Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 20th December 2023) below:
Pavilion
The big news in our bay last week was the announcement a £10m deal, supported by £4m of Government funding, had been reached to revamp and re-open the Torquay Pavilion.
In May the new Conservative Leadership of Torbay Council decided it was time to get a solution and I was pleased to work with them to take this forward. Backed up by a plan to take legal action if a deal could not be reached, the focus was on securing a deal which will not only get repair work underway but deliver a long-term future for the Pavilion as a cultural & historic showpiece for our bay.
The deal now signed, will see MDL surrender its current lease on The Pavilion and pay towards its repair, with the Government providing £4m of funding to support it being reopened as a new cultural & historic showpiece for our bay. Any redevelopment of the neighbouring car park will be subject to a separate planning process, but repair and restoration work to the Pavilion can go ahead without it. Cary Green is not involved in this deal.
The negotiations were touch and go over the last few months, with me engaging with all the parties involved to help reach an agreement. Yet once this deal was done, which will save the Pavilion for the long-term and re-open it to the public, it felt like Christmas had come early for our bay!
Palm Trees
Several residents have been in touch following several Palm Trees being cut down on Torquay Sea Front, a story which also made the national news.
The palms stood in the Italian Gardens, which look out over Torre Abbey Sands. The gardens have been popular with locals and visitors alike since they were first created in 1924, with the palm trees taken down having been planted in the 1970s.
Whilst I accept some of the trees were approaching the end of their life, the SWISCO team involved should not have simply followed a decision made at least two years ago, following a consultation held four years ago. It should have instead sought to confirm whether the views of the previous leadership and consultation were still held by residents and councillors (of all parties) today before proceeding to undertake work.
I am due to meet with the Leadership of Torbay Council next week. I will suggest rather than returning to the plan from late 2019 for olive and yew trees, some replacement Palm Trees would be more appropriate.
Christmas
As this is my last column of 2023, I will close by wishing all Herald Express readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 13th January 2024 11am till 1pm at The Acorn Centre, Lummaton Cross, Torquay TQ2 8ET and Friday 19th January 2024 11am till 1pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD.
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. Whilst my office in Torquay will be closed for drop-in sessions from Saturday 23rd December until Tuesday 2nd January 2024, the telephone answer machine and email will be regularly checked for any urgent messages.
