Congratulations Councillor Ian Thomas!!!

This will be the final post of this blog and marks the end of this election. I hope that those of you who have read it have found it helpful, particularly if you are a voter in Redruth South.

After the votes were counted it was finally announced on Friday afternoon that Ian Thomas (Independent) had achieved the most votes and was confirmed as our Cornwall Councillor for Redruth South.

The voting figures for Redruth South were as follows:

Ian Thomas (Independent) - 342 Votes (41%)

Will Tremayne (Labour) - 311 Votes (38%)

Ray Wyse (UKIP) - 173 Votes (21%)

Redruth South has a total of 3062 registered electors. Total number of votes cast was 826 giving a turn out this time of 27%. This is a significant fall from last time when 39% of us voted.

There were 471 postal votes which represents 57% of the votes cast.

All the facts and figures are set out on the Cornwall Council web site.

Redruth South results (opens in a new window)

The picture across the County was intriguing and once again no one political party or grouping has overall control of the Council. We now have our first 6 UKIP Councillors, 8 Labour Councillors and a Green Party Councillor.

The Conservative and Liberal Democrats who were the two largest groups on the Council previously with 88 of the 123 seats between them (Con 50, LD 38), saw gains and losses in various places. Overall the central government coalition parties have ended up with 67 seats between them (Con 31, LD 36). Theoretically this would enable them to join forces and control the Council however it remains to be seen whether they would reach agreement at a local level to make this work, or whether there would be a desire for them to work together with a General Election only 2 years away.

Before this election Cornwall Council was governed by a coalition of Conservative and Independent councillors. Again, theoretically these two groups have just enough Councillors between them to control the Council and form a cabinet. However by definition the Independent Councillors are not a political party so it will be interesting to see whether there is sufficient appetite or common ground amongst them to enable a viable cabinet to be constructed. 

Over the next few weeks there will clearly be much discussion and debate as our Councillors try to form a Cabinet.



    
   

Polls closing, let the counting begin

Well election day is now done and dusted. Votes have been cast andwithin the hour ballot boxes will be sealed and prepped ready for transfer to the counting centres. It's been a long day for the Council staff working in the polling stations.

It's no doubt been a tense day of final campaigning for election candidates across the UK with seats in Town & Parish Councils, Unitary Authorities, County and District Councils and a Westminster by-election in South Shields (courtesy of David Milliband) all happening on this Thursday 02 May. I'm sure there are some exhausted candidates and their supporters out there

Here in Redruth South, I expect that our 3 candidates for Cornwall Council, the unitary council which runs Cornwall, will tonight be trying their best to get a good night's sleep before  tomorrow's vote count begins over at Carn Brea Leisure centre in the morning.

The Council's election officers are expecting the first Divisional results to be announced "around lunch time" and I suspect we will get news drip fed throughout the day and possibly into the evening.

Here in Redruth South and in our neighbouring Divisions (Redruth Central, Redruth North, Four Lanes etc) it will be interesting to see how many of us have turned out to vote - remember we had a whopping 39% turnout here in 2009 - and, crucially, who will be our Cornwall Councillor for the next Council which runs from now until the next election in May 2017. 

For Cornwall as a whole the picture is intriguing. Some of the key questions are:

Will a single group be successful enough to win control of the Council?

What will happen to the share of the vote for the Coalition partners in the UK Government (i.e. the Conservatives and the Lib Dems)?

Will the Independent candidates do well in Cornwall?

Will the Labour and Mebyon Kernow increase their representation on the Council?

Will we see our first UKIP and Green Councillors in Cornwall?

The permutations are probably endless and completely beyond me! I shall be watching with interest. 

For those of you who are interested in seeing the developing picture, Cornwall Council's very clever web team have put together a really good clickable site which helps you to track how our votes are colouring in the map of Cornwall.

Here is the link to it ...

Cornwall live election map 2013 (opens in a new window)

Redruth South Polling Stations

There is some information which has been put up on the Cornwall Council web site about polling stations for Redruth South.

