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Uncertainty Over City Council Funding
On the 24th of September 2010 I observed, and filmed, a meeting of the Cambridge City Council Executive. Key Points Some councillors are very uncomfortable with having their meetings filmed. There is massive uncertainty about how much money the City Council will have in the future. Cambridge City Council wants to raise a hyperlocal tax […]
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City Council Returns Tens of Thousands of Pounds to Belvedere Developer
Belvedere Development, Hills Road, Cambridge. During the open period for Cambridge City Council’s accounts which ran from the 7th of July to the 3rd of August this year I visited the council to look at some of the details behind the published information. I found that £49,894.26 of “S.106” money had been returned to the […]
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New Trees for Jesus Green and Midsummer Common – Seminar and Workshop
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 […]
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Tall Buildings in Cambridge
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 […]
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Love Cambridge Considering Raising Taxes, Tackling Pigeons and Dealing With Unfriendly Customer Service
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 […]
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Should We Buy Our Councillors iPads?
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 they’re […]
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Cambridge Bus Service Reduced to Meet Emissions Targets
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 […]
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Jesus Green Playground May Remain Desolate Till 2011
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 […]
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Management of the Trees between Templemore Close and Holbrook Road
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 […]
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Determining Planning Applications At Area Committees – A Good Idea?
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 […]