We are in the thick of it in Scilly as we work to establish how best to improve the sea-going link to the islands. The core objective is to deliver a resilient and affordable service for passengers and freight and the challenge is how to best interpret what this looks like in a short period of time. Our plans for investment must be with Government mid-June. There is time for people who have an interest in this to email me with any concerns or suggestions they have regarding the link. Anyone who has used the service will have a particular perspective, especially in relation to the set-up and experience at the Penzance end. Please send in your ideas for improvement to Derek.Thomas.mp@parliament.uk.
I’ve signed up to this year’s Great British Spring Clean. In its 6th year we are asked to make a particular effort to pick litter between May 28th and June 13th. Across Cornwall and Scilly picking plastic and litter is now part of a daily or weekly routine for hundreds of people but it is good to join a national effort once in a while! After all, the rest are just catching on 😀! You can sign up: Www.keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean
The G7 Summit will have a detrimental impact on many people living in and around Carbis Bay and St Ives for a short period of time. Despite this I’m grateful that West Cornwall can host this critical conference. The 2021 Summit is significant as it seeks to agree an international response to the covid pandemic and the climate emergency. Both are monumental issues that impact the world’s poorest people most of all. We are honoured to play our small part in responding to these devastating situations. The very worst of the disruption for us as a result of the Summit (I am conscious that I do not live in Carbis Bay so I seek to tread carefully) is relatively low compared to that faced by millions of people around the world at the moment.
The ‘Carbon Neutral Report’, is now available and it looks at what was being done by Government pre-2015 and documenting the progress that has been made in every succeeding year since. I know many people are looking for decisive and comprehensive action to respond to the challenge to cut carbon emissions - this is happening. However, so much of the action is poorly communicated and it is not made clear how this will impact everyone of us.
I’ve drafted this report with my office to attempt to capture the sheer extent of Government and Parliament commitment to the climate crisis. I hope it serves to reassure people and help the conversation move on to where the gaps remain and what legislation and action is needed. Anyone wishing to read a copy of the report should contact Derek at derek.thomas.mp@parliament.uk.
A new facebook page for all of Cornwall has been launched in support of the 20’s Plenty campaign- https://www.facebook.com/groups/471801700821604 The Cornwall Council are currently undertaking a review of their 20 mph zone policy and together we can show them the strength of support across the County.
