MY LATEST CORNWALL COUNCIL REPORT

Time period: 20th January – 23rd April 2023

1.0 Council and other meetings

In terms of physical meetings of Cornwall Council during the last three months, I attended Full Council (3), Cabinet (3), Customers and Support Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Economic Growth and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Constitution and Governance Committee (2), China Clay Area Community Network (2), a meeting about Community Levelling Up (Good Growth) funding for the China Clay Area, meetings relating to a peer review into the Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (3), stakeholder events for a review into the Homechoice system for the allocation of publicly-owned rental properties (3), a visit to the Council call centre at Camborne through the Customers and Support Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a meeting about the proposed new CAPs (Community Area Partnerships), and a stakeholder event about health provision in the China Clay Area linked to the “eco-town / garden village” development near Penwithick.

Further meetings through Teams video-conferencing included gatherings of Cornwall Councillors in the China Clay Area (2), sessions about Community Levelling Up (Good Growth) funding for the China Clay Area (3), Cornish National Minority Working Group (2) and an associated public forum (plus three associated sessions), briefing on Cornwall Council residents’ survey, a training session about the new Climate Change Development Plan Document, a policy briefing about the proposed “devolution deal,” Group Leader meetings (3) and briefings in advance of Full Council meetings (2).

Other physical meetings have included St Enoder Parish Council (4) and St Dennis Parish Council (4), the Incinerator Community Forum, St Dennis and Nanpean Community Trust (trustee), Board of ClayTAWC (chairman) (3), Indian Queens Pit (trustee) (2) and a public meeting organised by Cornish Lithium at The Pitch. I also attended Annual Assemblies for both parishes.

ClayTAWC is hosting a multi-agency community hub on the first Wednesday of each month at which a range of organisations are present to give advice to local people. I attended the hub in February.

I also had further online meetings about a range of local issues.

2.0 CORNWALL COUNCIL

2.1 “Devolution deal”

The ten-week consultation into the so-called “devolution deal” agreed between the UK Government and Cornwall Council closed in March. I can confirm that I submitted a detailed response on behalf of Mebyon Kernow, which called on the Conservative unitary authority to seek a better “deal” and to use their political influence to secure a more meaningful deal that should include the transfer of far-reaching powers from Westminster to Cornwall as has happened in Wales and Scotland.

I also took part in a debate about the “deal” at the university at Tremough on 6th February and I was a guest on the BBC Politics Show on 10th February, on which we covered the same subject.

At the meeting of Full Council on 18th April, I proposed a motion seeking greater devolution for Cornwall. The motion argued that Cornwall merited parity with Wales and Scotland in terms of devolution and sought to “commence negotiations for a proper devolution settlement similar to those enjoyed in the other Celtic parts of the UK (such as a National Assembly of Cornwall or Cornish Parliament).”

The motion was lost by 38 votes to 36. Supporters included all MK, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors, plus all members of the Independent Group – bar one – and three Conservatives. It was opposed by 35 Tories, one “Conservative aligned independent,” one non-aligned independent and the one member of the Independent Group.

Interesting, a number of councillors from the Conservative administration expressed some sympathy with the move for more extensive powers for Cornwall, and I will continue to do all I can to persuade my colleagues to be more ambitious for Cornwall.

2.2 Review into Homechoice

Cornwall Council and a series of Registered Providers (Housing Associations) have commenced a review into the Homechoice system for the allocation of publicly owned rental properties. I attended a meeting of the Economic Growth and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee about this on 28th February, and argued that all the partners should be prioritising the provision of affordable housing to local people. I also sent an email to other councillors and officers dealing with the review. It was as follows:

I am a strong supporter of assisting local people to access affordable housing in their local parish. Indeed, I feel that the whole concept of affordable / local-needs housing is greatly undermined, if processes make that difficult for local people.

Obviously, local people have a preference for properties, where occupation is controlled by Section 106 agreement or a nomination agreement.

But I believe it is extremely important that a significant number of those affordable homes without S106s / nomination agreements (such as old council housing) should also have a local (parish) connection applied. This is especially important, where there is a high percentage of “old” affordable housing units.

