04 Is Cambridge City Council Acquiring Technology for Pay as You Throw Taxation? Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
While reading though the list of new vehicles which Cambridge City Council is planning to buy in 2009/10 I came across two “”On-board weighing systems” at £6,000 each” along with the waste and recycling equipment. The Council publish on their website that the amount of waste collected by their refuse collection vehicles is weighed [...] More ... ]]> 0.11919200420379639,52.20493070820486 2009-01-04 Council Proposing Cuts to Pinder Service Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Among the “Revised Budget Items” being presented to Cambridge City Council’s Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on Monday 19 January 2009 is an entry showing the council plans to save money by removing the out of hours service it provides for responding to animals which have escaped from the city’s commons. I was very surprised [...] More ... ]]> 0.1281924250361044,52.209402831645214 2009-01-04 Which Christmas Councillor Blair? Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Saturday December the 6th 2008 in the weekend edition of the Cambridge News carried an article headlined: “Now it’s poison berries stopping the start of play” about the fact the large Playground on the Accordia development off Brooklands Avenue in Cambridge has been closed since December 2007. The playground is closed as yew hedges [...] More ... ]]> 0.1274269223540614,52.18920632545219 2009-01-02 The Santa Hat of State Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
During the State Opening of Parliament a military officer is given the role of parading in front of the monarch with what looks like a santa hat on a stick. It is a symbol of the monarchy which is kept with the crown jewels in the Tower of London. It is properly known as [...] More ... ]]> -0.12536537640698953,51.49826346906014 2008-12-25 Cambridgeshire Police Authority - December 2008 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridgeshire Police Authority’s meeting on the 17th of December 2008, items discussed below include: TASERs Public Speaking Police Powers for Security Guards Common Assessment Framework Treasury Management Collaboration Other Items TASERs Following the Home Secretary’s announcement on the 24th of November that all the UK’s response police are to be issued TASER weapons I expected to witness Cambridgeshire Police Authority formulating its [...] More ... ]]> -0.1964229941040685,52.33031774842732 2008-12-22 Public Meeting - Two Way Cycling on One Way Streets Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I have just returned from a public meeting held at St. Barnabas Church, Mill Road about how “contraflow cycling” on some of the streets off Mill Road should be indicated in the way of signage, road markings, islands etc. Contraflow cycling is where cyclists are allowed to travel in both directions on roads which are [...] More ... ]]> 0.1375865936279297,52.199410611118665 2008-12-19 Addenbrooke’s Staff to get Police Powers Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A report to tomorrow’s Cambridgeshire Police Authority meeting states that uniformed staff at Addenbrookes are to be given police powers as part of a trial scheme to be run between March and September 2009. Presumably this means their security and parking staff rather than nurses. These staff will wear badges, which the public are supposed to [...] More ... ]]> 0.14059066772460938,52.176366091151664 2008-12-16 Two Way Cycling on One Way Streets Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On the 18th of December 2008, 7.30pm at St. Barnabas Church, Mill Road, there is to be a public meeting about “contraflow cycling” on some of the streets off Mill Road. Contraflow cycling is where cyclists are allowed to travel in both directions on roads which are one-way only for motorised vehicles. The streets currently [...] More ... ]]> 0.13762950897216797,52.199432201821594 2008-12-16 Cambridge Liberal Democrats Oppose A14 Improvements Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The current state of the A14 around Cambridge and towards Huntington is in my view one of the biggest problems affecting Cambridge and the surrounding region. The road is regularly crammed full of heavy goods vehicles using both lanes in each direction. Accidents, when they happen are worse than they might others wise have been [...] More ... ]]> 0.05486726760864258,52.242020853214505 2008-12-15 December 2008 - North Area Committee Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee on the 11th of December 2008. I made representations to my local councillors, and other members of the committee before the meeting, specifically on Policing North Cambridge. City Cllrs Levy, Upstone and Liddle were absent, as was County Councillor Hughes who it was reported was in Hospital. [...] More ... ]]> 0.1293039321899414,52.22563465937491 2008-12-14 Sure Start Funding Cut Endangers Suport for Families with Young Children Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee on the 11th of December 2008. The main issue which took up most of the “Open Forum” time was the loss of “Sure Start” funding which had adversely affected two volunteer groups which work supporting families with young children in North Cambridge. The Chair and [...] More ... ]]> 0.11810302734375,52.229718303682425 2008-12-14 Cllr Ward Defends Sidelining Arboricultural Officers on Jesus Green Plans Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cllr Tim Ward has written a letter to the Cambridge Evening news which has been published today (13th December 2008). He is responding to Bronwyn Hipkin who recently wrote: Having read with alarm of the fate of 59 trees on Jesus Green which Cllr Smith tells us are all diseased and dangerous, I rang the [...] More ... ]]> 0.12445449829101562,52.21252424171802 2008-12-13 Oakington IRC - 2008 Report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Yet another damming report on Oakington Immigration Centre has been published, this time by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP). The content has been discussed in an article entitled: Immigration centre ‘is unsafe’ published on the BBC News website on the morning of Friday, 12 December 2008. Initially the report wasn’t available online, so [...] More ... ]]> 0.059184551500948146,52.27848531393509 2008-12-12 New Flats to be Built in a Garden in the Chesterton Conservation Area Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee on the 11th of December 2008 approved a planning application to build a block of flats in the garden of 7 Church Street, Chesterton. Mr Bond spoke on behalf of the Old Chesterton Residents Association (OCRA), he opposed the application. He wanted the area to remain mixed, and he opposed [...] More ... ]]> 0.1385951042175293,52.21621534784488 2008-12-12 Cambridge City Council’s £80m Reserves - An Update Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Following Cambridge City Council’s October 2008 announcement which revealed it had £9m invested in Icelandic banks which it might have lost the council’s investments have been the focus of a lot of attention from councillors, the press and the public. I have attended some of the recent meetings where the situation has been discussed. [...] More ... ]]> 0.11919200420379639,52.20493070820486 2008-12-10 Suggestions in Advance of the December 2008 North Area Committee Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I wrote to my local councillors in advance of the Cambridge City Council North Area Committee meeting which is to be held on Thursday the 11th of December 2008. I made some comments on items on the agenda which are reproduced below. I have made my comments on the policing agenda item separately. 