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Cambridge Backs Committee
There is a proposal to reduce the yew trees to the right of the Garret Hostel Lane path to 4m high this winter. Last week, in response to a Freedom of Information request to Clare College, the papers for meetings of the Cambridge Backs Committee since 2007 were released. Background to the Backs Committee The […]
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Cheeky Sods Drive BBQ Bus onto Midsummer Common
“Cheeky Sods” in the Big Green Egg BBQ Bus on Midsummer Common Due to inconsiderate people damaging the grass BBQs and fires have become a contentious issue on Jesus Green and Midsummer Common in recent years. There have also been many problems with vehicles churning up the grass and damaging the edges of paths on […]
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Friends of Midsummer Common 2011 AGM
Friends of Midsummer Common AGM 2011. Mr Baxter (middle) in the chair. On Wednesday the 16th of March 2011 I attended the 4th Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Midsummer Common. Key Points: The manager of the Fort St. George Public House attended and argued he, and his staff ought be allowed to continue […]
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Cambridge City Council Debates Cuts
I observed a special meeting of Cambridge City Council’s full council on Monday the 8th of November 2010. The meeting’s purpose was to consider the latest draft of the council’s Medium Term Strategy (3MB PDF) in light of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review the outcome of which was announced on the 20th of October. The […]
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Cambridge West Central Area Committee October 2010
On the 28th of October 2010 I attended Cambridge City Council’s West Central Area Committee. Key points: Councillors approved a number of new projects, including a portable sandpit for beach volleyball, to be investigated by council officers with a view to spending S.106 development taxes on them. I think spending these taxes, which are a […]
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Suggesting Tweaks to Midsummer Common Tree Plans
Current plans include planting three black poplars in the middle of the grass a hundred metres or so into the common from the point this photo was taken. I think this wedge of open grass should be left as it multiplies the sense of space. I spoke at the special meeting of the West Central […]
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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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Felling of Mature London Plane Trees on Alexandra Gardens Proposed
Cambridge City Council is Considering Felling Some of The Mature London Plane Trees on Alexandra Gardens. Three healthy, mature, century old, London Planes lining Carlyle Avenue in central Cambridge are the latest trees to be threatened with felling by the Liberal Democrat run city council. Notices which appeared on the trees on Friday the 3rd […]
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Visiting Cambridge City Council to Look Behind the Accounts
File containing reports from Cambridge City Council’s accounting system relating to items I had expressed an interest prior to my visit to inspect background material supporting the published accounts. On Thursday the 22nd of July 2010 I visited Cambridge City Council’s accounts office to make use of the provision in the Audit Commission Act 1998 […]
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Swimming Pool Management Fees Revealed
The five volume contract between Sports and Leisure Management Limited and Cambridge City Council. Sports and Leisure Management Limited (SLM) currently has a contract with Cambridge City Council under which it runs: Parkside Pools The Abbey Pools, including the floodlit pitches The King’s Hedges Learner Pool The Jesus Green Pool The city’s six paddling pools […]