Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Councils call for wholescale review of planning reforms, alongside new powers in transport and net zero [October 2022]
The press release issued by the County Councils Network on 19 October 2022.

A wholescale review of the planning reforms is needed if the government is to achieve its targets in housebuilding and economic growth, England’s largest councils say.

The County Councils Network (CCN) argues that strategic planning should be a major part of future proposals, likely to be put forward in a forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. This mechanism could be vital in delivering more homes, better infrastructure, and investment zones, county leaders argue.

The call is made in a CCN’s latest chapter of its Five Point Plan for County and Unitary Councils, which is released today.

Alongside advocacy on housing and infrastructure, the report calls for counties to be empowered through bespoke budgets in transport. The report also calls on government to move away from an overly city-focused approach on net zero, and provide county areas with an equitable share of climate change funding and policy focus.

Text of Report (in .pdf format)

CCN says that the current planning system is too fragmented, and for years infrastructure has not kept pace with development, leading to overcrowding on roads and public services in some parts of the country.

If the government wants to deliver on its twin aims of housebuilding and growth, then strategic planning is a ‘win-win’. It would ensure that county councils, which are responsible for transport, infrastructure, and the delivery of investment zones work more collaboratively with district councils in their areas, which are responsible for housing and planning.

By better joining up the system and empowering county councils by giving them a statutory role in the planning system could help local authorities ‘zoom out’ and pinpoint the best location for new homes across England’s counties, as well as ensuring that new major new development is backed by the right infrastructure – such as new roads, schools, and health centres.

Strategic planning could also help pave the way for investment zones by ensuring that they are well connected and supported by the right infrastructure, meaning they are more likely to be welcomed by local areas and delivered.

Currently, reforms to the planning system are currently included in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, but CCN says they should be removed from that bill and reshaped proposals included in the recently announced Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

If that bill comes forward, CCN says it should include a power in the bill to introduce strategic planning in county areas, where desired.

Strategic planning has not been a formal part of the planning system since the late 2010s, and currently the only informal tool to encourage those councils to work together is the ‘Duty to Co-operate’ – which the previous government was looking to scrap, meaning there would be no mechanism to encourage local councils to work together.

Today’s report includes the following recommendations:
- The government should review strategic planning arrangements and introduce new powers to empower counties through strategic planning any forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill, where desired. This would give parity to county areas and would see effective cross-boundary working to deliver strategic infrastructure and unlock growth.
- When the government puts forward reforms to the developer contributions system – which could include the previously proposed Infrastructure Levy – it should ensure that county councils should have a statutory duty in the contributions systems, working with district and borough to set rates and negotiate contributions, enabling more of this funding to be spent on vital infrastructure
- Any future capital funding for infrastructure projects should be amalgamated into a single pot, rather than local authorities bidding on individual pots.
- Government must move away from an overly city-focused approach to climate change, and ensure that county areas receive a fair share of funding and policy focus. As part of this, the £1.6bn for electric vehicle infrastructure must be targeted largely at improving the situation in county areas, where there is only one publicly-available charger for every 16 miles on average.
Cllr Roger Gough, Planning and Infrastructure Spokesperson for the County Councils Network said:

“We welcome the prospect of the government bringing forward new proposals to reform the planning system in a forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Over a number of years there has been far too much focus on headline housebuilding numbers, rather than on planning as a whole, and on the infrastructure that is needed to make developments viable in the long-term.

“The new bill should contain a power to re-introduce strategic planning into the system, which would be a win-win for a government looking to build more homes and generate economic growth. By giving county councils a renewed role to work collaboratively with district councils in their area, we can come together to plan for houses in the right areas, backed by the necessary infrastructure, and ensure that investment zones get off the ground quickly.

“The County Councils Network has long argued for a collaborative model of strategic planning and form reforms to the developer contributions system. Taken together, these easily implementable reforms could yield significant results in creating better communities and unlocking development.”
October 22, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : County Leaders welcome reports that the government is considering delaying new reforms [October 2022]

The press release issued by Devon County Council on 21 October 2022.

