Schools debate trust status

As reported here last month, five Cornish secondary schools are considering breaking away from county council control.

St Ives, Cape Cornwall, Mounts Bay, Hayle and Humphry Davy schools are looking into the possibility of creating a self-governing trust... more>

Penwith answers Freedom of Information requests within time limits

Since January 2007, Penwith District Council has received 136 requests under the Freedom of Information Act and answered 135 within the 20 working day time limit laid down by the Act. One response took 27 days.

This information was supplied by Barbara Mathews, Penwith's Information Management and Licensing Officer, in response to a request by The St Ivean.

Housing group hold key to Tate future

A solution to the long-running saga for a multi-million-pound expansion to one of Cornwall's most popular attractions may have been found.

Plans to extend Tate St Ives were first mooted as long ago as 2001, as the gallery became a victim of its own success, drawing nearly three times the predicted number of visitors.

That idea has been pursued in earnest since 2004, when a number of options were put to the public without producing a clear way forward.

Now it has emerged that the Tate has had detailed discussions with Penwith Housing Association, which wants to redevelop and upgrade the Meadow Flats sheltered housing, which neighbours the site... more>

Cornish nationalists silent on 'pauperisation of the poor in Cornwall'

According to the blogger mudhook, Cornish nationalist parties have been silent on the ten pence income tax rate and its effect on the County's poor.

Diary of a St Ivean

Yesterday the man who seriously overdoses on bathing products boarded the bus at the Malakoff on his way to the Penzance Tesco - but for the first time he was quite odourless. Perhaps his visit to Tesco is to replenish a depleted stock of his favourite odour?

Early indications suggest that the introduction of the national free bus travel pass for the over 60's may lead to riots at bus stations this summer as holidaymakers eschew tour operators and use the free buses for getting around. Sitting behind a couple of holidaymakers from the north of England the other day, I overheard them planning with military like precision how they intended exploring the entire county and beyond by bus during their stay in St Ives. A neighbour who was on her way to visit an elderly relative in hospital, forced her way to the front of a long queue of free bus pass users loudly declaring, "I live here and have important business - please let me through". And, taken by surprise and overawed by her fierceness, they did just that.

Cornish ethnicity : census refuseniks wanted

"I will refuse to fill out the 2011 UK census unless there is a Cornish ethnicity tick box option but only if 1,000 other people will do the same." ... more>