Sally Allen: Positive news on the future of Torbay

Well, last Friday evening I decided to take one for the team and go and listen to the Conservative AGM at the Livermead House Hotel. This was a huge effort on my part as normally rearranging my sock draw would have had more appeal. But I thought it was important, so I decided to drag myself away from my comfy sofa.
It started at 7pm and so I decided to get there for 6.30pm to make sure I got a good parking spot, and to check out the lay of the land. Well at 6.30pm the car park was nearly bursting so it was difficult to find a spot. Eventually I did, on some land off to the side of the main car park – more of that later.

So clearly there was a lot of interest to get this kind of turnout. Surprisingly, the number of Conservative members in Torbay has fallen from 415 to 329, which is quite a major drop, but no doubt reflects everyone’s fatigue and mistrust these days of anything political. Torbay’s MP, Kevin Foster started the proceedings by agreeing that these were “challenging times” for the Tories. A huge understatement in my view. He also added that he hadn’t found anyone as yet, who was looking forward to either of the political knights, Sir Ed Davey or Sir Keir Starmer leading the country, so at least that was positive. I have to agree, we are not exactly spoilt for choice in the charisma department with those two! Kevin also pointed out that not very long ago, the current labour party candidates were actually proactive in helping to get one Jeremy Corbin elected as leader of the Labour Party, but thank God nothing more serious. Now that is a very scary thought and something we should all remember on our trip to the voting polls, whenever they might be.

It was agreed by all those attending, that possibly the biggest problem at the next general election would be wasted votes, meaning that inertia or just total disregard for all politicians of every hue would mean a very low turnout and the loss of “blue” votes cast. The other topic which kept cropping up, was the two Tory defections in the Council to the newly formed Prosper Torbay. In my view everyone is entitled to their own opinions and as long as each councillor’s focus is on doing the very best job for Torbay, their party is immaterial. It is why I strongly believe that politics should have no place in local councils. I believe it is counter productive. Afterall they should all just be working for the betterment of Torbay and not trying to score political points. It would no doubt also save time and effort, if everyone worked together in a cohesive manner.

Then the leader of the Council, Dave Thomas, took centre stage. It was evident that Torbay is starting to have a few good things to shout about, not least the incredible success of the Brixham Fish Market, which continues to gain international recognition and increase its already impressive turnover. Added to this there is the expansion of the EPIC (Electronics & Photonics Innovation Centre) with the building of an additional centre, EPIC 2. It is so heartening to know that the singular and special knowledge gained from Nortel, has risen from the ashes and doing so well, making Torbay a centre for this type of expertise. These two success stories standout as they are impressive on a national scale.

I have never seen Mr Thomas so fired up or passionate about his remit. I was delighted to hear that good sense had eventually prevailed and that the Torbay Road will now be open to two-way traffic and parking in Paignton. Fantastic. I remember when it was called the Golden Mile and was one of the most lucrative trading roads in the country. Maybe now the Council could consider doing the same to Fleet Street and Union Street in Torquay??? Please. It would make all the difference to traders and shoppers in those two streets too.

I was also pleased to hear that the plans for the Debenhams development will now be re-thought. It has been proven that the initial plans were not sustainable and would never have made a profit. Let’s hope that any new plans that will be submitted will have been thoroughly thought through with a reliable Abacus to hand.

As you all know by now, I call it as I see it, so I was very pleased that I went because it cheered me up a little regarding the future of the Bay. But let’s not forget that there is still so much more to do. This very importantly includes The Pavilion, Oldway and my own passion, the Palace Hotel site. I understand that these are all being worked on and that there are only so many hours in the day, but it is frustrating not knowing what is happening and that is why I was so pleased that I went to the meeting.

When I left at around 9pm it was dark and I had to find my way back to my car. Well, not easy in the dark. The ground is uneven, and I nearly fell a couple of times. My suggestion to the Rew family is to put some lights in the car park. Somebody will fall over one day out there, and as most of the clientele is getting on in years, yes - me too, I think it is an urgent requirement before someone seriously hursts themselves and it results in a possible legal action.