1 minute manifesto

Have just finished recording a "1 minute manifesto" for the Lib Dems in Cornwall for broadcast on "Atlantic FM", (based in St Agnes) for Wednesday before polling day. All parties who are fielding candidates have been asked for their 1 minute - and I did my bit on why we should win.

PQ's on Children's Services

Over the last few months the mainstreaming of children's service's in Cornwall (SureStart into childrens centres) has been taking place all over Cornwall. It has been a time of great flux and worry for many of the employees with changes of roles and governance taking place.

One of the thing that the Sure Start programmes did was to spend their funding on employing health staff such as midwives, health visitors, cpn's, speech and language therapists. Each programme employed it's health staff according to most need in the area.

Here in Bodmin at Sure Start North Cornwall (I was vice-chair of the board at the time) we had a seconded midwife, health visitor and speech and language team. The team have done some fantastic work with the under 5's which has significantly reduced the pressure on the health service of problems not detected and dealt with early.

But of course a lot of the results cannot be measured immediately, whilst all the evidence of similar schemes show that dedicated health staff to this age group is of immense value, the government decided to speed everything up a bit - another fad investment. The "mainstreaming" of the SureStart programmes came far sooner than expected, some programmes were only just reaching the people it needed to, and the shorter timetable for the programmes threw everything up in the air - whilst I welcome the roll out of services to al children under 5 I am concerned at the dedicated services that are potentially being lost.

The theory behind the SureStart programmes was largely to do with finding best practice and needs based services for families with the under 5's. In Bodmin for example the midwife and health visitor were providing excellent and important parenting and health advice to families with under 5's - often helping families to bond, deal with bad behaviour, to eat properly, to breastfeed, to get through problems such as Post Natal Depression and the general shock of having a baby - be the parents be 14 or 40.

The special factor was the time available and in some cases time well spent building up very strong trusting relationships with the hard to reach. The input of health from the SureStart programme has had a very positive effect on the families they worked with and was one example, we thought, of best practice.

As the mainstreaming process has continued it has become very clear that none of the health posts from across Cornwall have been retained ... Mums have protested in places such as Falmouth, Camborne and Bodmin. I have been contacted on numerous occasions (through Real Baby Milk) with concern at local support groups being lost through no dedicated staff.

Work is going on at a county level to try and address the problems but at the end of the day many excellent initiatives, mostly health based, are disappearing - leaving us with the legacy of one good crop of under 5's who have benefited from the SureStart investment and their confused parents wondering why their younger children don't deserve the same.

This is something our policy paper, Stronger Families, Brighter Futures really recognises as being of importance and especially on the issue of multi-agency approaches to supporting families. I am really sick of seeing this government getting it so wrong for our children ... just look at our ranking in the UNICEF report on childhood in the western world ... we came at the bottom ... absolutely disgraceful. Our policy paper for families is not afraid to address the needs surrounding the family and acknowledge them as being key to the future rather than an inconvenience unless they are fully contributing economically.

With this in mind I have worked with Dan Rogerson MP recently to table written parliamentary questions to the DfES and DoH to ask what current level of funding (per capita) is now being provided to the under 5's in comparison with the per capita SureStart investment in Cornwall and also as to the plans for health provision to children's centre settings.

Investment at this age of a childs life is pure gold in the bank for the future. Children who have been invested in at this age will have good and firm foundations on which to build their lives and play their role in society. On so many levels, emotionally, physically, mentally ... just because the investment cannot be immediately measured it should not be disregarded.

Home - steep - home

In the local news during my absence from my blog there have been two major issues which seriously affect the housing situation in Cornwall.

Firstly, key workers, it would seem are totally unable to afford a house in the county - we are talking about employees of the police force, fire service, health service, education and emergency services. The Halifax survey has uncovered a very serious situation and we are in danger of losing our vital workforce due to average house prices often being nearly ten times their wages.

The second thing that has come to light is that Truro is the most expensive place to buy a house across the whole of the South-West region (it was too expensive for us four years ago so I know this first hand!). The average house price in Truro is now, wait for it ... £300k! To put it in proportion, the average across the South-West is £212k. (Which is still expensive to my reckoning!).

Of course, the second home market has contributed significantly to this state of affairs. Restrictions on the number of family homes that can be bought for holiday use would be one sure way of trying to protect the natural communities that exist over the county - we are sadly seeing small rural areas becoming almost deserted before our very eyes and the local social fabric aletered due to the leaving of the young and the seldom seen neighbours..

My Dad and Carol were out for an evening stroll on a beach on the North Coast the other evening and as it got dark Dad said how sad it was to look along the coast line and see so many unlit houses ... just about every one of them empty.

