Latest at CORNWALL COUNCIL setting up an administration

PRESS RELEASE

"Cornwall Council’s Independent members met today to consider the situation which has emerged during the period since the election.

Andrew Mitchell, Group Leader of the Independents said

“The Cornish electorate has created a hung Council. Independents seek to represent only their communities and to lead Cornwall in complex and difficult times. The Conservatives approached us with an offer that was unanimously rejected because it ‘required’ us to agree to their manifesto”

We are proposing that the Annual Meeting on 23rd May elects the Council’s Chairman and Leader. The Leader is charged to recruit a Cabinet in a timely manner which is proportionate and which will agree to work collectively in Cornwall’s best interests.

Independents recognise that people require direct representation and are accountable only to the people who elected them."

SO efforts to crerate an administration continue!

Graham.

CORNWALL COUNCIL -- FIRST FEW DAYS!

Monday and Tuesday, 8th and 9th May 2017 were induction days at Lys Kernow (County Hall) for newly elected councillors, with a mind-spinning round of lectures and presentations on what the council is, what our roles are, how it all works, plus reams of paperwork, signing up for training sessions, photographs for the website and ID cards, and getting to know people.
 

Afternoons were opportunities for councillors to meet in their political party groups, (I say "Councillors" as that is the common term, but apparently we are "Divisional Members" in council-speak.)
 

Obviously, political parties such as Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour, Mebyon Kernow, Greens etc are true political parties but what about Independents like me? I have never been in a political party and have changed my votes depending on the election and the state of the country at the time. I have also usually supported Independent candidates in local elections.

The Independents have traditionally formed an "Independent Group" a banding together for mutual support, advice, and to avoid being brushed aside by the political parties. I have signed up to the Independent Group, and listened intently to their debates.

The "Big Issue" is that no political party has overall control of the council, there are 123 councillors, so to hold overall control and be confident of winning debates in council, a party needs at least 62 councillors.

Conservatives have the most with 46, Liberal Democrats next with 37, and Independents third with 30. (Labour 4, MK 4, Labour and Cooperative party 1)

There are intense discussions ongoing about whether any parties and groups will work with others to form an administration for the council, if Independents came to an agreement with Conservatives or Lib Dems, there would be a possibility of forming some form of joint administration, so are in a good position, however rumours abound but there is no firm news at the time of writing!

Locally in Hayle there is an informal meeting this week for old and new town councillors to meet and decide who wants to do which jobs and roles in the council. Remember there are three vacancies for the council which we will need to co-opt people for (unless enough people in town wish to force another election!)

Watch this space, I hope to continue letting people know what's going on in Hayle local politics!

Graham.

ELECTED, Cornwall and Town!

WELL! That was all quite manic! Local Elections May 2017
 
Once I knew who my opponents in Hayle South Ward were I could finish my leaflet design only to find my favoured printer was on holiday and unavailable, so cue desperate phone calls until Headland Printers of Penzance were able to do the job in time at a good price.

Getting Nomination papers and signatures had been a rush and a panic, but Cornwall Council officers were patient and helpful, and I was in time to be properly nominated

Organising distribution of leaflets was another headache but eventually large areas of Hayle received my leaflets in good time. Thanks to Teamwork and for the last leaflets, nephew Steve!

Hours were spent online in emails and social media, answering questions and enquiries and similar on the telephone as the days to Election Day on 4th May 2017 seemed to rush by.

Candidates backed by political parties usually have much of the work, and all of the expenses paid by the political parties, but us Independents have to do it all and pay for it all ourselves (must be mad!?)

Finally on Thursday4th May (Star Wars Day--"May the Fourth be with you") I was able to rest, nothing more could be done as Hayle went to the polls, (or stayed at home) so a day cruising around just chatting to people was a pleasant change.

Friday was Count Day at Carn Brea Leisure Centre, and I made my way around noon to where it all took place, and the waiting was a pain, but eventually, around 3pm they did the count for Hayle South ward. I watched as the ballot papers were checked and placed into one or other of the three candidates trays, and for a while it was neck and neck between me and the Conservative Candidate, with only a few for the Lib Dem candidate.

Eventually my pile pulled ahead, and finally it was clear that I had won, but there was still a wait for the official declaration from Kate Kennally, Cornwall Council's Chief Executive and Returning Officer, and YES I was duly elected, with 54% of the vote, ahead of Conservatives with 34% and Lib Dems with 13%.

The word was that the count for Town and Parish Councils was going to be quite a bit later so I went home to await results online, but by then the Cornwall Council website had "gone down" under the pressure and had to be fixed overnight.

By Saturday morning results were in and I polled the second highest number of votes in Hayle Town Council after John Pollard, so a big "THANK YOU" Hayle voyers for your support.

I have already been called to County Hall this Saturday morning for a meeting of Independent councillors, and will be attending a two day induction course on Monday and Tuesday coming. All very interesting and new so far!

I'm looking forward to the challenges!

Graham.