Answers from the Candidates to questions posed before and during the live Hustings are on other pages.
All answers received from Candidates to questions from members of the public posed immediately after the Hustings are available below. The 25 extra questions for the County Council candidates are listed separately from the 16 extra questions for the City Council candidates.
How will you work with local Residents Associations in Newtown to build on extensive work residents have done over many years to address traffic issues? Newtown includes residents, many schools and narrow roads. How will you ensure that, after lockdown, traffic does not return to previous high volumes in the area?
How will you further the helpful work done by our current councillors on controlling the traffic flows through north Newtown?
Newtown has an increasing number of private schools within a small residential area. How they will Candidates work with these private schools to encourage further community involvement and produce effective traffic plans that benefit the area? Some schools are certainly trying to work with residents – how would you support this?
The current sewer works demonstrate how delightful for many Petersfield residents would be a permanent closure of East Road. We are now spared remorselessly long delays at the pedestrian crossing, while fume-belching cars creep past. Would you rebalance traffic priorities along East Road? How?
If Mill Road bridge must remain closed, at least can we have some clearer signs explaining that it is closed to cars? The current signs only describe it as a "bus gate", which is a made-up term. What's wrong with a straightforward "no entry" sign with "except buses and taxis" below it?
What are your thoughts on the following ideas for Mill Road: adding car parking on the street for shoppers/disabled; removing delivery restrictions; adding dedicated delivery bays; wider pavements; a new shuttle bus; removing the traffic lights that cause delay at Al Amin’s; outdoor seating for cafés?
The Newmarket Road roundabout has some really confusing lane markings, especially as you enter from East Road. Would you support sorting them out?
The road surfaces on York St and Sturton Street are shocking and dangerous, especially on a bike. When might we look forward to them being re-surfaced?
The 'street car' space at the Sturton Street end of Sleaford Street has now been empty for many weeks and therefore is a waste of a very valuable street parking space. Who is responsible for this allocation and what can be done to reallocate it?
At the 9 March 2021 Residents’ Parking Review three options were presented for dealing with schemes where there are more residents' cars than spaces available:
Do nothing.
Restrict the number of permits available to Residents.
Charge more for Residents' Parking Permits.
Which would you vote for?
If elected, what specific steps will you take, and when, to address the climate crisis?
What measures will you support ( if elected) to enable HM Government to reach their revised carbon emission targets for 2030?
Local residents often need help, advice or support. If elected, what will be the best way to reach you? How soon can we count on hearing back from you? What should we do if you do not reply?
How much time will you put in, and how much work will you do, to attend local meetings, and to correspond and meet with residents?
Do you think cycling facilities in the city are adequate and, if not, what would you change?
How can the police put more into finding stolen bicycles?
Balancing competing pressures is complicated. What will you do if specific needs of local residents conflict with party dictat?
Four parties are contesting this election. Is it right to selectively ignore any of these in your campaign literature? If so, why?
What steps do you intend to take to protect the poorer residents of Petersfield from the negative effects of the expansion of Cambridge that is planned for the next 20 years? - for example effects on house prices, overcrowding, air pollution, demands on social infrastructure.
Pavements in many parts of Petersfield are in poor condition. Which stretches of pavement cause you the most worry and what will you do about it if elected?
Would you support Cambridge having the status of a Unitary Authority? Why/why not?
How do you see your duty of care to the Gypsy, Roma and Travelling communities in Cambridgeshire both as a result of the lack of site provision and stopping places in Cambridge City and the legislative threats to the Traveller way of life in the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill?
Antisocial behaviour has been an issue in Newtown. How would the candidates work with local services and residents to address this in our area?
What are your thoughts on legalising drugs?
What do you understand the difference between sex and gender to be?
How will you work with local Residents Associations in Newtown to build on extensive work residents have done over many years to address traffic issues? Newtown includes residents, many schools and narrow roads. How will you ensure that, after lockdown, traffic does not return to previous high volumes in the area?
How will you further the helpful work done by our current councillors on controlling the traffic flows through north Newtown?
Newtown has an increasing number of private schools within a small residential area. How they will Candidates work with these private schools to encourage further community involvement and produce effective traffic plans that benefit the area? Some schools are certainly trying to work with residents – how would you support this?
I think the two schemes which our retiring Labour County Councillor, Linda Jones, has led in Newtown, have been an important attempt to stop rat-running through Newtown and regulate access to the schools to reduce through traffic overall, in the interests of peacefulness and road safety for local residents. Like any such scheme, not everyone approves and it is important that the trial is fully assessed and local residents fully consulted before going forward. If elected as your county councillor, I will ensure that. I would certainly encourage the private schools to cooperate with the local community and believe they have an obligation to do so.
The current sewer works demonstrate how delightful for many Petersfield residents would be a permanent closure of East Road. We are now spared remorselessly long delays at the pedestrian crossing, while fume-belching cars creep past. Would you rebalance traffic priorities along East Road? How?
This question illustrates that traffic management in Cambridge as a whole must be addressed in a comprehensive way. County policies to cut through-traffic can certainly be strengthened and I share your deep concern about air quality, congestion and emissions. I am worried if this is dealt with in a piecemeal way and - as your county councillor - would press for a strategic response, which serves residents in our neighbourhood and across the City of Cambridge overall.
If Mill Road bridge must remain closed, at least can we have some clearer signs explaining that it is closed to cars? The current signs only describe it as a "bus gate", which is a made-up term. What's wrong with a straightforward "no entry" sign with "except buses and taxis" below it?
What are your thoughts on the following ideas for Mill Road: adding car parking on the street for shoppers/disabled; removing delivery restrictions; adding dedicated delivery bays; wider pavements; a new shuttle bus; removing the traffic lights that cause delay at Al Amin’s; outdoor seating for cafés?
