WELL over 100 members of the public from the parishes of Launcells, Marhamchurch and Poundstock converged on the Ivor Potter Hall in Bude last Thursday for the first of ten Cornwall Council-led public engagement meetings for the Cornwall Community Governance Review.

For the first time since the 1970s, Cornwall Council are looking into town and parish boundaries, and the meeting, which was chaired by the chair of the Electoral Review Panel, Cllr Malcolm Brown, was for the parishes of Bude-Stratton, Marhamchurch, Launcells, Poundstock and Kilkhampton.

Each parish were recently asked by Cornwall Council whether they’d like to see change and if so give a proposal, to which Bude-Stratton Town Council said they’d like to assume parts of all four parishes.

The town council submitted two options to Cornwall Council: option one — create one large parish by combining Bude-Stratton with all of Launcells and Marhamchurch parishes along with the Ivyleaf part of Kilkhampton and the Widemouth Bay area of Poundstock (which would also take in a part of Marhamchurch to the West of the A39. This will produce one large parish.

Option two — bringing in Ivyleaf and Widemouth Bay (along with the coastal strip of Marhamchurch).

Cllr Brown opened the meeting by thanking everyone for coming. He talked about the timeline of events over the next few months, which will see Cornwall Council make their decisions by Christmas before a 12-week public consultation is then carried out. Any changes won’t come in until next summer.

Cllr Brown was asked as to why now is a time for a review, to which he said: “The main reason we’re doing it now is that there’s been a big review of Cornwall Council and that from 2021, there’ll be 87 Cornwall Councillors as opposed to 123, which means a change. I think that’s the main reason why we’ve decided to do it now, and there’s been a lot of interest.”

Cllr Brown invited Cornwall Councillor for Bude, Peter La Broy, to speak in his role as a town councilllor, as to why BSTC’s proposal is the way forward.

Cllr La Broy said: “Bude-Stratton Town Council have come up with a proposal that they believe would be good for the whole area. I know that everyone won’t necessarily be in support, so I want to say my piece and let Cornwall Council make their decision. Hopefully we can remain friends regardless of the outcome.

“What BSTC are trying to do is create something better and much longer term, an enhanced authority that will serve the community well.

“The wider Bude area must retain its positive approach towards working together, our place is so far away from Truro that we must make sure we are heard. We don’t want to lose that dynamic.”

Cllr La Broy then spoke about the library and range of services that Bude Stratton Town Council provide.

He said: “Bude is a hub town for surrounding villages who use the town centre, shops, library and other services provided and supported by BSTC.

“And the tourist industry where they’ve probably visited the car parks and beaches, all things that Bude Stratton Town Council are involved in.

“We think its an unfair spread of costs. We have invested tax payers money into new vehicles, land management machinery, making sure that our staff are fully trained and also going through the line of our environment policy, we’ve just bought our first electrical van and have our own fully equipped depot with room to expand if needs be.

“We’re proud to support the Climate Change Emergency that was adopted at full council just last week, I want it be known that BSTC is an environmentally responsible council that has led on a number of issues. This doesn’t always come without a cost but I feel sure that we are supported by our community.

“But it’s about sharing those costs for people who use our amenities. At the town council meeting (July 4) we came up with two options (mentioned above). It’s a question of change, but that change can be for the better. Bude and Stratton are two different places with councillors for different areas. We represent our wards with councillors from each area, the point that I am trying to make is that no history or sense of place will be lost with our proposal and people will always have fair representation at the council table. Thank you for listening.”

Marhamchurch Parish Councillor, Tom O’Sullivan spoke on behalf of the council and said: “Marhamchurch Parish Council discussed Cornwall Council’s Governance Review at its meeting held on April 16. It was unanimously agreed to recommend no changes as no concerns had been identified.

“At our meeting held on September 3, the parish council considered Bude-Stratton Town Council’s submission to the Electoral Review Panel, the precise details of which only became available to us following publication of the Community Governance Review Stage Two update on August 23. Councillors voted unanimously to oppose BSTC’s submission.”

Cllr O’Sullivan said Marhamchurch has a heritage and culture distinct from Bude and that the parish council is very conscious of preserving this identity and heritage.

“Marhamchurch is significantly different from Bude. We are still a strong farming community with working farms alongside our coastal area — the beach which we locally/fondly call Marhamchurch beach and the cliffs which include the View Point Car Park which previously the parish council fought hard to keep as a free car park because it was bequeathed for local people and visitors alike to enjoy the view. I think it’s fair to say Marhamchurch is by and large ‘self-contained’ having shops, pubs, churches, beaches, school, playgroup, playpark and of course toilets.

