Lib Dems: Still keen on spending Taxpayers' Money

I understand from a journalist that Cornwall's Lib Dems have issued a press release attacking the decision to put out for review future options for Cornwall Newquay Airport.  They are quoted to me as having called the decision evidence of a 'fire sale'.

I sincerely hope that the journalist is mistaken as otherwise it would mean that the Lib Dems:

• May have read into a Cornwall Council press release something that is not contained within it,
• Are not supportive of reviewing Cornwall Council's cost base,
• Are not supportive of optimising the value of the Airport to the Cornish economy and the creation of jobs,
• Have learn nothing from their financial management of Cornwall County Council as evidenced in the damning reports from the Audit Commission,
• Continue to believe that money grows on trees or at least feel it right to spend taxpayers money without exercising financial prudence.

Liberal Democrats: Friends of Cornwall?

I confess I'd put aside the awful state of affairs that the Cornwall Council Conservative/Independent Administration inherited from the Liberal Democrats following the electorate's very sensible decision to boot them out of power from New County Hall in 2009.  However the awfulness of the Lib Dem legacy came rushing back into focus when I read the press release from Stephen Gilbert MP (St Austell and Newquay) on his opposition to the budget allocated to the Olympic Torch Relay.

To recap; the Lib Dems performance in Cornwall County Council amassed a sizeable collection of  'red flags'.  That was the Administration that botched the transfer of  Newquay Airport from the RAF leading to its closure and was responsible for putting the Fire Brigade and Childrens' safeguarding into interventions.  Those failures being only the tip of an iceberg of inept political leadership.

The Newquay Airport fiasco was not a 'one off' but rather evidence of an appalling lack of attention to risk management.  Soultions to all of these problems, and many more besides, have kept the current Administration busy whilst, at the same time, it has introduced fiscal prudence and set the Council on a journey to sustainable superior performance as already recognised in reports from various external auditing bodies and nominations for awards.

I'm sure that most of us want to live in a economically successful County rather than one which, for too long, has failed to achieve its potential.  To me having Objective 1 and, more recently, Convergence status are not badges of honour bur rather symbols of failure.

I had mistakenly believed that all politicians, irrespective of their beliefs, would want to see Cornwall and its people prosper.  Initially when I read Stephen Gilbert's comments I regarded him as a lone voice which, with a few minutes consideration, all other members of the Lib Dems would want to disassociate themselves from.  But no, the opportunity to put Cornwall down, again, has proved too strong for some of them to avoid.

The Olympic Torch Relay provides a unique opportunity to promote Cornwall to national, European and worldwide audiences.  The budgeted cost, of which over 50% is for road closures, security, first aid support and other necessary expenditures, will be in line with the costs which other Counties, and indeed Cities, will have to bear if they are on the Torch's route.  However, unlike them we are the starting point for the relay on Great Britain which, being a Saturday, enables us to reach not only people outside Cornwall but also the majority of the Cornish population.

The economic benefits hold out the prospect of being enormous, particularly well-timed as the Relay is at the beginning of the peak holiday season.  Coincidentally I met someone yesterday who is involved with the ticket office at the Lost Gardens of Heligan who reported that following last week's television programme on the Gardens, attendance has rocketted from both Cornish and non-Cornish visitors.  Even without any detailed consideration of figures it does not take a genius to extrapolate that effect across Cornwall when we appear on television news programmes, Sunday papers and other media outlets.  The benefits have every likelihood of lasting a long time and, rather than diverting the initial budget elsewhere to front-line services, we instead have the prospect of leveraging that budget into something far more significant to the long term advantage of Cornwall Council's front-line services.

The week ahead of the Torch Relay is Cornwall Business Week.  By attracting targetted journalists to come and experience the economic renaissance which is taking place in Cornwall, such as Wave Hub, Superfast Broadband, Combined Universities, Innovation Centres, Marine Energy Park, Heartlands, can be expected not just to extol Cornwall as a tourist destination but also as a suitable base for businesses and jobs.

