Dear All,
After a memorable weekend and a significant week in Parliament, it is time for my latest update.
Last weekend saw the climax of events here in our bay to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Saturday morning brought a chance to catch up on some emails and correspondence ahead of two events to mark the Jubilee. The first was a visit to the exhibition of Coronation Souvenirs organised by Babbacombe and St Marychurch Local History Society at St Annes’ Hall. It was great to read some of the personal stories of the Coronation Celebrations back in 1953, along with memories of the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
After this I headed over to Paignton on the open top 122 bus for the English Riviera Airshow, with the highlight being the performance by the RAF Red Arrows. A bit more on this below in the inset story.
Whilst the flying displays are clearly the highlight of the Airshow, several community and armed forces groups exhibit on Paignton Green during the show. This includes the Royal British Legion, the Royal Air Force Association and local cadet forces.
One unit present was the Bristol University Air Squadron (BUAS). The BUAS offers students from Bristol, UWE, Bath, Exeter and Plymouth Universities a comprehensive insight into life in the RAF, with many going on to serve in it. One person they regularly meet has a strong link to our bay: Johnny Johnson, the last surviving “Dambuster” of 617 Squadron. It was great to hear how he is still working to inspire those who will serve in the RAF of the future, whilst ensuring they also know the stories of his comrades who never returned.
Sunday saw a wet start to the day, with the second day of the Airshow cancelled, although the Village Fete in Maidencombe still went ahead (Top Left). It was great to catch up with the team from the Maidencombe Residents Association on planning issues and have a go at a couple of the activities.
This was followed by attending the morning service and events at St Matthias, after which I headed up to Barton for the open-air thanksgiving service arranged by the local community partnership. It was well timed as whilst the weather was overcast at the start, by the end the sun was shining.
Monday was intended to be a quiet day for Hazel and Myself, given events a year ago. Yet when I woke up to news a vote would be held that evening at Westminster the day became more focused on politics than I had wished.
Before heading up to London I undertook the one engagement which had been in my diary, attending the memorial service at Torquay Harbourside to mark the 78
th Anniversary of D-Day (Top Right). It is always thought provoking to stand where so many marched to the embarkation ramps in the days leading up to the Invasion of Normandy, the next time they set foot on land was as they hit the beaches. Their sacrifice paving the way for the final defeat of Adolf Hitler and the end of World War 2.
Tuesday saw me undertake a series of visits in my Ministerial role, the first in Stafford to a company taking advantage of a scheme to hire displaced talent. This was followed by a trip to Birmingham to meet a community group supporting those from the Windrush Generation and another helping EEA Nationals.
Wednesday was a day of ministerial and constituency work in the House of Commons and Home Office.
Yesterday saw a morning of ministerial meetings, followed by getting the train home ahead of an urgent telephone meeting with the Aviation Minister, Robert Courts, in relation to the actions of EasyJet in cancelling the booking of a large group of Devon Students and their teachers due to attend a football competition in Italy. I have been supporting this group to get a sensible alternative from the airline, as the suggestions made so far had ignored basic practicalities such as young children not being able to travel on their own.
This was followed by attending last night’s Torbay Business Awards, supported by the Torbay Weekly (Bottom Left). It was good to catch up with many in the local business community and hear about the issues they are currently facing.
Today was spent focused on issues here in the bay, with a morning spent with the pupils of Barton Hill Academy talking about my job, hearing their thoughts on environmental issues and then joining them for a litter pick on Torre Abbey Meadows (Bottom Right). It was also helpful to catch up with the new School Principal and staff about what issues the school is facing.
This was followed by meeting the Chief Executive of the Trust which runs Torbay Hospital for a catch up on their situation and what I can best work with them on. The works on the new Emergency Department are progressing well and the Exeter Nightingale is providing valuable support to help reduce backlogs which built up during the pandemic. One constant focus has been the need to support and grow our social care services, as often queues of ambulances at the front door are due to delays with finding beds in social care for those whose hospital treatment has ended.
I also caught up with Torbay Rail Users Group today about the future of our railways nationally and the opportunities for growth locally.
Finally, today marks 5 years since Hazel and I married, an event which prompted a bit of national media coverage given it followed the election of President Macron in France. It was good to mark it by attending a special event at Torquay Museum this evening.
This week’s update is below and includes:
This Week, Seafront Consultation, Well Earned Awards, Former Rail Line Could Become Walking Route, Right To Buy Announcement, Queensway Road Safety, Meadfoot Road Works, Passport Advice, Ivory Act, Still Not Had Your Covid Jab?, Kev’s Column: Jubilee and finally…..Steve The Seagull Goes National.
This Week,
As said before I was a fan of “This Week”, Andrew Neil’s late night political show, and it feels apt to open this week’s update with a reflection on the week.
Monday was meant to be a day away from politics, it was a day I wanted to spend quietly with Hazel given it marked the first anniversary of losing a close relative, but the calling of a vote on Boris Johnson as Leader of the Conservative Party meant heading up to Westminster.
