independent Cornish news and comment

Kerrier: MK MEMBERS HAVE ‘NO CONFIDENCE’ IN RDA

Two leading members of the Camborne – Redruth constituency party of Mebyon Kernow - the Party for Cornwall have proposed a motion of ‘no confidence’ in the South West Regional Development Agency at the next Full Council meeting of Camborne Town Council on Thursday 9th November.


MK councillor Alan Sanders, the Vice-Chair of the Camborne-Redruth branch said:
“The Regional Development Agency has a track record of failure and mismanagement. We have seen this time after time with such projects as ‘Aggiwood.’ Yet, at the same time, they are pulling the rug out from our successful Cornish businesses such as R & D Developments at Saltash and Quaife Engineering in Camborne.

“Now, at the instigation of its offshoot the Urban Regeneration Company it has, in the face of a democratic decision by Cornwall County Council Planning, launched a Compulsory Purchase Order against South Crofty and other businesses in the area - throwing local people out of work and stifling potential growth in the area in order to build a park!

“The democratic argument is one which all true democrats should support. To my mind, this is a point of principle, for no unelected quango should be allowed to overrule a democratically elected body. The people of Cornwall have no democratic control over the activities of this quango.

“This strengthens the argument that Mebyon Kernow has been making from day one – that Cornwall’s Objective One money (now Convergence funding) should be controlled by a democratically accountable body based in Cornwall. Cornwall is the only place that has its funds controlled from outside. This is an insult to the people of Cornwall and the fact that the next phase of European structural funding is totally in the hands of this undemocratic body is a slap in the face for Cornwall.”

Cllr Stuart Cullimore, Branch Chairman added:
“I have fought long and hard for South Crofty. And despite all the hard work and money put in by Baseresult, they have been hampered at every turn of the road by the authorities. Yet, when their persistence won through at Cornwall County Council Planning, the Regional Development Agency decided to override this democratic body and force through their plans; plans which in my opinion will do nothing for the people of the area and at the same time destroy the chance of a mining revival which will bring jobs and prosperity in its wake. The proposals by Baseresult are using private money and unlike the RDA, will not cost the tax-payer a penny.”