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The Budget
By the time you read this article, George Osborne will have presented his first budget of this new Parliament. Good progress has been made in the last five years reducing the deficit, but there is more work to do.
In Britain we have earned credibility, which means we have incredibly low interest rates at the moment which is a respite for those paying mortgages and a stable economy increases confidence in business which has contributed to a sharp fall in unemployment here in Camborne, Redruth and Hayle.
As I write this article, there is a lot of speculation about what the Budget will hold. We are likely to see a further clampdown on wealthy individuals claiming non-dom status in this country as part of a wider £5 billion crackdown on tax avoidance while the personal allowance threshold is also likely to move closer to £12,500. This will be especially important here in Cornwall where we have a higher number of people on lower incomes.
To help balance the books, George Osborne has been clear that we will need to look again at the amount of benefits some households receive. He has already said we will continue to protect the most vulnerable in society such as the disabled. However, where people can work, they should work and it is simply wrong that some families not working are better off financially than those who do work and pay their way.
In addition, there could be good news for Cornwall with speculation that a new growth deal could be on the way that would give Cornwall some additional investment in infrastructure, the ability to manage more of its own services and with funding for the NHS and social care being more joined up to make sure that the money we have is used effectively.
The economic situation today is very different from the one inherited in 2010. Britain has the fastest growing economy in Europe, the deficit has been halved and we have record numbers of people in work. I hope this Budget will help sustain that momentum.
In Britain we have earned credibility, which means we have incredibly low interest rates at the moment which is a respite for those paying mortgages and a stable economy increases confidence in business which has contributed to a sharp fall in unemployment here in Camborne, Redruth and Hayle.
As I write this article, there is a lot of speculation about what the Budget will hold. We are likely to see a further clampdown on wealthy individuals claiming non-dom status in this country as part of a wider £5 billion crackdown on tax avoidance while the personal allowance threshold is also likely to move closer to £12,500. This will be especially important here in Cornwall where we have a higher number of people on lower incomes.
To help balance the books, George Osborne has been clear that we will need to look again at the amount of benefits some households receive. He has already said we will continue to protect the most vulnerable in society such as the disabled. However, where people can work, they should work and it is simply wrong that some families not working are better off financially than those who do work and pay their way.
In addition, there could be good news for Cornwall with speculation that a new growth deal could be on the way that would give Cornwall some additional investment in infrastructure, the ability to manage more of its own services and with funding for the NHS and social care being more joined up to make sure that the money we have is used effectively.
The economic situation today is very different from the one inherited in 2010. Britain has the fastest growing economy in Europe, the deficit has been halved and we have record numbers of people in work. I hope this Budget will help sustain that momentum.
Categories: Local Politics
Tougher Rules on Wind Turbines
I have written previously about how the proliferation of wind turbines across Cornwall is a blight upon our countryside, which is why I welcomed last week’s statement by the Department for Communities & Local Government announcing a shake-up of planning law that will now give local people the final say on wind farm applications.
Under these new rules, Cornwall Council will only be able to grant planning approval for new wind turbines if the proposed site has been identified as suitable in a Local or Neighbourhood Plan and if, following consultation, the concerns of the communities affected have been fully addressed.
I think this is good news for Cornwall. When one of the country’s first wind farms was built at Carland Cross, it seemed like there was potential for these kind of developments, so long as they were of uniform design and concentrated in one area. However, since then it now feels like we have reached saturation point with the random proliferation of single wind turbines that have no uniformity in their design.
To be fair to Cornwall Council, where a wind turbine application has been shown to have too great a cumulative impact on the countryside, a planning committee has been able to refuse planning permission. However, too often Cornwall Council’s decisions have been overridden by appeals to the Planning Inspectorate. This is why I feel these new regulations are important as they put power back into the hands of local communities and gives them the ability to decide what wind developments are built in their area. The next step should be to do more to prevent field scale solar farms damaging our countryside and scarring the Cornish landscape.
Having advised the Prime Minister on energy policy in the last parliament, I am well aware there are no easy solutions when it comes to our future energy supply. In reality we will probably need to have a mixture of different technologies, including gas, nuclear, wind and some solar on roof tops. However, it is vital that these developments are done with local communities not to them.”