Whilst I'm disappointed by Stephen Gilbert's comments they do, unfortunately, seem to fit into a pattern whereby some Lib Dems 'talk Cornwall down'.  Hopefully there are more strategically minded Lib Dems who will correct this view.

Port of Falmouth and the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Whilst the publicity surrounding the Chancellor's visit to Cornwall focused on the economic and job prospects arising from the successful bid for an Enterprise Zone at Newquay airport, he also gave time to understand the opportunities that the implementation of the Falmouth Harbour Masterplan would create.  The Masterplan identifies hundreds of new jobs and a major boost to the Cornish economy, including marine renewable energy developments and an increase in cruise liner tourists who would have opportunities to travel to attractions across Cornwall. 

 

Attending the meeting were Sarah Newton MP, Peter Childs and Mike Reynolds of A&P Falmouth, Mark Samson of the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and myself.

Perranwell Station and the Financial Times

The  story so far; copies of the FT were noticeable by their absence in the Perranwell Stores last weekend so a request to the FT for explanation has produced this response:



Thanks for letting us know: we are investigating what may have happened, generally this outlet receives around 7 copies at the weeekend.  We certainly didn't do anything here to stop that, I suspect a packing error by our wholesaler but we will find out.

I note also from the figures that sales of the FT Mon-Fri at this shop are rarer than a Cornish suntan this year.  Can't interest you in a print subscription, I suppose??

Martin Ashford
UK Circulation Director

The Strange Case of the Missing Opposition

For some time I've puzzled as to why the Lib Dems in Cornwall Council are not providing strong opposition.  They are clearly an intelligent group of people who, like councillors of all political beliefs, are committed and passionate about their communities and the overall good of Cornwall.

Despite all the changes being made in Cornwall Council, which I regard as positive for Cornwall although I accept that some have a different view, the Lib Dems have restricted themselves to, in effect, saying "we disagree" without proposing alternative courses of action.  Twice they have voted against the annual budgets and on both occasions have not tabled alternatives.

I've come to the conclusion that their focus on being negative reflects an overwhelming desire to avoid facing difficult decisions.  They appear to have no strategy and are therefore forced into being tactical.  They are good at expressing negative views on individual items of policy although generally without proposing alternatives.

They made a 'song and dance' over a tourism tax, even though it was not part of Cornwall Council policy, yet failed until it was dragged out of them to acknowledge that a hotel tax is one of their official policies!  As is often the case, they took the line that they do not support their own Party's national policy.  Will the real Lib Dems please stand up!

Currently it feels as if the Conservative/Independent administration is like one of those wagon trains you see in Western movies.  It has a sense of purpose and direction and although it will suffer a few losses to marauding  native North America people (aka Lib Dems) is not being seriously hampered in its strategic objective of reaching its destination.

A focus on tactical issues, without an overarching strategy, does leave you vulnerable to supporting far more than the budget will allow.  This suggests why they are, nationally, increasingly seeking to take over Labour's mantle as the high tax Party.  It appears that they want to retain the 50% income tax rate for higher earners, charge higher rates on lower incomes and, in the Coalition negotiations, insisted on increasing capital gains tax from 18% to 28% without reinstating any reliefs.  This places them firmly as the Party who want to increase the tax burden on the middle class which would harm the international competitive position of the UK to the detriment of all, including those paid the least.

Cornwall's Rail Services

Whilst we will need to influence the next rail franchise for future rail services, following First Great Western's decision to exercise a contractual option to terminate early the existing franchise, to ensure reliability, affordability and frequency of trains the good news is that rail travel is making an increased contribution to journeys within Cornwall.  Also the plans to secure faster services between Cornwall and London remain on course. 

Cornwall's branch line network saw journey numbers increase by 6.3% (over 2009) to 1.69m in 2010 with early indications of further substantial increase in 2011.

