Access to vital public services including bins, schools, and housing support in Cambridgeshire could change following plans to transform the way local councils are run. Communities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are being given an opportunity to have their say on changing the shape of future local government.

An engagement survey has been launched with focus groups planned in June and July so people can help shape the "biggest shake-up of local government since the 1970s". It follows a national government requirement to replace current district, county, and city councils with single-tier councils.

From April 2028, rather than dealing with separate county, city, and district authorities, residents will access all services – from road maintenance and bin collections to education, planning, social housing, social care, and support with benefits – through a unitary council.

Where areas have parish and town councils, these will not be affected and will continue to operate as they do now.

The national government believes these changes will improve services, making them simpler and more efficient, as well as supporting economic growth and delivering more housing.

Since the changes were announced in December 2024, all seven existing county, district, and city councils in Cambridgeshire have been working collaboratively to identify viable options for new unitary councils across the region.

No decisions have yet been made on what these new arrangements could look like. The government has made it clear that it wants these councils to be unitaries (providing all services and covering all county and district functions).

Three proposed options for reorganisation were shared last week. Council leaders now want to hear the views of residents, businesses and local stakeholders like town and parish councils and community groups, to inform the business cases being developed for each of these proposals.

Those business cases will then be submitted to the government in November. The final decisions on which new local government structures are put into place in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will ultimately be made by national government.

The engagement focuses on the connections that people feel they have to different areas: where they work, socialise, or get healthcare, for example. It also covers what priorities they think new unitary authorities should have and what is important to them when it comes to dealing with local government.

Councillor Cameron Holloway, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said: “Cambridge residents told us last year that they wanted us to explore in more detail options for a unitary authority for Cambridge. In response to the government's plans for local government reorganisation, we've listened to residents' feedback and worked with all local authorities across the county to examine options for our area.

“It's vital that the new council structures serve our residents' best interests, and work for our city and the surrounding area. Residents can help by letting us know what matters most to them – whether that's services, structures, or sense of place.”

Councillor Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “This is a moment of significant change for local government across our area, and it is essential that the voices of Cambridgeshire residents are heard clearly in shaping what comes next.

“We want to ensure the authorities that follow are not only efficient and financially sustainable, but also deliver high-quality services and strong local accountability.

This engagement is a vital first step in developing proposals that genuinely reflect the needs and aspirations of our communities.”

Councillor Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Councils in Cambridgeshire are facing the biggest change to local government in over 50 years. While I very much support the idea of unitary councils, where residents can access all services from one council instead of two, I do not support the government’s move to larger, more remote structures.

"We must make sure we do not take the 'local' out of local government and we are determined to maximise the opportunities, to get the best arrangement we possibly can for East Cambridgeshire residents, businesses and organisations.

“I would therefore urge all our residents, community groups, businesses, and everybody we work with, and for, to share their views and help us shape what the future looks like for our district.”

Councillor Sarah Conboy, Executive Leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, said: “Our aim, as always, is to achieve the best solution for our communities, ensuring our local areas remain great places to live, work and invest, now and long into the future.

“As part of this, it’s vital that we hear from our communities themselves, so we can understand their priorities and hopes for the future of local government. I urge everyone to get involved – whether you are a resident or represent a business or community group – your views are equally valued, and we want to hear from you.”

Councillor Dennis Jones, Leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “This is the biggest shake-up of local government in a generation and therefore it is only right that we understand the opinions of our residents before we submit a proposal to government.

“Change is coming, and we have a fantastic opportunity to secure Peterborough’s future prosperity whilst continuing to provide high quality public services, whilst maintaining a strong connection with the residents that we serve.

“We are urging the public, businesses, community groups and all others to learn more about the government’s proposals and to tell us what their priorities are so that the plans we submit to the Minister later in the year reflect these as far as possible.”

The survey will run from now until the end of Sunday, July 20. You can complete the survey here.

A Peterborough-based radio station is facing mounting questions over its financial transparency and continued receipt of public support, despite not holding Charity, Community Interest Company (CIC) status and being a Private Limited Company.

Since 2016, the station has reportedly benefited from 100% rent and business rates relief, a subsidy provided without the requirement to file detailed financial accounts with the Peterborough City Council. This comes amid claims that the council has never formally reviewed the station’s finances.

Despite branding itself as a community station, insiders allege that advertising packages can cost local businesses up to £2,500 for six months. Additionally, the station is said to have charged £12,000 to host the city’s Christmas lights switch-on—an event for which the council had been publicly appealing for donations, warning that festivities might not go ahead otherwise.

