Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Torbay Weekly and you can read the latest edition (Published on Thursday 27th July 2023) below:
Unlimited Penalties
MPs have approved new powers which will allow our environmental regulators to apply an unlimited penalty to companies which break the terms of their permits and do damage to the environment.
Regulator penalties relating to offences such as polluting rivers, are meant to act as a deterrent to poor performance, yet the previous limit of £250,000 was often below the cost of fixing the problem concerned, meaning it may be cheaper to pay the fine than repair it. Whilst polluters could be taken to court and face potentially unlimited fines, plus the prospect of going to prison, such investigations and court cases can take years to accomplish such an outcome.
The new regulations mean larger corporations and serious offenders, can quickly be issued with an appropriate level of fine by the regulator, without the need to go through a lengthy legal process to do so. A welcome change in the fight against pollution and which ensures our environmental regulators have the powers they need to make polluters pay.
Dentists
Anyone who has tried to register with an NHS Dentist recently will have discovered the issues highlighted in a report from my colleagues on the (cross-party) Health and Social Care Committee.
With fewer dentists offering NHS services and some of those who did in the past retiring or converting to a completely private practice, there are currently no opportunities to register with a practice on NHS terms in our area. Whilst issues with accessing an NHS Dentist are far from new and not unique to England, the problem is becoming more acute, although as the Committee’s report highlights, despite this pressure a lot of NHS Dentistry capacity is being used for routine check-ups for those already registered.
Over recent months this is an issue I have regularly picked up with Ministers and in Parliament. The Committee’s report is therefore welcome and its recommendations should be acted upon quickly.
Coutts
I have never banked with Coutts and am relieved I don’t following recent events.
First Coutts shut down Nigel Farage’s bank account. Then in what appears to have been an attempt to cover up the reasons for doing so, his personal financial details were briefed to the media. The real reasons for the account’s closure, his political views, only being revealed when a Subject Access Request forced them to disclose the records they held on him.
Coutt’s move to shut Nigel Farage’s account was woefully misguided and the Treasury has now made clear to all banks such behaviour is not acceptable. In worrying about values, the bank forgot those which should define a bank: retaining the confidence of its customers and customer confidentiality.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 29th July 11am till 1pm at The Acorn Centre, Lummaton Cross, Torquay TQ2 8ET and Friday 4th August 11am till 1pm at Paignton Library, Great Western Road, Paignton TQ4 5AG.
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.
