Tag: Lewis Herbert

Eastern devolution – the wooing begins

10:24 Wednesday 27th April 2016
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Is your neighbourhood getting a rough deal from the rest of Cambridgeshire? That’s our question, after the Leader of East Cambs. District Council launched a scathing attack on fellow-council leaders across Cambridgeshire. James Palmer said they were too Cambridge focused. Areas like East Cambs have been forgotten about. One of his quotes: “I’m afraid some councillors who represent the city of Cambridge have no idea what exists within two or three miles of them. They think East Cambridgeshire is off the edge of some cliff, Fenland is at the bottom of it.” He’s happy to go it alone without Cambridgeshire, and forge a union down the Yellow Brick Road of Norfolk and Suffolk. Well let’s speak to the head honcho, Lewis Herbert, Labour Leader of Cambridge City Council. Morning Lewis.
LEWIS HERBERT: Good morning Paul.
PAUL STAINTON: Have you forgotten about some parts of Cambridgeshire, forsaking all others unto Cambridge?
Continue reading “Eastern devolution – the wooing begins”

John Holdich on devolution for Peterborough

07:23 Thursday 17th March 2016
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

DOTTY MCLEOD: John Holdich is the Leader of Peterborough City Council. Morning John.
JOHN HOLDICH: Good morning Dotty.
DOTTY MCLEOD: Now George Osborne, he clearly thinks that having some kind of Eastern Powerhouse, some kind of East Anglian regional assembly or something, would benefit him and the economy. Do you think it would benefit Peterborough?
Continue reading “John Holdich on devolution for Peterborough”

Dissent on devolution for East Anglia

17:21 Thursday 17th March 2016
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

The East Anglia Devolution Agreement

CHRIS MANN: It’s been twenty four hours since the Chancellor George Osborne used the Budget to unveil devolution plans for East Anglia, handing more powers to Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. There would be in his plans a single authority for East Anglia with an elected Mayor. The Communities Secretary Greg Clark has been visiting Huntingdon today. He’s been telling the BBC exactly how devolution would work for the county.
GREG CLARK: So on transport, of course if you’re building new homes, one of the problems in the past is that the homes have gone up, but often the transport has not been in improved, so the roads have got more congested. So what the council leaders have negotiated in this deal is a big fund, nearly a billion pounds,of money to be put in the hands of locals, to make sure that when homes are built for example, or indeed when new commercial premises are built, there can be investment in the roads, in the railways, to make sure that the area continues to flow. But also for housing, we know right across the area when jobs are being created, people do need to live close by them. And they want to get a home of their own. There has been a housing shortage, so there’s money specifically again, over £175 million, to invest over the next few years in more homes here, with local people taking those decisions. So it’s a big big transfer, from rather than decisions made way down in London, have those decisions made locally.
CHRIS MANN: Cambridge City Council is the only authority out of twenty two that doesn’t support the plans. Labour’s Lewis Herbert is the Council’s Leader.
LEWIS HERBERT: The money on the table is about £1 million per council per year, and that really isn’t going to make any difference. Our infrastructure needs hundreds of millions of pounds just for Cambridge. We’ve only had three weeks to actually make our case to Government. Not enough money, nothing for housing. A bit like the Budget, there’ll be nothing for lower income and middle income people needing housing.
CHRIS MANN: But the Communities Secretary Mr Clark hopes the Council will change its mind.
BBC: Let me just ask you just about the practicalities of that deal. Three counties, with Peterborough as well. Is it really practical to take that forward, when you don’t have the likes of Cambridge City and the Local Enterprise Partnership on board? Because without Cambridge, how can that really be of any meaning?
GREG CLARK: Well it’s early days, and certainly I hope that when the City of Cambridge considers the amount of investment that is open to them and to their residents, as well as Cambridgeshire and the other counties, that they will see that actually there’s great benefits for everyone there. And of course when it comes to the City of Cambridge, a fantastic global success, but a lot of the challenges, you know, benefits of success that Cambridge has, the challenges that it gives on housing for example, on transport congestion, on skills, a lot of the solutions are not just within the city limits. They go into their neighbouring areas. So that’s what this deal does. It brings everyone together, so you’ve got better transport, rail and road across the area, places that are able to train people to take up those jobs. And crucially housing for people, young people who want a home of their own, and can put down the roots here, or stay here if they’ve lived here.
CHRIS MANN: Well let’s hear from a senior local Conservative, the Leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, Jason Ablewhite believes that had devolution happened twenty years ago, the A14 would have been upgraded by now.
JASON ABLEWHITE: Everybody locally knew that that local need was there. I think it’s always a battle going to Government to say look, you know, we need a big chunk of cash to do this. The whole point of devolution is that this will be about local decision making. And if I take Huntingdonshire for example, where we’ve got a lot of big brownfield sites, former military sites, which are very challenging in their geography and where they are, to deliver those we need infrastructure investment . If we’ve got that local power, if we’ve got local money that we can put into that, then that’s got to be a positive for the future. And it helps us with our plans. I think in ten years time I’d like to see East Anglia as an absolute powerhouse. We already know that economically it’s one of the largest economies in the UK. And in terms of GVA, between East Anglia, London and the South East, that is a big chunk of the UK PLC GVA every year. And I think a geography that’s wider, the governance is going to be an issue. I can see that because of the size, the sheer scale and size of it. But I would fundamentally love to see an Eastern Powerhouse.
CHRIS MANN: So we’ve heard from the Government proposing it. We have heard from there a council leader who accepts it. We’ve also heard from a council leader who doesn’t, Lewis Herbert for Labour. Let’s bring in, now that we have more details, Nick Clarke, former Conservative Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, who last year defected to UKIP. Hello Nick.
NICK CLARKE: Good evening Chris.
CHRIS MANN: If you were still running the County Council of course you’d be involved in negotiating all this. Would you be in favour?
Continue reading “Dissent on devolution for East Anglia”