For details see appendix 4 to http://democracy.cornwall.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=3140&T=10

Election Results

A mixed bag of results.

By far the most profound is the SNP success and, when all other results are forgotten in a few years as political fortunes change (as they will), I wonder if we will look back on Thursday 6 May as the day that started the beginning of the end game in the final move towards Scotland's independence.  And if Scotland achieve independence through the ballot box, can Wales be far behind?

Probably best not to speculate on Cornwall's status..........at this stage.

Funding for Cornish Schools

Interesting that the BBC has only just caught up with this issue on 4 May: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-13277196

It has already been addressed by Cornwall Council under the subject of 'Championing Children, Championing Excellence' at various meetings, including those of 11 April http://democracy.cornwall.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=579&MId=3035&Ver=4  and the Cabinet of 20 April http://democracy.cornwall.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=2500&Ver=4

Ageism

Patronising beyond belief: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13247915

Surely the purpose should be to encourage everyone, irrespective of age, to access the woods.  Rather than treat the over-50s, or any other age group, as 'special' the focus should be on building stronger inter-generational links rather than 'shipping granny off to the woods' to, presumably, not meet Little Red Riding Hood.

Public Sector Non-Jobs

Reading Graham Smith's blog on the BBC web site is an increasingly sad affair with every indication that he has lost the ability to research news and is reduced to relaying the tittle tattle emanating from those in County Hall who, instead of concerning themselves with advancing improvements for who live in Cornwall, are more concerned in political point scoring.  Jeremy Paxman he ain't.

Priorities

So we are at war, in effect, with the Libyan government and have thousands of troops on the ground in Afghanistan.  The economic position is dire (thanks to the last Labour Government) and we are all having to adjust to the changes required.  So what is Nick Clegg concentrating on?  You would never guess that it is constitutional matters about succession to the throne.  A straightforward subject, clearly needed to deliver equality, however something which should just 'happen' and not be the subject of major news bulletins.

Whilst many local Lib Dems find Nick to be a great embarrassment - looking forward to local election melt-down and AV referendum failure - however surely he can, at least, pretend to be taking more interest in those issues which face so many of us.

Truro Shops

Sue reports that today's trip to Truro was noticeable for the fact that shop assistants were speaking to customers.  A sure sign that the retail trade is suffering and that the 'make sales or else' message has been issued by owners to their teams.

The roads have been quiet for some time - Brent oil is now US$118 - so petrol and diesel prices are going to rise despite the price reduction and price stabilisation introduced in the recent Budget.

All in all it's going to be a difficult year for businesses and individuals, I fear.  The price we are all paying for the inability of the last Government to manage the Nation's finances.

Perranwell Station: Stopping Trains

Given the articles in this month's Perran News, I felt the debate would be assisted by the following comments which were included in my report to the March meeting of Perranarworthal Parish Council:

"The question of seeking to automatically stop all, current request, trains has been considered before.  There are two reasons for it not occurring and hope for change in the future.  The negatives are: the tightness of the timetable and, less importantly, the cost in time and money of stopping/starting a train.  As a guide the annual cost to stop/start a mainline diesel train at one station every day for a year is £5,000 (cost of braking and fuel to accelerate) – it is accepted that the cost on the Maritime Line is less (more precise figure is not available as First Great Western (FGW) representative was not at the recent Cornwall Rail Forum meeting).  The Maritime Line timetabling is currently having a negative impact on mainline punctuality with increased stops at Perranwell Station only likely to worsen the mainline punctuality.

The positive message is that if (a) we can get to a position where most ‘request stop’ trains have to stop for passengers (suggesting an increase in use), and (b) FGW obtain permanent twin carriage trains, which accelerate quickly, then the pressure to move away from ‘request stop’ might become easy.  I understand that FGW are in negotiation to obtain twin carriage trains for the Maritime Line.