I was pleased we dealt with the Mill Road issue comprehensively during the Hustings, and think the priority must be for the review promised by the County not to be further delayed, to allow local people’s voice and the full evidence to be seen and heard. The additional suggestions in these questions should be included in this debate and I thank the questioners and all local residents in making your contributions.
The Newmarket Road roundabout has some really confusing lane markings, especially as you enter from East Road. Would you support sorting them out?
This is an interesting question and a good example how residents can and should be able to raise questions and concerns with their local representatives. As you will be aware, the roundabout itself is in Abbey ward, not Petersfield, so it will be a question I would discuss with what I hope will be a Labour county councillor colleague after the election.
The road surfaces on York St and Sturton Street are shocking and dangerous, especially on a bike. When might we look forward to them being re-surfaced?
The Conservative County Council has already undertaken two rounds of redundancies, cutting back the team responsible for street works. There is obviously a direct relationship between the state of the streets and the resources put in to this. If elected as a county councillor, I will press to restore the cuts and act as a champion for our area, to make sure York Street, Sturton Street and other local streets get the proper priority they deserve.
The 'street car' space at the Sturton Street end of Sleaford Street has now been empty for many weeks and therefore is a waste of a very valuable street parking space. Who is responsible for this allocation and what can be done to reallocate it?
We occasionally use Zipcar but know there are other shared car schemes too and, if elected County Councillor, I would be very happy to investigate this issue. It is a great example where it can be possible to solve a local problem - I would hope we could do this, in this case.
At the 9 March 2021 Residents’ Parking Review three options were presented for dealing with schemes where there are more residents' cars than spaces available:
a. Do nothing.
b. Restrict the number of permits available to Residents.
c. Charge more for Residents' Parking Permits.
Which would you vote for?
Those were Conservative options. As a Labour County Councillor, I would press to end the freeze on new Residents’ Parking Schemes, where local residents want them, at no extra cost compared to other areas.
If elected, what specific steps will you take, and when, to address the climate crisis? 12. What measures will you support ( if elected) to enable HM Government to reach their revised carbon emission targets for 2030?
What measures will you support ( if elected) to enable HM Government to reach their revised carbon emission targets for 2030?
As a Labour county councillor, I will press to bring forward the County Council’s Net Zero pledge from 2050 to 2030, and to introduce new targets for water conservation and biodiversity too. The current strategy only covers 60 per cent of emissions and does not cover council contractors - I would press for it to apply to all. I am particularly concerned that the County Council only plans to convert heating schemes based on fossil fuels by 2050, when all experts suggest this needs to be done in the next ten years. As Member of the European Parliament, I was one of the MEPs who actually took part at the Paris Climate Change Accord. Since then, I have worked with organisations and projects addressing the climate emergency. I would relish the opportunity to apply my knowledge and commitment to transforming Cambridgeshire towards being a Net Zero County Council as soon as possible Too late really is too late.
Local residents often need help, advice or support. If elected, what will be the best way to reach you? How soon can we count on hearing back from you? What should we do if you do not reply?
How much time will you put in, and how much work will you do, to attend local meetings, and to correspond and meet with residents?
I am dedicated to public service, have proven this as your Member of the European Parliament and am fully committed to being a hard-working, accessible local councillor. I already pride myself of contacts in local organisations, from St Paul’s to Petersfield Mutual Aid to the Mill Road Winter Fair. I look forward to working in partnership with local groups, wherever possible. If I miss something, I hope you will tell me in a friendly way - it would never be intentional. In everything I do, I always try my best.
Do you think cycling facilities in the city are adequate and, if not, what would you change?
How can the police put more into finding stolen bicycles?
I and my family members cycle in Cambridge. Sadly, my son had his bike stolen earlier this year, so I understand the problem this presents in the city from personal experience. I am pleased by the attention given to the needs of cyclists in local transport planning and would continue to give this my attention, if elected to the County Council. Our police are under-funded, having had to make 40 police CSOs redundant just before last Christmas. I fully support adequate funding for our police, so they can meet all the priorities for keeping our community safe.
Balancing competing pressures is complicated. What will you do if specific needs of local residents conflict with party dictat?
Four parties are contesting this election. Is it right to selectively ignore any of these in your campaign literature? If so, why?
To the best of my knowledge, the campaign has been conducted in a respectful way. It is right to challenge mis-truths and misrepresentations from other parties, but to do so using constructive language. My and Labour’s approach has been to do this, but to put most emphasis on the positive case for electing Labour councillors, based on our record and our commitment. I have never and would never vote for a ‘party line’, in contravention to what I believe to be the interests of my constituents. Public service is a noble way to commit your time and I hope the way I conduct myself wins the respect and trust of local people - irrespective the of which party they support.
What steps do you intend to take to protect the poorer residents of Petersfield from the negative effects of the expansion of Cambridge that is planned for the next 20 years? - for example effects on house prices, overcrowding, air pollution, demands on social infrastructure.
I am campaigning for the County Council to adopt an anti-poverty strategy, similar to that already agreed by Labour’s city councillors. This would include campaigning to keep open state nursery provision at Brunswick Nursery School, ensuring all County employees and contractors are paid a real living wage, guaranteeing continued free school meal provision to poorer families during school holidays and maintaining free access opportunities to the internet at County libraries - for those that can’t afford it at home.
Pavements in many parts of Petersfield are in poor condition. Which stretches of pavement cause you the most worry and what will you do about it if elected?
Any bad pavement can be dangerous, risking injury, especially to older and disabled people who may be more frail. If elected, I will campaign for an adequate budget to ensure pavement repairs at a decent level and seek to champion constituent concerns in individual cases where the pavement is potentially dangerous.
Would you support Cambridge having the status of a Unitary Authority? Why/why not?
