Political View: Working hard to ensure residents get best value

Last week the council voted on two options as to how future local government should be organised in our area. Option (A) was to create two big unitary authorities. The other option (D) was for three authorities to be formed in the same geographical area. Peterborough would form an authority together with West Hunts. This would be called the Greater Peterborough option A great deal of work has taken place by council officers to present the business cases of these and other options. It has been whittled down to these two options. In a nutshell, the option with just two larger authorities was presented as a preferred case from a financial viewpoint, but the Greater Peterborough option has advantages with respect to being able to tailor service to local needs – in other words this option (D) would enable Peterborough to retain more of its identity.

There is also the issue of levels of deprivation. Peterborough has recently qualified for extra government funding in some of its wards, which shows that this is an issue which impacts on local services in particular for children’s services and adult health. Coupling with Fenland as in option (A) would increase this issue as the area also suffers similar levels of deprivation.

As a Green group of councillors we voted for option D as we believe this will be better for residents of this city and allow the city to retain its identity. Bizarrely, the Conservative group at the meeting refused to vote at all as they disagreed with the overriding feeling in the chamber. No one can win every vote but surely that is what democracy is about! The vote for option D and a Greater Peterborough authority, won by 36 to 4 and will now be sent to cabinet (last night) before it goes back to central government for a final decision.

As mentioned, Peterborough has recently received government funding through the Pride in Place programme for areas in the city which are classed as being national areas of deprivation.. These areas are Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland, in the Peterborough constituency and Orton Malborne and Orton Goldhay in the NW Cambs constituency.

Each area will receive £20 million over 10 years. Neighbourhood boards will be set up so that residents and community groups can input ideas as to how this money should be used. Ideas already suggested include new sports facilities, supporting youth services and tackling issues such as litter and fly tipping.

I met with the local MP for NW Cambs, Sam Carling last week in Orton Malborne. I showed him some of the issues in the area and we met key people in the ward, including the manager of the pre school at the Herlington Community Centre and the Mary’s Child charity at The Goldhay Centre. It was great to get their input regarding what the area needs. We discussed having a community café at The Herlington Centre as well as additional youth facilities.

It is encouraging that we have this funding. Green councillors will work hard to ensure that residents get best value and will fight to ensure no money is wasted. All too often we see funding used to recruit consultants and hold consultations, and the output is often underwhelming. We will work to ensure best value for money.