1. Matters [...] More ... ]]> 0.12878894805908203,52.22566094731014 2008-12-10 Ownership of Quayside in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At Cambridge City Council’s full Council meeting on the 4th of December 2008 Cllr Herbert, the leader of the Labour opposition in Cambridge, asked a question to Cllr Cantrill the Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources about Quayside. His question was: Given the central importance of Quayside to the life of the City, and over-riding [...] More ... ]]> 0.11691749095916748,52.21000931509714 2008-12-08 Accordia Playground Still Not Open Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cllr Lucy Walker (pictured) the Labour Councillor for the Petersfield ward in Cambridge has been pestering the council for months now encouraging them to get the large playground at the Accordia development off Brooklands Avenue open. I watched her raise the issue again at Cambridge City Council’s full council meeting on the 4th of December [...] More ... ]]> 0.1274269223540614,52.18920632545219 2008-12-05 Damien Green and PACE Code B Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
David Howarth, I have been campaigning for some time for the strengthening of the authority carried by the PACE Codes, particularly following statements by Cambridgeshire Police in which they have made clear they consider the PACE codes are merely guidance and they believe they do not have to follow them. I have corresponded with you previously [...] More ... ]]> -0.12473344802856445,51.49983370127338 2008-12-03 Jesus Green Association - Open Meeting Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
An open meeting of the Jesus Green Association (JGA) was held on the 2nd of December 2008, the main agenda item was discussion of Cambridge City Council’s bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £4.4 million of work on Jesus Green. The chair estimated that about one hundred people were present. The overwhelming mood [...] More ... ]]> 0.122222900390625,52.2126557200447 2008-12-03 Jesus Green Trees Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Monday the 24th of November, Executive Councillor Julie Smith of Cambridge City Council wrote to the Cambridge Evening News defending the plans for Jesus Green: The removal of 59 trees has been recommended by arboricultural experts because they are old and frail, poorly formed or diseased and need to be removed in the interests [...] More ... ]]> 0.12479782104492188,52.21281349352309 2008-11-26 All UK Front Line Response Police to Carry TASERs Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Hidden behind today’s big news of a pre-budget report which could determine the future economic prosperity of the country is an announcement from the Home Secretary that all the UK’s 30,000 front-line response officers will soon be carrying TASER weapons. This was reported in an article on the front page of the Sunday Times [...] More ... ]]> -0.12864947319030762,51.4937548455074 2008-11-24 Cambridge City Centre Partnership Board Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A new “City Centre Partnership Board” is being formed help run the historic core of Cambridge City Centre. Cambridge City Council’s Strategy and Resources Scrutiny committee meeting on Monday 17th November decided to appoint the Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources, currently Cllr Cantrill as a director of the new board. Emma Thornton, Head of Tourism [...] More ... ]]> 0.11933684349060059,52.20492479069983 2008-11-20 New Housing Benefit System Could Force People Out of Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Section 5.7 of a “Mapping Poverty Report ” presented to Cambridge City Council’s Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on Monday the 17th of November 2008 states: The Rent Service determines Broad Rental Market Areas and sets Local Housing Allowances for them. Approximately 800 claimants could be affected by changes brought about by a Rent Service [...] More ... ]]> 0.11919200420379639,52.20493070820486 2008-11-20 Cambridge Strawberry Fair 2009 Conditions Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridge City Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee on the 13th of November where a decision on if the City Council should allow the Strawberry Fair to go ahead in 2009, and if it was to go ahead under what conditions. The decision made was to allow the fair to go-ahead, specifically the decision was [...] More ... ]]> 0.12900352478027344,52.21056779759923 2008-11-16 Jesus Green - Decision to Submit a Lottery Bid “Scrutinised”. Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridge City Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee on the 13th of November where the decision taken by Executive Councillor Julie Smith to submit a bid for £4.4 million worth of work on Jesus Green was on the agenda. The decision to submit the bid had already been taken, but was being reviewed by the [...] More ... ]]> 0.12226581573486328,52.21226128389722 2008-11-16 November Community Services Scrutiny Committee Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended Cambridge City Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee on the 13th of November, primarily to comment on the proposed work on Jesus Green and to watch the council make the decision to allow, or not, Strawberry Fair to go ahead in 2009. I have written separate posts on these subjects: Jesus Green Lottery Bid Strawberry Fair The [...] More ... ]]> 0.12599945068359375,52.21214032341895 2008-11-16 Rampage in Arbury Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A couple of youths went on the rampage in Arbury in the early hours of Saturday morning. Around twenty cars were damaged, many with their wing mirrors smashed off, three had widows broken. The trail of destruction ran from Carlyle Road right down to Searle Street. When I opened my curtains to look at the cause [...] More ... ]]> 0.1190042495727539,52.2235972970515 2008-11-16 Jesus Green Lottery Bid Document Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I visited Cambridge City Council’s offices to look at the document which was submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund on the 30th of September 2008 bidding for money for work on Jesus Green. The table below breaks down how it is proposed that the total project cost of £4,387,302.00 be spent. Surprising items include: It is [...] More ... ]]> 0.12166500091552734,52.211603882535314 2008-11-14 Who Owns Science? Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
