Blog Posts

  • Norfolk CC good meeting

    As always leaders should meet and share ideas. Yesterday, it was my pleasure to visit Norwich to explain how successful sharing our back office function with Northamptonshire has been to the Leader of Norfolk County Council. They seemed impressed with what we had achieved and I was impressed by the forward thinking, dynamic leadership in… Read more

  • Wind farms and County Council land

    Wind farms seem to polarise opinion. I recognise that there are an extreme range of opinions from eco warriors who want to save the world and think that emitting less carbon in Cambridgeshire is the answer to those who just don’t like them towering over the landscape. The trouble is if you mix in some… Read more

  • Mad, Mad world of politics

    I’m just pinching myself to make sure today has not been  a dream. Did I hear Cllr Brooks-Gordon, Cambridge City Liberal Democrat County Councillor, on the radio calling for brothels to be opened in Cambridge? I know that I am keen on Cambridgeshire being open for business but that seems to be taking things to… Read more

  • Talking or doing that is the question?

    I am regularly reminded by the Liberal Democrat opposition in the County Council that running the council is not like running a business. It is certainly different but I do believe that common sense, efficiency, listening to the people of Cambridgeshire (customers?) and spending money wisely should be even more important as it is public… Read more

  • Attracting and retaining elected members – and not just those that have retired from work

    Earlier in the week I blogged on changes to our Cabinet, and in particular losing the services of Catherine Hutton because of difficulties balancing her role as a portfolio holder with her professional career. As I said, losing a young, energetic female with a business background feels like a democratic failure, as there are so… Read more

  • Community and Adult Services – workshop

    I was asked to speak at the community and adult services workshop today. There was about 40 managers present, many of whom I have met in my recent travels around the county. These managers are clearly extremely well motivated and had a number of excellent success stories to tell. Why do we not share this… Read more