On 6th March, the City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council issued a joint press release reacting to Michael Gove’s ‘Case for Cambridge’ alongside the Government’s Spring Budget, stating that communities need far more detail – and their say – on Government plans for a major expansion of the city. 

The Leader of Cambridge City Council, Cllr Mike Davey, said: “The tax cuts the Government announced today, combined with a squeeze on spending for public services, don’t reflect the national mood and indicate that the chancellor is not listening. The case appears to be the same for Cambridge. Mr Gove has not demonstrated that he is listening either. There has been no public engagement, and the City Council has not been involved in the writing of the ‘Case for Cambridge’. 

“As elected members, we are custodians of this wonderful city and therefore we have a duty to ensure it is protected and enhanced for future generations. We welcome the initial progress to address water scarcity and help address housing affordability, sustainable transport, and lab space. However, despite eight months of discussion on this project, we have yet to see any credible plan or evidence of the significant finance required to deliver it. The £7.2m to enhance connectivity to the Biomedical Campus is welcome, but we believe that significant further funding is required. 

“The public will be rightly sceptical about the pace of growth the Government wants and they need to acknowledge this. Any development body that fails to do that risks a democratic deficit, so we need more information about how local voices will be heard and involved in decisions that could have a massive impact on their everyday lives.” 

Read the full release here. 

Following this immediate statement, the City Council have formally responded to Michael Gove highlighting some of the key issues outlined here – including acute water shortages, evidence for the plans, local resident involvement in decision-making and the desperate need for affordable and social housing. 

Regarding the Case for Cambridge and the Cambridge Growth Company, Leader of the City Council Cllr Mike Davey responded: “Since your initial announcements last year, the work to develop the ‘Case for Cambridge’ does not evidence the need or purpose of a development corporation, of demand outpacing supply for labs, or suggest a viable infrastructure funding mechanism. More importantly it has not acknowledged how Cambridge’s unique role as a global innovation hub can benefit the wider UK economy. We know it is an exceptional city and work hard to ensure residents’ lives are fulfilling and the city thrives. We strongly believe the Government should be doing more to support the building of new homes, particularly council housing, across the country not just in Cambridge.”

“Successful innovation hubs thrive because they are based on partnership and collaboration, providing opportunities and tangible benefits for local communities. I remain concerned that the Case for Cambridge offers a top-down vision that has not listened to local people. Perhaps and most significantly it remains unclear whether the ‘Case for Cambridge’ will share the wealth created by our successful city either locally or nationally in a meaningful way. I do hope that the Cambridge Growth Company will take on board these points.” 

Related to these topics, Cllr Katie Thornburrow submitted a piece on the importance of planning for the Cambridge Independent monthly City Council Leaders’ Column, published on the 27th March. You can read the full piece here.