“Who Own Science” was the title of a free public lecture given by Sir John Sulston in Cambridge on Wednesday 5th November. Sulston was giving the Cambridge Philosophical Society’s Honorary Fellows Prize Lecture for 2008. The title had been borrowed from the opening of “The University of Manchester’s Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation” at [...] More ... ]]> 0.1089620590209961,52.2008079607833 2008-11-13 6 Auckland Road - Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council has decided to spend up to £400 000 compulsorily purchasing a terraced house on Auckland Road, Cambridge (Auckland Road is one of the streets which runs from Midsummer Common in the direction of the Grafton Centre). The council appear unhappy that the current owner is taking too long to renovate the house and [...] More ... ]]> 0.13367056846618652,52.20859417496651 2008-10-30 New Cambridge Magistrates’ Court Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I visited the new Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Thursday the 23rd of October. I had visited at 14.00 on the afternoon of the opening day - on Monday the 20th, to be told that there were no courts sitting that afternoon, and there would not be any adult courts until Thursday. This left me concerned [...] More ... ]]> 0.12248039245605469,52.20434552492568 2008-10-24 Cambridge University Council - External Members Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge University advertised in the appointments section of last weekend’s Sunday Times for four new external members of the Cambridge University Council. A fuller advertisement appeared in the Cambridge University Reporter. I thought I would be able to do the job well and I believe it is a worthwhile role with an opportunity to make quite [...] More ... ]]> 0.11739492416381836,52.20552508888559 2008-10-24 Councillors Approve CB1 Outline Plans Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Following a 09.30 start it was just before 19.00 when the Cambridge City Council planning committee meeting considering the outline plans for the “CB1″ station area redevelopment finally concluded with a vote. Six Liberal Democrat councillors (Al Bander, Baker, Blair, Dixon, Holness, and Reid) voted in favour of accepting the officers’ recommendation to approve the planning [...] More ... ]]> 0.13698577880859375,52.1942870583921 2008-10-15 October 2008 North Area Committee - Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Thursday the 9th of October 2008 councillors in from the wards of Arbury, Kings Hedges, West Chesterton and East Chesterton met for the City Council’s North Area Committee. On the Monday before the meeting I wrote to my local ward councillors and have placed that submission on my website. I received no reply or even [...] More ... ]]> 0.12947559356689453,52.22545195827643 2008-10-13 Thrifts Walk, Chesterton Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Residents of Thrifts Walk, Chesterton lobbied Cambridge City Council’s North Area committee on the 9th of October 2008, asking for public money from the environmental improvements budget to be spent upgrading their private road. A proposal was submitted by Mr P.K.C. White, for and on behalf of the Residents of Thrift’s Walk. Mr White proposed [...] More ... ]]> 0.14359474182128906,52.217532633587425 2008-10-12 KFP Takeaway 113 Histon Road Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
During Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee on the 9th of October 2008 councillors approved a largely retrospective planning application for two rear extensions, an external staircase and a galvanized metal flue on 113 Histon Road. The building concerned is the takeaway previously called the Frying Pan, now trading as “KFP”. Labour Councillor Mike Todd Jones [...] More ... ]]> 0.11092543601989746,52.21733897074599 2008-10-11 Joking about Cambridge City Council’s Icelandic Investments Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Its not often that one comes home from a Cambridge City Council North Area Committee to find a continuation of the same discussion on Newsnight. Prior to the meeting while councillors were waiting for a planning officer to turn up the leader of the council was showing his colleagues a print-out of a “league table” [...] More ... ]]> -21.859359741210938,64.1224573238243 2008-10-10 Suggestions in Advance of the October 2008 North Area Committee Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I wrote to my local councillors in advance of the North Area Committee meeting to be held on Thursday 9th October. I made suggestions and comments relating to the following: Penny Ferry Works Minuting of the Discussion on Stop and Account at the last Meeting The Reporting of Chair’s Actions to the Committee Jesus Green Lottery Bid Police Powers given [...] More ... ]]> 0.12881040573120117,52.22559259888685 2008-10-06 Central Database of UK Internet Traffic Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
According to ex-editor of the Sunday Times, Andrew Neil, the Government occasionally uses the Sunday Papers to test the populace’s reactions to its more outlandish policy ideas. In today’s Sunday Times there is an article entitled: There’s no hiding place as spy HQ plans to see all. I suspect this is such an article [...] More ... ]]> -0.12878894805908203,51.49376219329749 2008-10-05 West Central Area Committee - September 2008 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended the West Central Area Committee on Thursday 18th of September, primarily to comment on a bid to the Lottery which the council is submitting to part-fund work on Jesus Green. The meeting was chaired by Cllr Rod Cantrill as the usual chair, Simon Kightley was absent. Cllr Cantrill decided to alter the running order and [...] More ... ]]> 0.1273190975189209,52.210245003003216 2008-09-18 BBC Trust - Review of TV Licence Fee Collection Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I have responded to a consultation being run by the BBC Trust as part of a review of licence fee collection. The consultation is being run between the 8th September 2008 and the 28th November 2008: Question 1. Do you feel it is clear when a TV licence is needed? Is there anything more which could [...] More ... ]]> -0.22631406784057617,51.51000049695902 2008-09-15 Cambridge City Council - Members’ Allowances Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I have just written to Cambridge City Council suggesting it’s about time they published the details of allowances paid to City Councillors for May 2007 to April 2008: Cambridge City Council’s webpages listing councillors link to a document providing information on allowances paid to City Councillors for May 2006 to April 2007. I would like to [...] More ... ]]> 0.11931538581848145,52.20494714582612 2008-09-15 Cambridge City Council Meeting 11 September 2008 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Thursday 11th September 2008 I went to watch a Cambridge City Council meeting, I’m writing here to share what I observed. Jesus Green “Exhibition” I arrived at 17.00 to look at a presentation on the consultation responses received by the council prior to it submitting a bid to the lottery for about two million pounds worth [...] More ... ]]> 0.1191866397857666,52.204833397442556 2008-09-11 Register of Members’ Interests - Cambridge City Council Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
This morning I went to Cambridge Guildhall to view the register of members’ interests for Cambridge City Councillors. I was particularly interested in finding out which, if any, councillors are members of : The Jesus Green Association The Old Chesterton Residents Association The Friends of Midsummer Common I have been concerned that residents associations such as these have undue influence [...] More ... ]]> 0.11912226676940918,52.20501881374375 2008-09-05 September 2008 Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended the Strategy & Resources Scrutiny Committee, of Cambridge City Council, on Monday the 1st of September. My primary reason for attending was to speak in response to the internal review of the Council’s use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA). The meeting was held in a large meeting room, (meeting [...] More ... ]]> 0.1189720630645752,52.2050050061244 2008-09-02 RIPA Powers Review - Speech Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended the Strategy & Resources Scrutiny Committee, of Cambridge City Council, at 17.00 on Monday the 1st of September. Members of the public can speak at these meetings if they arrange to do so beforehand. I spoke on the subject of the internal review of the Council’s use of powers under the Regulation [...] More ... ]]> 0.11906862258911133,52.20500051327469 2008-09-01 Review of RIPA Powers - Cambridge City