Councillors asked to give up allowance rise to pay for Helston loos

10:40am Tuesday 6th November 2012 in News

HELSTON's Cornwall Councillors will be asked to give up their recent 20 per cent allowance hike to help pay to keep toilets in the town open.

The council is looking at a number options to help safeguard public toilets in the town, including asking Cornwall councillors Alec Robertson, Andrew Wallis and Judith Haycock to give up their pay rise, if they are re-elected in May.

Turnstiles, privatisation and sponsorship are also among the options being discussed by Helston Town Council.

One of the councillor's Andrew Wallis, who represents Porthleven and Helston South, said that he is always willing to do what he can to help, pointing out that he has already been working with Porthleven council to help them get “the best deal possible” from Cornwall Council.

He added that as there was no guarantee he would be re-elected, he was unwilling to make any promises he could not keep.

The future of the facilities in Trengrouse Way, behind the Guildhall and next to the Gryll's Monument is in doubt after Cornwall Council has offered to continue running one set out of the three, with the remaining two being “mothballed.”

The town council can take on one or more of the facilities, with Cornwall Council offering a grant of just under £9,300 towards the cost of running them.

Mayor Jonathan Radford-Gaby said: “Cornwall Council is not going to maintain three sets of public conveniences in the town and I think it would be folly for this council to simply look the other way. The time has come for us to make a decision.”

Cornwall councillors' basic allowance will rise from £12,500 to £14,600 a year after councillors voted to give themselves the inflation busting rise, if they are re-elected.

The possibility of businesses opening their facilities to members of the public has also been discussed, with Cornwall Council already in talks with a brewery chain.

Comments(28)

ronedgcumbe says...
11:03am Tue 6 Nov 12

I have already stated that If I was elected next year I would give up the increase. I don't understand how you can be elected if you do not state before hand what you intend to do post election.

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Gill Zella Martin says...
2:58am Wed 7 Nov 12

How will that work, because if Councillor Andrew Wallis gave up his extra allowance if re elected next year, then what about Porthleven toilets. As a Porthleven Town and Cornwall Councilllor councillor for Porthleven and Helston South then surely it would be unfair on Porthleven as they too have to find a solution to keep toilets open. Additionally, what would happen in the future if a councillor stood down or was not re elected and the funding then stopped, with any future councillors refusing to commit their allowance, they could end up with no councillors or a lack of funding.

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Gill Zella Martin says...
3:03am Wed 7 Nov 12

It could be argued that Helston business people should contribute as they benefit from town trade.

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ronedgcumbe says...
9:54am Wed 7 Nov 12

It could also be argued that the council is already taking to much from the town centre with rates and the car parking charges that only benefit the superstores. Huge Pay rises at a time of economic austerity is unacceptable. Councilors should clearly set a better example.

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ronedgcumbe says...
10:26am Wed 7 Nov 12

This is only a way to get around the cap on council tax next year. However Helston town council may find it hard justify another increase in election year after last years huge rise.

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veritassleuth says...
12:52pm Wed 7 Nov 12

Well said ronedgecumbe, its a disgrace that this andrea wallace will not say if he will help support an essential service in the town he is supposed to represented. Total distain for the voters, he votes himself a pay rise and then couldnt care less if the toilets in the town close. We need toilets, not this money grabbing councillor. I hoe ronedgecumbe stands against this greedy man, he will have our two votes.

As for his weasel words reply "he was unwilling to make any promises he could not keep.". Thats exactly why poeple do not trust politicains like him. They never keep there promises. He is only interested in the money, and couldnt give a stuff about helston.

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meerkats says...
1:15pm Wed 7 Nov 12

veritassleuth wrote:
Well said ronedgecumbe, its a disgrace that this andrea wallace will not say if he will help support an essential service in the town he is supposed to represented. Total distain for the voters, he votes himself a pay rise and then couldnt care less if the toilets in the town close. We need toilets, not this money grabbing councillor. I hoe ronedgecumbe stands against this greedy man, he will have our two votes.

As for his weasel words reply "he was unwilling to make any promises he could not keep.". Thats exactly why poeple do not trust politicains like him. They never keep there promises. He is only interested in the money, and couldnt give a stuff about helston.
Andrew Wallis said he could not guarantee he would be re-elected so that's why he is unwilling to make promises he couldn't keep, I think he does care about Helston, he has been fighting for some time to have the algae at the lake sorted for one thing.. I disagree with your comment that he doesn't give a stuff about Helston.