About 12 months ago, I did a study into the provision of affordable housing in one of the two parishes that I represent (St Dennis). At that time, there were a total of 236 publicly-owned rental units in this parish. Of these, 190 (80%) had no “parish connection” criteria, while 20 units (9%) were tied by a Section 106 agreement and the two most recent affordable housing developments totalling 26 units (11%) were controlled by nomination agreements.

I wrote the report because, due to mistakes, the nomination agreements on the 26 properties noted above were not applied. On one of the developments (ten units), not one went to a family with a parish connection to St Dennis.

Through this study, I looked at lettings over a three-year period. I identified 33 rental properties, for which no S106s or nomination agreements had been applied and for which I was given letting information. I can confirm that only eight (24%) went to households with a parish connection to St Dennis.

There is considerable anger at what has happened in St Dennis Parish and I believe that any review of the allocations system must look to apply “parish connection” criteria on a significant number of non-S106 properties in such places.

Over this same three-year period in the other parish I represent (St Enoder), I can confirm that nine non-S106 properties came up for re-let. Only two (22%) went to local households. In St Enoder, local households very much have preference for the newer S106 properties (most of which are the more expensive affordable rent units), but are largely missing out on the older “social rent” units.

I do not think it appropriate that households with a parish connection are, disproportionately, missing out on social rent properties in their home areas.

It is my view that considerable work should be done to understand the split of Section 106 / non-S106 properties and social rent / affordable rent units in all parishes across Cornwall, which can be used to boost the provision of parish connection in parishes such as St Dennis and St Enoder.

It is my intention to update the evidence in the coming days and I will formally submit this as part of the review.

Three stakeholder events were held in April and I attended all three. I continue to argue that the “local connection” aspect of the allocations should be strengthened for parishes such as St Dennis and St Enoder. I am presently collating further evidence to submit into the review.

2.3 Full Council meetings

Since my last report, there have been three meetings of Cornwall Council. The first of these was an extraordinary meeting, which dealt with the completion of the Community Governance Review that considered changes to parish council boundaries. I was heavily involved with this and I am pleased that the attempt by St Austell Town Council to extend its boundaries into Treverbyn Parish was not successful.

The second meeting agreed the Council’s budget for 2023/24. It included a (maximum) 4.99% increase in council tax and was voted through by the Conservative majority on the authority. The Mebyon Kernow / Green Group did not support the budget and challenged the leadership of the unitary authority and Cornwall’s six MPs to better lobby for fair funding for local government in Cornwall.

As noted above, at the third meeting, I moved a motion about greater devolution for Cornwall.

2.4 China Clay Area CAP?

Cornwall Council’s Cabinet has taken the decision to change the present 19 Community Networks into 12 Community Area Partnerships (CAPs). I am pleased to be able to report that the new CAP for our area will largely cover the same patch as the existing Network.

It will cover the five China Clay Area parishes, plus the parish of Luxulyan. This new CAP will start meeting from May onwards and will have some say over the allocation of elements of Shared Prosperity (Community Levelling Up) Funding.

2.5 Fire Control Room

I attended the meeting of Cornwall Council’s Cabinet on 22nd March and I was pleased that the decision was taken to keep the Fire Control Room within Cornwall and rejected the option to out-source it to the east of the Tamar.

2.6 Peer review into Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

Between 21st and 23rd March, a team of Local Government Association representatives and peers from other councils visited Cornwall to review the unitary authority’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. As I had chaired the councillors working group, which was a key element in the production of the Strategy, I attended two discussions and a feedback session. A full feedback report will be published in the near-future.

2.7 My Community Chest

As a Cornwall Councillor, I am allocated £3,000 per annum, which I can grant to local organisations. I can confirm that for 2022/2023, I awarded grants to the Community Larder for Indian Queens and District, Indian Queens Youth Football, St Dennis Carnival, St Dennis Multi-Agency Hub, St Dennis Youth Club, the Wesley Pre-School at Indian Queens, and Wheal Rose Football Team at Mitchell. Anyone wishing to apply to my community chest for 2023/24, should give me a call to have a chat.

