Cornwall Council has a vast range of responsibilities I have tried to specialise in the following
Housing and Planning
Yes, some new housing is needed in all three parishes but each has different issues.
St Cleer has already been developed to such an extent that the original community was swamped and has taken years to recover its cohesion. There is room for a number of small groups of houses but these should be built over the 20 year life of the development plan not all at once.
There is also the issue of the World Heritage Site which sits in the area between the main village and the Coombe and Trecarne. I have been working closely with officers during the last year to resolve the question of the destruction of this part of our history.
St Neot has been trying to find a site for a small number of houses but this is very difficult due to the way the village sits in a bowl. I have brokered several site visits by a Housing Association to look at suggested areas, so far without success.
Warleggan has a site and the wish for a very few new homes, I have attended all the parish meetings and taken the views of the residents on board.
Renewable Energy I really do have an open mind on the subject. Each application needs to be looked at individually and its siting and size considered. I would welcome a strengthened planning policy with some better guidance for planning committees on acceptable separation distances.
Housing and Policy I have been very involved in the development of the Strategies for Homelssness, Empty Homes, Housing Allocations and sit on the board of Cornwall Housing Ltd.
Planning and Policy Committees which cover various aspects are Planning Committee, Planning Policy Panel, Planning Procedures Panel, Housing Task Group.
Heritage
I care passionately for the heritage and landscape of this very special place and have been pleased to sit on the World Heritage Site Partnership and the Caradon Hill Area Heritage Project. I have also rolled my sleeves up and worked to restore and enhance sites in the St Cleer area and supported the work in St Neot. Our World Heritage Site status for Cornish Mining and the Caradon Railway is very precious and I pledge to continue to do all I can to protect it.
Health
This is work undertaken outside of the Council. I am the lay member of the Locality Clinical Commissioning Group, which is about the local services provided by our community hospitals, surgeries and clinics and Derriford. I represent Cornwall Council at the Plymouth Hospitals “Council of Governors” and have personally set up an umbrella group to bring together Patient Groups from all the Surgeries across SE Cornwall.
As well as these 3 workstreams, which with three Parish Councils to attend takes a large part of my time, my other achievements span
Young People where I nagged Childrens Services for many months to obtain the help and advice for volunteers to help start the Youth Club in St Cleer. I have also supported organisations like the Scouts and playgroups. I obtained the funding and project managed the Skate Park in St Cleer
Older People as well as setting up and chairing the Senior Citizens Forum in SE Cornwall I have been involved in various pieces of work with the Councils Adult Care and Support team.
Community Involvement
Also outside of Council, with the Parish Projects Group we have provided a Skate Park, parking and interpretation at Trethevy, restored the Chapel and Cemetery in Well Lane and the Pond and Pipewell at Higher Tremar. I remain a Trustee of the General Cemetery. I have tried to use my Community Chest funding to help and support all sectors of community endeavour.
Other areas of the Council where I have had less input are Education and Childrens Services, Economic Development, Waste, Parking, Audit, Fire and Community Safety, Leisure, and Harbours.