My monthly councillor report

My latest report will be presented to Tuesday’s meeting of St Enoder Parish Council. It covers the time period of 22nd June – 9th August 2020 and is as follows:

1.0 Covid-19 emergency

Recent weeks have seen the lockdown eased, but many people remain very concerned about the threat of new outbreaks or the economic impact of the crisis on their businesses or employment prospects. I continue to give what advice I can to those local residents who have contacted me.

Strategically, a Local Outbreak Management Plan has been put in place for Cornwall, which seeks to provide a blueprint for managing any future Covid-19 outbreaks to protect residents and support the most vulnerable. A Health Protection Board, made up of professionals from across the public sector, is responsible for the Plan.

I am grateful to have been appointed to the linked Cornwall Local Engagement Board, which receives regular updates about new infections and related matters from partner organisations.

2.0 Prescription deliveries

Since 1st April, I have been working with volunteers to deliver prescriptions from the St Columb Road Surgery to shielding households across St Enoder Parish (and sometimes slightly further afield). Shielding officially ended on 31st July and the volunteer deliveries also ended at the end of July.

It has been a privilege to work with a team of wonderful individuals over the last 17-and-a-half weeks and I would like to say a massive thank you to Michael Bunyan, Steve Curtis, Heather Goodwin, Amanda Kendall, Lara McShee, Dawn Wilkes, Brian and Lynne Young.

It is clear to me that everyone’s efforts have been greatly appreciated by the community.

3.0 Council and other meetings

Over the last six weeks, I have attended a large number of virtual council meetings and briefings via Microsoft Works. These included the Cornwall Local Engagement Board, Full Council (plus an associated agenda briefing), Economic Growth and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee and three briefings, Electoral Review Panel (plus an agenda briefing and two follow-up meetings), a briefing on the Council’s investment programme, Cornish National Minority Working Group (plus an agenda briefing and two follow-up meetings on an associated education project), three meetings of the BAME (Black Asian Minority Ethic) steering group plus an associated roundtable as part of the “Cornwall We Want” consultation, three meetings for councillors from the China Clay Area, and one-to-one meetings with the Chief Executive and the corporate director of Neighbourhoods.

In addition, I have attended three meetings of the China Clay Community Hub, reviewing actions to deal with the present health emergency, plus single meetings of the St Austell Bay Economic Forum and St Enoder Parish Council.

4.0 Ongoing projects

Over the last six weeks, I have continued to liaise with various individuals at the unitary authority about a series of ongoing projects. These include the provision of a new footway from Harvenna Heights estate to Indian Queens School, improvements along the A3058, and following up on the feasibility study about crossing on Chapel Road and St Francis Road, Indian Queens.

Progress is slow, not least because of the present difficulties, but I hope to have good news in the near future.

5.0 Traffic matters

5.1 Mobile vehicle activated sign

I am really pleased that the Parish Council had agreed to purchase a mobile vehicle activated sign which can be moved around the Parish and placed in various areas to record the speed of traffic and to flash to encourage motorists to slow down. Watch out for the sign – it should be “in action” in less than a week.

5.2 Accident at bottom of Fraddon Hill.

There was recently a crash at the bottom of Fraddon Hill, when a car was driven into the front wall of a house. I have met with local residents and I am making representations to Cornwall Council and asking them to investigate what happened and whether safety measures can be considered.

5.3 Kingsley Village

Prior to the lockdown, I was making representations about the parking problems in the vicinity of Kingsley Village, including where New Road meets the roundabout. Since the complex has reopened, I have received a number of further complaints and I am continuing to lobby officers at the unitary authority to address the complaints.

6.0 Local planning matters

6.1 Applications

In my last report, I provided an update on a number of live planning applications. These included the following:

· A new vehicular access from Moorland Road into one of the units on the Indian Queens Industrial Estate (PA19/05975).

· 23 dwellings on land adjacent to Lindsay Fields, Fraddon (PA20/01508).

· Reserved matters for 16 dwellings on the Carvynick Holiday Park, Summercourt (PA20/02147).

· Large storage building to rear of Manor Drive in Fraddon (PA20/02308).

· Fifty dwellings at St Columb Road (PA20/02929).

· Six extra gypsy / traveller pitches at Little Meadows, Toldish (PA20/03553).

These applications are still being considered by the planners and no decisions have been taken as yet.

6.2 Appeal into unauthorised commercial garage

Last year, Cornwall Council refused a retrospective planning application (PA19/04433) for the “retention of building and its continued use for the storage and repair of motor vehicles” at The Stables Holiday Park on Pit Lane, Indian Queens.

The owner has appealed the decision to the Planning Inspectorate and I have produced a detailed written submission in support of the unitary authority’s position on behalf of the Parish Council.

7.0 Planning White Paper

The UK Government has just published a White Paper setting out proposals to completely change the planning system. This includes zoning, which – in some areas – would allow developers to build without even needing to apply for formal planning permission. They are also planning to “temporarily lift the small sites threshold” so that developers will not need to provide affordable housing on sites of less than 40 - 50 units.

The document is confusing and contradictory, and I think it will undermine local democracy and neighbourhood plans. I am campaigning against the changes, which will be out for consultation over the next 12 weeks.

8.0 Small open spaces

Cornwall Council owns a number of small open spaces in estates in St Enoder Parish, some of which have play equipment on them – Hanover Park, Indian Queens; Lindsay Fields, Kingsley Court, Penhale Gardens, St James View – all in Fraddon; Clodan Mews, St Columb Road.

I am lobbying the unitary authority for these areas to have a tidy-up and, where appropriate, for the equipment has a good clean. I would also like to thank residents in Penhale Gardens for taking things into heir own hands and tidying up their own area.

9.0 Black Lives Matter

Following the recent Black Lives Matter protests, Cornwall Council has set up a steering group to consider how best the local authority can work with BAME individuals. As the Chair of the Cornish National Minority Working Group – another important part of the Council’s diversity agenda – I was asked by the Council leadership to sit on the steering group.

10.0 Inquiries

This report has been a summary of my recent activities, but I have helped a wide range of people with localised issues.