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Open Forum and Police Items at West Central Area Committee Dominated by Traffic and Cycling Matters
Cycle Theft Remains at High Levels in Cambridge City Centre. During the open forum and policing agenda item at Cambridge City Council’s West/Central Area Committee on the 20th of August 2009 much of the discussion focused on traffic and cycling in the city centre. At the last meeting councillors had prioritised gaining the ability to […]
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Determining Planning Applications At Area Committees – A Good Idea?
The installation of a Mikvah at 37A Castle Street was one of three planning applications considered by the West/Central Area Committee on the 20th of August 2009. In Cambridge smaller planning applications which affect only one area of the city are decided at area committees. I observed the consideration of the following applications by the […]
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Cllr Julie Smith Flailing in Efforts to Bring City Council Chainsaws Under Democratic Control
These two substantial trees at the junction of Newnham Road and Barton Road may be felled according to council plans. In April 2009 I was present at a West/Central area committee where Julie Smith, Cambridge City Council’s Executive Councillor for Arts and Recreation (a portfolio which includes the city’s green spaces) gave clear instructions to […]
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Asking Councillors to Ensure People Detained in Parkside are Treated Properly
I am concerned by a report which found those detained in Cambridge’s Parkside police station were not being kept in a safe environment and not being offered appropriate access to medical care and food. In my recent article on a damning report into police custody in Cambridgeshire by HM Inspectorate of Prisons and HM Inspectorate […]
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Asking Questions About The Police’s Attitude to Photographers in Cambridge
Youths with an off-road motorbike look for more youths with similar vehicles on French’s Road, Arbury. On Thursday the 20th of August I attended Cambridge City Council’s West/Central Area Committee. Part of the meeting was dedicated to allowing members of the public ask questions of the police. PC Simon Railer gave the police presentation, this […]
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Inept Police Target Traffic Jams During Botched Attempt to Tackle Speeding
PC Julian Haynes and his Cambridgeshire Police colleagues have been out looking for speeding drivers in Cambridge’s traffic jams. Cambridge City Council’s East Area Committee will be meeting at 19.00 on Thursday the 3rd of September 2009. One of the things the city and county councillors for Romsey, Coleridge, Abbey and Petersfield will have on […]
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No Immediate Enforcement Action to be Taken Against Mill Road Tesco
On the 20th of August 2009 I attended a special Cambridge City Council East Area committee meeting which had been called to decide the council’s response to statements by Tesco indicating their intent to ignore planning conditions relating to their Mill Road store. The conditions state that deliveries of goods have to be made from […]
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Councillors Approve Parker’s Piece Ice-Rink for 2009
In 2008 the ice rink and stalls were very close to the paths bringing those trying to pass through into conflict with shoppers. (Photo – CycleStreets [license] During Cambridge City Council’s planning committee on the 19th of August 2009 councillors approved plans for an ice-rink, market, and fair-ground ride to be placed on Parker’s Piece […]
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Tree Preservation Order Placed on Tree Behind Councillor’s House
This ash tree in the garden of 16 Corona Road is now protected by a Tree Preservation Order. A planning application to redevelop the site from which photograph was taken is anticipated. On the morning of the 19th of August 2009 I observed Cambridge City Council’s planning committee (well the five of them who turned […]
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Mill Road Tesco – Application for Alcohol Licence Refused
Cambridge City Councillors rejected Tesco’s application to sell alcohol in their new Mill Road store. City Council rules forbid photography at meetings without permission so this photograph was not taken during the meeting. On the the 17th of August 2009 I observed a Cambridge City Council licensing committee comprising Cllr Benstead, Cllr McGovern and Cllr […]