TORY LET DOWN ON SECOND HOME CONTROLS

 Liberal Democrat efforts to tackle the spread of second homes across Cornwall again met resistance from Conservative politicians last night, as former North Cornwall MP, Lord Tyler, proposed new planning law to deal with the problem.

Speaking in a debate on the Government’s Planning Bill, he said:  “In those remote, scattered communities, which are very popular for second homes, there is a huge problem in need of urgent attention relating directly to the planning system…I remember one particular parish council area reaching well over 30 percent second homes…At that point the school is no longer viable; the post office and shop close…bus services collapse; police cover is reduced; and the health centre is removed.  There is a ‘ghost village’ in winter.” 

The Minister replied, “I wish I could give him more satisfaction on that, but I cannot…the problem is that second homes are usually normal dwelling houses…We are looking at Matthew Taylor’s report [on the rural economy and affordable housing] and we will publish a response later this year”. 

The Conservative spokesman, Lord Dixon-Smith told Peers, “I have been trying quite hard to make a connection between that [second homes] and national infrastructure, but I may be rather less sympathetic than the Minister.” 

TYLER PUBLISHES LORDS REFORM UPDATE

 Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Constitutional Affairs, Lord Tyler has published his latest review of progress towards an elected second chamber

He says, “We are further forward now than ever I imagined after Tony Blair was re-elected in 2005”, but says the timescale for reform is “strikingly unambitious”.

The Lib Dem Peer criticises the Conservative Party for its ‘absurd case’ in favour of electing the new Senate by first-past-the-post and argues for a Single Transferable Vote system to ensure the chamber is effective and representative.

Read the full article here.

ATTORNEY GENERAL COMMITTEE SPLITS OVER ‘RAGBAG OF RETREATS’

A cross-party group of MPs and Peers will today (Thursday) denounce the Government’s Constitutional Renewal Bill as a retreat from Gordon Brown’s early promises.

The Joint Select Committee charged with scrutinising the Bill will publish a report today largely endorsing the Government’s approach, but six of its members say it will fail to establish independence in the office of Attorney General.