So - there are all these empty houses and then there all these people needing houses ... it seems crazy to imagine that this problem even exists when you look at it plainly and simply like that.

But as a result of both inaction and meddling centrally, this is the situation before us.

Too many Cornish district councils find that their planning processes and decisions are no longer governed by local knowledge and information - but in fact on whether a planning refusal will win an appeal with the planning inspectorate. The reason for this? Because the appeal costs land in the lap of the council. I can vouch for the fact that residents are feeling let down by this and councillors are finding themselves accused of disregarding local opinion for the sole reason of cost to the council.

Then it has a bearing on the role of local planning committees and their ability to plan the strategic development, which includes affordable housing, of their local areas ... the return of strategic planning powers to Cornwall is key to the solution of providing housing - be that rented or for sale and decisions should not be made under fear of expensive court cases.

More planning freedom would enable councils to be more creative with their schemes, as Dan Rogerson MP (Housing spokesperson) says "Investing in community land trusts and encouraging councils to use planning agreements and equity mortgages are both ways to keep prices at a reasonable level."

10 years of a Labour government has made no impact on the crisis and in fact it's entirely economically driven agenda has left those in most need unable to secure one of the most fundamental human needs - shelter.

I'm back - and a bit slimmer!

Phew ... it has been a week or so (well in fact much more) of really hard campaigning. I love this little bit before an election - it is hectic and the panic sets in of things that could still be done, but getting close to seeing if you've worked hard enough is exciting.

I have been on the doorstep with rosette in the glorious sunshine. As well as helping others I have been fighting my own seat - pleased to say there has been little evidence of the Tories, one almost standard colour leaflet which has been mirrored right across the county, I am sure a fair bit of invisible telephone canvassing is going on, so no room for complacency. My blue letters are just about out now and we have begun the polling-day-activity debate!

My children have been well looked after with the grandparents putting in an absolutely sterling effort! (Thank you T, Dad & Carol x). William has been out in full force with me and we have been having some really good feedback on the doorstep - mostly "She's a good girl that one" which hopefully means that I have been doing my job well!

I have now realised that over the last fortnight I have lost half a stone which is both good and bad - good because I needed to, bad because I only recently bought a couple of new suits which are now a little bit baggy! The election campaign workout has had me up and down stairs, stomping hills and jumping little walls (only if no-ones looking mind!). It's a great incentive!

Other news from this weekend ... I provided a couple of quotes for an article in The (Manchester) Guardian work supplement - an interesting lite-article about engagement of people other than the retired in local politics.

I must add that whilst I am completely passionate about the need for younger and more diverse representation in politics I also think there is also an extremely important role for those who have had longer experience - especially through times of change.

Council's need to have a mixture - an all young council would not necessarily be a good thing, just as an all retired council has it's drawbacks. But, I would add I have learnt so much from my "elders" and it is with their experience that I find I can speak in a more informed way for the future.

Phew ... and relax

It has been really busy over the last few days, I have been out and about all over the place including canvassing in Porthtowan which was particularly lovely as it is where William and I did our vows on the beach. Fantastic, it was a beautiful afternoon and a really banterful canvass!

I was at Julia Goldsworthy's dinner on Friday evening, Nick Clegg was the guest speaker and made an excellent speech which somehow managed to cover breastfeeding, the prison system and throwing cutlery at the radio! Everyone was in full black tie and ballgowns and it was down at the Tregenna Castle which was beautiful (St Ives).

The rest of the weekend has been canvassing all over and generally developing my election tan!

I met with a PR agency this morning to plan some coverage of Real Baby Milk for breastfeeding awareness week which is really exciting. I have done all the press myself to date but am so busy at the moment that I can't dedicate the right time to do it, employing an agency should really help.

I was interviewed today for The Guardian work supplement (this saturday). The piece is about younger politicians and engagement - and I do indeed have plenty to say on that subject!

Choosing your hospital

Yesterday I had to take my eldest son to the doctors for an ear infection - much laughter from my son when the doctor announced he could see me through the other ear, although Milo mis-understood and now thinks Mummy lives in his head (I do hope that won't damage him for life!)

Anyway, whilst down there, I picked up a booklet on the side called "Choosing your Hospital". It is a 38 page A5 foll colour printed booklet that looks like a catalogue with it's entries all sunny pictures of staff and hospitals. I can tell you (because it is part of my profession) that producing that booklet is not cheap and I dread to think how many have been printed.

I also notice that it was printed in December 2006. In December 2006, I know that the NHS in Cornwall was in crisis and still is. I received (and still do) casework from residents about long waiting lists with many having no option but to go private when they could ill afford to.

I cross paths with health in many guises and I have seen the on the ground impact of the state of the health service. Patients and children are having to wait months for appointments. As one of the largest employers in Cornwall the morale of staff is incredibly low. I could go into more detail, but it's probably best I don't on here. The private health industry must be raking it in because of it.

