With the local elections now concluded and Mark Burnett elected as the new Cornwall Councillor for the Camelford and Boscastle division, Boscastle CIC has wasted no time in opening the lines of communication.
The CIC has issued an open letter to Councillor Burnett, welcoming him into the role and congratulating him on a well-fought campaign. But the letter does more than offer polite congratulations — it challenges the new councillor to honour the commitment he made during his campaign: to fight for the reinstatement of the car park levy that once helped sustainably fund Boscastle’s public toilets.
The letter highlights how the removal of the levy dismantled a working solution, leaving the CIC and community in a funding crisis for a critical facility. It notes that Burnett’s public support for restoring the levy now comes with a clear community mandate — and that the CIC is ready to support him in delivering that.
The CIC will be present at the next Parish Council meeting on Thursday 8th May at 7pm, and has asked for an update from Councillor Burnett on what steps he intends to take to move this issue forward in time for the busy summer season.
As the letter makes clear, Boscastle CIC is committed to finding solutions and ensuring the voices of the village are not just heard but acted upon.
The full open letter is below:
Dear Mark,
Congratulations on your election. Securing the confidence of your community is no small achievement, and we look forward to working with you in your new role.
We particularly welcome the strong focus you gave during your campaign to Boscastle’s public toilet funding crisis, and your clear commitment to campaign for the reinstatement of the car park levy at Cornwall Council. Your election is a reflection that this issue matters to local people, and we now look forward to seeing that mandate carried forward into action.
As you are aware from your previous engagement with the CIC, the removal of the levy dismantled a working and locally supported model, leaving the community in an avoidable crisis. Your support offers an opportunity to put that right — not just for Boscastle, but as a broader example of how local solutions, properly supported, can succeed.
The CIC will be attending the next meeting of Forrabury and Minster Parish Council on Thursday 8th May at 7pm, and we would welcome an update from you on what steps you intend to take to press this issue within Cornwall Council, and how it might be resolved in time for the coming season.
We remain committed to supporting you in delivering on this pledge and in working together to preserve and promote the assets and services that make Boscastle such a valued place for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Kind regards,
The Directors
Boscastle Community Interest Company
