On Tuesday everyone is welcome at the Pirates Rugby Club in Penzance to meet organisations and providers at the Market Place from 1.30 - 3pm. Those present include Neighbourhood Watch, Post Office Ltd, Western Power, Community Pharmacy – Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group, CRCC – Cornwall Rural Community Charity, Clean Cornwall, Seadog IT, Metro Rod and Pengarth Day Centre. The event precedes the Town and Parish Conference (open to all councillors) that I organise with council clerks. This year the topics for debate are the Governance Review (which is considering the shape and size of town and parish councils in the next decade), bus services in West Cornwall and how councils can be local leaders in response to the need to cut harmful emissions and enhance our natural environment.
Cornwall Council is running a public consultation to determine what access dogs and their owners will have on our beaches next year. Current restrictions tend to ignore the requirements of people who struggle physically to get on and off those beaches where dogs are allowed and ignore the fact that dogs are often essential companions, not luxury items. This is the case in St Ives and I enjoyed half an hour with these owners on Saturday hearing about the challenge they face just attempting to exercise their dogs. Next year is the 25th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act and Cornwall Council must ensure safe access to our coastline if it chooses to ban owners and their dogs from existing accessible beaches! Take part in the consultation here.
South West Water is holding a public event at The Carbis Bay Memorial Hall, on Thursday, 26 September 2019, between 2pm and 5:30pm. This event concerns the £1.9m work to upgrade the sewage network in Carbis Bay. It is work that is urgently needed. I became aware of the pressure on the system when first elected when I supported local residents and councillors who were concerned about the drainage infrastructure. Similar work has been going on in Mousehole and residents there know first hand the disruption that is caused. The work planned for Carbis Bay is intended to start in November and run until April next year. In my dealings with South West Water I have always urged that this kind of work takes place over the winter to avoid the busiest part of the year. However, the inconvenience caused is still regrettable and I strongly recommend that people living in the area, especially along St Ives Road and Longstone Hill, attend the event at the end of the month. Here you will be able to learn what is planned and raise any concerns. You can also contact my office if you would like me to raise concerns on your behalf.
Up to £25m has been offered to both St Ives and Penzance to improve living standards and I have pulled together people who are able to contribute expertise and ideas so that we come up with the best possible schemes that will improve people’s lives. If you have something to contribute please email me at Derek.thomas.mp@parliament.uk. Thank you.