Even just a few days are a long time in Politics it seems, so we’re watching this space closely, but earlier this week we heard that the Government is considering delaying the introduction of its new social care reforms.

On the face of it, we think that’s a good thing. We agree with the reforms – they’re to enable more people to receive financial support for adult social care, which is good – but it is the Government’s duty to ensure they are fully costed and adequately funded.

If Government doesn’t it will mean councils will have to find millions of pounds of money from cuts in public services to pay for the reforms. We and lots of councils are concerned that the impact of introducing the Government’s reforms without adequate funding will therefore be very heavy on residents and communities.

All this comes on top of already severe pressure on social care. Here in Devon we are taking urgent action to bring an overspend in adult social care of £5.6 million in this financial year under control, and face a forecast overspend of between £30 million to £40 million over the next 10 years. Inflation is adding to those pressures and forecast to add £3.6 billion to the cost of providing social care in England’s counties next year.

That’s why we’ve been backing a call from the County Councils Network for the Government to postpone the introduction of these new reforms, which are due to come in next October.

Right now, councils do not have enough money, nor is there sufficient workforce capacity within social care, to implement the changes that the reforms will bring.

On seeing reports that the Government is now thinking of delaying the introduction of the reforms, County leaders across the country this week welcomed the news, but warned that the funding, promised by Government for social care, must be retained by councils and reprioritised, and not used as ‘savings’ as part of the Government’s Medium-Term Fiscal Plan.

Councillor James McInnes, our Cabinet Member with responsibility for adult social care, said today:

“With all that’s happening at Westminster, we’ll have to see what comes out of it, but if reports that the government is considering delaying the introduction of these reforms become fact, then that’s good news.

“The consequence otherwise is that the extra pressures that the reforms will bring, on a social care system right now that is not properly funded and that does not have sufficient workforce capacity to meet demand, could worsen current services, leaving people waiting longer for care and impacting on the quality of that care.

“Even looking ahead to twelve months-time, it’s difficult to see what will have changed significantly in terms of workforce supply and local government finances that would make these reforms deliverable without fundamental changes to the Government’s plans.”

October 22, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Sir Chris Whitty among senior figures appointed to Active Travel England advisory panel [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 22 October 2022.

England’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Chris Whitty, is one of 4 senior figures to become part of a new advisory panel, Active Travel England, today (22 October 2022).

Working alongside West Midlands’ Mayor, Andy Street, Chair of the Office of Rail and Road, Declan Collier and Arup’s Global Transport Leader, Isabel Dedring, Whitty will support Active Travel England’s aim to make walking, wheeling and cycling the first choice for everyday trips.

National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said:

Active travel is a key part of achieving so many of the government’s top priorities, so we want to link up with those agendas from the very start. Providing low-cost, healthy travel options to get to schools, shops and workplaces will revitalise high streets across the country and help us decarbonise at the same time. Active Travel England was created to deliver healthy, sustainable transport growth, and I’m delighted we now have such incredible experts to help us get the job done.

Active Travel Minister, Baroness Vere, added:

This new advisory panel will be key to supporting the government’s ambition to get more people walking, wheeling and cycling by transforming active travel infrastructure across the country.

Better infrastructure will not only improve connections to employment, education and local services but improve our mental and physical wellbeing and help to level up the country. I look forward to working with Sir Chris, Andy, Declan and Isabel to achieve this.

The advisory panel will meet quarterly with a mix of online and in-person meetings. The appointments have been made on a voluntary basis, with expenses paid where applicable. The first meeting with take place in late October.

