Nail in the coffin of democracy at County Hall
Norwich Area Committee was due to look at the progress of academy schools in the city at a meeting tonight.
Next month, it would have focused on changes to fire cover, with the closure of Bethel Street Fire Station.
As a local councillor, I believe its abolition makes the council less accountable to local people. Read More…
Localism to shake up planning
The government has announced sweeping changes to the planning system.
With developers lining up to build in Cringleford, we look what effect this could have in south Norwich. Read More…
Don’t cut: investigate alternatives
Norfolk County Council is proposing to disband its Social Services Sensory Support Team as one of its budget savings for 2011.
Retired social worker, Verity Gibson, criticises the plans as short-sighted.
Who’s running our schools?
The former Chair of Governors at a south Norwich school has taken the unusual step of going public with her views on school governing bodies, saying they have: “ridiculous amounts of power.”
In a year that’s seen two well-respected head teachers resign from local schools, we ask whether the system has enough checks in place. Read More…
The fear factor
Why is that people in the UK are so worried about infections like MRSA when it comes to healthcare?
Could it be that the media has an important part to play? A study by health analysts, the King’s Fund, shines some illuminating light on why we may be more fearful than people in other developed countries. Read More…
MP in a tight spot
Back in May, Simon Wright surprised everyone by winning Norwich South by just a handful of votes. The young Liberal Democrat’s pledge to oppose an increase in tuition fees may have swung the vote his way.
Fast forward 5 months and the government looks likely to lift the cap on tuition fees, allowing universities to charge what they want. It means Simon Wright is facing his first real test. With such a slim majority, does he betray those who voted for him on this key issue, or this early in the Parliamentary term, can he get away with a complete policy u-turn? Read More…
The street’s no place for a sofa
A mountain of rubbish will be dumped outside the Forum this Friday, to illustrate just how much flytipping the council deals with each week. But why do people leave old sofas and mattresses out on the street? If it’s a goodwill gesture, they’re getting it horribly wrong. Read More…
Return of the cone snatchers
Businesses in south Norwich are gearing up for the return of UEA students this week. But as they start to arrive, we weigh up the pros and cons of having 13000 students on our doorstep. Read More…
Things are far from perfect
This summer 4000 people joined in the celebrations of Norwich Pride, including a parade and a picnic in Chapelfield Gardens. But behind the carnival feel there’s a serious message: publicising the fight against homophobia and transphobia. Read More…
Battle of the 4x4s
A long-running dispute in south Norwich has taken an interesting twist, which puts the future of a local school in jeopardy. Read More…
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