ST DENNIS PARISH ISSUES

3.0 Multi-use trail

In January, I reported that I had secured funding from Natural England to produce a report scoping out what would need to be done to turn the section of the defunct railway line between St Dennis and the Goss Moor National Nature Reserve into a multi-use trail. Sustrans were commissioned to do the study and I was pleased to visit the old railway line with them on 9th February.

A first draft of this study has just been completed. I will be attending a meeting with the charity and Cornwall Council in the next few days to discuss the initial findings.

4.0 Footpath 20

I am pleased to report that Cornwall Council has inserted a gate into a wall on the route of footpath 20 to the north of St Dennis Church.

5.0 Path between Manson Place and Trelavour Road

I was also pleased to meet up with some St Dennis Parish Councillors on Sunday 5th February to help cut back vegetation growing out into the path which extends from Manson Place to Trelavour Road.

6.0 Cornish Lithium meeting

I attended the public meeting held by Cornish Lithium in The Pitch on 22nd March. A detailed update was provided, which included an acknowledgement that the firm is carrying out some geo-technical work on one of the two most dominant skytips above St Dennis (namely Pointy). Obviously, it is not yet known what the conclusion of the assessment will be, but I know the importance of Flatty and Pointy to the local area and I will be carefully monitoring the situation as it develops.

7.0 Planning matters

Last year, a planning application was submitted for a new dwelling on Hendra Road, which was opposed by the Parish Council. It was subsequently withdrawn, but a fresh application has now been submitted (PA23/01263). The Parish Council has, once again, raised an objection and I will be keep an eye on what happens with the proposal.

8.0 Litter pick

It was great to join parish councillors and local residents at the litter pick in St Dennis on 15th April. It is worrying how much waste you can pick up in a couple of hours.

9.0 Annual Assembly

It was also a pleasure to attend the 2023 Annual Assembly for St Dennis on 18th April. I presented an annual report summarising key elements of my work over the last 12 months.

10.0 ClayTAWC

As the Chairman of the Board at ClayTAWC, I am putting a significant amount of time into the safeguarding of the future of the centre. Our 25-year lease for the building ends in about 18 months, and we are presently seeking funding to purchase the building so that it will be protected as a community-owned asset at the heart of the village. It is hoped that the funding will come from the St Dennis and Nanpean Community Trust (incinerator fund) and Shared Prosperity Funding through Cornwall Council.

ST ENODER PARISH ISSUES

11.0 Youth Club

As previously reported, the Parish Clerk (Amanda Kendall) and I submitted an application to Cornwall Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding towards the extension of the Youth Club building in the Indian Queens Recreation Ground. I am delighted to confirm that the funding application for £60,000 was successful and it is hoped the works to double the size of the youth club building will commence in Spring / early Summer.

12.0 Orchard planting

I was also pleased to be involved with the planting of 11 apple trees and four cherry trees on Parish Council land near to Indian Queens School on 23rd March (see above image). The works were carried out by the Parish Clerk, the Parish Council handyman (Nigel Trebell) and myself, with the assistance of over seventy children and some of the School’s teaching assistants.

The handyman has also installed three picnic benches in this area, along with two rubbish bins.

13.0 Planning matters

There continues to be a large number of live planning applications in St Enoder Parish. Listed below are updates on a couple of them, which will soon be considered by St Enoder Parish Council.

13.1 Housing development at Summercourt (PA22/08134)

I hosted a meeting at the New Memorial Hall in Summercourt on 23rd February, at which residents of New Row met with representatives of the owners of the land opposite their properties, where a development of 20 new dwellings (ten affordable) was proposed. Cornwall Council had also raised concerns about the application as originally submitted and I confirm that a slightly reworked scheme (of 18 units) has been submitted by the applicants.

