Every fortnight I write a "Kev's Column" for the Torbay Weekly and you can read the latest edition (Published on Thursday 2nd May 2024) below:
Town Centres
When out on the doorsteps talking with residents or reading survey replies, anti-social behaviour in our Town Centres is one of the issues most regularly raised.
Yesterday (1st May) new Public Space Protection Orders come into force, which reinstate an effective ban on street drinking in Paignton and Torquay Town Centres. The move is part of work to deal with the well-known issues in locations like Castle Circus, where groups gathering to drink often results in anti-social behaviour.
The changes follow work by our Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez and Myself, with the Conservative Leadership of Torbay Council after they took office last May. The aim being to reinstate the previous street drinking rules which had existed for many years until ill-thought-out changes made in 2021, under the then Lib Dem\Independent Coalition, which saw a street drinking problem return.
During my recent briefings with Torbay Council’s leadership, I was advised additional enforcement resource is being brought in ready for the start of these new rules. There has already been some engagement with those who are seen drinking in the street explaining the new powers about to come in, which could see their drinks seized and poured down the drain.
This crackdown comes alongside a sign of further progress with the physical regeneration needed in our Town Centres. The scaffolding is now up on the former Morrisons store in Market Street, as work starts on converting this long-term derelict site into a new Community Diagnostic Centre. It will open this summer and will conduct over 36,000 tests, scans and consultations a year to support our NHS.
It is all part of delivering the change residents deserve to see in Torquay Town Centre.
Defence
I welcome the Prime Minister's commitment that UK military spending will rise to at least 2.5% of national income (GDP) by 2030.
This commitment is higher than the current NATO target of 2% GDP to be spent on defence by its members, representing a large boost to military budgets. In setting this new target of 2.5% the Prime Minister has set a new bar for other European Members of NATO, especially as we look ahead to the US Presidential Elections. With the obvious threat from Putin’s Russia, plus the increasing military capabilities of China, western democracies need to ensure our own armed forces can respond to them.
The extra investment must be spent in a way which reflects the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. Drones are changing the battlefield, whilst dependable supplies of artillery shells are vital. We must ensure our forces are ready to face the threats of the today and the future, rather than those of the Cold War Era.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Friday 3rd May 10am till 12Noon at Torquay Library, Lymington Road, and Friday 10th May 10am till 12Noon at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD.
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.