This is an issue where local people have not yet been consulted and where rumours in Westminster suggest Conservative MPs may not proceed with local government reorganisation in any case. I support decentralising power as close to the people as possible, but am worried if there is a long and costly period of distraction about the structure of local government - when councils should be getting on with delivering services to meet needs. This is particularly true during a period when Covid recovery should be an absolute priority.
How do you see your duty of care to the Gypsy, Roma and Travelling communities in Cambridgeshire both as a result of the lack of site provision and stopping places in Cambridge City and the legislative threats to the Traveller way of life in the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill?
As Member of the European Parliament, I helped lead the campaign to support efforts to find suitable provision for the travellers at Dale Farm. I strongly oppose any discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Travelling communities.
Antisocial behaviour has been an issue in Newtown. How would the candidates work with local services and residents to address this in our area?
I would expect to meet our liaison officer with Cambridgeshire Police, Detective Sergeant Kiri Masur, on a periodic basis and to liaise with my City Council colleagues responsible for the Community Safety Team, to work together to solve problems of anti-social behaviour and other crime.
What are your thoughts on legalising drugs?
I oppose this.
(not answered)
We need to continue to focus on the needs of both residents and traders and ensure that traffic does not return to levels before lockdown so that everyone has access to facilities and services safely. Improved public transport providing more availability and accessibility is vital to this. The introduction of a tram network would benefit the environment, as well as enforcing existing traffic laws to make the roads safer, such as illegal parking which obstructs traffic flow. Consultation with relevant bodies representing the needs of all is integral to successfully improving the environment and making Petersfield safer for everyone.
Continue to work with new and existing councillors to find solutions.
Working with the schools to encourage more school buses rather than individual school pick- ups. I would like to promote safe walking and biking to and from school, educating the parents and perhaps staggering the finish time of schools rather than them finishing at the same time. As ever, maintaining open dialogue with the school is paramount to the success of managing traffic in those areas.
As I’ve stated elsewhere, the negative effects traffic pollution has on us and the environment must be addressed. One solution may be to enforce drivers to switch off their engines at traffic lights but again, proper consultation, education and liaising with relevant bodies is key to its success.
I agree and the signage is very confusing. If it remains closed, clearer signage must be a priority to avoid some of the collisions and confusion that has occurred.
These are all good ideas and I think anything that improves peoples lives and well-being or allows them better access to the services of Mill Road should be considered. However, again, only after the views and opinions of everyone who wishes to express them are listened to and considered.
I agree, they are very confusing and definitely need to be addressed.
I agree and I would push for this to occur as soon as possible if I were elected.
You are correct in that this is a waste of very valuable space. As before, I would address this quickly if I were elected.
If the spaces aren’t there, then there isn’t anything you can really do. Many people have more than one family car but that is something they should have taken in to consideration when moving to the area. We need to reduce the number of cars, not increase it.
I would like Petersfield to liaise with selected partners to work on initiatives together and identify opportunities that would benefit all and seek coordinated action on climate change. I think it’s an area that should be tackled by all sectors of the community collectively and I would actively encourage that. There are many changes we could implement, from enforcing existing traffic laws to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles, to improving recycling and helping local businesses to cut their energy usage. If approached in the right way, these would have a big impact both economically and environmentally. Ultimately, lobbying the Government to give more power and finances to local government so that changes can be made at a more local level is vital.
More affordable electric cars (they are too expensive for the majority right now) and having more charging points
I will be contactable either by email or phone and will aim to respond on the same day. However, many people already come and see me at my shop on Mill Road and everyone is welcome if you would prefer to discuss something face to face. I am open Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 18:00.
I have had previous experience of being city councillor where I had 100% attendance rate. My intention is to fully commit to the community.
We need to provide more places for cyclist to lock their bikes
As we all know police budget are incredibility tight and a lot could be achieved by individual and retailers to tackle the problem, for example make sure all new bikes are marked and registered. Visible marking can deter theft and make it easier to retrieved.
If elected, I feel my main responsibility is to those who elected me and our community. I would defend Petersfield first and foremost, even if it means taking a stand against my own party.
I feel that my campaign literature should be about me and to show people what I stand for so they have a clearer idea of who they may wish to vote for. Making derogatory comments against other candidates or their policies is not helpful and I’m sure most people don’t need me to point out the negatives of other parties’ campaigns or the personalities involved. I think people should make their own mind up; I’m not interested in pulling down others. However, I would stand firm on those issues I believe in and which affect members of this community, whether they voted for me or not.
I think it’s important that these residents don’t feel forgotten about or made to feel that their opinion doesn’t matter. Consideration regarding more available and affordable social housing needs to be made a priority and if Cambridge were to be ultimately responsible for controlling its own services by becoming a Unitary authority, this would help target this and many other issues.
I think if we are going to tackle environmental problems by promoting initiatives such as safer walking, the condition of pavement surfaces is integral to this. If I were elected, I would use my budget to identify those areas which need addressing immediately.
I think it is essential that decisions which affect the local community should be made at a local level by those who have an understanding and knowledge of the area and people they will affect. This can only be achieved by Cambridge having the status of a Unitary Authority and having total control and I fully support it.
As with all minority groups, I feel it’s important that we practice tolerance and respect with each other and don’t discriminate against anyone based on their race, culture, beliefs, or colour.
I think we need to improve Police presence and again, work with project leaders and local community groups to act together and enforce the laws that currently exist for tackling anti-social behaviour. Often (but not always) these are young people who are disenchanted with life and feel they have no future and no options. Trying to establish the cause rather than just treating the symptom of their frustrations by offering support and help early on, such as further education or work-based schemes, is paramount.
This is a big question, too big to go in to here. However, de-criminalisation of drug possession has worked in other countries but in order for it to succeed, the various models used and their success would need to be evaluated. Bringing drugs ‘above ground’ may well prove to be the safer in the long run but certainly, much more proof and the subsequent impact of this option on society would need much consideration and trials.
