Dear All,
After a hot and sunny day here in our bay it is time for my latest update.
My week started last Saturday with a Surgery Session at Paignton Library (Top Left). It was good to meet with residents and long gone are the days when being at the Library meant sitting in silence. In addition to the Café there are a range of activities available for all ages.
Saturday Afternoon was a chance to mix business with pleasure as I was invited to cut the ribbon at the official re-launch of the Crown and Sceptre in St Marychurch (Top Right). The pub closed just before the first lockdown and many residents wondered what its future might be. Yet following a major revamp it is now open again, with a focus on real ale.
The rest of Saturday provided a chance to spend time with family and catch up on some work.
After attending the Sunday Morning Service at St Matthias, the rest of Sunday was spent having a catch up on constituency work, along with time to spend with my family. Although the early evening saw me heading up to the bridge works on Torbay Road to check on progress ahead of their re-opening, with an early start the next morning, along with local Cllr Andrew Barrand, to see some of the first traffic crossing the re-opened road. More on this below in the inset story.
The House of Commons sat from Monday to Thursday this week, so Monday morning also saw me at the station ready to head up ahead of the normal mix of Ministerial Meetings and Parliamentary work. One focus for my week was the expected announcement on measures to ease the pressure on the cost of living, not least given the challenges faced by families here in our bay.
I was at the Despatch Box on Tuesday evening as I responded on behalf of the Government to a debate about a proposed new asylum accommodation centre in North Yorkshire. This was followed by a meeting the next day with the Local Government Association to discuss moves to reform the system of dispersed accommodation in the asylum system. It is simply unacceptable to see hotels used as the default option for this purpose, hence my being tasked with these two areas to bring this to an end.
Wednesday morning saw an early start as I joined Shep on BBC Radio Devon’s Breakfast Show for an interview on the week’s two big issues, partygate and action on the cost of living.
I was then in the Commons on Wednesday Afternoon for parts of the PM’s Statement and was on the frontbench for the debate on Ukraine later in the day. Some residents have asked where I now sit (or stand) when in the chamber, given I go into the Home Office first thing in the morning rather than Parliament, so can’t “book” what was my normal seat for prayers. As I often arrive just before the session starts, I often must stand either at the bar of the house or (as on Wednesday) by the Speaker’s Chair (Bottom Left).
Thursday morning saw my second speaking slot in Parliament as I led a Delegated Legislation Committee Debate on reforms to passport fee rules to prevent the wastage of slots at Passport Offices by those who simply don’t turn up for an appointment. Currently 1 in 20 are being wasted and with such demand at present for them this needs to be deterred. You can listen to the debate by clicking
here.
I headed home after this and today was spent focussed on issues here in our bay. This started with a conversation with a local fisherman about the impact of rules on how far their boat can go from the shore. This was then followed by meeting a local politics student to talk about my role and the balance between constituency and political work.
I held another surgery session this morning, this time at my office in East St. It was good to talk with several residents about issues they needed my help with ranging from school places to sewage problems.
This was followed by a trip to Babbacombe Theatre for an event focussed on Torquay’s Hidden History (Bottom Right). Local historian David Scott spoke about the way some national media tried to portray Torquay as a “funk hole” in World War 2, falsely implying people had headed here to avoid doing their bit. He also spoke about the time Arnold Ridley, who in later life became famous as Private Godfrey in Dad’s Army, was presented with a white feather by a woman in Torquay during World War 1. Yet he was no coward, he had already gone over the top at The Somme and been badly injured during his military service.
This was followed by a fantastic talk by Martin Harris of the Unleashed Theatre Company about their work to bring the history of St Mary Magdalen’s Church and Victorian Torquay to life in film. Then their latest project to revive the former Central Cinema in Abbey Road as the Royal Lyceum Theatre.
Finally, this evening I attended the AGM of the Torbay Conservative Association where it was confirmed I have been re-selected to be their candidate in the next General Election, which must be held before the end of 2024.
This week’s update is below and includes:
This Week, Cost of Living Support Announced, £10m For Debenhams Regeneration, Paignton and Preston Seafront Consultation, Torquay and Newton Abbot Cycle Route, Meadfoot Roadworks, Action On The Pitch At Plainmoor, Fleet St Enforcement, 6 Bay Beaches Get Blue Flag, Torbay Leisure Card Extended, Stonehenge Tunnel, Kev’s Column: Cost of Living and finally……….. If at First You Don’t Succeed.
This Week,
As mentioned before, I was a big fan of Andrew Neil’s late night show “This Week”, where he combined wit with serious political analysis.
