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 .