The two do not necessarily go hand in hand. My understanding is that a person’s sex is either biologically male or female based on chromosomes etc., whilst their gender is defined by society and culture as to the way people should behave according to their sex. Gender is a very personal issue and people may align themselves either as having male or female traits or anything in between, as is their right.
Local residents often need help, advice or support. If elected, what will be the best way to reach you? How soon can we count on hearing back from you? What should we do if you do not reply?
What vision and potential use you have for the new Community Centre on the Ironworks site?
If elected, what specific steps will you take, and when, to address the climate crisis?
What measures will you support ( if elected) to enable HM Government to reach their revised carbon emission targets for 2030?
Please could we have some places to sit in Petersfield on the way home from the shops? It would be very helpful, despite social distancing, to have benches back on Norfolk Street and Gwydir Street. We could sit at each end - there must be a design to encourage this.
How about residential parklets, which Hackney has been allowing?
34 of the 176 shops (~20%) on Mill Road still do not have step-free access, 25 years after the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act. The traders presumably need financial help on this. There could be strong community support to help raise funds. How would you address this challenge?
Any views on the potential redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site on Devonshire Road?
Would you support Cambridge having the status of a Unitary Authority? Why/why not?
I am concerned that the level of democratic procedure within The Market Square Redevelopment Project is not acceptable, being very low. Guidelines that should be there to hold the project to account are not strong enough or have been removed. How do you see this problem being resolved?
What's the point of local democracy (and an MP) if Cambridge Ahead can lobby ministers directly, on behalf of their subscribers, whose interests don't necessarily align with residents? [As they (certainly used to) claim on their website.]
Balancing competing pressures is complicated. What will you do if specific needs of local residents conflict with party dictat?
Four parties are contesting this election. Is it right to selectively ignore any of these in your campaign literature? If so, why?
Do you support Priti Patel's proposals on the treatment of refugees?
In light of Centene’s recent takeover of 49 GP practices and the Government’s continued support for Serco’s failed track and trace contract, will you be a champion for publicly funded and locally delivered public health services as opposed to supporting contracts with private companies, which have wasted large amounts of public money?
What do you understand the difference between sex and gender to be?
(not answered)
(not answered)
If elected, what specific steps will you take, and when, to address the climate crisis?
What measures will you support ( if elected) to enable HM Government to reach their revised carbon emission targets for 2030?
We launched the council’s work on this 15 years ago. Even from opposition, we have driven most of what has occurred since, though we haven’t won every argument with Labour and opportunities have been lost. Progress has been made, as it has elsewhere. But as we hurtle dangerously towards the need to meet the globally agreed deadline for net zero carbon emissions, a new way of thinking is needed and our city council should model it.
We will determine a systematic roadmap with a net zero end-point and calculate the actions needed to meet this. This will inform all our actions across every area of city council control.
Carbon reduction needs to be fully embedded in everything the council does. Liberal Democrats leading the council will:
Move on from the arms race of wishful dates and develop a roadmapping to zero approach – a detailed plan of phased actions needed to achieve net-zero carbon as far before 2050 as possible – and integrate it with the council’s corporate, financial and asset planning – including the council’s housing and commercial property estate;
Initiate a similar roadmapping to zero approach within partnership organisations and together drive a “whole geography” approach across all sectors and local authorities;
Introduce a default, council-wide presumption for low carbon – a requirement that on any decision, the lowest available carbon option will be adopted unless an overpowering case is made to the contrary, with technical evaluations open to public scrutiny;
Appoint the first ever Executive Councillor exclusively to provide political leadership for climate strategy across all the council’s activities: the ones it directly controls, those it regulates and those it influences through partners;
Commit to green financial investments with available resources but hold them out of the roadmapping to zero plan – offsetting cannot be a substitute for eliminating emissions;
Harness the unique resources of Cambridge to make the city a beacon in its reduction of carbon emissions.
(not answered)
(not answered)
(not answered)
(not answered)
(not answered)
(not answered)
(not answered)
(not answered)
(not answered)
Do you support Priti Patel's proposals on the treatment of refugees?
I most certainly do not support Ms Patel's treatment of refugees to this country.
As a member of the fantastic local action group CamCRAG I fully support taking more action to support refugees.
Layla Moran did some great work back in Oct 2020 in being a strong voice against Priti Patel's horrific plans for asylum seekers. Here in Cambridge, CamCRAG, petitioned the City Council to sign up to the next government scheme for local authorities to resettle refugees. This followed on from the LibDem motion in July which asked for the same.
We promoted and supported CamCRAG in this campaign but unfortunately Cam Labour put politics before people. The motion put forward by Cheney Payne in July 2020 was voted down by Labour simply because it came from the Lib Dems leaving refugees in the lurch.
(not answered)
(not answered)
Local residents often need help, advice or support. If elected, what will be the best way to reach you? How soon can we count on hearing back from you? What should we do if you do not reply?
If elected, I will be reachable by phone or email and I make sure every message will receive a prompt reply. I will also spend time reaching out and involving the community in decisions.
What vision and potential use you have for the new Community Centre on the Ironworks site?
The new community centre on Ironworks will be a great opportunity to involve all the community groups to host events and activities for all residents at the heart of Petersfield. I will encourage all residents to participate actively and to suggest new events or activities in coordination with Romsey Mill and PACT.
If elected, what specific steps will you take, and when, to address the climate crisis?
I will act as a councillor for Cambridge to help to reach Carbon Neutrality by 2030.
Locally I will push for much more bicycle racks and electric car charging points in Petersfield as well as better and more affordable public transport services.
What measures will you support (if elected) to enable HM Government to reach their revised carbon emission targets for 2030?
