Post Office Campaign Victory for West Cornwall!

After a campaign by Cllr Roger Harding and myself and thanks to our Conservative leadership within Cornwall Council we have been able to increase the options available for paying Council Tax.
Until now former Penwith council tax payers were charged an additional £2.40 Transcash fee for each payment when paying via the Post Office despite the fact that council tax payers elsewhere in Cornwall were able to pay free of charge.
From September 1st (next week) council tax payers in Penwith will be able to pay their Council Tax at their local Post office at no extra cost.

Elderly people in particular find it convenient to pay their council tax at the post office and many other people would like to support their post office without being penalised in this way. Post offices are still under pressure and this is one thing we can do to help them
Council Tax payments can be made at the Post Office with no additional fee from September 1st by means of a Paypoint Card. These can be obtained from Cornwall Council free of charge.

As Conservatives we are committed to increasing the role of post office branches and this new service helps to make our rural branches in particular more sustainable. However, there is room for improvement with the Paypoint card scheme. It can take up to three weeks for your payment to be processed and by that time many people have received reminders from Cornwall Council. I have spoken with Cornwall Council to see if this can be resolved as this has the potential of discouraging people from paying via the post office. We must do all we can to support our local post office

Parliamentary Expenses: MY PLEDGE TO YOU

Ever since the details of MPs expenses were first published, people have been furious about the excessive, unacceptable and possibly illegal claims made by some of the people we send to represent us in the House of Commons.

I can understand people feeling like that - MPs from all parties have abused the trust we placed in them.

As your local Conservative Candidate I want to make it clear to you that I will not play the system.
I will not bend the rules.
I will not break the law.
Instead, I will abide by the standards that politicians expect others to live by.

My commitment to you:
I, Derek Thomas, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for the St Ives Constituency, promise to:

1. Publish on my personal website details of all my personal and office expenses incurred as your Member of Parliament.

2. Open up my unedited expense claims to local newspapers at the end of every financial year.

3. Never claim for food.

4. Pay for my own laundry and dry-cleaning.

5. Never claim for furniture or household goods: and

6. Meet my own tax liabilities – such as stamp duty – without claiming them from the tax-payer.

7. Hold regular public meetings where constituents can question me about my performance, my voting record and my expenses.

I am standing to be an MP because, as a local resident and father of two young children, I want to make St Ives a better place to live. I hope these commitments convince you that if you place your trust in me I will not abuse it. Let me know what you think of what David Cameron and I are proposing - and what else we could do to restore your trust.

Shadow Health Secretary backs independence for West Cornwall Hospitals

I recently had lunch with Andrew Lansley MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and senior health professionals I have got to know. Andrew Lansley expressed his concern following the very public unrest regarding the shift of cancer services from Cornwall and changes to the senior management team at Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT).

I invited Dr Francis Old and Bob Boyce, (both members of the West Cornwall Commissioning Group) to have lunch with Andrew Lansley because they have been influential in promoting much better methods for commissioning and delivering health services close to home. Dr. Old and Bob Boyce spoke of the frustrations caused by a top-down approach to commissioning healthcare in West Cornwall. Dr Old used this unique opportunity to stress that an incoming government must listen to local GPs if they want to deliver healthcare as ‘close to home as possible’. It was agreed that real budgets must be devolved to the local level so that health professionals who are in constant contact with their patients can decide for themselves what and how healthcare is commissioned. Resource allocation in Cornwall can then take into account local needs,particularly meeting the healthcare needs of an increasingly ageing population.

Our priority is to provide people with the right treatment in the right place and at the right time. This will only be achieved if we maintain a dialogue with our GPs. They are the experts on the ground and I want to see Cornish GPs given power to shape local services. This is far more effective than the current top-down approach

Andrew and I then went on to meet with Martin Watts, Chairman and Peter Colclough, the Acting Chief Executive of RCHT. They told us that for the first time ever, the RCHT has begun to prepare a 5-10 year strategy for the Hospitals Trust which should be completed by 31st October 2009. The publication of the plan should provide much needed clarity following years of disruption and unrest within the Trust. This strategy includes the plan to carry out a further 500 operations at West Cornwall Hospital along with increasing other services. Mr Watts and Mr Colclough confirmed their determination to put RCHT on a sound footing so that it could apply for Foundation status. Andrew Lansley is committed to seucring Foundation Hospital Status for Trusts such as RCHT, saying that this is the only way to give local people an effective voice regarding local health care delivery.

There is a significant need to restore confidence in the Hospitals Trust. Good work is being done to improve services however the senior managers said it would take 24 months before the public would experience the true benefit of many of the plans in place. The greatest opportunity facing us in West Cornwall is the proposal to achieve Foundation Status. This will give you and I a real say in how healthcare is delivered. Every effort must be made to this end.

Andrew Lansley has made a number of visits to Cornwall since being made Shadow Secretary of State for Health. Cornwall presents unique challenges to modern health provision due to its rural nature and thinly-spread population.