Under these new rules, Cornwall Council will only be able to grant planning approval for new wind turbines if the proposed site has been identified as suitable in a Local or Neighbourhood Plan and if, following consultation, the concerns of the communities affected have been fully addressed.
I think this is good news for Cornwall. When one of the country’s first wind farms was built at Carland Cross, it seemed like there was potential for these kind of developments, so long as they were of uniform design and concentrated in one area. However, since then it now feels like we have reached saturation point with the random proliferation of single wind turbines that have no uniformity in their design.
To be fair to Cornwall Council, where a wind turbine application has been shown to have too great a cumulative impact on the countryside, a planning committee has been able to refuse planning permission. However, too often Cornwall Council’s decisions have been overridden by appeals to the Planning Inspectorate. This is why I feel these new regulations are important as they put power back into the hands of local communities and gives them the ability to decide what wind developments are built in their area. The next step should be to do more to prevent field scale solar farms damaging our countryside and scarring the Cornish landscape.
Having advised the Prime Minister on energy policy in the last parliament, I am well aware there are no easy solutions when it comes to our future energy supply. In reality we will probably need to have a mixture of different technologies, including gas, nuclear, wind and some solar on roof tops. However, it is vital that these developments are done with local communities not to them.”
Categories: Local Politics
Cornish Devolution
Last weekend I attended the Cornish Constitutional Convention in Truro to discuss the prospects of devolving new powers to Cornwall and the importance of passing powers down from Cornwall Council to parish and town councils.
Cornwall has its own unique culture and, as a peninsula at the end of the line, also has unique challenges. While I don't agree with those who want to have a costly new "assembly" and pay for another tier of politicians, I do think there are areas like transport and culture and heritage where there is a case for more decision making powers for Cornwall Council.
As a Cornish unionist, for me there are three things that we should aim to achieve when discussing devolution in Cornwall. Firstly, any new devolution settlement should strengthen the union and should be founded on a solid agreement within the UK, rather than relying on vague recognition by European institutions. Secondly, it should not just be about giving power to Cornwall Council. We also need to find ways of transferring control from Cornwall Council to town and parish councils and to the head teachers and governing bodies of individual schools. Finally, we should remember that devolution should be about empowering people so finding mechanisms such as local referendums which give communities the power to block unpopular decisions are important.
The Government is currently giving thought to the next wave of "growth deals" which are all about giving responsibility (and also the funding that goes with it) to Local Enterprise Partnerships so they can implement measures that will help their local economy. There is a good case for more "enterprise zones" in Cornwall to nurture new industry. As a peninsula, we also have unique challenges making bus services work effectively and there is a case for looking at whether a stronger franchising model could better develop coherence to services. Finally, We have a unique culture with our own identity and language so there is a case for looking at whether Cornwall should take on more of a role promoting and managing its own heritage assets instead of the existing arrangements with English Heritage.
Cornwall has its own unique culture and, as a peninsula at the end of the line, also has unique challenges. While I don't agree with those who want to have a costly new "assembly" and pay for another tier of politicians, I do think there are areas like transport and culture and heritage where there is a case for more decision making powers for Cornwall Council.
As a Cornish unionist, for me there are three things that we should aim to achieve when discussing devolution in Cornwall. Firstly, any new devolution settlement should strengthen the union and should be founded on a solid agreement within the UK, rather than relying on vague recognition by European institutions. Secondly, it should not just be about giving power to Cornwall Council. We also need to find ways of transferring control from Cornwall Council to town and parish councils and to the head teachers and governing bodies of individual schools. Finally, we should remember that devolution should be about empowering people so finding mechanisms such as local referendums which give communities the power to block unpopular decisions are important.
The Government is currently giving thought to the next wave of "growth deals" which are all about giving responsibility (and also the funding that goes with it) to Local Enterprise Partnerships so they can implement measures that will help their local economy. There is a good case for more "enterprise zones" in Cornwall to nurture new industry. As a peninsula, we also have unique challenges making bus services work effectively and there is a case for looking at whether a stronger franchising model could better develop coherence to services. Finally, We have a unique culture with our own identity and language so there is a case for looking at whether Cornwall should take on more of a role promoting and managing its own heritage assets instead of the existing arrangements with English Heritage.