Cambridge City Council should inform and guide residents how to renovate and upgrade their home insulation and central heating with carbon neutral solution. The City Council should actively help and advice residents, landlords and housing associations to take full advantage of new Green Deal Grants in the future.
Please could we have some places to sit in Petersfield on the way home from the shops? It would be very helpful, despite social distancing, to have benches back on Norfolk Street and Gwydir Street. We could sit at each end - there must be a design to encourage this.
More benches would be a lovely idea. Resident consultations are essential to make sure if it fits the needs of the local residents in the street.
How about residential parklets, which Hackney has been allowing?
Local parklets would make Mill Road and other streets across Petersfield a pleasant area to spend time in. Proper resident consultations are essential to be sure this fits the needs of local residents and traders.
34 of the 176 shops (~20%) on Mill Road still do not have step-free access, 25 years after the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act. The traders presumably need financial help on this. There could be strong community support to help raise funds. How would you address this challenge?
The City Council could help to finance the accessibility improvement with the discretionary post covid grants to improve local businesses viability.
Any views on the potential redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site on Devonshire Road?
I participated in various consultations on this project and if elected, I will strongly campaign to build more houses instead of offices (the current project plan to allocate too much space for offices), to increase the green space available to all local residents and to insure a great integration and safe connection with the Chisholm cycle road at the back.
Would you support Cambridge having the status of a Unitary Authority? Why/why not?
Absolutely. The Unitary Authority City Council + County Council will insure more accountability and less contradiction between the two councils. Currently the Labour City Council and the Torie County Council are not working harmoniously together. The Liberal Democrats manifesto is committed to support a Unitary Authority. I personally dealt with the Unitary Authority in York; which seems to work much better than the two councils in Cambridge.
I am concerned that the level of democratic procedure within The Market Square Redevelopment Project is not acceptable, being very low. Guidelines that should be there to hold the project to account are not strong enough or have been removed. How do you see this problem being resolved?
The project needs a proper consultation with both the traders and the local residents. The Cambridge Market is essential for our city. The Liberal Democrats have been very active during the pandemic to defend the Cambridge Market and to ask the City Council to reopen the food stalls.
What's the point of local democracy (and an MP) if Cambridge Ahead can lobby ministers directly, on behalf of their subscribers, whose interests don't necessarily align with residents? [As they (certainly used to) claim on their website.]
I believe in local democracy and the independence of councillors. Lobby groups like Cambridge Ahead try to influence decisions according to their interests. A transparent local democracy will genuinely listen to all stakeholders, residents and associations, but will reach a decision based on common interest. I intend to focus exclusively on the common interest of our community.
Balancing competing pressures is complicated. What will you do if specific needs of local residents conflict with party dictat?
I am not a professional politician and I will always put the interest of Petersfield residents first.
Four parties are contesting this election. Is it right to selectively ignore any of these in your campaign literature? If so, why?
Indeed, I find it very strange that Labour’s literature always frames the issues as Labour vs Tories. They tend to use the Tories’ cuts as an excuse to the passivity of the City Council. The reality is that in Cambridge there are no City Councillors from the Conservative Party, we only have Labour and LibDems councillors. LibDems is the main competitor to Labour in our city, however, the Labour cunningly try to frame this differently.
More broadly, I believe only a proportional system for elections would guarantee a fairer representation of all parties in the City Council.
Do you support Priti Patel's proposals on the treatment of refugees?
No, I do not support Ms Patel's proposals on the treatment of refugees in this country.
Cambridge is an open city and we should have a much more welcoming policy in our city. Other cities in UK and in Europe are much more courageous than our current City Council on this topic.
In light of Centene’s recent takeover of 49 GP practices and the Government’s continued support for Serco’s failed track and trace contract, will you be a champion for publicly funded and locally delivered public health services as opposed to supporting contracts with private companies, which have wasted large amounts of public money?
Yes
What do you understand the difference between sex and gender to be?
Sex is a biological description. Gender is a construct and an expression of one's identity which may, or may not, align with one's biological sex. Both are non-binary parameters and our society should accept individual choice and identity.
Local residents often need help, advice or support. If elected, what will be the best way to reach you? How soon can we count on hearing back from you? What should we do if you do not reply?
The best way to contact me is via Email at the Cambridge.gov.uk address. Over the last 2 years I have on the whole responded pretty promptly, so within 2 days. If you don’t hear from me, please email either of my colleagues in Petersfield or failing that the Leader of our Group at the Council, Lewis Herbert.
What vision and potential use you have for the new Community Centre on the Ironworks site?
Regarding the vision I would see my role as an enabler, rather than the creator. working alongside PACT and Romsey Mill and other Resident and Community Groups. I would hope it would be an exciting and dynamic place to be recognising the diversity of Petersfield. In terms of use it would seem to me that it will be for those in the ward from St Matts Piece to the Station.
If elected, what specific steps will you take, and when, to address the climate crisis?
I think the most important role will be to ensure that the City Council is carbon neutral as planned by 2030. I have been part of the process to meet that target and if elected will continue to be involved. But there is so much more to be done both in our role as influencer, and perhaps most important as builder and owner of over 7000 Council Houses. Regarding housing new build standards should be relatively straightforward to ensure and our undertaking to build at passive haus as standard by 2022 is vital. We then need to properly cost and plan for retrofitting existing property. The work initiated by Cllr Thornburrow on improving our biodiversity must be built on, both locally and across the city.
(not answered)
Please could we have some places to sit in Petersfield on the way home from the shops? It would be very helpful, despite social distancing, to have benches back on Norfolk Street and Gwydir Street. We could sit at each end - there must be a design to encourage this.
See Below 6
How about residential parklets, which Hackney has been allowing?
