Steve Gilbert MP

Stephen Gilbert MP has given his support to campaigners in Newquay who are opposing an application for a new lap dancing club in the town. Commenting, Stephen said:

"The people of Newquay have made it absolutely clear over recent years that they do not wish to see lap-dancing on our high street. Every time we have been asked for our opinions the community has been clear on this. I've always believed that both local people's views should be the deciding factor and that these sort of venues in our main streets are bad for the town. Along with local residents I've opposed this application and I hope that Cornwall Council will listen to the overwhelming view of the people who live in Newquay and reject it.

Local MP Stephen Gilbert commented on the concerns that VAT changes could affect the Daphne de Maurier festival in Fowey:

Any sudden increase in costs has the potential to be damaging and I hope to work with the du Maurier festival over the coming months to raise concerns with the Government about the new charges. The du Maurier festival is a huge boost to the local economy as well as showcasing some of the best of Cornish literary culture, it's an important annual fixture and I'm determined to help ensure it continues for the future.

Stephen Gilbert, the Liberal Democrat MP for mid-Cornwall, has praised the work of energy company SSE, who have conducted a groundbreaking trial into various energy efficiency measures to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions for Park Homes in Cornwall.

Residents of Park Homes are often at a greater risk of fuel poverty due to the added difficulties in properly insulating the properties and because they are often off the main gas grid.

Stephen Gilbert, the Liberal Democrat MP for mid-Cornwall, has joined calls for an inquiry to be launched into weeks of refuse collection 'mayhem' across Cornwall.

Commenting, Stephen said:

"There are serious questions to be answered over this monumental failure and I'd like to see a full scale inquiry launched into Cornwall Council's gross miss-management of this service since the start of the month.

The Liberal Democrat MP for mid-Cornwall, Stephen Gilbert this morning joined with representatives from the baking industry and delivered a petition of almost half a million signatures opposing the 'Pasty Tax' to the Prime Minister.

The petition presentation was part of a 'day of action' against the proposed VAT extension to hot foods which also included a demonstration outside Downing Street, a briefing event for MPs that was hosted by Stephen Gilbert and the Western Morning News, and a number of lobby meetings between pasty makers and their local MPs.

Stephen Gilbert MP has welcomed news that Superfast Broadband has now been rolled out to an additional 12 villages in his St Austell & Newquay constituency along the south coast and in the clay area.

The high-speed technology is now available in Fowey, Pentewan, Mevagissey and Gorran Haven along the south coast; and Nanpean, Grampound, Grampound Road, Indian Queens, St Columb Road, Foxhole, St Dennis and St Stephen in the clay area.

Local MP for St Austell & Newquay, Stephen Gilbert, has written to the Communities & Local Government Minister, Eric Pickles MP, to ask him to look into the management of £5million of cash intended for communities across Cornwall but feared to be going unspent or used for non-permitted purposes.

Stephen Gilbert, MP for Newquay, has welcomed the news that Cornwall Council have devolved the management and event licensing responsibility for the Killacourt open space in Newquay to the local Town Council.

Commenting, Stephen said:

"The devolution of power and decision making to the most appropriate level is a core principle within the Coalition Government and I'm delighted to see the practice being replicated here in Newquay. It makes so much more sense for the Town Council to be taking responsibility for this fantastic community space that is enjoyed all year round by residents and visitors alike.

The Liberal Democrat MP for St Austell has welcomed the news that developers Wainhomes, have lost their High Court battle to build a 1,300 home extension to St Austell.

Stephen Gilbert said:

"This is a highly deserved result for the local community who have been strong in their opposition to these plans for over two years. Wainhomes proposals were unnecessary and unwelcome. The isn't the demand for a 10% extension of our town, and there have been genuine concerns about flood risk, transport infrastructure and availability of community services such as school places and GPs.

In a vote of the House of Commons, 260 MPs backed an amendment to the Finance Bill tabled by mid-Cornwall Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Gilbert.

The amendment, which would have prevented the Government from making any changes to VAT which would 'affect baked products when no attempt is made to keep the product hot for consumption', was lost by just 35 votes.