It seems there will be two polling stations operating for this Division. You can't, however, take your pick. The polling station you need to go to to cast your vote is written on your polling card which the Council will have sent to you.

The two polling stations for Redruth South are as follows:

Station No.1 Carn Brea Village Institute, Carn Brea Village, Redruth TR15 3BA

and

Trewirgie Junior School Annexe, Falmouth Road, Redruth TR15 2QN.

Both polling stations will be clearly signed and there should be arrangements in place to ensure disabled access. 

Also don't worry if you've lost your polling card - you can still vote. Just go to your polling station and speak to the polling officers there.

Some reasons why voting is important

This Thursday voters in Redruth South and across the rest of Cornwall will make a choice about who their Cornwall Councillor will be for the next four years.

The men and women elected to represent us on the Council will have to make some difficult decisions and use their judgement on matters affecting us. These range from planning (at a strategic and a local level), Cornwall's environment, how our waste is collected and disposed of, funding for social care and health services, community safety and the fire & rescue services, safety and well being of vulnerable children and adults, levels of Council Tax to name but a few.

It takes a very special sort of person to even want to take on this sort of responsibility and I applaud our three candidates in Redruth South, Ian Thomas (Independent), Will Tremayne (Labour) and Ray Wyse (UKIP) for being bold enough and community minded enough to stand.

This time next week we will hopefully know which of these three has been elected to serve as our Cornwall Councillor for Redruth South.

Whilst I'm interested in local politics (yes I'm a nerd!), clearly not everyone feels the same way. The turn out at local elections tends to be persistently low, often around 25% nationally and the recent elections of the Police and Crime Commissioner were much lower than that. Cornwall Council elections for Redruth South in 2009 bucked that trend with turn out at 39%, which by any standards is pretty good for a Council election.

I truly hope that we see a strong turn out again on Thursday. It will be interesting to see whether the absence of candidates in this Division from some of the main parties has an impact on whether people choose to vote or not. Of course other factors including the weather also play their part on polling day as well.

I was particularly struck by Rev. Simon Cade's regular column in this week's "West Briton" newspaper entitled "God in the 21st century". Rev. Cade of course is a well known figure in Redruth and someone who many voters will be familiar with. Simon sets out why he believes that there is a clear link between Christian compassion for our neighbour and voting in elections. He reminds us that Jesus never had the opportunity to vote because he lived in ancient Judea which was under Roman rule; a military dictatorship. Of course the same is true for many people across the world today. His piece finishes with the words "Vote, for Jesus Christ's sake, vote". As soon as I find one, I'll post a link up to take your straight to the full article.

So please vote, and please urge your eligable friends, family members and neighbours to vote.

Update regarding Ray Wyse (UKIP)

I just wanted to let you know that I've had a response e-mail from Ray Wyse, the UKIP candidate for Redruth South Division in the Cornwall Council election. Ray has told me that for family reasons he has to be out of County this weekend.
I still don't have a contact number for him and he hasn't given consent for me to publish his e-mail address. The only advice I can give to voters if they wish to discuss issues relating to the election is to try the UKIP Party website, or write to him at the address published by Cornwall Council in the election notice.

Full responses from Will Tremayne (Labour)

Reasons for standing

Why did you decide to stand for Cornwall Council in Redruth South division?

I was born on Falmouth Rd and grew up around the streets of Redruth. My children all attend Trewigie School as I did. I am passionate about the people and the town of Redrtuh. I want to see this Town get the best out of its council.

What qualifies you to be a good Cornwall Councillor for Redruth South?

Having been on the Town council for 2 years I have good insight into the issues that affect the people of Redruth.  I walk daily through the town and talk to town traders and parents at the school gate.

I am passionate about Redruth and have the drive to ensure that these voices are heard at county level.

Views on Local Government & Democracy

Do you believe that Councillors’ allowances are too high, too low or about right?

