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Strong criticism from @AidanVdeW and @CambridgeMagpie of Conservative @MayorJPalmer
They have criticised the mayor of Cambs and P'borough over his handling of a £100m affordable housing programme https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/rivals-criticise-mayor-over-cambs-19622801
They have criticised the mayor of Cambs and P'borough over his handling of a £100m affordable housing programme https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/rivals-criticise-mayor-over-cambs-19622801
This story first came to light when a letter from a government minister to the mayor was leaked.
On the £100m affordable housing scheme it said: "further evidence of progress would be required before the department could make further funding available" https://www.elystandard.co.uk/news/metro-mayor-james-palmer-dismissive-of-criticism-by-government-minister-4915648
On the £100m affordable housing scheme it said: "further evidence of progress would be required before the department could make further funding available" https://www.elystandard.co.uk/news/metro-mayor-james-palmer-dismissive-of-criticism-by-government-minister-4915648
It was then revealed the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, led by the mayor, has not yet received £45m in anticipated funds https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/affordable-housing-funds-withheld-government-18724454
No further reasoning was given by the government except for concerns over progress. I used the Freedom of Information Act to reveal another letter between a civil servant and the Combined Authority, which gave further details of what the issue may be https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/cambridgeshire-peterborough-combined-authority-accused-18894971
This week @CambsPboroCA "suspended" over £10m worth of schemes which had previously been approved "unconditionally".
It now says "suspend" was not the best word to use and that the move will not have an impact on the delivery timeline of the 249 homes https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/combined-authority-suspend-commitments-249-19591951
It now says "suspend" was not the best word to use and that the move will not have an impact on the delivery timeline of the 249 homes https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/combined-authority-suspend-commitments-249-19591951
The housing committee then heard there are additional problems.
The housing director says he is still confident, but added 'the frustrating thing from my point of view is that the programme is there to be delivered,' except it needs the remaining funds https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/councillor-doubts-cambs-combined-authority-19613363
The housing director says he is still confident, but added 'the frustrating thing from my point of view is that the programme is there to be delivered,' except it needs the remaining funds https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/councillor-doubts-cambs-combined-authority-19613363
Which leads back to this: the Labour and Lib Dem candidates for the mayoral elections criticising the mayor.
@CambridgeMagpie: "[James Palmer took individual charge of the scheme when he sacked the previous Conservative portfolio holder... he has failed" https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/rivals-criticise-mayor-over-cambs-19622801
@CambridgeMagpie: "[James Palmer took individual charge of the scheme when he sacked the previous Conservative portfolio holder... he has failed" https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/rivals-criticise-mayor-over-cambs-19622801
The mayor says the targets are "ready to be hit, and government have not indicated they are unhappy with the Combined Authority’s progress"
Despite a Tory minister saying "further evidence of progress would be required before the department could make further funding available"
Despite a Tory minister saying "further evidence of progress would be required before the department could make further funding available"
The mayor also says work is ongoing and "the only factor holding this up is civil servants".
More on this story as we get it , I guess.
What's really missing in all this is a comprehensive statement from @mhclg explaining what, if any, concerns it has.
More on this story as we get it , I guess.
What's really missing in all this is a comprehensive statement from @mhclg explaining what, if any, concerns it has.
