Sarah Newton calls for referendum on EU Reform Treaty.

A CAMPAIGN in Cornwall calling on the government to hold a referendum on the controversial EU Reform Treaty is gathering momentum.

The campaign has been organised by Sarah Newton, the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Truro & Falmouth. As well as placing a copy of ‘The EU Treaty in Plain English’ – which outlines the key points of the treaty -  on her website, Sarah will also be collecting signatures for a petition calling for a referendum at a series of events held later this month.

The petition will then be taken to Westminster by Sarah on October 27th, who will also be attending a major rally over the controversial plans in London the same day.

Sarah’s campaign comes as the Prime Minister prepares to discuss the treaty’s final draft with EU leaders in Portugal. Critics say the treaty has many similarities to the previously proposed Constitutional Treaty, which was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005, and upon which the government had promised a referendum.

Commenting on the current situation, Sarah said: “Gordon Brown failed to listen to the people of Cornwall over the setting up of a Unitary Authority and now refuses to listen over this treaty.“

Sarah has placed a copy of “The EU Treaty in Plain English” on her website www.sarahnewton.info. The pamphlet puts the key points of the treaty into plain English so that they can be understood at first sight and people can make their own judgement about whether there should be a referendum.

She will be collecting signatures for a petition calling for a referendum from one of the attractive, beach huts on Events Square in Falmouth during the Oyster Festival (October 18th- 21st) and out-side the Conservative Club on Lemon Street in Truro on October 22nd, 24th and 25th from 11am until 2pm.

Plans for pedestrian footpath in Camborne move forward.

PLANS for a new pedestrian footpath in Crane Road, Camborne have been given a boost after Camborne Town Council gave its support for the proposal.

Crane Road - located at the lower entrance to the Recreation Ground - is one of two roads supplying access to St Meriadoc Junior School and is the main route used by many children walking to school.

Although few motor vehicles historically used the road, over the past 18 months it has seen a rapid rise in traffic levels following Kerrier District Council’s decision to sell the Crane Manor site for redevelopment.

Debbie Anthony has campaigned for a pavement ever since the building work commenced. She said, “As a resident of Crane Road, I see 300 children, twice a day, walking along a really busy road.  Like many other parents, I fear for their safety.”

John Woodward Conservative County Councillor for the Camborne West division said: “When Mrs Anthony first raised this matter with me, it was obvious that there was potential danger to the children attending the school and I therefore gave the pavement top priority within my small annual Highways improvement budget.

“I am delighted that the town council has fully supported this proposal. When completed the new stretch of pavement will make a considerable improvement to what has become a very dangerous strip of road.”

Mrs Anthony added: “I am really pleased that Mr Woodward has been able to instigate the construction of a safe path for our children to walk along.”

Mark Formosa: Now let’s save UKHO jobs

MARK FORMOSA, the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Taunton Deane has welcomed news that a campaign to keep the UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton has been successful.

However, he warned that attention should now turn to making sure that none of the 1,000 jobs at the Admiralty chart makers were lost as a result of possible privatisation.

Mark Formosa said although the Defence Minister, Derek Twigg, had ruled out relocating the department to Exeter, he had now turned his attention to the ‘status’ of the business - which was a euphemism for considering privatisation. Mark reiterated the pledge made by George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, that a Conservative Government would both have kept the Hydrographic Office in Taunton and ensured it was not privatised.

Mark, who supported the campaign along with Conservative councillors on Taunton Deane Borough Council, and who took up the issue with the Shadow Cabinet, pointed out that the timing of the Minister’s announcement just a day before a General Election was to have been called, illustrated just how concerned was the Government that the Conservatives stood to win the Taunton Deane seat.

Mark Formosa said: “The timing of the announcement is an obvious ploy by the Government to deflect from what would have been a strong General Election campaign by the Conservatives in Taunton Deane. However, I welcome the announcement by the Government that the Hydrographic Office will remain in Taunton, although our attention must now turn to making sure that the Government does not try to cut jobs through partial-privatisation of the service, as the Minister has indicated is possible.”

