Wednesday 30 May 2018

Newspaper column 30 May 2018 - The Council of Europe


Parliament has now risen for Recess after a week where I was really pleased to have spoken in a number of debates on matters important to Mid-Cornwall, including the continuing issues around school holidays and term-time fines, and the roll out of the new First Kernow bus fleet.

Over Recess I look forward to getting out and about and talking to as many local people and businesses as possible about the issues, local and national that matter to you.

One other thing I will be doing in preparing for my new role as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which the Prime Minister appointed me to last week.

This is a real honour and as far as I am aware, I am the first Cornish person to be appointed to this body in its history.

The Council of Europe is an international organisation whose stated aim is to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Founded in 1949, it has 47 member states, covers approximately 820 million people and operates with an annual budget of approximately half a billion euros.

Although we are leaving the EU, we will still be part of the European Council and I look forward to bringing my Cornish credentials to this organisation in the future.

Of particular note to where we live, it was the European Council that granted ethnic minority status to Cornish people after years of campaigning from Cornwall.

As a true Cornishman, I am particularly keen to look at this further and use my role to make sure the Government takes their findings into account fully and fairly.  

I look forward to attending the Council of Europe  in the future and speaking up for Cornwall.
It will also be helpful in the debate I will be holding on 11 June in Parliament on the Cornish Nationality and the campaign for a Cornish tick-box on the next national census.

Along with Cornish MP colleagues and Cornwall Council I have been campaigning for the inclusion of a tick box for people who identify as Cornish on the next national census and this will be a great opportunity to highlight this issue nationally in Parliament.

My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events

Wednesday 23 May 2018

Newquay newspaper column 23 May - Plans for Cosgarne Hall in Newquay...


Last week I was approached by a very large number of residents with significant concerns that the people who run Cosgarne Hall, a wet house for people with chaotic lifestyles in St Asutell are planning on opening a similar facility on Eliot Road in Newquay.

The people who have contacted me understand, as do I, that we must do what we can to support and rehabilitate those people who have fallen on hard times and suffer for all sorts of reasons from drug and alcohol addiction and the chaotic, damaging and disruptive behaviour this can bring.

However they are concerned that such support needs to be appropriate, both for the people it is trying to help, but also for the communities in which such facilities are in.

People who have contacted me are concerned that the proposed location of the facility is wrong. It is a primary residential area. There are two nurseries nearby. Children regularly use the road to walk to school. There are a number of well-established B&Bs. From past experience the residents of a facility such as this, located in the middle of a town in a residential area, have caused numerous anti-social behaviour issues in their community, and people are concerned that the same will happen in Newquay if this goes ahead.

Another concern raised with me is that services provided by a facility to help those with drug and alcohol problems needs to not allow such activities on their premises. Cosgarne Hall is a wet facility and as such residents are allowed to drink on site. I do not think this helps with rehabilitating them.
Residents are all also concerned that, as in St Austell, having a facility like this, will lead to more and more people coming in, not just from Newquay and its surrounding communities, but from all over the country, to stay at the facility and then remain in the town once their funded placement has finished. People are concerned that because of how this type of facility operates, this will to a number of people with unresolved issues remaining in Newquay and causing issues with anti-social behaviour, as has happened in St Austell.

I have already made urgent representations to Cosgarne Hall, Cornwall Council, local police and the Diocese that currently has ownership of the building in question, and will do all I can to ensure the concerns of Newquay residents and businesses, are taken into account.

My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events

Newspaper column 23 May 2018 - Progress with plastics


Last week saw some more excellent progress in the campaigns I have supported that seek to cut down on the use of single-use plastics in our society today.

Firstly on Monday I was delighted to welcome the inspirational Rob and his daughter Emily Stevenson to discuss the work they have been doing with the Beach Guardian Initiative, which has done so much both locally in Cornwall and nationally to raise awareness of and fight against the single use plastic menace that troubles our seas and beaches.

I have previously met Rob in St Austell and it was good to catch up in Parliament both to see how their work has come on since we last met, but also so that other MPs can see what they have done and continue to show that Cornwall leads the way when it comes to looking after our environment and living sustainably.