I believe that councillors should be remuneration for work they put in, (its important that people of working age should not be excluded from the local demographic process councillor allowances go some way to offset the loss of income. However under no circumstances should this rate be set by councillors. If elected I would abide by the recommendations of an independent remuneration panel. However it is wholly inappropriate to increase councillor’s allowances at a time when cuts are being made to front line services.

Usually there is a low turn out at Local elections in Redruth. How do you think you could engage people more to get involved in local politics?

I believe that all politics is local and low turn out is a consequence of our representatives failing to engage with local people. Local residents deserve to know where you stand on important local issues. But it is a two way process that is why, in addition to producing quartley newsletters and holding regular surgeries, I will consult people on local issues and hold public meetings when necessary. I want local residents to feel valued and more inclined to take part in the democratic process.

Welfare Reform

The Government is reducing welfare benefits and the Council has decided to charge people who previously received Council Tax benefit. Do you agree with what they are doing? How do you think this will impact the community in Redruth South? What are your ideas for dealing with these impacts?

Most people agree that the deficit needs to be reduced but it is wrong that central government has chosen to target the least well off whilst giving massive tax cuts to millionaires. This isn’t about making tough choices its about making the wrong choices.

Priorities for Cornwall & Redruth

Are you satisfied with the way Redruth Town Centre is developing? What do you think could and should be done to invigorate the town?

The town council as a team effort has been working hard in Redruth centre to promote the heritage industries as well as our more traditional shops. We are all very excited about the development of the brewery site and it’s potential to invigorate the town. Also with a new wave of convergence money available now is the time to be looking for new projects and this is something I would encourage the residents to consider. Projects that Redruth could bid for funding on. However it’s important that a town council is able to work closely with Cornwall Council that is equally committed to Redruth.

What do you see as Cornwall’s main priorities over the next 4 years and how can Cornwall Council help to address them?

My main priorities for Cornwall are;

• Promote a strong local economy.
• Keep Cornwall moving by protecting and improving public transport.
• Protect the elderly and vulnerable.
• Safeguard public services; Education, Libraries, social and youth services.
• Fight for Carn Brea Leisure centre.
• Support the National Health Service and Treliske Hospital.

Cornwall Council has frozen Council Tax again for next year and is planning to make some budget cuts in order to balance the books. This looks likely to mean reductions in some Council services and result in some job losses. Do you agree with the decision to freeze Council Tax for another year?

Make no mistake, the funding formula from central government means that that saving will have to be made. I will do my upmost best to ensure that front line services are protected particularly those for the elderly and vulnerable.

What do you consider should be the main principles underpinning financial strategy for 2014/15 and beyond?   

Cornwall councillors should never forget that the authority exists to deliver local services to local people and therefore financial principles should reflect this.

Health and Social Services

There is a policy agenda to bring Social Care and Health services together. What do you see as the main risks and opportunities for Cornwall arising from this?

A close and effective working relationship between social services and the health care provider is essential for a smooth running experience for the service user and should be encouraged. However I do have concerns that any changes should not cost jobs, services or be outsourced to companies that take the services out of Cornwall.

Law & Order / Public Safety

What are your views on how policing works in Redruth South? How could it be improved?

Cornwall is one of the safest areas in the UK however the fear of crime is ever present. The police personnel we have do an excellent job often under very difficult circumstances. Some of this fear would be allayed if facts were regularly made available to residents and an opportunity for any feedback made also available.

Full responses from Ian Thomas (Ind)

Reasons for standing

Why did you decide to stand for Cornwall Council in Redruth South division?

I have had a latent ambition to stand for Cornwall Council for a number of years and then, recently, I read an article which suggested that the community needed and wanted leaders who

• could and would take decisions in the best interests of Cornwall and not of any political doctrine
• make decisions based on common-sense and by taking the views of the electorate into consideration regardless of political persuasion
• wouldn’t be afraid to ask questions, even tough and awkward ones, in overview and scrutiny panels
• were prepared to take corporate responsibility for the Council’s decisions and their implementation without running away or burying their heads in the sand.