“It still looks like the Government wants to privatise the commercial arm of the service which is making profits, while expecting it to continue providing the country with information of great strategic value for our national security. Any such move would result in heavy job losses for our area and must be resisted. If a business is owned by the Government and also makes a profit, how is that a bad thing?”

Support for culture from the Conservatives

SIAN FLYNN,  the Conservative prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North Cornwall quizzed Shadow Minister Ed Vaizey about the Tories’ approach to arts funding when she met him at the Party Conference in Blackpool.

Sian’s been a fundraiser in the arts for many years, working with organisations both large and small, and she’s passionate about the impact the arts can have not just on the well being of society as a whole – have you left a great performance with a spring in your step? – but also about the impact that watching or taking part in arts activity can have.

She said: “‘I’ve seen young people blossom and grow through taking part in performing arts, and many from the most disadvantaged backgrounds have their self-esteem boosted, and their aspirations raised through arts activity.’

“As an arts fundraiser, though, some of the processes that we have to take part in to get hold of funding from Government organisations leave you sapped of energy, and also have major costs to the organisations bidding, which can be very damaging, particularly if the companies are small.

“Funding through Government agencies often demands detailed data collection based on Government inspired targets.  Whilst the aims might be laudable, frankly the cost to an organization of collecting and monitoring data in this kind of detail can be huge.  Too often now the arts feel as if they are being used for social engineering, rather than cultural and personal enrichment’.

‘I was very pleased to hear Ed Vaizey, who is the son of art critic Marina Vaizey, talk about the Tories’ approach to the arts and cultural and creative industries. Ed said ‘We absolutely understand the value of the arts to our country, and when we’re elected, will be committed to sweeping away the tick box culture that has emerged in the last ten years, which has been so dispiriting.  It’s time to trust the professionals, and that way we’ll also significantly reduce the cost of administering the bidding process – so more money for the front line’.

Will a regional Fire Control lead to an 80% cut in 999 staff?

AT A recent meeting at Shire Hall, Conservative County Councillors revealed evidence that could show that the Government plans to cut the number of people answering 999 calls by 80 per cent.

In an article in this month’s Quedgely News, Parmjit Dhanda, the Fire Minister and Labour MP for Gloucester, has revealed that only 4 of Gloucestershire’s jobs will transfer to the regional control.  At the moment, Gloucestershire employs 22 people in its Fire Control Centre.   

Councillor Will Windsor-Clive, Conservative Cabinet Member for Emergency Services, commented: “We only have Parmjit Dhanda’s word to go on, but, if what he says is true, this is dire news. 

“If cuts in staff numbers are this size right across the region, I have serious doubts about the regional call centre’s ability to cope with 999 calls if there is any sort of region-wide emergency –such as further widespread floods.  This causes yet more serious questions which the Government must answer – and is yet another reason to put the regional Fire Control on hold.”

 

Lib Dems attack investment in Smith Aerospace

AT A recent Council Meeting at Shire Hall, Liberal Democrat and Labour Councillors called for Gloucestershire County Council to scrap investments in companies like Cheltenham based Smiths Aerospace. 

Opposition councillors specifically called for the council’s almost £1b pension fund to avoid investing money in defence companies – highlighting specifically BAE Systems.  Defence and Aerospace companies play a key role in the Gloucestershire economy, employing hundreds of people.

Councillor Barry Dare, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, commented: “It’s just not right to try to play politics with the pensions of Gloucestershire County Council staff and pensioners in this way. 

“I would be quite happy to discuss how we regulate the arms industry in this country – which is one of the most tightly regulated in the world.  But this sort of blanket attack on companies who employ thousands of people in this country is badly thought out.  Gloucestershire people who work for companies like Smiths and others in the defence and aerospace sectors should be very worried about the way in which the Liberal Democrats and Labour see them.”

Emergency Resilience for Taunton Deane - Formosa calls for flood protection for local electricity and water works

SUGGESTIONS put forward by Mark Formosa, the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Taunton Deane, could help reduce the impact of any future natural emergency such as the floods which recently devastated parts of Gloucestershire.

 Mark put forward a number of action points during a briefing he received on Somerset’s emerging plans for coping with any such flooding or other disaster which might befall the Deane.

