Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 26th April 2023) below:
Torquay Town Centre
Torquay Town Centre desperately needs more independent retailers to help create a shopping offer which might draw people to both visit and shop.
It has therefore been immensely frustrating to see the experience one independent retailer, who set up shop in Torquay Town Centre last year, has had. The shop was trading well and employing 4 people. Whilst Exeter offered support to encourage a relocation there, here in Torbay she has faced eviction.
I provided the support I could as MP, including requesting Torbay Council’s Leadership think again. After my intervention a last-minute offer was made for another location, but this was not suitable for the business.
Following on from the failure to get major projects underway which have Government funding on offer under the £21.9m Torquay Town Deal, these latest events just add to the frustration when it comes to trying to drive positive change in Torquay Town Centre.
Contaminated Blood
The contaminated blood scandal was an appalling tragedy which should never have happened.
It is thought tens of thousands of NHS patients were infected between 1970 and 1991 when being treated with contaminated blood products. Many have already passed away due to the conditions they developed as a result with many MPs having long-standing cases they are pursuing to get justice.
The Infected Blood Inquiry was set up to make sure all those who suffered so terribly can get the answers they have spent decades waiting for and lessons can be learned so a tragedy of this scale can never happen again. It started work in 2018 and the Second Interim Report was recently published.
The Cabinet Office updated MPs following the publication of this report, giving me the chance to push for a clear timescale for the work being done by the Government to respond to it. I also highlighted the need for work to be undertaken on ensuring a new compensation scheme can quickly get underway, as the victims have already waited long enough for justice.
TUFC
After so much optimism following a fantastic 5 game winning streak, the 5-1 loss at Chesterfield and a last-minute penalty at Altrincham was a sad way to see hopes of the Great Escape end.
I am the eternal optimist, but a 4-0 victory at Plainmoor on Saturday against newly crowned campions Wrexham, combined with Maidenhead United losing badly, is a long shot to stay up, although a capacity crowd will be there in the hope of seeing the odds defied!
Whilst this season looks set to end with disappointment, I hope the club will now quickly set out its plans for ensuring next season sees us bounce back up.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 29th April 11am till 1pm at Preston Baptist Church, 62 Old Torquay Rd, Paignton TQ3 2RB and Saturday 13th May 11am till 12Noon at Paignton Library, Great Western Rd, Paignton TQ4 5AG.
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 from 10am till 1pm, Monday to Friday at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD where a member of my team is available to assist residents with urgent queries.