England’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Chris Whitty, said:

Exercise improves health and Active Travel England’s mission is shared by the health service. We all want to see more people incorporating active travel into their day as a way to keep mentally and physically fit.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, added:

Active Travel England will be best placed to succeed as a delivery agency if it closely collaborates with local Mayors as well as both Combined and Local Authorities. That’s why I’m looking forward to helping ensure that ATE can make a real and rapid difference across England. Enabling more local trips to be taken on foot or on wheels can improve the journey experience, encourage a healthier lifestyle and help us to tackle the climate emergency. Increasing walking and cycling uptake is central to our vision to establish a truly integrated transport network here in the West Midlands and can support local economic growth by breathing new life into our high streets.

Arup’s Global Transport Leader and former Deputy Mayor of London, Isabel Dedring, said:

Delivering a step change in active travel requires focus and determination, but it also requires attention to detail, meaningful engagement with communities and their real needs, and integration with the wider transport network. The UK is seen as a leader in many aspects of progressive transport policy and has a fantastic chance through Active Travel England to retain its position as a leader in this rapidly developing area.

Chair of the Office of Rail and Road, Declan Collier, said:

Making local trips, either on foot or on two wheels, is a great way to boost physical health and also mental wellbeing. For those wanting to do their walking or cycling further afield, England’s rail and road networks will get you there. I look forward to getting started and working together with the other panel members to bring about positive change in people’s lives.

October 22, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Cost of Living Summit – Cornwall unites to turn words into action [October 2022]
The press release issued by Cornwall Council on 15 October 2022.

Organisations across Cornwall are turning words into action following the Cost of Living Summit hosted by Cornwall Council last month.

Seven working groups have been set up with each responsible for effecting real change for people who are struggling to make ends meet during the current crisis.

They will be led by the likes of Cornwall Council, Citizens Advice, the local NHS, the voluntary sector and Cornwall business groups.

Actions to be taken by each group, which were agreed at a meeting of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board on September 30, include:

Our community response:
- Support the delivery of community hubs offering winter support across Cornwall. Led by Volunteer Cornwall, this is already underway.
- Review funding for the voluntary sector to focus on more long-term sustainable funding.
Maximising people’s income:
- Develop our understanding of the barriers and issues within the welfare system that specifically affect Cornwall and work with partners to alleviate those.
- Explore options to run a basic income pilot scheme across Cornwall, using evidence from other areas.
Preventing and reducing people’s debt:
- Support the use of the Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT) to identify residents who may be eligible for additional welfare benefits and support them to claim their entitlement.
- Review debt collection practices (e.g. council tax, NHS prescriptions fees, bank charges and loans from financial institutions) to help prevent and reduce people’s debt.
Energy efficiency and fuel poverty:
- Support bids for new capital investment into Cornwall’s housing stock to reduce carbon and improve energy efficiency of homes (all tenures) and build on existing practice.
- Support Cornwall Council Public Health’s role to co-ordinate Winter Wellbeing activities to ensure Cornwall’s residents and organisations are aware of current help and initiatives.
Support housing security:
- Work with Registered Providers to understand the potential to suspend evictions (as during the pandemic) for rent arrears.
- Consider a rent cap on social housing rental increases in April.
Access to food:
- Create a Cornwall Food Strategy, and Food Security approach using learning from the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact approach.
- Identify land and support communities with an ambition to establish growing schemes.
Communications:
- Campaign to reduce the number of people with unclaimed benefits, help with anxiety caused by money worries, and encourage residents to ask for help before they get into debt, among other aims.
The summit, called Turning the Tide on the Cost of Living, took place at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus on September 5.

It saw the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board meet with representatives from local communities, charities and businesses to share experiences and discuss how best to help people navigate the crisis.

Participants included Cornwall Independent Poverty Forum, Citizen’s Advice Cornwall, Voluntary Sector Forum, Volunteer Cornwall, Disability Cornwall, End Hunger Cornwall, Department of Work and Pensions, Kernow Credit Union, Cornwall Council, NHS and Independent Food Aid Network/Trussell Trust.

