My article in this week's Cornish Guardian

My article in this week’s Cornish Guardian newspaper unsurprisingly, once again, focuses on elements of the battle against coronavirus. It was as follows:

The announcement that the lockdown is to continue for at least another three weeks was expected. It emphasises the need to carry on being vigilant and to follow government advice about staying at home and practising social distancing.

I have an example about why social distancing is so important. A very good friend has been classed as vulnerable and he has been self-isolating at home. His brother, who is an NHS worker, has dropped off food to him on a couple of occasions. But this brother subsequently discovered that he had become infected with coronavirus. It was obvious that he must have had the virus when he visited my friend, but because they were careful to keep their distance from each other, it was not passed on. I am pleased to report that my friend’s brother is recovering well.

In previous columns, I have written about the significant range of measures that have been put in place by the UK Government, though it is inevitable that some issues and shortcomings will have arisen.

As a local councillor, I have received representations on a range of matters which include the lack of PPE for frontline staff in the NHS and other public services and care homes, as well as the need to increase the extent of testing to help eradicate Covid-19. In addition, I have been contacted about the furloughing initiative and financial support for small businesses.

In coming up with the ambitious Job Retention Scheme, which allows employers to furlough staff while the state pays 80% of their wages, the UK Government made a mistake in specifying that employees had to be on the PAYE system by 28th February. This left many people who had recently changed jobs ineligible for support. I welcome the news that the UK Government has listened and changed that date to 19th March, though this will not protect everyone. I hope MPs will look again to ensure that no-one, who could have been furloughed, misses out on this support.

Thousands of local businesses have also received grants to assist them in these difficult times, and Cornwall Council has been particularly effective at distributing the money. I have also received representations from some small enterprises who may not qualify for the support, while others are angry that second home owners (registered for non-domestic business rates) could get grants. At the same time, there is a lack of clarity about whether a local social enterprise I am involved with will get support. Again, I hope that those in authority will ensure that no genuine local business will lose out.

Please keep safe, one and all.

KEEP SAFE ONE AND ALL

My article in this week’s Cornish Guardian newspaper is, somewhat unsurprisingly, about the Coronavirus crisis. It will be as follows:

The terrible news that more than 10,000 people in the United Kingdom have died from covid-19 shows we have some way to go before the pandemic is defeated.

It is inevitable that the present lockdown will need to continue, but I have to say that I think it is really impressive how the vast majority of people are respecting and following government guidelines, for example, to work from home, maintain social distancing or to self-isolate.

We all have a role to play at this time of global emergency. As one Professor of Medicine said: “It has never been easier to save a life. Just stay at home. If we all keep it up, the death toll will fall. Self-discipline over the next few days will be key.”

It is also phenomenal that so many local residents are looking out for their families, friend and neighbours.

But we must keep remembering that NHS workers are in the real “front-line” of this crisis, doing their utmost to save the lives of people already infected and who, in the words of the Prime Minister, are “putting themselves in harm's way.” It is awe-inspiring that so many people are going to work, day after day, in the full knowledge that they are exposing themselves to such a dangerous virus, and it is distressing that more than twenty doctors, nurses and hospital porters, have already lost their lives.

Other key workers such as employees in the care sector, shop and supermarket workers, postal / delivery workers, members of the emergency services and those keeping public transport going, are also continuing to serve the public, which puts them at greater risk than the majority of the population.

With so many individuals striving to get us through this difficult time, and lots of families and small businesses facing an uncertain future, it is shocking to hear how certain wealthy individuals and “funds” have made vast amounts of money by “playing the markets” as investors feared a global economic downturn because of coronavirus.

One American investment company “placed bets on market volatility” and bragged that it made £2.4 billion, while one “investments fund” claims to have made a return of 3,612% in the month of March. And here in the UK, a company called Somerset Capital Management (and founded by a government minister) has been trying to generate new business by telling potential clients that the crisis made “excellent entry points for investors” while promising “super normal returns” – whatever that is.

