Meet Anna Smith: The Candidate Who Aims to Transform Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
On 1 May, residents of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will cast their votes for the next Combined Authority Mayor, and one of the notable candidates is Anna Smith. Currently a Cambridge city councillor and the deputy mayor, Smith has a wealth of experience, having also served as the leader of Cambridge City Council from 2021 to 2023.
Since 1995, she has made Cambridge her home, and her professional background includes teaching at Hills Road Sixth Form College.
Smith’s campaign is focused on several vital issues:
Tackling the region’s infrastructure by repairing 100,000 potholes.
Continuing the Tiger Pass initiative, which enables individuals under 25 to travel for just £1 per bus journey.
Enhancing public transport safety through increased CCTV at bus stops and improved lighting, along with ensuring a guaranteed last bus home.
In addition, she emphasizes the need for community facilities to be integrated into new developments, which includes essential services such as schools, NHS facilities, and shops. Smith is determined to end the ”broadband postcode lottery” by ensuring that high-speed broadband is accessible throughout the region.
Another key pledge includes creating an ”opportunity guarantee” for young people, facilitating access to well-paying jobs and promoting training opportunities within the community. To further this goal, she plans to establish ”opportunity forums”.
Moreover, an important local issue on her agenda is the restoration of Peterborough’s indoor swimming pool.
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