When I became council leader last year, I made it my mission to work together with councillors of all parties for the greater good of our city.
Our administration’s collaborative approach was evidenced for all to see last week as we delivered the council’s most secure and stable budget in decades, with no sweeping cuts to services and safeguarding our reserves.
I am delighted and extremely proud that there was positive support from across the chamber and I want to thank everyone involved in the 2026/27 budget setting process for their dedicated efforts.
We are fully focussed on helping vulnerable residents and our budget includes additional investment in children’s social care following an increase in the number of looked after children. We are also supporting the Children’s Services improvement programme, investing in additional educational psychologists and strengthening support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Further investments will be made in services that matter to people in the new financial year and we will support investment in our city by others. For example, plans are being developed for a new hydrotherapy pool in the city after Cabinet approved the sale of a council asset in Werrington to a buyer looking to develop the site for this purpose.
More money will also be going into AI and digital to make services more accessible for the public and more efficient, and there will be investment in communities through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund which launches on 1 April.
Our administration didn’t just promise stability, we have delivered on it too. It’s truly remarkable that we now have a balanced budget position for three years, considering the council’s financial challenges of recent times.
Yes, we have had to raise Council Tax, but our increase is still lower than many other areas and we continue to charge one of the lowest rates in the country, around £200 less each year than some of our neighbouring councils.
Seeing the positive reaction of residents and business owners in Lincoln Road to highways improvements made there really warmed my heart.
I joined fellow councillors and Cabinet members last week to cut the ribbon and officially open a regeneration scheme between Windmill Street and Searjeant Street.
The works have enhanced the area by creating raised uncontrolled pedestrian crossing points, new cycle stands and seating, improved paving, new signalised crossings, as well as the repositioning of the northbound bus border and a new zebra crossing near to the junction with Alma Road.
Everyone who has worked on this project, which was completed ahead of schedule by the way, has gone the extra mile to improve this vibrant area. I also want to thank Peterborough Presents who led the consultation on some of the design elements with residents, such as the colours of new bollards. This is a great example of working with our residents and not leaving anyone behind.
Finally, there’s been much focus lately on the council elections taking place on May 7, but don’t forget there’s another exciting election on the horizon too.
The city’s Youth MP elections will be held in mid-March and I would encourage all young people in Peterborough to vote in this. The elections take place in schools and colleges between March 16 and 20.
Having two city Youth MPs is a great incentive for young people to get their voices heard and develop their roles in our communities. Ahead of the elections, we will be promoting a series of pledges from the candidates on our social media channels, so please look out for these.
It’s fantastic to see young people actively involved in politics - as one of the candidates says ‘the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow’ which is so true.