Town Hall View: We are making progress across the board

Anyone who has lived locally for the past decade will know that our city’s schools were previously struggling in the national league tables.

But thanks to collaborative working and a rigorous commitment to raising standards, I am proud to say we are now the most improved local authority in the eastern region for Key Stage 2 (KS2) attainment. This is based on the percentage of children achieving the age expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, during 2024/25.

The latest figures represent a stark rise for Peterborough over the past decade and are the culmination of focussed efforts from teachers, school leaders, the wider community along with support from our dedicated education team.

Back in 2016, the city was ranked at the bottom of the KS2 attainment league table and only 43 per cent of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths. However, the latest results for 2024/25 show that 61 per cent of pupils now meet the expected standard.

I am absolutely thrilled with this progress. It is a real team effort, and I want to thank our staff, teachers, pupils, and the entire community for their tireless work.

Exciting plans for a new swimming pool and leisure centre are moving forwards, with technical designs due to be discussed by our Cabinet this week.

The RIBA stage two concept design for the pool is currently underway and expected to conclude in the next two months. Cabinet was asked to approve funding (subject to Full Council agreement) for RIBA stage 3 and 4 to commence.

Also due to be discussed by Cabinet were plans for The Barn in Werrington which if approved could make way for a new hydrotherapy pool in the city. The council owns the site and Cabinet is recommended to sell it to a third party which intends to transform it into a hydrotherapy and rehabilitation facility incorporating robotic-assisted therapy equipment — a use that aligns with our health and wellbeing priorities.

I have supported the users of the St George's Hydrotherapy pool since that facility closed in 2022 and so it would be fantastic to see a hydrotherapy pool once again in the city. As a GP I know how beneficial this service is for people. This has truly been a Labour of love and I remember in my first Full Council meeting when the Conservatives asked me what “I” was going to do to install a Hydrotherapy Pool in the city. I said “watch this space.” That moment has now come. I would like to thank the local councillors John and Judy Fox and Sarah Hillier for supporting this!

Government ministers wanting to visit our fantastic city is becoming a regular occurrence - another sign that Peterborough is being recognised nationally as a place on the up.

I was delighted to join Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government on a tour of the city to hear about our exciting growth plans.

She was given a tour and briefing on the new £65 million Station Quarter plans, as well as a whistlestop tour of the city centre and insight into some of our regeneration projects. She was shown around ARU Peterborough campus and popped into Paston to hear about the £20 million Government investment there.

Finally, a poignant service takes place in Peterborough city centre next week to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. All are welcome to the service at St John the Baptist Church on Thursday 29 January at 12 noon, please come if you can.

Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated worldwide on or around January 27 to remember the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust and the millions involved in genocides across the world.