Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 28th November 2018) below:
Mental Health
For many years Mental Health Services were a Cinderella service, yet are now starting to receive the investment they deserve.
Too many Devon patients end up being placed in treatment services out of our county due to a lack of provision, with some ending up hundreds of miles away from the support of friends and family just when they need it the most.
An £11m bid for major investment in Mental Health facilities at Torbay Hospital to create modern, larger, facilities is currently with the Government. I will do what I can to ensure it succeeds.
Private Parking Enforcement
Since I was first elected I have received a regular stream of complaints about enforcement practices in some privately-owned car parks.
The current system of self-regulation of private operators is unable to effectively deal with sharp practices from a small number of operators. This issue is not unique to Torbay and 18 months ago I joined with MPs from across the UK in calling on the Government to act and stop these abuses.
A law which cleared the House of Commons on Friday will put in place a new regulator and an enforceable code of practice, with the ability to access DVLA data removed for those who do not follow it. The Parking Cowboys are about to be run out of town.
Torre Post Office
Torre Post Office is staying open and will be refurbished in the new year after a campaign to save it championed by the Torre and Upton Community Partnership.
When closure plans were announced the whole community rallied to support Torre Post Office, with it even reaching the House of Commons when I secured a 30-minute debate on its future last December. Now Carters, owners of the nearby convenience store, have been awarded a contract to run the Post Office and keep it open at the heart of the local community.
This is a great result for the local community which I am pleased to have been able to play my part in achieving.
Paignton Academy
It is great to see work get underway at Paignton Community and Sports Academy on a project which will see over £3m invested in better facilities.
For some years their Borough Road site had been blighted by near derelict buildings which suffered from damp and were in urgent need of replacement. Dr Sarah Wollaston and I worked with the school to secure the funding needed to replace them. The new building will include a new kitchen, dining area and a multi-use hall\theatre with retractable seating for around 300 students.
This is a great investment in providing opportunities for our next generation, especially when combined with the £17m Hi-Tech Skills Centre being built at South Devon College.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries will be on Saturday 1st December from 10am till 12noon at St Martin’s Church, Barton Hill Road, Torquay, TQ2 8JA and Friday 7th December from 3pm till 5pm at Age UK, 216 Torquay Road, Paignton, TQ3 2HP.
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, TQ2 5SD.
