tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992606983590924542.post341755719265704554..comments2023-04-08T08:20:30.061-07:00Comments on Illogan Blogger: Affordable (sic) Housing ConsultationStephen Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02642285715014538976noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992606983590924542.post-42723453566563146772014-03-16T01:55:25.503-07:002014-03-16T01:55:25.503-07:00Hi Chris,
A National Assembly would allow a wide ...Hi Chris,<br /><br />A National Assembly would allow a wide range of strategic financial decisions to be made. It would effectively give us a blank sheet of paper. <br /><br />How did we build a substantial council owned property portfolio after the war - during much greater austerity? It is all about political will - and this would depend on whichever Cornish government was elected.<br /><br />There would also be the opportunity to provide more resources for the development of such things as commuity land trusts - helping people to help themselves.<br />It is also highly likely that the cost of building housing would reduce. If there was a policy of allowing development only for local need then developers would not be able to pay inflated prices for land.<br /><br />If you read MK's proposals you will see that we are not asking anyone to 'clear off'. We want a wide ranging and respectful debate on how to bring greater democracy to Cornwall. We advocate that a Cornish National Assembly would be awarded a needs based financial settlement (or block grant) to use as its budget. Once decided the settlement would be reviewed each time the Westminster Parliament conducted a spending review. So if the UK government spending decreased as a whole then so would Cornwall's share. If it increased then again so would Cornwall's share.<br /><br />We believe that our 'vulnerable economic position' is, in part, attributed to mismanagement from Westminster. Surely we could make better financial and investment decisions than people who are based 300 miles away - or who have to consider a wider south west area before Cornwall's unique needs.<br /><br />We would also have complete control of European Funding. Look at how much has been wasted on the failed Heartlands project. It is offical policy of the people that dispense our European funding to go for big 'iconic' projects - so that people can see where where their money has been spent. MK would rather make investments where they can MaKe a difference (even if this was a little more invisible) and improve our economic vulnerability.Stephen Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02642285715014538976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992606983590924542.post-70229576033207019402014-03-16T00:28:24.669-07:002014-03-16T00:28:24.669-07:00Stephen, 2 questions Firstlly, how would MK propos...Stephen, 2 questions Firstlly, how would MK propose to fund the construction of social rented housing? Secondly, if we achieve devolved government, given our extremely vulnerable economic situation, without increased hand outs from Westminster, which surely would decrease, not increase, if we tell them to clear off, how would we even maintain, never mind increase, investment in public services? Thanks, Chris SmithChristopher Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586968568287342945noreply@blogger.com