Cindy Stocks on the crossing in question on Victoria Road

The Liberal Democrat Councillor for Ellacombe, Cindy Stocks, is asking local residents to support her in a bid to get traffic calming installed at the crossing point on Victoria Road, in Ellacombe.

The crossing point is very busy, being used by children and their parents who attend Ellacombe Primary School and residents of all ages who are accessing the Ellacombe News convenience store and other shops on that road, as well as travelling into town.

The crossing point also suffers from drivers illegally parking directly where the public are meant to cross, causing a danger to pedestrians.

Despite previous campaigns, Torbay Council decided that its budget should be prioritised on other schemes within Torbay last year.

Councillor Stocks said,

“I am aware that some people have already been seriously injured at this crossing point. Does a death need to happen before a safe place to cross is installed? I am asking residents to sign my petition to ensure the safety of everyone who uses this area to cross Victoria Road as a matter of urgency.”

The petition can be found at www.torbaylibdems.org.uk/victoriaroad.

Cllrs Steve Darling and Roger Stringer outside Pavor Farm Cottage

Liberal Democrat Group leader on Torbay Council, Steve Darling, has hit out at the lack of action from the Conservatives running Torbay Council, who have failed to take legal action regarding the continued neglect of a listed cottage in Barton, Torquay.

The Local Authority served legal notices on the owner of the former thatched cottage at 15 Fore Street, Barton, Torquay in December 2010, but have failed to follow through with enforcement action.

The Group Leader Cllr Steve Darling  said,

“Torbay Council has a responsibility to protect our heritage in Torbay.  Despite our campaigning to take this responsibility seriously the failure of the Council to enforce their legal notice is tantamount to a green light for property speculators to trash our heritage.”

The Watcombe Councillor has written to Mayor Gordon Oliver highlighting his concerns.  The letter is as follows;

Re – Pavor Farm House 15 Fore Street Barton

I was pleased to hear from you on Monday regarding your concerns about the above property.  However on reflection I am uneasy that the Council has failed to follow through section 215 & 217 of the Town & Country Planning Act.  This was served in December 2010 and hence the enforcement was possible with effect from January 2012.  For ease of reference I have enclosed the appropriate paperwork.  There are a number of historic listed cottages in this part of Barton and I remain horrified that you are allowing this historic heritage to deteriorate even further.

I have consulted with both Councillor Stringer and Faulkner (A) about this matter and they share my view that the Council should follow through with its legal action.  I look forward to receiving some assurances from you regarding this matter.

Download the legal notice here

Liberal Democrat councillors have handed in a petition to Torbay Council demanding lower prices for parking in Torre Abbey Meadows, after an overwhelming response.

The cost of parking by the sea has become far too expensive and it is deterring residents and holiday makers alike from parking nearby our most precious resource.

Mark Pountney, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Cockington-with-Chelston, said:

“This was the first time we have used the internet to run a petition, I was very pleased with the enthusiastic reaction from residents from across the ward, people are really fed up with the unreasonable cost of parking.”

Jenny Faulkner, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Tormohun, said:

“The charges are so high that in the winter the parking spaces are hardly used, lowering the cost of parking would make it more affordable for people in these difficult finical times.”

The Petition can be found at http://torbaylibdems.org.uk/torreabbey/

Steve Darling joined Liberal Democrat Council Leaders and Group Leaders from across the country in calling on the Chancellor to make helping those on low and middle incomes a priority in the Budget this week.

Liberal Democrats have been urging the Chancellor to move further and faster on raising the Income Tax threshold so that ordinary working people do not pay income tax on the first £10,000 they earn. This will ensure more than 2.5m people will be lifted out of paying tax all together and giving millions £60 back in their pockets each month – meaning real help for people on lower incomes.

Commenting, Steve Darling said:

“In these difficult times, I am clear who should be the Coalition Government’s priority. As a Liberal Democrat, I want to see a budget for the millions, not the millionaires.

“In Torbay, 2,800 were lifted out of paying tax altogether last year and across the country 23m people received a £200 tax cut. I now want the Chancellor to help even more people by going further and faster on raising the Income Tax threshold to £10,000.

“I hope the Coalition Government does the right thing and gives an extra hand to those on low and middle incomes who are struggling.”

Conservative Councillor Ray Hill, Chair of the Transport Working Group, recently wrote this document restating that coach trips remain the future of the Torbay tourism economy, even though the English Riviera Tourism Company – the local area’s tourism experts – has argued a move away from coach trips towards investing in other sectors to provide a 21st Century tourism economy.

The report states that Torbay should not look at tapping into the high-end tourism market, despite its obvious attractions such as the Geopark and proximity to Dartmoor, and instead should “place the encouragement of the basic coach trade at the heart of its tourism strategy for continuing all-year-round income for the resort during the approaching years of possible double-dip recession, and build on the facilities that already exist.”

The report shows a lack of ambition for Torbay – more of the same – without making any attempts to move Torbay onto bigger and better things.

Please have a read, and let us know your thoughts by filling out the form below, or emailing info@torbaylibdems.org.uk.