Announcement for May 21 Cornwall Council Elections

I want to make an announcement regarding the May 2021 Cornwall Council Elections, before you start hearing and reading things elsewhere. This is, after all, how I have communicated with you since May 2013, when first elected to the St Just-in-Penwith Division, in 2013.

Well, what a year! Looking ahead to next year, our community along with many others in Cornwall, will face challenges both directly and indirectly as a result of this virus. So, in May we all need to make sure that the people elected to Cornwall Council will be thinking of what you need to thrive, and be up for working with those that can create opportunities, in terms of jobs and local homes, whilst protecting the environment.

That is why I am backing Chris Denley, who many of you voted on to St Just Town Council recently, and many more will know from his time working at Cape Cornwall School. I’m proud to say that Chris has been selected by St Ives Liberal Democrats for the new Land’s End Division, created for the Cornwall Council Elections in May.

The new, larger Electoral Divisions are to reduce the number of Cornwall Councillors we have, from 123 to 87.

I decided not to stand as my dad, 93 and on a journey with dementia, is needing more of my time and support. I do not want to be making decisions between caring for him and representing you.

Chris Denley told me “I am very excited to have been selected to stand to represent this wonderful community. Many will know me from my time as Deputy Head and Head of School at Cape Cornwall School and my community work around the area.”

Chris lives with his family in Trewellard, from where he told me “I am passionate about working as hard as I can for everyone in our community. We will face all sorts of challenges going forward from COVID-19 and I want to ensure our businesses, communities and families are supported and protected.”

He also wanted me to pass on this message “I am really looking forward to meeting you all over the next 6 months, renewing old associations and making new friends. I know I have very big shoes to fill after the amazing work Sue and Helen have done but I can promise you I will give everything I can to succeed on your behalf.”

Helen Hawkins is Councillor for the current St Buryan Division, which is split into 3 of the new Divisions, from May 2021; some of it joining with St Just Parish to form the new Land’s End Division. She told me “It has been a privilege to represent part of this new division, and I am confident that in Chris you have an enthusiastic, conscientious potential councillor, who is well embedded in the local community and well able to take on the challenge of working throughout this enlarged division.”

So, if you want to ensure Chris is elected to represent this area and are able to help his campaign then email him on denley525@btinternet.com. He will need help in many ways – money to fund his leaflets, people to deliver leaflets, people to knock on doors with him to find out what issues are important to residents at the moment, and people behind the scenes doing admin jobs at home.

Thank you for placing your trust in me over the years; now join me in supporting Chris.