News that the UK government is trying to learn lessons from Japan's nuclear power crisis makes me wonder what the implications might be for Cornwall's renewable energy sector, and the off-shore wind industry in particular. Buy now?
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Cornwall Stadium? £120,000 just to stay in the game
A fascinating Cornwall Council cabinet meeting tomorrow, as members debate a recommendation to progress plans for a sports stadium at Threemilestone, near Truro.
The game of poker unfolding before our eyes is gripping as the private and public sectors face-off across the table. Who will blink first? The stakes just get higher and higher. The recently published feasibility study says the total cost of the project could reach £41 million. It says the maximum council capital contribution would be only £5 million. The prize could be 400 jobs and an attraction generating a £3 million customer spend each year.
Who is to say if the odds implied in these figures are credible or not? The word "risky" doesn't begin to cover it.
To continue with the design and development work now requires taxpayers to stump up £120,000. What happens next, no-one knows - although there are plenty who'll tell you that once hooked, the gambler just keeps going until he runs out of money.
The game of poker unfolding before our eyes is gripping as the private and public sectors face-off across the table. Who will blink first? The stakes just get higher and higher. The recently published feasibility study says the total cost of the project could reach £41 million. It says the maximum council capital contribution would be only £5 million. The prize could be 400 jobs and an attraction generating a £3 million customer spend each year.
Who is to say if the odds implied in these figures are credible or not? The word "risky" doesn't begin to cover it.
To continue with the design and development work now requires taxpayers to stump up £120,000. What happens next, no-one knows - although there are plenty who'll tell you that once hooked, the gambler just keeps going until he runs out of money.
Incinerator decision due on 16th April
I'm grateful to Cornwall councillor Dick Cole's blog for drawing my attention to this important date.
Empty chairs
The National Union of Teachers has had to change the format of a planned "debate" about the future of state education in Cornwall because none of those supporting the government's Academies programme was prepared to take part.
Instead, the NUT will stage a public meeting at the Princess Pavillion, Falmouth, on 21st March. The union's general secretary, Christine Blowers, is among the speakers.
Among those declining the invitation to take part is Bob Mitchell, whose job title is now "Principal" of Bodmin College. Until it became an academy at the start of the year, he was simply "headmaster."
Bodmin's acquisition of academy status has required it to advertise for a new headteacher - Bob's new job means he's too busy. The school has also appointed a separate business manager. A few weeks ago I called Bodmin College to ask if I could interview Bob. I'm keen to find out how these changes will improve the quality of teaching. I'm still waiting for the return call.
Instead, the NUT will stage a public meeting at the Princess Pavillion, Falmouth, on 21st March. The union's general secretary, Christine Blowers, is among the speakers.
Among those declining the invitation to take part is Bob Mitchell, whose job title is now "Principal" of Bodmin College. Until it became an academy at the start of the year, he was simply "headmaster."
Bodmin's acquisition of academy status has required it to advertise for a new headteacher - Bob's new job means he's too busy. The school has also appointed a separate business manager. A few weeks ago I called Bodmin College to ask if I could interview Bob. I'm keen to find out how these changes will improve the quality of teaching. I'm still waiting for the return call.
Friday, 4 March 2011
Lib Dems find it's grim up north
What does it mean in Cornwall? At the moment, absolutely nothing. The next round of Cornwall Council elections are not until 2013. The Liberal Democrats still have a large (but shrinking) political machine capable of getting voters to polling stations.
As Lib Dem councillor Alex Folkes has blogged, it's too early for his Cornwall team to panic. But his Lib Dem colleagues in Scotland and Wales, and anywhere else where there are elections in May, must already be contemplating what to do with all the spare time they are about enjoy.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
No shortage of LEP applicants
It seems that, so far, 71 people have applied to join the board of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership. Good to see that enthusiasm for spending taxpayers' money has not been dented by the unfortunate start to the project in December. Interviews and appointments due shortly.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Second homes register likely to stay secret
It looks as if Cornwall Council has the Information Commissioner on its side when it comes to judgement of the "public interest test" on disclosure of second home addresses. The Commission has been down his road before, most recently on 8th February last year, in a case involving the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. An earlier case even went to the Information Tribunal, and again found in favour of the council. It looks as if we shall to have rely on intelligence gathered on the ground by the political parties themselves. So when it comes to the harvesting of votes from second home addresses the richest, and best organised, political parties are likely to have the edge.
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