Lewis Herbert and Lucy Nethsingha – reservations around an Eastern Powerhouse devolution deal

“We’re going to take this in a democratic and transparent way to the first possible meeting, which is on 23rd March, and Cambridge will make a decision.”

17:20 Friday 11th March 2016
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

CHRIS MANN: The BBC understands the Government wants to go ahead with an Eastern Powerhouse devolution deal, despite Cambridge City Council announcing it’ll not take part. The Leader of the City Council is with us very shortly. The proposals would give control of transport and planning to a single mayor, with responsibility across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. And the Leader of the LibDems on the County Council also with us in a moment or two. But first of all, political reporter Tom Barton from Look East. Tom, what’s it all about?
TOM BARTON: So this is about effectively Government giving away some power. So decisions that are made at the moment by civil servants and Ministers in Whitehall and Westminster instead being passed to local areas. It’s been going on for a while, trying to find an area that they can give it to effectively. Norfolk and Suffolk had put together proposals which they took to the Government. The Government said, we like what you’re talking about, but we don’t think you’re a big enough area for this to work in. We want you to go and work with Cambridgeshire instead.
CHRIS MANN: Big enough in terms of numbers?
TOM BARTON: in terms of the impact of the economy if you like. So not just population, but economic power.
CHRIS MANN: Because Cambridgeshire is a powerhouse.
TOM BARTON: Exactly. And the Government, this is all going to be announced at the Budget next week. George Osborne the Chancellor wants to stand up in the House of Commons and announce a deal for an Eastern Powerhouse. That’s what he’s talking about. And so this would give a new elected mayor, effectively East of England’s very own version of Boris Johnson, the power ..
CHRIS MANN: Or Alex Salmond.
TOM BARTON: Or Alex Salmond. .. the power to do a range of different things. We don’t know exactly what it’s going to be, but it’ll be around housing, infrastructure like roads, railways, public transport, skills, those sorts of things, across all three counties. So it would wear away the borders between the counties, and see decisions taken across the board.
CHRIS MANN: Where would it be based, this government, this devolved, not parliament, but devolved .. ?
TOM BARTON: The institution if you like of the mayor. We don’t know. That’s one of the things to be decided. They might choose a point somewhere geographically in between Norwich, Ipswich and Cambridge. Who knows? But the crucial thing is the Government has been trying to get this deal signed off. They really wanted the whole of Cambridgeshire on board. But last night, as the deadline approached for the deal to be signed off, Cambridge City Council walked away. They said that they don’t want to be part of it.
CHRIS MANN: OK. And let’s bring in the Leader of Cambridge City Council, who is councillor Lewis Herbert. Lewis.
LEWIS HERBERT: Hi Chris.
CHRIS MANN: Why did you say no?
Continue reading “Lewis Herbert and Lucy Nethsingha – reservations around an Eastern Powerhouse devolution deal”