I understand why people are angry when seeing pictures of events which should not have happened or the idea their sacrifices were not what others were requiring of themselves, especially those choices made in the most difficult of circumstances. It is right apologies have been offered, fines issued where the Police deemed appropriate and changes made to the culture at Downing Street and in the Cabinet Office, including amongst the Civil Service who worked in these areas who would serve regardless of the political complexion of the Government or who was Prime Minister.
The appointment of Steve Barclay as Chief of Staff at Number 10 is also a marked change. I have worked closely with Steve since being elected and, as said before, Steve’s idea of a works drinks event is a jug of tap water and the requisite number of glasses to go with the papers for a meeting.
On the vote I reflected on the Prime Minister’s involvement with our bay, including the £21.9m secured under this government for the Torquay Town Deal and the £13.4m for Paignton Future High St Fund (Interestingly these achievements are such an opposition party are devoting their latest leaflet to them). Then there is the work already underway at Torbay Hospital on the new Emergency Department and an additional Mental Health Ward, with the massive Health Infrastructure Plan of up to £350m still to come. Like other Prime Ministers I have worked with Boris has his faults, alongside his strengths, but the last 3 years have seen major progress for our bay on several fronts, with the PM being a listening ear throughout.
Whilst I can accept the apology from the Prime Minister as an individual, I believe it is right he reads first-hand what people here think and of the sacrifices they made, including the hardest when loved ones passed away, to help protect their families and local NHS staff. I will therefore be sending to the Prime Minister a selection of messages from those who were most impacted by the measures intended to protect our community and NHS so he can read them for himself.
Seafront Consultation,
The Paignton Community Partnership has issued a firm response to the two options currently being proposed by Torbay for the Paignton and Preston Seafronts.
The council displayed its plans at the Torbay Airshow last week, these include proposals to stop cars parking on the central part of the seafront promenade which have proved highly controversial.
The new designs were drawn up after the council did a U-turn over an earlier proposal for a barrier which was said to look like “the Berlin Wall”. However, the community partnership has now rejected both of the new plans, Option One for a set-back wall and Option Two for a front-line sea wall. Its own proposal has not been included in the options put forward by the Council.
The Council’s current consultation runs until midnight on Sunday (12
th June) and you can find it by clicking
here.
It is vital any changes to our seafront enjoy broad support and take on board the concerns of the community. The rejection of the plans by the community partnership should be heeded by the Council and I will do my part to work with them to get a plan for the seafront all of Paignton can be proud of.
Well Earned Awards,
The Queen’s Birthday Honours list was published recently and it included some well-earned awards for two men who have been stalwarts of community activity in Paignton.
Colin Hurst and Stephen Brooksbank can regularly be seen first thing in the morning at the Paignton Geo-Park helping maintain it and ensuring thousands of children have somewhere safe to play. They have also helped drive forward work to revamp the seafront shelters and been active voices for the local community, including on the planned changes to the seafront. You can read more about their work on Devon Live by clicking
here.
It is great to read of their awards, which are welcome recognition for two people who just do their bit for the local community week in week out, not expecting praise, but very well deserved recipients of it.
Former Rail Line Could Become Walking Route,
Next May will mark the 60
th anniversary of the closure of the railway line between Churston and Brixham.
Whilst there is no realistic prospect of trains running on the track bed again, not least given development since 1963, it could help provide a welcome link if reopened as a walking trail. A local project team has been set up to create the trail, which would allow walkers to (roughly) retrace the route of the line which was closed as part of Dr Beeching’s railway reforms.
The team behind the project is also looking for any memorabilia, photos or films of the former Branch Line. You can read more on Devon Live by clicking
here.
Right To Buy Announcement,
One of the most regular issues in my inbox is residents struggling to get a house to rent or finding it increasingly difficult to buy a home of their own.
This week the Government announced two major initiatives in response to the second part of this.
The most eye catching was the announcement two and a half million tenants renting their homes from housing associations will be given the right to buy them outright.
Currently, tenants in council homes are eligible to buy their homes at a discounted price, up to 70% off the market value dependent on how long they have lived there. However, the scheme is less generous for those in homes owned by housing associations.
Extending the scheme could benefit up to 2.5 million tenants who would gain the right to buy, freeing them up to become homeowners, and add value and make improvements to their home as they wish. The Government will work closely with the housing association sector on the design of the scheme. Unlike in the past I understand the policy approach will embed replacements for properties sold.
The second was less covered by the media but is aimed at tackling one of the most frustrating part of how the housing market currently operates. It is estimated over 50% of today’s renters could afford the monthly cost of a mortgage but various constraints mean only 6% could immediately access a typical first-time buyer mortgage. I often see in my surgery people struggling to find a place to rent, having regularly made monthly rental payments at a level where they could easily pay a monthly mortgage for the type of property they are looking for. This also means they are vulnerable to further rent rises in future, making it even harder to save a deposit.
The government is therefore launching an independent review of access to mortgage finance for first-time buyers, with the aim of making it easier for this group by widening access to low-cost, low-deposit finance such as 95% mortgages. This will be the first comprehensive review of the mortgage market for a decade, seeking bold and innovative steps Government and industry can take to support more first-time buyers into homeownership. You can read more on the Government website by clicking
here.
