Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 15th April 2020) below:
Lockdown
Whilst the sun may have shone there has been the sense of a dark cloud hanging over our bay over the last two weeks.
Whilst the warm weather over the weekend would normally be the perfect reason to head down the beach or to a beauty spot, the deadly threat posed by the Coronavirus has been an even better reason to stay at home.
Over the last fortnight I have been based at home in Torquay, taking part in meetings ranging from conference calls with the Home Secretary and local partners, to joining the first “virtual” Torbay Business Forum Breakfast. Rather than the normal full English at the Riviera Centre it was chance to eat some shredded wheat at my computer desk, whilst hearing from a range of speakers on how the business community is reacting to the current situation.
There have also been briefings from Torbay Council Leaders, Police, DWP and our local NHS about the work being done to manage the situation and what further support they need. There is plenty of work still to do, but we are making progress.
I want to thank all Herald Express readers helping to defeat this virus, be it working on the NHS frontline, delivering an essential service or staying at home and not spreading it. We can defeat this threat if we all do our bit.
Binned
An appalling plan to cut the pay of some bin collection workers has thankfully been binned, and not a recycling one!
Our waste collection teams are working hard to keep their service going in the current crisis and deserved much better than this. Thankfully their service will soon transfer to a company 100% owned by Torbay Council, it can’t come a moment too soon.
Boris
Last week saw the Prime Minister going into Hospital suffering from the Coronavirus, with him then being moved into intensive care.
Thankfully he is now recovering and doing well. I know his family were moved by the public reaction and credit where due to those across the political spectrum here in our bay who took time to send their best wishes.
Fake Pay Rise Claim
Despite some claims, MPs are not getting a £10K bonus, pay rise or any extra personal payment to work from home. It would be wrong if we were and I would donate it to charity if this claim had been true.
The amount referred to is an extension of existing budgets for staff and office costs, not salary. Spending under these budgets must be itemised and no block payment is made, most will use none or only part of it.
Surgery Times
Based on current advice relating to the Coronavirus I have cancelled my regular advice surgeries and drop-in sessions at my East St Office until further notice.
I hope to restart them as soon as possible, but in the meantime a telephone call surgery appointment can be arranged. Please note due to the current level of demand these telephone surgeries are for urgent personal matters, such as welfare, immigration, problems accessing support and benefits, rather than to discuss policy or the wider situation nationally.
You can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989 and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