Linda Taylor, Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board, said:

“At the summit we listened and talked, and now we are turning those words into action with the formation of seven workstreams, each with concrete plans and goals.

“The cost of living crisis continues to take its toll on our residents and only by working together to pool resources, share learnings and plan ahead can we offer them the best and most robust support, both in the short and long term.

“The workstreams will feed into an overarching strategic group and I look forward to hearing about their progress in the coming weeks and months. I am sure each will play an important role in making a real difference to people’s lives.”
October 22, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mebyon Kernow comment on shambles at Westminster [October 2022]

The press release issued by Mebyon Kernow on 20 October 2022.

In July, MK Deputy Leader Cllr Loveday Jenkin described the chaos at Westminster as “beyond satire.” Commenting on the period around the resignation of Boris Johnson, she hit out at the truly dysfunctional nature of the Westminster political system, noting that the Conservative Party was at war with itself while it was not dealing with the cost of living crisis.

But the shambolic mega-chaos of the last few weeks has been simply unbelievable – and even further beyond parody! The mini-budget did massive damage to the UK economy and the prospects of millions of households, we have had the unedifying spectacle of Tory infighting along with the resignation of a second Prime Minister in little more than three months.

To repeat what Cllr Jenkin said in July. The over-centralised Westminster system is not working, and the ongoing political games in London will do nothing to improve the lives of people in Cornwall.

Many people are rightly calling for a General Election, but it is correct that MK also makes it clear that the UK needs significant political reform, which should include meaningful devolution to give the people of Cornwall more control over their own destiny.

October 22, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Dick Cole celebrates 25 years as Mebyon Kernow leader [October 2022]

The press release issued by Mebyon Kernow on 13 October 2022.

This month marks the 25th anniversary of Dick Cole’s election as the leader of Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall. He was voted into the role at MK’s 1997 Annual Conference, held on 4th October in Fraddon Village Hall.

It is also nearly 30 years since Dick first became an officer for MK, as he was elected as MK’s Press and Campaigns Officer on 20th November 1992.

Speaking on behalf of MK’s ruling National Executive, Cllr Loveday Jenkin said:

“Dick is fantastic champion for Cornwall. Throughout his adult life, he has worked so hard for a democratic future for Cornwall, devolution through a National Assembly or Cornish Parliament, progressive policies to build a fairer and more socially just nation, greater protections for Cornish identity and culture, and so much more.

“His drive and dedication, as MK’s principal spokesperson and an active elected councillor, is remarkable, and it is an extraordinary achievement that he has had the commitment and energy to serve as the leader of Mebyon Kernow for a quarter of a century.”

Further information:

It is believed that Dick Cole is the second longest-serving leader of a political party in the United Kingdom. Only Arthur Scargill of the Socialist Labour Party, founded in 1996, has served longer.

Educated at Indian Queens Primary School and Newquay Treviglas School, Dick left school in 1983 and worked for five years as a farm worker / gardener. He joined MK in 1988, at the age of 21, just before he went to study archaeology and history at St David’s University College, Lampeter.

He became MK’s Press and Campaigns Officer in 1992, initially sharing the role with long-standing MK councillor Colin Lawry. Five years later in 1997, Dick became the tenth leader of the Party.

He has contested a total of 15 elections as an official MK candidate. These include ten council elections and four Westminster contests. He also topped the MK list in the 2009 elections to the European Parliament, when MK secured over 15,000 votes.

He was elected to serve his home parish of St Enoder on Restormel Borough Council in 1999, and served on the authority until it was abolished in 2009. During this time, he balanced his civic duties with his work with the Cornwall Archaeological Unit (Cornwall County Council).

When the unitary authority was created in 2009, Dick stood down from his employment, which would have prevented him serving on the new council. Last year, following the reduction in the number of councillors on Cornwall Council, he was elected to serve the larger St Dennis and St Enoder division. Dick presently leads the six-strong Mebyon Kernow / Green Group on the Council. In addition to his council duties, he works part-time for the Cornwall Heritage Trust.