Categories: Local Politics
Recruiting now: Deputy Managing Director. Find out more here: http://ow.ly/OGbM4
Recruiting now: Deputy Managing Director. Find out more here: http://ow.ly/OGbM4
NHS Jobs - Deputy Managing Director
www.jobs.nhs.uk
Location: St Austell, Salary: Negotiable
NHS Jobs - Deputy Managing Director
www.jobs.nhs.uk
Location: St Austell, Salary: Negotiable
Categories: Health
We are looking forward to celebrating our first year anniversary running the Ang...
We are looking forward to celebrating our first year anniversary running the Angarrack Inn on Saturday the 1st of August . Look out soon for the details of our plans to celebrate this milestone !! :) #party #celebrate
HAYLE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN SECOND SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED. The Aims and Objectives p...
HAYLE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN SECOND SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.
The Aims and Objectives phase is now officially closed
We will now start work on creating policies for the next stage.
(The whole process takes a lot of time as each stage has to be opened up to the public for consultation and comment.)
The Aims and Objectives phase is now officially closed
We will now start work on creating policies for the next stage.
(The whole process takes a lot of time as each stage has to be opened up to the public for consultation and comment.)
Categories: Hayle News, Planning
Healthwatch Cornwall CIC wants to know your thoughts on community pharmacy servi...
Healthwatch Cornwall CIC wants to know your thoughts on community pharmacy services.
Community Pharmacy Questionnaire Survey
www.surveymonkey.com
Web survey powered by SurveyMonkey.com. Create your own online survey now with SurveyMonkey's expert certified FREE templates.
Community Pharmacy Questionnaire Survey
www.surveymonkey.com
Web survey powered by SurveyMonkey.com. Create your own online survey now with SurveyMonkey's expert certified FREE templates.
Categories: Health
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Categories: Health
Getting ready for Sunday roast , it's smells really good ! :)
Getting ready for Sunday roast , it's smells really good ! :)
Pub quiz tonight !! Come on join us !! :)
Pub quiz tonight !! Come on join us !! :)
Planning in Hayle
I have always said that, when it comes to building new homes, we should focus on brownfield sites before greenfield sites. That is why this week I have asked the Secretary of State in the Department for Communities and Local Government to consider calling in the planning appeal currently being considered for over 220 houses on St George's Road in Hayle.
The proposal is opposed by many Hayle residents. The Town Council opposed the scheme and Cornwall Council had yet to reach a decision when the developer, Linden Homes, decided to by-pass the Council and go straight to appeal based on the fact that Cornwall Council had failed to determine the application. Although there is no guarantee that the Secretary of State will agree my request, I think it is important that decisions of this magnitude are subject to democratic oversight and scrutiny.
I have supported some other local projects from Linden Homes. The work they have done at Pool on the site opposite Cornwall College is impressive and it completes the regeneration work started through the Heartlands project and many of the new homes have been offered through the 'help to buy' scheme for first time home owners. Linden also do some really good work with apprenticeships in the area creating careers for young people in the construction industry.
However, when it comes to Hayle, I think there are many other sites that should be developed before we start building very large developments on green field sites. We have just spent several million pounds putting in a new bridge and flood infrastructure at North Quay precisely so that it would be possible to build new homes around the harbour. There is now room on this site for several hundred homes. There are also plans for new homes on South Quay and work on the remaining phase is due to start soon. We should be prioritising building homes first on these brownfield sites which will complete the regeneration of the harbour area.
You only get one chance to get major planning decisions right so we should take time to consider them carefully
The proposal is opposed by many Hayle residents. The Town Council opposed the scheme and Cornwall Council had yet to reach a decision when the developer, Linden Homes, decided to by-pass the Council and go straight to appeal based on the fact that Cornwall Council had failed to determine the application. Although there is no guarantee that the Secretary of State will agree my request, I think it is important that decisions of this magnitude are subject to democratic oversight and scrutiny.