A ST PIRAN’S DAY DEMAND FOR A CORNISH TICK-BOX ON 2021 CENSUS

As the leader of Mebyon Kernow, I have marked St Piran’s Day by challenging the UK Government to do more to support Cornwall’s distinct national identity.

I have written to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Office and Home Office, demanding a Cornish tick-box on the 2021 census, which he says would be a “strong and symbolic act” to show that the “UK Government is (i) taking the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities seriously, and had (ii) started to treat the Cornish in the same manner as the UK’s other national minorities (the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish).”

I have also issued the following statement today:

“It is 18 years since the Cornish language secured protection through the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. And it is nearly six years since the Cornish were recognised as a national minority through the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, when the UK Government pledged that we would be afforded ‘the same status … as the UK’s other Celtic people, the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish.’

“But I have to say that it is very disappointing that the UK Government continues to have a significant blindspot when it comes to Cornwall, its language and national identity; and it is clearly failing to treat the Cornish in the same manner as ‘the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish.’

“On 4th March 2020, in a response to a question from Steve Double MP, the Prime Minister spoke some Cornish in the House of Commons. He said “Kernow bys vykken” – Cornwall forever – and yet, we have just found out that the Cornish language has been specifically excluded from the new British passport. It symbolically includes text from three of the UK’s four Celtic languages – Welsh, Scots Gaelic and Irish – but there is no Cornish.

“The UK Government is also finalising the content of the 2021 census at the moment and the present draft of the survey includes national identity tick-boxes for English, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh. But officials seem to consider it acceptable that the Cornish will be the only UK national minority to be denied a tick-box.

“This is both illogical, prejudicial and plain wrong. I have challenged the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Office and Home Office, to intervene to ensure that the census paperwork is modified to include a Cornish tick-box.

“This would be a strong and symbolic act to show that the UK Government is (i) taking the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities seriously, and had (ii) started to treat the Cornish in the same manner as the UK’s other national minorities (the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish).”

Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall is calling upon people to also write to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Office and Home Office to demand that the UK Government meets its obligations to the Cornish as a national minority.

The addresses are:
The Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, SW1A 2AA
Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AS
Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF

My latest monthly report to St Enoder Parish Council

My latest monthly report was presented to a meeting of St Enoder Parish Council on Tuesday. It covers the period from 27th January to 26th February 2020. It is as follows:

Listed below are some examples of the activities that I have been involved with over the month.

1.0 Council meetings and related activities

I attended a number of formal meetings and briefings at Cornwall Council. These included the Economic Growth and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee and an associated all-day briefing session; a briefing session for the Council’s Informal Investment Panel; a meeting about climate change hosted by the Network Panels for the China Clay Area, Par and St Blazey Area and St Austell; a members’ get-together in the China Clay Area; China Clay Network meeting; the Positive Parking Panel; a briefing in advance of the next Full Council meeting; a Group Leaders’ meeting; and a workshop for Cornwall Councillors to consider how the unitary authority might operate after the number of elected members is reduced from 123 to 87 in May 2021.

The Community Governance Review (into the boundaries of parishes) is ongoing through the Electoral Review Panel (of which I am vice-chairman). In the last month, I have attended three related public meetings at Liskeard, Penzance and Truro.

I was also part of a Council delegation to the National Assembly for Wales to discuss issues of mutual concern, including funding for economic regeneration and support for Celtic culture and identity.

There have also been informal meetings with a range of officers at the unitary authority, some of which are referenced below, and I have also attended three meetings of St Enoder Parish Council.

2.0 Other meetings / events

In addition to the above meetings, I also attended meetings of the Committee which is planning the local VE Day celebrations for 8th May, the annual general meeting of Indian Queens Pit (of which I am a trustee / committee member) and the ClayTAWC centre in St Dennis (Chairman). I also gave a talk to St Neot History Society about the history of St Enoder Parish.