It is a truly sorry state and this "choosing your hospital" booklet is an insult. Is anyone actually using their right to choose? Cornwall is geographically unique, with spread out communities and some deeply rural areas. Sadly we also have to deal with a highly challenging (to put it politely) public transport system.

People in Cornwall don't want to choose their hospital, they want the one near them to stay open, and they want to be seen quickly and effectively.

How on earth can we get this message across to a service that is run by unelected representatives with no accountability to the people it is directly affecting?

Independent Retailers

Truro has grown enormously over the last ten years and the changes I have seen in the city have been immense. I remember when Lemon Quay was a busy car park and the whole area was congested ... of course now it is a lovely Piazza with M&S, Debenhams sitting opposite the historic Pannier Market. (Read this link for those of you not in Cornwall!)

As I was in Truro yesterday I went and spoke with local business who I have long had links with. It was both interesting and worrying. Truro has always been known for it's independent shops, "The Truro Specialist Quarter", and for the fact that the mainstream was complimented by the little shops.

It is clear that the independent shops are now really struggling and we are in severe danger of losing them.

Huge rises in rents due to the value of buildings rising sharply, expensive business rates and the squeeze from the larger retailers is hitting the smaller shops really hard. Not to mention the invisible competition - e-commerce.

This is a very sad thing and something that I believe we should be fighting to prevent from happening. The amount of red tape and bureaucracy that smaller retailers have to wade through adds yet another barrier to trading. Truro is often perceived as being the centre of business community in Cornwall and it is an area where we should seriously be protecting the rights of the independent to trade.

I was surprised to learn that there is only a National Association of Independent retailers, and I spent a considerable amount of time yesterday encouraging the business I spoke with to form an Independents association (do correct me if anyone knows of such an organisation already in existence in Truro). Unfortunately, they feel hopeless against the major retailers and so, sadly, a certain amount of apathy exists.

One of the things I have worked very hard on within my role as councillor in North Cornwall is to become involved with local town centre businesses as I seem them as being integral to the community. I was surprised to discover that not many councillors actually do this as "they often don't vote in your ward".

But my reckoning is that representing businesses and helping them where possible is fundamental to the future and morale of communities. After all it is the businesses that employ people and provide the goods and services that people need. I can also tell you that towns that aren't thriving, lack heart ... and that is not good for the resident community.

Lovely Day ... for delivering!

Up to my eyes in leaflets, posters and blank envelopes!! And no the picture is not me recycling them!

The sun is shining so have been out in force delivering this morning. My husband has been convinced that a good couple of hours delivering after work will be good for his soul, so that should get another couple of walks completed.

I was up late last night re-vamping my website ... so please do have a look www.arwenfolkes.org - it's less messy than the last one and much more me!

Feeling really bouyant today ... my boys are asleep so I am busy addressing envelopes until they wake up and then get them off to the woods for a good walk!

Old Haunts

William and I took the boys to Truro yesterday and caught up with some old friends. I lived in Truro for 10 years, William for even longer, and the only reason we ever left was because we needed to buy a house and we simply couldn't afford to buy in Truro.

At the time I was expecting and ran my business from home so the flexibility was there - William's job is in St Austell.

Now that the boys are a bit older and engaged in life around them it was lovely to take them to our old haunts and show them where they were born (Treliske Hospital), where Mummy and Daddy got married, where we used to spend our lunchtimes in the park.

Truro has changed dramatically since the first time I ever lived there, but my friends are still experiencing the same problems with housing and opportunities.

Truro has always been linked with an umbilical cord to Falmouth and naturally we have spent lots of time there too ... my family used to own The Enterprise boats and a couple of summers were spent helping to run the bar on board for all the tourists doing the trip between the two places.

It was nice to touch base once again and sometimes I really miss it down there.

But back to the here and now - after a day out yesterday it's back to campaigning up here. My leaflets are here now so I am getting them out across the ward - as I expect many of you are too!

Volunteers

In the office right now trying to catch up on things so that I can have a clear run at the next three weeks.

Sitting here writing my blog isn't exactly going to help with my catch-up but having just sorted the mail-out for the 100 Real Baby Milk volunteers has kind of taken it out of me!

We are having a stand at the Royal Cornwall Show this year which will be entirely manned by our volunteers but trying to organise them all (they come from right across the county) to attend one event rather than the usual attendance at their own weekly groups (23 of them) proves a logistical nightmare at times ... the joys of Cornwall's geography!

My desk is within the Cornwall County Council offices (they have very kindly given me a desk free of charge) and I am surrounded by people who work with children - so it's quite quiet here today with everyone off for school holidays.