There is lots we can do in and around our street scopes and in particular the area north of Mill Road. Resolving the parking issues however will be necessary and will require difficult choices to be made. We need to engage with partners and local residents as I think the answers will be micro local. I am particularly interested in seeing how the discussions on Ainworth Street and Hooper Street develop. Elsewhere in the ward will require very different solutions, hence the need to keep solutions local. Parklets might work in certain streets. But I think we will need to look beyond the UK for both inspiration and solutions … the Netherlands in particular.
34 of the 176 shops (~20%) on Mill Road still do not have step-free access, 25 years after the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act. The traders presumably need financial help on this. There could be strong community support to help raise funds. How would you address this challenge?
I need to learn more about the issue and to understand the constraints concerned.
Any views on the potential redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site on Devonshire Road?
I will need to look at the details as they emerge but my two initial priorities will be looking at the impact on green space in the development, and maximising the opportunities available to maximise green space, and secondly trying to ensure more affordable and sustainable homes will be available.
Would you support Cambridge having the status of a Unitary Authority? Why/why not?
In my view the current arrangements for local democracy in the city are complex and bureaucratic with at least four Authorities having a say on decision making in the city. There needs to be a review.
I am concerned that the level of democratic procedure within The Market Square Redevelopment Project is not acceptable, being very low. Guidelines that should be there to hold the project to account are not strong enough or have been removed. How do you see this problem being resolved?
The proposals relating to the future of the market have yet to be published and there needs to be full and proper consultation with traders, users and local residents. The Market is a treasured icon in the city and any decisions relating to the future must be made transparently and with the knowledge and input of those most closely affected.
What's the point of local democracy (and an MP) if Cambridge Ahead can lobby ministers directly, on behalf of their subscribers, whose interests don't necessarily align with residents? [As they (certainly used to) claim on their website.]
The point of local democracy is to offer a voice based on what local people want. Because some lobbyists have direct access to Government doesn’t make it right. I am an optimist, and I hope not naïve. Local democracy offers the best and most effective of way of giving communities that voice.
Balancing competing pressures is complicated. What will you do if specific needs of local residents conflict with party dictat?
Within the Labour Group we have the debate informed by the opinion of local residents, the Cllrs acting as representatives. As such I will always represent the views of the people of Petersfield and if outvoted will explain the reasons why.
Four parties are contesting this election. Is it right to selectively ignore any of these in your campaign literature? If so, why?
I hope our campaign literature has promoted what we have done and what we hope to do for both Petersfield and the city rather than comment on or ignore other Parties proposals.
Do you support Priti Patel's proposals on the treatment of refugees?
No
In light of Centene’s recent takeover of 49 GP practices and the Government’s continued support for Serco’s failed track and trace contract, will you be a champion for publicly funded and locally delivered public health services as opposed to supporting contracts with private companies, which have wasted large amounts of public money?
Yes
(not answered)
I will be contactable either by email or phone and will aim to respond on the same day. However, many people already come and see me at my shop on Mill Road and everyone is welcome if you would prefer to discuss something face to face. I am open Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 18:00.
I think the new Community Centre has huge potential to bring the community together and become the heart of Petersfield. I would like to see as many groups use it as possible, from mother and baby, youth groups and older people. Classes from the creative to social activities where locals can learn new skills would benefit everyone and I would love to be involved in instigating some of these.
I would like Petersfield to liaise with selected partners to work on initiatives together and identify opportunities that would benefit all and seek coordinated action on climate change. I think it’s an area that should be tackled by all sectors of the community collectively and I would actively encourage that. There are many changes we could implement, from enforcing existing traffic laws to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles, to improving recycling and helping local businesses to cut their energy usage. If approached in the right way, these would have a big impact both economically and environmentally. Ultimately, lobbying the Government to give more power and finances to local government so that changes can be made at a more local level is vital.
More affordable electric cars (they are too expensive for the majority right now) and having more charging points.
Either to sit and eat your lunch, rest, talk or just to sit and take in the surroundings, outdoor seating plays an important role in uniting the community. I would definitely like to see more and perhaps we could have a competition whereby the winner would design benching for the area, perhaps based on a theme or idea that is integral to Petersfield?
Any modifications to the roads should be made after proper consultation with all users, either resident, trader or shopper to ensure that no one group is catered for to the exclusion of the other. As with the majority of issues, communication is key.
Unfortunately, many of the shops are unable to make the necessary physical changes to their buildings because of their age and construction. However, where possible, the required modifications must be made. We could achieve this by setting up a task group specifically aimed at this issue, made up of members of the community raising money via events and liaising with local disability access specialists. They could also raise awareness and promote better communication and more understanding from both sides regarding access for those with a disability.
I think there are advantages and disadvantages to this development and as with many proposals such as this, there are compromises to be made. But again, as much as possible should be done to accommodate everyone’s needs. The intention to make the area largely car free will of course impact on many, but would make the area safer in what is already a very busy area of the city. I think the inclusion of a large, green park for the community will benefit the area massively.
I think it is essential that decisions which affect the local community should be made at a local level by those who have an understanding and knowledge of the area and people they will affect. This can only be achieved by Cambridge having the status of a Unitary Authority and having total control and I fully support it.
Public consultation will take place later in the Spring and approval should be subject to any feedback or concerns raised. If elected, I would join with other councillors to hold the project to account.
It is the responsibility of local MP and Councillors to ensure the needs of their community is first and foremost, and ensure democracy prevails. however I think it's vital for the future of Cambridge and it's continued social and economic growth, that the council engages with groups such as these to the satisfaction of all. By combining ideas and resources, we can all contribute to improve the quality of people's lives, work and the environment.
If elected, I feel my main responsibility is to those who elected me and our community. I would defend Petersfield first and foremost, even if it means taking a stand against my own party.
