Charlotte MacKenzie

Posts Tagged ‘Lib Dem service cuts’

, , ,

Leader denies responsibility for Council’s problems

In Uncategorized on January 28, 2009 at 3:57 pm

The new chief executive of Cornwall County Council has outlined the problems the Council faces after three and a half years of Liberal Democrat leadership. At least the new CEO seems to recognise the findings of independent audit and other reports include serious concerns that mean changes need to be made. With the Liberal Democrats leading the Council since 2005 adult social care, fire, and other essential services for local people have deteriorated. 

Council leader David Whalley was quick to try to duck any suggestion his - or Liberal Democrats’ - leadership has anything to do with that.

Like former President George Bush dodging the glancing blows from those flying shoes, Councillor Whalley said the only blame he accepts is that he did not say publicly what he has known “privately” as a result of being Council Leader. But this is not a private matter – he is an elected holder of a public office, whose Council has been criticised in public accountability reports because council services for people in Cornwall are deteriorating on his watch. And as surely as former President Bush is finally out of office, it is time Cornwall had a new Council leader – and elections in June, not October.

, , , ,

People in Falmouth and Penryn demand full-time firecover continues

In Uncategorized on January 5, 2009 at 2:10 pm

falmouth-firestation2

The Labour parliamentary candidate for Falmouth and Truro, Charlotte MacKenzie, said today that people must be told about future fire-service plans.

Last year, campaigners in Falmouth and Penryn secured a victory when the Council lifted its recruitment freeze on full-time firefighters, clearing the way for vacancies to be filled and for Falmouth fire-station’s full-time cover to continue at night. However, a management report last October included the option of switching some of that full-time cover to other stations in Cornwall.

Charlotte MacKenzie said:
“Thousands of people signed petitions and joined the facebook group to save 24-hour full-time fire cover in Penryn and Falmouth. It is time the Council reassured the community and said what its fire-service plans are. I have written today to the new interim chief fire officer to make him aware of the strength of local feeling on this issue.

“The Council and Implementation Executive are now setting the budget for the new Cornwall Council. This does not include plans to increase the fire-services budget to take account of issues highlighted in the risk management report. If cover needs to be improved, the money should be found to do that. Cornwall is receiving the sixth largest revenue grant increase in the country. The Government is also providing additional funds that must be spent on equipping fire-services.

“It is great to see Commercial Road in Penryn return to business as usual after the furniture shop fire at night and despite the economic recession. Everyone knows that with 24-hour docks, oil storage, busy hotels and guest houses, university campuses and student accommodation, Falmouth and Penryn need full-time fire-cover at night.”

, ,

Save Falmouth firestation

In Uncategorized on November 29, 2007 at 3:42 pm

Responding to the news that Cornwall County Council executive are now proposing to retain the 24 hour firestation at Camborne, but refusing to withdraw their recommendation of cuts to Falmouth firestation, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Truro and Falmouth Charlotte MacKenzie said:

“I welcome the good news for residents in Camborne and Hayle. However, I’m appalled at the way in which the Liberal Democrat executive at Cornwall County Council have handled this.”

“It is totally arbitrary to recommend prioritising 24 hour cover at Camborne when they have previously stressed the need to consider the findings of the enquiry into the fire at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay. They are still waiting for the risk assessment which should have been undertaken before these dangerous cuts were proposed.”

“I urge everybody who wants Falmouth firestation to continue as a 24-hour station with full-time cover at night to sign our petition.”

, ,

Keep up the pressure to stop fire service cuts

In Uncategorized on June 1, 2007 at 1:14 pm

petition112.jpg

Truro and Falmouth Labour Party representatives were amongst people joining the protest against cuts to fireservices which the Liberal Democrat led County Council is proposing to make. Supporting firecrews on the protest from Union Place to Lemon Quay in Truro.

Speaking on behalf of Truro and Falmouth Labour Party, Charlotte MacKenzie said: “These proposals put lives and jobs at risk. The final decision has not yet been made, and it’s vital to keep up the pressure on the County Council to stop these cuts. The Government expects fireservices to be provided on the basis of risk, but the Liberal Democrat led County Council would rather spend money on free newspapers and bottled water.”

 

“We share the FBU’s concerns that these cuts would have an impact on fireservices and emergency response times throughout Cornwall. The proposed changes to night cover at Falmouth Fire Station would slow down response times after 6pm for all call outs to Falmouth docks, fires at sea, large hotel fires, fires at home, and to Penryn, where the local firestation closure was only accepted by residents because of cover provided by the 24 hour firestation at Falmouth.”

