Better living

I have learned a lot from lockdown and what I actually need in my life, and what I actually like doing and miss, etc. For the new normal I would like to continue working from home for at least 2 days a week, although I have concerns about how this has taken over the house (which was fine during lockdown when no one could visit!).

I think it has been good to see the reduced traffic and in a way the easing of lockdown has only highlighted just how bad the traffic can be. There was something very moving about seeing nature come to life when humans stopped having such a massive impact on the environment. I would like to see ways of reducing traffic, including better and cheaper public transport.

I would also like to see more affordable housing, and less developments of 'Grand Designs' style totally unaffordable (for most people) homes. People need to be able to afford to live and in many places we seem to have the toxic combination of low paid jobs but high house prices.

I would also like to see Cornwall being seen as welcoming and inclusive, not backwards or bigoted (as some press coverage has indicated recently). We do rely on tourism and we need to make it work for us (so that we are not swamped and priced out of the nicer areas, etc), but we also want to be a place where everyone feels welcome - whether they're holidaying or moving here. I have also never understood why we don't have a tourist tax. I seem to have to pay one everywhere else these days!

I think there has been a lot to learn in these times, and I think the Council has been responsive and supportive as the pandemic set in. Long may it continue!