During the last 25 years, he has been involved in a wide range of campaigns. These have included more powers to Cornwall through a National Assembly or Parliament, opposition to the centralisation of local government into a single unitary authority, Cornish control over housing and planning, fair funding for Cornwall’s public services, etc.

A life-long advocate for greater self-government for Cornwall, Dick wrote the Declaration for a Cornish Assembly, which was launched by MK in 2000, signed by over 50,000 people and presented to 10 Downing Street in December 2001. He is presently leading the work on a revised self-government policy document for MK. Dick was also the founding vice-chairman of the cross-party Cornish Constitutional Convention, and one of the spokespeople for the Keep Cornwall Whole campaign group which campaigned against the imposition of a “Devonwall” parliamentary constituency.

He also chairs the working group on the unitary authority tasked to ensure that the national minority status of the Cornish is respected by central government and all public bodies.

As a councillor, Dick has raised funds for a range of projects including new community buildings, new play equipment and environmental improvements in his local area. He has also played a leading role in a range of prominent planning battles and chairs the China Clay Area Community Network.

In addition, he has been a member of St Enoder Parish Council since 1999 and he is a trustee of two local charities. Dick is also the chairman of both the St Piran Trust and the ClayTAWC social enterprise at St Dennis.

In 2017, he was named third on Cornwall Live’s “Cornish List” of the top 50 people who “lead the way in campaigning on Cornish issues” and “flying the black and white flag for Cornwall.”

In 2019, Dick was honoured with a bardship of Gorsedh Kernow, in recognition of his work to protect the cultural and geographical integrity of Cornwall. His bardic name is Gwythyas an Tir (Guardian of the Land).

This year, the university in Lampeter, where Dick studied – now known as University of Wales: Trinity St Davids) – has marked its 200th anniversary. As part of the bicentenary celebrations, the university produced biographies of 200 notable graduates; one of the 200 was Dick Cole.

October 22, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Chief Constable’s warning cannot be ignored – Nesbitt [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Ulster Unionists on 21 October 2022.

The Ulster Unionist Party’s Policing Board Representative, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has described the Chief Constable’s warning – delivered in a letter to Party Leaders – of up to 1,000 fewer officers being available over the next three years, as something that no political leader can ignore and a matter of public safety.

Mike Nesbitt MLA said:

“I welcome the Chief Constable’s letter as the latest step in a staged response to what can only be described as a Police budget crisis.

“The letter to the Party Leaders obviously includes the Justice Minister Naomi Long. Surely she can no longer hide behind the excuse that this is an operational matter, given how the Prison Service made it clear that she has engaged in debate on operational decisions regarding staffing levels in the Prison Service.

“Once again people need to understand that if the Police don’t recruit, they don’t stand still they go backwards, because hundreds of officers leave every year for very justifiable reasons including retirement.

“Furthermore, the Director General of the Prison Service recently stated there was a headcount figure below which the Service is unable to keep people safe. This must inevitably also apply to the Police Service.

“My primary concern is that senior officers and staff at the PSNI are now looking actively at cutting services. It is no longer a question of reducing a team of ten officers down to nine or even eight, but redeploying all ten to cover gaps elsewhere and no longer delivering the original service at all.

“When the Chief Constable talks of the prospect of having up to 1,000 fewer officers available over the next three years ‘taking officer headcount closer to 6,000 than the 7,500 commitment made in the New Decade New Approach Agreement’ then this is a warning that no political leader can ignore. It is a matter of public safety.”

October 22, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Sir Jeffrey – “Protocol rubble needs removed” [October 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 21 October 2022.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has told party members and supporters in Lagan Valley that whether there is an election in Westminster or in Stormont, the Protocol rubble needs removed if the devolved government foundations are to be stabilised.

