Blog Posts

  • Cambridge to become a super connected city

    Cambridge has won a share of £50 million Government funding to become a super-connected city as part of countywide plans for better broadband across Cambridgeshire. In addition to the Government funding announced today, Cambridgeshire County Council is investing up to £20 million together with £3 million from Peterborough City Council to improve broadband to stimulate Read more

  • Cycle ambulance – great response

    In a shop at lunchtime I found one of the two salesman slumped in a chair and unresponsive. When we got him to respond he complained of pins and needles in his arms and of feeling unwell. As this was a male in his 50’s with heart trouble in the family I asked for a Read more

  • County Council – Chairman’s reception

    Sunday evening was spent at the Chairman’s reception held at Shire Hall. This occurs every two years and is an opportunity for John Powley and his wife Jill, to say thank you to everyone they have been in contact with over his nearly two years as Chairman. Given the austere times a modest affair was Read more

  • Future Councils: New Ways of Working and Delivering Public Services

    I was asked to speak at this event in London. I shared my experiences of setting up our shared services with Northamptonshire ( LGSS ) to a significant number of councillors and officers from around the country. I was able to tell them about the significant savings we have made to date and how we Read more

  • LGA – Economy and Transport board

    On thursday I attended the LGA economy and transport board meeting. There is a pre meet for the party groups before the all party board meeting takes place. Much of the detailed examination of policy takes place at the group sessions. There was lots of discussion about local authorities having a greater influence over strategic Read more

  • Leveson inquiry

    Is the press perfect – no. Does it sometimes go over the top – yes. Does the press sometimes try to make the news rather than reporting it – yes. Can the press sometimes be irritating – yes. Does the press sometimes break the law – yes. All wrong doings of the press can be Read more