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ronedgcumbe says...
2:11pm Wed 7 Nov 12

Sorry but do not understand how you could stand for election and not tell the voters your plans if you are elected. I have no problem with stating in the unlikely event I would be more than happy to do this for the town I love.

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ronedgcumbe says...
2:54pm Wed 7 Nov 12

Thanks for kind words verritassleuth. Your support is most appreciated.

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fraudbuster says...
7:22pm Wed 7 Nov 12

I have only just stumbled accross this comment box, as I live in Mawgan.

I would say congratulation ron edgucumbe, you have stood up to the lies and misinformation peddaled by this loathsome wallace character. He looks a right thug from his picture, and I think you will find a lot of support standing against him. Speaking to a number of my friends in the pub the other night, there is widespread loathing of this bully. You have got 7 votes in mwagan immediately to chuck out this jumped up little tyrant who is only interested in getting yet more of council money. never a thought on what he can do for the area he is supposed to represent.

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Gill Zella Martin says...
8:58pm Wed 7 Nov 12

Councillor Andrew Wallis cares a great deal about Helston and Porthleven, as meerkats pointed out he has been fighting for a solution for the Coronation lake problem, he also organized the celebratory event of the lake along with others. He had the crossing installed on the Porthleven road, paid for out of his budget. He has worked closely with the Bulwark Road residents association to help them achieve the childrens play area becoming a reality, and additionally many more constructive acheivements. He puts a lot of time and commitment into being a councillor.

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meerkats says...
9:21pm Wed 7 Nov 12

fraudbuster wrote:
I have only just stumbled accross this comment box, as I live in Mawgan.

I would say congratulation ron edgucumbe, you have stood up to the lies and misinformation peddaled by this loathsome wallace character. He looks a right thug from his picture, and I think you will find a lot of support standing against him. Speaking to a number of my friends in the pub the other night, there is widespread loathing of this bully. You have got 7 votes in mwagan immediately to chuck out this jumped up little tyrant who is only interested in getting yet more of council money. never a thought on what he can do for the area he is supposed to represent.
very harsh words . As you can see from Gill Zella Martin's comments he has and still is doing a lot for Helston and as i mentioned he has campaigned re the algae solution at the Lake.

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Gill Zella Martin says...
10:04pm Wed 7 Nov 12

fraudbuster, I would be interested to know how you reached the conclusion that Councillor Andrew Wallis is a bully and why you think he looks like I thug. I disagree, and incidentally, he is currently participating in the Movember charity event.

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steve eva says...
11:28pm Wed 7 Nov 12

As a Councillor on Cornwall Council who has worked with Andrew over the last few years and on several occasions disagreed with him on certain things i can honestly say that he is committed to his role for Porthleven.
I totally disagree with some of these nasty comments which i believe are unjust and untrue.
As i have said we do not always agree but when i read something untrue i feel i must respond and defend his name when he is unfairly treated.

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meerkats says...
9:11am Thu 8 Nov 12

Seems to me that some just like to use these pages to be nasty to others.

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Gill Zella Martin says...
9:36am Thu 8 Nov 12

That was exactly Jens point meerkats. In my opinion to make personal derogatory remarks about someone while posting under a pseudonym is cowardly. For someone that cannot even appear to get the spelling of Andrew Wallis correct makes me wonder how much this person even knows about him to pass judgement.
Like I previously said Andrew Wallis has proved his commitment to Porthleven and Helston.

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Bess Trecoa says...
10:30am Thu 8 Nov 12

ronedgecumbe if you feel that strongly about people giving up their money to finance the toilets in Helston there is nothing to stop you giving up some of your own wages/money now to help pay for them especially as you obviously live in Helston. You don't have to be a councillor to help the community. I don't think you should be trying to get votes for youself by picking fault in other people.

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Ian Bennett says...
12:21pm Thu 8 Nov 12

Bess Trecoa, we need to look at where the money comes from which is paying for the councillors' allowances and for the facilities in Helston. Both are coming from the pockets of working Helstonians. To expect ronedgecumbe to pay twice for what he's only getting once is a little unfair.