“A recent visit to the parishioners on our coastal periphery has confirmed that along with those who live in the centre of the village and those in outlying properties there is an inclusive pride and identity with Marhamchurch Parish. Within the parish there is a strong feeling that the parish council are approachable, effective, manage finances professionally and have a listening ear, acting quickly when needed.

“Should the proposal by BSTC take effect, it would represent a cruel blow to the beating heart of a proud, vibrant and cohesive community.”

Poundstock Parish Council vice-chairman Alison Rowland said: “Poundstock Parish Council has already made a formal submission to say that it wishes for no change to its boundaries under the Community Governance review. It has subsequently come to light that Bude-Stratton Town Council have drawn up proposals, without consulting ourselves, which involves annexing the whole of the Widemouth area of our parish.

“Our present boundaries have been set for some time, and are bounded on the north by a stream flowing inland from Widemouth Bay denoting the start of the Marhamchurch parish. As a council we have worked hard to retain the character of the settlement based on a not inconsiderable understanding of the local needs and inherent infrastructure problems, in an area under considerable pressure from redevelopment and renewal demands.”

Cllr Rowland said Poundstock is a parish where there is a balance between rural countryside and coastline, farming and tourism, and are trying to safeguard the environment specifically in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the neighbouring Area of Great Landscape Value.

She said: “It is the unique characteristic of the beach in Poundstock with its rural setting which attracts visitors, and which is currently protected by being in a parish with a determination to restrict development on the coastline.

“There is currently a good parity of interests involving community, tourism and farming so that each can help the other prosper.  There is a sharing of resources and knowledge creating a unity of purpose which will prosper in the future. This is now coming into effect through the Neighbourhood Development plan, which would include the replacement of our now condemned parish hall, the rebuilding of the public toilets, as well as identifying the areas within the parish acceptable for future housing development and employment opportunities.

“Taking away the settlement at Widemouth would totally destroy those plans by depriving the parish of a disproportionate amount of its precept, create an unacceptable breakup of the parish, remove any constraints on planning development which is a primary aim of Bude-Stratton Town Council, as well as imposing an increase in council tax fees for all the residents.

“At the recent BSTC full council meeting (July 5) it was apparent from the discussion that the main reason for wanting to take in Widemouth was to access the income from the precept and from the car parking levy currently used to help run the toilets which Poundstock Parish Council has refurbished at considerable expense. There are no direct benefits accruing to the local residents, and the economy of scale suggested at the meeting would only be of help to BSTC.

“BSTC complains that residents from neighbouring parishes make no contribution to the services it provides, yet many of those very neighbours are crucial for keeping alive the many Bude-based organisation they support, as well as generating the wealth brought in through the shops and trades, and the many holiday homes contributing to the well-being of the area. The lack of consultation prior to the review submission indicates an arrogant disregard for the very people they would wish to absorb, and the only common interests identified are the coastal strip and the toilets!

“We have excellent lines of communication with our residents, are fostering an improvement in co-operation between the distinct parts of theparish, and working with Cornwall Council agencies in respect of highways improvements and clearer identity of the parish. It would be a travesty to have these plans destroyed.”

Cllr Brown invited the first of a number of speakers to give their opinion, starting with the chairman of Launcells Parish Council, Andrew Whittle.

Cllr Whittle listed differences between themselves and Bude-Stratton Town Council.

They were that Launcells is a rural farming parish while Bude/Stratton is essentially a tourist town and that they have more in common with Holsworthy; that Launcells is run by volunteers using very little money and that any takeover would see them eventually lose the parish hall; that the submission seems the most extreme across the whole of Cornwall and that no circumstances justify the move; and that parish councils are ‘non-political and find it easier to be all inclusive.

Cllr Whittle focussed on the Bude Library, particularly since the devolution from the county council. He said information available showed roughly 15 people from the Launcells parish used the library.

“So the Bude and Stratton team’s justification for taking over Launcells, ending over 1000 years of history, and gouging £40-50,000 out the parish is 15 dots on a map, a map that they have not had the courtesy to share.

“If you pass this proposal, who would you be pleasing — most of Bude and Stratton will not notice anything, and will not care, save perhaps three people in a back room who dreamt up this proposal

“Who would you alienate — everyone in the parishes affected from the top of Kilk to the foot of Poundstock, from the beaches of Marhamchurch to Morton Mill in Launcells.

“But just as important — you would also upset and worry every single resident in a rural parish from Morwenstow to Sennen, because if this proposal is passed on such flimsy arguments, every town council will use these arguments to swallow parishes and there will be nothing to argue against it.

