A breath of fresh air at Penzance Town Council

The election has certainly rung a great many changes at Penzance Town Council. There are now 12 brand new councillors (although Simon Reed has been on the council before). Between retirements and not getting re-elected not a single mayor that served between 2013-2017 is now on the council and only 1 that served as deputy mayor in that time are still on the council. A number of former mayors, deputy mayors and chairs and vice chairs of committees are also no longer with the council. Or to put it another way many of the active town councillors that formed the approach and policies of the town council in the past are no longer there pulling the strings.

When I was first elected back in 2013 there was a feeling that (long overdue) change had been brought to the council, that those new people elected had brought change. That was the feeling with 8 new councillors elected and 12 of the existing councillors being re-elected. This time around there are 12 new councillors and only 8 from before the election, so massive change. I'm really looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of the next 4 years, I'm delighted with the news.

A few strange facts for those that are interested. I'm no longer the youngest town councillor and now that honour goes to somebody that's actually young; 20 year old Will Ellliott (Conservative, Central Ward). There now no longer any Cornwall Councillors on the town council, certainly the first time this has happened since 2009, maybe before? I was the only person in Penzance East to stand for election in both 2013 and 2017 and I am the longest serving Councillor in this ward. The second longest serving is Steve Cordel (Labour) elected in a by election last year. Only 4 councillors that were new in 2013 are now on the council myself, Nigel Pengelly (Future for Penzance, Promenade), Dick Cliffe (Independent, Central) and Nigel Davis (Independent, Newlyn and Mousehole). Only 3 town councillors remain from before 2013 and all have been town mayors before: Jack Dixon (Lib Dem, Heamoor), Roy Mann (Independent, Gulval) and Dennis Axford (Independent, Newlyn and Mousehole).

Although I don't think there's probably ever been so much change on the town council and that's a good thing for the town. I will finish by expressing my admiration for those councillors that have served this town in the past. Friend and foe (and both) alike, The truth is I've seen a great deal of the time, effort and energy put into this town and they should be thanked for volunteering their time and standing up for what they believe in.

The 3 actions Penzance Town Centre needs from Cornwall Council

My name is Rob Simmons and I'm a candidate for Penzance East in this Thursdays Cornwall Council election and these are my 3 priorities for our town centre: 

1 Action on reducing Parking Fees 

2 Action on unfair business rates

3 Action on empty shops and buildings. 

I firmly believe that Cornwall Council ought to do more to support Penzance Town Centre and these 3 changes would be a massive leap forward.

1. Action on Parking Fees, Penzance has some of the highest parking fees in Cornwall, we all know that it puts people off coming to town and crucially shoppers from staying for longer periods. With out of town retail parks popping up everywhere and the lure and convenience of the internet our town centre needs help. Cornwall Council must do it's part in supporting the town centre. Penzance needs a Cornwall Councillor that will lobby to change this and find a solution that benefits us and stops CC seeing Penzance as a way of making money. We need to see a major overhaul of parking pricing in town, not yet more charging as the current Liberal Democrat/ Independent administration had planned recently.

2. Action on Business Rates. Rates are a massive obstacle to doing business in Penzance Town Centre. It's not a fair system and it's one that greatly benefits large chains and out of town stores and penalises the beating heart of the local economy; small and medium enterprises. I heard various Conservatives talk about non-domestic rate reviews during general election debates 2 years ago, now is time to see some action. Pressure needs to be put on government to review how business rates effect town centres and simply there needs to be a reduction in how much smes are charged. Business rates are decided by central government but Cornwall Council can lobby for change and I would join with other councillors, local businesses and other organisations to call for this change. 

3. Action on Empty Buildings, we need and deserve a vibrant town centre and empty, crumbling and frankly derelict buildings are a major obstacle. There are a range of powers that Cornwall Council has to deal with this problem but they're seldom used. Pressure needs to be put onto absentee landlords to be responsible for the properties in Penzance Town Centre. We all want a town centre we can proud of, we need a Cornwall Councillor that will push for this. 

Penzance Town Centre is a vital asset for this town we are one of the biggest shopping destinations in Cornwall. We need more focus from Cornwall Council in this town, they are taking much more than they are giving, this needs to change. These are 3 simple actions, that I believe would turn around this town centre, please vote for me, Rob Simmons, on May the Fourth.