The end is nigh

The finishing line for the District elections is now in sight. I have canvassed pretty much all over the Carrick District council area. It feels pretty good for us.

Tonight I am out in Truro again. There is always an excellent response to the Liberal Democrats. Every vote always counts and we cannot afford to take anything for granted.

I am running a petition about Pat Ely who is being forced to retire as a Guider due to her age. I am waiting for the National Guide Association Human resource department to get back to me with their current policy. Sounds like they may be struggling! We'll see.

Meantime Robin has also put in a written question to the Minister. I will be interested to see their response too.

Volunteer guider forced to retire at 65

Pat, St Agnes Guider, with Terrye Teverson

Well I have stumbled across a very interesting case while out canvassing in St Agnes. A local lady who has run the Guides in the village for the past 22 years has been told that she cannot continue past her 65th birthday in May.

This means that a new leader has had to be found for the Brownies and Guides but the Rainbow group (5-7 year olds) have no leader and the group is shutting.

This is appalling news. The national Guides Association are saying that the legislation only covers paid workers not volunteers. I think that is cynical manipulation of the wording of the bill by them.

The fact is that Pat (that is the Guider's name) has given her time and efforts free of charge and now they want to say 'you're past it'. How dare a national organisation dedicated to encouraging young people to grow up with good values make that judgement based only on a birth date.

Over the weekend I have been getting the legislation checked with a specialist employment firm to see what they make of this interpretation. The Department of Trade & Industry website clearly states that employed people cannot be discriminated against but is there a loophole here?

I have also heard of another case where a volunteer has been asked to stand down because of her age.

I have just had a phone call to say there is no protection under the new legislation for volunteers. However, certain unpaid office holders such as magistrates are protected.

Do you know of any if you do please get in touch on 07836752647.

Listening to people on the door

Looking at the City Hospital site housing scheme in Truro

The great thing about canvassing is that you get to hear first hand the issues that really bother people.

The key issues in the district elections of affordable housing and environmental concerns are certainly striking a chord on the doorstep.

Trying to find a home is getting increasingly difficult. This is not just people trying to buy a home but also those trying to find affordable rented accommodation.

One lady told me this week that she is now in her late 40's and is still not in a position to afford anything. Both she and her husband are in full-time employment in academic-type jobs. They are currently renting a property in Truro. We got onto the subject of the cost of homes in Cornwall. In the papers the lowest price home 1/2 bed maisonette was around £150,000. In Kent a larger property would cost about £112,000.

From my experience the prices in London are not much different to those you find in Truro and Falmouth. If you have a sea view there is an extra premium. Yet wages are nearly a third less than those in London.

I am visiting Shelter in Redruth shortly to listen to more of the issues about homelessness in Cornwall. I am a member of Shelter. I think that the first priority for politicians is to get a decent roof over people's heads. Somewhere they can feel safe and secure and at home.

Most people are really pleased to think that Carrick District Council is the best performing council for recyling household waste (32%) in Cornwall. And the aim is to increase this over the next council cycle.

Please support your local Liberal Democrat councillor so that they can help increase the 540 tonnes of recycling materials and 360 tonnes of garden waste they currently collect each year.

If you are a councillor in the Carrick area please ring me for some help canvassing.

Best wishes

May elections are around the corner

Terraced housing in Falmouth

Clear blue skies, warm sun and primroses in the hedges. Cornwall at its best over the Easter weekend. This weather is set to continue for the rest of the week - it's even predicted to get warmer.

I will be out canvassing in Truro, Falmouth, Penryn, St Agnes and various other villages over the rest of this week. It is important that we get a good result on Carrick district council. The Liberal Democrat group have done a good job in getting £20 million under the Decent Home Scheme which upgrades homes ie bathrooms etc in local authority properties.

The issues of affordable homes for young families will be one of the top issues on the political agenda. Most homes in Truro are around the £200,000 mark. Even if two people are working and bringing home £20,000 each this would only equate to a mortgage of £120,000 under the old 3x's earnings rules. The mortgage lenders are now extending the number of years of the mortgage and up to 5x's earnings. It just means that young families are even more in debt for a longer period.

Who is really winning?

If any councillors would like me to help them with some canvassing please let me know. I will be glad to help you.

Why doesn't the USA do something?

It is sobering listening to the news from Brussels today where the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are meeting to discuss the latest projections on climate change.

The USA and Australia both need to alter their stance on climate change and do something to help. Bear in mind that since 1990, the baseline year for the most important gases dealt with by the Kyoto treaty, US greenhouse gas output has risen by about 20%

Terrye outside the environmental cafe in

Penryn

while emissions for the pre-expansion EU have declined by about 2%.

This shows some progress in Europe completely wiped out by the USA cavalier attitude.

You would think that their recent experiences in New Orleans would make more impact on the President and his men.

More than one billion people who receive fresh water from glaciers in mountain ranges including the Himalayas, Alps, Andes and Rockies will see supplies dwindle.

It is difficult because I am as guilty as everyone of not doing enough. But I do think that the UK and the rest of Europe have taken a pretty good lead on these issues.

If America will not start to engage how can we persuade the future powerhouses such as China and India to cut back.

Light at the end of the tunnel

What a fantastic day - the weather is glorious. Not that I need to be reminded but this is why I love Cornwall and find it such a great place to live and work.

The last few weeks have been a bit hectic. My Dad died on February 27th and two of my daughters returned from abroad: Singapore and Moscow. My brother also returned from Milan in Italy. My mother was also diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat following Dad's death so she has been in Treliske for 8 days. She had excellent care and as a past night sister herself really enjoyed the experience and seeing all the new ways of doing things in hospital. She was particularly taken with the latest thermometers (not like the ones she had to sterilise!).

Mum has been staying with me in Tregony while recouperating with her cat, India. She is a lot better now and has gone over with my brother to her home near Helston today.

Last night Robin and I drove to Heathrow Airport and back to take Tor and Zac to get their flight to Singapore. Our home will be quiet for the first time in weeks.

On top of all the above the kitchen is still ripped out awaiting further building works. Robin, on his Easter recess from London, is now painting the ceiling so that at least is moving things on.

Today is the first day I have been able to give attention to my business in Launceston. It is a little bit quieter as the Easter holidays mean quite a few people are away from work.

Over the next few weeks I want to get out and help get some good District council results. As a past Chairman of Kerrier District council I am keen to see a good Lib Dem result.

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