Election time

I have been in the Lib-Dem office today sorting out all my literature and posters ready to get out in my ward. I may have mentioned before that my fellow candidate dropped out at the last minute so defending a seat on my own in this multi-member ward is going to be tough but certainly not impossible! My key themes are affordable housing, regeneration for employment, community facilities and cleaner streets - all in keeping with our local election manifesto of course!

I am also trying to get out and about in other areas as well, delivered some leaflets in Truro (by accident I should add here ... had gone to Truro on a business meeting but got nabbed to do a quick half hour) and of course helping down in the St Austell & Newquay area.

We are fielding 19 candidates up here in North Cornwall whilst Restormel has an impressive 37 candidates for the elections.

It is sods law that everything comes at once and I am just finishing the funding bid for Real Baby Milk at the same time ... it is nearly there and, I hope, looking in good shape. We certainly have received a lot of support for the bid and I just hope it comes off. It would be amazing to be actively creating those badly needed jobs in Cornwall as well as campaigning for them!

Stop shopping ... or the planet will go pop

This is a bit late, but in Sunday's Observer was the most brilliant article by Jonathan Porritt on our material excesses and I simply have to blog it.

We are a nation drowning in an unquenchable thirst for material posessions which generates knock-ons to amongst other things personal debt and the environment. The answer truly is to buy less and not necessarily to buy ethically and this article looks at why and how.

Easter weekend

We got back from London late last night. Nervous as we were about everything it was a really lovely couple of days and the boys took it all in their stride, they were brilliant. We showed them the palace, the Queens Guards, Natural History Museum, Science Museum etc.


I have never been in London with children before and I have to say it was a revelation. Underground staff smiling and joking with them, people on the tube engaging with us all, people laughing at their amazement of the whole place. It was heartwarming to see such a different side of London.


The boys loved all the travelling most of all - the train journey up, taxi from the station, numerous underground trains (thanks to "Underground Ernie"), double-decker buses and spotting the underground signs. All mundane things to many of you I am sure, but through their eyes it was a huge adventure. I shall be trying to travel more with them like this in Cornwall.

Out and About

It is an absolutely beautiful morning here in Cornwall - and looks like it's set for the weekend too, although we will actually be in London Saturday til Monday.

Being as I am working this afternoon and evening I am spending the morning with my boys and I think we will be off to the park in a minute or two.

We are going to London this weekend so that Milo, my eldest, can actually see this "mysterious" place called London that gets talked about so frequently in this house! William and I often have to travel up for work, so for Milo and Jasper to see what we are talking about will be good.

We will of course be doing the completely touristy thing, but most of all I am looking forward to the train journey - sadly, I don't know when we ever sit down for four hours together as a family and I am looking forward to that bit most of all ... truth be known, I think that will be the boys favourite bit too - unless the red double decker's really impress!

I remember as a child (my parents didn't drive then) that we always travelled by train or bus - quite different for my children, as we have tended to always travel by car (have you seen how much stuff you have to take with two small children?!) So yes, an education in public transport - lets just hope everything goes to plan with the journey!

Anyway, two boys are climbing on my back as I type this so I will take that as a cue to shut down the laptop and get out into the sunshine with them! Bye for now!

Matthew Taylor's 20th Dinner

That's where the Folkes family (senior members) were on Saturday night.

It was a really pleasant evening but quite peculiar to hear Matthew's time being reflected on in such a way when he still has a couple of years to go yet! As Matthew said himself, shades of Reginald Perrin, minus the stripping off!

Last full council

Well, that's it for this term. The last full council meeting of North Cornwall was held last night and my nomination papers are now all completed to put myself through the madness once again!

I had a few bits of casework to catch up on yesterday and it was interesting to be asked how I was finding it, I had to admit that I was quite naive prior to my election last year and thought that I would be able to revolutionise local government by making things happen quickly and efficiently. (!! I have now learnt !!)

I am assured this was the folly of youth and have to admit that I am now far more realistic about things! Although things often take 3-6 months longer than I hope, the feeling of seeing things getting done due to your persistence is a good one and also it is humbling to be able to represent people at council meetings and a responsibility I take very seriously.

Of course, it is a privelage that is only earnt through being out there and working hard, and having only fought my by-election last year it is daunting to have to go through it all again so soon even moreso as I am pretty much on my own this time (hoards of people helped me fight the by-election last year!). But I am not phased, neither am I complacent.

Nominations will be confirmed next week. I am pretty sure I will be opposed (being in a multi member ward) and whilst I am disappointed that my fellow Lib Dem candidate has pulled out at the last minute I am all prepared to get going and retain this seat. In fact I am very much looking forward to it. Bring it on.

ps. Hello Rob of Truro who reads my blog!