Political unity seen as key as business-led Peterborough Growth Summit told it is 'time for action'

Representatives of a range of city-based companies attended a Peterborough Growth Summit, fittingly held on the campus of the new university, ARU Peterborough, in Bishop’s Road.

The summit, organised by the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, was also told that political unity was a key ingredient to ensuring action took place.

The summit follows the flow of millions of pounds of Government development awards for a variety of projects in the city.

These include the £65 million Station Quarter regeneration, £22.9 million for the Towns Fund board, the successful development of the £23 million university, new Government funding promised for an indoor swimming pool and sports quarter, a state of the art bus depot, plus the announcement of the imminent creation of a new Development Corporation with powers to push ahead with land acquisition and development.

Charlotte Horobin, chief executive of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Growth Summit was galvanising academia, political and business leadership and those within our community to make sure the investment we have got coming into Peterborough city is sustained into the future and that we all co-ordinate a team taking action and not just talking.

"With the great developments that we see coming through, we now must lean into our political leaders to ensure that there is a co-ordinated, joined-up plan and that those deliver real jobs locally and also prosperity and opportunity for local supply chains.

“In terms of the next steps, it is really critical that great initiatives such as the local skills improvement plan gets engagement from employers and the Youth Employment Hub gets support and provides opportunities for our young people.

The four-hour summit featured a number of specialist panels of speakers made up of representatives from city politics and business.

One panel included Paul Bristow, the Conservative Mayor of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Labour Cllr Shabina Qayyum, leader of Peterborough City Council, and Labour’s Andrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough. and Sam Carling, MP for North West Cambridgeshire and Danielle Daboh, Youth MP for Peterborough. explaining how growth could be unlocked by pulling the ‘political levers.

Later, Darren Roe, managing director of Stagecoach East, Pep Cipriano, chief Operating officer for Peterborough Positive, Rachel Nicholls, principal and chief executive officer of Inspire Education Group, and Rob Facer, founder of Barnack Estates

considered the city’s opportunities and its future.

Rachel Nicholls told the audience: “Over the years I have heard different politicians at different times saying similar things. They were more aligned today. But we have to hold their feet to the fired so things do happen, so the planning system improves, so we get the investment we need and we get the stability that we need, which I think is the most vital component.

Mr Facer said: “Action needs to be co-ordinated and that means pulling those politicians, who all sat here earlier, together so they are clear about that vision and then it is about delivery.”

Mr Cipriano said that the alignment of the city’s politicians seemed very strong.

"They really want what is best for our city. We just need to lobby them more.”

A third panel made up of Sophie Dickens, director of Tydus Peterborough, Jamie Jones, Vice-Principal of ARU Peterborough, Paul Stainton, head of marketing and communications at Peterborough Cathedral, and Iain Crighton, of Allia Future Business examined the city’s strengths and advantages.

Afterwards, Mr Pakes said: “If we can all pull together, there is nothing stopping us. We need a shared purpose and a willingness to work together.

"It was clear from the summit that we have ambition in Peterborough both to grow the city and to ensure the opportunities brought by that growth are shared fairly and widely.

"This isn’t just about bricks and mortar, positive growth has to be in bringing better opportunities for young people, attracting better paid jobs and creating sustainable communities.

"We are already beginning to turn a corner with the new Station Quarter works starting, funding for a new pool and plans to expand ARU Peterborough.”

Mr Bristow said: “Working together regionally is essential because no single organisation can unlock growth on its own.

"I'll work with partners, local councils, MPs and others to deliver for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

"ARU Peterborough is a perfect example of what can be achieved when we do.

"Real growth must focus on people, ensuring that residents and local businesses genuinely benefit from new infrastructure, jobs and emerging opportunities.

"The proposed Mayoral Development Corporation represents a united commitment from local leaders to drive long‑term regeneration and investment for Peterborough.”

Cllr Qayyum said: “It was wonderful how positive businesses and people who met me feel about the direction this city is going in.

"We should not be overlooked as a city and it’s for this reason I will be batting about Peterborough every single time.

"The theme of collaboration, sharing information and problem solving reigned predominantly over the panel session. I'm pleased it was so well received"