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Stephen Gilbert MPCornwall's voice in the Commons |
NEWQUAY HARBOUR: CONSERVATIVES BLOCK PLANS TO BRING IN CRUISE LINERS
November 8, 2007 1:51 PM
Newquay Harbour
At last night's Newquay Town Council meeting, Conservative Councillors backed a motion to stop the Council having any financial involvement in changing the management structure of Newquay's harbour to a 'Commissioners Port' - a vital first step in opening the harbour to visiting cruise liners.
Speaking after attending the meeting, Stephen Gilbert, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Newquay, said: "The Conservatives on the Town Council have shown no understanding of the issues or any vision for Newquay. Changing the management structure of the harbour is a vital first step in the process of drawing down funding from Europe and other agencies to open Newquay to visiting cruise ships."
Stephen continued: "Bringing cruise ships into Newquay would be a great boost for local businesses and is a popular idea with traders and residents. I'm shocked that the Conservatives have prematurely moved to stop the Town Council having any financial involvement in the project. With over £170,000 sitting in their regeneration pot, the question the public will be asking is what vision do they have for Newquay?"
Stephen added: "It's a disgrace that they can spend over 20 minutes debating whether or not they could have name badges with photos on, and yet take only 5 minutes to stop any financial involvement in regenerating the harbour."
The motion, pushed through by Conservative Councillors, means the Council will not now use even a portion of its regeneration income to help pave the way for changing the management structure.
Cllr Joanna Kenny added: "Changes like this are always funded by a partnership and it was never the case that the Town Council would underwrite the whole cost, but would work with the new Unitary Council and other agencies. It seems strange to me that on this important issue the Town Council doesn't want to be involved."
Cllr George Edwards said: "I know that people in Newquay are in favour of opening the harbour to cruise ships. The first step is changing the management structure. I hope that the Conservatives will change their mind and get behind this project which is important for the future of Newquay."