Committed to a university

In reference to last week’s Editor’s Comment piece (‘City university is non negotiable’, Peterborough Telegraph, November 29) I would like to take the opportunity to respond to some of the points raised.

First, let me restate my total commitment to the delivery of the University of Peterborough.

This is, as you state, ‘nonnegotiable’ and is enshrined within the devolution deal for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. It is wrong to suggest that there is somehow an uncertainty around its progress and work continues at pace.

The Combined Authority has already allocated £13.74 million to bring the project forward, to both progress the physical build at the Embankment site and to secure the degree awarding powers we all want to see at the University.

By Autumn 2022 we aim to have up to 2,000 students enrolled. This will be a technical university and one rooted in the needs of the local economy, supplying the skills that our employers need, and helping our young people secure well-paid jobs fit for the 21st century workplace.

Regarding the staffing costs of the Combined Authority, I admit that I got it wrong when I estimated before I was elected that the Combined Authority could be run on a staffing budget of less than £1 million.

You omit to mention that within its first year the Combined Authority has had to absorb the Greater Cambridge, Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership (GCGP LEP), its staff and its responsibilities, which has brought increased cost.

This was entirely unexpected, but our newly formed Business Board, which replaces the LEP, is already up and running and delivering results at no additional cost to the Combined Authority.

The Government has also recognised that the responsibilities of the Combined Authority have exceeded what