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Transfer of Car Parks and Toilets from Cornwall Council to St Just Town Council

After many years of discussions, debates and negotiations, the free to use public car parks and toilets blocks in St Just and Pendeen have been transferred from Cornwall Council’s ownership to St Just Town Council. Putting local facilities under local control seems to work well in other parts of Cornwall, enabling decisions to be taken by the local council in response to local residents’ needs and wishes.

Photo of Cornwall Council's Community Link Officer Guy Pace with St Just Town Council Mayor Sue James and Cornwall Councillor Brian Clemens in St Just Car Park
Cornwall Council’s Community Link Officer (West Penwith) Guy Pace with St Just Town Council Mayor Cllr Sue James and Cornwall Councillor Cllr Brian Clemens in St Just Car Park

There are no immediate plans for change, other than residents should now contact St Just Town Council if there are any issues regarding cleanliness or damage. However, a report funded by the Town Vitality Fund will soon be published, reflecting the local communities Vision for St Just and Town Council will be considering ideas from that re parking, infrastructure for electric car charging and maybe electric bike hire facilities and charging.

Councillor Sue James, current Mayor of St Just was Deputy Mayor back in September 2011 and chaired a lively public meeting at St Just WI Hall to discuss a proposal from Cornwall Council to make St Just and Pendeen car parks pay and display.

Sue reflects:

“That was the start of the journey for the car parks and toilets being devolved from Cornwall to St Just Council. That WI hall was packed solid and our residents and businesses owners were united against charging, feeling such a move would kill our town and village.

“The Town Council knew it had to step up and agreed to pay Cornwall Council for their projected loss of income on the car parks and for servicing our public toilets, to keep them open. With a very small staff team, that arrangement suited the Council in maintaining services valued locally whilst not taking on the full responsibility of running such facilities.

“Now, in 2023, things have moved on; St Just Town Council already runs the local Library, has increased its staffing team and is ready to take full responsibility for our car parks and toilets.”

Cornwall Councillor Brian Clemens added: “This transfer is one of a number of devolution projects that have taken place over a number of years to allow communities to prescribe services and allow local councils to manage their environment to the benefit of the communities they represent.”

The full press release can be downloaded using the following link (PDF, 230KB): Press Release Regarding Car Parks and Toilets