Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Torbay Weekly and you can read the latest edition (Published Thursday 16th November 2023) below:
King’s Speech
The King’s Speech contained a range of measures which will make a difference here in our bay.
It included plans for leasehold reform to give homeowners owning them a fairer deal and implementing Martyn’s Law (The introduction of security requirements for certain public venues and locations), alongside reforms to policing and justice around digital-enabled crime, child sexual abuse and grooming. There were also welcome moves on the reform of football governance by introducing an independent regulator, giving judges power to force criminals to attend their sentencing and proposals to ban the live exports of animals for fattening and slaughter.
I urged the Government to go further on some issues including speeding up Town Centre regeneration to help deliver new homes, adding a bill banning Trophy Hunting Imports to the list of proposed Government legislation and bringing in legislation to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty.
I also spoke on how our immigration rules need to be revised. Including updated minimum salary thresholds, to ensure they support sectors focusing on investing in and offering rewarding packages to UK based workers, rather than immigration providing an alternative to doing so.
Oldway
Historic England has published its Heritage at Risk Register 2023, with Oldway Mansion now appearing on it.
It may sound odd, but being added to this list can be a positive move for a building in need of regeneration. Following on from the launch of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Heritage Places scheme at Oldway and with the potential for support from the new Levelling Up Partnership being negotiated with the Government, it all points to a growing interest in the site from major national funding bodies.
This year marks 25 years since the first national Heritage at Risk Register. Since it began in 1998, around 6,800 entries have been removed as buildings were preserved and regenerated. We all look forward to Oldway being added to this statistic in future.
Redcliffe Hotel
Alongside the Government funding being made available for regenerating our towns, it is good to see another major investment being progressed by private investment.
The building is Grade II listed, with the plans aiming to make more of the iconic Rotunda at its centre and reinstate some historic features which have been lost over recent years. Whilst the plan proposes a significant upgrade of the facilities and quality of the hotel, the number of guest rooms would be cut from 67 to 55.
Overall, this is a welcome proposal to revive and rejuvenate a historic building in a key location for our bay’s tourism industry. As we look to regenerate our bay and attract investment, I hope Torbay Council will quickly give it Planning Permission.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Friday 17th November 4pm till 5pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD and Friday 24th November 3pm till 5pm at Torquay Library, Lymington Road, Torquay TQ1 3DT.
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.
