Last week's readers react to Torbay Today

Hospital funding

The seemingly endless month of January has finally come to an end, allowing us to look at the news stories of February with a fresh new set of eyes.

As responses to the delayed hospital funding continue to trickle in, Torbay Liberal Democrats was quoted on Facebook as saying: “If anyone seriously thinks that the Conservative promise to sort Torbay Hospital had any substance, they should refer to what their leader says about these kinds of pledges: Fundamentally, the mistakes we made were making announcements without a plan to deliver them - Kemi Badenoch, January 2025.

“Credit to Kemi for owning these mistakes. It would be great to see others in their party do the same.”

Kevin Foster, former Conservative MP for Torbay, replied: “Desperate stuff from a desperate group. Strangely, like Labour, before 4th July, you argued the plans would be continued, even backing planning permission for them. Now you claim this, nothing but deflection to cover for helping elect a Labour government, which has delayed our project, yet cracking on with Plymouth's…”

Resignation calls

Calls for Alison Hernandez to resign as Police and  Crime Commissioner continue.

Following the announcement that Devon residents will pay an extra 4.99 per cent in council tax next year, many have voiced their frustrations.

Sandy Shore questioned: “How much did the unnecessary deputy cost us? How is she coping without him? Why did she employ him against advice? Was it ‘jobs for friends’? The public purse isn’t bottomless, and she should explain.”

Stephen Corrick added: “Will that mean the police will investigate every crime now, whether it be a mugging, shoplifting, property invasion, stealing anything and everything, etc? If not, then why should we pay more?”

Clive Moloney said: “Too much due to Hernandez's lack of due diligence; if she had any self-respect, she would resign.”

It is worth noting that official statistics for 2024 saw a number of achievements in the police’s efforts to tackle crime, pursue criminals, and respond to the public’s reports and calls for help.

For instance, police attended over 13,500 emergency calls for help in South Devon last year, averaging over 1,000 per month.

Homes debate

Meanwhile, Torbay Council’s pioneering Hotel to Homes scheme has received mixed reactions, with some worried that local residents won’t be prioritised for new housing.

Darren Daniel said: “A bit late to start this scheme; most of the hotels have been pulled down and turned into overpriced houses/flats.”

Timely arrests

Following a week of action in which the police made multiple arrests for drug offences and anti-social behaviour, Richard Munro said: “About time, and let’s not forget it’s coming up to the next annual budget funding. They have to make an effort?”

Martin Brook replied: “Actually Richard, to help… This is part of Operation Town Centres that was started in May of last year by your council’s new Conservative administration’s first budget after being elected in May 2023… a partnership working operation where the council set up two extra teams of town centre officers and enforcement officers to work with the police with a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place across Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham town centres. These 3 partners also work with a team in the council who oversee rough sleeping, etc.

“Residents and businesses alike are seeing a turnaround, and as a result, extra resources have been earmarked in the budget for 2024/25 that has been out for public consultation.”

David Watkins commended: “Outstanding work, keeping the vast majority of us safe.”

Disney stars

Congratulations poured in for Cuthbert Mayne School in Torquay for winning the exclusive rights to perform Disney’s Frozen as part of a nationwide competition. The school shared: "We are so proud of our school production cast and team!”

Factory Row

Elsewhere, Nick Pannell, chairman of the Friends of Factory Row, contributed a piece arguing that shutting down Factory Row wouldn’t solve Castle Circus’s issues with antisocial behaviour.

Sandy Shore disagreed: “Why shouldn’t you close it? Ask most residents, and they’ll say it’s been nothing but a disaster for the town. It encourages antisocial behaviour, and what idiot thought the town centre would be a good location?

“A hostel for the homeless IS needed, but it should be for local people with a verified Torbay connection. The ideal place would be along the Newton Road where Newton Lodge is. Thousands of pounds from central and local governments have been thrown at this dump, and there’s nothing to show for it. Quite the opposite.”

Jo Rice countered: "Society's problems aren't fixed by closing the support for the most vulnerable. Fixes include properly funded probation services, good mental health support, drug and alcohol rehab centres, good affordable housing, access to work schemes, along with the regeneration and investment in the area. I've watched 14 years of cuts to vital services by the last government have a knock-on effect on incomes, prospects, businesses, shops, jobs, and housing in Torbay. 

“When people are released from prison back to the town with no housing and very little support from a decimated probation service, what do you expect to happen? It's too easy to blame and look for the easy solution, but this is multi-layered and complex and not unique to Torquay. 

“Closing one hostel will not make the difference that people may think it will. It's like closing the food bank for the poor or closing a children's centre for families. We are in a cost-of-living crisis where housing is expensive, wages have stagnated, housing waiting lists are at their highest, and need far outstrips resources. We need intelligent solutions for these people who are citizens of the bay too.”