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Debate on Future of the NHS to be Held in Cambridge
Cambridge City Councillor George Owers (centre) has secured a local debate on the future of the NHS. Health Minister Andrew Lansley (left) and Julian Huppert (right) will be invited. A major debate on the future of the NHS, at which Cambridge’s MPs Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, and Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert are to be […]
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Cambridge City Council Consultation Consultation
Cambridge City Council Consultation Consultation On April Fools Day Cambridge City Council launched a Consultation on Consultation. As it was announced at a few minutes past midday it appears not to be a joke. The proposed code of practice on consultation and community engagement contains the following statement prominently positioned at the start of 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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Libel Reform
The government is currently considering proposals for a reform of the UK’s libel laws. A draft bill has been published which would introduce new provisions for defences of “Responsible publication on matter of public interest” and “Honest opinion” on a matter of public interest which could be used by those responding to charges of defamation. […]
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North Area Committee – March 2011
Map of Cambridge’s North Area On Thursday the 24th of March 2011 I attended Cambridge City Council’s North Area committee, held in the Manner School on Arbury Road. A new format for the meeting was being trialled. The public seating which is usually rows of chairs, had been replaced with tables with 4-6 seats placed […]
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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 Environment Scrutiny March 2011 – Romsey Conservation Area
Outline of the New Romsey Conservation Area On the morning of the 15th of March 2011 I attended Cambridge City Council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee. I went along mainly as the agenda included discussing a new Conservation Area for Romsey, Brookfields and Burnside. I used the public speaking opportunity at the meeting to raise my concern […]
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Cambridge Community Safety Partnership March 2011
I observed a meeting of Cambridge’s Community Safety Partnership on the 11th of March 2011. The group sets the city wide policing priorities and holds the police to account for their performance against the priorities set. At the partnership’s February meeting I complained that it had taken the key decision of selecting the priorities for […]
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Cambridge Community Safety Partnership February 2011
On the 3rd of February 2011 I attended a meeting of the Cambridge Community Safety Partnership. The body sets and monitors the city wide police priorities for Cambridge. Public Questions Openness I submitted two public questions. The first was: The North Area Committee was told last week that the partnership had agreed its priorities for […]
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Saving the Sense of Wide Open Space on Midsummer Common
This Wedge of Grass Contributes to the Sense of Wide Open Space on Midsummer Common. While Cambridge City Council were considering their recent tree works on Midsummer Common one of the suggestions I made was that the sense of large open space in the centre of the city ought be kept. I argued against encroaching […]