Cornwall Council's new waste collection service due to be phased in from Summer 2021 is expected to increase recycling by over 10% and create over 100 new jobs.

US food producers may be able to make and sell 'Cornish Pasties' made in America following Brexit, according to media reports. The US has long been opposed to the rules that mean that a Cornish Pasty can only be described as ‘Cornish” if it is made in Cornwall, and have been lobbying for these rules to be dropped after Brexit.

Derris Watson, Chair of Cornwall Liberal Democrats, said:

“A Cornish Pasty should be just that, a pasty made in Cornwall. We fought hard for many years to get protected status for the Cornish Pasty and to see it thrown away as part of Brexit is a disgrace. The Government have refused to say that the protected status of the Cornish Pasty, Cornish Clotted Cream, or any of the other regionally protected foods, will continue after Brexit.”

Protected Geographical Status has been a key tool is supporting the quality of locally produced foods as well as local jobs. US Food organisations believe that they should be overturned according to reports in today’s Daily Mail and The I newspaper.

Derris Watson said:

“The rules protecting the Cornish Pasty help preserve the quality and integrity of the Pasty and it is an integral part of Cornish culture and identity. On St Piran’s Day, the national Day of Cornwall, we say ‘Keep America’s hands off our Pasties.”

Cornwall Council Cabinet have approved a proposed balanced budget and increase in Council tax of 4.99%, although a last minute handout from the Government, has kept this down from the 5.99% that was originally planned in order to maintain essential services.

Councillor Adam Paynter, Leader of Cornwall Council said: "This year we have seen a cut of more than £70m in Revenue Support Grant from the Government. Yesterday’s announcement from central Government on additional funding, though welcome, does not go far enough to provide sustainable funding for Cornwall.

“The Government is using Councils like Cornwall as a “stealth tax”, in the expectation that Councils can just pick up the bill when there is rising demand for services. When residents see the increases that we have had to make, they should know where to lay the blame, it is because of this Conservative Government’s cuts in funding.

“In spite of the draconian cuts in funding, we have formulated a balanced budget that will deliver real benefits to the people of Cornwall.

The proposed budget will:

• Protect vulnerable children, adults and families with a 10% increase in funding for Adult Social Services and a 5% increase to children and family services

• Reduce fuel poverty, helping over 1,100 homes to stay warmer for less

• Provide extra provision for care leavers who will now receive additional support with their council tax

• Provide £1.2m to Citizens Advice Cornwall over four years so the service can provide continued support and advice to residents

• Bring long term empty properties into use by charging a 100% council tax premium from April 2019

• Invest over £800m through the capital programme in new and improved housing, major highways and transportation links and projects supporting economic growth

• Provide capital investment to build 1,000 homes, and help grow the economy, jobs and choice for local people

• Give residents more influence in local decision making by providing community network panels an allocation of £1m per year to determine local Highway capital works

• Provide the Foundation Living Wage for Council staff and all Council contracts which will help support the local economy by boosting local wages

• Ensure continued support for those in need with paying their Council tax bills.

Cllr Paynter said : “We have an ageing population growing at a rapid pace that will put more and more demand on services. Where’s the money to support these future needs?

“That’s why we are campaigning for a fairer funding deal for Cornwall that is based on need instead of an outdated funding model that doesn’t take in to account need or the added cost of delivering services in rural areas.

“A fairer funding model could deliver an extra £39million for Cornwall every year – that’s an extra £71 for every resident. It would mean rather than having to make decisions to reduce services, we could look at opportunities to boost road maintenance, support for children and families and create more jobs – the things residents tell us are most important to them.

“Politicians of all persuasions should be putting their backing behind this fair funding campaign. What we need is support for sustainable, long-term funding which protects services the people of Cornwall need most.”

Lib Dem leader launches Cornwall Council campaign with 1,000 homes to rent pledge.

“A new deal for funding NHS and social care needed” says Lib Dem Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb meeting Cornwall health and social care leaders.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb MP calls for dedicated services for young people with mental health needs.

NHS plan declared “not fit for purpose” by Cornwall Council Health and Social Care Committee – Liberal Democrats lead rejection of Cornwall NHS STP Outline Business Case

The Government’s plan to spend £320m on 140 new Grammar and ‘Free’ Schools in England, is a waste of money at the same as it is cutting funding to Cornwall’s existing schools, say Cornwall’s Liberal Democrats on the announcement in today’s Budget.

The Chancellor has broken a Conservative manifesto pledge by introducing a tax on Cornwall’s 63,000 self employed, with a rise in National Insurance payments that will cost them each more than £200 a year. Meanwhile cuts in corporation tax will still go ahead and wealthy pensioners will not being ask to pay a greater share.