I have supported some other local projects from Linden Homes. The work they have done at Pool on the site opposite Cornwall College is impressive and it completes the regeneration work started through the Heartlands project and many of the new homes have been offered through the 'help to buy' scheme for first time home owners. Linden also do some really good work with apprenticeships in the area creating careers for young people in the construction industry.
However, when it comes to Hayle, I think there are many other sites that should be developed before we start building very large developments on green field sites. We have just spent several million pounds putting in a new bridge and flood infrastructure at North Quay precisely so that it would be possible to build new homes around the harbour. There is now room on this site for several hundred homes. There are also plans for new homes on South Quay and work on the remaining phase is due to start soon. We should be prioritising building homes first on these brownfield sites which will complete the regeneration of the harbour area.
You only get one chance to get major planning decisions right so we should take time to consider them carefully
Categories: Local Politics
Fiber Park Plans
Last week I met Toby Parkins, Chief Executive of Headforwards Software in Pool to discuss the innovative idea of a new Fibre Park in the area.
In recent years we have seen an embryonic but vibrant computer software industry taking root in this part of Cornwall. The big leap forwards came with the introduction of super-fast broadband. It means that software companies can now compete around the world from a digital connection in Cornwall. Previously, people often had to choose between a high flying job in London or the lifestyle choice of Cornwall. That's changing. Today, new industries like software producers can run world beating operations from Camborne and Redruth offering people the best of both worlds.
Headforwards now employs over fifty highly skilled people and is expanding. Down the road at the new Barncoose Gateway office block, NetBooster have established their main European headquarters and BlueFruit, another highly successful local company, is also moving in. Between them, local computer software companies are now employing hundreds of people in Camborne and Redruth and they are paying good salaries. I want to see them grow and prosper and I also want to ensure that young people taking their GCSEs are learning to write computer code so that they can take up these new opportunities.
The concept behind the fibre park proposal is simple. You create a hub near the Pool Innovation Centre which offers a mixture of state of the art business space and educational space. It means that up and coming enterprises who have outgrown the innovation centre can move to larger premises and you can also establish an academy in computer software co-located on the same site so that you can have a partnership between, say, Cornwall College and local businesses. Young people taking computer courses at Cornwall College will be able to develop their talents within real working environments rather than in a classroom detached from front line innovation. It will take a lot of work to move the idea from being an interesting concept to a real venture, but I think we should give it a shot.
In recent years we have seen an embryonic but vibrant computer software industry taking root in this part of Cornwall. The big leap forwards came with the introduction of super-fast broadband. It means that software companies can now compete around the world from a digital connection in Cornwall. Previously, people often had to choose between a high flying job in London or the lifestyle choice of Cornwall. That's changing. Today, new industries like software producers can run world beating operations from Camborne and Redruth offering people the best of both worlds.
Headforwards now employs over fifty highly skilled people and is expanding. Down the road at the new Barncoose Gateway office block, NetBooster have established their main European headquarters and BlueFruit, another highly successful local company, is also moving in. Between them, local computer software companies are now employing hundreds of people in Camborne and Redruth and they are paying good salaries. I want to see them grow and prosper and I also want to ensure that young people taking their GCSEs are learning to write computer code so that they can take up these new opportunities.
The concept behind the fibre park proposal is simple. You create a hub near the Pool Innovation Centre which offers a mixture of state of the art business space and educational space. It means that up and coming enterprises who have outgrown the innovation centre can move to larger premises and you can also establish an academy in computer software co-located on the same site so that you can have a partnership between, say, Cornwall College and local businesses. Young people taking computer courses at Cornwall College will be able to develop their talents within real working environments rather than in a classroom detached from front line innovation. It will take a lot of work to move the idea from being an interesting concept to a real venture, but I think we should give it a shot.
Categories: Local Politics
One in five women do not take up their cervical screening when invited, rising t...
