Cornwall Council Debates Reform UK Motions on Road Markings and Buses

Council motions are meant to push for change. Two Reform UK councillors brought motions to Cornwall Council calling for changes that had already happened.

The full council met on Tuesday 19th May, where both motions ran into the same problem. The work was already done.

Road markings motion already in the budget

Keith Johnson, Reform UK councillor for Saltash’s Tamar Ward, brought the first motion, calling for road markings to be prioritised by the authority. In a report he addressed to the council “House” rather than the Chamber, Keith called for more money to be spent on road markings around the Duchy.

The Liberal Democrat group had already identified the need. The 26/27 budget signed off by the council includes a five-fold increase for road markings, taking the figure from £40,000 to £225,000 per year. Keith voted against that budget.

Callywith bus motion already resolved

Sean Smith, Reform UK councillor for St Cleer and Menheniot, brought the second motion. He raised an issue with Callywith students travelling to Bodmin on buses and having to stand.

Sean had already raised the issue with the college, which runs its own private transport. The college agreed to increase capacity on the route. Problem solved.

Lib Dem response

Dan Rogerson, Liberal Democrat Transport Portfolio holder, did not hold back.

“Reform councillors seem intent on wasting Council time, rather than dealing with the issues people want to see fixed. Both motions called for officers to spend time re-doing things they have already done,” he said.

“After joining the administration last year, Liberal Democrats recognised very quickly that more investment was needed for road markings and we increased the budget significantly from £40k to £225k pa. Unfortunately, Cllr Johnson didn’t vote for the budget.

“Callywith College took on board Cllr Smith’s comments and have introduced extra capacity for students on their route with their own private transport.

“A lot of Cornwall’s post-16 transport is on the local bus network. We do not want to see students left behind at bus stops, or anyone else for that matter.

“I am happy to debate any issue, it is good for democracy. However, it’s a pity Reform UK councillors aren’t taking the time to research their motions before they bring them to council, wasting precious council time.”