Recognising the importance of having a wide a range of communication opportunities, Cornwall Council is now creating personal sites for councillors from which they will have the opportunity to post relevant, non-politically biased, comments and news.
Whilst it will take time for those councillors who wish to use this facility to set-up their pages and post comments, those comments will likely become a further rich source of information for those interested in Cornwall Council and what it does. With the challenges created by the pressure on budgets, those comments are likely to supplement the existing official channels of communication already used by the Council.
http://democracy.cornwall.gov.uk/mgMiniSite.aspx?UID=2157&EID=0&PID=18&PG=1
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Meet Me!
Next surgeries are on 24 July at:
Mabe Village Hall (opp. the village shop): 10:00 - 11:30
Ponsanooth Methodist Church Annex (side door on right hand side of building as you face the church): 12:00 - 13:30
Perranarworthal Village Memorial Hall (South room): 14:30 - 16:00
No appointment necessary.
Happy to discuss any subject and to work with you to seek to find a solution.
Mabe Village Hall (opp. the village shop): 10:00 - 11:30
Ponsanooth Methodist Church Annex (side door on right hand side of building as you face the church): 12:00 - 13:30
Perranarworthal Village Memorial Hall (South room): 14:30 - 16:00
No appointment necessary.
Happy to discuss any subject and to work with you to seek to find a solution.
Sunday, 27 June 2010
Liberal Democrats : Disunited?
Am I the only one struggling to understand what is going on in the Liberal Democrats universe?
They seemed to be still surprised to be in national government coalition and, as such, seemingly have adopted Conservative policies which, prior to the Election, they fought tooth and nail against. Remember all the pre-Election fuss they made about not supporting an increase in VAT and that savings had to be put off? Yes, there are elements of LibDem policy in the coalition agreement and whilst generally welcome tend not to be influencing the main direction on which the Conservatives fought the Election campaign.
Now we have various LibDem members beginning to get cold feet over what they have got themselves into and showing early signs of wanting to abandon ship even before we reach stormy waters as the necessary changes in government expenditure begin to take effect.
Read report today that LibDem support has fallen by half since the General Election so, in time honoured fashion given the history of UK coalitions, Nick Clegg appears at real risk of, at least for a generation, casting his Party, at least nationally if not locally, back into the politicial wilderness.
They seemed to be still surprised to be in national government coalition and, as such, seemingly have adopted Conservative policies which, prior to the Election, they fought tooth and nail against. Remember all the pre-Election fuss they made about not supporting an increase in VAT and that savings had to be put off? Yes, there are elements of LibDem policy in the coalition agreement and whilst generally welcome tend not to be influencing the main direction on which the Conservatives fought the Election campaign.
Now we have various LibDem members beginning to get cold feet over what they have got themselves into and showing early signs of wanting to abandon ship even before we reach stormy waters as the necessary changes in government expenditure begin to take effect.
Read report today that LibDem support has fallen by half since the General Election so, in time honoured fashion given the history of UK coalitions, Nick Clegg appears at real risk of, at least for a generation, casting his Party, at least nationally if not locally, back into the politicial wilderness.
Community Engagement
Watched the Armed Forces Parade in Truro yesterday and visited the displays on Lemon Quay. Later went to the Tremough Campus Community Day and, apart from being impressed by the wide range of activities on offer for visitors, was disappointed that there were only three of us at the informative lecture, 'From Climate to Landscape: Imagining the Future' deliveried by Professor Catherine Leyshon.
The common theme, for me, across these two events was the relative lack of engagement either seemed to achieve amongst the vast majority of the population. OK, so the weather was excellent so there was a big draw to the coast. On the other hand both events had great appeal (the first being an opportunity to acknowledge the commitment of our Forces; irrespective of whether or not you feel we should be in Afghanistan) and the second an opportunity to find out more about what goes on at the Combined Universities.
The Parade followed on from a service in Truro Cathredral. Once again raises the question as to why the Anglican Church is involved in such a major way in something which is supposedly about all in society and not just those who choose to believe in Christ.
I watched the Parade from Boscawen Street and it was clear that the audience was measured in hundreds rather than thousands.
At Tremough there were few visitors on site in the afternoon - I'm told there were rather more there in the morning - however the feeling was of a relatively poorly attended event. Was it promoted sufficiently locally? A few days ago a number of Cornwall councillors from the Falmouth & Penryn area met with the University College Falmouth Rector and senior staff. We agreed to work towards building stronger links between the local community and Tremough; perhaps for subsequent Campus Community Days we need to work jointly to encourage greater attendence at what is, after all, a Cornish success story which will likely play an important role in Cornwall's future.
The common theme, for me, across these two events was the relative lack of engagement either seemed to achieve amongst the vast majority of the population. OK, so the weather was excellent so there was a big draw to the coast. On the other hand both events had great appeal (the first being an opportunity to acknowledge the commitment of our Forces; irrespective of whether or not you feel we should be in Afghanistan) and the second an opportunity to find out more about what goes on at the Combined Universities.
