Councillor Pages

The island's water supply has always been my priority. It affects every person on the islands and I will strive to ensure that a sufficient and high quality supply is maintained. This is one of the reasons why I became a Member of the General Purposes Committee. The sewerage system in Hugh Town is under stress and it is important that improvements are carried out when the necessary funding can be obtained. I think it is important to maintain the incinerator as the main element of waste disposal but I want to see more done to encourage recycling.

Traffic is a problem but not when you compare us with the mainland. Being such a small island makes it appear worse. I am prepared to investigate ways of improving things but not at the expense of unsightly traffic signage. It is not possible at the moment to undertake extensive repairs to the roads due to our highways grant from central government being slashed. Money is therefore being put away each year so that extensive work can be carried out in the future, possibly when the time comes for the Airport runway to be resurfaced.

I am also a member of the Planning Committee and I will vote to keep any development contained within existing settlements and blended in with the local environment.

The Education Committee and the Housing and Social Services Committee have recently undergone a transformation. Following a government directive all matters from both committees involving children and young persons have been transferred to the new Children and Young Persons Committee. All matters concerning housing, adult social services, libraries and adult learning are now dealt with by the new Community Services Committee. Councillor Mrs. Marion Bennett is the chairman of this committee and I am her vice-chairman. Marion believes passionately in endeavouring to make proper provision for the care of the elderly on these islands and I fully support her in this.

The shortage of affordable housing has always been a problem here with many properties going to second home buyers thereby pushing up the price of homes and preventing young families getting started on the housing ladder. I am pleased to support the efforts of the Devon and Cornwall Housing Association and the Cornwall Rural Housing Association to provide houses for rent on all the islands and I will also support a limited amount of self build housing.

Finally, I wish to keep this Council unique and operating with the minimum of interference from Westminster and unnecessary and irrelevant inspection routines. I wish to keep these islands unique and to protect their beautiful heritage.