I
hope you all had a good Easter and were able to spend some time with loved ones
over the extended weekend. Thank you to everyone who continued working through
this period too.
Last
week it was a pleasure to welcome the Transport Minister to both Falmouth and
Truro this week to discuss Cornwall’s new transport plan, electric vehicle
charging points, e-bikes and car clubs!
Transport
in Cornwall will be excellent and carbon neutral. Our transport system will
connect people, communities, businesses and services in a way that enhances
quality of life, is reliable, efficient, safe, healthy and inclusive.
We
trialled e-bikes in Falmouth, and spoke about car clubs and electric vehicle
charge points in Truro. The Minister understood the challenges we have in rural
areas with connectivity, but the new Cornwall Transport Plan will be
revolutionary for Cornwall.
As
well as showing the Minister some key features of our constituency, last week
also saw the long-awaited announcement of the funding from Shared Prosperity
Fund, the Government’s replacement for European Structural Funds following
Brexit.
The
Government has confirmed that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will receive a
£132million share of £2.6 billion of funding that has been allocated.
The
UK Shared Prosperity Fund will see places that need it most draw up plans this
year to deliver on their local priorities, based on a conditional allocation of
funding over the next three years. This could include regenerating rundown high
streets, fighting anti-social behaviour and crime, or helping more people into
decent jobs - helping to revive communities, tackle economic decline and
reverse geographical disparities in the UK.
The
funding delivers on the UK government’s commitment to match the previous EU
funding from the European Social Fund and European Regional Development Fund.
However, the fund will be much more flexible and locally led, freeing
communities from the bureaucratic, rigid and complex processes of the EU
Structural Funds.
Bureaucracy
will be slashed, and there will be far more discretion over what money is spent
on. EU requirements for match funding, which impacted on poorer places, will be
abolished. Instead of regional agencies, funding decisions will be made by
elected leaders in local government, with input from local members of
parliament and local businesses and voluntary groups.
The
Government has always been clear that its replacement funding for the previous
EU structural funds would not leave areas any worse off, and today’s
announcement proves this.
In
fact Cornwall, with its allocation £132million from the Shared Prosperity Fund,
has more money per head from this fund than any local authority area in
England.
I
have been told time and time again by people, businesses and organisations in
Truro and Falmouth that a real issue with the previous EU funding was how
difficult it was to access and how funding allocated for Cornwall was often
targeted at the wrong areas. The UKSPF will improve on this. It will be fit for
purpose, administered locally and better targeted, so better value for all.
I
am already making representations to Cornwall Council to ensure that Falmouth
in particular is prioritised for future plans for this money and will be doing
all I can to ensure the UKSPF makes a positive difference for ours and future
generations across Cornwall.
As ever, if you need my assistance
with anything then my team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me
by email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872
229698. My regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe
environment at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me
about any matters that I can be of assistance with.
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