European Union to scrap current fishing quota rules

It’s great news that European fisheries ministers in Brussels have finally agreed that the new Common Fisheries Policy must be radically decentralised.
This would give more power to member states and to the fishing industry. It is quite clear to me that the existing system has failed the industry.

Hopefully the new Common Fisheries Policy will mean that less fish are needlessly discarded and more people can be attracted into the industry.

As a Conservative I am committed to a profitable and sustainable fish industry in Newlyn. It is clear that fishermen must have more power if this is to be achieved.
The current Common Fisheries Policy has been criticised both by scientists concerned with dwindling fish stocks, and by fishermen, who say it is threatening their livelihoods.

Targeting 'discards'

The European Commission itself admits the situation created by overfishing is "serious" - and yet in the last decade thousands of trawlermen across Europe have been forced to give up, many blame European regulations for driving them out of business.

EU member states are now being asked for their input on a new fisheries policy - one which officials promise will be radically different from the existing one.
A central aim is to minimise so-called "discarding" - throwing fish back to sea, dead or alive, because quotas have already been reached. For every kilogram of cod that was taken back to port from the North Sea in 2007 another kilogram was thrown back - mostly dead, according to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. It is essential that the fishing industry has a far greater input into creating the new policy and making it work in the long-term. Whatever is eventually agreed, the new Common Fisheries Policy must end the "discards" procedure; it must encourage fishermen to only target the fish they want and provide scientists with precise data on which to base their advice on stock numbers.

In the past year the Fishing Industry in Newlyn has been visited by some high profile Conservative MPs. David Cameron, Conservative Party Leader, met with representatives of the industry last summer to discuss the problem of discard and high fuel costs. In April this year Richard Benyon MP, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, joined Derek Thomas to discuss with the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, possible solutions to the problem of the discard problem. During his visit Richard Benyon assured Paul Trebilcock, Chief Executive, that the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation would be included in drawing up a new agreement, should the Conservatives form the next government.

The new European Common Fisheries Policy is due to be completed by 2012 and whilst Fishermen broadly welcome the review many fear it could be too late. Let’s hope this time it takes into account the views of the fishermen and conservation in a mature way.

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport visits Penzance

I was very pleased to welcome a visit to West Cornwall by Theresa Villiers MP, the Shadow Transport Secretary, last week. She joined me on a very productive fact-finding visit to hear more about proposals to improve the vital sea link between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly.

Theresa, George Eustice (Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Camborne, Redruth & Hayle) and I met with Matt Barton, the Localism Manager for West Cornwall, to hear about various options put forward for developing the harbour area.

We were also told about the latest developments over the scheme, which will see its main proposer agreeing to re-examine alternative plans.

Speaking after the visit Theresa said: “After receiving an extensive briefing on the proposals for regenerating Penzance Harbour, I was impressed with the project and the impact it could have on improving transport links for the town and for the Isles of Scilly. Clearly improving transport connections can provide a vital lifeline for the local tourist trade both on the islands and in Penzance."

The £43 million project has outlined proposals to extend the harbour to the south and build a new freight depot and passenger terminal. The application, which has prompted strong local debate, will be considered by planners on in the next few weeks.

It is essential that we improve the sea-link to the Isles of Scilly, both in handling freight and improving passenger experience. There are many well-publicised concerns regarding the proposals and many challenges ahead for the Route Partnership Team. My prime concern is that in declining economic climate securing adequate finance becomes increasingly difficult.

The Department of Transport has earmarked nearly £24 million for the development. We must keep pressure on the Government to ensure that this investment is secure despite the demands on the public purse during the recession

Theresa Villiers also met with members of the A30 Action Group, in Crowlas, during her visit. A number of representatives of the group and the local parish council explained how the plan for a by-pass had made significant progress before it was scrapped by the Labour Government.

Campaigners stressed the importance of a good main road into Penzance and said that the economic growth of West Penwith was being held back due to a poor transport network system.

Theresa said that it had been very valuable to come to Crowlas, to talk directly to local residents about their concerns on the A30. She said it had made her well- aware of the strength of local feeling about congestion problems in Crowlas and elsewhere on this key route for Cornwall.

So much in West Penwith and the Isles of Scilly depends on good transport links whether it is by rail, road, sea or air. The visit by Theresa clearly demonstrates that we are committed to making this constituency an attractive place to both visit and conduct business.

A healthy transport system is an essential part of the equation if we want to improve wage levels, reduce poverty and increase household income.

Putting the "fun" into "fundraising"!

Over the years I have found that Charity Car Washes are a great way to bring people together to raise money for good causes.

I recently organised a car wash with Chris Goninan at Penzance Fire Station to raise much needed funds for the Penwith Older People's Forum, which aims to be the voice for all older people living within Penwith District and improve their quality of life. Now boasting more than 500 members, the forum addresses issues affecting elders such as financial matters, loneliness and isolation, improving support services for carers, grants, and advocacy advice.