 He said: “Utility companies should be forced to protect vital services to avoid the Gloucestershire debacle happening here. Electricity installations and water works should be located on high ground, or robust flood prevention works should take place as a top priority for areas under threat like Taunton Deane.

 “We should not forget that protection is needed for our sewage works as flooding causes the discharge of dangerous effluent which causes the spread of disease.”

The briefing was given by the Somerset local authorities’ civil contingencies manager, and Mark was also accompanied by Lydeard ward Somerset county Councillor Christopher Wolverson.

Afterwards, they visited Norton Fitzwarren Village Hall, where earlier this year Mark Formosa attended the annual parish meeting while proposals were aired for using the hall as an emergency centre for any casualties in the event of a natural disaster.

 Councillor Christopher Wolverson said: “This briefing needed to take place so that Taunton can have an MP who is fully connected to what will be happening on the ground should the worst come to the worst. Mark Formosa told the emergency planning department of the importance of protecting local electricity networks and water works from flooding, and these ideas will now be followed up by the county council as the local resilience framework is drawn up.”

Time to inspire teenagers in Teignbridge: Anne Marie Morris

ANNE MARIE MORRIS has backed proposals outlined by Conservative leader David Cameron for the creation of a voluntary ‘citizen service’ for all 16-year-olds.

Building on the work of the Young Adult Trust, Mr Cameron recently outlined plans for school leavers and those going to college to take part in a six-week programme, including charity work and physical training.

The scheme would allow everyone involved to be able to meet, interact and develop friendships with participants from a range of different backgrounds. The Conservative leader said insisted it would boost participant’s pride in themselves and Britain.

Giving her backing to the scheme Anne Marie, the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Newton Abbot said: “One of the biggest problems we face – across Teignbridge but also in the country as a whole – is how to heal our broken society.

“It certainly won’t be easy, but I think that establishing a National Citizen Service for young people could be one of the ways to go about it. At the moment, too many teenagers feel neglected by society. This programme, I think, would help them to feel part of it, and to feel that they had a stake in its success. You don’t trash what you value.

“While this is not the National Service of the 1950s, it is a way of preparing the young for the future, and of teaching them values that they will carry with them into adulthood – as happened with our parents and grandparents. If we can re-capture the ethos of service to the nation, and of contributing to society, through something designed very much for the 21st Century, I think there would be a huge benefit for those involved, for local communities, and for society as a whole.’

The programme was also welcomed by Rachel Billing, a member of Teignbridge Youth Council, who said that a scheme designed to focus the energies and talents of young people in the area was long overdue. She said: “We definitely need to do something to inspire teenagers, and to tap into the high levels of enthusiasm that most of them have.

“This idea sounds really good, because it would help young people to develop their social skills, and to gain valuable experience for the future – all while meeting new people and having a great time.”

Mel Stride and Angela Browning MP visit Crediton Hospital.

A CAMPAIGNER has reiterated his calls for a prompt solution to safeguard the future of a vital community hospital ward to be found.

Mel Stride issued the call after he and Angela Browning MP visited Crediton Hospital recentyl for a tour if the Kirton and Boniface wards.

Mel, the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Central Devon, has been campaigning on behalf of the local community amid growing apprehension over the long-term future of the Boniface Ward at the community hospital.

The ward provides provides vital inpatient care for those suffering from mental illness, including dementia.  However, its future has been the subject of intense speculation within the town since the Devon Partnership Trust – which is commissioned to run the ward, “temporarily” closed it to inpatients.

Speaking after the visit, Mel said: “I was last shown around Crediton Hospital in May and it was excellent to be back and to be able to catch up with staff and to talk with patients.

“This is a wonderful and special resource for Crediton but, as in May, there are still parts of the hospital that are too quiet and are being underused whilst discussions about the future of Boniface continue.

“We need to move towards a solution on Boniface as soon as possible in order to get our hospital back up and running to its full potential.”

At the last Crediton Hospital Campaign Group meeting Mr Stride suggested that the group secure a meeting with the Devon Partnership Trust to discuss the options for a way forward and the Trust has now organised this meeting for 25th September.

