Dear All,
After a week which saw the temperature rising in both our bay and at Westminster it is time for my latest update.
Ahead of what was set to be a momentous week politically, I started my week with a Saturday focused on issues here in our bay. The first being a meet up with Tom Birbeck, CEO and co-founder of ARC Marine regarding an urgent EU funded project they are part of alongside 4 other UK companies.
This was followed by my weekly advice surgery, this time at Paignton Library (Top Left). It was good to meet with residents about the issues affecting them, plus get a couple of comments about the leadership votes coming up.
I followed this with a visit to a recruitment company in Paignton which is expanding its work in terms of training and looking to give jobseekers support to take up vacancies which are available locally.
After a hectic week there was a chance to relax a little by visiting the Little Theatre in Torquay for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society (Torbay)’s latest show, The Mikado. It was great to see one of the most famous Gilbert & Sullivan pieces performed so well by a local cast, with some up-to-date humour added into the script.
Given the approaching summer season and surges of work in both my Ministerial and constituency role, Sunday saw me catching up on a range of work, so I joined the Morning Service at St Matthias via the online broadcast. Many churches are continuing to live stream their services and it can be a good way to find out a bit more if thinking of attending church for the first time.
I caught the train up to London on Sunday evening ahead of what was set to be a busy week in both Parliament and the Home Office with the Conservative Party leadership election set to reach its Parliamentary climax. I cover a bit more on this aspect of my week in the inset story below.
Monday morning saw me head to Kent for a visit to the main border facility for freight at Sevington. This facility allows key paperwork to be completed and checked by hauliers who are not large enough users of the system or regular enough travellers to be part of some automated trusted trader systems. It is also a site where a vehicle may be requested to attend if there is a need for a specific check on it, this can include Border Force fully unloading the vehicle.
It was interesting to see the work being done by the team there and to see one major seizure taking place where a load was very different to what was listed on the customs declaration form…….
Both my opportunities to speak in Parliament this week came on Tuesday, with me replying to two debates. One in the main chamber on a specific accommodation centre used by the Home Office in London raised by the local MP (Top Right). The other a debate related to English Language Schools, an important here in the bay. Sadly, it had the feeling of a missed opportunity to cover wider issues relating to this sector, a bit more on this below.
Wednesday morning started with a meeting in Westminster, followed by a day of clearing work for both the Home Office and raising issues affecting our bay. One highlight of the day was a meeting with fellow Devon MP Johnny Mercer, in his role as veterans minister, to discuss work being done to support those who have served in our forces. This includes work to recruit them into the Police Force once their military service has ended given the unique skill set they possess.
With the conclusion of the parliamentary stage of the leadership election the night before Parliament was much quieter yesterday, with me in the chamber for a statement on immigration by the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee. The rest of the day included meetings in the Home Office and in Parliament ahead of catching the train home from Paddington to our bay.
Today has been spent focused on issues here in our bay, starting with my latest meeting with Network Rail on the Torbay Road Bridge Works, more on this below.
Afterwards I sifted through the latest applications to “Foster’s Fund”, the scheme I set up back in 2015 to honour my pledge to reject the then 10% MPs Pay Rise. Earlier this year I also pledged to add the recent pay rise to it as well. Letters will be going out to the winning charities early next week.
Providing more affordable housing was on the agenda at lunchtime as I met with Victor da Cunha CEO of a group of Housing Associations providing housing in Southwest & Torbay, along with other representatives of social housing providers (Bottom Left). It was good to hear their thoughts on the housing challenges we are currently facing.
This was followed by a visit to Eat That Frog’s facility at the corner of Morgan Avenue and Tor Hill Road to meet with one local young person who has been supported by the team there.
Finally, it was great to get out on the doorsteps in Plainmoor this evening with the latest survey from Hazel, Paul and Roger (Bottom Right). It is always good to get out and hear what people are thinking here in the bay.
This week’s update is below and includes:
Torbay Road Bridge Update, Rowcroft Planning, Devon and Cornwall Move Up Safety League, House Prices Rising, Passport Advice, Unauthorised Encampments, Rail Strikes, Language Schools Debate, Appeal For Witnesses To Paignton Incident, Vote For Your Favourite Park, Seagull Challenge, Kev’s Column: Leadership and finally……..Mayor Patrick.
Torbay Road Bridge Update,
As mentioned above earlier today I had my latest session with Network Rail chasing them on progress with finishing the works on Torbay Road Bridge.
The first piece of news was positive in the ending of overnight closures has meant the temporary parking restrictions on the diversion route have now been lifted. This will be especially welcomed by users of the Grand Hotel.
The second was keeping one line open overnight (Between Midnight and 5am) was working well, meaning only 1 or 2 overnight closures would now be needed to finish the work. I sought assurances these would not be on Friday or Saturday nights given the potential impact on late night travel on those evenings.