Council Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Below are excerpts from an email which I sent to selected councillors in advance of them receiving the report of an internal review into Cambridge City Council’s use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. Cllrs Nimmo-Smith, Ward and Herbert, Cambridge City Council’s internal review of the Council’s use of powers under the [...] More ... ]]> 0.11973381042480469,52.212438780596976 2008-08-30 August 2008 North Area Committee Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended the Cambridge City Council North Area Committee on Thursday August 14th 2008. Prior to the meeting I had advertised it with flyers in the local area, and had written to my ward councillors. Below are my recollections and comments on proceedings: Planning The committee first met at 18.30 to deal with planing applications. Labour [...] More ... ]]> 0.12932538986206055,52.22559917087834 2008-08-24 In advance of the August 2008 North Area Committee Meeting Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I sent the below email to my local councillors in advance of Cambridge City Council’s August 2008 North Area Committee meeting. Councillors Mike Todd-Jones, Alan Levy, Tim Ward and Rupert Moss-Eccardt, I am making some suggestions in advance of this evening’s North Area Committee meeting on the subjects of: Policing Jesus Green Works and New Bridge Penny Ferry Policing. *I would suggest [...] More ... ]]> 0.12878894805908203,52.22563728832958 2008-08-14 Jesus Green Cambridge - Lottery Bid Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cambridge City Council are currently asking for comments on their plans for Jesus Green. The council are proposing making a bid to the National Lottery’s Parks for People fund and the BIG lottery fund. My Comments: I would support a wider bridge, or a new cycle bridge over the river at Jesus Green; this would need to [...] More ... ]]> 0.1209568977355957,52.21294891515129 2008-08-13 Arbury Park North Edge Design Brief Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended a presentation / question and answer session this evening on the subject of a document entitled the “Arbury Park North Edge Design Brief”. It was reported the need for this document apparently has arisen as: There is an expectation among council officers that current planning applications in the north area of the [...] More ... ]]> 0.11866092681884766,52.23508022700521 2008-07-31 FOI Request - Powers of PCSOs in Cambridgeshire Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
For quite some time now I have been asking Cambridgeshire Police to publicise, preferably on their website, exactly what powers our local PCSOs have been given by the Chief Constable. On the 12th of September 2007 I got a commitment from the Chief Constable live on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire to do just this but this [...] More ... ]]> -0.19665956497192383,52.330614756170704 2008-07-25 Zeichner Calls for PCSOs to Act on Bike Offences Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
This week Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Cambridge, Daniel Zeichner has been calling for more powers to be given to PCSOs in Cambridge. Mr Zeichner particularly wants PCSOs to be used to clamp down on illegal cycling. I agree with Mr Zeichner in so far as there is a lot of dangerous and illegal cycling in [...] More ... ]]> 0.1300334930419922,52.20320472413096 2008-07-24 Advertising the August North Area Committee Meeting Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At the last meeting of the North Area Committee, I and other members of the public present agreed to try and publicise the next meeting better. I have been lobbying the city council, police and police authority to try and get them to do their bit to advertise it, and I have also produced the [...] More ... ]]> 0.12906789779663086,52.225646489268584 2008-07-22 Spotting Waste in the Conservative’s Right to Know Forms Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I read through the Conservative’s new Right to Know parliamentary expenses forms last week, and spotted that Tony Baldry, Conservative MP for Banbury, has an entry for: “Website hire” - at £1882.94 for the three months covered by the form so he’s paying £7531.76/year for http://www.tonybaldry.org.uk and he’s only renting it. This makes his [...] More ... ]]> -0.12559711933135986,51.49214899992049 2008-07-18 Stonehenge Management and Environmental Improvements Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
In March 2006 I responded to a Department for Transport Consultation on the options for altering the roads around Stonehenge. The decision made following that consultation was that any alteration to the A303 - either burying it or moving it - was unaffordable. As of July 2008 there is now another consultation on the subject [...] More ... ]]> -1.8258118629455566,51.179411581905924 2008-07-17 Police Consulatative Meeting - Arbury Ward Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I have just returned from a police consultative meeting at the Meadows Community Centre, the meeting was publicised as being to discuss Anti-Social Behaviour in the ward of Arbury. No council officers attended, apparently due to them being on strike, although the national council worker’s strike doesn’t start until tomorrow. About 14 members [...] More ... ]]> 0.11802792549133301,52.230677714987486 2008-07-15 Stop and Account - Compliance with PACE codes in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
David Howarth (MP for Cambridge), In April 2008 the police in Cambridge decided to abolish the stop and account / encounter form. I am writing to you now as I have today received confirmation from Detective Superintendent Jeff Hill of Cambridgeshire police that in abolishing the stop and account form in Cambridge the police [...] More ... ]]> 0.13025879859924316,52.20312319031281 2008-07-12 Stop and Account - Cambridge Police Confirm They Ignore PACE Code A Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I have today received the below response to some of my questions relating to the operation of stop and account / encounter procedures in Cambridge. The officer in charge of stop and account in Cambridgeshire has confirmed in the email reproduced below that Cambridgeshire Police are ignoring PACE Code A with respect to the procedure they [...] More ... ]]> -0.19665956497192383,52.33031053630809 2008-07-11 Majid Ahmed: When is a Referral Order Spent? Should the Innocent Ever Plead Guilty? Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I have just commented on the article on the Imperial College student run news website Live! on a prospective medical student who had his medical school place taken away from him due to a referral order he had received following a burglary at the age of 15. In a Guardian article the prospective student has said: [...] More ... ]]> -0.17663955688476562,51.49779258943838 2008-07-09 Conservative Party Patronage Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Does Boris Johnston have a subscription to the Private Eye? Perhaps given his connections with the Spectator he might avoid the faux-pas of being seen on the Eye’s subscriber list, but then if he had been reading it he might have avoided the more serious disaster which befell him today when his Deputy Mayor, [...] More ... ]]> -0.12552738189697266,51.49216837210253 2008-07-04 City Wide Police Priorities in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
