Author Archive
Posted in
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admin on March 8, 2010
Posted in
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admin on March 5, 2010
A Commission for Cornwall – Dick Cole
This morning, as one of the four group leaders on Cornwall Council, I took part in a Radio Cornwall debate which focussed on the implications of expected cuts in central government funding to local councils. Such cuts could obviously lead to job losses and reductions in services.
Michael Foot 1913-2010 - Charlotte MacKenzie
Michael Foot always reminded me of my much less well known grandfather, my mother’s father, who was a life-long Labour supporter who lived to be a similar age.
“Fundamentally, it seems that UKIP, in addition to being full of paranoid obsessives, is unable to differentiate between immigration into the UK and immigration into Cornwall.”
Cornwall’s Any Questions – Jude Robinson
“Went to the Radio Cornwall ‘Any Questions’ event yesterday evening. Thought it was great that the group leaders agreed to be held to account in public forum but thought the result disappointing.”
TORY/INDIE CORNWALL COUNCIL: THE FIRST FEW MONTHS – Jeremy Rowe
“Here is a short piece I wrote for another publication about the first few months of the new Tory/Independent administration at Cornwall Council:”
Cornish nationalism a sane kind of nationalism. Cornish Democrat
Don’t know what to make of that. As a Cornish nationalist I wish to see power devolved to a Cornish layer of government as well as full recognition of Cornwall’s national identity, but equally I’m an ardent supporter of federalism on a European and, yes, global scale.
The Race Is On – Andrew Wallis
With the sudden resignation of the Children’s, School’s and Families (CSF) Portfolio holder Cllr Sally Bain for family reasons the question is who will replace her? The role of CSF Portfolio is a very difficult one, one of the hardest that you can do at Cornwall Council.
Posted in
General by
admin on February 24, 2010
CORNWALL has failed in its bid to become the first UK City of Culture for 2013.
Cornwall Council had launched a bid to become the country’s first city of culture last year. Despite not being a city the county had been allowed to submit a bid.
It had been named on a shortened list of 14 last year but today discovered that it had not made the final shortlist which reduces the contenders to just four.
Culture Minister Margaret Hodge announced today that the four finalists were Birmingham, Sheffield, Norwich and Derry/Londonderry.
Full story
Posted in
General by
admin on February 22, 2010
Summary from Cornish Zetetic blog after asking PPCs for their ideal figures for new house build in Cornwall…
Let’s sum up what we know of the parties’ positions on Cornwall’s future population.
1) Labour wants a Cornwall where 1.3 million jostle for space by 2099.
2) The Tories prefer a Cornwall of 1.2 million, based on Cornwall Council’s apparent acceptance of either the Government’s RSS or a slight reduction in it of 15% or so.
3) The Lib Dems would prefer not to say. However, their actions, or lack of them, on the former County Council, when their officers supported a higher house building rate than the original draft RSS, must suggest a figure of at least a million.
4) Individual Green, MK and UKIP candidates have supported local needs housing, implying a stable population of around half a million.
So if you don’t want to see Cornwall’s population grow 250% you know who not to vote for.
Posted in
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admin on February 19, 2010
Supermarkets spring surprise. - Cornish Zetetics.
“Though the supermarkets are more akin to ravaging hyenas than lambs, now attracted by the juicy carcass of Hayle, one of the last major supermarket free towns of Cornwall. That shocking anomaly cannot be allowed to continue. The good people of Hayle must have their supermarket. And if its shopping centre has to be obliterated in the process then so be it. This is progress. Stand in its path and tremble.”
Proof of evidence. - Dick Cole.
Tuesday saw the completion of a 33,000 word (87 page) “proof of evidence” by opponents of the proposal for an incinerator at St Dennis.
The Budget. – Dick Cole.
The MK group on Cornwall Council opposed the budget that was agreed by the Conservative/Independent administration on Tuesday.
Good old parking. – Andrew Wallis.
Over 3 hours was spent discussing this very issue. I also invited along a Police Inspector to give the Polices view on this issue (they stopped enforcing since May 08). It was an interesting debate.
Do the Tories give a damn about social care? – Alex Folkes.
So the Conservatives have refused to take part in a conference organised to look into the future of social care. Surely this can’t be because actually they don’t care?
Passing the Duchy on a Cornish Holiday. – The Cornish Democrat.
We do know, however, who is the biggest land owner in Cornwall: the Duchy of Cornwall. But what do we know about this estate and the tax relief or benefits Prince Charles receives as a result of inheriting this vast land holding?
