Cambridge residents are often invited to take part in endless consultations, but response rates remain low. This has led to a skewed sample size which does not really reflect the wishes of the majority. We believe this can be improved by making residents more aware of these exercises through in-person meetings, street surgeries, and more coverage on social media. When there are changes being made to their local areas, residents deserve to have a say.
Local governance for Cambridge has become too complicated and blurs the lines of responsibility. This makes local decision makers less accountable and effective. It is not a coincidence that the unelected Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) was responsible for introducing the Congestion Charge proposals. It was only by electing a Conservative councillor in King's Hedges that these plans were put on hold. We will call on the Government to abolish the GCP so this can never happen again.
In planning the future of Cambridge, we will strongly encourage the Government to work constructively with local authorities and the community to find the right solutions. This must not be a top-down process. Residents must be kept informed and consulted throughout. Of the utmost importance, there needs to be a clear plan to address major challenges such as water scarcity. The 30-month long approval process for the Greater Cambridge Plan will now be delayed until late 2025. We would use this time to put pressure on the City council to ensure local people are consulted and their interests put first.