At the April 2008 North Area Committee meeting councillors removed burglary as a police priority, a decision which baffled me given the fact the Police reported to that meeting that burglary in the North Area: “remains high when compared to other areas of the City”. Councillors Nimmo-Smith and Pitt justified the committee’s decision when [...] More ... ]]> 0.1300334930419922,52.203213271946524 2008-07-04 Improving the Mechanism for Setting Police Priorities in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I met with John Fuller, Community Engagement Officer, Cambridgeshire Police and Paul Griffin Strategy Officer (Community Safety) of Cambridge City Council at the Council offices on Regent Street in Cambridge this afternoon. This meeting was idea of the chair of North Area Committee meeting, who decided to ask me to attend it as a response (punishment? [...] More ... ]]> 0.12444913387298584,52.20219852666375 2008-07-03 Penny Ferry - June 2008 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Cllr Liddle, In your absence (reported as being due to a collapsed ceiling in your front room) at yesterday’s North Area Committee you were appointed as to “champion” the environmental improvement scheme for the car park, hailing way and green area at Penny Ferry, Chesterton. I think this scheme has enormous potential to rejuvenate this area of [...] More ... ]]> 0.15034586191177368,52.2187971320772 2008-06-20 June 2008 North Area Committee - Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended the 19th June 2008 North Area Committee meeting tonight. I think the interesting decisions made were: 1. To demand from officers a better minuting of the element of the previous meeting where police priorities were set. ` 2. To set a fixed time 19.30 for the policing agenda item at the next meeting, which I believe [...] More ... ]]> 0.1289820671081543,52.22565306125211 2008-06-19 Minutes of the East Chesterton ASB Meeting Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Following a public meeting with the police on Anti-Social behaviour in East Chesterton, Cambridge on the 2nd of April 2008 I requested a copy of the minutes from the council’s ASB section - they invited attendees to do this at the meeting. Two months after my original request, and following a number of emails to chase [...] More ... ]]> 0.1402478814452479,52.21507879592257 2008-06-18 Policing - Stop and Account, Honour Crime and Local Priorities Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I decided to write to Kevin Wilkins, County Councillor (£6840/Year), David Howarth MP Staff member (Another job paid for by taxpayers) and Member of the Police Authority (£7631/Year), as he told me on April the 20th he would look into the operation of Stop and Account in Cambridge, I have received a response from [...] More ... ]]> -0.19661664962768555,52.33028037664229 2008-06-16 In Advance of June’s North Area Committee Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
In advance of the upcoming Cambridge City Council North Area Committee meeting on the 19th of June 2008 I have written to some local councillors to make some observations. In summary : The meeting papers are appalling - the minutes of the previous meeting omit the local policing priorities which were agreed by the committee. It [...] More ... ]]> 0.129014253616333,52.225638602806875 2008-06-12 Setting Local Police Priorities in Cambridge City Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I spoke at on the subject of setting police priorities at Cambridge City Council’s North Area Committee Meeting on the 6th of March 2008, Councillor Nimmo-Smith committed to respond. Prior to the next North Area Committee meeting on the 17th April 2008 I reminded Councillor Nimmo-Smith of his commitment but he was not [...] More ... ]]> 0.12913227081298828,52.225731267540624 2008-05-29 New pedestrian maps for Cambridge city centre Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
My comments on the proposed new pedestrian maps for central Cambridge (http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/arts-and-entertainment/finding-your-way.en) : 0. If there are to be any distances on the signs they should be in miles, (or minutes walk), and certainly not kilometers or meters. 1. Which, if any, existing maps and signs are being removed? I note a node is planned for [...] More ... ]]> 0.11833906173706055,52.2083154148077 2008-05-22 Abbey Road - Riverside - Promenade - Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Plans for a proposed closing of the junction of Abbey Road and Riverside to traffic, and the narrowing of Riverside and the construction of a pedestrian promenade were displayed in the window of the Renault Garage on Newmarket Road earlier this week. I have looked on the Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council websites for [...] More ... ]]> 0.13756513595581055,52.21108058425777 2008-05-22 Oakington IMB Interview Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I was today interviewed as part of the application process to become a member of the Independent Monitoring Board at Oakington Immigration Removal Centre. The interview broadly followed the published questions for the interview, (http://www.imb.gov.uk/docs/DC_10_04__Annex_C_.pdf ) to which I had prepared responses. I was impressed by the fact that those interviewing me, the vice-chair of the [...] More ... ]]> 0.059609413146972656,52.27842229810975 2008-05-01 Crime Mapping - Enabling Police Accountability Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A response to the Conservative’s proposal on Crime Mapping: We think every police force should publish the crimes committed in their area in a map form. It’s an idea that technology makes possible, that’s worked in the United States, and it’s absolutely key to dealing with the crime that blights our communities. David, I support the overall idea [...] More ... ]]> -0.12569904327392578,51.49226055599834 2008-04-26 Abolition of Stop and Account in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
As Inspector Hutchinson told the April North Area committee meeting stop and account forms had been abolished in Cambridge, yet I could find nothing to back this up on the Police, Police Authority, Home Office, the BBC or any other news media websites I decided to ask some questions and make some suggestions via [...] More ... ]]> -0.19632697105407715,52.330284966062294 2008-04-20 CCTV on Jesus Green Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Martin Beaumont (City Council’s CCTV Manager), CC: Independent Punter’s Campaign I have recently had my attention drawn to the cameras in the bowling pavilion on Jesus Green. I am aware there are signs on the building, but believe that the way the cameras are mounted in holes in the wooden wall of the building, behind wire grills [...] More ... ]]> 0.11951923370361328,52.21220869214626 2008-04-18 April 2008 North Area Committee Meeting Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended the North Area Committee meeting on Thursday the 17th of April in Cambridge. Highlights Sector Inspector Jon Hutchinson assured me after the meeting that he would ask if stop and account records collected in Cambridge could be deleted/destroyed now records of stops and accounts are no-longer made. Councillors removed burglary as a priority for the [...] More ... ]]> 0.12891769409179688,52.225645174791545 2008-04-17 Public Meeting on Policing in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I attended a public meeting with members of Cambridge City Council’s Antisocial Behaviour team and a PCSO in the St. Andrews Centre, Chesterton, Cambridge this evening. The event was kicked off with an older couple raising concerns about inappropriate police priorities; they had had windows broken and had been burgled but not had a visit from [...] More ... ]]> 0.14026343822479248,52.21507485180361 2008-04-02 Opposing Secret Inquests with Government Appointed Coroners and no Juries. Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
