We are continuing to take action to ease the immediate pressures on the fuel industry while encouraging customers to fill up responsibly as the situation shows tentative signs of stabilising across the country. There is no shortage of fuel in refineries and storage areas in the UK. However unprecedented demand is causing issues at fuel station forecourts, and we are taking steps to ease these as a matter of priority. This includes putting a limited number of military tanker drivers on a state of readiness, to be deployed if necessary – as well as implementing a temporary easing of competition rules, and making 5,000 temporary visas available for HGV drivers, part of 18 steps to tackle the shortage of drivers. The situation is starting to stabilise – and our message to drivers remains, be sensible, and only fill up as you normally would.
The Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships (FISP) Scheme is part of the Science and Innovation pillar of the £100 million UK Seafood Fund. It will fund scientific research projects that involve partnerships between the UK seafood industry and research institutes. The UK Seafood Fund invests in the long term sustainability of the UK fisheries and seafood sector. Its objectives are to rejuvenate the sector, take advantage of the UK’s additional fishing quota, and bring economic growth to coastal communities. Eligible applicants for the FISP scheme include sole traders engaged in commercial sea fishing and organisations engaged in commercial or recreational sea fishing. To obtain funding, applicants must either bid competitively for a contract or apply for a grant. Across financial years 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24, Defra intends to provide around £10 million funding through FISP.
Up to £300,000 is available via contracts for each research project with a maximum project duration of two years. Grants of up to £20,000 are available to support the development of research proposals which could be used as the basis for bids for future rounds of FISP contracts. FISP is currently undergoing an early market engagement phase before the scheme opens for applications on 18 October 2021. If you would like to know more, please drop me an email via scott@scottmann.org.uk.
I am sure you will all know about the plans for leisure centres by now and it is very important that North Cornwall residents make their voice heard in Cornwall Council's consultation on future services. I have met with local teams in Wadebridge and Launceston in recent days and we are working up a strategy for our communities. I encouraging everyone to submit their views before October 31st. It's quite clear from my discussions with constituents over the past month that there is a lot of support for the centres in Launceston and Wadebridge, and we need the consultation to reflect that. You can read the draft strategy and complete the survey anonymously on the Let’s Talk Cornwall website https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/leisure (Paper copies are available on request by calling 0300 1234 100). To submit your views, please fill out the consultation questionnaire and make sure it reaches Cornwall Council by midnight on 31 October 2021 at the latest.