Since the last meeting of the Campaign Group Mr Stride has had discussions with the Chief Executives of both the Primary Care Trust and the Devon Partnership Trust along with various other stakeholders.

Mr Stride said, “There are various options being considered at the moment but I think it is best to wait until we have had our meeting with the Trust on the 25th before making any detailed comment.”

However, Mr Stride added that he felt there had been some “positive thinking” on the part of the Trust and that there were some specific ideas that he will be pursuing with them at the meeting.

Welcoming the fact that local doctors have formed a group to provide input into the discussions, Mr Stride said: “The views of local medical practitioners will be vital. They are close to patients, to carers and to the hospital.

“They understand both the needs of their patients and the value of the various approaches to care. We should listen very seriously to their comments and recommendations.

If there is a way forward for the hospital that meets with the approval of the Trusts and the campaign group then I will be pressing for the Crediton Hospital Campaign Group to have an official role in monitoring the actions of the Trusts, in terms of their delivery, on all commitments made.”

ENDS

Local homes for local people – the Cornish solution.

SARAH NEWTON has issued a call to Cornwall County Council to make land available for a vital affordable housing scheme in the Duchy.

Sarah has been working closely with colleagues, both locally and in Westminster, to find urgent and practical solutions to the current housing shortage.

Earlier this year, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Truro & Falmouth, met with Alan Fox, Community Land Trust Project manager to find a solution to the current shortage of reasonably priced housing for local people to buy or rent in Carrick.

Sarah said: “We believe that the Cornwall Community Land Trust that Alan has set-up is a good way forward to help deliver local homes for local people. Publicly owned land is transferred into the Land Trust upon which reasonably priced homes are built.

“They are sold or rented to local people who would other wise not be able to afford to buy or rent. The Trust decides who is eligible. If an owner of one of the homes decides to sell the property, it is sold to another local person, thus ensuring the homes remain for the sole benefit of local people and their community.’

The Community Land Trust is a providential charity and is independently managed. Alan Fox has successfully set-up pilot projects around Cornwall.

Mark Prisk MP, Shadow Minister for Cornwall met with Sarah and the Carrick team last week and comments, “I was most impressed with this proposal. Sarah Newton is leading the way in finding practical ideas to help house local people. It’s great to see see ideas in Cornwall leading the way.”

Sarah and her Carrick colleagues are calling on Cornwall County Council to make land available to the Trust.

Cornwall County Council is one of the largest landowners in the county with land in and around our towns and villages.

Commenting, Steve Chamberlain, Carrick cabinet member said: “We want to build affordable homes for local needs. I don’t see our kids being able to live here in the foreseeable future if we fail.

“We don’t want to build large numbers of market rate houses simply to subsidise vital local needs housing. Yet we will, I believe, be forced down that route by the Regional Assembly through their Regional Spatial Strategy unless we come up with plausible alternatives.

“Currently, there seems to be a willingness to put more than 50,000 new houses in Cornwall in the next 20 years, 12,000 in Carrick alone.  I believe we need probably only 40 per cent of that figure for local needs.

“With land now approaching £1million per acre in some parts of Carrick, our options are drying up and it is becoming more and more difficult to deliver the number of affordable homes needed.

“The Community Land Trust initiative, whilst still in its infancy, shows a great deal of promise and should be allowed to develop as one way of providing homes for locals without having to concrete over our county.”

Sarah is dismayed that Cornwall County Council and the RDA have been reluctant to pass over land to the Trust to build homes.

She said: “The Community Land Trust project has identified many appropriate sites for development where there is real local need and the land is not being made available.

“Cornwall County Council should be working much harder on this issue and freeing-up the land for the Trust. As the land is to be used for affordable housing the council is not obliged to sell-it to the highest bidder.”

Keith Brown, Carrick cabinet member added: “We would like to see Cornwall County Council fully support the Community Land Trust Project and provide the funds for Alan Fox to employ four more staff who could work on more developments in partnership with district, town and parish councils.

“At the moment the project is funded by Cornwall County Council, DEFRA and CRHA and we would like to see Cornwall Council use the money they already receive from council tax on second homes to pay for this.”