News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
Any views expressed in this news post are those of Kevin Foster, unless stated otherwise.
Review of Hospital Services Published
There was a general sense of relief on Tuesday when the result of the first stage of the acute services review was announced.
It was confirmed that all four acute hospitals in Devon (includes Torbay), would continue providing A&E, emergency stroke services and maternity services. This would be acknowledged by stronger collaboration between clinical teams and new networking and workforce solutions.
Other key recommendations include:
- 24/7 urgent and emergency care services (including A&E) should continue to operate at all four main acute hospitals – the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, North Devon District Hospital, Derriford Hospital and Torbay Hospital.
- Continuing to provide first-line emergency response for people experiencing symptoms of a stroke at all four hospitals. This will include rapid stroke assessment, diagnostics and thrombolysis. These services will be supported by ‘Acute Stroke Units’ (ASUs) at all four sites, and will ensure rapid intervention and aftercare for those with a stroke.
- Developing two new specialist ‘Hyperacute Stroke Units’ (HASUs) in Exeter and Plymouth where patients will receive 3 or more days of intensive treatment for their stroke immediately following emergency treatment.
- Retaining consultant-led maternity services at all four main hospital sites. Midwifery-led units will be co-located with consultant-led units, meaning Newton Abbot’s unit will relocate to Torbay Hospital.
- Maternity, neonatal and paediatric inpatient services will be retained at all four main hospital sites
On the face of it the news is positive, although there will be changes in how staffing systems work, yet the details need to be considered carefully over the coming weeks.
Torbay Armed Forces Day
Our Armed Forces do an amazing and sometimes very dangerous job to keep us safe and Armed Forces Day is a great chance to say thank you.
Torbay’s Armed Forces Day will take place on Saturday 1st July on Paignton Green from 10am till 1pm. A military parade will commence at 11am from the Shoreline restaurant marching along Paignton Esplanade to the Redcliffe Hotel.
There will be a number of military vehicles and stands on Paignton Green. Bays Brewery will be supplying a pint and a pasty for all participating military personnel.
£1.2m of Roadworks Start
A £1.2m program of highway maintenance work across our area will be getting under way this week.
It will start on Monday (26 June) in Sherwell Lane, Torquay and include replacement of both the footways and the carriageways. This is part of an overall £1.2m package of works being undertaken around the Bay between now and March 2018.
The following streets are included in this package:
- Sherwell Lane, Torquay
- The Reeves Road, Torquay
- Leys Road, Torquay
- Huxtable Hill, Torquay
- Cadewell Lane, Torquay
- Grafton Road, Torquay
- Thatcher Avenue, Torquay
- Whidbourne Avenue, Torquay
- Fowey Avenue, Torquay
- Hennapyn Road, Torquay
- Colley Park Road, Paignton
- Preston Down Road, Paignton
- Luscombe Road, Paignton
- Milton Street, Brixham
Paignton Harbour Development Plan
One of the hidden gems of our area is Paignton Harbour and despite being a stone’s throw from Paignton’s main tourist area many visitors miss seeing this real treat.
Plans were unveiled this week by the Council to invest over £1m in improving the Harbour Lights Building, the archway that acts as the gateway from the seafront into the harbour. The plans include creating a showpiece place to eat with superb views over the bay.
You can read the full details on the Devon Live website by clicking here and the plans were back unanimously by Torbay’s Councillors yesterday.
Bin Services
A number of residents have been in touch to say that their recycling collection service has been rubbish over recent weeks.
This was raised with the Council and earlier this week they issued a joint statement with Tor2, who manage and deliver the waste collection and recycling service. You can read it by clicking here.
What is being described as a “recovery plan” is being put in place and hopefully an improvement will soon be seen.
Armed Robber Jailed
A man who threatened a local shopkeeper with a hammer is behind bars tonight after being convicted of Robbery.
The attacker earlier this year at Watcombe Service Station left the victim shaking in fear, whilst the criminal left with only £515. You can read the full story on the Devon Live website by clicking here.
Palace Theatre Ownership Debated
There was a passionate debate about the future of the Palace Theatre in Paignton at Thursday’s council meeting.
The outcome is that Councillors voted for Torbay Council to retain ownership of the theatre and looked for a community interest company to run it day to day. You can read more on the Torbay Times website by clicking here.
Ward Boundary Review Starts
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking residents of Torbay to help draw up new council wards for Torbay Council.
This consultation is the first part of a review which will re-draw ward boundaries across Torbay ahead of the next local elections in May 2019. The review will be based on electing 36 Councillors overall.
In drawing up new boundaries, the Commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. This means changes must be made due to the growth of new housing in places like the Willows and White Rock.
Residents have until the 14 August 2017 to submit their views. You can find out more, plus how to have your say by clicking here.
New Train Brings Out The Spotters
People at Newton Abbot on Thursday got a glimpse of one of the brand new intercity trains that will soon be serving our region.
The first impression is the sheer size of a full train with 10 coaches in total (split into two sets of 5 that can operate independently) and the sense of speed as it raced through towards Dawlish. The fleet of trains currently under construction will replace the current Intercity Trains that mostly date from the late 1970’s.
You can see some a video of the new train heading along the iconic Dawlish Coastal Railway on the Devon Live website by clicking here.
Request For Meeting with TUFC Owners
Over recent months there has been a lot of debate about the future of the Plainmoor Stadium that has been home to Torquay United for over 90 years.
The general view is that Plainmoor should be protected as a venue for league football in the bay. Any new stadium plan must be based on a firm business plan that shows what long term benefit it would bring to TUFC. So far there has been no evidence that such a plan exists.
That said we believe it is right to give the club’s owners a chance to explain their vision for TUFC. Watch for further updates.
Skirting the Issue
A group of Devon School Boys have been in the media this week, after they found a way of skirting school uniform rules insisting they wore long trousers in hot weather.
The boys at ISCA Academy in Exeter were told they could not wear shorts, so decided to exploit the fact that equalities rules mean boys and girls can opt to wear the uniform of the opposite sex. The result, dozens of them heading to school wearing the tartan pleated skirt the girls normally opt to wear. You can watch some footage of their protest on the BBC website by clicking here.
Older residents of the bay will recall a time when boys commonly wore short trousers to school. After skirting the rules this time it appears the lads at ISCA Academy will be able to next summer as well.
Events
Grand Summer Fete
Saturday 24th June – St Martin’s Church Barton Hill Road
The fun starts at 2pm in the Church Hall and Grounds.
There will be a Grand Draw, Bouncy Castle, Sideshows, Tombola and much more!!!
Celebrating Summer Concert
Saturday 1st July – Central Church, Tor Hill Road, Torquay
Time: 7:30pm
The South Devon Choir will sign a selection of songs and sonnets that are perfect for the season.
Tickets £12 – On the door or by calling 01803 846 058 (Students under 19 Free)
Family Fun Day
Sunday 2nd July – Torwood Gardens (weather permitting)
Time – 1pm till 4pm.
Sports Day, Homemade Cakes, Inflatables, BBQ and Lots More!
Riviera LIFE Church
Click here for more info.
Babbacombe Model Village Evening Illuminations
Every Thursday until End of October – Hampton Avenue, Torquay, TQ1 3LA
Time – 10:00-21:00
Cost – Usual Prices Apply
Click here for more information
