´óÏó´«Ã½

The Gulval and Heamoor Lib Dem councillor Mario Fonk has tabled a motion to go to next week's full council meeting which tries to answer the question: "Are you local?"

Mario's proposal:

"resolves to change the current Cornwall-wide criteria for local connection on the Housing Register to give those who live within the town or parish and who have registered as their first choice to stay in that area precedence over those who live outside the area."

Mario's concern is that some people have been forced to accept offers of accommodation more than 40 miles from where they live. He points out that the current system can result in some applications creating a "false need" in areas which are simply thought of as desirable places to live.

The proposal is already supported by councillors Stuart Cullimore, Ruth Lewarne, Chris Pascoe, Sue Pass and Tamsin Williams and all the signs are that it will succeed. After all, which councillor would want to be seen as acting against "local" interests?

Nevertheless some housing officials are uneasy. They say anything which undermines their objective, professional assessment of "need" should be treated with caution - particularly quirky, wiggly lines on a map.