Network Rail and the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership are keen on ‘friends of’ groups for individual stations provided they are about general interest/involvement with a station rather than single issue pressure groups.  Given that there are a few initial volunteers – two names are mentioned in the Maritime Line papers and I have received an offer of involvement from (name removed) - to consider forming such a group I would appreciate the Parish Council deciding whether they want to be involved or not in creating such a group.  A speaker from Cornwall Council can be arranged to come and discuss ‘friends of’ arrangements with a prospective group."

Healthy NHS

I am pleased that the Government has today taken the opportunity to "pause" the transformation of health services to allow additional time for further consultation.  The Health and Social Care Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, promises the most profound changes to the NHS since it was created.

The challenges facing the UK's health services are enormous including the rising costs of treatment, the development of new (and expensive) drugs and surgical procedures, and the demographic effect of an ageing population.  Getting my head around the proposed changes has not proved an easy task - in recent months just as I though I understood the new structure then a further organisation chart would appear which caused me to question the extent of my understanding.

Now I have to declare a personal interest; I was born in a NHS hospital and all medical tests and treatment since then have been delivered by the NHS and NHS funded GPs.

I wish the NHS well and believe that for the overwhelming majority of the population it remains the only source of their health services.  Taking time, before decisions are finalised, has to be a good step.  In the last decade I, with other Conservatives, have worked to ensure that our Party is seen as NHS-friendly and lost its 'nasty' tag which we acquired the last time we were in government.  Reforms are necessary, including reducing the administrative costs, if the NHS is to remain fit for purpose in the coming decades.

As part of the "pause" I expect that the Government, and particularly the Conservative Cabinet members, to reinforce the message that "the NHS is safe with us".

 

Fair Share for Cornwall

Back in July 2010 Cornwall Council passed a motion regarding seeking an end to the end of underfunding for Cornwall.  The issue was taken up with the Coalition Government and the six Cornish MPs; we await the outcome of their deliberations which should be reflected in a re-distribution of funding starting in financial year 2013/14 when the current arrangements are to be replaced.  With a correction to England's funding allocation, we can then expect a suitable increase in our distribution to reflect our population dynamics which, in financial requirements, place us in need of funding over and above that implied by a simple pro-rata allocation.

The available evidence from England's funding (allowing for the current funding advantages enjoyed by Scotland by virtue of the Barnett formula devised in the 1970's) when taken in context with, for examples, the funding for Cornwall's schools and NHS strongly points towards a existing substantial disadvantage for Cornwall.  The Barnett formula sets out that out of every £1 of Government funding, 85p goes to England, 10p to Scotland and 5p to Wales. 

According to the Office for National Statistics (source: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=6)  the UK population in mid-2009 was 61.8 million.  The Scottish population is 5.2 million (source: http://www.scotland.org/facts/population/) and Northern Ireland's population is 1.8 million (source: http://www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/default.asp10.htm).  The population of Wales is 3.0 million (source: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/population2010/101027/?lang=en).

So based on the above the actual and correct distributions of spending should be:

		Population	Percentage of Population	Barnett formula	Correct formula
	England	51.8m	86.3%	85p	86.3p
	Scotland	5.2m	8.7%	10.0p	8.7p
	Wales	3.0m	5.0%	5.0p	5.0p
	Total	60.0m	100.0%	100p	100p

.

Not a lot of People know this

Four of us were standing in the entrance hall of Perranarworthal Village Memorial Hall (excellent location with good facilities and low hire costs: http://pvmh.org.uk/ ) earlier this evening debating the estimates of costs we had for new disability compliant entrance double doors. A decision was made.  We then went off on one of those rambling conversations which included the following.

Colin demonstrated that it was not possible to remotely unlock his car at the distance he was from it if he held the key fob at arm's length from his body.  However by then holding the key fob next to his head and pressing it (the key fob not his head), the car unlocked!  Bet you give it a try.....