He would sometimes open the show with thoughts on the issue of the week and this seems apt again this week for my update. I’m not going to repeat what I have said before about “partygate”, having done 8 live radio interviews and columns on it previously. The appointment of Steve Barclay, a colleague notable for a focussed approach and a no-nonsense attitude, as the Downing Street Chief of Staff has brought an overdue culture change.
Yet one part of Sue Gray’s report which struck a particular cord with me was the reference to some working at the Cabinet Office and in Downing Street being rude to cleaners, security guards and custodians trying to do their jobs. Something not unique to any single party or government given the regularly documented incidents in parliament over the years. This behaviour is unacceptable and apologies have rightly been given.
The reason it struck a cord with me is an incident about 4 years ago. I had bought some new shoes and on a rainy day suddenly discovered their new soles were not very good on a wet stone walkway through parliament. I had to walk very slowly to avoid slipping and hurting myself. Plenty of people walked straight past me as I did, including staff, colleagues and journalists. The one man who, having seen me doing this, immediately stopped to check I was ok, had I hurt myself and offered to help me to the First Aid station? Munir, one of Parliament's catering staff.
This incident was a reminder of how there are many truly great people who work in Parliament and the Government Buildings, but they are often those who are there keeping it running, not on the front pages.
Cost of Living Support Announced,
There was welcome news yesterday as a £15 billion package of targeted support to help with the rising cost of living was announced by the Government.
Recent rises in the costs of energy and food have seen financial pressure build for many families. This new package is therefore targeted towards millions of low-income households and brings the total cost of living support to £37 billion this year, with thousands of families across our bay set to benefit.
You can watch the full Statement in the House of Commons by the Chancellor of the Exchequer by clicking
here. The highlights of the announcement include:
- Almost all of the eight million most vulnerable households across the UK will receive support of at least £1,200 this year, including a new one-off £650 cost of living payment
- Universal support increases to £400, as the October discount on energy bills is doubled and the requirement to repay it over five years is scrapped.
- Pensioner households will receive an extra £300 this year to help them cover the rising cost of energy this winter.
- Around six million people across the UK who receive disability benefits will receive a one-off payment of £150 in September:
This support is in addition to the £150 Council Tax rebate for households in England in Council Tax bands A-D, which was announced in February, and which millions of households have already received.
To help pay for the extra support - which takes the total direct government cost of living support to £37 billion – the Chancellor said a new temporary 25% Energy Profits Levy would be introduced for oil and gas companies, reflecting their extraordinary profits. At the same time, in order to increase the incentive to invest, the new levy will include a generous new 80% investment allowance.
While it is impossible for any government to solve every problem, the priority is to help the thousands of families in our bay who are struggling now. This package of measures will make a real difference to local families, with welcome additional support for pensioners and those receiving key disability benefits.
£9.6m For Debenhams Regeneration,
This week Torbay Council have agreed £9.6m of funding from its Growth Fund to redevelop the former Debenhams site in Torquay.
This news follows almost £2million of grant funding being made available for the site from the Government’s £21.9m Torquay Town Deal. Torbay Council bought the site in 2020. My understanding is the development is being done on a commercial basis in the expectation the development will recoup the Council’s investment. This does mean it will be vital the council manages the development well in order to recover the £10m.
The recent public consultation on proposals for the site showed overwhelming support for the plans which involve demolishing the existing building and replacing with a new modern design. The new building would provide space for up to 5 leisure retail units and 16 residential units over 4 floors. At the heart of the building a south facing public square would complement wider harbourside public realm improvements. The Council’s plans include removing the current canopy, despite indications last year they intended to keep it as part of future plans.
You can read more on the BBC website by clicking
here.
Paignton and Preston Seafront Consultation,
The consultation for improving Paignton and Preston seafronts has now moved into phase two and Torbay Council would like to hear views from residents on two ideas for each seafront.
Over 400 people took part in the first phase, where they fed back what they like and don’t like about both seafronts. LDA Design, the independent design consultancy commissioned by Torbay Council, have reviewed this feedback and have prepared two designs for both Paignton and Preston seafronts. They would now like to hear from residents, particularly those who use the seafronts, those who live in Paignton and Preston and have experienced flooding from the sea and from businesses based in the area.
To get involved and to share thoughts on where the best place is for the flood defence wall and the ideas on improving the look and feel of both seafronts:
I would urge all update readers to take part in this consultation as the changes proposed are significant and affect a key part of our bay for both residents and visitors.
Torquay and Newton Abbot Cycle Route,
Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council are applying to the government for "levelling-up" funding via a £15m bid for a cycle route between Newton Abbot and Torquay.
As well as the dedicated new cycle route, the scheme would help provide better connectivity to a new housing development at Wolborough. The government is expected to make a decision by the autumn.