13.2 Solar Farm at Burthy Row / Chytane (PA23/01893)

The application for a 50mw solar farm at Burthy / Chytane near Fraddon has just been submitted. It has been validated and residents can now formally comment on the proposal.

14.0 Highway matters

14.1 Pedestrianised crossings in Summercourt

Works to install three pedestrianised crossings on the crossroads are nearing completion. I had a number of concerns raised with me about the time that the works have taken and related matters, which I have passed onto Cornwall Council.

The new lights are up and final works relate to the replacement of some granite kerbing, after which the new arrangement will be fully operational.

14.2 Zebra crossings

Last year, zebra crossings were installed on Chapel Road and St Francis Road, Indian Queens, along with some associated calming measures. I have just been supplied with new speed data reports, which show that the installations are slowing speeds in the area – especially along Chapel Road. The figures are as follows:

Chapel Road

North-eastbound
Pre-scheme
o Mean speed – 26.3mph
o % compliance with 30mph limit – 77.5%
Post scheme
o Mean speed – 19.2mph (7.1mph reduction)
o % compliance with 30mph limit – 99.3%

South-westbound
Pre scheme
o Mean speed – 29.5mph
o % compliance with 30mph limit – 51.6%
Post scheme
o Mean speed – 20.8mph (8.7mph reduction)
o % compliance with 30mph limit – 97.8%

St Francis Road

North-westbound
Pre scheme
o Mean speed – 25.5mph
o % compliance with 30mph limit – 84.9%
Post scheme
o Mean speed – 23.1mph (2.4mph reduction)
o % compliance with 30mph limit – 96.0%

South-eastbound
Pre scheme
o Mean speed – 25.5mph
o % compliance with 30mph limit – 79.6%
Post scheme
o Mean speed – 23.4mph (2.1mph reduction)
o % compliance with 30mph limit – 95.0%

I hope that people will agree that this is a positive impact for the local community.

14.3 Pocohontas Crescent / Princess Parc

I have made numerous representations to Cornwall Council in recent years about the state of the road in Pocohontas Crescent and I am pleased that Cormac have recently been on site carrying out “works to repair the carriageway surface” in Pocohontas Crescent and Princess Parc.

15.0 Annual Assembly

It was also a pleasure to attend the 2023 Annual Assembly for St Enoder on 11th April, at which I presented an annual report summarising key elements of my work over the last 12 months.

HELPING LOCAL FAMILIES

16.0 Advice

Over the last three months, I have also assisted numerous households and individuals with guidance and advice on a range of topics, including housing, planning and fly-tipping.

MY LATEST REPORT ON MY COUNCIL DUTIES

Time period: 2nd December 2022 - 20th January 2023

1.0 Council and other meetings

In terms of physical meetings of Cornwall Council during the last two months, I attended Full Council, Strategic Planning Committee, Customers and Support Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Constitution and Governance Committee, China Clay Area Community Network and a meeting of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Network Panels to discuss proposed new Community Area Partnerships. Other physical meetings have included St Enoder Parish Council and St Dennis Parish Council (3).

Further meetings through Teams video-conferencing included an informal session of Customers and Support Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee (about the devolution deal), preparatory session for Constitution and Governance Committee, Cornish National Minority Working Group (plus two associated preparatory sessions), monthly meeting for China Clay Area members (2), briefing in advance of Full Council, Group Leaders’ meeting (2) and a briefing on proposed Shared Prosperity Funding (Community Levelling Up).

I also had further online meetings about a range of local issues.

2.0 Cornwall Council

2.1 “Devolution deal”

The ten-week consultation into the so-called “devolution deal,” agreed between the UK Government and the Conservative administration in Truro, continues until 17th February.

During the last few weeks, I have studied the deal in detail and I have been involved in various informal discussions about what had been proposed. I have been very critical of what has been agreed and, as I have written previously, the deal does not include the transfer of far-reaching powers from Westminster to Cornwall as has happened in Wales and Scotland. The deal largely comprises accommodations between central government and the unitary authority in Cornwall.

