Blog Posts

  • Local Government Association – Conservative Group Appointments

    The LGA is an organisation that represents local authorities on the national stage. It has regular contact with Ministers and is extremely important at shaping national policy and influencing decisions. When I became Leader I decided that it was important to concentrate all my attentions on Cambridgeshire for my first year.  I also indicated that… Read more

  • Hauser Forum – BIS Olympics

    It is always great to support business. In this particular case it was supporting the very best of Cambridge. I attended the Hauser Forum to welcome US and UK entrepreneurs and investors with the aim of promoting Cambridge Technologies. Lynn Gladden, Cambridge University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research gave a great presentation on the merits of… Read more

  • More Lib Dem defections – SCDC

    LIberal Democrats have admitted the defection of two councillors is “devastating”. Cllr Lynda Harford is joining the Conservatives and Cllr Edd Stonham is to be an independent. Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Sebastion Kindersley said “It will be a devastating blow to the group”. Lynda, who is an experienced and able councillor, said she had realised… Read more

  • Cycling – Tour de France

    Our very own Dan Thorp surprised me recently by first saying he was taking 3 weeks holiday and secondly telling me he intended cycling to the south of France. My first comment was ” isn’t the train quicker” followed by ” I bet you get a flat tyre as the roads in France are not… Read more

  • 301 % rise in charges to the public – it can’t be true I hear you say

    It has been brought to my attention that a body dedicated to the service of the community has raised its charges by a whopping 301%. Yes, 301%. Worse, there was little, if any, public consultation and no impact statement that I am aware of. Members of the public are demanding to know why this has… Read more

  • Speeding up the adoption process – joint session with the judiciary

    Speeding up the adoption process – joint session with the judiciary

    It was my pleasure last week to co-host a session looking into the adoption process with Judge Isobelle Plumstead. Our adoption services are just another example of the incredibly important role that the County Council is sometimes asked to play in the lives of our residents. Of course our part in the adoption process is… Read more