Adrian Sanders

Sensible Action Needed Over Seagull Menace

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders is supporting calls for the Government to research the extent of the urban seagull population in the UK.

The Government has estimated that there are 30,000 pairs of seagulls in the country but more recent research has shown that there are at least 14,000 pairs in the South West.

Mr Sanders has received several complaints from residents and visitors to Torbay in recent years over the prevalence of seagulls in the area with the birds often causing a noise nuisance to householders and exacerbating the litter problem by ripping open rubbish bags.

There are several sensible cost-effective solutions that Torbay Council and others could pursue and Mr Sanders is encouraging the Government to support such initiatives.

Adrian commented: “Torbay has had a seagull problem for some time: these creatures are often the embodiment of anti social behaviour and if they had a permanent address would certainly have received an ASSBO (Anti Social Seagull Behaviour Order) by now.”

“Some people have called for a cull of seagulls but there are more humane and more cost effective ways of dealing with seagulls that the council should look into and the Government must support.  In some areas such as Bath and even in Parliament birds of prey are used to dissuade seagulls from visiting certain areas and this could be used in Torbay, adding a little extra for the tourists into the bargain.”

Bay MP Looks Forward to South West Debate

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders will be urging the Government to make action a priority in the South West today at the inaugural South West Grand Committee meeting in Exeter.

The main debate will focus upon how the Government is tackling the recession in the region and while there has been much talk over this in recent months, Mr Sanders will be raising serious concerns that this is not being translated into action.

The Government has already received criticism for its failure to force nationalised banks to loan to viable businesses and the very low number of individuals and businesses able to take advantage of the raft of initiatives launched by the Government such as the mortgage assistance scheme.

Mr Sanders will be arguing for a solution to unemployment more focused on local conditions, reflecting the wide variety of experiences across the South West; giving freedom to local authorities and charities to provide the help that the communities they serve need.

Adrian said: “The South West ‘region’ is purely a Government construct. The social and economic make up of Devon and Cornwall, is wholly different from that of Bristol and Swindon for example.  Creating ‘regional’ strategies that encompass the very varied needs of these areas will necessarily be a compromise.  But in my view an unnecessary one, for the boundaries within which communities wish to be included should be determined by the communities themselves and not by lines drawn on a map in Whitehall."

"The Liberal Democrats are committed to fixing our broken politics starting with a fair voting system to ensure no region or locality of the country can be taken for granted.  Where the people want it we will take power from the state and give it to them.  Allow people to exercise real power in their communities and to share in decisions that affect their lives. But most important of all we will allow the people to determine their region and not impose one upon them."

Bay MP Supporting Frontline Firefighters

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has been tackling the Government over its controversial and expensive plans to amalgamate the South West’s fire control service in one location, while reducing the number of staff on duty.

The Fire Brigades Union has stated that technical delays will cost the taxpayer an extra £4.5million.  The project was due to be operational in 2007 but Devon & Cornwall fire brigade is likely to move to the new system in May 2011 at the earliest.  Once the new system is fully operational, the number of fire control operators will move from a minimum of 23 on duty in the South West to just 5.

Mr Sanders has condemned the Government’s proposals as a cost cutting exercise that has consistently gone against the advice of front line firefighters.

Following the withdrawal of support for the manning of Torbay’s aerial fire appliance, Mr Sanders has also been seeking assurances from the fire authority that a new appliance will be provided in spite of the changes.  The current appliance has been unavailable for up to a week at a time due to mechanical problems but Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell has now confirmed that ‘a procurement process to replace the vehicle with the most up to date model available’ has just begun.

Adrian commented: “The Government has continued to ignore the expert advice of firefighters on how to run their own service, all in an expensive and failing bid to improve efficiency.  I wholly support the Fire Brigades Union’s call to abandon this project.”

Sanders Backs Devon Bingo Halls

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has criticised the Government for its failure to support Bingo Halls in Devon and around the UK.  Following the decision by the Government to increase tax on bingo from 15 to 22% and the Tories decision to abstain on the issue, the Liberal Democrats have stuck to their defence of the bingo industry in the face of increasing bingo club closures.

There are currently fewer than 600 bingo clubs in the UK. Over 60 have closed in the last two years. The situation for many of the others is bleak. While factors such as the smoking ban have played a part in the decline, the main concern is taxation.

Adrian voted against the rise in bingo duty in the recent Finance Bill debate and is now supporting a petition calling for the Government to reverse its position.  He is encouraging other Bingo enthusiasts to sign the petition and help put pressure on the Government.

Adrian said: “I know many Torbay residents enjoy Bingo and Devon’s bingo clubs are an important part of our local communities and economies.  While the Government needs to raise money to reduce the massive public debt it has created, unfairly devastating the bingo industry is not part of the answer.”

Petition page: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Bingoplayers/

Mayor Must Go Back To Negotiating Table Over Bus Fare Funding

Following the meeting arranged by Torbay MP Adrian Sanders for Torbay Council to put its case to the Transport Minister over the issued of bus pass funding, the Department of Transport has issued its response.

