Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition, published on Wednesday 11th July 2018, below:
Armed Forces Parade
Despite the weather literally raining on their parade, serving members and veterans of our armed forces proudly marched through Paignton to mark Torbay’s Armed Forces Day.
The weather thankfully cleared quickly, allowing the rest of the day’s events to go ahead unhindered, yet not until after I got to hold an umbrella over the Chelsea Pensioner attending to ensure he kept dry whilst the review of the Parade took place.
It was great to see so many attend the day which is about celebrating the work our armed forces do to keep us safe.
Chequers
The statement following the Cabinet meeting at Chequers sets out the Prime Minister’s plan for a future relationship between the UK and the EU.
Leaving the Common Fisheries & Agriculture Policies, no hard border across Ireland or within the UK, continued co-operation on security matters, a common rule book for goods such as cars in a UK\EU Free Trade Area, freedom to alter VAT Rules and an end to free movement based on the EU Treaties.
It is not what everyone wants, but this proposal allows UK businesses to plan and if rejected by the EU a “No Deal” outcome will be their responsibility. Yet the Government now needs to demonstrate how things will change in the UK after Brexit. This cannot just be a ban on Foie Gras and philosophical changes in our constitutional structure, but real changes people can see here in the bay.
This means our Fishing Industry recovering after 45 disastrous years, no more inflated contributions to the EU Budget, Trade Deals with some of our oldest allies which remove the EU tariff walls between us, a reformed immigration system and Agricultural Policy based on quality and sustainability.
Green Light for Torwood Street
It was superb news for our bay when Torbay Council and developers THAT Group announced they have agreed a deal which will see the £32m development on Torwood Street start on site in mid-September.
After so many years of waiting we will soon be seeing spades going in the ground and builders on site. This development is good news for our whole bay as the current mess of derelict buildings and tired wooden hoardings does little to encourage tourists to make a return visit.
The Council is right to provide financial support to this development through a loan as just standing back and seeing the Town Centre deteriorate further would be bad news for everyone, including local taxpayers.
I hope this will be the first of many developments getting underway to make a positive difference to our bay.
Counter Terrorism and Border Security
After a proposed new law receives it Second Reading, a small group of MPs is asked to sit on a Bill Committee to subject it to detailed, line by line, scrutiny.
I was selected sitting on the Bill Committee for the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Bill, which seeks to update several key areas of law. Over the last two weeks the Committee has held detailed debates on the rules relating to insurance for the costs of terror attacks, how best to prosecute those accessing extremist material on the internet, the ability to retain biometric details of those suspected of being involved in terror offences, the increase in sentencing for terror offences and the grounds for detaining someone at the UK Border.
One which came up was the system of counter terrorism traffic orders and the ability to charge event organisers for the costs of them. These allow local councils to put in place parking or driving restrictions where there is believed to be a security risk, based on Police advise.
This prompted some significant debate on the Committee about how we ensure this is not used as a ruse to raise revenue by local councils from events and legitimate demonstrations. I raised some specific examples in Torbay with the minister seeking some reassurances about this which I received.
The Committee is due to complete its work this week, with the new powers contained in the bill set to be in place later this year.
It’s Coming Home…
As England get ready for their Semi-Final and a possible World Cup Final, it is great to reflect on how far our national team has come in just four years.
Gareth Southgate has built a team proud to play for the England Shirt, not a collection of egos taking time out from their club careers. He will rightly be considered alongside Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson as one of England’s greatest Managers.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries will be on Friday 13th July from 3pm till 5pm at The Windmill Centre, Pendennis Road, Torquay TQ2 7QB and Saturday 21st July from 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.