CORNWALL COUNCIL -- FIRST FEW DAYS!

Monday and Tuesday, 8th and 9th May 2017 were induction days at Lys Kernow (County Hall) for newly elected councillors, with a mind-spinning round of lectures and presentations on what the council is, what our roles are, how it all works, plus reams of paperwork, signing up for training sessions, photographs for the website and ID cards, and getting to know people.
 

Afternoons were opportunities for councillors to meet in their political party groups, (I say "Councillors" as that is the common term, but apparently we are "Divisional Members" in council-speak.)
 

Obviously, political parties such as Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour, Mebyon Kernow, Greens etc are true political parties but what about Independents like me? I have never been in a political party and have changed my votes depending on the election and the state of the country at the time. I have also usually supported Independent candidates in local elections.

The Independents have traditionally formed an "Independent Group" a banding together for mutual support, advice, and to avoid being brushed aside by the political parties. I have signed up to the Independent Group, and listened intently to their debates.

The "Big Issue" is that no political party has overall control of the council, there are 123 councillors, so to hold overall control and be confident of winning debates in council, a party needs at least 62 councillors.

Conservatives have the most with 46, Liberal Democrats next with 37, and Independents third with 30. (Labour 4, MK 4, Labour and Cooperative party 1)

There are intense discussions ongoing about whether any parties and groups will work with others to form an administration for the council, if Independents came to an agreement with Conservatives or Lib Dems, there would be a possibility of forming some form of joint administration, so are in a good position, however rumours abound but there is no firm news at the time of writing!

Locally in Hayle there is an informal meeting this week for old and new town councillors to meet and decide who wants to do which jobs and roles in the council. Remember there are three vacancies for the council which we will need to co-opt people for (unless enough people in town wish to force another election!)

Watch this space, I hope to continue letting people know what's going on in Hayle local politics!

Graham.