3.0 Indian Queens School

A key priority for me continues to be getting improvements in the vicinity of Indian Queens School.

3.1 New footway from Harvenna Heights estate

In terms of the proposed new pathway to be constructed across the field to the west of the School to the Harvenna Heights estate, I can re-affirm that this has been agreed with Cornwall Council. Put simply, the majority of the field will be fenced off for recreation use by the School. The remainder of the field will be transferred to the ownership of the Parish Council, and a path will then be built across this land.

I continue to meet the officer who is dealing with the transfer of the land to the Parish Council, along with a sum to construct the new pathway. But before the transfer can be finalised, the School and Council need to agree the exact extent of the land to enclosed for the School. I am hopeful that this can sorted in the next few weeks and we can get the transfer sorted.

3.2 Travel Plan

As previously reported, I have been lobbying extremely hard to get Cornwall Council to deliver improvements suggested within the Travel Plan (such as crossings on Chapel Road and St Francis Road), that was produced in association with the planning permission to increase the size of the School.

I can confirm that the Council has commenced a feasibility assessment of what could be appropriate in the village and to provide detail about what could be delivered. Following a meeting with officers on 23rd January to discuss my local perspective on the matter and I have been in regular contact with the team.

Staff from Cormac have been out to view the area and they are presenting recording vehicle numbers and speeds in the locality. It is my understanding that the study will be completed in March.

4.0 Summercourt School

Officers at the Council continue to investigate improvements outside Summercourt School, such as a variable 20 mph limit. This would be funded through the Community Network monies for highway improvements. I hope that there will soon be a scheme that falls within the Network Panel’s budget, which I will be able to share with the School and others.

5.0 A3058

As previously reported, Cornwall Council will soon receive funding from central government for improvements along the A3058. The monies have to be spent between the crossroads at Summercourt and the roundabout at Quintrell Downs. I have been seeking specific improvements within Summercourt village itself, such as a permanent vehicle activated sign at the northern entrance into the village and pedestrian crossings linked to the traffic lights on the crossroads.

These plans are being finalised and it is my intention to publicise them in the locality as soon as they are agreed.

In relation to this scheme, I have some further good news. As noted above, the government monies cannot be spent to the south of Summercourt crossroads, so I formally requested that the Council look to provide an additional vehicle activated sign to face traffic entering Summercourt along St Austell Street. I am very pleased to report that this has been agreed and this work will also be done in 2020.

6.0 Other highway matters

I continue to receive representations on a range of local traffic matters, which I am dealing with as well as I can.

6.1 Localised flooding

It would be an understatement to say that the weather has horrendous over the last couple of months. Throughout this period, I have been monitoring areas of the highway network, which have in the past been susceptible to flooding, liaising with local representatives of Cormac. One area where there was a particular problem with flooding has been at Trefullock.

6.2 Kingsley Village complex

Over the last few months, I have numerous complaints relating to parking and associated problems in the area around Kingsley Village. At my request, a meeting was held at Cornwall Council on 29th January with planning and highway officers. They did not agree to any specific actions at his point, but I am making further representations.

7.0 New estate at Mitchell

Bidding for the 18 “affordable” properties at this new estate, presently being constructed by Coastline Housing, took place between 12th and 17th February. I had previously publicised the scheme on my newsletter, which was distributed around much of the parish in November and December. I was very disappointed that Coastline Housing did not inform me of their timetable for the lettings as I had anticipated, which meant that I was not able to help advertise the properties in advance of the advert going live. I have since helped some local residents with their bidding and status on the

The Parish Clerk and I have also been in contact with Coastline Housing and Cornwall Council following complaints about mud on the road through Mitchell and problems with the parking of contractors’ vehicles.

8.0 Planning matters

8.1 Planning applications 

There have been a number of live planning applications in St Enoder Parish, on which I have been liaising with planning officers. I will update in more detail in my next monthly report.