Lewis Herbert on housing asylum seekers in Cambridge

08:17 Friday 4th March 2016
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

CHRIS MANN: One of the other big issues this morning, MPs warning Britain faces an impending shortage of housing for asylum seekers, with an allocation system that’s unfair. The Home Affairs Committee claims most are moved into urban areas, while whole swathes of the country don’t receive any. Let’s bring in Keith Vaz MP, who’s Chair of that Committee. Keith morning to you.
KEITH VAZ: Good morning Chris.
CHRIS MANN: So what’s your view? How do you distribute so many people?
KEITH VAZ: Well better than we’re doing at present, because as we know, there are certain parts of the country where there are many asylum seekers in dispersed accommodation, and some parts of the country, sadly Chris Cambridge being one of them, where there are no asylum seekers in accommodation in the whole of Cambridge. If you take Bolton for example, they have 1,023. And a city like my own in Leicester, which has over 875. Now this is not something that’s just happened under this Government. This has been the case for the last ten years.
CHRIS MANN: OK Keith.
KEITH VAZ: But the situation has become more acute.
CHRIS MANN: OK. Peterborough, also in Cambridgeshire as you know, Stewart Jackson the MP says we’re not taking any more because we’re full. We’ve done our share. Do you agree with him?
KEITH VAZ: Well I don’t know what his share is, but we’re not .. you know .. since I’m talking to Radio Cambridge I mention Cambridge. At the end of the day, this is something that needs to be negotiated between the local authorities and the Government. Peterborough actually have taken 146 in dispersed accommodation.
CHRIS MANN: Recently. Yes.
KEITH VAZ: Yes. Which In think is a reasonable number.
CHRIS MANN: OK.
KEITH VAZ: And they support 153 in terms of Section 95 help.
CHRIS MANN: OK.
KEITH VAZ: So Stewart is making the point that he’s taken 146, but next door .. you know .. other local authorities have taken none. So he’s right to that extent. I’m not prescribing a number here. I’m just saying that it should be much more fairer than it is.
CHRIS MANN: What is your number for Cambridge? How many should the city take?
KEITH VAZ: Well I don’t think that I should negotiate necessarily with you Chris, though we’re both people I’m sure capable of doing this. This is something that should be done between the Government and Cambridgeshire City Council .. Cambridge City Council. They should be having this discussion, because we have international obligations which the Prime Minister has committed us to, the 20,000.
CHRIS MANN: OK.
KEITH VAZ: Plus all those waiting in the queue.
CHRIS MANN: It’s your own Party ..
KEITH VAZ: They really need to be accommodated.
CHRIS MANN: It’s a Labour City Council, you might know. Are you disappointed at that.
KEITH VAZ: (LAUGHS) I’m not making a party political point on this. And the previous Government was a Labour government before the Coalition. So this is about the system Chris. This is about a system that leaves some cities and some urban areas with a lot of asylum seekers, and other parts of the country with none.
CHRIS MANN: But of course ..
KEITH VAZ: And we need to put this right.
CHRIS MANN: As you know, Cambridge is quite unique as a city in that it’s under huge pressure in terms of housing for the people that are already here and working here and living here. There’s a massive problem with not enough accommodation . So where do we find these places?
KEITH VAZ: Sure. You’re absolutely right. I studied in Cambridge for three years. I was there on Wednesday night. I know all the good work that is being done by the City Council. But the fact is, if we share this challenge and this burden equally throughout the country, then it’s much easier for all local authorities. Cambridge is no different from Peterborough or Leicester or any of these other areas. There is enormous pressure. But if you sign a treaty saying that you’re going to let asylum seekers come into this country, and you say you’re going to get 20,000 Syrian refugees coming to the United Kingdom in five years, we need to put them somewhere. Now what we’ve suggested is there’s been offers from people including the Archbishop of Canterbury, who’ve said why not come and house asylum seekers in our house, in our establishment …
CHRIS MANN: OK.
KEITH VAZ: .. you should look at that again.
CHRIS MANN: I know you’ve got to go in a second or two, but I’m going to get a response from Lewis Herbert, the Leader of Cambridge City Council, just after you’ve gone. But your message to him now Keith is ..?
KEITH VAZ: Keep talking to the Government. A city like Cambridge can’t just take on responsibility without the funding, and they need to get the funding to support what they’re doing. And they should continue to keep negotiating to see what can be done to help. Cambridge is a great city, and it’s important that all cities and towns and counties in the country share this burden. That’s what we’re saying.
CHRIS MANN: Keith Vaz MP, thank you so much. Chair of the Home Affairs Committee there. The warning that Britain faces an impending shortage of housing for asylum seekers. The allocation system is unfair, and he says Cambridge has got to take more. Got to take some he says. Well Lewis Herbert is the Leader of Cambridge City Council, and he joins us now. Lewis, good morning to you.
LEWIS HERBERT: Good morning Chris.
CHRIS MANN: What’s your response?
Continue reading “Lewis Herbert on housing asylum seekers in Cambridge”