Critics argue the station’s financial practices and for-profit behaviour clash with its “not-for-profit” label. It’s also raised eyebrows that the station is run by the former leader of Peterborough City Council, who still heads the local Conservative Party, Wayne Fitzgerald. Despite its community focus claims, no accounts have been filed publicly to substantiate its non-profit status.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed how Peterborough City Council has gifted tens of thousands of pounds to a community radio station owned by the former Conservative leader Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald.

The arrangement has allowed Peterborough Community Radio Ltd – where Cllr Fitzgerald is shown on Companies House records as holding “significant influence or control” – as being allowed to operate rent free from city council owned premises at 23-24, Herlington Centre, Orton Malborne, Peterborough.

The radio station operates on a tenancy at will agreement which is considered a temporary right for a tenant to possess land or property with the consent of the landlord for an indefinite period of time.

On Companies House, a second director of Peterborough Community Radio Ltd is listed as Stephen Durham, both appointments made in December 2014.

Until February Dave King was listed as a director, but a notice filed to Companies House notes his directorship as having been terminated.

Despite its most recent accounts showing it employs 3 workers; the radio station has elected to adopt the totally legal procedure of not including a copy of the income and expenditure account within the financial statements.

The radio station has not only enjoyed rent free accommodation but between 2022 and 2024 it received £35,000 from the city council, which includes payments for promotional campaigns but the bulk – £31,000 – was for “live event programme and hosting of the Peterborough Christmas Lights Switch on”. In 2022 the council paid the radio station £9,000 rising to £12,000 the following year before slipping to £10,000 for last Christmas.

Here are the questions I (John Elworthy) posed to the city council and their responses:

1: Can you confirm that Peterborough City Council owns 23-24, Herlington Centre, Orton Malborne, Peterborough, England, PE2 5PN?

CITY COUNCIL: Yes.

2: Can you confirm the tenant is Peterborough Community Radio Ltd, and one of the two directors is Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald described on Companies House documents as having “significant influence or control”? The registered office address of the radio station is Peterborough, England, PE2 XXX which is, of course, the home address of Cllr Fitzgerald. Can you also confirm the terms of the lease and the date which it came into effect and list all conditions?

CITY COUNCIL: Yes, we can confirm that the tenant is Peterborough Community Radio Ltd. There is a tenancy at will in place which allows the organisation to use the building. The council are in negotiation with representatives from Peterborough Community Radio to put in place a formal lease agreement as soon as possible.

3: I am led to believe that the limited company enjoys a peppercorn or zero rent arrangement with the city council. Can you confirm this and from the date this agreement was put in force and was it authorised at council or officer level?

4: If not rent is paid for the premises, can you confirm for how many years this has been so?

CITY COUNCIL: In response to the above two questions, under the tenancy at will, Peterborough Community Radio does not pay rent for use of the unit.

This position was authorised in 2021 by the then Head of Growth & Regeneration under delegation from the Executive Director of Strategic Resources in accordance with the council’s constitution at the time. The occupation of the unit was intended to offer training facilities for potential radio station workers together with ancillary community use and as result the unit was leased rent-free.

Under a tenancy at will, the tenant will be responsible for payment of all outgoings, including business rates, which the council might otherwise have been liable for, which represents a saving to the council.

5: From filed accounts of the company it is hard to verify turn over – can you confirm if full accounts are provided to the city council showing turnover, payments, liabilities, income, etc,?

CITY COUNCIL: This information is not held by Peterborough City Council.

6: If Peterborough City Council is providing premises on favourable terms, can the city council state the community benefits they perceive from this arrangement and how are these verified?

CITY COUNCIL: As noted above, it was intended to offer training facilities for potential radio station workers together with ancillary community use

7: It appears the radio station is run very much on commercial terms, indeed has 2 (MOST RECENT ACCOUNTS SHOW 3) full time employees (according to the limited information provided by Companies House) but has the city council been provided with details of these payments and whether payments are to staff members or directors?

CITY COUNCIL: This information is not held by Peterborough City Council.

8: On the city council website there is a reference to Peterborough FM, but this is no longer trading. However, the radio station did operate at one stage from these premises and promised a full range of opportunities for training and involvement by the community.

https://fis.peterborough.gov.uk/kb5/peterborough/directory/service.page?id=53Zkw4POBMY

Can you confirm if Peterborough City Council has any agreements with Peterborough Community Radio Ltd for community opportunities of involvement?

