Questions raised over progress of new University of Peterborough
Members of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) Scrutiny Committee have raised questions over the progress of the University of Peterborough, and even whether it is even needed.
Speaking at their meeting on Monday, the committee was discussing the drawing up a series of questions to be put to the CPCA Board this Wednesday.
Cllr Anne Hay (Fenland District Council) said: “I am deeply concerned about the lack of progress of the University of Peterborough project.
“My husband worked on this project more than 20 years ago when they were discussing the option of partnerships with Loughborough University, but is this new project modelled on the same ideology and is that partnership still in place? I think these are questions that we need to have properly answered by the board members.”
While Cllr Marcus Gehring (Cambridge City Council) added: “I am also very worried that it is in direct competition with another facility in the city.
“I think we need clarification from the board about the enormous amounts of money being proposed to be spent on this project, when Peterborough already has an excellent college offering almost the same subjects.
“Certainly it has an excellent reputation for more technical and job focused education, so why this is being reduced to a university that essentially does the same thing is a question I feel we could legitimately ask the board members.”
Cllr Andy Coles (Peterborough City Council) replied: “The University of Peterborough project is currently on time and within the budget given it by the combined authority with MACE the primary partner in terms of delivery.
“I understand this committee’s concerns about the curriculum being offered, but Mayor Palmer will be hosting a three day open event at Peterborough Cathedral where the public can come and give their views on the plans.”
The committee agreed that it would raise a number of questions about the progress with the board at its meeting in Ely on Wednesday.
The three day event at Peterborough Cathedral is free and open to the public and will take place on February 4 from 4pm to 7pm, February 5 from 2pm to 7pm and February 6 from 2pm to 7pm.
The University of Peterborough is due to open with 2,000 students in September 2022. Courses will include a mixture of on campus lessons, in-work training, apprenticeships and distance learning. Planned future faculties include health and social care, engineering, manufacturing and advanced manufacturing.
Robert Alexander, Local Democracy Reporting Service