To me, the inadequacy of the deal is shown by paragraph 24 of the document. This lists the functions that the “Government will devolve to Cornwall Council.” But only two are listed, namely (i) adult education and skills, and (ii) housing and planning. In terms of adult education, it would mean decisions about an existing budget would be taken in Cornwall. While for planning / housing functions, it would allow the proposed mayor to “designate a Mayoral Development Area” and “set up a Mayoral Development Corporation” to push forward certain “strategic” developments. This is certainly not about devolving control over the planning system in Cornwall and, if anything, takes authority away from elected councillors.

It is true that the deal does include more money for Cornwall Council, principally through a promise of a “Cornwall Investment Fund,” which would be worth £12million per annum for 30 years. There is a further £30 million of more immediate funding. In overall terms, this funding is extremely limited in scope. The fund itself represents less than one percent of Cornwall Council’s annual budget, and I would question why such funding needs to be linked to a “devolution deal” and the imposition of a mayor.

Also, throughout the document, there are repeated “commitments” from central government. A wordsearch of the document shows that there are 27 pledges to “work with” the unitary authority on various matters, eight pledges to “consider” specific proposals and 17 pledges to “explore” certain initiatives. I struggle to take such “aspirations” seriously in this time of ongoing austerity. There is no guarantee that such “commitments” will lead to anything. It is also the case that some of the funding and some of the proposals are subject to business cases (that have to be approved by central government). Some commitments are further undermined as the text says they will be taken forward “where appropriate” – further reducing any certainty of delivery.

Anyone who wishes to take part in the consultation should go to:
https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/

2.2 20mph limits

As previously reported, Cornwall Council has a commitment to 20mph limits in villages and towns across Cornwall. At a recent meeting of the Economic Growth and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee, it was confirmed that the new speed limits would be introduced across the China Clay Area in 2024. Some key roads may stay as 30mph zones and local Cornwall Councillors have already requested a discussion about how such “exempted” roads might be identified.

2.3 China Clay Area CAP?

In my role as Chairman of the China Clay Area Community Network Panel, I attended another meeting about the decision of the Council’s Conservative administration to change the present 19 Community Networks into 12 Community Area Partnerships (CAPs). At the present time, the option going forward to Cabinet in February includes a proposal for a China Clay Area CAP, though the possible addition of a single extra parish (Luxulyan) is being considered. These new CAPs, if agreed, will have an important role going forward, as it is proposed that the decisions behind the allocation of some Shared Prosperity Funding (Community Levelling Up) will be taken by the CAPs.

3.0 Solar farms

The planning application for a solar farm at Tregonning Farm (PA22/01511) in Newlyn East Parish was presented to a meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee on 12th January. While the actual solar farm is not located in my division, the cabling for the scheme would be excavated through St Enoder Parish for a distance of more than 4.5 miles. This would be partly through fields before going along part of the old A30 through Fraddon and Indian Queens, and then onto Indian Queens Power Station in St Dennis Parish. The solar farm did secure planning permission at the meeting. I spoke and successfully sought changes to the planning conditions to ensure that the trenching was also covered by the Construction Management Plan for the scheme.

When the application was submitted, it included provision for a community payment to Newlyn East Parish. This is normal practice for renewable energy planning applications. During the consideration of the application by planning officers, it was noted that the construction of the scheme would lead to some disturbance in St Enoder Parish. As a consequence, when the solar is built, St Enoer Parish will receive a one-off community payment of £25,000, which could be used for local projects.

I also attended the pre-application consultation event on another solar farm, which took place on 7th December. This solar farm is proposed for land at Burthy Row / Chytane near Fraddon. In addition, I can confirm that the promoters of another solar farm at Trerice in St Dennis Parish will be looking to do further community consultation in the next couple of months.

ST DENNIS PARISH ISSUES

4.0 Multi-use trail

In previous reports, I have noted how I had submitted unsuccessful applications to the G7 Legacy Fund and a Natural England “seed corn” fund to support the work to scope out, design and cost what would need to be done to turn the section of the defunct railway line (see above image) between St Dennis and the Goss Moor National Nature Reserve into a multi-use trail.

