It is less than 12 months since I wrote about the House of Lords. At that time, I described the second chamber as “an anachronism that has no place in a modern democracy,” and I set out my frustration that 38 new peers had been created. I wish to return to this subject as another […]
The House of Lords is an anachronism Read Post »
The Autumn Budget included the creation of a Kernow Industrial Fund worth £30 million over two years. Cornwall’s MPs have been widely commended for their efforts in making this happen. John Brown, Chief Executive of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, was among those making positive comment about this and the launch of a Critical Mineral
Devolution will mean increased investment Read Post »
I am getting increasingly frustrated by the planning process in Cornwall. As I have written before, Westminster has imposed an inappropriate, unsustainable and undeliverable housing target on Cornwall, which means that council officers have taken the view that we no longer have a “five-year land supply.” In this scenario, the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework
Yet more frustrations with planning … Read Post »
Each month, I present a written report to both St Dennis Parish Council and St Enoder Parish Council. The report for November is as follows: 1.0 Council and other meetings Physical Cornwall Council meetings in the last month included the Central Sub-Area Planning Committee, Constitution and Governance Committee (and an associated pre-meeting), two informal meetings
Monthly Report for 27th October – 23rd November 2025 Read Post »
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has just confirmed that elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are to be abolished. I understand that the PCCs will continue in post until May 2028, when the next set of elections would have been held. Labour is describing the introduction of PCCs by David Cameron’s Government in 2012 as
Time for a Cornwall Police Force Read Post »
Mebyon Kernow held its National Conference in Truro on Saturday. There was much discussion about the ongoing campaign for devolution for Cornwall and, in my keynote address, I called on the leaders of the London-based political parties to back greater powers for Cornwall. In terms of background, I spoke about the cross-party motion I moved
When will Westminster leaders back Cornwall? Read Post »
Each month, I present a written report to both St Dennis Parish Council and St Enoder Parish Council. The report for October is as follows: 1. Council and other meetings Physical Cornwall Council meetings in the last month included Cornwall Growth Board; Corporate, Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee, plus an associated “task and
Monthly Report for 1st – 26th October 2025 Read Post »
Westminster politicians have repeatedly promised that Cornwall would receive funding to at least match the level of European structural monies that would have been received if the United Kingdom had not left the EU. The exact wording of the pledge from the previous Conservative Government was that the Shared Prosperity Fund would “at a minimum
Where is Cornwall’s money, Mr Starmer? Read Post »
How time flies! This week marks the 15th anniversary of the final week of the Public Inquiry into the proposal for an incinerator at St Dennis. On the penultimate day [6th October 2010], I had the privilege of presenting the closing statement on behalf of the “Rule 6 Party,” which represented St Dennis Parish Council
The Incinerator Public Inquiry – 15 years on Read Post »
Last week, in the lead-up to the Labour Party Conference, the Prime Minister announced the “Pride in Place” programme, which will allocate some £5 billion to 339 neighbourhoods across England, Scotland and Wales. The official press release states that “169 areas will receive £2 million every year for a decade, giving long-overlooked communities the certainty
Cornwall ignored by “Pride in Place” programme Read Post »
