IT is with regret we have learned the news that the Government will be looking for views to support Cornwall County Council's application for unitary status. It is rare for all the town councils in Caradon to speak with a single voice, rarer still for the majority of town and parish councils in Caradon to do the same, and it is unknown for this to happen countywide. And yet this is what has happened with councillors from all political parties and none against such a proposal. Liskeard Town Council voted against supporting the council county for the following reasons: 1. A democratic deficit – Liskeard would lose five councillors 2. Services would move from being locally driven and administered to being administered from Truro 3. One or at most two councillors would have the power to make strategic decisions for Liskeard – without being accountable to their council. The Government and the county council have in the past said that they believe in local solutions for local people but how local is Truro to Liskeard or any other town in South East Cornwall? They have also said that town and parish councils will be given greater powers to deal with services in their area but surely town and parish councils will want to work together to produce economies of scale. Isn't this a district council by another name, but one that doesn't have to comply with Council Tax capping. Shortly, the Government will allegedly go out to consult the people of Cornwall (something not done by the county council). Be assured that the majority of current town, parish and district councillors will speak against unitary status on your behalf. Let Cornwall show that, although we recognise the need for change, this is not the way to do it. Please if asked, do the same. Councillor Chris Ferguson Mayor of Liskeard
