Cornwall Council sets new ambitions for Cornwall’s energy future
Source: Cornwall Council sets new ambitions for Cornwall’s energy future – Cornwall Council
Category Archives: Cornwall Council
From Cllr. Steph McWilliam October 2016
This is short and sweet this month as August is a quieter month for meetings and I am writing this in mid-September so I’m sure next month’s will be longer.
Continue reading
South Hill Neighbourhood Development Plan
CONSULTATION PERIOD – 6 weeks – ENDING 16th SEPTEMBER 2016
In December 2014 Parish Councillor Geoff Clemerson researched the idea of a Neighbourhood Plan. If you were living in the Parish or owned property here at that time, you would have had the opportunity to complete a survey. Sections covered were:
Housing and Building (11 questions)- The Environment We Live In (17 questions)
- Renewable Energy (10 questions)
- The Local Economy (8 questions)
- About your Household (6 questions)
Comments were encouraged. The return rate was 81.2%, which is an excellent response. The results are published on the South Hill Connection web site – Hard copies will be made available.
A Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan has been produced, which has just been completed and approved by the Parish Council. There is a 6-week consultation period when YOU can comment to ensure the Plan reflects all the wishes of the Parish.
If you know someone who does not have access to the internet, and would like to see a copy of the NDP, please contact one of the parish councillors listed below. There will also be laminated copies in the box outside the Parish Hall, and in St Sampson’s church porch, but please do not take these away.
- South Hill and Bray Shop: Geoff Clemerson 01579 362623
- Golberdon and Mornick: David Skelton 01579 382397
- Nick Easton 07 715606252
- Trevigro and surrounding area: James Gale 07974 786066
- Andrew Budd 01579 389328
- Maders and Manaton area: Dan Smith 07 787536555
Please remember that comments can only be accepted if made in writing or by email as described above.
- Read the Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan – click here…
- Compare it with the Residents’ Survey results from Dec 2014 – click here…
Comments are invited from anyone that has a connection to the Parish and should be sent to the Parish Clerk – by email (parish.clerk@south-hill.co.uk), or by letter to Jenny Hoskin, Branston Farm, Bodmin Road, BODMIN PL30 4BB. Please do not try to telephone Mrs Hoskin; she is not a full time employee of the council, and will not be able to answer any queries or take comments on the phone.
Amendments can be made to The Plan before it is sent to Cornwall Council. An Independent Examiner will be appointed who will take account of comments made and all relevant documentation, and if it meets all requirements will recommend The Plan proceeds to a referendum. This process is documented on various web sites.
More details will be published as South Hill Connection receives them.
It is important that your views are represented within this 6 weeks consultation period.
The Neighbourhood Plan
Your chance to shape the future of our Parish in years to come
We have created a page in our Parish menu where information will be added as we receive it, so bookmark this page if you want to be involved.
from Cllr Steph McWilliam
There is much to fit in this month. Let’s start with more good news. CC Children’s services had a good Ofsted report. Quote – The final report confirms that we have received an overall rating of ‘Good’ for these services – putting us in the top 25% of children’s services in the country that have been inspected under the tougher new inspection framework. Well done to all concerned.
There is a campaign underway to try and persuade people to look after the sewerage systems by not flushing wet wipes. If you do, please don’t.
Blue badge holders – Those eligible for free car tax can register (for a £10 fee) to have a
card that permits free parking. The system had to change when government did away with tax discs being displayed but Cornwall Council was keen to find a mechanism to continue helping those with blue badges but you do need to reapply.
I know some people are still upset about the referendum result and concerned that we will lose all the funding. Please bear in mind that we are still in the EU and Article 50 hasn’t yet been triggered. It will be at least two years after that when we actually leave, which takes us up to mid-2018. Since the programme finishes anyway in 2020 and any contracts in place before we leave will be honoured under international law, it is very unlikely to have any impact on our economic development funding. Continue reading
Bodmin Moor International Dark Sky Park
Our unique dark rural setting on the fringe of Bodmin Moor has an opportunity to make an historic mark, which will enhance our lifestyle, protect our community and last for generations to come.
Cornwall Council and Caradon Observatory have proposed a bid to have Bodmin Moor recognised as a Gold standard International Dark Sky Park, arguably comparable to World Heritage Site status. The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit and the Campaign to Protect Rural England support the proposal and with public backing, the council will submit the decision this summer.
Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for planning, said: “I’m thrilled with this initiative. It mixes the ageless fascination and romance of the stars with real science and learning, and it has tangible opportunities for tourism too.
“Recent observatory data shows that the quality of the night sky over Bodmin Moor is amongst the best in the world. Achieving recognition of this through an International Dark Sky Park designation would help protect the night sky from light pollution and bring other benefits, including providing a focus for awareness and learning about the stars and solar systems, a further draw for visitors to the area and a starrier sky for local residents.”
International Dark Sky Parks must be a protected landscape, and Bodmin Moor is already known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Continue reading
Cornwall Council Update, January 2016
Well, the big issue of the moment is the budget. The Chancellor’s settlement is complicated and it has taken our officers some time to analyse and prepare a briefing for us to explain the implications.
Cornwall Council Update, November 2015
I was so pleased to be able to attend the remembrance events again this year. Various news reports suggest that attendance is increasing and I do get a sense that this is true of our part of the world. It is so important that we do remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
One or two people have been in touch about the multiple contacts they have had from electoral services. Please don’t blame Cornwall Council. The new system was introduced by central government but it does appear to be very bureaucratic with a lot of duplication. Please persevere. We need to try and ensure everyone that is eligible to vote is on the register before future elections take place. A Housing Enquiry Form has to go out first and when you reply each individual named on it will receive their own form to fill in to register. It is easy to think you have already replied and ignore it but if you don’t, you will trigger a cascade of action. Even if you do reply, you may still get a ‘reminder’. I’m sure it will get easier but for this year, with a completely new register having to be compiled, it is causing a few problems.
Cornwall Council Update, October 2015
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.
Cllr Steph McWilliam, Cornwall Council
At a recent meeting at County Hall, all the Group Leaders were committed to Cornwall Council’s efforts to help with the refugee crisis. However, we are also aware that we have a severe housing shortage and a funding shortfall for existing services. Officers are working with other councils, the LGA (Local Government Association), the government and various charities to ensure we do what we can without unintended consequences.
From our Cornwall Councillor, July 2015
I am going to have to start with a little grumble this month, which is litter at the side of the road. It is bad for wildlife and it looks terrible. We are all paying for this mess to be cleared up and there is really no need. Maybe it is because this is a beautiful time of year with all the signs of Spring and Summer but it does seem such a shame that a very few people can’t appreciate how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country and so respect it. Please take your rubbish home with you. I’m sure most of you already do.