Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Torbay Weekly and you can read the latest edition (Published on Thursday 7th March 2024) below:
TUFC
With Torquay United having filed notice of intent to appoint administrators, I met with both Torbay Council’s Conservative Leadership and the Torquay United Supporter’s Trust (TUST) to discuss our next steps.
Torbay Council’s ownership of Plainmoor Stadium’s Freehold protects it from being used as security for debt or being sold to meet any liabilities. It also ensures a stadium which meets the requirements for League Football is preserved in our bay for the long term. Torbay Council’s Conservative Leadership is therefore right to say it will engage positively with any new prospective owners about their plans, but the Freehold of Plainmoor Stadium will remain in Torbay Council’s ownership.
It is encouraging to read the Club’s comments about having already received interest in it, which we all hope results in a successful outcome. Both TUST, the Council and I are ready to do what we can to help secure a result which delivers what fans want and our bay needs: A successful league club providing a boost for our community and economy.
The current period is a difficult one for all who follow The Gulls, yet it is worth noting other clubs have been through such situations and emerged stronger, achieving promotion and league success. There is no reason the same cannot happen at Torquay United.
Youth Housing Boost
News of Government funding to provide 36 new homes for young people at risk of or facing homelessness in our bay is very welcome.
The plans will be delivered by Torbay Council, YMCA Exeter and YMCA South Devon as part of a ground-breaking Supported Housing Pathway, securing stable accommodation for the young people of Torbay.
The announcement comes a year after I spent a night sleeping outdoors with YMCA South Devon in Goodrington, alongside other YMCA Supporters, to highlight the issue of youth homelessness and the need for additional supported housing provision in our bay. I am pleased to have not only helped raise the profile of this issue, but to have worked with colleagues to secure vital funding to make a difference.
Puppy Smuggling
I am pleased to be supporting a Private Member’s Bill, which will change the law to tackle puppy smuggling and cover issues relating to cats and ferrets.
The final Bill is likely to include a ban on the movement of puppies & kittens, heavily pregnant dogs and cats and a reduction on the number of pets that can travel per owner (To prevent a loophole being created which commercial breeders could exploit).
I am helping get this bill through parliament and have been pleased to provide some thoughts on how the legislation could work most effectively at the UK Border.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Friday 8th March 11am till 1pm at Torquay Library, Lymington Road, Torquay TQ1 3DT and Friday 15th March 10am till 12pm 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 kevin@kevinjfoster.com 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.