MP Kevin Foster: Restoration of Oldway needs a clear plan

The latest consultation on the future for Oldway is under way and I caught up with the team running it at the airshow.

It is encouraging to see any plans coming forward and I would urge Torbay Weekly readers to take part in the consultation.

I have been asked what I think of the consultation itself. The most eye-catching part of it is the estimated costs of restoring Oldway have now hit £30million, yet other aspects are ideas which have been suggested before, for example, using the ground floor and first floor for events and weddings.

The consultation also does not appear to break down the suggested costs into a programme of work, likely to be essential to secure funding as no single donor will hand over £30m in one go.

Similarly, aspects of the consultation document, like whether the upper floors of Oldway Mansion should be council offices or residential apartments, do not give what either option could provide towards restoration costs.

After a decade of party-political point scoring and media rows, what Oldway needs is a credible plan both for the work and how to fund it.

This is something I am working with the new team at Torbay Council to achieve, as claims from some of having a 'Plan B for Oldway' did not materialise into an actual proposal when they were given the chance to.

Business energy costs

Last week I joined colleagues from across the UK in holding discussions with Kate Nicholls, the CEO of UK Hospitality, about the position for businesses forced into signing fixed-price energy contracts late last year.

Energy bills were at their highest level late last year, meaning some hotels, leisure facilities and food businesses may now find themselves stuck on a deal much higher than the current market prices.

There is also some evidence emerging suggesting behaviours in the energy market akin to banks pushing businesses into unwanted interest rate swap deals during the height of the financial crisis.

The Treasury recently confirmed they have commissioned a report from Ofgem into the non-domestic energy market.

I will shortly be joining colleagues in launching a survey, but if your business has been affected do get in touch with me at kevin@kevinjfoster.com.

Celebrating centenarian

It was an honour to attend the events held to celebrate the 100th birthday of Torbay resident and D-Day veteran, Sapper Ken Garfitt.

Having seen action in Normandy, Ken was one of the British soldiers who liberated Belsen. This infamous camp being full of horrific scenes which bore testimony to the evil of Hitler’s regime.

Ken’s birthday was also a chance to reflect and remember what previous generations went through to secure our freedoms.

Surgery times

My next surgeries are tomorrow (Friday, June 16), between 10am and midday, at 5-7 East Street, Torquay TQ2 5SD and Saturday, June 24, 11am until 1pm at Paignton Library, Great Western Road, Paignton TQ4 5AG.

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 Street, Torquay TQ2 5SD between 10am and 1pm, Monday to Friday, where a member of my team will be available to help with any queries.