The things that truly enrich our lives are connection, belonging and being heard – and those must be at the heart of how we shape Cambridge’s future.

Affordable housing, investing in young people, building communities and local decision making were key themes at the forefront of discussions at Cambridge City Council’s Cambridge Conversations: One Cambridge, fair for all event.

With big decisions about Cambridge’s future growth and governance on the horizon, more than 60 community leaders, businesses and voluntary organisations came together last month for an evening of open discussion and collective ambition for the city’s future. The event created space for honest conversations about how Cambridge can ensure that prosperity, opportunity and quality of life are shared more fairly across all communities and marked the council leadership’s renewed quest to secure input from local communities at this pivotal time.

Setting the context for the discussions, Cllr Cameron Holloway, Leader of the Council outlined the council’s strengthened financial position, stating “Strong financial foundations allow us to protect vital services today while planning confidently for the future.” He continued by outlining the importance of collaboration, democratic engagement and long-term thinking in a time of change.

The heart of the event was two table discussions, giving attendees the opportunity to shape thinking and share lived experience.

The first focused on the necessary ingredients for creating a successful new unitary council. Cllr Holloway outlined the benefits of ‘option B’, a proposal that sees Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District councils join together as one unitary council (with current county council functions), whilst other councils in the Cambridgeshire area form a second unitary. He stated, 'Option B creates two similar-sized economies, it could save around £43 million per year that could be spent on frontline services, and it is the closest fit with existing functional economic areas.'

Participants identified some key factors that would be crucial to the success of any new unitary, whatever the boundaries. They highlighted the need for clearer accountability, simpler communication, and more joined-up, place-based services that work better for residents — particularly those who are vulnerable or digitally excluded. Maintaining local knowledge and trust, while benefiting from a single, coherent system, was seen as critical.

The second discussion explored how Cambridge can ensure the benefits of growth are felt by all. Participants were invited to explore the recently updated State of the City report, which offers solid data on changing trends across the city, with recent findings confirming that whilst the city continues to be prosperous, not everyone enjoys the benefits.

Introducing the discussion, Cllr Rachel Wade, Deputy Leader, highlighted the valuable insight gained directly from young people at the council’s youth assembly and through the council’s new ‘Included’ programme. She said, ‘The things that truly enrich our lives are connection, belonging and being heard – and those must be at the heart of how we shape Cambridge’s future. Every child and young person deserves to be seen and heard. During my time working with students after school at Chesterton college, I heard all too often children without a sense of their value. Painfully aware that already they felt doors would never be open to them.’

The discussions centred around how organisations might work together more strategically to support disadvantaged groups. Unsurprisingly, housing emerged as a dominant concern, alongside transport, access to facilities, and the need to invest early in children and young people. Attendees stressed the importance of building communities, not just homes, and of engaging young people as stakeholders in shaping the city’s future.

Throughout the evening, a consistent theme emerged: Cambridge’s strength lies in its people, partnerships and willingness to have difficult but constructive conversations. As one participant noted, change brings complexity — but it also brings opportunity.

Cllr Holloway closed the evening by saying, 'These are challenging times for Cambridge, but also far more challenging times for the world. Every morning, we wake up to new stories of the advance of autocracy and a brutal, ‘might is right’ approach. This makes pluralistic, friendly but challenging conversations, like the ones we've had today, all the more important. That is the essence of democracy, and it is not something we can take for granted. So, thank you for being here and being part of the conversation.'

The council invites input from residents, community groups and businesses in a range of ways including through events such as these and through its online engagement platform ensuring residents remain at the heart of decision-making as Cambridge plans for the years ahead.

Find out more about the event and how to share your views with the council here;  Council briefings - Cambridge City Council.