Following this, on Tuesday we had some great news on the success of the Plastic Free Parliament campaign, as the House of Commons confirmed it will be cracking down on single use plastics.
Sir Paul Beresford, Chair of the Administration Select Committee, announced that over the next twelve months, the House of Commons will:

End sales of water in plastic bottles; introduce a 25p additional cost for using single use coffee cups; incentivise use of reusable cups through additional loyalty rewards; start selling reusable cups to encourage behaviour change; introduce fixed condiment dispensers to replace plastic sachets; replace disposable catering items that are currently plastic with compostable; replace plastic cups with compostable ones; replace plastic bags with paper ones, as well as a raft of other measures designed to help Parliament operate more sustainably.

This is excellent news and a brilliant result to the positive campaign that is the result of many people and organisations working together. I am pleased to have particularly worked with Surfers Against Sewage and Sky Ocean Rescue to achieve this great progress in just months.

The changes announced show that real change can be achieved through grassroots movements. I am delighted that Sir Paul recognised the role played by Surfers Against Sewage and by extension the work so many in Cornwall are playing in driving the change we need to look after our environment and live more sustainably.

I have been pleased to take part in a number of litter picks and beach cleans in Mid-Cornwall and it has been great to see our communities recognise there is a need to do something about the rubbish, much of it single-use plastics that litters our highways and byways. Thanks to everyone who has been out and continues to go out on these events – setting a really positive example for the rest of us to follow.

I will continue working on both local and national campaigns to lead the fight against plastics waste polluting our seas.

My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events


Monday 14 May 2018

Newspaper column 16 May 2018 - Mental Health Awareness Week


This week is Mental Health Awareness Week.

Research has shown that two thirds of us experience a mental health problem in our lifetimes. Mental illness is the single largest cause of disability.  There is now good evidence that tackling some major mental health problems early reduces subsequent problems, improves people’s life chances, and also saves money for the wider economy.

Yet mental health services have for several decades been the ‘poor relation’ compared to acute hospital services for physical conditions.

This Government is changing that, working with the NHS to providing extra focus and funding on mental health services.

Nationally we have seen from the NHS:

Decisive investment upturn, with overall mental health funding up £1.4 billion in real terms compared to 3 years ago.

120,000 more people getting specialist mental health treatment this year than 3 years ago, including over 20,000 more children and young people.

Regarding this age group in particular, for too long we have had to see children and young people, at a time when they are most vulnerable, having to travel across the country to access badly needed support, due to the lack of an inpatient facility for children and young people in Cornwall.. This puts unbelievable strain both on them and their families, so a facility in Cornwall is absolutely essential
After much campaigning from local organisations and the Cornish MPs, last year I was pleased to welcome the announcement of £4million funding from the Government for this long-needed mental health in-patient unit for children and young people in Cornwall. The turf cutting for this building took place at the beginning of May this year and I look forward to seeing it open in April 2019.

Furthermore, Royal Cornwall Hospital is one of 74 sites from around the country that has been offered £30m as part of the ‘Core 24’ standard for mental health liaison, meaning a fully-staffed team will be operating 24/7 in the hospital, offering a one-hour response to emergency mental health referrals in A&E.

These are all good steps in the right direction but there is much more to do, both in raising awareness of mental health issues in general terms throughout our society for all age groups, but also in providing the funding and expertise to treat them.

I am particularly aware that our mental health services in Cornwall are under great pressure and there is a real need for more funding to make it to the ‘front line’ so that we deliver much better outcomes for people.

This is an issue I will continue to campaign on and work with our local NHS in order to continue to make real progress. Mental Health Awareness Week is a good time to take stock of the progress we have made but also to reiterate our commitment to tackling this issue now and for future generations.

I believe it is also a timely reminder to us all of the importance of looking after our own mental and emotional health, and that of our family and friends, and ensure that we care for and support the people in our lives.

My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events


Wednesday 9 May 2018

Newspaper column 9 May 2018 - NPPF Consultation


One of the big consultations going on at the moment is regarding the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the legislation that underpins the planning system that controls new building developments in our country.

