News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
£17m Investment Plan For South Devon College
Plans for a £17m Hi Tech Centre at South Devon College have now been unveiled.
The Hi-Tech Centre is part of an overall masterplan that could see up to £60m invested in the site over the next 15 years. A talented pool of people with the skills they need is one of the things businesses look for when deciding where to invest. In addition more year round students will help boost the economy at the times of year when tourism is much quieter.
You can read more on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Torbay Local Plan Moves Forward
Torbay’s Local Plan, the blueprint for housing and jobs growth in Torbay up to 2030, gained approval from the Planning Inspectorate on Monday.
In his report, the Inspector, who considered the plan submitted by the council, supported the delivery of 5,500 new jobs and 8,900 homes in Torbay and acknowledged the Bay’s sensitive and valuable environment. It was also stated that the council will need to review the pace of development on a regular basis and revise the plan every five years if necessary.
The Plan, with the Inspectors’ recommended changes, will now go before Councillors in December to be officially adopted. You can read more on the Council’s website by clicking here.
Police Launch Manhunt For Muggers
Local Police have launched a manhunt after muggers pushed a woman to the ground on Paignton Seafront.
The lowlifes concerned targeted a couple in their 60’s at 09:30pm on Wednesday night as they crossed Esplanade Road. The Police are particularly keen to speak to two people who stopped their car and tried to follow the culprits.
You can read more details on the Herald Express website by clicking here and if you were in the area at the time and saw anything, no matter how minor it might seem, do get in touch with the Police on their 101 non emergency number.
Who Should be Our Next PCC
Our current Police & Crime Commissioner will retire in May 2016 and my party is inviting all voters to have a say in who should be our candidate to replace him.
Anyone, (regardless of their party affiliation) registered to vote in the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority area can register to attend and vote at the two primary meetings being held to select the candidate.
They are on the evening of 30th October in Mid Cornwall and on the morning of 31st October in the Exeter Area. Full details will be sent to those who register to attend. To register, For the Mid-Cornwall meeting email kate.mulvey@conservatives.com and for the Exeter Area meeting email agent@tivertonhonitonconservatives.org.uk, or phone 01626 331795 between 9am and 5 pm. Please apply by 6pm on Thursday 29th October.
Interim Rail Report
Last year the sight of our vital rail link hanging in the air at Dawlish went around the world, prompting pledges from the government to invest in the future of our infrastructure.
Earlier this year the Peninsula Rail Task Force was asked to produce a report on the future resilience and development of our rail network. This week their interim report was published and you can read it on their website by clicking here.
Mayor’s Forum
Torbay Mayor, Gordon Oliver, will host his seventh Mayor’s Forum on Thursday, 29th October 2015 from 5.30pm to 9pm at the Riviera International Centre, Torquay.
The Forum is an opportunity for all those who are passionate about improving life in the Bay to hear about new projects and future plans from the council and its partners. The event will cover updates on key regeneration projects, council projects and events in the Bay, followed by a Q & A session, hosted by the Mayor.
If you would like to attend the Mayor’s Forum please call Hellen Jones on 01803 207001 or email hellen.jones@torbay.gov.uk
Flu Vaccine Time
The annual Flu vaccination campaign is being launched with the aim of keeping more people healthy through the winter.
The campaign kicks off with a national flu vaccination programme for children, which this year seeks to help over three million two to six year olds, as the programme is being extended to children in school years one and two.
For the first time, all the youngest primary school children will be eligible to receive the free nasal spray vaccine, making this the largest school-based vaccination programme in England involving children in 17,000 schools. The extension to children is in addition to other vulnerable groups including over 65’s, pregnant women and those with health conditions.
All front-line NHS staff will once again be offered a free flu jab this season in order to protect themselves and patients from infection, but last year only 54% of staff were vaccinated.
More details are on the council website by clicking here.
Pension Top Up Scheme Starts
For those retiring from April next year there will be a major shake up in State Pensions as a new pension is being introduced.
Existing pensioners who wish to “top up” their current State Pension are being offered the chance to do so by the Government. The scheme will remain open for 18 months and those who think they can benefit will be able to buy additional State Pension, worth up to £1,300 a year.
You can find details of how to do this by clicking here.
Hollicombe Site Visit
You may recall the discussions earlier this year about the decontamination works at Hollicombe.
Those with very long memories will recall this being the site where Gas was produced prior to the introduction of Natural Gas supplies in the 1960/70’s. Given this heritage, and the lack of environmental controls at the time, the ground became contaminated with a range of by products of the activity taking place on site.
Many residents had concerns about how the works would be undertaken following Planning Permission being granted in 2012. Kevin Foster pushed for answers earlier this year and has recently visited the site to see the progress being made and what measures were in place.
On site he spoke with the independent consultants monitoring the works and saw for myself the tenting and misting sprays. The monitoring information is being put on a special website which you can find by clicking here.
Chairman’s Service
The annual Civic Church Service will take place on Sunday 25th October at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in St Marychurch, Torquay.
Father Robert Ward, the Chairman’s Chaplain, will be taking the service which will include traditional hymns and readings. The Venerable Douglas Dettmer, Archdeacon of Totnes, will be leading with the first sermon. Everyone is welcome and guests are asked to take their seats at 2.45pm for a 3pm start.
This year, the service is in support of the Chairman’s Torbay Hospital League of Friends, and the Rotary Club of Torquay.
Events
Sun 18th Oct: Apple Day, Cockington Court, 10am-4pm, adults £3.50, children £1
Wed 21st – Sat 24th Oct: Vicar of Dibley, Palace Theatre, Paignton. More details here as Geraldine and the Dibley Parish Council head to the bay.
Thurs 22nd Oct: 7pm, An interactive performance of Grandmothers, Paignton Enterprise Centre, Bishops Place, Paignton. Tickets £5, £3 concessions. More info here.
Fri 23rd Oct: 4-6pm. Free Storytelling Workshop with Danny Braverman for ages 14-18. Advance booking is required – email doorsteparts@gmail.com if interested.