The Parade followed on from a service in Truro Cathredral. Once again raises the question as to why the Anglican Church is involved in such a major way in something which is supposedly about all in society and not just those who choose to believe in Christ.
I watched the Parade from Boscawen Street and it was clear that the audience was measured in hundreds rather than thousands.
At Tremough there were few visitors on site in the afternoon - I'm told there were rather more there in the morning - however the feeling was of a relatively poorly attended event. Was it promoted sufficiently locally? A few days ago a number of Cornwall councillors from the Falmouth & Penryn area met with the University College Falmouth Rector and senior staff. We agreed to work towards building stronger links between the local community and Tremough; perhaps for subsequent Campus Community Days we need to work jointly to encourage greater attendence at what is, after all, a Cornish success story which will likely play an important role in Cornwall's future.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Just Another Day
Attended Inclusion Cornwall's www.cornwallstrategicpartnership.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=10643 AGM this morning and, yet again in my day-to-day activities, met a group of people who individually and collectively are working hard towards improving the lot of various communities and individuals in Cornwall. A good networking session followed with a number of new contacts made. Amongst many issues, learnt that there are seven different faith groups in Cornwall. (Note to self: How well are their views represented?).
After a quick visit to County Hall (collect the mail; print out various papers; check if any Portfolio Holders were in residence for a 'what's happening?' chat) then returned home to deal with the post, phone messages and emails. Then a photography session with the Parish Council for a possible article in the West Briton. Now a break before going out later to a (different) Parish Council meeting.
Hanging over all I do at the moment is the prospect that there are very major changes coming in as the Government's spending review gathers pace. It's very easy to become depressed by the prospects however it may be that the coming funding reductions are what are required to encourage me, and perhaps others, to focus solely on what is important rather than what is urgent.
After a quick visit to County Hall (collect the mail; print out various papers; check if any Portfolio Holders were in residence for a 'what's happening?' chat) then returned home to deal with the post, phone messages and emails. Then a photography session with the Parish Council for a possible article in the West Briton. Now a break before going out later to a (different) Parish Council meeting.
Hanging over all I do at the moment is the prospect that there are very major changes coming in as the Government's spending review gathers pace. It's very easy to become depressed by the prospects however it may be that the coming funding reductions are what are required to encourage me, and perhaps others, to focus solely on what is important rather than what is urgent.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Experienced Politicans
In today's Times it is suggested that Danny Alexander is not sufficiently experienced to hold the role of Treasury Chief Secretary. That fails to recognise that being experienced is not the key attribute of a politician; being elected is. It also fails to recognise that in a democracy we elect the government and not the civil servants who provide the government with its information and implementation of the government's requirements.
The UK and Cornwall gets the politicians it wants. It does not generally select them on their ability to do a specific government job other than to represent them whether at the local or national level.
If one looks at the Cornwall Councillors it is self-evident that whilst they are not fully representative of the electorate (too few younger members; too many males; too many middle class) they bring a range of experiences and abilities to bear on the issues facing Cornwall. To a large extent, many politicians grow into the roles that they undertake.
The UK and Cornwall gets the politicians it wants. It does not generally select them on their ability to do a specific government job other than to represent them whether at the local or national level.
If one looks at the Cornwall Councillors it is self-evident that whilst they are not fully representative of the electorate (too few younger members; too many males; too many middle class) they bring a range of experiences and abilities to bear on the issues facing Cornwall. To a large extent, many politicians grow into the roles that they undertake.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
A new Beginning?
So, the results so far are not looking too good:
One resignation due to a clear breach of Commons rules on expenses,
No news yet on Cornwall's bids for building schools for the future and affordable housing,
18 millionaires in the Cabinet ( who represents the rest of us?),
Evevations to the House of Lords ( when will it be solely electable?) of at least two millionaires who have made significant donations to the Conservative Party,
Closing down the Childrens Trust Funds (maybe a good idea but why, as your first action, hit those who don't vote?),
Suggestion that those who are clever or rich enought to dodge income tax can continue to shield their 'capital gains' at less than the appropriate levels of income tax,
Obvious discontent, with some aspects of Government policy, in both Conservative and Liberal Democrat ranks.
If this was a new beginning then currently feeling, at best, less than encouraged by what is being deliveried.
Much now depends on the 22 June budget.
Chris.
One resignation due to a clear breach of Commons rules on expenses,
No news yet on Cornwall's bids for building schools for the future and affordable housing,
18 millionaires in the Cabinet ( who represents the rest of us?),
Evevations to the House of Lords ( when will it be solely electable?) of at least two millionaires who have made significant donations to the Conservative Party,
Closing down the Childrens Trust Funds (maybe a good idea but why, as your first action, hit those who don't vote?),
Suggestion that those who are clever or rich enought to dodge income tax can continue to shield their 'capital gains' at less than the appropriate levels of income tax,
Obvious discontent, with some aspects of Government policy, in both Conservative and Liberal Democrat ranks.
If this was a new beginning then currently feeling, at best, less than encouraged by what is being deliveried.
Much now depends on the 22 June budget.
Chris.
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