News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
TBID Vote Is a YES
Members of the Tourism Industry met at the Toorak Hotel yesterday lunchtime to hear the result of the Ballot on the proposed TBID for Torbay.
The turnout was 56% and the result was a large majority for YES on both numbers and rateable value as required by law, with 323 businesses voting in favour. This result means all levy payers covered by the scheme will be required by law to pay the levy regardless of how they voted in the ballot.
It is worth noting that unlike the previous scheme for Retail & Tourism, which was rejected in a ballot last year, this one only covers the Tourism sector. Over the five years it is expected to last it will see £3m generated to promote the bay as a destination, something that is vital in encouraging tourists to visit the bay.
Whilst paying an extra amount in tax is never going to be universally popular competing resorts like Bournemouth already have this type of marketing in place. Torbay Council is unlikely to pump significant sums of cash into this area, so the BID represents the best chance to maintain our position as a resort.
Finally if it does not work businesses can vote to scrap it after 5 years as the law requires a re-vote every five years.
Torquay Cyclist Killed in USA
It was reported this week that a Torquay man on holiday in the USA had been killed in a bike crash.
You can read the full details on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Waterwheel Turns Again at Cockington
For the first time in over 25 years the waterwheel at Cockington is turning again.
The iconic wheel belongs to the country park’s beautiful Mill, which was recently taken over by Paul and Karen Lloyd from the nearby Weavers Cottage Tea Shoppe, to restore the property after it had deteriorated over the years.
You can read more about the restoration work and watch a video of the wheel in action on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Man Charged With Paignton Murder
The Police have been investigating a murder in Winner St.
A man has now been charged with this crime. You can read more on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Police Appeal For Help To Catch Armed Robber
Police are appealing for help to catch a man who carried out an armed robbery in Wales, given there is a belief he may be hiding out in Devon.
The incident took place at 9:20pm on Saturday 18th June and you can read more, plus see photos of the man concerned, on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Love Your High St
Independent high street businesses are gearing up for the Bay’s first Love your High Street Torbay week, taking place from the 11 July 2016.
Love your High Street week is a brand new campaign which encourages local people to shop more frequently in independent shops around the Bay and helps spread the message about why spending locally is so important.
The Love your High Street week is taking place from 11 – 17 July across Torbay and is free of charge to all independent retailers wishing to get involved. Marketing packs and resources are available for free for high street businesses to help celebrate the campaign.
If you would like more information just click here.
Big Ben Sleepover
Once a year backbench MPs, who have not been successful in the ballot for a Private Members Bill, can present their own bills to be discussed on the Fridays when parliament will be sitting. Yet there is a catch, the requirement to queue overnight in parliament.
Whilst the Public Bills Office opened at 10am yesterday morning (Thursday 30th June) to be at the head of the queue two MPs Wendy Morton, Michael Tomlinson and Kevin Foster started queuing the day before at about 11:40am.
Kevin said:
“Sleeping overnight in a Royal Palace might sound glamourous, yet the reality of camping out in a small room opposite the Public Bills Office is anything but! That said having Big Ben as an alarm clock is a unique experience. The ability to present bills in this manner was made famous by a BBC documentary, Inside the House of Commons. A room is set aside opposite the office for MPs to wait and sleep in.
I suspect the image of me (as your MP) sleeping on the floor outside a parliamentary office probably sounds quite funny, yet the reasons for doing this are serious. The four bills I was able to submit by doing this were:
Vehicle Noise Limits (Enforcement) Bill – Makes it easier to deal with very noisy vehicles
Wild Animals in Circuses (Prohibition) Bill – Bans wild animals from circuses.
Animal Fighting (Sentencing) Bill – Increased sentences for Dog Fighting
Broadcasting (Radio Multiplex Services) Bill – Reforming Digital Radio Licence System to help small scale broadcasters as current system makes it very expensive for them
Whilst it is very unlikely all four bills will make it through due to the time available, it is possible that at least one of my proposals may become an Act of Parliament.”
You can see some pictures from the evening on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Events
St Mary the Virgin Summer Fete
2nd July 2016, 10:00 – 14:00 – The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay, TQ1 4QY
Cost: Free.
Booking: No booking necessary.
For more information, click here
Barton School Summer Fete
2nd July 2016 – 11:00 – 14:00 – Barton Hill Academy, Barton Hill Road, Torquay, TQ2 8JA
Cost: Free.
Booking: No booking necessary.
For more information, click here
Torbay Symphony for All
7th July 2016 – Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, TQ2 5LZ-
13:00 – 16:30 – Afternoon rehearsal.
16:30 – 18:00 – Participants should stay on site.
18:00 – 19:00 – Performance to friends, family and local community
Cost: Free.
Booking: Must register on website.
For more information, click here