Shelterbox and ladies who bake. – Jude Robinson.
The coffee, cakes and general sale this morning aimed to raise £490 for a box and I bet they made more – those ladies who bake are fiendishly talented, hard working and successful. And they just turn up, do some good in the world and then go home to do it all again for their families.
Openness and transparency, Episode 247. – Jeremy Rowe.
Debate on the Budget at today’s Council meeting was abruptly cut short by the administration, seemingly because the Deputy Leader wanted to have his lunch.
Second homes and public spending in Cornwall. – Charlotte MacKenzie.
Some mixed messages from Cornwall’s Liberal Democrat MPs about second homes and public spending in Cornwall.
Posted in
General by
admin on February 15, 2010
Terence Coventry – farmer and sculpture. www.terencecoventry.com
Terence’s work can be found by surprise when walking the coast path near Coverack on The Lizard.
Posted in
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admin on February 10, 2010
Posted in
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admin on February 4, 2010
“Pubic meeting re Higher Trenant about to begin – full house.”
“People of Wadebridge argue eloquently vs sell off of council building at Higher Trenant at Camelford mtg.”
“Public putting their views very well – all against the sale of Higher Trenant – officers not looking too comfortable.”
“Cllrs Double, Ansari, Eva, Kerridge not convinced by arguments for sell-off. More research needed.”
“Cllr Steve Eva says councillors not consulted properly re-sell off either.”
“Cllr Mann says massive hole in business case. Cllr Hughes – quality of life in surrounding villages threatened.”
“Cllr Eva says Higher T worth 2.5m at most – not 10m.”
“Councillors recommend to Cabinet that Higher T be part of strategic overview of council property and look at feasibility of upgrading it.”
“Committee vote unaminously to send decision on sale of Higher Trenant back for further consideration.”
Thanks to stevedouble and UCFJourno for providing the live Tweets.
Posted in
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admin on February 3, 2010
Posted in
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admin on January 25, 2010
(In reverse order – latest tweet at the top).
Pz has a choice, back option A or it’s Falmouth. What will those in PZ do now?
Option A is still the proposed option by CC’s Cabinet. Option C will not be pursued. Falmouth is a fall back option.
Looks like Cabinet is supporting Option A. No motion as yet but all Cabinet have spoken in favour of Option A
Cllr Toms says it’s been a good debate where all Cllrs have been able to speak if they wanted. I agree with him.
You may not agree with Cllr Hicks, but he believes in what he says is right for Cornwall and Pz
Discusion has decended into Political Tit-for-tat. Not a good move. Lots of mentions of standards board thrown about
Cllr Hicks claim there has been a vicious campaign against this plan. He says Option C is not cost effective
Leader has closed further question. We may get a Cabinet Decision soon
Hope everyone is being kept in the loop over the Route Partnership for Penzance
Head Lawyer says if application is resubmitted he will do everything in his powers to make sure no Cllr hasn’t predetermined themselves
Cllr Hicks says Cllr Biscoe is talking a lot of rubbish. (Biscoe had asked for a meeting with all sides and no preconditions)
Route partnership. Penzance to Isles of Scilly link. Discussions continue at Cabinet meeting this afternoon.
Cllr Varney says Falmouth would be able to deliver the link. Emotive speech from the Falmouth Member
@RobNolanTruro Cabinet is spending the money, not the Council
Cllr Fonk asked why all the interested Parties have not met together at the SAME time. Good Point
Officer says it would take to the end of the year to work up a business case for Falmouth link
Councillor Bain speaks, shame it’s not During CSF items!
Alledged figure of £2.5m will be lost to Pz if no link. Statement made by a Cabinet Member
Head of Planning says Application should be submitted as a new Application to Strat Plan if Cabinet wants to press ahead with Option A
Route Partnership is now being discussed
Public Questions all about Route Partnership. All the same Questions with all the same answers
CC vision plan will not be called in because of lack of evidence. Backroom revolt in the air
Waves to all the Twitter Gang at today’s CC Cabinet meeting
Many thanks to Cllr A Wallis – follow him at: http://twitter.com/CllrAWallis
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Tweets from other councillors
RobNolanTruro tweeted -
“Cllr Fonk condems Council for spending £250k looking at Falmouth, money that could be spent resolving matters in Penzance.”
“Armand Toms says he and Graeme Hicks are to blame for rents mess last year.”
“Leader just said that we don’t mind hiring in expertise but we don’t want them full time and that he is against consultants. ROFL”
“Officers confirm consultants will probably be used on Bodmin office plans”
