It was just under four months ago when I had the honour of being elected as the Cornwall Councillor for Camelford and Boscastle. In some respects it seems like only yesterday but then, when I think about what has happened since, it seems like a life time ago.
As a Councillor with no previous experience in the role the first month or two were a combination of learning the ropes, undertaking a raft of training on subjects from planning and licensing to briefings on the structure of the Council and how it all tries to work together.
Around this there is also the important work of dealing with issues of residents within the division both individual concerns and matters that affect us all. This is both the most challenging and rewarding aspect of being a Councillor I think.
North Cornwall is becoming a hot spot for the location of green energy infrastructure. Whilst I would like to think that most people would agree that we need to invest in the production of green energy to remove the harmful effect of greenhouse gases from energy production I believe that this needs to be done in the right place. The proposed Geothermal Plant at Tregath is I believe a case in point. I wholeheartedly support the concept of Geothermal energy production and can see it’s place in the mix of energy production options. I have been to United Downs and seen the plant that has been constructed there. An impressive facility in the middle of an industrial estate. Where I do have an issue is in the transplantation of that from its industrial setting to the North Cornish countryside, a number of metres away from a tributary of the River Camel. I managed to have the planning decision ‘called in’ so that it is considered by a committee of councillors rather than an officer acting alone and spoke, along with a number of others, against the application at the July meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee. The Committee was unable to reach a decision that day and deferred a decision until after they had received a briefing about the proposal. The proposal will be considered again towards the end of September.
Another issue that has taken my time has been the Camelford bypass. A decision was finally reached by the Transport Secretary, having been pressed by Ben Maguire MP, that funding is not available for the bypass project that was drawn up in 2019. Whilst this is obviously very disappointing it does mean that we are no longer waiting for a decision to be made. Something that seems to happen to us a lot. I am now working actively with Ben and the local Parish and Town Councils to see if an alternative option can be identified. Money is being sought from Central Government for a feasibility study into a route using existing roads, some stretches of which will need improvement and widening. I will keep you updated.
If you need my help or support with any matter please don’t hesitate to contact me either through my email cllr.mark.burnett@cornwall.gov.uk or on my mobile 07928945782. I look forward to serving you over the next four years.
Councillor Mark Burnett
Cornwall Councillor for Camelford and Boscastle
