I cannot believe I am already writing a newsletter for the November editions of parish magazines. How on earth has this happened? There are some reports that we are in for a very long, hard winter. If that is the case, please look out for each other and, in particular, check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.
If you have any time to spare, do please consider volunteering. There are many ways you can do this. Some are indoors, some driving, some outdoors, some involve working with people and some don’t. As budget pressures mount, it is going to be harder to maintain all services to the same level. This doesn’t have to be all bad. If it means we take back some local community working, there may be many benefits. In particular, can I make a plea to our young people? It can really help you in applying for your first jobs to have some sort of volunteering to put on your CV and to have people prepared to provide you with really good references, which all helps improve your chances in life. It also feels pretty good to have done something worthwhile with your free time. Just search ‘Volunteer Cornwall’ and do let me know if you decide to give it a go. I would love to be able to mention you in my next newsletter
I mentioned last month that councillors don’t seem to have a role in planning enforcement cases. It seems the terminology may change from ‘enforcement’ to ‘compliance’, which isn’t exactly the outcome I was aiming for but it is a start.
With the introduction of the Bodmin Moor Commons Council next year, there may be an opportunity to look again at a 40mph speed limit to protect the animals. Please let me know how you feel about this.
You have probably heard in the news lately about the pressure on policing and probable closure of more police stations. We are very fortunate to live in a low crime area but please help the police by reporting any suspicious activity, especially if you can give registration numbers of unfamiliar vehicles in unexpected places. Just ring 101. (Yes I know – but the response time is getting much better.)
Finally, the Minions sign has certainly been a talking point. Unfortunately there has been a misunderstanding about it. It doesn’t belong to Cornwall Council or to a parish council – either Linkinhorne or St Cleer. The decision to remove it was Universal’s who own the copyright. However much we may wish to see it back up somewhere, it isn’t going to happen unless Universal agree and so far they haven’t, despite our best efforts. We do know how popular it was and how much extra business it brought to the local businesses but we don’t own it and we can’t put it back. We aren’t all miserable grumps and I would love to be able to take my grandchildren up to see it but there is nothing more any of us councillors can do.
Sorry!