Last week’s local elections proved to be historic for
Cornwall. For the very first time the Conservative Party will form a majority
administration at County Hall. This was the outcome of the hard fought campaign
which saw the Conservatives win 47 of the 87 council seats.
Obviously, I am pleased with this outcome which will mean
that with the council leadership being from the same party as all of Cornwall’s
MP we will be much better able to work together for the benefit of Cornwall.
Here in St Austell and Newquay it was also a very positive
result with the Conservatives taking 11 of the 16 seats. I want to pass on my
congratulations to all those who were elected including the three Mebyon Kernow
and two Independents.
There were some disappointments with two sitting Conservative
councillors losing their seats. I want to say a big thank you to Mark Formosa
and Sally-Anne Saunders for all their work for the residents of their
divisions. Politics can sometimes be brutal, and it is sad to see hard working
and dedicated councillors miss out on re-election. I am sure we would all wish
them well for the future.
There were also a number of other councillors from different
parties, who were not re-elected, many of them were long serving councillors
over many years. I want to say thank you to them for all they have done for the
communities they represented.
Having spent the past 6 weeks out and about speaking to
local residents there were a number of clear priorities that were raised time
and time again. Issues of anti-social behaviour, housing for local people,
inappropriate and over development and traffic and speeding were the issues
most often raised. The one thing I know is that the newly elected council will
ensure that it works to deliver on the priorities of the people of Cornwall and
I look forward to working with all those elected in a constructive and positive
way to address the priorities of local people.
I know each of the Conservative Councillors well and I know
they will be dedicated to representing and serve their communities. We do not
have a magic wand to change things overnight, but I do know with Conservatives
now representing a very large part of this constituency, including all of the
seats in our two main towns of Newquay and St Austell, we have a team that will
be determined to get things done and I know they have already made a start.
This election was of course quite different to normal, being
held as we emerge from the lockdown. Despite this the election went off without
a hitch and thanks should go to the council officers who made it possible. It
also demonstrated that despite what some parties were claiming, it was the
right decision to go ahead with the elections at this time.
Next week we will continue our journey out of the lockdown
with another important step in easing the restrictions. As I write this we
await to hear the precise details of what the Prime Minister will announce but
all the indications are that indoor meetings will now be allowed.
I am sure we will all welcome this, particular as the
weather currently seems to be against us. It will also enable pubs, bars and
restaurants to serve customers inside which will be another important step on
our economic recovery.
With the lifting of restrictions, I will be recommencing my
regular Advice Surgeries. If you would like to book an appointment to see me,
please contact me office on: tel. 01726 829379 or email office@stevedouble.org.uk
