Every fortnight Kevin writes a “Kev’s Column” for the Herald Express and you can read this week’s edition below
New Year Resolution
I hope you had a restful festive period and were able to spend time with those you love and care about.
A few Herald Express readers may still be thinking about making a New Year’s resolution, perhaps to start the long-promised diet to shift the pounds gained over Christmas. Yet one which can make a real difference is to sign up as an Organ Donor.
Few of us like to think about this issue, yet each day the gift of life is made to another person thanks to someone’s selfless act of generosity. It only takes two minutes to register on the NHS website (www.organdonation.nhs.uk) and ensures your wishes are known when you can no longer tell your loved ones what they are.
It is simple resolution to stick to, one which will not be forgotten by the end of January.
Prime Minister’s Questions
Just before Christmas I was picked out the hat to ask the Prime Minister a question today (Wednesday 10th January).
I have never been a fan of the “punch and judy” style of politics this session can too often involve. I therefore use my questions to raise issues directly relevant to our bay and local people, rather than score a cheap political point.
Whilst the winter storms have, so far, not severely impacted our region’s infrastructure the spectre of 2014 still hangs over our vital rail link. I will therefore take the chance to press the PM about the Government’s commitment to the funding needed to secure our region’s infrastructure for the long term.
On The Streets
Over recent weeks a number of people have been in touch about those they see on the streets in Torquay.
Local charities including Humanity Torbay, The Living Room, PATH and Shekinah do a great job reaching out to those who genuinely need support. Local churches in Torquay and Paignton will again be coming together to open their buildings as a night shelter this winter providing food, fun and a chance to start again. These groups do not just provide food and a hot drink, but help to get off the streets for good.
Money which good natured people donate on the street often finds its way into the pockets of fraudsters or dealers, rather than to the purposes it was intended for or the charities genuinely trying to help.
If you are concerned about a rough sleeper you can notify the hotline on 01803 217 890 24 hours a day and donate to one of the charities listed above instead. There are also many opportunities to volunteer your time helping ensure someone who is on the streets comes off them for good.
Royal Yacht Lottery
Some MPs recently supported a call for a lottery to fund the building of a new Royal Yacht, I was not one of them.
It was sad to see HMY Britannia retire, yet it is not just the cost of building a new yacht which would need to be funded. The crewing and maintenance of the ship would be an ongoing cost to the Royal Navy. It would need the protection of a warship whenever it ventured into seas where a threat may exist, such as those near the Suez Canal, increasing significantly the overall bill.
The claimed purpose for the new yacht is to host corporate hospitality and encourage trade deals to be signed abroad. Yet the Royal Navy can already provide such capability from its own ships and our Embassies abroad regularly host such events.
A new lottery could only project, not guarantee, funding so taxpayers would have to underwrite the project for it to go ahead. At a time when the priority must be lobbying for funds to maintain the vital capabilities of our fleet, giving it this extra liability would be the wrong approach.
A New Dawn for Oldway in 2018?
As a new year dawns there is hope for progress on the long running question about how to breath new life into Oldway Mansion.
I welcome the efforts being made by the Friends of Oldway to work with experts and Councillors to come up with a realistic, long term, plan for it. Their meeting yesterday heard from David Clarke head of DCA Associates. DCA Consultants are specialists in rescuing historic buildings by identifying new uses and helping them to become self-sustaining.
Those involved in the friends have Oldway at their heart, but also have a business head. Their plan for the future will not just be a wish list, but a solid proposal, one I hope all will support.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries will be on Friday 12th January 11am till 1pm at Paignton Library, 22 Station Lane, TQ4 5AR and Saturday 20th January 11am till 1pm at Torquay Library, Lymington Road, TQ1 3DT.
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.