2023 certainly started with some good news for me. I am very pleased to be able to report that Natural England had an under-spend and it has just been confirmed that funding has been found for Cornwall Council to carry out these scoping works. The Council has commissioned Sustrans to do the study, which needs to be completed within the next ten weeks.

I will report the findings as soon as I have them.

5.0 Footpath 20

Footpath 20 to the north of St Dennis Church leads over a stile which is very steep and difficult for many people to negotiate. In recent years, walkers have been going through a gap in the stone wall boundary, but this was recently repaired. Cornwall Council has been in discussions with the landowner and it has been agreed that a gate is to be inserted into the boundary to ensure that people can continue to take walks in this area. Works are anticipated to progress in the very near-future.

6.0 Highway schemes

Cornwall Council recently consulted on two small highway schemes in St Dennis Parish, which have been brought forward through the Community Network Panel’s highway scheme, following representations from local residents. These were an additional pinch-point at the southern end of Hendra Road (to slow traffic entering and leaving the village) and a small degree of parking restrictions near the kebab shop (where some households have had difficulty in gaining access to their homes). I will soon be updated on feedback to what has been proposed in the near furture.

ST ENODER PARISH ISSUES

7.0 Planning application for six extra gypsy / traveller pitches at Little Meadows, Toldish (PA20/03553)

In August 2020, Cornwall Council refused planning permission for six additional gypsy / traveller pitches at Little Meadows, Toldish, because of the adverse impact on the local countryside. The applicant appealed the decision to the Bristol-based Planning Inspectorate and a hearing was held in the council offices in Bodmin on 2nd November. At this hearing, I presented evidence on a range of matters on behalf of St Enoder Parish Council and others.

The decision was published on 12th December, when planning permission for the development was confirmed.

Central to the consideration of such applications is the target in the Cornwall Local Plan of 318 gypsy / traveller pitches, which need to be provided in Cornwall between 2015 and 2030. This target was founded on an accommodation assessment, which identified need figures in four different areas across Cornwall (North Cornwall – no target; Mid Cornwall – 113; South East Cornwall – 14; West Cornwall – 190).

In terms of what has been consented, I can confirm that since 1st November 2015, a total of 143 gypsy / traveller pitches have been given planning permission in Cornwall.

In relation, the targets in the accommodation assessment, I can report the following:

· North Cornwall – 2 pitches consented in an area without a regional target (N/A)
· Mid Cornwall – 121 pitches towards 113 (107% of 2030 target)
· South East Cornwall – 5 pitches towards 14 (36% of 2030 target)
· West Cornwall – 15 pitches towards 190 (8% of 2030 target)

I can further report that 107 pitches were located within the China Clay Area / Luxulyan / St Blazey. This equates to 88% of traveller pitches approved in Mid Cornwall and 75% of traveller pitches approved across the whole of Cornwall during the last seven years.

8.0 CIL application

As previously reported, the Parish Clerk and I submitted an application to Cornwall Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding towards the extension of the Youth Club building in the Indian Queens Recreation Ground. I can confirm that planning permission for the extension has been secured and we are expecting to hear about the funding application within days.

9.0 Highway matters

9.1 Pedestrianised crossings in Summercourt

In my last report prior to Christmas, I gave an update on the timetable for the installation of the pedestrianised crossings on the three arms of the crossroads at Summercourt. I was told that the works would be carried out during March-May 2023, but I have recently received an update that this has been moved forward to February-March 2023.

9.2 Penhale double yellow lines

Many people will have seen that the double yellow lines near Penhale Cottages, adjacent to Kingsley Village, have finally been completed. The necessary legal order has also been lodged and everyone needs to be aware that, as of 4th January, the parking restrictions became enforceable.

HELPING LOCAL FAMILIES

10.0 Advice

Over the last month, I have also assisted numerous households and individuals with guidance and advice on a range of topics. Over the last few weeks, I have reported a number of issues to the unitary authority including fly-tipping, and problems with streetlights and pot-holes.