A number of constituents have recently contacted as part of
the campaign ‘stand with me for a democratic planning system’
While the Government has had to put in changes to the way in
which local councils can safely operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is up
to the individual council as to how they conduct them.
In Cornwall Council’s case it has chosen to not hold any
formal meetings at all, so far, during the pandemic.
I have included a link to their changes below for your
convenience:
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/covid-19-impact-on-planning-processes/
Other councils have been able to hold virtual meetings and discuss
planning matters during the pandemic and it is disappointing that Cornwall
Council has not been able to do this yet.
It would also be easy using existing technology, to allow
members of the public to attend and participate in these meetings.
I suggest residents with concerns about how Cornwall Council
is doing business to contact their local Cornwall Councillor about this. You
can find out who your Cornwall Councillor is by putting your postcode into the
below link:
Nonetheless I hope that this way of working, which is necessary
under the current circumstances but not ideal, will only last for as long as
the lockdown restrictions last, and that regular meetings and participation
will be restored as soon as it is safe to do so.
