The Cornwall We Want

What are your hopes and fears for the future?

• Share Celebrate small places and close knit communities on Facebook Share Celebrate small places and close knit communities on X (formerly Twitter) Share Celebrate small places and close knit communities on Linkedin Email Celebrate small places and close knit communities link

  Celebrate small places and close knit communities

  by HappyCornwall, over 6 years ago

  
  

  We should celebrate our small places and the ability for people to be present in their places more by working from home, using local services and shops, promoting world class digital accessibility and reducing how much we need to travel - our unique characteristics are our strengths right now . https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/28/ive-not-been-to-the-city-centre-for-months-uk-suburbs-thrive-as-office-staff-stay-home
  
  

  
  

  
  

  We should celebrate our small places and the ability for people to be present in their places more by working from home, using local services and shops, promoting world class digital accessibility and reducing how much we need to travel - our unique characteristics are our strengths right now . https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/28/ive-not-been-to-the-city-centre-for-months-uk-suburbs-thrive-as-office-staff-stay-home
  
  

  
  
• Share Improved Cycle Routes and Bus Routes/Services, More Train Stops! on Facebook Share Improved Cycle Routes and Bus Routes/Services, More Train Stops! on X (formerly Twitter) Share Improved Cycle Routes and Bus Routes/Services, More Train Stops! on Linkedin Email Improved Cycle Routes and Bus Routes/Services, More Train Stops! link

  Improved Cycle Routes and Bus Routes/Services, More Train Stops!

  over 6 years ago

  I was driving to work and back every day before lockdown. Living in Cornwall this meant a 24 miles a day round trip... I’m sure there are people driving much further than me too!!

  The lockdown has proved this was never necessary. The majority of people CAN work from home, and personally, I have saved £210 in diesel over the last three months! Collectively we have helped reduce emissions by a significant amount and this MUST continue.

  In addition, I have had an extra half an hour in bed and to relax in the evening with my family. Quality of... Continue reading

  I was driving to work and back every day before lockdown. Living in Cornwall this meant a 24 miles a day round trip... I’m sure there are people driving much further than me too!!

  The lockdown has proved this was never necessary. The majority of people CAN work from home, and personally, I have saved £210 in diesel over the last three months! Collectively we have helped reduce emissions by a significant amount and this MUST continue.

  In addition, I have had an extra half an hour in bed and to relax in the evening with my family. Quality of life with regards to family and relaxation has improved and this has improved our relationships and wellbeing.

  
  At work, Skype/Team meetings have enabled us to continue connecting with colleagues. However there is a lot to be said for seeing people in person and this HAS to be encouraged too.

  The lockdown has shown that where possible, we SHOULD NOT be driving, and have a better work/home life balance.

  
  My hopes for the FUTURE would be to work four days from home and have a day at the office so I could fulfil the above.
  
  

  On my day at the office, I would love to get the train or cycle to work. However, I never will as it stands, because there are no cycle routes or close and convenient train stops. The buses are also a nightmare and can’t be trusted. The end stop is a long way from where I work too.
  
  

  I firstly propose we build new cycle routes that run through fields preferably (in straight lines for the quickest journey, avoiding main roads and steep hills to encourage more cyclists to give up their cars!).

  BEAUTIFUL scenic direct cycle routes that take us from our villages into the towns via our wonderful countryside ... surely the farmers would allow this positive and environmentally friendly move forward?!!in addition, this would be FANTASTIC for tourism.

  Secondly, I propose we open old and new train stations in our villages, and provide local annual/monthly passes. People may use the trains more to get to work/go shopping in Truro etc, if there was a station within walking distance to get on one! This would not only be more environmentally friendly, but attract more people to shopping centres (tourists too), with the prospect of a train ride through the scenic countryside.

  Finally, we must sort the buses out! We need night buses too as currently nobody can enjoy a night out as they can’t get home to their village after without a huge taxi price to pay.

  I believe the above would support efforts to reduce climate change, boost our economy, AND improve our community’s wellbeing 😊

  
  
• Share A little more respect for those of us who live here on Facebook Share A little more respect for those of us who live here on X (formerly Twitter) Share A little more respect for those of us who live here on Linkedin Email A little more respect for those of us who live here link

  A little more respect for those of us who live here

  by Mor&Jon, over 6 years ago

  We are fortunate to own and live in a house that was our great grandparents. We are both self employed. We work hard and pay all the bills which come our way but we feel increasingly disenfranchised. We have seen really inappropriate construction work occur and although we and others have objected, our objections are brushed to one side - and in a couple of cases, are removed.