8.2 Neighbourhood Plan

As reported previously, the St Enoder Neighbourhood Plan was submitted to Cornwall Council last year and it then went through examination by an inspector. A number of changes were made to the document and it was published in a revised form. The process has been delayed somewhat by the threat of a judicial review from a local developer, but the Parish Council is expecting an update from Cornwall Council in the near future.

9.0 Bus timetable

Cornwall Council has been out to tender on bus services across decisions. I have requested the full details of what has been agreed in terms of area. Once I get the details, I will make them available to local people.

10.0 Strategy for the China Clay Area

The Clay Area Network has been working on a Strategy for the parishes of the China Clay Area, though this has been delayed because of staff illness at the unitary authority. The Cornwall Councillors are presently reviewing the content of a final draft, which will then be circulated to local Parish Councils for further comment.

11.0 Forest for Cornwall

One element of Cornwall Council’s action plan to tackle climate change is the plan to plant a Forest for Cornwall. As part of this initiative, there are plans to increase tree cover in communities across Cornwall. Earlier this month, it was announced that a small number of trees would be planted in or around a number of local greenspaces. Within our parish, they have included St James View, Fraddon, on the list, though they have yet to work up any details of their plan for the site.

12.0 Tour of Britain

It has been confirmed that the first phase of this year’s Tour of Britain cycle race will take place in Cornwall on 6th September 2020. The route is from Penzance to Bodmin, and will go along the A3058 through Summercourt, and there will be an opportunity for community events to be arranged in association with the event.

13.0 Community Fund

As a Cornwall Councillor, I am allocated £2,000 each year, which I can grant to local groups. I can confirm that for 2019-2020, my allocation has been split between Indian Queens Half Marathon, Indian Queens Methodist Chapel (for works on the Sunday School building used by the Wesley Pre-School), St Enoder Age Concern and the St Enoder Tug of War team.

14.0 Inquiries

During the last month, I have helped numerous people with guidance on a range of issues.

Funding for HS2 - what about the rest of the UK?

My article in this week's Cornish Guardian comments on the billions being spent on HS2 and the implications for the rest of the UK. It is as follows:

Boris Johnson’s Conservative Government has given the go-ahead to HS2, the proposed high speed railway between London and the Midlands / north of England. About ten years ago, the project was projected to cost £32.2 billion, but by 2015 this had risen to £56 billion. It is presently estimated that it will cost £106 billion.

The first phase between London and Birmingham could be open by 2028-2031, while the second phase to Manchester and Leeds would not be operational until 2035-2040.

I am usually a strong supporter of an improved public transport network, but I really do struggle with the whole concept of HS2. It may well increase capacity on the network and reduce journey times, but I feel central government should instead prioritise the rebuilding and strengthening of the wider rail network decimated by Beeching’s cuts in the 1960s.

The Department for Transport (DOT) says travellers can now get from Birmingham to London in about one hour and 21 minutes. I have travelled on this route on a number of occasions, and I have always thought it was a pretty good service. The DOT want to reduce travel times to about 52 minutes.

Looking at it all from a Cornish perspective, the present trip between Birmingham and London takes the same time as a journey from Penzance to Liskeard. In terms of HS2 times, someone would be able to get from the Midlands to London just as quick as someone could get from Penzance to St Austell.

In terms of distance and time, it all seems a bit unbalanced. And it is frankly nonsensical that Ministers have yet to secure the sustainability of western lines by sorting out the situation at Dawlish.

It is interesting to note that opponents of HS2 are making the claim that the investment is not about attempting to “level up” across the country, but will “simply make London an even more dominant economic centre.” There are complaints that too many of the proposed new jobs will be in London and we must not forget that the UK is still in the process of spending £40 billion on its Crossrail project between Heathrow Airport and the Canary Wharf financial district.

It remains my fear that with the UK Government spending so much money on projects such as HS2 and Crossrail, it could mean that less money is spent in places such as Cornwall. That is why I believe there needs to be an ongoing year-on-year audit of capital expenditure across all the parts of the UK, in order to insure parity of investment.