If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, feel free to come to the Public Hall (committee room) between 11 am and 3pm to see what is on offer.

Letters were sent to the six Cornish MP’s, the Minister whose responsibility planning comes under, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister asking them to bring in this new legislation after it has been fully investigated.

To date, only two of Cornwall’s MP replied to the original letter. I am grateful to Dan Rogerson and Stephen Gilbert for their responses. It is very disappointing that the other four MP’s did not see fit to reply on this very important issue.

I am also grateful to Dan Rogerson for chasing the Minister for a response. The Council received this response on the 9th May via Dan Rogerson’s office. In that letter:

As you can see, the Minister is not supportive of the change in legislation, and sadly gives no real alternatives to helping address this issue raised by the Council. The only alternative given by the Minister, and one that really worries me, is to build more houses!

Yes, you could build more houses, but without any legislation, many of these new dwellings could be used as second homes and/or holiday lets. Which just adds to the pressure onto Cornwall’s housing. Furthermore, what happens when you run out of land to build on?

It is clear the Governments view on addressing the housing issue in Cornwall is to build more houses.

The Council has received numerous complaints from members of the public over the recent comments made by Councillor Collin Brewer.

In recognition of the concerns which have been expressed, the Council’s Monitoring Officer requested that the complaints be assessed as a matter of urgency in accordance with the Council’s ethical standards regime.

It has now been formally determined that the case merits a full investigation to decide whether there has been a breach of the Members Code of Conduct and, if so, the nature and extent of that breach. That investigation, which will be carried out by a senior lawyer from within the Council’s Corporate Governance Team, will be expedited.

Earlier this week the leaders of the main political parties on the Council issued a joint statement to clarify the position of the authority: “The recently published comments which are attributed to Councillor Brewer are completely unacceptable and are contrary to the Council’s policy of supporting all people with disabilities. Such views have no place in local government. These remarks represent the personal views of Councillor Brewer who does not speak for the Council or the people of Cornwall.”

It is anticipated that Councillor Brewer will not be allocated any seats on Council committees.

The authority does not have the legal power to sack a Councillor and following the Government’s abolition of Standards for England in 2012 and changes to the Code of Conduct regime the Council no longer has the ability to suspend Councillors.

“The recently published comments which are attributed to Councillor Brewer are completely unacceptable and are contrary to the Council’s policy of supporting all people with disabilities.

Such views have no place in local government. These remarks represent the personal views of Councillor Brewer who does not speak for the Council or the people of Cornwall.”

Signed :
Jeremy Rowe, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, John Wood, Leader of the Independent group, Fiona Ferguson, Leader of the Conservative group, Malcolm Moyle, Leader of the Labour group, Stephanie McWilliam , Leader of UKIP group, Dick Cole, Leader of Mebyon Kernow

The Council further clarified:

Following the Government’s abolition of Standards for England in 2012 and changes to the Code of Conduct regime the options available to the Council when a breach of the Code of Conduct is found have been limited. There is no longer the ability to suspend Councillors. The Council has never been able to disqualify Councillors in response to Code of Conduct complaints. In this case the Monitoring Officer found that there had been a breach of the Code of Conduct and determined that the only appropriate and proportionate sanction he could impose was to require Councillor Brewer to issue a formal apology. Mr Brewer was notified of this in November 2012 and subsequently wrote to the complainant apologising unreservedly for his remarks.

The Council does not have the power to stop anyone standing for election. Both the qualifications for candidates and the reasons why an individual could be disqualified from standing for election are clearly set out in legislation. The reasons for disqualification include being employed by the Council or holding a politically restricted post, being declared bankrupt or being sentenced to at least 3 months imprisonment during the previous 5 years. As none of the criteria for disqualification apply to Mr Brewer he was entitled to stand for election to Cornwall Council and was subsequently chosen by local voters to represent the Wadebridge East electoral division.

The Council is committed to ensuring that all staff and Members receive appropriate training in equality and diversity issues. Equality and diversity training is mandatory for all paid staff and we staged specific workshops for all Members during the first week of their induction programme. Further training, on-going workshops and awareness sessions will also be available throughout the four year life of this Council.

Not only has Mike left the Conservatives, but he has joined the Independent Group. This has been met with a few raised eye brows within the Indi Group.

Of course the rumour mill is in overdrive at Cornwall Council with the presses saying more Conservatives could jump.

From all this manoeuvring we might find the make-up of the political groups at Cornwall Council very different to the election results by the Council’s first full meeting on the 21st.

During the Bretons stay, they and their host families visited many areas of Cornwall during their stay in Porthleven. On Friday evening, a party was held to celebrate not only their visit, but more importantly, 20 years of friendship and co-operation. I was very honoured to be invited to the event by the association.

