The mist is rolling around the hills and the drizzle is seeping into all our clothes. There is the occasional glimmer of sun but it is both fleeting and weak. It must be summer in Cornwall. Well North Cornwall at least!
Mist and rain or not one thing is sure, the holiday makers will be beating a path to join us in our beautiful Dutchy. This much welcomed and needed boost to our economy is driven by both our glorious countryside and the clean (ish) beaches and sea with visitors looking to enjoy these safely during their stay.
The safety of all, visitors and locals alike, often depends upon the brave and unselfish actions of others who give up both their time and sometimes lives in helping those who get into difficulty. Given this it is extremely concerning to read that, as a result of a court judgement, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are proposing that from September this year Coastguard Rescue Officers will no longer be compensated for the time that they give up helping others. This will impact around 3,000 people around the UK and a large number in Cornwall. The very modest payments that they have to date received, around £11 per hour I believe when on call out, in many cases enable these volunteers to undertake to drop everything to go to the aid of those in difficulty without having to think of the potential impact upon their families of lost income. I’m not for one minute suggesting that these volunteers are motivated by the payment to do what they do. On the contrary. I am sure that they put their hands up for the role out of a commitment to their communities and to ensure, as best as they are able, that we all remain safe. The current arrangements help make the commitment these people have given slightly more sustainable particularly for those who have to balance this volunteering with employment and family responsibilities.
A solution to the current situation needs to be found to maintain morale among the existing volunteers, ensure barriers don’t exist to those who would freely give of their time so that future recruitment isn’t affected and the service remains resilient.
Given the importance of this issue to our area Ben Maguire MP has voiced his concerns in Parliament and Councillor Leigh Frost, Leader of Cornwall Council, has written to the MCA urging them to work with all concerned to find alternative solutions. We can all do our bit as well. There is a petition on the Petition Parliament site calling upon the Government to introduce legislation effectively allowing the current arrangements to continue. With over 10,000 currently the Government will respond to the petition but if we can push this number to over 100,000 then it will be debated in Parliament.
Our coastguard teams are not peripheral service, they are a fundamental part of our emergency response infrastructure working alongside RNLI, police fire and ambulance services to keep us residents and the visitors safe.
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 07928 945782.
Councillor Mark Burnett
Cornwall Councillor for Camelford and Boscastle
