Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Torbay Weekly and you can read the latest edition (Published on Thursday 23rd February 2023) below:
Kev’s Column:
Policing Presence
One item regularly raised with me is the need for a visible Police presence in both Paignton and Torquay Town Centres, especially locations like Castle Circus.
With police numbers growing, their neighbourhood teams are expanding, with a new base at Castle Circus in Torquay set to open shortly. This will see officers have a facility in the heart of an area which has too often seen issues with anti-social behaviour and drug usage. It will also make it easier to conduct foot patrols in the Town Centre more generally.
Turning to Paignton I am keen to see the return of a much more visible Police facility. Paignton Police Station closed prior to my election, with the site having been sold for housing. This means exploring options in the Town Centre, especially around Torbay Road, Station Square, Victoria Street and Palace Avenue, for a new facility which can act as a base for patrolling officers and a place where the public can drop in with queries. If you own a building in this part of Paignton which would be suitable for this, it would be great to hear from you as this would help in pushing forward this work.
Affordable Housing
With housing issues being one of my most regular pieces of casework, it was deeply disappointing to reflect on Torbay Council’s performance against its own target for the number of affordable homes to be delivered in our bay this year.
Despite setting a target of 180, the number delivered in the first 6 months was just 15. This follows only 23 being delivered last year (2021/22). Given there are currently approximately 1,600 households on the local housing need list, at a rate of 23 a year it could be about 69 years before delivery matched the current unmet demand.
Significant funding to support affordable housing schemes has been provided by Government and projects like the regeneration of Hatfield House are now underway, but these figures show the urgent need to get new affordable homes built, especially on vacant\derelict Town Centre sites.
Ukraine
A year ago, Vladimir Putin attacked Ukraine, shattering the peace between nations in Europe which had existed since 1945.
The impacts of this attack have been felt across the world and here in our bay, especially in the form of rises in energy prices. Yet the biggest impact has been on the Ukrainian people. For a year they have bravely fought the invasion, defended their homes and pushed back the Russian Army.
Their resistance has been possible due to the support of their allies, including the UK, now we must continue it to ensure their victory.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 4th March 10am till 12pm at St Martin’s Church, Barton Hill Road, Torquay, TQ2 8JA and Saturday 18th March 11am till 1pm at Preston Baptist Church, 62 Old Torquay Rd, Paignton TQ3 2RB
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. 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.