 

In January, Truro and Falmouth Labour Party started an on-line petition against plans to close 24-hour firestations at night in Falmouth and Camborne. This petition was submitted to the formal consultation in April. Charlotte MacKenzie is pictured delivering the petition to County Hall.

 

,

Cornwall’s care services falter under Lib Dem management

In Uncategorized on April 18, 2007 at 9:27 pm

Cornwall County Council’s latest performance assessment shows that Adult Social Care and Children’s Services are offering less good services for local people since the Liberal Democrats took control of the Council in 2005.The new performance assessment shows that these services in Cornwall are now “only at minimum requirements”. This is before the impact of the further cuts to Adult Social Care that the Liberal Democrat controlled Council intends to make, which are currently subject to consultation with local residents. In 2005, the Council was assessed as “performing well” and “consistently above minimum requirements”.The new report also assesses Cornwall’s fire services as “only at minimum requirements”; and yet the Liberal Democrat led County Council is proposing cuts to 24 hour firestations in Falmouth and Camborne.One in three councils in the UK now achieve the highest four star rating. Cornwall County Council’s overall assessment as a three star council can be found here. 

, ,

Lib Dem firestation plans “put lives at risk”

In Uncategorized on April 8, 2007 at 2:46 pm

In January, Truro and Falmouth Labour Party started an on-line petition against plans to close 24-hour firestations at night.

Lesley Trenchard of Boslowick Road in Falmouth is one of many people who signed the petition. She said “Falmouth firestation covers the docks as well as thousands of homes. These proposals put lives and jobs at risk. It’s vital this petition makes the powers that be think again.”

 

 

Handing in the petition at County Hall in Truro, for the formal consultation which closes on Tuesday 10 April, local campaigner Charlotte MacKenzie said: “We are deeply concerned that the proposed changes to night cover at Falmouth Fire Station would slow down response times after 6pm for all call outs to Falmouth docks, fires at sea, large hotel fires, fires at home, and to Penryn, where the local firestation closure went ahead because of the availability of the 24 hour firestation at Falmouth.”

 

, ,

Lib Dem budget will mean cuts to vital services

In Uncategorized on February 13, 2007 at 10:16 pm

Truro and Falmouth Labour Party slammed the Lib Dem budget agreed by Cornwall County Council today as a let down for local people. Local campaigner Charlotte MacKenzie said: “We oppose the cuts the Lib Dem led County Council is proposing to current levels of social care, free transport for some people with disabilities, and night cover at firestations.”

“Cornwall’s fireservices cost the average Council Tax payer just over £1 a week – less than most everyday insurance policies. It is money well spent. Closing Falmouth firestation at 6pm would increase the time local fire-crews take to reach fires, so endangering lives. A final decision has not yet been made and you can sign our online petition against these cuts to local fire-services and jobs.”

, , ,

Keep Falmouth firestation open at night

In Uncategorized on January 10, 2007 at 10:29 am

Cornwall Labour Party today hit out at Lib Dem cuts to local services after it was reported that 24 hour firestations in Falmouth and Camborne may close at night. The fireworkers union the FBU has already expressed concern at the proposals because they say calling night staff out from home would increase the time taken to reach local firescenes by a minimum of four minutes. The proposals are to be discussed at a County Council meeting on Thursday.Cornwall Labour Party condemned the proposal to close the firestations at night from 6.00pm. Cornwall Labour Party spokesperson Charlotte MacKenzie said: “These cuts to fireservices at night must not go ahead. The Falmouth service covers the docks and fires at sea as well as protecting local residents and visitors. It’s vital that response times are not delayed and that emergency workers reach firescenes quickly.”Cornwall Labour Party slammed the Liberal Democrat led County Council for making cuts to local services rather than finding other ways to keep within budget. Charlotte MacKenzie said: “The Liberal Democrats have cut adult social care in Cornwall. They voted to support the closure of some wards and operating theatres at Treliske. Now they are considering cuts to vital fireservices. At the same time, senior Liberal Democrat councillors have paid themselves massive increases in their allowances, and say they have £360,000 to spend on a council newspaper. It’s important to operate within budget and to keep council tax increases down. The Lib Dems have got their priorities all wrong and are failing to provide the best possible services for local people.”

The proposals for local fireservices will be open for twelve weeks consultation from Monday.
 

 

 

An online petition has been started to keep the firestations open at night.
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.