While the passing of Cornwall’s local plan a couple of years ago and the ongoing work carried out by hard-working volunteers to bring in Neighbourhood Development Plans on a Parish and Town level gives weight to local views in planning, it is the NPPF that planning officers in county hall and the planning inspector, uses as the foundation of their decision-making.

The consultation as it stands currently has a number of changes proposed, some of which I support and some of which I do not.

One thing in this consultation that I am very much in favour is of the additional layer of protection given to protected areas to excuse them from the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’, which normally makes it much easier for applications to get permission.

Presumption in favour of sustainable development, in planning terms means approving development proposals that accord with an up-to-date development plan without delay, or where there are no relevant development plan policies, or the policies which are most important for determining the application are out-of-date, the planning officer must grant permission.

However the NPPF will now read that if the application of policies that protect areas or assets of particular importance provide a clear reason for refusing the development propose, or any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the NPPF taken as a whole, then the presumption in favour of sustainable development can be disregarded.

Crucially, the policies referred to above are those relating to sites protected under rules such as, among others, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Local Green Space,  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), defined as Heritage Coast or otherwise irreplaceable habitats.

We are lucky to have a number of places with these designations in Mid-Cornwall and their presence does a lot to encourage tourism. Visitors come from far and wide to see the stunning Cornish coast and countryside and we must do all we can to protect this from unnecessary and inappropriate development.

I am concerned about some muddling of the planning legislation around AONB rules that could make them weaker in the eyes of developers.  In my previous experience as a councillor prior to becoming an MP, the AONB rules we currently have in the NPPF are fit for purpose and robust enough to deter developers from building inappropriately. I am very much against weakening the planning legislation we have in place to protect our AONB and have written to the Minister for Housing outlining my concerns in response to this consultation.

The consultation runs until 10 May and you can have your say via the below link:
My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events



Wednesday 2 May 2018

Newspaper column 2 May 2018 - Universal Credit Rollout


As we head into May, we will be seeing the full roll out of the Universal Credit benefit (UC) to the St Austell and Newquay constituency and indeed across Cornwall.

Universal credit is a new benefit being gradually introduced across the UK, replacing means-tested benefits and tax credits for working-age people.

There have been issues with its administration since it started going live, but this is why the government has taken it slowly. I am pleased to see the Department for Work and Pensions has listened to feedback from myself and other MP colleagues and acted accordingly meaning the UC we have now is much improved over previous proposals.

Recent figures show the employment rate is at a joint record high, the unemployment rate is at its 40-year low, and the rate of women in work is at a record high, meaning more people are able to provide for their families, but there is still more to do to make the economy work for everyone.

The benefits system the Coalition Government inherited in 2010 was incredibly complicated, with many conflicting rules and systems meaning it was hard to make work pay and ensure everyone claiming benefit got what entitled to.

Universal credit seeks to roll many existing benefits, currently paid separately at different times by the Department for Work and Pensions, HMRC and local authorities such as Cornwall Council into one benefit paid monthly.

Its aim is to simplify the benefits system, make it more efficient and increase the incentives for people to work rather than stay on benefits – making work pay.

One particularly positive aspect of UC is that there are no limits on how many hours a week you can work if you’re claiming it. Instead, the amount you get will gradually reduce as you earn more, so you won’t lose all your benefits at once. This is a good thing, as with many of the benefits that UC is replacing, there was an abrupt cut off point if you worked more hours and earned more than a certain amount, which led to people being forced to stay on benefits instead of returning to work as they would not have been better off financially once their benefits stopped. In areas where UC has been rolled out we have seen an increase in people getting into work and working more hours which clearly has to be a positive outcome both for the individuals and the country.

For anyone already receiving one or more of the benefits universal credit will eventually replace, there won’t be any change immediately. Eventually, existing claimants will be moved onto universal credit by the Department for Work and Pensions even if there has been no change of circumstances. This process is currently planned to happen between 2019 and 2022.

I will be closely watching the rollout of UC as it progresses and will work with the Department for Work and Pensions both locally and in Westminster with Ministerial colleagues to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.

Should anyone encounter difficulties with their claim for UC, then I will be happy to help by looking at cases and making representations to the Department for Work and Pensions if appropriate.

My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events