Cornwall Community Manifesto 2024

As a member of the Cornwall Independent Poverty Forum, we have contributed to Cornwall Community Manifesto 2024, including a proposal for Social Housing Providers to review the removal of carpets and flooring on a case-by-case basis.

The Cornwall Independent Poverty Forum (CIPF) created the Manifesto to submit to the newly elected Members of Parliament, providing a guide to help them fulfill their responsibilities on behalf of the people of Cornwall.

The Community Manifesto lists a number of proposals from Cornish organisations and communities aimed at making Cornwall a fairer and more just place to live.

The Manifesto has eight themes:

1. Health and Well-being
2. End Food Poverty
3. Housing and Homelessness
4. A Sustainable Economy
5. Strong, Flourishing, and Distinctive Communities for All
6. A Benefit System that Works
7. Address Climate Change
8. Public Services for All

Calling for a safe and warm place for all.

Through our work with Cornish food banks, we identified that the automatic removal and replacement of carpets during the void process often forces tenants to seek help from food banks due to the high costs of re-carpeting. Many tenants can only afford to carpet part of their home, leaving the rest insufficiently insulated. This leads to higher heating costs, forcing them to choose between heating and eating, and ultimately seeking food bank referrals. While some carpets may be uncleanable or unsafe, this is rare among the 33,000 social housing properties in Cornwall.

The Cornwall Community Manifesto represents a collective effort to address key issues and improve the quality of life for all residents. Transformation Cornwall is proud to contribute to this initiative, advocating for practical changes that support social housing tenants and reduce the need for food bank assistance. Together, we strive to make Cornwall a fairer, more just place to live.