House Business
One of the “Big Events” this week was without doubt the second reading of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill. This bill will give you power to elect a local Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall. Its all about local accountability – but it will only work if we all get involved and have our say.
The same is true of the Localism Bill which Eric Pickles announced just as this parliamentary term came to an end and which will be debated next year. It gives local people power to ask for a referendum on a local issue and in particular on the level of Council Tax proposed. But it will also give us power in our communities to put forward neighbourhood plans to the district council setting out what we would like to see – and where we want to see houses built – and where not.
Local Government Settlement
The Local Government Settlement was announced last week and while no one wants to see budgets cut, Devon County Council saw less of a cut than many others. As a result of the settlement, Devon County Council will see a reduction of just 1.77% of its revenue spending power. This in part reflects the fact that the Council have already started to work on their cuts and have reduced the chief executive’s salary and reduced allowances.
But this settlement also reflects the fact that rural communities like ours were historically under funded because insufficient weight was given to the additional spending needs we had due to the broad and sparsely populated area the council had to provide services to and the additional needs of an above average number of elderly residents. I wrote to the minister asking for this to be addressed and am delighted that he has listened resulting in one of the smallest cuts in the country.
Lobbying for change
The best news was of course the announcement that Newton Abbot Magistrate’s Court has been saved. I am really delighted that Ministers accepted the case I made to them that Newton Abbot needed its Court and that all the representations made by local solicitors and magistrates were heeded. The court is very well placed, easy to get to and has good facilities.
I met up with R3, a group representing insolvency practitioners. Why? Our constituency has one of the highest rates of insolvency and bankruptcy in the country and I wanted to understand why and what we could do about it. In part this is a particular problem for seaside towns dependant on tourism which have taken a battering over the years. The key to avoiding insolvency or bankruptcy is to get advice earlier. I have asked R3 if they might be willing to come and work with me to make that advice more accessible.
Out and About
Last Friday saw me up bright and early at Teignmouth Post Office Sorting Office at 7.30 am where I had the very great pleasure of thanking all our post men and women for the great job they do sorting and getting our Christmas mail and parcels out to us all. It was then on to Dawlish Sorting Office and then to Newton Abbot to do the same and wish everyone a very merry Christmas. That was the first really snowy day we had and it made me realise just what dedication is involved – out in all weathers!
Then it was off to Our Lady and St Patrick’s School to award the final prize in my Christmas card competition. By this time it was snowing hard and I was very impressed how many pupils had made it in to school. Back then to Newton Abbot to visit New Care Devon, a business that provide domiciliary care to the elderly which enables them to stay in their own homes rather than having to move into residential care. I was privileged to visit two of their elderly clients with their carers to see first hand what a wonderful service it provides –and with such care!
A merry Christmas to you all!
Surgeries and Getting Together
My next surgeries will be on 8th January in the Courtenay Centre in Newton Abbot at 10am and then at the Community Centre in Kingsteignton at 12.15pm. Please phone 01626 368277 for an appointment or for immediate help with issues that can’t wait until the next surgery.