Not to be outdone Peter then recounted the story of unlocking a car in Basingstoke with a key fob in Perranwell Station.  He had managed to lock his car with the key fob in it.  However by use of a mobile phone call to his wife in Perranwell Station, she was able to unlock the car by holding the spare key fob close to her phone and pressing it whilst Peter held his phone near the car.  If you do test this I recommend that a shorter range, probably of a couple of hundred yards, might be sensible rather than driving miles.

Proposed Housing Development: Rame and Longdowns

This evening's meeting at Wendron Cricket Club was pure farce.  The numbers of residents who turned up  simply overwhelmed the meeting room meaning that dozens were left outside and could not hear what was happening.  By my estimation there were over 300 people all trying to fit into a room which could probably safely accommodate about 100.

Councillor Mike Clayton, who as the local councillor took on the role of impartial chairman, was hampered by a faulty audio system.  The frustrations of the audience was evident and, in fairly quick order, without hearing the presentation from Ocean Housing a vote, initiated by some members of the audience, was taken which was almost 100% against the proposed 1,000 home development.

Councillor Neil Hatton (Constantine) was in attendance.  Councillor Neil Plummer (Stithians) was absent with the news given to the meeting that he did not want to attend and risk compromising his Planning Committee obligations (odd given that Mike Clayton had taken Council legal advice regarding his attendance - he is the Council's Planning Champion and also is on two Planning Committees).

I would have preferred a meaningful discussion to have taken place however this was simply not possible.  I do feel that the best course of action should have been to postpone the meeting until a later date at a location which could adequately accommodate everyone.

Budget: Lib Dems influence (limited?)

I've been trying to establish which parts of the budget were influenced by the Lib Dems and have identified three major items: (1) the £2bn oil industry levy which appears to be sounding the death knell for certain major investments in the North Sea so placing us at the risk of importing more oil and gas (I'm glad the Lib Dems are taking ownership for that one as it appears that the Treasury, under George Osborne's lead, will find ways to side-step the proposed changes); (2) the £1bn action on tax avoidance (very sensible however I expect that George Osborne would have suggested the same idea so perhaps it is a case of letting the Lib Dems have their 'day in the sun') and (3) the raising of the income tax threshold (good idea).
All in all it appears to be substantially a Conservative Budget as evidenced by Nick Clegg's off the microphone comment at the Boots factory where he appeared to suggest that the Lib Dems found nothing to disagree with in the budget.

Are the Lib Dems becoming the  Conservative Lite Party?   Which raises the question for the electorate: Why vote for a pale imitation when you can have the real thing

Perranarworthal School: Speeding Traffic

According to the Police the average vehicle passes the school at 26mph; in a 20mph speed limit.  This means that some vehicles go past much faster and threaten the safety of pupils.

I have decided to use most of my roads budget allowance to upgrade two sets of the current road humps into road tables.  Yes, until recently I had no idea of the difference.  However I'm assured that road tables, which are raised areas across the full width of the road, will have the effect of slowing traffic.

So how long to install them?  Well firstly we have to consult with local residents (fair enough), the Parish Council (who are fully behind the proposal) and First Devon & Cornwall (as the road is on their routes).  I'm hopeful that with speedy consultation the work will be completed within four months.

Good news for Cornwall?

Within all the effort to move Cornwall Council, which after all solely exists to deliver public services, forward it is occasionally good to reflect on how far it has come since its creation two years ago.  Tomorrow the Council will hear the outcome of its shortlisting for 'most improved Council'.

http://www.lgcplus.com/Journals/3/Files/2011/2/3/Condensed%20Awards%20Shortlist%20new.pdf

Of course the real challenge, over the next few years, is get to the position where it wins 'Council of the year.'

