Cambridgeshire County Council – Page 16

BBC Peterborough Local Election Analysis

07:58 Monday 18th April 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: The city’s going to be going to the polls of course on Thursday May 5th. This year’s local elections the first big test for the Coalition. And as if one election wasn’t enough, you’ll also be able to vote on a change to the way we vote of course. But what about Peterborough City Council elections? Our political reporter Steve Titman looks ahead. Continue reading “BBC Peterborough Local Election Analysis”

Geoff Heathcock Joins LibDem Rebellion Against Coalition Policy

09:21 Thursday 10th February 2011
Andy Harper Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY HARPER: Over 90 prominent Liberal Democrat councillors, including the Leaders of 18 local authorities, have criticised the scale and pace of the cuts being implemented by the Coalition Government. In a letter to The Times, they say the spending reductions are too big, and are being implemented too quickly. One of the signatories is Cambridge City Council Leader Sian Reid. (TAPE)
SIAN REID: I think Eric Pickles has upset local councils throughout the land, of all colours really, through his approach. Local authorities recognise that there is just a massive national debt, and we are really keen to play our part constructively in cutting it. But Eric Pickles has really front-loaded the cuts onto councils, so they’re facing across the country very heavy cuts in the first year of these programmes. And it’s important in local authorities that we don’t just swing the axe in a blunt way, that we think about our savings, service by service, intelligently, thoughtfully, consult with people, so that we can respect what communities need, and not deliver blows to them right at the start.(LIVE)
ANDY HARPER: Councillor Sian Reid speaking on our Cambridgeshire Breakfast Show earlier today. So, are the cracks beginning to show in the Coalition? Liberal Democrat County Councillor Geoff Heathcock, who represents Queen Edith’s ward, and he has been an outspoken critic of the cuts. Geoff, good morning to you.
GEOFF HEATHCOCK: Morning to you Andy.
ANDY HARPER: .. You have been an outspoken critic of the cuts, and the way they’ve been implemented. But you are, and have been for some time, a member of the Liberal Democrat Party. But as I was saying earlier on, to both of our Breakfast presenters, the Liberal Democrats are nothing if not a grass roots party. That has been their strength for so many years. And there must be many good people very worried. Continue reading “Geoff Heathcock Joins LibDem Rebellion Against Coalition Policy”

Andy Campbell Stagecoach on Cambridgeshire Bus Cuts

08:07 Friday 28th January 2011
Cambridgeshire Breakfast Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

JEREMY SALLIS: Over the next four years more than 50 of Cambridgeshire’s subsidised bus services could be removed. Subsidised transport costs the County Council just under £3 million to run, and provides access to the wider community, helping people to get, say, to local libraries, and to the hospital. Well earlier on in the programme we spoke to Glenn Edge, who’s the Head of Passenger Transport from Cambridgeshire County Council. (TAPE)
GLENN EDGE: They’re subsidised as social needs. We recognise they’ve grown up over time, but unfortunately we’re in a difficult position. The reality of the Comprehensive Spending Review and the financial situation the Government is in today is now coming home to roost. We’ve got reduced monies from Government. We’ve got inflationary pressures, demographic changes on the County, and therefore trying to make budget prediction over the next four years, while taking into account growth in the County, has meant that our councillors have had to make some very tough decisions. We’ve got to save, as you know, over £160 million over the next four years. (LIVE)
JEREMY SALLIS: Well joining me in the studio now is Andy Campbell, who’s Managing Director of Stagecoach. Morning to you Andy. Thank you for coming aboard.
ANDY CAMPBELL: Good morning.
JEREMY SALLIS: You run, what, around 20 of those subsidised services which we were speaking about?
ANDY CAMPBELL: We do. Yes.
JEREMY SALLIS: OK. So what was your reaction when the Council came to you and said we’re going to have to remove that subsidy? Continue reading “Andy Campbell Stagecoach on Cambridgeshire Bus Cuts”

Mark Lloyd on Cuts – The Andy Harper Interview

09:23 Friday 21st January 2011
The Andy Harper Show BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

ANDY HARPER: Well yesterday we heard details of the cuts being made by Cambridgeshire County Council, along with the loss of 450 jobs. Things like subsidised buses, libraries and disability services will be affected. The man charged with seeing this through, while still keeping the County going, is the Chief Executive Mark Lloyd. And I’m delighted to say that Mark has joined me in the studio. Mark, good morning to you. Continue reading “Mark Lloyd on Cuts – The Andy Harper Interview”