One in five women do not take up their cervical screening when invited, rising to one in four women aged 60-64. Share this post during Cervical Screening Awareness Week (15-21 June) and encourage your friends, family and colleagues to attend their cervical screening. Find out more about why it’s so important on the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website: http://ow.ly/OnfeZ
Cervical screening (smear test)
www.jostrust.org.uk
Each year around five million women in the UK are invited for cervical screening (smear test). Cervical screening is NOT a test to find cancer. It...
Cervical screening (smear test)
www.jostrust.org.uk
Each year around five million women in the UK are invited for cervical screening (smear test). Cervical screening is NOT a test to find cancer. It...
Categories: Health
Recruiting now: Patient Choice Advisor. Find out more here. http://ow.ly/OnkNm
Recruiting now: Patient Choice Advisor. Find out more here. http://ow.ly/OnkNm
NHS Jobs - Patient Choice Advisor - Band 3
www.jobs.nhs.uk
Location: Truro, Salary: £16,633 to £19,461 pa
NHS Jobs - Patient Choice Advisor - Band 3
www.jobs.nhs.uk
Location: Truro, Salary: £16,633 to £19,461 pa
Categories: Health
Recruiting now: Prescribing Support Technician. Find out more here: http://ow.ly...
Recruiting now: Prescribing Support Technician. Find out more here: http://ow.ly/OnkxA
NHS Jobs - Prescribing Support Technician - Band 5
www.jobs.nhs.uk
Location: St Austell, Salary: £21,692 to £28,180 pa
NHS Jobs - Prescribing Support Technician - Band 5
www.jobs.nhs.uk
Location: St Austell, Salary: £21,692 to £28,180 pa
Categories: Health
Cervical screening saves lives, don’t delay yours http://bit.ly/1KrWtCm #CSAW
Categories: Health
Happy Birthday again Mrs Joan Cook ! It has been a brilliant night ! #buffet #lo...
Happy Birthday again Mrs Joan Cook ! It has been a brilliant night ! #buffet #locals #angrrackinn #90th
<a href="https://fbcdn-profile-a
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Graham Coad
PENPOL HOMES PLAN BY LINDEN HOMES - PUBLIC MEETINGCornwall Council - Strategic Planning Committee announce they will hold a Public Meeting on Application PA15/02777 by Linden Homes SW for a proposed residential development of 222 dwellings, associated public open space and provision of land to facilitate the expansion of Penpol Primary School. The meeting will be held at 6pm on Tuesday 23rd of June at the Hayle Community School
Graham Coad
PENPOL HOMES PLAN BY LINDEN HOMES - PUBLIC MEETINGCornwall Council - Strategic Planning Committee announce they will hold a Public Meeting on Application PA15/02777 by Linden Homes SW for a proposed residential development of 222 dwellings, associated public open space and provision of land to facilitate the expansion of Penpol Primary School. The meeting will be held at 6pm on Tuesday 23rd of June at the Hayle Community School
Categories: Hayle News, Planning
Do you know someone who's gone that extra mile in a voluntary role? Nominate the...
Do you know someone who's gone that extra mile in a voluntary role? Nominate them for an award. Find out more http://ow.ly/O79vL
Cornwall Celebrates Volunteering 2015 | Volunteer Cornwall
www.volunteercornwall.org.uk
Cornwall Celebrates Volunteering is back and we have made some changes for 2015. Following your feedback, we have merged the ‘Vulnerable Adult’ and...
Cornwall Celebrates Volunteering 2015 | Volunteer Cornwall
www.volunteercornwall.org.uk
Cornwall Celebrates Volunteering is back and we have made some changes for 2015. Following your feedback, we have merged the ‘Vulnerable Adult’ and...
Categories: Health
Recruiting now: Specialist Prescribing Support Dietitian. Find out more here htt...
Recruiting now: Specialist Prescribing Support Dietitian. Find out more here http://ow.ly/O72g8
NHS Jobs - Specialist Prescribing Support Dietitian - Band 6
www.jobs.nhs.uk
Location: St Austell, Salary: £26,041 to £34,876 pa
NHS Jobs - Specialist Prescribing Support Dietitian - Band 6
www.jobs.nhs.uk
Location: St Austell, Salary: £26,041 to £34,876 pa
Categories: Health