CITY COUNCIL: There are no agreements between Peterborough City Council and Peterborough Community Radio Ltd for community opportunities.

9: Has Peterborough City Council committed any advertising or promotional spending to Peterborough Community Radio Ltd (this to include any departments of the city council or city council trading companies) and if so for what reason and for how much, going back say 10 years?

CITY COUNCIL:

2024 Advertising for a foster care campaign: £860

2022: Christmas lights: £9,000

2023: Christmas lights, £12,000

2024: Christmas lights, £10,000

2023: Private sector housing information campaign, £640

2023: Cost of living information campaign, £1,180

2024: Home energy efficiency upgrade information campaign, £1,340

FACT CHECK

To rent a commercial space at Herlington Centre in Peterborough, you’re looking at properties like Unit 71-72, which is 865 sq ft and priced at £12,500 per annum, according to Savills. Another option is Unit 26, which is 908 sq ft and available for rent.

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Parents were earlier shocked that the long-serving lollipop lady at the school was to be made redundant

A mum who fought hard to ensure children's safety at a primary school was delighted that Peterborough City Council acted in response to her 800-strong petition. Katie Berry, and other parents of pupils at Eye Primary School, were shocked to discover that their long-serving lollipop lady Lisa Bryan was to be made redundant, with no additional safety measures planned to replace her.

The parents were informed that a zebra crossing would be built as part of a planned 265-home development nearby, but there was no time scale as to when it would happen.

Ms Berry, who has two young sons at Eye Primary School, handed in her petition at Peterborough Town Hall on June 10 which had over 800 signatures and called for "continuous safety provision" until a permanent crossing was installed.

To the delight of Ms Berry, parents at the school, and the three Eye ward councillors who supported the petition, Peterborough City Council announced on June 16 that a temporary crossing would be installed at the school.

"I'm really pleased that the council made the sensible decision to make sure there will be provision in place," Ms Berry said.

"It's bittersweet because it's a sad confirmation that our lollipop lady Lisa will no longer be in the role. She's done a fabulous job.

"There should never have been a situation that this was going to be allowed to happen in the first place. To have gone through so many steps for them to finally say 'oh that is a good idea' just doesn't make any sense.

"It's been a lot of hard work but just shows that if you're passionate about something and need change, you can do it."

The petition was due to be debated on at a full council meeting in July, but the council decided to act before it got that far.

Councillor Angus Ellis, cabinet member for environment and transport at the council, said: "We take the concerns of school pupils and parents extremely seriously and that is why we have acted to make sure that a temporary crossing is installed here."

He added: "Myself, local ward councillors, and Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes have acted in response to a petition from residents and I look forward to seeing this crossing installed."

Mr Pakes welcomed the news and said: "The worst outcome would have been leaving the school without any safety measures at all.

"Thank you to the parents who raised this issue with me, and to the local councillors who championed their cause. Council funding may be limited, but that should never mean compromising on children's safety."

Eye, Thorney and Newborough ward councillors Mark Ormston, Steve Allen and Rylan Ray supported the parents' campaign and even used their community funds to keep lollipop lady Ms Bryan in her role until the end of the school year.

"It's full credit to Katie and the community for making their voices heard," Cllr Ormston said.

"There's enough stories where these things are put together and nothing happens so to have a win is positive."

Cllr Allen said: "It's fantastic that community support for getting something sorted has actually borne fruit.

"It's great for us councillors as we supported the campaign from the outset. I'm glad that the administration and council officers are listening because what we have is a sensible outcome."

School crossing patrols at three other schools in Peterborough were also removed as part of the council's budget setting process for 2024/25. A separate petition was made, asking the council to reinstate all school crossing patrols at Eye, Old Fletton, Newark Hill and Werrington where cuts were made.

It was signed by 573 people, meaning it is eligible for submission to full council.

Peterborough City Council's cabinet are recommended to approve a contract worth £10.92 million for the care of one individual with complex needs.

A report to be discussed by the cabinet on Tuesday, June 17 relates to the award of a contract to Action for Children, a provider who would continue to deliver care services to a young person within a "bespoke placement" either in a care home or supported living accommodation.

The contract is for a seven-year period between June 24, 2025 to June 23, 2032, for a value of up to £1.56 million per year. The cost would be shared 50/50 between Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board (C&P ICB).

