Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Torbay Weekly and you can read the latest edition (Published on Thursday 26th January 2023) below:
Levelling Up
Whilst Paignton succeeded with securing £13.4m of Future High Streets Funding at the second attempt, last week came the disappointing news the “Fish and Chips” bid to the levelling up fund, aimed at boosting Brixham’s Fish Market and our bay’s photonics sector, had failed.
Anthony Mangnall & I have already met to identify what we can do as local MPs to ensure the necessary work is done locally to take forward a sucessful future bid for levelling up funding. We will also seek a meeting with Government Ministers to identify if there were specific areas of concern which need to be addressed before further bids are submitted. This will include whether delays locally in delivery of regeneration schemes previously provided funding by the Government had affected this bid.
Doctor Training
Last week MPs debated the need to train additional doctors.
It was a good opportunity to highlight how the number of training places must be based on future demands and query what prospects there were for expanding training locally. Back in 2018, the number of medical school places in England increased from 6,000 to 7,500 per year, but this number is not based on the actual demand to train as a doctor. In 2022, the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee found record numbers of students are applying to medical school, but there were around three times more people applying than spaces available.
Today’s pressures on the NHS will not be met by those who start medical training this year. Yet if we are to meet the demands of the NHS in 2030, we need to expand the opportunities to train as a doctor now.
Oldway
Last week the Oldway Trust announced it will be winding up its affairs.
The statement by the Trust explaining this move, set out what it had been told in recent meetings with officers of Torbay Council relating to the building, potential future funding bids and how deciding any future use of Oldway will be subject to the work being undertaken by newly appointed consultants under the direction of the Project Director. The trust advises it was also confirmed a Memorandum of Understanding with Torbay Council agreeing to grant a lease to the Trust would also be rescinded
At this stage it is difficult to assess exactly what this means for the future of the building itself, yet one fact is clear the building has now been empty for more than 12 years. Whilst there have been many political campaigns and arguments around Oldway Mansion, a credible and financially viable long-term plan for it is now urgently needed.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 28th January 11am till 1pm at Preston Baptist Church, 62 Old Torquay Rd, Paignton TQ3 2RB and Friday 3rd February 3pm till 5pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD.
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. There are also drop-in sessions at my office 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD between 10am & 1pm Monday to Friday where a member of my team will be available to help with any queries.