Children's Safeguarding

Cornwall Council's Cabinet consideration of the recent Ofsted report and the resulting action plan is on their 16th March agenda; http://democracy.cornwall.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=2499&Ver=4

This will be followed by detailed consideration of the documents, including taking verbal evidence from and questioning a number of key individuals, at the 21st March meeting of the Children's Scrutiny Committee; http://democracy.cornwall.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=579&MId=2511&Ver=4

Whilst, in many areas, there has been progress since the 2009 Ofsted report, the councillors on the Scrutiny Committee can be expected to want to understand why Cornwall has not yet achieved a satisfactory rating, as the first step towards achieving a good rating.  In particular they can be expected to test the relevance and completeness of the action plans.   The journey to a good rating is set out in the Council's business plan; http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=23098

Cornwall's Safeguarding of Children

There are plenty of complaints being expressed, in the media and to councillors, about the children's safeguarding performance of Cornwall Council and its partners, including NHS and Police.

Have your chance to ask the question you want to about the performance by using your democratic right on 21 March at the meeting of Cornwall Council's Children, Education & Families Overview & Scrutiny Committee:   http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=22661 .

You do not have to attend the meeting in person although if you do you will have the opportunity, on hearing the answer to your question, to ask a supplementary question.

Latest Ofsted report,  http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_providers/la_download/%28id%29/6353/%28as%29/LAC/lac_2011_908.pdf

Local response: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=27267 .

Victims of Victim Support

Before the terms ‘localism’ or ‘Big Society’ existed, Victim Support Cornwall (VSC), as a member of a nation-wide federation of similar charities, got on quietly and successfully with providing emotional and practical support to victims of crime.  It also supported those who faced the stress of having to appear as witnesses in court, arranged services such as anti-bullying programmes for schools and supported women leaving abusive relationships.

The federation of local charities looked to a national body to provide those services, such as computer systems, where genuine economies of scale exist.

A few years ago the national organisation, holding the purse strings of funding from central government decided, contrary to the evidence of the success of VSC, to seek agreement to merge all locally based charities into a single nationwide charity.  VSC fought a campaign to retain the existing locally run charity.  We believed that the harnessing of local knowledge and accountability, with locally raised donations to augment the national funding, alongside nationally agreed service standards would promote consistency of quality service for victims from Penzance to Carlisle.  Unfortunately the campaign was unsuccessful.

One of our main concerns was that the national charity, with heavy fixed costs, was at risk of financial overstretch.  VSC’s trustees were unpaid whereas in the national organisation the Chief Executive is paid between £100,000 and £110,000, with the five most senior managers salaries totalling some £425,000.

I, as the last chairman of VSC before its dissolution, have now learnt that due to reductions in government funding all initial telephone contact with Cornwall’s victims will be relocated from Pool (an office opened by the Princess Royal in October 2007) to Bristol which will result in a loss of Cornish jobs.  An administratively costly national organisation does not possess the operational flexibility inherent in a locally run charity.

Fortunately the local volunteers who, throughout Cornwall, provide a critical element of the service, including face-to-face discussions with victims, remain unaffected by these changes.

I know that the local employees, who despite facing a great deal of personal uncertainty, will continue to provide an excellent service to victims for as long as they remain employed.  My sadness is that they have been put in this position by the desire of a national charity to discard a business model which worked well.

Children's Poverty and Deprivation

It never ceases to amaze me as to the generosity and sheer commitment of various volunteers in Cornwall.  Whilst I admire anyone who volunteers for anything I reserve special thanks to those who engage with issues, about human misery, which it is all to easy to avoid as being someone else's problem.