I thought for a moment … then said “That’s me!”

         

What qualifies you to be a good Cornwall Councillor for Redruth South?

I have been a Town Councillor since 2004, serving the Redruth South Ward between 2004 and 2007 and, likewise, the Redruth North Ward from 2007 until the present time.  I have also served the community as Redruth Town Mayor during the years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.

This ‘apprenticeship’ has resulted in a very good track record of performance and delivery and I am renowned for listening, hearing and acting on the views of the people I serve.

I also have a thorough understanding of how a Local Authority works through both my service as a Town Councillor and Mayor and as an Officer of what was then the Cornwall County Fire Brigade and Cornwall County Council from 1987 until 2009. 

Views on Local Government & Democracy

Do you believe that Councillors’ allowances are too high, too low or about right?

This is a difficult one for me having been an ‘unpaid’ Town Councillor for 9 years and an individual who gives a great deal of his time currently and freely to working with a number of charities.  However, I’m a great believer in the saying that if a job’s worth doing then it’s worth doing properly!  I know that I will give 100% and do my best to do it right.  On that basis I believe that the allowances are slightly too low if anything, but in these difficult economic times we all must tighten our belts.  

Usually there is a low turn out at Local elections in Redruth. How do you think you could engage people more to get involved in local politics?

People are clearly disenchanted with national politics and politicians.  There is an obvious distrust, whether that be caused by the expenses scandal; the lack of clearly defined policy; manifesto changes or, maybe, even personalities.  I believe that distrust has fostered the apathy that exists and has worsened the situation nationally and locally.

I have a very strong view that party politics should play no part in the workings of any Local Authority.  I would encourage the local electorate to seize the opportunity of the local elections to elect community leaders who will listen and respond to the views and needs of the community in which they serve ... an Independent Council for Cornwall. 

If you are elected, how will you keep in touch?

I will keep in touch in a number of open and transparent ways, particularly by engaging with the community face-to-face and at every opportunity.  Some of these opportunities will be created through a regular ‘surgery’, home visits, social media and the publication of my home address, private telephone number and e-mail contact.  I will endeavour to continue my meetings and work with all of the community groups that I am currently involved with – by way of just one example ‘Friends of Victoria Park’.

Welfare Reform

The Government is reducing welfare benefits and the Council has decided to charge people who previously received Council Tax benefit. Do you agree with what they are doing? How do you think this will impact the community in Redruth South? What are your ideas for dealing with these impacts?

A number of matters ‘collide’ here, sensitive matters that affect not only Redruth South, but the whole nation. 

Clearly there is a need for Welfare Reform as none of us can live in an economic climate where, in effect, the country and, maybe, the Unitary Authority might be threatened by bankruptcy yet benefits are being given without a thorough assessment of need.  I believe that there is something morally wrong, if nothing else, living in a society where some appear to be claiming benefits and living the life of Riley whilst others struggle to make ends meet though in full and gainful employment and without such financial support. 

The dilemma I have is how do we protect and support those in our community who are the most vulnerable, desperate and in genuine need – I and you both probably know of families where the work ethic doesn’t exist and other families where everyone works and yet life is a continual struggle.

Am I in favour of some form of means testing, well, whilst I know it will make me unpopular in some quarters, on balance I have to say that I am. 

Priorities for Cornwall & Redruth

Are you satisfied with the way Redruth Town Centre is developing? What do you think could and should be done to invigorate the town?

Well the short answer is no, despite the incredible efforts of the Town Council, some of its Members and Officers.  Your Town Council has invested significant resources in both the post of Town Development Manager and in partnership with a number of other ‘good souls’ from the community by trying to promote the town and increase footfall by the building of the ‘Events Programme’ and other initiatives.

What else can be done?  My view is that the Unitary Authority should invest capital – maybe just a slice of what has been/may have been invested in Eden, Newquay Airport, the Stadium for Cornwall or Falmouth Harbour - in the Redruth Action Plan which they have previously adopted as the Strategic Development Framework for the town. 

