Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Torbay Weekly and you can read the latest edition (Published on Thursday 25th January 2024) below:
Town Centres
In a welcome move to tackle anti-social behaviour in our Town Centres, Torbay Council has published proposals to introduce tough new powers to deal with street drinking and anti-social behaviour.
These proposals follow feedback from residents and business alike, plus a new approach being taken by the Conservative Leadership of Torbay Council to finally deal with the issues many people have raised. This work is alongside moves to get underway the major regeneration projects which the Conservative Government has provided funding for, outreach work to support people who are rough sleeping into accommodation and investment proposed for the next financial year into Council services such as street cleaning.
Three of the proposed new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) would allow an authorised officer or the Police to inform someone drinking alcohol within the area covered by the PSPO of it and ask them to stop drinking. This change will also reverse an ill-thought-out order put in place 3 years ago, under the then Lib Dem\Independent Coalition Administration of Torbay Council, which required anti-social behaviour to also be witnessed to stop someone drinking alcohol on the street. Unsurprisingly few would misbehave with a Police Officer present, so a street drinking problem which had been dealt with many years ago has returned.
Additionally, a further new PSPO is being proposed covering Torquay Town Centre, which will introduce dispersal powers to help challenge people involved in anti-social behaviour, nuisance, or disturbance. This would allow the Police and authorised officers, to direct any individuals causing nuisance or disorder away from Torquay Town Centre and not to return for up to 24 hours or face enforcement action.
These proposals are very welcome. They will give the Police and Torbay Council’s new Town Centre Wardens team, the ability to crackdown on the constant nuisance which is not only making residents feel unsafe, but threatening the future of the Town Centre overall.
Pet Theft
A treasured family pet being stolen will impact its owners far more than the theft of any item of property.
Despite this, the law does not currently view pet theft as a separate offence, meaning the impact may be judged solely by the financial value of the dog\cat concerned. Thankfully a new bill is set to change this by creating a specific offence of pet theft covering dog and cat abduction. This offence would carry a maximum sentence of 5 years.
I am delighted to report the Pet Abduction Bill passed its Second Reading on Friday 19th January “on the voice” (Without a formal vote being taken) as the support for the bill was so strong no-one objected! The Government is supporting the bill.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Friday 2nd February from 10am till 12Noon at Paignton Library, Great Western Road, Paignton TQ4 5AG and Friday 9th February from 10am till 12Noon ay 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD.
Surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with. For an appointment you can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989. 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.