Today I listened to presentations from, and discussed with,  a number of individuals who provide emergency support to those who through no fault of their own find themselves without money, often standing up in the only clothes in their possession, sometimes with children in the same dreadful state.   Councillor Andrew Wallis has blogged earlier today providing the background on food banks: http://cllrandrewwallis.blogspot.com/2011/02/child-poverty-panel-and-food-banks.html

My issue is that sadness and misery of this magnitude which exists not in some far off third world country but here in Cornwall should receive far far more attention than it does.  It appears unbelievable that some children are, today, going hungry in the Duchy.  Clearly in any civilised society it is morally indefensible to allow such distress to exist.  However to tackle it requires courage, willingness and commitment to stop individuals falling through safety nets and providing them with the skills, knowledge and support to improve themselves.  The first step has to be to recognise that whilst each individual's circumstances are unique they fall under the general headings of domestic violence, illness and lack of employment.

There are considerable efforts, both locally and nationally, to understand and address the issues.  However the numbers of individuals at risk have not declined and that implies that something rather more effective has to be designed and implemented, to harness the voluntary, public and private sectors in working together.  This has to be the objective of those councillors who are currently considering children's poverty and deprivation. 

Knowing what I now know I will certainly be unable to walk past the food bank in ASDA, Penryn without making a donation.

Council Budget

My view that full Council meetings are the least successful, and most diverse, in the schedule of formal meetings was reinforced today by the apparent 'grand standing' of certain councillors.

There was a budget proposal from the Cabinet on offer today with plenty of opponents prepared to say why it was wrong without putting forward alternative budgets.  That is particularly surprising and disappointing given that those opponents have had over two months to develop their proposals since the emergency budget was considered, and agreed to, by full Council at its 3 December2010 meeting.

It is quite appropriate to argue, as some councillors did,  that certain items in the budget are unacceptable.  However to not identify where the savings will otherwise be made seems to be based on the presumption that 'you can have your cake and eat it'.  It seems to me that not to identify where you will make savings, to fund what you argue requires additional funding, shows a lack of developed thinking.

Given the very considerable efforts that has gone into preparing the proposed budget, including taking some 90% of the savings as internal savings with all the risks attached to the transformational programme that that requires, does demonstrate a very real commitment to minimising the effects of budget cuts on the services delivered to Cornwall's residents.

Had alternative budget proposals been on the table then they would have formed the basis for a rather more constructive and informed debate than the spectacle that occurred today.  I, for you, would have given those alternatives due consideration - I speak as someone who did not support the council tax increase approved by Council for 2010/11.

Kernick Roundabout: Pedestrian crossing

The installation of a pedestrian crossing at the Kernick roundabout (the one near Penryn's ASDA) on the A39 took a major step forward last week when at Mabe Parish Council’s meeting on Thursday 10 February they approved a proposed crossing designed by Cornwall Council’s Highways Department.  The crossing includes pedestrian activated lights to stop the traffic and is similar to other such crossings on major roads in the Duchy.

Kernick roundabout is operating at near maximum traffic volume capacity so the pedestrian crossing is intended to form phase 1 of a programme which, in phase 2 at a later date, will see traffic flows through the junction controlled by traffic lights. 

The cost of the pedestrian crossing works is estimated at £362,000, excluding a topographical survey and design fees.  There is expectation that some £330,000 of the total cost will be sourced from Cornwall’s local transport plan funds leaving the Parish Council to find some £70,000.  Parish Councils are able to seek such funds from contributions arising from planning conditions on proposed building developments.

Having worked closely with the Parish Council and Cornwall Council in seeking a safer A39 crossing, I'm delighted that the installation of a pedestrian crossing will encourage more local residents to walk for short journeys.

The Parish Council will seek written letters of support for the pedestrian crossing proposal from interested local residents and organisations, including Mabe Junior School and Penryn College each of whom have students whose walk to school route crosses the A39.

Whilst the timetable for completion of the crossing has yet to be finalised, and will be primarily determined by the completion of funding, there are grounds to believe that two years may be achievable.

Saving Money

The experience of Greece and Ireland, and, potentially Portugal and Spain seems not to have reached those who argue for reduction or removal of the Government's spending cuts.

