Sunday 22 September 2013

Parish & Town Council Annual Summit

I attended this event hosted by Cornwall Council at Kingsley Village Exhibition Hall (in the basement) on Saturday 21st September. The event was chaired by Cornwall Councillor and Portfolio Holder for Devolution and Localism, Jeremy Rowe.

A good number of parish and town councils were represented and there was the familiar feeling of adversary between the unitary authority and local councils. A 'them and us' simplification by some. However, I felt the Cornwall Council cabinet members, staff and agencies were professional and open.

A number of specific issues were raised (pricing competition between Cornwall Council and local community car parks, the development of an unnecessary footpath, and so on). Whilst Town and Parish Councils felt that they weren't being listened too Cornwall Council felt they weren't being guided. However, there was an eagerness to improve communication, to listen and learn from local knowledge.

A number of broad issues of importance to Grampound with Creed were addressed:

Neighbourhood development planning (still a long way off completing the work)

Community Emergency and Flood planning (encourage emergency planning to include flooding)

The 2014/18 Cornwall Council Budget (shortfall in funding with increased spending likely - a gloomy picture)