News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
Kevin Foster questions minister on investment needed at Paignton Station
In late 2014 a plan for a £2.5m revamp of Paignton Station to make it a terminus station fit for the 21st century was unveiled.
Sadly since then no major progress has been made and at Transport Questions on Thursday Kevin decided to try and bring this up with the Rail Minister. You can read his question, plus the response it received by clicking here.
Call for action on looming GP crisis
Over recent months a number of issues have been raised about the problems local GP Practices are experiencing when trying to recruit Doctors.
This problem is not confined to our local area and earlier this week the Public Accounts Committee published its report on access to GP Services across England, calling for the Government to implement a strategy to deal with what is a looming crisis.
A Committee found that the demand for general practice grew faster than capacity throughout the last decade. It also concluded that good access to GPs is too dependent on where patients live. There is concern that, in cases where people do not have easy access to information about general practice, they may go to A&E instead or do nothing at all.
In summary, the Committee found the Department of Health and NHS England “appear to have been complacent about general practice’s ability to cope with the increase in demand caused by rising public expectations and the needs of an ageing population, many of whom have multiple health conditions.”
Paignton beach huts
One issue that has stirred up controversy this week is a proposal to install new Beach Huts on Paignton Beach.
The exact details are not yet available, but it appears that the council is proposing the installation of 97 timber beach huts and 6 commercial units on steel sub frames on the north end of Paignton Beach.
You can see the plans on the Council website by clicking here.
Schools funding review welcomed
The current schools funding formula sees Torbay schools receive one of the lowest amounts of funding per pupil in the country, an unfair situation based on historical funding patterns that are no longer relevant.
On Monday the Secretary of State for Education announced that she will be reviewing the current formula with a view to basing future funding on the needs of children at a school, not what local Council area it happens to be in.
Dementia friendly UK
There was a warm welcome this week for news that the Government aims to make the UK the most Dementia friendly society in the world by 2020.
Local campaigner, Norrms McNamara, gave his reaction to this news which you can read, along with more details of the announcement, on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Torbay Airshow line-up
Torbay Airshow this week announced some of its exciting aircraft line-up and the on the ground activities taking place at this spectacular new event on Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June 2016 at Paignton Green.
The RAF aircraft have been confirmed and the line-up includes the world’s premier aerobatic team The Red Arrows, as well as the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4, King Air B200 and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft – the Hawker Hurricane, Avro Lancaster and The Spitfire.
You can find more details on the show’s dedicated website by clicking here.
Second chance to see Neighbourhood Plans
If you missed this week’s launch of the proposed Torquay Neighbourhood Plan there is a second chance to see it.
The Wellswood and Torwood Community Partnership will be showing the Plans for the Town Centre, the Gateway and Wellswood and Torwood at St. Matthias Church, Babbacombe Road, Torquay on the morning of Tuesday 23rd March between 9.30am and 11.30am
Flying the Devon flag for manners
Many complain that the manners expected by past generations seem to have disappeared in many aspects of life – yet not in our county.
A recent survey indicates that Devon people are among the most polite in the whole of the UK, behind only Yorkshire in the county stakes. Interestingly Cornwall doesn’t seem to figure in the politeness league table at all, and neither do Somerset or Dorset.
The research by Pride of Britain hotels also reveals that tea is the favourite British drink and Prince Harry would be the top choice for anyone employing a royal butler for the day. You can read more on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Events
Dig-in & Do Day
12th March, 10:00 – 12noon – Tessier Gardens – Lindridge Road, Babbacombe, Torquay, TQ1 3SE
Beethoven: Symphony no 2 – Richard Strauss: Horn Concerto no 1 – Schumann: Symphony no 2 Concert Series
12th March, 19:30 – St Marychurch, Torquay
Tickets: £10.00 To book tickets please click here
English Riviera & South Devon Tourism & Business Exhibition 2016
15th March, 10:00 – 14:00 – The Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5LZ
Booking in advance is needed in order to attend. Booking can be done by clicking here
World Rocks Against Dementia
19th March, 12noon – Midnight – The Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5LZ
£10 per person (includes £1 booking fee). 13 years and under are FREE To book call: 01803 206 333 or click here
