IOS Transport Policy - Going Nowhere

Friends of Isles of Scilly Transport are pressing for exploration of a reduced winter ferry service (funded by a subsidy) to alleviate the transport problem of islanders in the winter.  The DfT is saying that there does not appear to be a problem that the private sector cannot fix and the private sector needs to be given time to do so.  The assumption is that all was well with IOS transport until the helicopter service was withdrawn – well it was not which is why the Route Partnership sought to improve matters.  The Penzance Chamber of Commerce Chairman's perspective is given below.

Business breakfast with Grant Shapps MP, Conservative Party Chairman

Members of the Penzance business community met with the Rt Hon. Grant Shapps, MP, Chairman of the Conservative Party, and Derek Thomas, PPC for the St Ives constituency, at a breakfast meeting held at Hotel Penzance yesterday, Friday 12 April.  The event had been sponsored by the owners of the Wharfside Shopping Centre and included representation across the political spectrum.  Amongst the guests were Marcus Wilkinson (Alfred Smiths), Tim Dwelly (The WorkBox – Penlowarth), Rebecca Farrington (Poolside Indulgence,) Robin Turner and  Julian Cardew (Walkers Jewellers.  Read more about the event here.

Penzance was looking its very best from the balcony of the The Bay Restaurant.  It is hard to be a doom-monger for Penzance on a lovely morning like yesterday.  The meeting was constructive with the business community's  concerns well articulated and attentively listen to.  What can and will be done about some of these issues is another matter. 

Chamber Meeting (Election Special) - Update

The Penzance Chamber of Commerce Members’ Meeting on Tue 16^th April in the Queens Hotel, Penzance,  starts at 7.00 pm.  The agenda can be found here.

Following representations from political parties it has been agreed that each party spokesperson plus the 3 independent candidates will speak for 3 minutes each to summarize their manifesto and identify their priorities .  This will be followed by an extended Q&A session where all Cornwall Council candidates will have opportunities to participate.

Spokespersons identified so far:

    Lib Dem:  Ruth Lewarne

    Labour:  Tim Dwelly 

    Conservative:  Michael Rabbitte

    Mebyon Kernow:  Rob Simmons

    Green Party:  Michelle Paine

    Independent:  John Moreland

    Independent:  Jim McKenna
    UKIP:  Stuart Guppy

The meeting is open to all Cornwall Council election candidates, Chamber Members, and Penzance Town Team Reps.  

Other business owners can attend by invitation (email chairman@penzancechamber.co.uk) and will only be refused if the room is full.  

Extract from Penzance Portas Bid (Jun 2012) summarizing vision and opportunities:  click here

 

Chamber Members Meeting "Election Special' on 16 Apr 2013

There is a Chamber Members' Meeting on Tue 16th April at 19.00 hrs in the Queens Hotel, Penzance.  The purpose of the meeting is for Members to meet and hear from candidates in the forthcoming Cornwall Council Elections.

The meeting will start with an update to Chamber Members presented by the Chamber Chairman. This will be followed by  election candidates pitching to local business people.  We envisage that candidates will has about 3 minutes each to address the meeting.  Members will be able to ask questions of candidates after all candidates have spoken. 

Those Chamber members planning to attend should email secretary@penzancechamber.co.uk so that we have an idea of numbers.

Candidates should contact Dick Cliffe, Chamber Chairman directly on 01736 331734 or by email at chairman@penzancechamber.co.uk.

Committee Meetings Agenda for 2 Apr 2013

The Chamber Committee meets tonight at 17.45 hrs in the Wharfside Centre Conference Room (top floor, follow signs for 'Management Office).  The meetings is open for Chamber members to attend and also prospective members should they wish to do so.  The agenda can be found here .   See next post of details of our 'Election Special' Chamber Members Meetings at the Queens Hotel on 16th April.