It was a genuinely community event with various youth groups taking part, including members of the Police Cadets, Army Cadets, the Scouts and members of the Youth Action Team and St Just Cricket Club as well as members of the Forum. Nearly 50 cars were washed, raising in excess of £270 for the Older People's Forum.

After the event Chris Goninan said ”This money will be used to help with the administrative costs of the Forum and to ensure we are represented at the meetings where important decisions are taken about our communities. It was a really enjoyable day with young and old working in partnership. My thanks to all concerned and this is the way to develop and enhance our communities."

Without the hard work of the young people we would have raised considerably less for the Older People's Forum. Our thanks go to everyone who helped and to the crew at Penzance Fire Station for being such excellent hosts."

Photo of Jack Yeates and myself

Parking victory in Penzance

New parking bays have now been created in Penzance car parks following my campaign to improve access to the Town Centre. I was able to secure the dedicated parking areas following a change in the way street parking is enforced.

Last year Cornwall County Council took over street parking enforcement and it soon became clear that motorcyclists had very limited provision in the Town Centre. I was made aware that some motorcyclists were no longer shopping in Penzance because of this problem, in my view the authority has a responsibility to improve access for shoppers, whatever their mode of transport.

Motorcyclist can now park free of charge in the car parks formally owned by Penwith District Council.

I am delighted by this victory for motorcyclists in West Cornwall, and my thanks go to Pete Verran, former Building and Engineering Manager of Penwith District Council and David Williams of Top Marks, for working hard to create these dedicated motorcycle Bays. Together we have achieved a small but significant tool in support of Penzance Retailers.

Photo pictured aboved: myself with David Williams and David Horwell of Top Marks and Mike Waters, Chairman of Penzance Chamber of Commerce.

Threemilestone Park and Ride: a model for the rest of Cornwall

My son Murray and I have made good use of the new Park and Ride at Threemilstone, Truro visiting my wife Tamsin and the early arrival of our second son.

I was half-way through a three-day visit to the Isles of Scilly when Tamsin was taken into Treliske in an ambulance with blue lights and a police escort to boot.

I think the Park and Ride Scheme is fantastic. With my wife and child likely to be in hospital for a few days, parking charges at Treliske could easily exceed £50. During the day I can make use of the Park and Ride Scheme for just £1 per day. For people in West Cornwall this is the only affordable method of hospital visiting.

Form filling and interference hitting the Isles' economy

Whilst visiting St Mary's I met with a number of community leaders. I held meetings with representatives of the Council, the Duchy and the Steamship Company to discuss proposals to improve the transport link by sea with the mainland.

As the Parliamentary Candidate for the Isles of Scilly, I am keen to understand how the current economic downturn may affect people’s jobs and I held lengthy talks with a number of people involved in tourism on the Islands. It is estimated that 85% of the islands economy relies on visitors.

As part of an on-going campaign to help small businesses by freeing up credit and stopping unnecessary form-filling, I spoke to a number of self-employed people. Nearly half of the Islands workforce is self employed.

When you visit a small, contained, community like this it is more evident how interference by the EU and Central Government leads to a lot of unnecessary form-filling and duplication. This interference means that half the work-force complete the same forms and self-assessments to establish facts that are already known. Businesses people are forced to attempt to meet criteria that shows a complete lack of understanding for Island life. Less Government interference could lead to people on the islands enjoying far greater control over their economy and identity. This could also be true for those of us on the mainland

Between meetings I was able to meet several members of the island community and discuss with them their concerns and challenges.People spoke well of the provision of education and healthcare on the islands. The need for accessible housing is high on the agenda and maintaining a transport link by sea and air fit for the 21st Century was of real concern

I was unable to complete my visit and have planned to return to the Isles of Scilly after the summer season.

A NEW DAWN FOR CORNWALL?

With the imminent hand-over of local government power to Cornwall Council, there is the potential for a new dawn, a brighter future.

Finally we get to say goodbye to David Whalley who, with the help of his Liberal Democrat colleagues on Cornwall County Council’s Executive (3 of whom are in the Penwith district) have done untold damage to our County and which has led to a failing (that’s right, it’s official) County Council. These Councillors have shunned the advice of local people, advice that could have built stronger foundations for the new council and reduced its spiralling costs.

Not every dawn brings good news, sadly with the loss of Penwith District Council we are to lose Jim McKenna, a Chief Executive who for 9 years has not sought to further his own career but rather champion Penwith across Cornwall and beyond.

Further to this and for the first time in 6 years, our council tax bill has exceeded the 2.5% increase to leap to 4.9%. This increase, pushed through by Cornwall County Council, is despite us all being in the grip of the worst recession for more than 30 years.

The people of Cornwall cannot afford to be treated as we have been in recent years and when choosing our representatives on June 4th we can not afford to repeat the mistakes of past elections. You will see from your Council Tax Bill that One Cornwall handles huge quantities of tax-payers money. Cornwall needs people who can deliver value for money – this requires clear leadership, good financial management and better public services.

Vote wisely on June 4th.