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Bess Trecoa says...
7:19am Fri 9 Nov 12

Ian Bennett, I understand your point, I was only really making the point that ron does not need to be a councillor to contribute in any way to the local community. He appears on many articles lately to turn them into a voting plug for him and whilst he is free to do this it seems unfair of him to try to pick fault in other councillors in order to gain favour for himself. if he wants to stand for election then he should do so on his own merrit and not by finding fault in existing councillors otherwise I wonder if he is standing for the right reasons. This is just my personal opinion. There is a lot more to being a councillor than keeping Helston toilets open by donating part of the councillors allowance for them. Has ron got people skills, can he and will he talk to anyone regarding of where they live and what their opinions are because reading some of his past comments I do wonder. He never answered the question originally when asked what he meant by his comment Helston should be put back in the hands of Helston people, and his reference to incomers.

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Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe says...
12:41pm Fri 9 Nov 12

I agree that it's ridiculous and outrageous to make critical comments about a councillor or anyone else based on their appearance. I don't know how they can conclude that about AW based on such limited information. He has always come across to me as a very sensible, decent public servant.

If I was a prospective councillor, I would want to distance myself from such commenters and indicate to them that I do not want their support as long as they hold such discriminatory, xenophobic views, unless I actually held similar views myself...

As for councillors funding public amenities through deferred allowances; I think it's a slippery slope; once a precedent's been set, the onus could be placed on them to provide the funds to resolve the next mini-crisis and before long, their ability to perform their role effectively will be hampered.

So I totally understand AW's caution on this point.

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meerkats says...
1:43pm Fri 9 Nov 12

Inotice that Fraudster, who made these comments hasn't come back in reply to Gill's previous comment - how did he /she come to the conclusion AW is a bully and why he looks like a thug. I strongly believe that he is very committed to both Helston and Porthleven. I also agree with LBFS comments and can understand why Cllr Wallis is being cautious.

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Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe says...
2:08pm Fri 9 Nov 12

I love your adaptation of his name, Meerkats!

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meerkats says...
3:15pm Fri 9 Nov 12

Whoops, should have said Fraudbuster. genuine mistake on my part, sorry to him/her.

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Gill Zella Martin says...
5:58pm Fri 9 Nov 12

Lol meerkats. I completely agree with Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe too.
I would categorically state that Andrew Wallis is neither a bully nor a thug. In fact I would put money on it.

The whole idea of suggesting that Helston councillors give up part of an allowance to fund toilets, in my personal opinion smacks of blackmail, with an election forth coming.

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Charlotes says...
8:40pm Fri 9 Nov 12

Andy Wallace is a loving and caring person. He has received so much support in Porthleven he doesnt need to give up his extra allowance.

He works full time at this important job, I know because he is hardly ever at home.

These petty little wanabee local politicians havent got a clue about how much work he does, and are just trying to jump on the latest passing bandwagon in the hope they will get extra votes in May next year.

There is no way a nobody from Flambards is going to get more votes than Andy Wallace. He is the peoples champion who stands up for what is right.

And anyway why should he give his allowance to keep the Helston toilets open. None of the toilets under threat are in his voting area, so if they close so what.

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Gill Zella Martin says...
9:43pm Fri 9 Nov 12

I am confused anyway because I thought by ronedgcumbes past comments that he was only standing for a Helston town councillor, now by these latest comments it would appear he will be standing for Cornwall Council, because as far as I am aware town councillors do not get that allowance. So is ronedgcumbe standing for town or Cornwall ? Or both ?

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ronedgcumbe says...
8:53am Sat 10 Nov 12

In reply to Gill Martin, I have been interested in joining Helston town council for some time and very nearly put myself forward at the last bye election. However I decided not to because I felt I would be able to achieve very little with the current council who do not seem to want to get to grips with the towns problems. If more new faces come forward next may I may think again.
I am not in Councillor Wallace's ward but by what I have read and heard he is an good Councillor doing an excellent job. I was therefore disappointed with his comment in the above story.
I am also not opposed to the Councillor allowance rising it is just the timing. There has been mass redundancies,cuts to bus services and now public toilets. the social care budget as also been cuts meaning less help for people with special needs. Something I care deeply about.
If council tax is to be capped again the money to fundd the allowance rise can only come from further cuts to services that are essential and life changing for the people that receive them.
I fear this allowance rise will be funded by the most vulnerable in the county. This is why I would in the unlikely event of being elected donate mine to the town for the toilets or preferably to a charity that helps those effected by by the cuts to the social care budget.
A 20% rise in allowances at this time is just wrong.

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Gill Zella Martin says...
9:30am Sat 10 Nov 12

ronedgecumbe, thank you for your reply and explanation. I do think you should stand for Helston town council. Whilst there are some very good town councillors, I feel it would be of some benefit if a few of the existing ones were to have some opposition at the next town council elections.

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