Chisholm Trail showing signs of progress

07:46 Friday 5th February 2016
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

DOTTY MCLEOD: Over the next five years £100 million is going to be spent making Cambridge an easier place to get around. It’s hoped that the money coming from the City Deal will improve roads, cycle paths and public transport. There has been criticism that these schemes aren’t happening quickly enough. One of those which has been long hoped for is the £8.4 million Chisholm Trail, the cycle and walking route that would link North and South Cambridge. Our reporter Sara Varey is on the proposed route this morning. Hi Sara.
SARA VAREY: Hello there from Budster Bicycles. I’m down by the Leper Chapel, just off Newmarket Road, which a lot of people will scoot past as they’re going towards Fen Ditton probably, just on the left-hand side. An ancient chapel right next to the railway line, and every now and again there’s likely to be a train zooming past, full of commuters I’m sure. A peaceful spot, it’s part of the Chisholm Trail as you said. This trail is going to go across Ditton Meadows by the Chapel, Coldhams Common, Mill Road bridge through the blocked arches. It’ll run alongside the railway line to Cambridge Station. There’ll be an underpass under Newmarket Road. There’s also some short sections which will be on the road, including York Street, Ainsworth Street and Brampton Road, which of course are all off Mill Road. And the green spaces that will be linked up by this include Gonville and Caius, Ditton Meadows, Cambridge Past and Present, the Leper Chapel Meadows, the Barnwell Lake area and Coldham’s Common and Stourbridge Common. So it crosses some of the most beautiful places in Cambridge actually. And the idea is keep travelling off the road. keep the cyclists off the road. Give them a safe and attractive way to actually travel to work or for pleasure. But as you say, there has been some controversy about this. Not everybody’s pleased with the progress of this. All these projects under the City Deal were supposed to have been completed within five years. This is likely to be the first one to be completed, and so far we don ‘t actually have a date, although the consultation period has just ended.
DOTTY MCLEOD: Yes. Sara. Thank you very much for that, on the route of the proposed Chisholm Trail. There was a survey carried out last year which showed that nearly 90% of people who responded said they would be in favour of the Chisholm Trail. Joining me now Lewis Herbert, who’s the Labour Leader of Cambridge City council. Morning Lewis.
LEWIS HERBERT: Morning Dotty.
DOTTY MCLEOD: Now Jim Chisholm, who was the man who had this idea for the cycle route linking North and South Cambridge, he says he first came up with it in 1998. It’s clearly now very popular. Why do these things take so long to come to fruition?
Continue reading “Chisholm Trail showing signs of progress”

