Political view: People power makes events a success in the city
“ there is lots do in our city, so let’s all support it”
Much is said about our home, Peterborough, and let’s face it, not all of it is pleasant, writes Councillor John Howard, Conservative Group Press Officer.
But I can say from my own experience, when large-scale community events are held, communities from across the city come out to mark and enjoy such events. It doesn’t matter what the keyboard activists say, just turn up at one of these events and see for yourself. Peterborough is full of positive and engaged people, and our collective role is to ensure we have enough events going on that we can keep the energy and momentum of the city going forwards.
We saw this a few weeks ago with Nene Park's fantastic Peterborough Celebrates festival, which is full of local artists, vendors and entertainers, closing with a spectacular Holi Colour finale.
Last weekend, we saw the European Culture Festival hosted in Stanley Park, where again the people of Peterborough came out to enjoy the performances from 9 countries. It is happening, and there is more to come! Soon, Peterborough Positive will be hosting a Peterborough Weekender on 19th and 20th June, and the following weekend we mark Armed Forces Day in Cathedral Square on 27th June.
If the Combined Authority Mayor can help deliver a city-centre community stadium, this could also be a gateway to more events. As a group, we want to see the return of the heritage festival too, this would be another landmark event in the city which would help contribute to the community spirit
At the weekend we paid a visit to our beautiful Cathedral. It was great to see the Titanosaur and the very moving longest yarn II exhibition. Get yourselves over to the Cathedral and we can finish this part of my column as we started, celebrating that there is lots do in our city, so let’s all support it!
Post-elections, Council business is getting back to action, and I am glad to say the Conservative Group were back at the table of the very wordy ‘Financial Sustainability Group’ (FSWG) which is effectively a budget working group, where we look at a wide range of budgetary related issues. Despite the major changes coming through local government reorganisation, there is still work do in this current council. We can still do more to connect with the public, which is why I asked that the cabinet member presentations at cabinet meetings be made more digestible. This certainly will help with more complex or contentious issues, as we must remember everything we do and council presentations of decisions should be aimed at you-the public. As a group we continue to make positive contributions wherever we can and bring the challenge where it’s needed.
More locally in Hampton, I attended Clayburn Court to mark the 101st birthday of Dorothy (better known as Doss) alongside our city’s armed forces champion Councillor Jason McNally. Whilst me and Jason don’t share the same politics, we do always put politics aside and work together when it’s in the interests of residents. Don’t tell anyone readers, but politics doesn’t always have to be tribal! Elsewhere in Hampton, my local pub, The Moorhen, are running a big 15-hour charity bike ride for Prostate Cancer UK on 20th June. So, you don’t have to wait for elections to tell me to get on my bike, as I will be getting my legs out (apologies all) for a stint on the bike! And of course, you can expect some Great Eastern Run news soon from me whilst my legs are out and about again, so watch this space.