Newspaper column 28 July 2021 - Recess and Unauthorised encampments

I hope that everyone has been able to make the most of the great weather we have had recently, particularly as restrictions have been lifted. Parliament is now on summer recess until September, so it is especially enjoyable for me to be able to be at home and not have to travel to London.

I will be spending this time at home in our constituency and already have a pretty full diary of visits and meeting with local businesses and community groups. The summer recess is always a great time for me to be able to get out and about meeting local people. Of course, it is particularly good to be able to do this, this year, after not being able to do so for so long. I still have some time available in the diary so if you would like me to pay your businesses or group a visit do get in touch.

One issue that raised itself again last week was that of the illegal encampments, particularly in Newquay this time, although it is an issue that effects every area from time to time. This is a reoccurring issue every summer and is something that I have been pressing for action on ever since I was first elected. Every year we see travellers come to Cornwall and set up camp on private land or council property, such as car parks. While we should of course respect the right of travellers, as a recognised ethnic group, to live according to their traditional way of life, it is not acceptable that they do so in a way that does not respect the law of the land and course a great deal of disruption and expense for local taxpayers.

Cornwall Council have three travellers’ sites across Cornwall that provide space for travellers who wish to come to Cornwall. However, these sites are very rarely used and too often travellers opt to set up camp on inappropriate sites. Last week I was pleased to support local councillors and the Police in ensuring that these illegal encampments were moved on as soon as possible. However, the current process is a time consuming and costly one that distracts resources away from other issues. We also know that all that will most likely happen is the travellers will move on elsewhere to another illegal site.

One of the reasons it is time consuming and complex to remove those who set up illegal camps is because it is actually a civil rather than criminal matter, which means the hands of the police are tied until the appropriate processes have been completed. I am pleased that the government is addressing this issue, by bringing forward new legislation that will make camping without permission with a vehicle a criminal act. These measures are a part of the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill that passed through the House of Commons last week and will now go to the House of Lords.

These new measures will not be in place for this summer but should receive Royal Assent in good time for summer next year and will make it much easier for the Police to move people on much more quickly.

Contrary to the concerns some have raised, the new measures will not restrict the general principle of right to roam, but will very specifically address the issue of people setting up camp, with vehicles, on private or public land without permission.

Before I conclude I want to pay tribute to Chrissie Jackson who sadly passed away last week. I met Chrissie when I first got involved in local politics in 2009. As one of the founders of our local Voice newspapers she was always a cheerful face behind the camera covering the local news in Newquay.

Throughout her recent battle with cancer, she was a true inspiration as she demonstrated incredible courage and dignity and raising an incredible £50,000 for charity. The way that she approached her final journey was an example to us off of how to make the very most of life, whatever it throws at us.

I know that I speak for many in saying she will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

  

 

Newspaper column 21 July 2021 - The last steps out of lockdown

 

On Monday we took the final step, Step 4, on the roadmap out of lockdown. We are now in a position where all legal restrictions have been lifted. I know that many will welcome the return of most of our freedoms, to be able to go about our lives free from the restrictions that have been necessary over the past 18 months. But I am also very much aware there are those who are nervous and have concerns about taking this step.

We are all aware that the virus has not gone away. It is still with us, and we continue to see significant numbers of people testing positive. But as has been said many times, we do need to learn to live with this virus. Just as we live with other infectious viruses such as seasonal influenza.

We cannot live in lockdown forever. There is never going to be a time that is risk free for us to lift restrictions. With the successful roll out of the vaccine, when all adults have now been offered the first dose, and in the summer months when we are all spending more time outdoors and schools are on holiday, now is the moment when the risks are probably as low as they will ever be.

It is clear, although the number of people testing positive has been rising, we are not seeing the same increase in the number of people falling seriously ill and requiring hospital treatment. The link between the virus and serious illness have been significantly weakened by the vaccine. This gives us the confidence that we can lift restrictions without seeing the NHS overwhelmed by COVID cases.

These, as always, are difficult decisions to make. There is always a balance between the risk of the virus and the other harmful impacts of lockdowns. We need to be clear that there is no risk free option. Continuing the lockdown would have serious consequences on the ability of the NHS to address the ongoing health needs including the large backlog of those waiting for treatment, the wider health and wellbeing damage, including mental health and the economic impact further lockdown would cause. My view is that we are at the point where if we do not lift restrictions now, when would we ever do so?

But this does not mean we should now throw off all caution and have a ‘free for all’. The onus remains on all of us to behave responsibly. We should all continue to act with caution and apply common sense to how we live, keeping the virus in mind. Instead of the government applying legal requirements we now move into a phase of advice and guidance which we should all apply wisely.

Just because we are now allowed to do something does not mean it is wise or responsible to do so. We are free to not have to wear a mask, but it would be wise to still do so when in crowded confined spaces.  Or asked to do so by businesses. We are free to meet with anyone we choose in unlimited numbers and socialise in bars, pubs and nightclubs. But we should continue to act cautiously, especially if we have not had both doses of the vaccine or have close family who are vulnerable. We are free to make personal choices, but we should all be aware our choices will have an impact on those around us.

The track and trace system, along with the NHS COVID-19 app, will remain in operation and all those who are contacted need to continue to self isolate as instructed to do so. I know this is putting pressure on many businesses and public services due to the number of people being ‘pinged’. This should be a sign to us all that the virus is still very much around.

Some requirements to self-isolate for frontline NHS staff, who have been vaccinated, are being lifted and a test and release scheme put in place instead. But until these changes apply to us all on 16^th August, we should all be aware of the risk of being in close proximity with someone who tests positive and us being instructed to isolate. This is another reason for us all to act responsibly and cautiously in the coming weeks.

I know the coming weeks will be a time of continued uncertainty and challenging for many. But we are making progress towards getting life back to normal. We are now very much in a different phase and we should apply these changes to our own lives as most appropriate for us.

As always, my office is available for any constituents needing help, advice or guidance. Please do get in touch if I can help – tel. 01726 829379, email – office@stevedouble.org.uk