  Our summers have increasingly become an absolute misery due to overcrowding and traffic jams. We would go as far as to say that we lose money during the summer season because we... Continue reading

  We are fortunate to own and live in a house that was our great grandparents. We are both self employed. We work hard and pay all the bills which come our way but we feel increasingly disenfranchised. We have seen really inappropriate construction work occur and although we and others have objected, our objections are brushed to one side - and in a couple of cases, are removed.

  Our summers have increasingly become an absolute misery due to overcrowding and traffic jams. We would go as far as to say that we lose money during the summer season because we are quite literally trapped in our home on occasion. It's strange though because when we came up with an idea to resolve one of our many issues by installing a drive into our home, it was turned down. Yet just across from where we live we see houses which don't resemble any others being quite literally thrown up. They will be beyond the price which anyone I know could ever afford. So we have quite literally become second class citizens. We had considered refusing to pay council and business rates in protest but both of us know that it is people like us that the council like to bully. Meanwhile, we see those with big sums of money get away with blue murder despite the absolute destruction they cause.

  So we have this clear message for Cornwall Council and anyone else who cares to listen - a little more respect for those of us with real connections with the area, who live and work here and who pay into the coffers would go a long way.

  If any more are allowed to swamp this area, it will destroy what they come here for. If any more so called development occurs, it really will damage the environment. Having written this, we don't suppose that the council will listen. So what do they listen to? Money, money, money.
• Share Our youngsters - the future on Facebook Share Our youngsters - the future on X (formerly Twitter) Share Our youngsters - the future on Linkedin Email Our youngsters - the future link

  Our youngsters - the future

  by thegardener, over 6 years ago

  Some radical thinking is needed around provision for students who are at risk of permanent exclusion from school.

  Boldess around education and training to focus on the student on what they need for a sustainable future in Cornwall - not what the government says they have to do.

  Focus of support on agriculture and horticulture so that new businesses can be formed attracting youngsters.

  Strengthen planning laws to stop building on our green fields - it has been heart breaking to see the destruction of agricultural land on the out skirts of Pelynt; we need the green fields for agriculture/horticulture.

  ... Continue reading

  Some radical thinking is needed around provision for students who are at risk of permanent exclusion from school.

  Boldess around education and training to focus on the student on what they need for a sustainable future in Cornwall - not what the government says they have to do.

  Focus of support on agriculture and horticulture so that new businesses can be formed attracting youngsters.

  Strengthen planning laws to stop building on our green fields - it has been heart breaking to see the destruction of agricultural land on the out skirts of Pelynt; we need the green fields for agriculture/horticulture.

  Restrictions on second home ownership - then perhaps we won't need to build so many house!
• Share Listen to the Locals! on Facebook Share Listen to the Locals! on X (formerly Twitter) Share Listen to the Locals! on Linkedin Email Listen to the Locals! link

  Listen to the Locals!

  by pjcarmelin'gmail.com, over 6 years ago

  It is encouraging to read about so many people who want to protect our county from the unwelcome excesses of the last few decades. I can hardly do better than agree with all that “Greenways” writes, but here are a few more words.

  Tourism

  It is sad to see tourists being made to feel unwelcome, sometimes before they even get here. It must be possible to reduce or amend the scale so that we see tourism not just as an economic necessity (if it is), but as a chance to welcome visitors to our wonderful county and enjoy sharing it... Continue reading

  It is encouraging to read about so many people who want to protect our county from the unwelcome excesses of the last few decades. I can hardly do better than agree with all that “Greenways” writes, but here are a few more words.

  Tourism

  It is sad to see tourists being made to feel unwelcome, sometimes before they even get here. It must be possible to reduce or amend the scale so that we see tourism not just as an economic necessity (if it is), but as a chance to welcome visitors to our wonderful county and enjoy sharing it with them. We cannot do this with the crowds that we have seen latterly, especially with the knowledge that this pandemic, or a future one, is perhaps never going to go away entirely. Cornwall is for the residents too, but many are now too overwhelmed by masses of holidaymakers (the traffic jams at Kynance Cove a year or two back had to be seen to be believed), and too frightened of the dangers of covid to venture outside their own front gardens. Let’s encourage people who love our countryside and coast for its peace and for the beauty of its wildlife.