I feel that my campaign literature should be about me and to show people what I stand for so they have a clearer idea of who they may wish to vote for. Making derogatory comments against other candidates or their policies is not helpful and I’m sure most people don’t need me to point out the negatives of other parties’ campaigns or the personalities involved. I think people should make their own mind up; I’m not interested in pulling down others. However, I would stand firm on those issues I believe in and which affect members of this community, whether they voted for me or note.
We need a mechanism to prioritise those in genuine need from those who are seeking an improvement in their standard of living or living conditions. Whilst the latter is of course important, the immediate issue is to determine who is a refugee and I support any proposals where aid and protection is given to those in immediate danger or at risk of losing their life if returned to their home country.
I think there needs to be a radical overhaul of Public Health Services and I would definitely support and champion these and hold the relevant bodies to account.
The two do not necessarily go hand in hand. My understanding is that a person’s sex is either biologically male or female based on chromosomes etc., whilst their gender is defined by society and culture as to the way people should behave according to their sex. Gender is a very personal issue and people may align themselves either as having male or female traits or anything in between, as is their right.
Local residents often need help, advice or support. If elected, what will be the best way to reach you? How soon can we count on hearing back from you? What should we do if you do not reply?
Email tends to be the best way to reach me, as it enables you to write when convenient, and me to reply when able. I would aim to reply within a week.
What vision and potential use you have for the new Community Centre on the Ironworks site?
I believe the usage of the community centre should be up to the community, and it should be available for all sorts of purposes to support our community and its members.
If elected, what specific steps will you take, and when, to address the climate crisis?
We need to make our buildings more efficient, and to ensure that we are using renewable energy to power them. We need to help nature to recover, by protecting areas of biodiversity from destruction and encouraging their recovery where they have been damaged. I would work to make sure that all council housing is of high specification and highly efficient, and support home owners in improving the efficiency of their homes. I would work to help make our transport system sustainable, with truly affordable public transport options.
What measures will you support ( if elected) to enable HM Government to reach their revised carbon emission targets for 2030?
I believe that we will need to go above and beyond the vision of HM Government in order to reach the proposed carbon targets, and also to protect the environment in Cambridge and beyond.
Please could we have some places to sit in Petersfield on the way home from the shops? It would be very helpful, despite social distancing, to have benches back on Norfolk Street and Gwydir Street. We could sit at each end - there must be a design to encourage this.
Benches would be lovely, and i'm sure it would be possible to design some such that social distancing were built in if necessary, such as with planters between the seats to space them apart.
How about residential parklets, which Hackney has been allowing?
These look like a lovely idea, and if planted with real greenery, rather than fake grass, could be valuable in the building of biodiversity corridors across the city.
34 of the 176 shops (~20%) on Mill Road still do not have step-free access, 25 years after the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act. The traders presumably need financial help on this. There could be strong community support to help raise funds. How would you address this challenge?
I would first talk to those shops without step-free access and determine what is the barrier that is preventing them from making places accessible. This information would then allow us to work to find solutions, as the solution may need to be different in each case.
(not answered)
(not answered)
I am concerned that the level of democratic procedure within The Market Square Redevelopment Project is not acceptable, being very low. Guidelines that should be there to hold the project to account are not strong enough or have been removed. How do you see this problem being resolved?
Redevelopment plans should be transparent and include plenty of opportunity for the public to respond. Consultation with the planning committee could push for a more transparent process.
(not answered)
(not answered)
(not answered)
Do you support Priti Patel's proposals on the treatment of refugees?
I deeply oppose Priti Patel's treatment of and contempt for the lives of refugees. The Green party supports a compassionate approach to supporting refugees, and to providing a safe haven for those in need.
(not answered)
What do you understand the difference between sex and gender to be?
Sex is a biological description based on the sex chromosomes, and sex characteristics that one is born with. This exists on a spectrum, and is not as simple as just male or female. Gender is a construct and an expression of one's identity which may, or may not, align with one's biological sex. Gender also exists on a spectrum.
I still do believe in emails - they allow for effective asynchronous communication, they are easy to follow-up and to get inputs from others. I never leave emails unanswered more than few days (but I also never hold a public office like this - I can imagine that my response time might increase slightly - give me 10 days before getting angry)
Community Centres should belong o communities and I hope their usage will be as diverse as Petersfield - from grassroots campaigning meetings, to business networking sessions. From children birthday parties to recovering addicts meetings
Work to modernise building stock (insulation, heating electrification), develop sustainable transport options (infrastructure for bikes and public transport.
As above, but with a note that unfortunately, local authorities are likely to lead rather than support national efforts.
Yes. I hope we do not need to plan our infrastructure for social distancing - hopefully, we will come out of this pandemic one day and will get better prepared to avoid the next ones.
Yes, I do like these. Happy to see more of them.
This ties with the wider objective of building stock modernisation. I believe we can achieve some savings when doing energy efficiency improvements together with step-free access.
I am quite positive to see the site move elsewhere - it generates traffic of heavy vehicles. I have seen some preliminary plans for dense residential development. The proposal in that form is not acceptable - we need more open space and more greenery - from what I heard it is being reconsidered and an application with a shift in this direction is expected to be submitted. It is too early to say if the shift towards sustainability will be sufficient (current FirstBase's announcement mention a "large park" - we'll see what they mean by it)
This is a tough one. I believe the authority should be as devolved as practically deliverable so merging Cambridge City with South Cambs could make some more rural areas feel less represented, which makes me want to oppose the idea. On the other hand, some of the current Cambridge borders are quite arbitrary - to me, it's hard to say where Great Shelford or Girton start when I walk into them, so governing them separately could be made more efficient when joint with Cambridge. The topic needs research and consultation, but I feel that extending Cambridge boundaries would be preferable to creating a large unitary authority.
