Kevin Foster: Fresh approach will speed up regeneration

Regeneration deal
I welcome news Torbay Council has agreed a major deal with two development partners to drive forward ambitious plans for regenerating key sites in our bay.
Despite large amounts of Government funding being provided for regeneration, including £21.9m for the Torquay Town Deal and £13.4m for Paignton’s Future High Streets fund, the delivery by Torbay Council locally prior to May’s elections had been far too slow. One problem was the council itself seeking to deliver projects, rather than use experienced partners in the private sector. This slow pace of delivery had put us at risk of losing large parts of the funding we had received, hence since May the council’s new Conservative leadership decided to take a different approach and I have been delighted to work with them in doing so.
The change of approach has already seen results with the Government being convinced to agree a further £40m of regeneration funding, taking the total to over £100m, with major projects in each of our three towns following news of the Levelling Up Fund Success for Brixham which will include an extension to its fish market.
This is a once in a generation chance to make a difference in our bay, halting decline in our town centres and creating new jobs. We cannot afford for this opportunity and millions in funding to be lost. Residents will therefore look to see how each of the 36 councillors on Torbay Council responds to this challenge. Do they vote to make progress or back dither and delay? Our bay needs each one to back making progress.

Autumn Statement
The Autumn Statement contained several measures which will make a positive difference in our bay.
Ahead of it, I had written to the Chancellor raising the need to act by reducing tax rates to support working families, unfreeze the local housing allowance to reflect increased rents, to extend the 75 per cent discount on business rates for tourism and hospitality businesses and joined colleagues in calling for the triple lock on state pensions to be respected.
During his speech the Chancellor confirmed the triple lock would be respected, the business rates discount for hospitality extended and the local housing allowance increased. He also confirmed the main rate of Employee National insurance would be cut by two percentage points from 12 per cent to 10 per cent in January. This is a tax cut for 27 million people which saves the average worker £450 a year.
The Government needs to have a clear and distinct Conservative message based on being the party of blue-collar aspiration, security, economic growth, home ownership and people keeping more of the fruits of their own labour. The Autumn Statement was a good start, with more needed in the Spring Budget.

Surgery times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday December 9 11am till 1pm at Preston Baptist Church, Old Torquay Rd, Paignton TQ3 2RB and Friday December 15, 10am till 12pm 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 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 and 1pm Monday to Friday where a member of my team will be available to help with any queries.