This means Peterborough City Council would pay £780,000 per year, a total of £5.46 million across the (up to) seven-year contract term for the person's care. The council report says the contract would be for the "continuation of care" for a young person with "complex needs".

It adds: "Peterborough City Council has statutory duties in relation to any child/young person or adult discharged from a Tier 4 inpatient facility under section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. These are joint responsibilities shared with the C&P ICB under Section 117 Aftercare."

Councillor Katy Cole, cabinet member for children's services at Peterborough City Council, said: "The high costs arise from the complex needs and specialised care required.

"Occasionally young adults need continuous, intensive support, including supervision from specially trained staff or multiple carers to ensure their safety and meet their needs 24/7.

"This is a joint funding arrangement with the NHS and we take our responsibilities to supporting and protecting the most vulnerable in or community seriously."

The report notes that due to the young person turning 18 during the contract, they would be supported by adult services and the accommodation would be Care Quality Commission registered.

It adds that discussions are progressing between stakeholders and the CQC regarding the suitability of registration under either Supported Living or Care Home status.

"The young person has been considered ready for discharge whilst under the age of 18 years, but due to delays related to suitable property identification, acquisition and adaptations [to] the care contract is required to continue post 18," the report states.

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Three proposals have been put forward for a major local government shake-up, which is set to see Peterborough Council disappear.

Central government has mandated that from April 2028, simpler unitary local authorities will replace the host of district, county and city council that exist across the country.

Residents would then go to these council to access all services from road maintenance and bin collections to education, planning, social housing, social care, and support with benefits.

The government has said that it believes that these changes will improve services, making them simpler and more efficient for residents and businesses, as well as supporting economic growth and delivering much needed housing.

Parish and town councils will not be affected and will continue to operate as they do now.

Currently the area has a two-tier system, with some services delivered by Cambridgeshire County Council, such as road maintenance, and others by the district councils, such as housing. Peterborough City Council is already a unitary council, but is included in the reorganisation plans.

The plans will see Cambridgeshire’s seven councils (Peterborough City, Huntingdonshire, Fenland, Cambridge City, Cambridgeshire County, East Cambs and South Cambs) become two.

Each of the two would gain the current county council’s functions.

The proposed options:

Proposal A: North West/South East- 1- Peterborough, Huntingdonshire and Fenland.

2- Cambridge City, East Cambs, South Cambs.

Proposal B- North/South- 1- Peterborough, East Cambs, Fenland, Huntingdonshire

2- Cambridge City, South Cambs.

Proposal C- East/West- 1- Peterborough, East Cambs, Fenland

2- Cambridge City, Huntingdonshire, South Cambs.

A joint statement from the seven leaders of each council, including Peterborough City Council Leader Dennis Jones said: “As council leaders we are working collaboratively in the best interest of residents and businesses across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

"The Government’s reorganisation agenda has raised some challenging issues for us all which we have been working through collectively over the last few months.

"We still have outstanding questions and issues which have yet to be resolved.

"However, we agree that there are currently 3 options that appear to be the most financially viable based on the Government’s criteria. These options are based on existing authority boundaries and are being further developed to be submitted to government by late November.

"We recognise each option has different strengths and different implications for services, our local communities, and businesses.

"We are taking an evidence-based approach, inevitably the different needs and local identities of our areas will have a significant impact on the preference of our own councils, and we must respect that.

"We encourage residents, our partner agencies and businesses to feed into this process by sharing what matters most to them through an engagement exercise being launched next week.

"We also want to take this opportunity to reassure residents that services will not be affected, and to praise the collective local government workforce across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for their continued efforts on behalf of our communities during this period of change. We appreciate that reorganisation may create some uncertainty for them which we will work with Government to do our best to mitigate.”

Peterborough two MPs Andrew Pakes and Sam Carling have, however, raised serious concerns about the plans damaging services in the region.

A joint statement reads: “We have significant concerns about the implications of these proposals for Peterborough. We’re a proud city with a strong history, and merging our council wholesale with neighbouring authorities risks taking the focus away from Peterborough’s issues, as well as damaging local services both here and in Cambridgeshire more broadly.

“There are rightly discussions ongoing about whether, and how, the boundaries of Peterborough expand to take in additional areas as part of local government reorganisation. There can be benefits to large authorities, but they must reflect shared local identities and be based around coherent areas.

“Councils need to look again at these proposals. Wholesale district merging is not the answer for Peterborough – we need to look at the broader picture around how we construct new councils that work for everyone.”