The Case for Cambridge launched to gain vital infrastructure investment for the city

20 October 2015

Cambridge can be self-reliant and drive its own growth if Government can provide us with the devolved powers we need – all we require from Government is a framework in which to operate.

 

Cambridge Ahead writes:

On Friday 9th October, over 150 people attended the public launch of The Case for Cambridge initiative at a breakfast event at the Cambridge Union Society. The objective of the campaign is to convince central Government that the Cambridge city region, whilst extremely successful, risks having its growth curtailed by a number of factors, including poor infrastructure and a shortage of skills.

The Case for Cambridge was conceived and developed by a Partnership of 11 key organisations from business, academia and local government in the Cambridge city region. The audience at the event included many leaders and representatives from the Partnership as well as from other business, public sector and non-commercial organisations. We were delighted that the three city region MPs and Baron Lansley CBE (former MP for South Cambs) were able to lend their support.

The gathering witnessed a very full agenda and extremely interesting speeches and discussions:

  • Overview of The Case for Cambridge – Lewis Herbert, Leader Cambridge City Council
  • Devolution Public Sector Finance – Alex Plant, chair of CA Transport Project team, and Director at Anglian Water
  • Business View on Obstacles to Growth – Antony Mattessich, Managing Director, Mundipharma International
  • Growth & Private Finance – Matthew Bullock, chair of CA Growth Project team, and Master of St Edmund’s College, Cambridge
  • Panel discussion: How do we influence central Government?
    • Chair: Ian Mather, Chairman of Cambridge Ahead
    • Heidi Allen MP (South Cambs)
    • Daniel Zeichner MP (Cambridge)
    • Lucy Frazer QC MP (SE Cambs)
    • Dr Jonathan Nicholls, The Registrary, University of Cambridge
    • Neil Darwin, Chief Executive, Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP
  • Questions from the floor

The message from the event was clear: Cambridge has a dynamic economy and a proven track record of high value, accelerated growth, and is unique in its importance to the UK economy. But the city is at a crossroads − poised for the next wave of growth but held back by a need for infrastructure investment.

Although this was the public launch, the Partnership has already presented its five key asks to Government which include a tax increment financing deal to provide private capital for infrastructure projects, and innovative funding approaches for local authorities to attract private investors to boost housing and construction.

An interesting factor lingering at the time of the event was the Chancellor’s recent announcement on devolution of Business Rates control to councils. This was welcomed but the assembled heard that only substantial new investment will be able to meet the growth needs of the city region. The Partnership continues to engage with Whitehall, and a few days after the launch event The Case for Cambridge was championed in speeches by our MPs in the second reading of the Cities & Local Government Devolution Bill debate in the House of Commons.

Further information

For more information on the event including media coverage, collateral and to view a gallery of images of the event, please visit our News page. 

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