A Bridger's View
Tuesday 4 October 2011
Council Tax Freeze Take 2
I can today announce that Cornwall Council will be looking at freezing Cornwall's Council tax for the second year in a row. This years budget process has been going for three weeks and' the Conservative led administration have been able to meet the central government figures to allow the freeze to take place again this year.
There will be several interesting and intriguing on the budget papers that will be brought out over the coming days and weeks.
Going for an early budget last year allowed us to make considerable savings earlier and having been recognised nationally for the rigorousness of our financials we now have some flexibility as to what we can do this year.
As one Wadebridge resident said to me today, "you can rely on the Conservatives to deliver value for money for the taxpayer".
I would like to thank the hard working officers of the council and the cabinet who have been firm but fair over the last two years. WELL DONE :)
As a fiscal conservative, I believe one of the most important roles the federal government can play in assuring that our economy remains strong is to keep our fiscal house in order.
Allen Boyd
Tuesday 5 July 2011
MP's mum has a 2nd home
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Building housing to support the Welfare state.
Friday 6 May 2011
Cornwall's Economic Devolopment
It’s role:
The Master plan will inspire a locally distinctive and sustainable future for the town. It will guide all future initiatives in the town and will redefine Bodmin, building on its strengths, address its weaknesses and result in increased private (and where necessary public) sector investment.
Central to its preparation is the development of an overarching Vision for Bodmin which will formulate the social, economic and environmental future of the town, guiding successful growth and economic and social regeneration, including well-targeted and coordinated local facilities.
I have linked the document below:
http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/idoc.ashx?docid=63e3aed4-8109-4495-acdd-27a68317a89f&version=-1
There have been many noises in the press recently about non existent library and sport centre closures. Whilst the loony left would have you believe we are approaching Armageddon what is true is that Cornwall's Conservatives stand firm, work quietly and deliver.
Our commitment through Local Enterprise Zones and Town Plans have been delivered in area's that aren't considered particularly strong Conservative areas. Our aim is to show Cornwall what you get if you vote Conservative in Cornwall.
Newquay Airport-Permitted Development Rights
Tuesday 9 February 2010
Affordable Housing Debate
I am sure many of you know that I live in a shared ownership house in Wadebridge and have been banging the drum for affordable housing in North Cornwall for almost three years now. In the last year of NCDC we actually built more affordable houses than ever before, partly because of the housing boom and partly(I would like to hope) because of some of the measures that myself and like minded colleagues took to drive up % on major developments.
The discussion centres around the % of affordable houses sort from the developer and the deliverable price of those houses. My understanding is the officers use a formula to work out the finances for the 106. The scheme must be deliverable at that price set.
So, for example 1, a developer comes to the council for a housing development for 20 houses. I will use the old NCDC figure of 50% affordable housing. The old NCDC price for a 3 bedroom house was 125,000.
Sum up
10 affordable 3 bedroom houses at 125,000 each.-1.25 million, build cost 80k per unit, profit per unit 45k. Total profit for the developer minus land costs £450,000
Example two, same principle, 20 houses are being constructed. This time the 106 agreement states 33% affordable housing. Because the % is down the developer can deliver the affordable houses at a discounted price. This time the 3 bedroom house costs 80,000.
Sum up
6 affordable 3 bedroom houses at 80,000 each. The other 4 units are sold at 125,000-£980,000 build costs 80k, profit per unit 6x0 plus 4x45k. Total profit for the developer minus land costs £180,000.
So you see my problem. Do we deliver more affordable houses in % terms at a higher price or less affordable houses in % terms at a reduced cost. I have to say at the moment my feeling is delivering a smaller number of houses at a discount would be more beneficial. Especially in light of the current squeeze on lending.
I'm sorry for the detail in this post but for obvious reasons this is vital for Cornwall.
I welcome your views.
Friday 22 January 2010
Public Meeting in Wadebridge
As many of you will know, the Cabinet of Cornwall Council are being asked to consider a rationalization process of all the offices we own. The Trenant site had been illustrated in the agenda as being surplus to requirements. Many, many people believe that the site is being underused at present, there is some argument that this was always the plan in order to re site in Bodmin and sell the site to a well known supermarket chain.
We were told today that the new proposed building in Bodmin would cost 12 million pounds and this would be funded from the finance generated by the sale in Wadebridge.
The scrutiny role is to examine the decisions made by the Cabinet and insure they are correct and in the best interests of the people of the Duchy.
It became clear early on that the local councillors from all political backgrounds disagreed that Trenant should be sold. I asked two questions of the officer in charge.
Firstly and most obviously, why is it considered appropriate and cost effective to sell of a perfectly efficient building in Wadebridge and spend council tax monies on a purpose built building 7 miles down the road?
Secondly, have the officers considered the economic impact of withdrawing the staff from Trenant and Trevanion on the centre of Wadebridge?
My own feelings are that Trevanion Road would make an excellent location for affordable housing for locals. The people who work there should then be relocated to Trenant, making use of the facility we currently have. This can then be used as one, of possibly two strategic hubs in the East of the Duchy. It makes no sense to sell a perfectly good building and build another at a cost to the tax payer.
I am not against getting rid of assets that aren't energy efficient, aren't being used to their full potential or can't be justified in the current economic climate. However the business case needs to hold weight, I believe here in Wadebridge it does not.