These two moves are welcome, provided any housing sales are matched by replacements, especially when combined with other moves such as scrapping the loophole on Council Tax for Second Homes.
Queensway Road Safety,
Just over 6 months ago an accident on Queensway in Chelston saw a young girl lose her life.
Since then my team and I, alongside local Councillor Andrew Barrand, have been in regular contact with Torbay Council to seek road safety improvements on the road, both near where the accident occurred and outside Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Primary School. This included a site visit with the relevant Cabinet Member and senior Council Officers. A meeting like this is a better opportunity to understand the issues than visiting the Town Hall.
During the site visit several options were suggested for changes, alongside a road safety campaign due to be launched across the bay. I understand the road safety campaign is imminent, but am still awaiting news on any progress with proposals for works in Queensway despite recent chasing.
Will include any further news no progress in a future update.
Meadfoot Road Works,
The sea road at Meadfoot has been closed this week for resurfacing works after work started on Monday.
I have been advised the closure will be removed for the weekend, Saturday 11
th and Sunday 12
th June, before being reinstated on Monday for a further 3 days.
Do bear this in mind if planning a journey through the area over the coming week.
Passport Advice,
If thinking of travelling abroad this summer do take a moment to check your passport is up to date.
Over the last 2 years 5 million people delayed renewing their passport, with the resumption of international travel now seeing a surge in applications. To put this into perspective normally the passport office would deal with 7 million applications in a year, yet in March and April alone it processed approximately 2 million.
Since April last year the passport office has advised allowing 10 weeks when applying for a new passport, although the vast majority are being dealt with in 6 weeks. If you don’t need your passport to travel and your application is still within 6 weeks of being submitted calling up about it does not help.
A few people have asked if I can give any advice on how to get a passport more quickly. There are a couple of things you can do and, whilst not guaranteed to be quicker than 10 weeks, most using them get a passport much more quickly by doing so:
- Apply online if at all possible. Applying by post takes longer.
- Check your application carefully, a basic error can hold up issuing you a new passport whilst it is rectified.
- Use a photobooth or professional photographer. The higher quality flash and pure white background can help it pass automated checks more quickly.
- Consider using the Post Office Digital Check and Send service. It costs £16 on top the on online application fee, but includes a photo and special delivery of your documents. Details of the service here.
It is possible to book counter appointments for fast-track services, but heavy demand means these are often filled up quickly up to 21 days in advance. You can check if appointments available by clicking
here.
Finally, some have asked if MPs can get applications expedited. If you are travelling on a holiday you have booked the answer is likely to be no if still within the 10 week period, especially if under 6 weeks since you applied. Yet if travelling due to urgent family reasons, eg a relative seriously unwell overseas or funeral, an urgent work requirement for travel or for another compelling reason my team and I can help.
Ivory Act,
A near total ban on the import, export and dealing of items containing elephant ivory came into force this week, which puts the UK at the forefront of global conservation efforts.
Elephants are targeted for their ivory tusks and the demand for ivory contributes to poaching, driving a decline in elephant populations. The ban will ensure vital protection for the world’s elephants by putting a stop to the domestic ivory trade in the UK.
The ban covers ivory items of all ages, allowing only a narrowly defined set of exemptions. As a result, it will now be illegal to deal in ivory items unless they have been registered or have an exemption certificate. Those found guilty of breaching the ban will face tough new penalties including up to five years in jail or an unlimited fine.
Having taken a keen interest in animal welfare issues since being elected it is great to see this now in force.
Still Not Had Your Covid Jab?,
More than 84% of people aged 75 and over in England who were eligible for a Spring booster by the end of April have had their top up dose.
Yet if you are yet to have any of your jabs slots are still available for booking via the national booking service, including for clinics here in our bay.
The current jabs available are:
- 1st and 2nd doses for people aged 5 years old and over
- boosters for people aged 16 years old and over, plus at-risk children aged 12 to 15 years old
- spring boosters for people aged 75 years old and over, plus people aged 12 years old and over with a weakened immune system
- additional primary doses for people with a severely weakened immune system aged 12 years old and over.
You can find all the details and make a booking on the NHS website by clicking
here.
There will also be a pop up vaccine session at the Acorn Centre, Lummaton Cross, Torquay, from 11am to 4:30pm on Sunday (12 June).
Kev’s Column: Jubilee
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-jubilee
and finally….. Steve The Seagull Goes National.
Ending on a different note one Paignton seagull achieved national fame this week for his antics at a Preston supermarket.
Regular readers will recall how a couple of week ago I reported on how Steve the Seagull had been filmed committing a grab and run operation having worked out how to use the automatic doors.
Now his fame has gone national after his favourite supermarket estimated he has flown off with £300 worth of crisps and snacks since discovering his latest trick, with Tangy Cheese Doritos being a particular favourite. You can read the coverage in the Daily Mirror by clicking
here.
That is all for this week and enjoy your weekend.
Best Wishes,
Kevin