In response to residents’ queries about not seeing much activity on site I was advised most work is currently taking place under the bridge. This includes returning the utilities which had been diverted from the bridge.
One annoying aspect is it is now likely to be early September before all works are completed, although residents will notice one side of the bridge being completed well before this.
As mentioned before I have urged Network Rail to undertake a lessons learned exercise and offer some compensation to those affected by the lengthy delays on this project.
Rowcroft Planning,
Earlier this year Rowcroft Hospice put forward a positive vision of how its facilities and estate could be developed to enhance and expand its services.
The vision includes creating much needed new residential care facilities, along with major enhancements to its in-patient hospice facilities. I welcome the engagement the team at Rowcroft undertook with the community and fully support their vision, which will sit well alongside the major investment planned at Torbay Hospital.
They have now come to a key stage in their plans, securing outline Planning Permission. An application has been lodged with Torbay Council and is open for comments from the public. I have already registered my support for the application and would urge update readers to do so as well. It only takes a few minutes and can be done via the Torbay Council website.
Just click
here to be taken to the relevant part of the Council’s website.
Devon and Cornwall Move Up Safety League,
Figures releases this week confirmed Devon and Cornwall continues to be one of the safest places to live, work and visit in the country, with the second lowest total crime rate in England.
The latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) crime figures for March 2021- March 2022 which ranks all 42 forces in England report a 12.2% increase in recorded crime with 56.8 crimes per 1,000 population. Although this is likely due to crime returning to pre covid levels (Crimes such as shoplifting and alcohol related disorder unsurprisingly fell significantly during the lockdown periods) and follows national trends.
You can read more about the latest figures on the Devon and Cornwall Police website by clicking
here.
House Prices Rising,
The latest data on house prices in Devon was published this week, with some interesting contrasts within them.
Whilst some parts of our county saw a fall in average prices, two parts of our bay, Ellacombe and Watcombe, saw some of the highest rises. With Ellacombe seeing prices rise by an incredible 25.2 per cent in a year, from an average of £163,750 in 2020 to £205,000 last year. You can read more on Devon Live by clicking
here.
Living in Ellacombe I know it is a great place to live, but these figures suggest many more are also seeing its charm. Yet the prices now being reached mean the meeting I had with social housing providers earlier today was all the more timely.
Passport Advice,
As summer holidays begin a few people have asked me about passports and what the current position is.
Since April 2021 HM Passport Office (HMPO) has been advising people to allow up to 10 weeks to receive a passport following making their application. This is because 5m people delayed renewing their passport during the pandemic period and much of this demand is now coming back. To put these numbers into perspective, in the first 6 months of this year the same number of passports were issued as in the whole of 2021.
This means
if you are thinking of travel this summer do check your passport before booking as it is unlikely you will now be able to renew it in time if it has expired.
This said there are ways you may be able to get a passport more quickly than 10 weeks, although this is not guaranteed. These include:
- Apply online, especially if an adult renewal. Postal applications will take longer.
- Carefully check your form for any mistakes before submitting.
- Use a photo from a photobooth or professional photographer with your online renewal.
There are also urgent services you can use, but there are a limited number of appointments at each office and do cost more. New appointments are released daily, commonly at about 8am in the morning, on a first come, first serve basis. Just click
here to find the details.
If you need a passport to travel for urgent reasons which are compelling and compassionate, eg a relative taken seriously ill abroad or to attend a funeral or an unanticipated essential work trip, it is possible to get an application expedited for free. Similarly, if you have been waiting over 10 weeks and are due to travel my team and I are also happy to help chase down your passport. Yet if your application has been with HMPO for less than 10 weeks, especially under 6 weeks, and relates to a booked holiday it is very unlikely we will not be able to get it expedited.
Unauthorised Encampments,
I have had many residents get in touch with me this week about the unauthorised encampments on Hollicombe Park and at Torre Abbey Meadows.
I immediately raised with both Torbay Council and the Police what the plans were to remove them, not least given the changes to the law which came into effect on 28
th June which give additional powers to move on such encampments and bar their return for a longer period.
In response to my initial enquiries with Torbay Council I received a response from the Council Leadership which claimed the Police were not able to move the encampments on. This did not sound correct given my own knowledge of the law, so I was grateful for the update from our local Police I received today. I copy the relevant section below:
“I have seen some communication this morning which suggests that the police are either unable, or unwilling to move one of these encampments. To avoid any misinterpretation of the discussions yesterday, I just wanted to clearly state that this view is incorrect. The Police have the appetite to consider use of our enforcement powers, but before doing so we are required by law to consider broader options. I have included a link to the National Police Chief’s Council guidance on the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 2022, which places clear requirements on agencies. You will note the requirement for a strategic meeting to be led by the Local Authority, and we have formally requested today following initial discussions yesterday.