For the record; Greece and Ireland have all but destroyed their economies and, aside from national default, have no choice other than to bear many years of financial hardship before they restore strength to their national economies.  Without great care, Portugal and Spain will suffer the same pain.  They each have high unemployment rates, particularly amongst the younger sectors of their populations.

The UK has no choice; either financial pain now or something far fat worse in the medium term.

On being Conservative

Well, in fairly quick order, we seemed to be a country full of citizens who believe that the Coalition Government's financial cuts are too harsh, or even unnecessary, and that we should, as a nation, continue to spend more than we earn.  So, let me state the facts as I see them and invite a torrent of alternative views.

For the last 10 or more years we in the UK have had the (false) luxury of exporting our inflation to, mostly, China, India and South East Asia.  The days of reckoning have now arrived as those territories seek to progressively move towards enjoying our standards of living.  We have inflated our property prices (see Ireland and Spain as examples) and have, in global terms, paid ourselves too much.  It has been easy to blame the bankers, who do deserve part of the blame, although the full blame attaches to any of us who have lived beyond our means or not done enough to protect those less able than ourselves.

The World does not owe the UK a living.  To pretend otherwise is an insult to all those countries whose GDP per person is below the UK's.

We have, in recent years, been a net borrower whilst countries such as China have financed our excess standards of living, by being net lenders.  Payback time has now arrived.

We face two simple choices.  We can follow the Greek, Irish or Iberian Peninsula models whereby we accept lack of international competitive status, an inability to reduce our debts and an eventual sovereign debt crisis.  Alternatively we can 'bite the bullet' and reduce our debts and, most  importantly, stop wasting so much money on interest payments.  Money which would be much better spent on improving public services.

There are different approaches to debt reduction.  The USA has chosen to engage in Keynesian financial simulation; the UK has embarked on a monetary policy.  Only time will tell which approach yields the best results.

The cuts are, and will be, painful.  The primary duty of national and local government, beyond ensuring the security of the State, is to protect the more vulnerable members of our society.  This does not reduce or remove the very difficult choices that have to be made.

As a conservative I believe, based on all the evidence I can access, that the Coalition Government has chosen the least risky path in restoring the UK's financial soundness.  I am surprised when the Chancellor talks about the absence of 'Plan B'.  Whilst an alternative course of action may be more risky I do recognise that as the financial and economic environment changes that there will be necessary touches to the tiller to keep the ship on course.

Youth Parliament

Yesterday's Youth Parliament elections in County Hall was, as you would expect, a positive event showcasing what is good about Cornwall's young people.  The election results are available at: http://www.cornwallyouthforum.org.uk/Cornwall_Youth_Forum/Welcome.html

For anyone who regards this as simply a 'box ticking' activity whereby lip service is paid to young people you could not be further from the truth as the 'voice of the child' is a key priority in Cornwall's Children & Young Persons Plan: http://www.cornwallcypp.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=2   Considerable effort is given to ensuring that the voice of every child is heard including through school councils, youth forum and the children in care council.  Children represent approaching 25% of Cornwall's population and as many of the decisions taken by adults have direct influence on children, e.g. academies and health services reorganisations, it is only right that they have their opportunity to consider and decide their responses and then seek to influence the decision-makers.

2011 is the first year in which young people will have opportunities to present to the Chief Executive and Directors of Cornwall Council as a regular agenda item on their meetings.

Slightly disappointing that just four councillors attended the elections: Neil Burden, who delivered a speech and rather than keeping it bland included STDs in his discussion, Pat Harvey - proving yet again the great support she gives as Cornwall Council chairman, Pat Rogerson and myself.

A number of agencies were on hand including representatives from the Children's Trust and the Devon & Cornwall Police Authority.  Equally importantly there were three Cornish MPs in attendance: Sarah Newton, Sheryll Murray and George Eustice.  I saw no sign of the Duchy's Liberal Democrat MPs.

If you like to see the Youth Parliament in action, with one of the debates led by a Cornish representative, follow this link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_192005