Central bus lanes in Cambridge – radical steps for a city that works

In an historic but expanding city there isn’t enough road space for everybody to travel by car.

09:23 Wednesday 20th January 2016
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Council chiefs in Cambridge believe putting lanes down the middle of some of the city’s major roads could be incredibly successful. The project is called the Streetcar We Desire project. You see what they’ve done there? It’s the brainchild of two councillors from Coton and it will enable buses to travel in both directions on centre lane expressways. Now these could be installed along Cambridge’s major routes like Histon Road, Madingley Road and Milton Road. Many of the details on the front page of the Cambridge Evening News this morning. So do bus lanes give you the ‘wow’ factor or the ‘ow’ factor? Lewis Herbert is the Leader of Cambridge City Council. He’s Chair of the Cambridge City Deal. £500 million in your pocket Lewis. Are you going to spend some of that cash on this?
Continue reading “Central bus lanes in Cambridge – radical steps for a city that works”

Proposal to turn street lights off at night across Cambridgeshire

08:25 Monday 13th July 2015
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

DOTTY MCLEOD: Cambridgeshire County Council has come up with another way of saving energy, turning street lights off at nights. Of course it will also save money, which is in short supply for all our councils at the moment. Those are the positives. Not everyone though thinks this is a brilliant idea, Cambridge City Council worried it could be unsafe and could also hit businesses who function at nighttime. We’re going to be talking very shortly to Lewis Herbert who’s the Leader of Cambridge City Council. First though let’s speak with Tom Blackburne-Maze who is from the County Council. So Tom this is to save money. Is that about the top and bottom of it?
TOM BLACKBURNE-MAZE: Yes that’s part of it. Good morning Dotty. As you are aware the County Council must make considerable savings resulting from the reduction in central government funding that we receive. And to meet this huge challenge, we must make some very difficult decisions to ensure our remaining funds are used where they are most effective.
DOTTY MCLEOD: So what’s the plan? What hours would you be switching the lights off?
TOM BLACKBURNE-MAZE: Well we’re currently proposing to switch street lights off in residential areas that are covered by our central management system between the hours of midnight and six am. And we’re currently consulting on those proposals with local councils, to understand their comments and any concerns that they might have around that proposal.
DOTTY MCLEOD: And so this is residential streets. So not the main thoroughfares.
TOM BLACKBURNE-MAZE: That’s correct.
DOTTY MCLEOD: OK. And you have presumably considered the type of things that Louis Herbert is worried about, the impact on safety.What have you decided on that?
TOM BLACKBURNE-MAZE: We haven’t made any firm decisions at this moment in time. We’re currently consulting with all the local councils which this affects, and once we’ve received all of their comments we’ll be taking those into consideration before any firm decisions are made.
DOTTY MCLEOD: OK. Well let’s talk to Lewis Herbert, who is the Leader of Cambridge City Council. Morning Lewis.
LEWIS HERBERT: Morning Dotty.
DOTTY MCLEOD: What are your worries then?
Continue reading “Proposal to turn street lights off at night across Cambridgeshire”