David Howarth (Cambridge MP), I would like to urge you to remove clause 64 and 65 of the Counter-Terrorism Bill which proposes to introduce inquests in secret, without juries and enable the appointment of special Government appointed coroners. I believe coroners ought to be trusted fulfill their role with integrity and it is necessary for coroners to [...] More ... ]]> -0.12492656707763672,51.49958257478694 2008-03-19 Northstowe - Comments on Outline Planning Application Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I made some comments on the Northstowe Outline Planning Application before the 30 March 2008 deadline. On the Transport Assessment: Section 5.6.7 : “Journey times are predicted to be approximately 20 minutes … The proposals include on-street running in Huntingdon and Cambridge with the on street sections having appropriate bus priority measures. ” I am concerned that [...] More ... ]]> 0.06799507245887071,52.27948043013545 2008-03-19 Neighbourhood Policing Radio Adverts Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I have just heard a radio advert on Q103 in Cambridge advertising “Neighbourhood Policing” and directing those wishing to have their say to http://www.q103.co.uk. On visiting the radio station website I was directed to : http://www.neighbourhoodpolicesite.co.uk/?station=Q103 There I found a survey which I felt was asking a highly leading question: “What is your biggest crime related concern?” with [...] More ... ]]> -0.13177156448364258,51.49888529018256 2008-03-18 North West Cambridge Development Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Plans for a proposed development which will comprise 2500 homes, a similar number of student residences as well as University buildings between Huntington Road, opposite Girton College though to Madingley Road, joining up with the observatory site on Madingley rise took a step forward today. A draft Northwest Cambridge Area Action Plan (AAP) draft, [...] More ... ]]> 0.08728981018066406,52.22020718234287 2008-03-17 Mini-Motos in Arbury Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
On Sunday 9th March I saw youths on mini-motos on the green area between Daisy Close, St Albans Road and Arbury Road in the middle of the afternoon. A mini-moto was being ridden accross the circular play area and around the adjacent play equipment. Children were being denied use of the play equipment on [...] More ... ]]> 0.11810302734375,52.229718303682425 2008-03-13 CCTV - Martingale Close Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Mr Beaumont (City Council CCTV Manager), Could you please let me know why there are two re-deployable Closed Circuit Television (RCCTV) cameras in Martingale Close. I note that a least one local resident did not immediately realise what the objects were which had appeared on the lampposts. This leads me to question: Did the signs go up at [...] More ... ]]> 0.10943627370579634,52.22739591662473 2008-03-13 NIAB Site - Between Histon Road and Huntington Road Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The NIAB site has outline planning permission for development and will be built on. I believe there is still an opportunity as detailed plans are developed in advance of a full planning application to make sure that what is built is what is needed and that development does not adversely affect existing residents particularly in [...] More ... ]]> 0.1082797053095419,52.22961841849387 2008-03-11 Cambridge Congestion Charge - FOI Request Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
To: foi at - cambridgeshire.gov.uk Could you please send me by email or preferably make available on your website, the documents which comprise the output of the circa one million pounds spent on consultants as part of the preparations for making a bid to the central Government’s Transport Innovation Fund in late 2007. I expect this [...] More ... ]]> 0.11424064636230469,52.21285556651651 2008-03-04 Opposition to a database of where children are outside school hours Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Dear County Councillor Moss Eccardt, (Copied to the School) I have just read on the Cambridge Evening News website that: “Alison Evans, of Great and Little Shelford Primary School, has come under fire for her plan to build the database which would detail where children are outside school hours in a bid to stop them walking alone [...] More ... ]]> 0.12986183166503906,52.145972618815016 2008-03-02 Dispersal Orders and Ecops Operation in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
To: Kevin Wilkins (County Councillor and Police Authority member with a specialisation in Cambridge City) and Olive Main, Independent Member of the Police Authority. At the Cambridge City Council’s East Area Committee on the 28th of February Sgt. Cross of the Police reported problems with the operation of dispersal zone which includes Mill Road in [...] More ... ]]> 0.13001203536987305,52.20322905283352 2008-03-01 Congestion Charge - East Area Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I was able to speak to Paul Cook, Cambridgeshire’s Head of Transport Policy and Strategy during the Congestion Charge exhibition held before Cambridge City Council’s East Area Committee meeting on Thursday 28th February. I let Mr Cook, and the councillors know that I opposed the congestion charge, thought central government was blackmailing the people of [...] More ... ]]> 0.13792991638183594,52.20524104954861 2008-02-28 Virgin Media - Fibre Optic Broadband Adverts Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I complained to the Advertising Standards Authority about Virgin Media’s Advertising of its broadband internet as being delivered over Fibre Optic Cables, on the straight forward grounds that it is not. The ASA rejected my complaint, so I appealed to the Independent Reviewer of Advertising Standards Authority Adjudications,  Sir John Caines, my letter to him [...] More ... ]]> -0.11747002601623535,51.51805071683916 2008-02-25 Virgin Media - Fibre Optic Broadband Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
David Howarth, (Cambridge MP) Virgin Media supplies me, and many of your constituents with Broadband internet. They wrote to me this week to say: “Virgin Broadband comes via fibre optic cable”. It clearly doesn’t as normal traditional metallic cables bring it into my house. Virgin media have been at this game of lying about the [...] More ... ]]> -0.1176404,51.51807 2008-02-21 Review: The History of Imperial College London Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Hannah Gay’s History of Imperial College London from 1907-2007 was published for the college centenary and is available from Imperial College press. The zebra crossing on Prince Consort road being put in place after activist students painted one on the road; painted foot prints walking over buildings as a RAG prank and the Union Bar [...] More ... ]]> -0.17698287963867188,51.49893872231794 2008-02-19 Cycleway Sign Suggestion Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Clare Rankin, David Bradford, I am writing to you as you are listed as “Walking and Cycling Development and Promotion Officers” on Cambridge City Council’s Website. I have noticed that on the Cambridge Cycle Campaign map (http://www.camcycle.org.uk/resources/citycentre/) recently sent to most houses in Cambridge it states it is acceptable to cycle through the bollards and across the [...] More ... ]]> 0.12921810150146484,52.20661388905572 2008-01-29 Stop and Account in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I believe the “stop and account” form used by the police isn’t working and in my view is damaging to the relationship between the public and the police. The way the form is used affects the nature of an encounter between the police and a member of the public.  I attended a local community meeting, (to [...] More ... ]]> 0.1178884506225586,52.23074605598403 2008-01-29 Setting Local Police Priorities Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
