Darren Willcocks INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE

• People First (Before Party) • Fairer Society • Affordable Homes • Climate Change Action • Community Spirit

Why Vote for Me

As a Cornishman I have been lucky to benefit from a great local education and enjoy my whole career living within a stone’s throw from where I was born and grew up in Carnon Downs.

I feel it is now time for me to give back something to the community I have benefitted so much from.

I want to look back in 10 to 20 years and realise that I, together with you, have made a positive contribution to our community.

I hope we have a shared vision:

• A stronger community that is Fairer, Cleaner and Greener • Where we live in a community, with strong bonds, that care about each other and future generations • A fairer society for all members of our community • Where we build a future that is fit for our children and grandchildren.

2

CONTENTS Local Groups 3 Local Experiences 3 Your Local Candidate 4 Support your local food and Drink 12

INTRODUCTION My-Pon-Perran Mylor and I have created this circular as an experiment in community communication. It will complement the community magazines/ websites that are already in circulation and provide a voice for community groups and local experiences. If elected I would regularly issue this magazine with updates of local issues and messages from local groups and Council. This would work hand in hand with my website https://my- pon-perran.co.uk/. I will adapt the website and this magazine to meet what you need from me as your elected candidate. All the best Darren Willcocks

3

Local Groups

A call for all local action, social etc Groups. If you want free advertising for your groups, please contact me and I can add you to the My-Pon- Perran Website https://my-pon-perran.co.uk/ and include you in the next copy of this magazine.

Local Experiences JD’s Bees

Do you love bees and want to know more about them?

Are you frightened of bees and would like to get better acquainted in a safe space?

Or would you simply like to know more about the environment in general and what you can do to help?

JD’s Bees is offering bespoke bee experience courses and sessions introducing you to the world of pollinators and their environment.

From one to one bee introduction to group courses in environmental management, species identification, arts and crafts and beekeeping. We are sure to have something for all ages, abilities and interests.

For more information give us a buzz on 07825815454 or email at [email protected]

4

• WHAT WILL I DO IF ELECTED?

o As an Independent I have less funds and support than the other political parties however this means I am free of the Influence of the Party Machine in Westminster and wealthy donors.

As your Councillor, my only boss would be you, the people of our community – As it should be! o I will listen to you and will work hard in the interests of you the residents of our great community. o My decisions will be based on local issues that affect our area. o I will address the key issues that benefit as many people as possible in our area and those that are most disadvantaged. o I will work with any political party to achieve what needs to be done for the benefit of the people of our community.

5

• WHAT WILL I DO IF ELECTED?

• Fairer Society

o I believe in a fairer society for all members of our community; fairer for: ▪ the older generation, ▪ the younger generation, ▪ local families needing affordable homes, ▪ pedestrians and cyclists, ▪ people struggling to make a living, • people with physical/mental health issues.

o If we can take something positive from the Pandemic, it is how we came together as a community to look after those in need. I was proud to be part of that effort in Ponsanooth, helping to co- ordinate the fantastic efforts of over 60 volunteers who successfully delivered thousands of food and prescription packages. I am still delivering prescriptions to those most in need. o I will continue to fight for fairness for as many people in our community as possible. o I am Vice Chairman of The Falmouth and Penryn Community Network. Being part of this group has provided me with a great understanding of the issues affecting our communities locally from a health, policing, climate change, traffic, emergency planning etc perspective, this experience will be invaluable if I am to be your local Councillor.

6

• WHAT WILL I DO IF ELECTED? • Affordable Homes

o There is a genuine need for affordable housing in our community. If we want an ongoing vibrant community, we need to ensure that the next generation are not forced to move away due to a lack of decent, truly affordable housing.

o I will support the Parish Councils and in their efforts to provide new affordable housing in places that best suit our community and the needs of the people of our area.

o I will work with all levels of government to seek ways to reduce this affordability gap that is one of the worst in the UK.

o I am currently part of the Neighbourhood Development Plan, I have enjoyed working with the team on a plan that is aspirational and reflects the needs of the Parish. It has opened my eyes to the needs for affordable housing on our doorstep. Listening to the stories of the people of our Parish and their difficulties has strengthened my resolve that this lack of a basic human need cannot continue.

7

• WHAT WILL I DO IF ELECTED? • Climate Change Action

o Our efforts as individuals and communities will make a difference by: ▪ Changing our habits and choices ▪ Making the effort to understand why we need to change ▪ Use our spending power to influence businesses ▪ Put pressure on government at all levels ▪ Support local climate action groups

o I am currently a Co-Ordinator for the Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Climate Action Group (this covers the 9 Town and Parish Councils around Falmouth and Penryn, including Mylor, Perranarworthal and Ponsanooth).

o It has shown me how many local people and groups are working hard to make a difference.

o The work I have done in this Climate Action Group provides me with an invaluable insight to what needs doing at a community level to achieve difficult goals and ensure we are resilient to the changes that are coming.

o This knowledge will be of paramount importance, to ensure as your councillor I can have the maximum possible impact.

8

HOW WILL I ACHIEVE THIS IF ELECTED?

Community Spirit

The core of what I want to achieve is a strong community, the collective voice of you the people will be heard as we work together to achieve a shared vision for the future of our great Parishes.

We can achieve this by strengthening the amazing community groups we already have and forming new groups to address the key issues we as a community need to deal with for the benefit of as many people as possible.

I will facilitate the strengthening/formulation of these groups, working closely with the Parish Councils, to ensure we can have influence at all levels of government.

We will work together to strengthen our already great communities and accomplish things that we can look back on with pride and know we made a difference.

Sticken Bridge on A39

Why a Picture of Sticken Bridge?

It is the one place where our three great Parishes meet. A symbol of how we can join forces and bridge our differences to achieve great things. 9

VOTE • May 6th Local Elections • Your Vote matters

o Local elections have a direct influence on what happens on your doorstep.

o What does Cornwall Council do? ▪ Safety in the community ▪ Funding for community groups ▪ Schools ▪ Refuse collection and recycling ▪ Housing ▪ Leisure and Libraries ▪ Health and Social Care ▪ Benefits ▪ Road network, Buses, parking ▪ Planning and Building Regulation ▪ Environmental Health, etc

If you think any of these issues are important, please vote on May 6th

10

Vote Darren Willcocks Your Local INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE About Me

I live in Ponsanooth with my wife Katy and our two daughters Taylor (20) and Zoe (16). We were all born in the same maternity unit at Treliske Hospital (it was a little bit newer when I was born!).

I am originally from Carnon Downs and my wife is from Falmouth, so Mylor, Perranarworthal and Ponsanooth seems the appropriate middle ground.

I played football for Perranwell in my youth, unfortunately I was better known for my injuries than my skills at the heart of defence.

I have been very lucky to have spent my whole career in Cornwall, studying at Cornwall College before undertaking a distance learning course to become Chartered Quantity Surveyor. I have spent the last 30 years working on an array of construction projects across Cornwall (with the occasional foray across the border).

I recently turned 50 and felt it is past time I use my skills to help my local community. I have enjoyed the last 2 years as a Parish Councillor in Posnanooth and I now hope, with your support, to continue my work with Cornwall Council.

If you have any questions, please contact me on [email protected] or Mob 07548 778238

11

Support your Local Food and Drink Establishments

More info see my-pon-perran.co.uk/food-and-drink

If I have missed any, apologies please let me know on [email protected]

Published and promoted by Darren Willcocks Printed by St. Austell Printing Company 8 Sampson Gardens St. Austell Business Park Ponsanooth , Cornwall TR3 7RS PL25 4FD