SimonBlog

As is well known, Rochester lost its official city status in 1998 when the current Medway Council was formed. This was apparently deliberate but the reason is unknown (either saving a few quid or animosity). https://democracy.medway.gov.uk/Data/Regeneration%20&%20Community%20Overview%20and%20Scrutiny%20Committee/20030304/Agenda/Report%20(Agenda%20item%205)%203.pdf   Medway repeatedly apply for city status (for the whole of Medway Council) and have, repeatedly, been denied. They are adamant that any city status should be for the whole borough. However  I think I have found a solution. The historic area of the (former) City of Rochester can no longer form "Charter Trustees". What they can  do is become a Parish/Town council, i.e. a local authority in their own right. This could then apply for city status, and also as its own council would be able to independently do some minor functions like keep the city centre clear of litter. http://askyourcouncil.uk/understanding-your-c

The British government seem to be intent on abolishing the BBC television licence fee. And yet it is not clear that there are better funding alternatives. Direct "grant in aid", as used to be provided for the World Service, would make the BBC even more dependent on government largesse Advertising, while used already for non-UK services, would compromise independence if it beame more than a minor source of funding Subscription is impractical for broadcast radio and television, and undesirable at least for the text parts of the websites Other commercial sales, while useful, will not bridge the gap. I think the licence fee is the least worst option. If this is to end, I would much prefer direct taxpayer "grant in aid" to the other alternatives (acknowledging that they are already far too beholden to government as it is so an annual grant may not make much difference).

Cambridge has a reputation for being one of the best universities in the UK for STEM subjects. However, even as a Cambridge graduate, I must caution people considering applying about the grading system. A lot of STEM subjects have fairly strict norm referencing (there is some leeway), based on percentages per degree class which were definitely generous when they were set but now are mean compared with degree class inflation that has occurred elsewhere. If you do go to Cambridge, please bear this in mind and please also bear in mind that many employers anonymise applications (including the name of the university) and as such this relative strictness may not be taken into account if you do get a 2:1 which might be a first elsewhere, or a 2:2 which might be a 2:1 elsewhere. I have no knowledge of the situation for Oxford. I suspect it is similar.