Westminster Attack
The actions of a petty criminal turned terrorist have dominated the headlines this week, yet such attacks will not weaken our resolve.
DAESH is retreating, with many of its fighters deserting in the face of forces advancing to liberate communities that have suffered under their tyrannical rule. As the end neared the Nazis used vengeance weapons to terrorise civilians hoping to break our resolve. DAESH are trying to do the same and like the Nazis they will fail.
The Police and Security Forces do a difficult and sometimes dangerous job, preventing many attacks that would have cost lives. PC Keith Palmer’s heroic actions symbolise the best virtues of our Police Service. One minute the friendly face helping tourists find their way, the next grappling with an armed intruder who has just attacked innocent civilians.
I know the thoughts and prayers of everyone in the bay will be with the victims and their families.
Keeping The Local Link
I am delighted to note the progress that has been made with securing the future of the bus routes provided by Local Link.
Last week I received confirmation that the Torbay Community Development Trust has joined forces with a team of dedicated volunteers to take over the running of the 60/61 bus service between Paignton and Torquay. This followed Torbay Council offering a favourable concessionary fare agreement to the new providers.
The new community led service, renamed the 60, will offer passengers a similar service to the old route, travelling from Paignton to Torquay, via Occombe Farm, Preston, Livermead and St Lukes. The new route will also offer a Saturday service.
It will be interesting to see how this community run bus service fares as it provides a model for other areas in the bay where there is a social need, but not quite enough passengers for a commercially run bus service.
School Funding
I have recently had a number of residents write to me about School Funding using a template letter.
The figures that have been quoted in some correspondence are from a campaign website that makes a number of presumptions in its calculations which are designed to produce statistics that support their campaign. Yet these figures are then being presented as precise in terms of encouraging Parents and Schools to contact me.
There are issues with the proposed funding formula and the impact of items like the Apprenticeship Levy on school budgets. Last week I questioned Ministers in Parliament about the particular problem the suggested formula causes for our local Grammar Schools and a small number of primaries, even though the new formula proposes an increase in funding for Torbay overall.
My concern is that opposition to aspects of the current proposals should not be converted into an argument that reform of a formula that has disadvantaged the bay’s schools for decades should be abandoned. If this happens we will remain one of the lowest funded areas per pupil nationally, with any future increases in schools spending likely to disproportionately benefit other areas. That is why the schools funding formula must be made fairer.
Homelessness Bill Passed
The Homelessness Reduction Bill has cleared its final stage in parliament.
It will reform the work councils do to prevent homelessness by altering the legal duties on them to provide housing to those found to be homeless in their area. The new duties will be backed up by increased government funding to cover the costs of implementing them, which will be in addition to the £400,000 already confirmed to support a two-year project reducing homelessness in the bay.
This new law is timely as several residents have been in touch about the number of people visibly sleeping rough in the shelter opposite the Princess Theatre.
There are no easy answers to homelessness, but the new law will make it easier for people to access the help they need to get off the streets for good.
Radio Bill
Another piece of legislation that cleared parliament last week was my Private Member’s Bill that will give community radio stations a chance to go digital.
The current licensing regime for Digital Radio only provides for broadcasting to the nation or large, county based, areas. This results in transmission costs that are too high for community stations just wanting to cover a local area like Torbay, hence why most only broadcast on FM.
New technology means smaller scale broadcasting equipment can be used for digital radio, with 10 trial areas seeing 79 new radio stations established. My bill will make this available nationally bringing greater choice for listeners, more jobs and encouraging creative industries to grow.
Surgery Times,
My next surgeries will be on Saturday 1st April from 11am till 1pm at Torquay Library and Tuesday 4th April from 2pm till 4pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay.
Just call 01803 214 989 or e-mail me at [email protected] to book a slot. You can drop in, but appointments are recommended to avoid a long wait or disappointment.
My team also run drop in surgery sessions Mon to Friday 10am -1pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay.