The Government wants to introduce food and garden waste collections across the country and make recycling simpler. Simplifying and strengthening the recycling process is something I’ve supported since becoming an MP, please spare a few minutes to have your say. On this issue Cornwall Council has been in step with the Government so food and garden waste collections should become the norm. However, consultations are useful as the plans can be refined. Click here for more information.
I’m personally pleased that we have a change of administration at County Hall. There is an opportunity to take a close look at spending to ensure Cornwall Council is efficient with its resources. This is important as it improves the service and increases what can be provided. Two examples where transparency is needed is how the Council has spent £4.4m of tax-payers money to address homelessness across the Duchy. We may find that every penny has transformed the life-chances of people who are homeless. However, it is not yet clear how this significant sum has been spent. Also the Covid Winter Grant scheme (just shy of £2m to Cornwall) may well have been distributed to help exactly the children and families who needed it but sadly, I was unable to get any clarity on this when I asked the former portfolio holder responsible for this area. Even this week as MPs the six of us met virtually with No 10 staff to press for greater investment across Cornwall as part of the G7 Summit Legacy. There is no lack of desire to do this but the task is made much easier if Treasury can be confident that the money will be used wisely and as intended for the residents of Cornwall. They have greater reason to be confident under the new administration.
It was lovely to see the Queen albeit virtually this week at the State Opening of Parliament. Her service to our nation is remarkable and I hope that she will have many more opportunities to address the nation. She inspires trust and reassurance which is in short supply. The Queen’s Speech itself may not cheer everyone but there was plenty for people who need a home, training, a decent job and who care for the environment. On the environment - the Environment Minister is our speaker at next week’s West Cornwall Climate Focus Event and she will be setting out the timetable and ambition of the flagship Environment Bill. Taking place at 4pm on Zoom on Wednesday please email [email protected].
Monday will bring a whole raft of extra freedoms to people in England. These include no more face coverings in classrooms, outside social gatherings of up to 30, more sporting opportunities and hotels, guest houses and campsites can open. The full list can be found on the Government website. This week saw the milestone of no covid deaths in a 24 hour period and infection rates continue to fall. Which is a triumph for everyone who has worked so hard to keep on top of covid-19.
I’ll conclude with an easier link to copy - www.keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean. Please don’t forget the opportunity to pledge at least two hours of litter-picking as part of the Great British Spring Clean from 28 May – 13 June.
