Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 4th January 2023) below:
2023
Happy New Year!
It is often said that a “week is a long time in politics”, yet the last year feels like a generation. Whilst 2022 saw the end of the final legal restrictions relating to the pandemic, it also brought Putin’s attack on Ukraine, bringing war between nations back to our continent for the first time since 1945.
No-one can predict exactly what challenges or opportunities we will face in 2023, yet there are plenty we can all think of. Dealing with the issues in our Health and Care Services, supporting vulnerable households facing cost of living pressures, delivering the regeneration schemes for our Town Centres which the Government is providing tens of millions of funding for, construction work starting on Edginswell Station and finding those on our local housing list a place to call home, to name but a few.
Yet one thing a New Year does not change, is the privilege it is to be our bay’s voice in Parliament.
Town Deal
The project to reshape and revitalise Union Square will breathe much needed new life into a part of Torquay Town Centre which has seen major retailers close and needs transformation. I therefore welcome Torbay Council getting the business case behind it ready for submission. This plan is the final business case in Torquay’s Town Investment Plan, which forms the basis of Torquay’s £21.9m Town Deal.
The initial three Town Deal projects made a difference, with Upton Park and the Bay of Lights being good examples of the impact Town Deal funding can have. Yet the start of work on major projects, such as improvements to The Strand, has been delayed.
The Government has done its bit by providing tens of millions in funding to support regeneration work. What we now need to see is Torbay Council getting work started locally on the major projects this funding was intended to deliver in Torquay Town Centre.
Investment Zone
Treasury Ministers have agreed to hear Paignton’s pitch for an investment zone after I raised the potential for one in the House of Commons.
The Treasury has stated Investment Zones will now be used to: “catalyse a limited number of the highest potential knowledge-intensive growth clusters, including through leveraging local research strengths.”. This gives a clear opportunity for Paignton based on the combination of South Devon College and cutting-edge Photonics businesses based nearby.
I am therefore pleased the Chief Secretary to the Treasury accepted my request for a meeting to discuss how the Investment Zone initiative could fit with driving growth forward in Paignton. The impact of Brixham Road being closed means a boost like this is even more needed.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 14th January 11am till 1pm at Paignton Library, Great Western Rd, Paignton TQ4 5AG and Friday 20th January 3pm till 5pm at Torquay Library, Lymington Road, Torquay TQ1 3DT.
For an appointment you can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989, surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with, rather than a wider policy debate. My team and I will be available for urgent queries throughout the festive period, with email inboxes, post (Write to 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD) and phone messages checked regularly.