Traders, businesses and the Chamber of Commerce should be encouraged, again in partnership with the Town Council, to participate more freely in the obvious development needs of the town.  Maybe, the business community should pursue the Business Improvement District (BID) scheme which has been successfully implemented elsewhere in the County and Country.

Other things to be considered are the cost of Car Parking and Business Rates which are both high and at an unacceptable level. 

What do you see as Cornwall’s main priorities over the next 4 years and how can Cornwall Council help to address them?

To grow stronger communities through the building of affordable homes to rent and buy, not only to meet local needs, but as a driver for employment, regeneration and the sustainability of communities.

To make further capital investment in the ‘Local Transport Plan’, connecting people, communities, businesses and services and alongside the roll-out of the Broadband Super Highway.

To invest in and promote the sustainable use of low carbon technology and our natural resources such as solar and wave power in an effort to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

To devolve some powers and responsibilities to the Parish and Town Councils with the transfer of assets, services and budgets as intended under the ‘Active Partnering’ initiative. 

Cornwall Council has frozen Council Tax again for next year and is plan ing to make some budget cuts in order to balance the books. This looks likely to mean reductions in some Council services and result in some job losses. Do you agree with the decision to freeze Council Tax for another year?

No!  This freeze in Council Tax will, no doubt, result in a further reduction in the scope, quality and frequency of services to the community.  It is also likely to cause the cessation/closure of some services and further job losses and redundancies.  More people on benefits, a greater loss of skills and experience and a bigger demand on the welfare and caring services which remain.

What do you consider should be the main principles underpinning financial strategy for 2014/15 and beyond?   

My starter for ten would be a zero-based budget approach.  I mean by this that rather than just adding inflation or growth to the previous year’s budget as a given, each service and budget manager should be required to identify the needs of the community and the service (quality, standards, frequency etc) before identifying by estimate the cost of the provision or supply. 

This approach together with an improvement in efficiency and performance could/would release financial and possibly human resources to be better utilized elsewhere within the Council.

  

Health and Social Services

There is a policy agenda to bring Social Care and Health services together. What do you see as the main risks and opportunities for Cornwall arising from this?

The merging of Social Care and Health Services may provide an opportunity to resolve the gaps between the two services which currently put the more vulnerable at risk.  A combined service and budget may provide more joined-up care across the hospital, mental health and care sectors.  The proposals could also see Cornwall Council being much more involved in making decisions about the Health Service and the possibility of Hospitals expanding into the community and potentially running some of our Care Homes.However, there is a risk that the clinical commissioning groups (the new bodies taking control of Health budgets) could be undermined with, potentially, some power being taken away from Doctors and Nurses.

Law & Order / Public Safety

What are your views on how policing works in Redruth South? How could it be improved?

Firstly, I have to say that I was totally opposed to the Police and Cornwall Council ‘pulling the plug’ on the very active and regular Redruth Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings.  These meetings were initially replaced by the ‘Have your Say’ postcard campaign and then by the recent (now annual) survey under the Safer Cornwall umbrella.  However, I await the outcome of the survey, its action plan and its implementation before making a final judgement.

In respect of Redruth South, I am aware that there are outbreaks of crime and other anti-social behaviour in, but accept the local Police statistics that it is not as prevalent as in the Town Centre or Redruth North.  I have a strong view that fewer numbers make it no less important though.

Also, it is evidenced that crime and anti-social behaviour create fear for the elderly and other vulnerable individuals and groups of our society.  The presence of Police Officers and PCSO’s on the streets and in the community fosters a sense of security whilst reducing that perceived threat and fear.  More importantly it reduces the frequency of such events and encourages the community to report suspicious individuals and criminal activity.

I would hope that in the near future I will be given the opportunity of meeting both the Sector Inspector and the Police and Crime Commissioner to raise both my personal and the community’s concerns over the reducing Police budget and the impact that this is having on Police numbers and their visibility.