The Breton and hosts celebrate 20 years of twinning

It was certainly a very enjoyable evening, even though my attempt at speaking French was terrible. However, the language barrier did not stop everyone having a great time. The food was great, the wine (french) was plentiful, with entertainment a mixture of traditional and modern music was excellent. To finish the enjoyable evening, there was an exchange of gifts between both associations and of course the odd speech. To finish the evening, no party would be complete without cake, and there was two of them.

Sometimes twinning is a little misunderstood, but from what I witnessed it is certainly a worthy endeavour. Set up and run by volunteers who raise a lot of money to make anyones visit a great experience.

The twining association of Porthleven have certainly been great ambassadors for Porthleven. They should be very proud of the work they do. Well done.

The exchange of gifts between the two twinning associations

Of course no party is without cake! And there were two of them!

Tuesday started with a welcome from the CEO before the induction programme started. I was pleased to see it there was no hard-sell, just the right information given so it did not overload everyone. Those behind the induction did a fantastic job, and they should be congratulated. Especially Democratic Services (and Miles), who were the real stars of the induction.

However, the main aim of the induction days was for the 123 Cornwall Councillors to meet, chat and get to know each other. After all, we will be working with each other for the next four years. I know it is hard to get the measure of people in just a few days, but I am very pleased meeting so many friendly and interesting people. I know this might sound like a cliche, but I have a good feeling about this council. Day one was long, but passed without incident.

The new Council

Day two was on the same lines as day one, a light introduction to the various departments and officers of the council. There was briefings on communications, finance, and equality and diversity training. Again, there was no hard-sell, but an overview on the current position the council is in.

The second day saw the first protest take place at County Hall. This was about the re-election of Colin Brewer. At least 80 protesters gathered outside the main entrance and gave their views to a handful of Cornwall Councillors. The protesters made it clear how they felt, but did so with respect and dignity. Those Councillors present listened, which I hope the protesters appreciated. For me, I hope this situation is sorted, and sorted quickly.

Protesters gather outside County Hall

More training and briefing will be held into next week which will lead up to the 21st May, when the full Council meets for the first time. Up to that meeting, the various groups and group leaders will be meeting and re-meeting to thrash-out who will form the administration. As at the meeting on the 21st, the Leader of the Council, Chairman and deputy Chairman will be voted into office. When that is done, the administration can be formed.

The town council in collusion with Noel’s wife got Noel to the Atlantic Inn in Porthleven. He had no idea and was shocked when he saw the majority of the council there waiting. The members of the town council put on a small buffet (paid out of their own pockets) for Noel to say thank you.

The highest honour the town council can give, is one of its town plaques. And last night the Mayor of Porthleven, Mark Berryman presented Noel with one, along with the town council’s sincere thanks for all the work Noel has carried out for the last 30 years. Noel was very humbled by this, and said a few words of thanks.

He will be missed, and whoever replaces Noel at the West Briton, has very big boots to fill. Thank you Noel.

The Mayor presents the Porthleven Town Council plaque to Noel Perry

I have been asked by Independent Members to publish the following statement on proposals for a new administration at Cornwall Council. It is as follows:

“Following the results of the Council elections we have collectively agreed to seek the assistance and co-operation of all political groups at Cornwall Council to form an administration. We will do all we can do to form an alliance of all groups which will ensure at Cornwall Council has an effective administration.

We accept that these negotiations will take time; we all agree that we as Independents only have the interest of the people of Cornwall to worry about”

I will keep you informed as best I can

It turns out that while Councillors were on the campaign trail, the powers-to-be have decided to change the Community Networks around. What is worse is no consultation, or curtesy has been given to the Cornwall Councillors and more importantly the Town and Parish Council of the area as part of the decision. Has the Council not learned anything from the last four years?

What am I on about? Well, the Network Manager for the area, Charlotte Chadwick has been moved to the Camborne, Redruth and Pool area. As many will know Charlotte has worked very hard in the area, and has brought 10′s of thousands of funding into the area.

Yes, I understand people do move, but the area has lost someone embedded in the area and she has been replaced by someone who works part-time. I feel Helston and the Lizard will now get a lesser service.

Worse, projects in the area might stop because the resources and staff are not there. You would think the powers-to-be would have asked what projects are being run before they thought about the change. But no, the same old ‘lets do something without consulting’ is still alive and kicking at Cornwall Council. It is time to take a shotgun to this process quickly.

I really get the feeling this process was rushed and done during the campaign season. That way Councillors would not know before it’s too late. Not impressed at all!