Jon James Appointed as Camborne Town Clerk

A proud Cornishman has returned home to take up a key role in one of the county’s towns.

Jon James has been appointed as the new Town Clerk for Camborne and says he is looking forward to helping shape a positive future for the area.

With more than 25 years’ experience in local government, Jon brings a strong background in environmental and parks services to the role.

A career rooted in local government

Jon began his career as Parks Officer at Carrick District Council before joining Cornwall Council as Head of the Natural Environment Service in 2009.

In 2019 he moved to Bristol City Council as Head of Service for Parks and Gardens. A year later he was appointed Head of Service for Natural and Marine Environment, a post he held until deciding to return to Cornwall at the end of last year.

Explaining his decision to come back, Jon said: “While I enjoyed working for the city of Bristol, I wanted to come back home. My family come from this part of Cornwall and the opportunity to apply for the role of Camborne Town Clerk came at the perfect time for me and I was delighted to be offered the job”.

A wide remit across Camborne

Camborne Town Council covers an area of around 2,800 hectares. This includes the villages of Barripper, Beacon, Brea, Kehelland, Penponds and Troon.

The authority is responsible for a wide range of local services. These include the town’s community library, parks, open spaces and gardens, play areas, benches, planters, flower beds and hanging baskets in the town centre, public toilets, CCTV provision and community development work.

It also supports local events such as Trevithick Day, the Christmas lantern parade, St Piran’s Day and Green Fest. The council runs annual civic awards recognising businesses and individuals who help make the community a better place to live.

Improvements are also being made to existing services, including measures to tackle anti social behaviour through additional CCTV provision.

£23 million investment and major projects

Jon said Camborne is at the start of what he described as an exciting journey.

“Camborne is seeing a lot of positive things being developed at the moment which are going to help transform the town. More than £23 million of Town Deal funding is being invested in schemes to regenerate the town, with new work, entertainment and community spaces, new sport and leisure facilities, a network of new pedestrian and cycleways and significant improvements to the appearance of the town centre.”

The Town Council is leading on three of the Town Deal projects.

Awenva will see the former council offices in the Basset Centre and White House transformed into a business, arts, education and cultural hub. It will provide space for the relocated library and local community events and activities.

The Park Gerry Sport and Amenity Hub will include a new skatepark, pavilion building, football pitch and improved landscaping and pathways.

At Holman Gardens, a brand new green space will be created to improve the entrance to the town.

Describing the moment as significant for Camborne, Jon added: “This is a key moment for Camborne and I would like to thank Councillors for giving me this opportunity to help deliver high quality services for all our residents and businesses at the same time as providing great value for money.”