“Emotionally, this is would be bad idea, financially this is a very bad idea and politically this is a very bad idea.”

The chairman of Marhamchurch Parish Council, Jackie Walter, said: “Thank you for your support. As chair of Marhamchurch Parish Council, we voted unanimously not to back it. We are very proud of our amenities, facilities, and community.

“The Bray Institute was built by the Bray family while Hill Bridge and Whalesbrough were all donated by parishioners. We would be devastated if anything changed.

“Widemouth Manor have offered their space for meetings, no-one wants a change, we’re unanimous in wanting to stay as we are.”

Arguably the most passionate speech of the night came from Widemouth Bay resident Mo Brock.

She said: “As I see it, the parish council (Poundstock) are fairly protective of Widemouth Bay, but I’m now very frightened as I and other residents don’t know what’s going to happen. If we go under the banner of BSTC it’d be awful.

“There’s so many more costs we entail by living in the parishes, and are not taken into account.

“I’ve paid many extra thousands in taxes etc which have not been taken into consideration. I’m really frightened that BSTC will extend the planning further. Widemouth Bay is a very precious place and must be protected.”

Peter Harwood has seen it all in Launcells and also delivered a telling speech.

He said: “I’ve been a councillor in Launcells for 45 years. We’re a rural farming parish and have nothing to do with Bude. Most of the Bude councillors live in Bude and we’ve managed our taxpayers money for the time I’ve been there, absolutely fine. We’ve got a great clerk and a great community.

“People here don’t want to go to Bude, they prefer to go to Holsworthy, Kilkhampton or even Launceston. We’ve been a parish for 1,000 years so we must have done a reasonable job.”

Andrew Hargreaves from Launcells asked the audience for a show of hands from people who believe that the town council’s proposal was a good idea.

No-one, including some of the 11 town councillors in attendance, who only two months earlier, voted in favour, put their hands up, which led to the Mayor of Bude-Stratton Town Council, Cllr Bob Willingham saying: “I’m really angry and disappointed that the Bude-Stratton town councillors don’t have the backbone to get up and say I voted for it. I want people to admit it and not let Peter (La Broy) hanging by himself.”

For the record, Cllrs Julia Bryson, Brian Dixon, Tony Gibbs, Peter La Broy, Lesley Moores, Peter Moores, Frank Partridge, Tony Philp, Paul Tilzey, Derek Towl and Norman Tucker all voted in favour while Cllrs Simon Browning, Lea Deely, Peter Kelly and Helen Partridge voted against.

Cllr Willingham abstained due to living in the Poundstock parish, as did Cllr Robert Uhlig.

Dr Peter Hillenbrand and Dr Nik Jewell addressed the audience.

Mr Hillenbrand, who lives in Marhamchurch said: “Everything that’s come out of Marhamchurch, I can’t disagree with. We’re very grateful for a very supportive and effective parish council. My question to BSTC is what benefits do we get from changing a tight-knit community to a larger one that is remote?”

Dr Jewell added: “The plan is lazy because it does include any explanation of how the additional income from applying a higher precept to the Parishes would be spent, or indeed, whether it would be used to reduce the precept for the residents of Bude and Stratton. Also, as a resident of Widemouth Bay, I'm concerned that Bude-Stratton Town Council are putting forward a plan where they knew they had little chance of being awarded option one, and hoped they would receive option two as a consolation prize.”

Fiona Hargreaves from Launcells was the last member of the public to speak.

She said: “I wonder if all the parish councils would send Cornwall Council a copy of their parish council magazine. The Launcells one is 40 pages of A5, and it’ll enable them to see what goes on in Launcells. It’s a wonderful, cohesive community in many ways.”

Cllr Brown replied: “That’s a really good idea. I suspect that most Cornwall Councillors visit Bude infrequently. The more awareness we have the better. I’ve found the evening very illuminating and helpful.”

Cllr Nicky Chopak, Cornwall Councillor for Poundstock and also the chair of the Bude Community Network Panel meeting, said: “I’m quite saddened with the process and that it has caused division. We’ve been put in a very awkward position and we don’t want this to continue going forward.

“We want voices to be heard and Peter Green put it very succinctly when he mentioned the viability of the parishes. They’re all viable, have excellent clerks and have ten or more councillors.

“The parish councils look after each other. I struggle to see the justification. So moving forward, I want to see everyone at the next (community network) meeting and represent ourselves at this.”

Cllr Brown closed the meeting, thanking everyone for coming and for making their opinions heard as well as promising that everything said will be reflected on and that another meeting will be held in the new year.