  Wildlife

  The National Trust, English Nature, Cornwall Wildlife Trust and others all try their hardest to conserve and protect our countryside with its flora and fauna. Sometimes, though, they must feel as though they are spitting into the wind: funding constantly being cut, other areas given greater priority, and latterly loss of volunteers because of lockdown. They should be given proper funding and support so that they can carry out their essential work as they need to.

  Further, to protect sea-life, water skiing and power boats should be discouraged from our coast. As for fishing, that is one for the politicians but at the very least our territorial rights should be protected.

  The Land

  Pesticides and herbicides should be banned; Cornwall Council have already made a start by prohibiting neonicotinoids on any land belonging to them. The ban should be made county-wide. The depressing sight of a once green field, turned brown overnight by gallons of herbicide, is not one that should ever be experienced. What’s wrong with the old fashioned method of ploughing?

  Greenfield sites should never be built on; nor AONB’s without reference to local opinion. Which is not to say that brownfield sites should be viewed as a convenient alternative; they, too, are home to a host of different wildlife, many of them endangered species.

  New building should be limited to local needs, not second homes, with no large developments and nothing to which locals object.

  Cornwall could be a shining example of sustainability, and this seems to be what its people want. With the right management, consultation and will, this can be achieved.

  Finally, I, for one, would be willing to pay just a few pounds more in Council Tax so that Cornwall Council can afford to do their job properly and achieve what local people have suggested in this survey.
• Share Vision for Cornwall on Facebook Share Vision for Cornwall on X (formerly Twitter) Share Vision for Cornwall on Linkedin Email Vision for Cornwall link

  Vision for Cornwall

  by Sean, over 6 years ago

  While it is understood that much of this is outside the councils authority, here’s a vision for Cornwall’s future.

  
  

  Local bobbies

  More Dog pooh bins, especially near beaches

  Footpath maintenance

  Cycling network

  Abolition of loopholes for second home owners to avoid council tax

  Second home council tax must be, at least, at full rate.

  Tourist tolls, on entry to the county, to help fund services

  Sufficient social housing

  Help for people to apply for social housing

  Pz hospital expanded to have an A&E and dedicated ambulance service

  Prisoners to fulfil community role, clearing beaches etc

  Anti social behaviour to be... Continue reading

  While it is understood that much of this is outside the councils authority, here’s a vision for Cornwall’s future.

  
  

  Local bobbies

  More Dog pooh bins, especially near beaches

  Footpath maintenance

  Cycling network

  Abolition of loopholes for second home owners to avoid council tax

  Second home council tax must be, at least, at full rate.

  Tourist tolls, on entry to the county, to help fund services

  Sufficient social housing

  Help for people to apply for social housing

  Pz hospital expanded to have an A&E and dedicated ambulance service

  Prisoners to fulfil community role, clearing beaches etc

  Anti social behaviour to be addressed in town centres

  Service to help the homeless with accommodation, employment, mental health, addictions etc

  More GPs. Easier access to appointments.

  More teachers. Smaller classes. Adequate resources.

  Better stabilisers on the Scillonian.
• Share Support for the vulnerable on Facebook Share Support for the vulnerable on X (formerly Twitter) Share Support for the vulnerable on Linkedin Email Support for the vulnerable link

  Support for the vulnerable

  by Sean, over 6 years ago

  I would like to see council caseworkers assigned to support vulnerable people in the county. Such people emerge periodically needing help but their problems generally span multiple council or government departments.

  A caseworker could help vulnerable, often elderly, people to address issues across pensions, scams, homelessness, housing benefit, safe accommodation etc. The caseworker would ideally take all necessary action for the individual or ensure that council/government departments or voluntary agencies do it for them.

  Currently we have a shocking number of vulnerable adults struggling to cope around the county.

  I would like to see council caseworkers assigned to support vulnerable people in the county. Such people emerge periodically needing help but their problems generally span multiple council or government departments.

  A caseworker could help vulnerable, often elderly, people to address issues across pensions, scams, homelessness, housing benefit, safe accommodation etc. The caseworker would ideally take all necessary action for the individual or ensure that council/government departments or voluntary agencies do it for them.

