It was great pleasure to present Andrew and Sara Doney a civic award for community work and continuing volunteer work, involving church matters, scouts, horticultural show etc a true asset to the community, followed by tea.
Community money is now open for requests. I could spend this money several times over, available on first come first served basis.
Overgrown hedges have been reported and highways have been to the area to look at particular problems. I shall be going around to look at specific areas of concern, including potholes with highways. There is an online reporting system now within Cornwall Website. You can report on line here or let your parish councillors know.
The new parking charges, some good, some bad, have been introduced. I would like to see parking cheaper or free and follow Devon’s example £2 all day in Tavistock and Lyme Regis, admittedly some towns including Callington have the first hour free but the cheaper the parking the longer people will stay. A recent visit to Poole just shows how the hustle and bustle of high street is far from dead despite £1.20 per hour. Cranleigh in Sussex Sunday’s free parking, and a very interesting public enquiry into housing in the town, no one wanted but was over ruled by the inspectorate. I take great interest in areas outside Cornwall and can compare. Bournemouth roads generally are well tarmac smooth, yet parking is expensive. Generally potholes are bad in several areas, but it does seem Cornwall needs more money and now maybe all the car tax and fuel duty should be spent in Cornwall???
Southampton marathon the council allowed us to park all day for £2.50. A nice city with lots to see and do, yet Runnymede Park (Oxford) Magna Carr’s charge £1.50 an hour or £6 pounds per day, a bit steep.
Kent seem to charge everywhere, £3 Betteshanger all day and Gravesend cycle park and most green spaces, although Folkstone town centre is free on street parking for two hours yet sea front you have to pay.?
I also notice all National Trust charge parking, including Cotehele and Lanhydrock who actually had EU funding for the cycle track.
This brings me to the Tamar Bridge tolls which seem to be rising. East Cornwall are taxed to enter England. I would prefer Cornish Council tax payers to have free crossings???? Well done Wales for abolishing the tolls at the end of this year????. However a recent trip to Mersey side and the pleasure of using the new toll road and bridge for £2 each way and noticed residents get subsidised travel.
Cornwall second homes 13406 let out and owner holidays registered on business and
7987 holiday lets ……now you can have your own opinion but that’s 21393 homes that are not housing local people .. local people who do the very jobs all year around that need homes… we need balance not holiday lets????
27th May will be my 200th Marathon, in aid of Karogwe Water Aid to the most deprived areas … water we take for granted.
You can contact Sharon via email