Unauthorised encampments: a summary of available powers (accessible version) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A quote from this guidance which articulates the legal framework “It remains the case that the response to unauthorised encampments and to individuals who do not leave land when asked to do so, causing harm in the conditions set out, requires a locally driven multi-agency response, led by local authorities and supported by police.”
I understand the relevant process is now underway to remove these encampments, as we need to tackle those who abuse our key public spaces for a free summer holiday.
Rail Strikes,
If planning a journey by train this week do bear in mind the 2 days of industrial action likely to affect them.
Earlier today I received an update from local train operator GWR about how they are being affected. I copy it below:
On Wednesday 27th July there will be no train services in Cornwall (including all branch lines), and all branch lines in Devon. An extremely limited service will be in operation between Plymouth, Exeter and London between 0730 and 1830.
On Thursday 28th July, services will start later than usual and there will be fewer trains throughout the day.
On Saturday 30th July there will be no GWR services in Devon and Cornwall, or on most of the GWR network.
On Sunday 31st July, disruption is expected following the ASLEF strike the previous day.
The Night Riviera sleeper service will not run on Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th, Friday 29th or Sunday 31st July. It will run on Thursday 28th July.
You can read more on their website by clicking here.
Language Schools Debate,
As mentioned above on Tuesday I responded on behalf of the Government to a 30-minute debate on Language Schools.
Since being elected I have taken a close interest in this sector here in our bay, yet sadly the debate could best be described as a missed opportunity for it. The MP from London who secured the debate had insisted on a Home Office reply, rather than one from the Government Department which leads on this sector and wider issues affecting it. Her opening speech also overran meaning my time to respond was limited. Most bizarrely of all she decided it might be a good idea to make some unflattering remarks about seaside communities despite knowing I am proud to represent one!
Over the last 2 years changes have been made to mitigate the impact of ending the use of insecure EEA ID Cards at the border. These include allowing any non-visa national to study the English in the UK for up to 6 months without applying for a visa, plus the introduction of new border technology which will allow many more checks to be performed before people travel here, means more nations will be able to enjoy this status.
You can watch the debate for yourself by clicking
here.
Appeal For Witnesses To Paignton Incident,
Police are appealing for witnesses after a 13-year-old girl has been seriously injured in a collision with a car.
Police were called to the scene on Marldon Road by the junction with Pines Road on Wednesday (20 July) at 4.50pm. It involved a Seat Leon and a pedestrian.
Now officers from the Roads Policing Team are appealing for any witnesses, particularly with dashcam of the collision, to come forward by calling 101 and quoting log 0634 of 20th July 2022.
Vote For Your Favourite Park,
Cockington Country Park, Stoodley Knowle Meadow and Tessier Gardens have been nominated in the Fields in Trust UK’s Favourite Parks award.
Voting is now open and will close at noon on Thursday 18th August 2022. At close of voting. the four Home Nation winners will be shortlisted before Fields in Trust announce the UK's Favourite Park 2022. In addition, any park within the top 20% of votes will receive recognition as a Local Favourite.
You can find all the details on the Field in Trust website by clicking
here.
Seagull Challenge,
Many who have enjoyed a picnic on a beach or paused to eat a portion of chips on the seafront will know it is not hard to suddenly spot a seagull (or ten) in our bay whilst doing so.
Yet this summer a challenge is on to find 100 seagulls, all lovingly decorated by schools, community groups and artists across the English Riviera. They will fly the nest and land in locations across Torbay this summer to form a community art trail.
Each of the colourful Bay gulls is unique and can be found by using a free-to-download Stolen Seagull Scavenger Hunt trail map, revealing each of the secret locations. These include attractions, museums, theatres, cafes, galleries, libraries and other local businesses. Each of the birds will also have a QR code linking to the full trail map.
You can find all the details on Devon Live by clicking
here.
Kev’s Column: Leadership
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-leadership
and finally……..Mayor Patrick.
Ending on a lighter note, tomorrow night Patrick the Pony will be made “Mayor of Cockington” in a light-hearted event at the Drum Inn.
Patrick has grown famous for his fondness of popping in the Drum for a pint and for his more serious work as a therapy animal. 200 people recently signed a petition supporting Patrick’s bid to be crowned the “Mayor”, partly inspired by the example of Pepsi, the Civic Mayor of Torbay’s guide dog accompanying her to events. You can read more on Greatest Hits Radio’s website by clicking
here.
Unsurprisingly Patrick’s “position” is not an actual civic role, but is inspired by the Regimental Mascots some may be familiar with in the military.
That is all for this week and enjoy your weekend.
Best Wishes,
Kevin