I do believe that communication with stakeholders is key to good planning and that such projects should be widely consulted and all decisions should be transparent
Lobbying can be problematic and it often is. Elected representatives should be setting rules and approving governments motions - there should be a separation of powers. Democracy is much more than elections - it is also about freedom to participate in consultations and raising concerns. UK's democracy is far from perfect - starting with the FPTP voting system - vote small parties to show how dysfunctional the current system is. A proportional voting system would increase accountability with wider representation in governing bodies representing a broader spectrum of interests.
That is deeply impossible. The Green Party is much more concerned with people than I personally am ;) The above was meant to be a joke, but there is a kernel of truth to that - small(-ish) organic parties are much different than large parties full of opportunists, and we all really care about the people.
A broken and undemocratic FPTP voting system creates incentives to focus on the parties polling well. To change the system we need to have ammunition proving that the system is dysfunctional - voting Green will show how unfair the current system is (with Greens polling 5-10% but with only 0.15% of MPs)
Home Secretary's vision is very different from the Green perspective. It is almost exactly the opposite, we oppose the New Plan for Immigration which seeks to undermine the UK’s obligations under the 1951 Convention on Refugees – an international instrument that has saved millions of lives. Refugees welcome, choose love.
Sorry, I am not aware of the referenced developments, so it is hard for me to comment. In general, I am in favour of a hybrid system, where the bulk of the healthcare is provided by public entities with the private sector substituting in non-essential health services.
The term sex is biological, while gender refers to cultural aspects. Both are non-binary parameters - spectrums or even multidimensional spaces.
Local residents often need help, advice or support. If elected, what will be the best way to reach you? How soon can we count on hearing back from you? What should we do if you do not reply?
As I stated in the hustings, I can’t fix every problem in the ward, but when residents get in touch with me raising an issue, they are owed not only my best efforts to sort out their concerns, but also a decent response. I will answer every email, letter, phone call – and follow up on anything raised in person. I will take every problem seriously and I will work with Richard Robertson and Mike Davey as City Councillors and Richard Howitt as County councillor to serve every Petersfield resident.
What vision and potential use you have for the new Community Centre on the Ironworks site?
I have represented the City Council at two community centres, Clay Farm in Trumpington and Storey’s Field at Eddington, and learnt much from these experiences. Both work as community centred buildings but one has a focus on library services while the other has a focus on arts and culture. I hope that the vision for the Ironworks site community centre will be developed by Romsey Mill, PACT, residents and community groups, working with councillors, so that it becomes a resource for everyone in the ward.
If elected, what specific steps will you take, and when, to address the climate crisis?
As an architect with 30 years experience advising clients how to build and run more energy efficient buildings, and with a degree in food policy, I will use my skills to ensure that the climate crisis is considered with regard to every decision, I will endeavour to influence policies in sustainable development and to work with fellow councillors to consider how Cambridge can deliver on the Sustainable Food Policy Statement 2018. See https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/media/6869/sustainable-food-policy-statement.pdf
What measures will you support ( if elected) to enable HM Government to reach their revised carbon emission targets for 2030?
The government emissions target has recently been set to a 68% reduction by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, and this will lead to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. previously it was 53%. I support this increase in reductions as it is critically important to reduce emissions in line with the Climate Change Act 2008. As a city councillor I promoted the Climate Change Charter, see http://cambridgecarbonfootprint.org/charter/ and I will endeavour to ensure that the new emerging Cambridge Climate Change Strategy to 2026 is in line with our own plans that the Council is net zero by 2030, and work with residents, businesses and organisations to achieve our vision of a carbon neutral city by 2030.
Please could we have some places to sit in Petersfield on the way home from the shops? It would be very helpful, despite social distancing, to have benches back on Norfolk Street and Gwydir Street. We could sit at each end - there must be a design to encourage this.
Funding for benches can be sought through the Environmental Improvement Project grants and the Labour City Council have committed £500,000 to this fund for the next two years. If elected I can apply for benches as suggested and, if a grant awarded, work with officers to ensure a suitable design is delivered.
(not answered)
34 of the 176 shops (~20%) on Mill Road still do not have step-free access, 25 years after the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act. The traders presumably need financial help on this. There could be strong community support to help raise funds. How would you address this challenge?
We do need to help businesses to improve accessibility and I would like to find out more about what the Council can do to assist with this.
(not answered)
(not answered)
I am concerned that the level of democratic procedure within The Market Square Redevelopment Project is not acceptable, being very low. Guidelines that should be there to hold the project to account are not strong enough or have been removed. How do you see this problem being resolved?
The Market Square is an important heritage asset, a local food resource and a destination venue for residents and visitors. All of this and the specific views of residents, local businesses and the stall holders will be considered through a comprehensive consultation process, with all responses considered and acted on along with a transparent conclusion of the process. The final proposals that involve change may have to go through a planning application, for example the cobbles are listed and this area is within a conservation area, and this will provide another layer of accountability.
What's the point of local democracy (and an MP) if Cambridge Ahead can lobby ministers directly, on behalf of their subscribers, whose interests don't necessarily align with residents? [As they (certainly used to) claim on their website.]
Cambridge Ahead is a lobby group - one of many in and around the city. Many seek to influence how this region may be developed in the future. We should remind ourselves that the next joint Local Plan (for both Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire) will be adopted by elected councillors from both local authorities in due course. In the process leading to the adoption, Cambridge City Council is the legal entity with the obligation to accept the document for Cambridge and must seek its own evidence to back up every policy and proposed development site, and a Labour council will ensure that the consultation process is carried out as widely as possible so that all residents and local businesses can influence the process.
Balancing competing pressures is complicated. What will you do if specific needs of local residents conflict with party dictat?
If elected, the needs of the residents will be my priority.
(not answered)
Do you support Priti Patel's proposals on the treatment of refugees?
No.
(not answered)
(not answered)