City Deal Announced
There was good news for the bay’s economy today as the City Deal involving Torbay, Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall was agreed with the Government.
The overall package could see up to £296m of public and private sector investment to create jobs and stimulate businesses. The estimates given today suggest 10,000 new jobs could be created in the area covered by the agreement. The focus of the deal is developing and building on the regions’ strong base of maritime industry.
The delivery of the projects listed under the City Deal agreement will be taken forward by the partners involved who will work on a cross border basis bringing a strong level of co-operation between neighbouring local authorities.
You can find further details, along with a copy of the full document published today, by following this link.
Mayor’s Fund Open For Bids
Torbay’s Mayor, Gordon Oliver, is once again personally pledging half his annual salary to support groups, organisations and individuals in the Bay.
The fund is applied for annually and priority is given to applications from local, groups, organisations and individuals based in, and delivering a service that directly benefits the Torbay community. A cross party group has been set up to administer the fund comprising Councillors Nicole Amil, Jackie Stockman and Bobbie Davies. Grants of up to £1000 will be allocated for winning projects that will be progressed in the following 12 months.
Talking about the scheme the Mayor said: “I believe passionately in community involvement and see this as a way of giving back to the community and ensuring that local people are involved in local matters.”
The application form and grant scheme policy are available online for community and voluntary sector organisations or individuals who wish to apply.
The closing date for applications is Friday 7 March 2014; all successful applicants will be notified by 31 March 2014.
Morrison’s Lose Babbacombe Road Appeal
The result of the Public Inquiry into the Morrison’s Application for a new store on the Babbacombe Road has now been received.
The public inquiry followed the supermarket appealing the Council’s decision to decline permission for the new store. Whilst they won part of their appeal, in terms of the building design, their main arguments in terms of change of use on the site was rejected.
This decision means that the project will not go ahead and the Inspector’s decision creates a very strong precedent for any future applications on this site.
Disruption on The Main Line
Travelling by train over the next few weeks?
Then do bear in mind that the line between Taunton and Exeter St Davids will be closed from Saturday 18 January to close of service on Sunday 9 February. Trains will begin running in time for start of service on the morning of Monday 10 February.
There are amended timetables and lots of other information about this closure available on the First Great Western website by following this link
20 MPH Limits Announced for Schools
New 20mph zones are to be introduced outside Torbay schools, with the initial five schemes being introduced in the current financial year.
The first schools to be covered are Brixham Church of England School on Higher Ranscombe Road in Brixham; The Church of the Sacred Heart and St Teresa School on Cecil Road and Hayes School on Totnes Road in Paignton; Cockington Primary School on Avenue Road and Cuthbert Mayne School on Teignmouth Road/Westhill Road in Torquay. These sites were chosen following an analysis of speed data collected from outside all Torbay schools.
Whilst a permanent 20mph speed limit will be introduced at Brixham Church of England Primary School, Nursery and Brixham College. The other sites will have variable speed limits, with the 20mph limit operating only when children are arriving at or departing from the schools. These schemes are to be introduced before the end of March 2014.
New signage will be installed in the 20mph zones, incorporating flashing warning lights, operating only at school times.
Cllr Ray Hill, Torbay Council’s Executive Lead for Highways, Transport and Environment and Councillor for St Marychurch told me the following for this update: “Road safety is taken very seriously by Torbay Council, and we are committed to improving safety and reducing risk for the benefit of all road users. Speed significantly increases the chance of being killed or seriously injured in a collision, so we welcome the introduction of 20mph zones outside schools, and we expect that these measures will be welcomed by local residents too.”
Youth Parliament Election
Elections are coming early this year to find the next members of Torbay Youth Parliament.
If you are 11-18 and want to make a difference to Torbay, and the country, then you all you need do is send a quick email to get a nomination form and more information on how to get involved.
Even if you don’t want to run for election and just have a comment or subject you want the Youth Parliament to explore you can contact them at ukyp@torbay.gov.uk
Know a Football Fan Who Is Under 12?
Sanctuary Housing and Westwood Housing have teamed up with Torquay United to run weekly football sessions in Paignton for football fans aged under 12.
They will be running on Tuesdays from 3:30pm till 5pm starting on Tuesday 21st January and running till 1st April 2014. Cost is only £2.
The sessions will be held at the Multi Use Games Area, Great Parks, Great Parks Lane, Paignton. If interested call Frank Prince on 01803 322 551 or e-mail frankprince@torquayunited.com