  Currently we have a shocking number of vulnerable adults struggling to cope around the county.
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  Proactive Cornwall

  by GemmaB, over 6 years ago

  I would like to see all council spending, plans, policies and procedures to be only focused on achieving net zero emissions, it shouldn't be part of the plan but be the backbone of the plan for Cornwall. All of the money spent should be to put us on a better path. We need radical changes in infrastructure and systems to improve peoples lives and the future of the planet. Having just watched the 2040 film, there are solutions out there that can do this, they are available now. Cornwall should utilise these and invest in climate innovation, be proactive rather... Continue reading

  I would like to see all council spending, plans, policies and procedures to be only focused on achieving net zero emissions, it shouldn't be part of the plan but be the backbone of the plan for Cornwall. All of the money spent should be to put us on a better path. We need radical changes in infrastructure and systems to improve peoples lives and the future of the planet. Having just watched the 2040 film, there are solutions out there that can do this, they are available now. Cornwall should utilise these and invest in climate innovation, be proactive rather than reactive in creating a new vision and invite the local population to help - there are some fantastic businesses and charities already working towards this.

  Some ideas from the film, but if the council hasn't yet watched this film then I would suggest this as your first action!

  https://whatsyour2040.com/

  Community led renewable energy systems

  No more fossil fuel subsidies

  Regenerative farming practices

  Marine permaculture

  Investment in education (there was a great project mentioned where a town made all of their energy usage visible and discussed this in schools etc)

  Better uses for food waste

  Investment in transport links to reduce the need for individual car ownership (tougher in the countryside vs cities but there must be some options that would work for Cornwall)
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  The Future for Young People

  by Dougal, over 6 years ago

  
  

  I would like to endorse the views from cleggycornwall, regarding young people. I used to work in a Further Education college down here, and I was dismayed by the number of students who told me that they felt that they would have to leave Cornwall, to find a full time job that would pay them a fair salary. One of them said " selling ice cream to tourists is not my idea of a career, I'll have better opportunities up country." So providing people with the necessary skills to make a decent living, is surely the only way to prevent... Continue reading

  
  

  I would like to endorse the views from cleggycornwall, regarding young people. I used to work in a Further Education college down here, and I was dismayed by the number of students who told me that they felt that they would have to leave Cornwall, to find a full time job that would pay them a fair salary. One of them said " selling ice cream to tourists is not my idea of a career, I'll have better opportunities up country." So providing people with the necessary skills to make a decent living, is surely the only way to prevent them from leaving the county.

  Without a large investment in training, involving the education sector, employers, and government, this simply can not happen. In fact we seem to be going backwards at the moment, since one of the largest training providers - Cornwall College, has been on the verge of bankruptcy for the last few years and has resorted to selling off one of its sites to stay afloat.

  I welcome this forum as a means of exchanging ideas, but we need to go further and lobby our local MP's and councillors; otherwise this will just become a talking shop without any influence. Will anybody in power actually read these posts? If so, perhaps they will do something about those tax dodging second-home owners.
• Share A greener Cornwall on Facebook Share A greener Cornwall on X (formerly Twitter) Share A greener Cornwall on Linkedin Email A greener Cornwall link

  A greener Cornwall

  over 6 years ago

  Every cloud has a silver lining. I don't think we have seen the last of Covid 19 but we can plan towards a better future. We seriously need to think about the best resources we have. Our land and our sea and our people. We need to look after the environment in a better way. We need to have less people visiting who cause immense damage to our environment. We need better building controls and less building. We only need bigger roads because vested interests encourage more visitors who create more pollution. We need a better future for our youngsters... Continue reading

  Every cloud has a silver lining. I don't think we have seen the last of Covid 19 but we can plan towards a better future. We seriously need to think about the best resources we have. Our land and our sea and our people. We need to look after the environment in a better way. We need to have less people visiting who cause immense damage to our environment. We need better building controls and less building. We only need bigger roads because vested interests encourage more visitors who create more pollution. We need a better future for our youngsters, more science, green technology and so on and that means better internet access. We need to embrace sustainable industries and harness the power of the sea. We need more of the money made here in Cornwall to stay here in Cornwall. We need a better, more responsive democracy which listens to us and not faraway business interests. A small start would be councillors who speak with the electorate and who answer their emails.