Mr Donaldson said,

“Devolution can only flourish when there is a solid foundation with cross-community support. I want to see fully functioning devolved government restored in Stormont but that can only happen when the Protocol is replaced by arrangements that unionists can support. No unionist MLAs or MPs support the Protocol. That, as I warned 18 months ago, is not compatible with a functioning Executive.

The Protocol rubble needs removed if the devolved government foundations are to be stabilised. You can’t proceed with powersharing, if one community is not on board. It doesn’t work.

The Protocol has polluted every area of government. As we try to fix our NHS, the Protocol is jeopardising the supply of medicines to Northern Ireland. As we try to improve our infrastructure, the Protocol has triggered a costly 25% tariff on the steel used to build our schools, roads, hospitals, and houses. As we try to help people with the cost of living, the Protocol is driving up transport costs and the prices on our shelves. As we encourage people to install green energy, Treasury tax breaks are not available in Northern Ireland because of the Protocol.

When a new Prime Minister is in place, if they want to see a fully functioning Stormont, they will have to deal with the Protocol once and for all. Short term fixes will be a disservice to Northern Ireland. That has been tried in the past. Everyone in Northern Ireland disserves a solution which can allow Stormont Ministers to get on with their job and make Northern Ireland a better place.”

October 22, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Just Stop Oil protest – Injunction Order 18 [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 21 October 2022.

On 18 October 2022, the High Court granted an injunction to ban protestors from engaging in activities that obstruct traffic at 17 locations on TfL roads. See a copy of the injunction order and annex Orders below.

A TfL spokesperson said: We are doing all we can to ensure that London’s road network operates safely and efficiently and that vital emergency service vehicles – such as ambulances and fire engines – are able to move freely through the city. As part of that work, we have today obtained an injunction to stop protests by Just Stop Oil on key areas of the TfL road network in central London. We will continue working with our partners to tackle any ongoing disruption across the city.

October 22, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Infected blood £100,000 interim compensation payments to be made this month [22 October 2022]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 22 October 2022.

Compensation will not be taxed or be subject to NI deductions and will be made UK-wide, delivering on the government’s commitment to meet interim recommendations of the inquiry.

Thousands of victims of the historic infected blood scandal, which occurred in the 70’s and 80’s, are being contacted this week to confirm that interim compensation payments will be made by the end of October.

The payments deliver the government’s commitment to meet, in full, the recommendations set out by infected blood inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff in his interim report.

Infected individuals and bereaved partners who are registered with any of the four UK infected blood support schemes will receive letters this week confirming the £100,000 alongside details of how the money will be paid.

This follows confirmation that payments will not be subject to any tax or national insurance deductions. Neither will they affect any financial benefits support an individual is receiving.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Nadhim Zahawi, said:

I know from my own discussions with constituents who are victims of the infected blood scandal just how traumatic their heart-breaking experiences have been and I was proud to campaign as an MP on their behalf and continue that work as a government minister.

No level of compensation will ever make up for the appalling treatment and circumstances that those affected by this scandal and their families have had to endure, but I hope that these interim payments go some way to demonstrate that we are, and always will be, on their side.

Minister of State for Health, Will Quince, said:

“The infected blood tragedy should never have happened. That’s why we’ve accepted Sir Brian Langstaff’s interim recommendations in full to help right this historic wrong for the thousands of people infected and bereaved partners left behind.

It’s right these interim compensation payments are being made as quickly as possible and I want to thank NHSBSA and the other UK scheme administrators for their relentless work on this. We’re continuing to listen and will be looking closely at any further recommendations as the Inquiry concludes.”

The interim compensation payments will build on the support to those affected by the scandal already provided by the four UK infected blood support schemes.

The Government will respond to any further recommendations made by the Infected Blood Inquiry and its Chair Sir Brian Langstaff when the Inquiry concludes next year.

These interim compensation payments are expected to reach c.£400 million for the whole UK, with agreement also reached for payments to be made through schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as those in England.

October 22, 2022