To: City Councillors Downham, Levy and Armstrong and relevant council officers, I have tonight attended a “anti-social behavior meeting  for the Arbury”, at which I was able to ask the Police, who were represented by PCSO Rob Streater where the Police priorities for the North Area were set, where the Neighbourhood Panel Meeting for the North [...] More ... ]]> 0.11803865432739258,52.230732913523724 2008-01-29 Threatened Deportation of Watford footballer Al Bangura Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
David Howarth, I would like to draw your attention to the situation of Watford footballer Al Bangura who is facing deportation to Sierra Leone and add my voice to those calling for the Home Office to reverse its decision to deport him. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7111120.stm Al Bangura has built up his life in the UK establishing great ties to our [...] More ... ]]> -0.40181636810302734,51.64985290636902 2007-12-16 DVLA Trial of Smart Card Provisional Driving Licences Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
A consultation on a DVLA Trial of Smart Card Provisional Driving Licences was run with with a closing date of 11/01/2008. I responded to the consultation, answering all their questions with the below: Question 1: Do you understand and agree with the [...] More ... ]]> -3.944542407989502,51.67063888835932 2007-12-15 Oakington IMB Application Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I applied to become a member of the Independent Monitoring Board at Oakington Immigration Centre on the 2nd of December 2007. The two primary questions on the application form asked why I wanted to be a member of the IMB and what skills and abilities I had to offer, my responses to these questions, which were [...] More ... ]]> 0.059180259704589844,52.27837241055119 2007-12-02 Government Advertising Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Andy Harper, (BBC Radio Cambridge Presenter) On the subject of Advertising one thing that really annoys me is Government adverts nannying us: Don’t smoke, Drink responsibly, Cook sausages properly, Close gates when walking in the countryside Get your tax return in by the deadline Don’t walk under ladders Wear a seatbelt The Government spent £339 million* of our money advertising to us [...] More ... ]]> -0.0777268,51.4979008 2007-11-20 Inquiring about the Oakington IMB Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Dear Penny Lambert (IMB Chair, Oakington IMB), Having recently written to the IMB secretariat I understand that you currently have a vacancy on Oakington’s IMB. Could you please let me know if you are currently actively trying to fill this vacancy. The IMB secretariat has written to me saying: “Recruitment is carried out at a local [...] More ... ]]> 0.059184551500948146,52.27848531393509 2007-11-14 Green Bins Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Dear Cambridge City Council’s City Services Helpdesk, I saw 12 broken green recycling bins while walking down Hale Avenue and Harvey Goodwin avenue in Cambridge this morning, I am attaching photographs of most of them. Could you please let me know if you have any plans to replace these bins. I am aware that I could phone you [...] More ... ]]> 0.11578559875488281,52.21742023234495 2007-11-13 Operation Cyclone - Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I wrote the below to Kevin Wilkins (County Councillor and Police Authority member with a specialisation in Cambridge City) and Olive Main, Independent Member of the Police Authority in October 2007. I don’t like Cambridge police’s recent operation stopping cyclists in the city centre, I’m in favour for dealing with dangerous illegal cycling, though I [...] More ... ]]> 0.13021695620409446,52.20313042310094 2007-10-06 Dispersal Zones In Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I wrote the below to Kevin Wilkins (County Councillor and Police Authority member with a specialisation in Cambridge City) and Olive Main, Independent Member of the Police Authority in October 2007: In Cambridge dispersal zones are in my view used in areas they shouldn’t be. Do we really need to use new laws to deal with [...] More ... ]]> 0.11919200420379639,52.20493070820486 2007-10-06 Stop and Account Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I was stopped and asked to account for my actions by a police officer last year. During that encounter with the police I feel that I was misled by the officer who suggested that I had to give him my name and address. Police stopping people, asking them to account for their actions and then [...] More ... ]]> 0.13784837748971768,52.21686807958495 2007-10-06 Speed Awareness Courses Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I wrote the below to Kevin Wilkins (County Councillor and Police Authority member with a specialisation in Cambridge City) and Olive Main, Independent Member of the Police Authority in October 2007. I am aware that Cambridgeshire does not offer speed awareness courses, but they are run elsewhere in the UK (and I, like many residents of [...] More ... ]]> -0.1964229941040685,52.33031774842732 2007-10-06 Police Using their Notebooks Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I wrote the below to Kevin Wilkins (County Councillor and Police Authority member with a specialisation in Cambridge City) and Olive Main, Independent Member of the Police Authority in October 2007: While a juror I was disappointed by two officers, both relatively senior had not made notes of important events, which was problematic when they were [...] More ... ]]> 0.13021695620409446,52.20313042310094 2007-10-06 Police powers with respect to mini-motos. Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Dear Cllr James and The Council’s Anti Social Behaviour Section, I have been appalled by the Police’s lack of action against people misusing motorbikes etc., riding them dangerously eg. with small kids on the back without helmets, and riding them on footpaths etc. PCSO David Jackson told the inaugural Open Meeting of the Friends of Midsummer Common [...] More ... ]]> 0.13021695620409446,52.20313042310094 2007-09-11 Cambridge City CCTV Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Martin Beaumont (Cambridge City CCTV manager), I would like to ask a few questions/comments about Cambridge City Council’s CCTV system. I want to say that I was very impressed by the quality of response which I got from you when I last made some comments on the city’s CCTV. 1. Are the cameras on Elizabeth Way Bridge, [...] More ... ]]> 0.11949294808800914,52.204885669051244 2007-09-11 Opposing More UK Police being Armed with TASERs Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Dear David Howarth (Cambridge MP), I am writing to you following the arming of non-firearms police with TASER electroshock weapons in the UK as part of a year long trial which started on 1st September 2007. (1) I support police firearms units having access to TASER weapons which they can elect to use as an alternative [...] More ... ]]> -0.12498021125793457,51.50002070958155 2007-09-09 School Councils Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I wrote to relevant Cambridgeshire County Council officers also copied my local county councillor on the subject of School Councils. I can see that a number (around 15%) of the authority’s schools are members of Schools Council UK from: http://www.schoolcouncils.org/map_view However others run school councils without membership, are they doing so without training and support? Specifically I [...] More ... ]]> 0.11386567357476451,52.21285063590784 2007-09-07 Street Lighting and Belisha Beacons Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Dear Malcolm Mugridge (Lead Engineer, Road Safety Engineering, Cambridgeshire) I got your name and email from the letter you sent out to those who responded to the consultation on the Chesterton Road Crossing; which resulted in the installation of the fantastically bright LED orange halos around the belisha beacons - which I think are excellent. I’m writing [...] More ... ]]> 0.12046927216943004,52.21315303325563 2007-09-06 UK failing Asian girls vulnerable to “honour crime” Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