If the bid is successful Teignbridge Council will put in £500,000 and Devon County Council has agreed to pay £1m towards the cost. Whilst the route will be a helpful connection for our bay, virtually all is route will be outside the area covered by Torbay Council.
Meadfoot Roadworks,
On Monday 6 June 2022 resurfacing of Meadfoot Sea Road and the footpaths will start.
For the works to take place Meadfoot Sea Road will be closed to vehicles only, from Hesketh Road to Ilsham Marine Drive for eight days. There will be full pedestrian access throughout the works.
The closure will start on Monday 6 June 2022 for five days. It will then be taken down for the weekend on the 11 and 12 June 2022. The closure will then be reinstated on Monday 13 June for a period of three days.
A diversion will be in place for road users and will take you along Babbacombe Road and through Wellswood and vice versa if travelling in the other direction.
Access to the businesses in the area will be open as normal, so please continue to show support for local businesses. It is worth noting The Osbourne will still be accessible with any disruptions taking place for a very short period.
Action On The Pitch At Plainmoor,
Whilst the football season may be over, there has been plenty of action on the pitch at Plainmoor recently as the grounds team get to work on it.
One of the most important roles at any football club, groundsman, is one which has its busiest time in the off season. This week TUFC published an update on the work being done to get the pitch at Plainmoor ready for the next season. It’s fascinating to see photos of how the pitch looks now and then think how it will look when the new season kicks off.
You can read the article and see the photos on the club’s website by clicking
here.
Fleet St Enforcement,
Torquay Police have been busy on traffic operations in the Town Centre this week, including a crackdown on those drivers ignoring the restrictions in Fleet Street.
On Tuesday alone they issued 32 tickets to drivers using the road in violation of the restrictions. This followed large numbers of complaints from pedestrians about vehicles inappropriately driving down the road at speed.
6 Bay Beaches Get Blue Flag,
Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has announced the winners of the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for Summer 2022.
Among them is Oddicombe Beach who has received a Blue Flag every year since the scheme was launched 35 years ago.
Breakwater Beach, Broadsands, Meadfoot Beach, Preston Sands and Torre Abbey Sands also met the high standard required and will join Oddicombe Beach in flying the internationally recognised Blue Flag. These six have also been awarded the Seaside Award along with Maidencombe, Goodrington, Paignton and Anstey’s Cove.
Across the South West a total of 56 beaches have been presented with an award recognising the quality of the beach, the way it is managed and the facilities it offers to residents.
It is great to note this award success which is a key part of encouraging visitors to our beautiful bay each summer.
Torbay Leisure Card Extended,
Those who have fled Ukraine to our bay can now take advantage of the Torbay Leisure Card after eligibility was extended this week to refugees living in Torbay.
The Torbay Leisure Card is free and offers Torbay residents on low incomes reduced entry charges to a wide range of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure activities. The cards are available at Torbay Leisure Centre, the Rivera Centre, Swim Torquay and Admiral Brixham Swimming Pool.
In order to receive a card the Biometric Residence Permit needs to be shown. This is open to everyone with refugee status who holds one of these permits including those from Ukraine.
You can find more details on Torbay Council’s website by clicking
here.
Stonehenge Tunnel,
Whilst it may be some distance from our bay, one of the big constraints on our region’s growth is the bottleneck on the A303 at Stonehenge.
For decades various solutions have been debated, with it becoming almost as much a puzzle as working out exactly how Stonehenge was built. The two key facts are the stones cannot be moved and if nothing is done they will continue to be affected by being so close to one of the most congested roads in Britain.
There was an update on the plans for a tunnel to be built which will by-pass the stones, with a preferred contractor being appointed. You can read more on Business Live by clicking
here.
Kev’s Column: Cost of Living
Every fortnight I write a “Kev’s Column” for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition by following the link below:
https://www.kevinjfoster.com/news/kevs-column-cost-living
and finally……….. If at First You Don’t Succeed.
Ending on a different note one local runner has been showing he is living proof of the old adage, “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”.
Back in November 2019, Alby Waters attempted to take on a daunting challenge of running from Paignton Pier to Paris, but on arriving into Dorchester he was hit by a car. He found himself in hospital with a damaged arm and was unable to continue the challenge. COVID put the brakes on any further attempts until now…….
Undaunted Alby flew to Paris and embarked on his epic journey back to Paignton Pier on Thursday May 19. He crossed the channel, arriving in Newhaven from Dieppe last Friday, having covered 101 miles in just two days. He aimed to complete the next 190 miles within five further days. You can read more and find details of how to support his fundraising efforts (In aid of Torbay Stroke Support) on the Torbay Weekly website by clicking
here.
That is all for this week and enjoy your weekend.
Best Wishes
Kevin