David Howarth (Cambridge MP), I was listening to “File on Four” on Radio Four on Sunday afternoon. It was about “Honour Crime” against British Asian/Muslim women and girls in Britain, what I heard shocked and appalled me and has driven me to write to you. The programme revealed that the UK state (Police and Education Authorities) are [...] More ... ]]> -0.12473344802856445,51.49983370127338 2007-07-03 Suggestions for Improving Cambridge University Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The below was written, following an invitation, to the graduate representative on the University’s Council and General Board I’m going to limit myself to the most important items, which I think can be usefully dealt with at the level of the University’s Council and General Board and the other committees you are on. Introduce minimum standards for [...] More ... ]]> 0.11739707006199751,52.20554612843726 2007-06-23 Cambridge’s Graduate Union Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I was asked by the Student Representative on Cambridge University’s University’s Council and General Board to comment on the status of Cambridge’s Graduate Union. My reply is below: John, Thank you for taking the contents of my previous email into consideration. I’ve given you my thoughts on the points you’ve raised: I have been trying to find out [...] More ... ]]> 0.1174163818359375,52.202211841966125 2007-06-23 Chesterton Road Crossing Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Malcolm Mugridge, (Lead Engineer, Road Safety Engineering, Cambridgeshire County Council) First I’d like to express my concern that the new A428 was closed due to flooding last week and hope that there will be an appropriate response. However primarily I’m writing to comment on the “New plans for Chesterton Road, Cambridge” published at: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/safety/accidents/safety+scheme+for+chesterton+road+cambridge.htm (Since changed) 1. Comments [...] More ... ]]> 0.12046927216943004,52.21315303325563 2007-06-18 Council Scrutiny of Dispersal Zones Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Dear Councillor Ward, In response to the Police priorities section of Wednesday’s North Area Committee Meeting, I asked the councillors if they were happy with the process for introducing dispersal zones in the City. I noted that the council leader appeared to be authorising these police powers without routinely seeking input from other councillors at the Strategy [...] More ... ]]> 0.11919200420379639,52.20493070820486 2007-06-01 Congestion Charge Views Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Key points regarding my opposition to Cambridge’s proposed Congestion Charge, based on what I have said to Paul Cook, Cambridgeshire’s Head of Transport Policy and Strategy during the Congestion Charge exhibition held before Cambridge City Council’s East Area Committee meeting on Thursday 28th February, my local councillors and others: I oppose a congestion charge, primarily [...] More ... ]]> 0.13800555470879772,52.205234803214296 2007-02-28 Scrutiny of Dispersal Zone Designations in Cambridge Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Councillor Bruce, I am writing to you as I believe you are the Chair of the Strategy Scrutiny Committee. Can you let me know if the Council Leader’s decision to make an area of Cambridge including Mill Road, Parker’s Piece, Christ’s Pieces, Midsummer Common, Brunswick Gardens and Riverside a designated area under Section 30 Subsections (3) to [...] More ... ]]> 0.11919200420379639,52.20493070820486 2007-02-25 Friends of Midsummer Common Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
To: The Committee of the Friends of Midsummer Common, I attended your open meeting held on Wednesday 24th January 2007 and am taking up the invitation extended to those of us at that meeting to email you at this address with opinions/suggestions we were unable to make in person at the meeting. When I attended the meeting [...] More ... ]]> 0.1281924250361044,52.209402831645214 2007-02-14 Suggestions to the BBSRC Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Dear Prof. Mary Bownes, As someone who received a BBSRC funded CASE PhD studentship in 2001 but has not obtained a PhD I would like to offer some suggestions based on my experience. I feel that the BBSRC could have got better value for money for the money spent in relation to my studentship. I also [...] More ... ]]> -1.7856130594736896,51.56726983821856 2007-01-02 Jury Suggestions Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Following my experience as a member of a Jury I wrote to my MP with some very simple suggestions for improving the Jury trial process: David Howarth, I would like to suggest that you seek to amend the Criminal Justice Act (or the relevant legislation) to ensure: A Jury should always be sent out of court and allowed [...] More ... ]]> 0.13683664805284934,52.20686570312749 2006-10-05 Oakington Reception Centre IMB Annual Report 2005 Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
OAKINGTON IMMIGRATION RECEPTION CENTRE INDEPENDENT MONITORING BOARD ANNUAL REPORT OAKINGTON IMB REPORT 2005 - PDF version. Most Annual Reports from Independent Monitoring Boards are made available by the Home Office via their IMB website. Despite being made available to the Cambridge Evening News in time to write an article on the 2nd of May 2006, and presumably [...] More ... ]]> 0.059184551500948146,52.27848531393509 2006-06-22 Part 3 of RIPA - A Step Towards Lawlessness Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
I wrote the below letter to my MP because I oppose laws which potentially criminalise vast swathes of people, leaving open the possibility for the Police to selectively enforce the law. A society where everybody routinely breaks, or is unable to comply with the law and the state enforces the law arbitrarily is in [...] More ... ]]> -0.12473344802856445,51.49983370127338 2006-06-05 Stonehenge Consultation Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
Would you build a new road through a world heritage site containing one of the UK’s most recognisable assets? Would you build a tunnel within a few hundred meters of Stonehenge? Both of these options are now being considered as part of a road improvement scheme around Stonehenge designed to: Remove roads and traffic from the landscape setting [...] More ... ]]> -1.8260865208867472,51.17895557498939 2006-03-02 Cambridge’s CCTV System Richard Taylor (Link to Full Article)
The below correspondence resulted in a number of improvements to Cambridge City Council’s CCTV code of practice and brought it more into line with current practice: Anthony Hymans, (Local City Councillor) If you walk to the top of your road (Alpha Road), turn right and take a few steps forward I believe you will be on [...] More ... ]]> 0.11949294808800914,52.204885669051244 2005-12-03