While the imperfections of the system remain, Minister Chris Mole highlighted that Torbay Council are overly generous in giving funds to bus companies.

At present Stagecoach and other providers receive 72% of the average fare for each journey undertaken, compared to the average rate of around 50%. With almost 4 million journeys made in Torbay last year, this easily contributes to the estimated £1.7million budget shortfall.

Adrian said: “This shows the hugely chaotic nature of the concessionary bus pass project.  Why didn’t the Government set a standard rate of reimbursement to bus companies instead of forcing councils to waste resources on individual rounds of negotiation and then shoulder the burden of cost when they cannot get the best deal.”

“The Mayor has also been misleading council taxpayers on this issue.  His estimates of the budget shortfall have ranged from £1.7million to £3.2million but it has taken a great deal of discussion to highlight that the council’s own negotiations with the bus companies were flawed.”

“The Mayor urgently needs to go back to re-negotiate the council’s dealings with Stagecoach to ensure taxpayers are getting value for money.”

Ministerial Visit Ignores Real South Devon Issues

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has welcomed the visit of Culture Minister Ben Bradshaw to Torbay this week (August 11^th) - but has raised concerns that the visit ignores many important issues the Government needs to tackle.

Mr Bradshaw’s visit takes in Torre Abbey and the Sea Change projects at Cockington and Berry Head but Mr Sanders has criticised him for ignoring the majority of the tourist industry in the Bay, despite tourism being a key responsibility of the Culture, Media and Sport Department.

Mr Sanders, also a member of the Culture, Media and Sport scrutiny committee, added: “Had I been given more notice of the Minister’s visit to Torbay, I would have urged him to visit a number of areas that urgently need positive Government action.  The Government has shown complete disdain for the tourist industry and the Minister should be visiting hoteliers, shopkeepers and other providers to see what he can do for them.”

“The Minister will also be ignoring the low paid seasonal jobs on offer at our jobcentre and the large number of jobseekers desperate to find employment.  I would also have taken him to one of our railway stations to show him the lack of through services beyond his own well connected city of Exeter.”

“As is so often with this Government, the most serious and endemic problems are ignored and swept under the carpet.”

Torbay MP tackles Fire Authority over Bronto cuts

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has hit out after the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority decided to go ahead with cuts to Bronto aerial platform services in Torbay.

Despite pleas from local firefighters, the authority, which now has a Conservative majority, went ahead with the cuts, which will remove the dedicated crew for the Bronto.

Adrian commented: “The quick deployment of the Bronto could be the difference between life and death.  Fortunately we have not had many large incidents in Torbay recently but the fire at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay two years ago shows what the dangers are.”

“This is a case of the authority looking for short term gain over their duty to residents.  With Torbay likely to see more high rise developments thanks to the Mayoral Vision, the presence of the Bronto will be even more necessary.  The mood of professional firefighters, who are entirely against this cut, tells the whole story.”

VAT Rise in January to Hit Torbay Businesses

Adrian Sanders, MP for Torbay has highlighted concerns from traders in Torbay that the changes to VAT due to come in at the end of the year could cost the UK economy over £90million along with a serious pressure on retail staff.

Adrian has joined the campaign being led by fellow Devon MP Nick Harvey to introduce a four week reprieve for businesses to bring in the new tax rules.

Several businesses have contacted Mr Sanders, concerned that the timing of the changeover, which coincides with holiday trading, will cause significant disruption that can not be afforded in the current economic climate.

Adrian said “The introduction of the lower VAT rate not only cost the taxpayer, it cost retailers who had to hurriedly implement price changes across the board.  The Government has not learnt from this disruption and is planning to repeat the performance.  So little has been done to help businesses through the recession and the least Ministers can do is listen to the wishes of retailers on this case.”

Mayor Must Resign to Ensure a Fair Totnes Election

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders and Watcombe Councillor Steve Darling have raised concerns over the selection of Torbay Elected Mayor Nick Bye for the Totnes Parliamentary primary election.

Concerns have been highlighted over a potential conflict of interest as Brixham, Churston, Galmpton and areas of Paignton currently under the mayor’s jurisdiction are included in the Totnes constituency.  With executive control over Torbay council and its budget, there will be fears that there is the potential for resources to be used in these areas to attempt to influence the outcome of the election.

Adrian said “This is something of an unforeseen problem with the Elected Mayor system.   No one imagined a Mayor would want to become an MP, unlike Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson who resigned as MPs to become elected Mayors. 

“This position is different because in the past when council leaders sought to become MPs they were likely to stand down their leadership role, even if temporarily.  Those who remained could not use their position to influence the election as they were restrained by needing the majority of councillors to ratify decisions.  This does not happen with the elected Mayor system.”

“The proper course to ensure council taxpayers receive the services of the full-time elected Mayor they voted for, and to avoid any temptation to use council resources in a way that could advantage a selection vote or a General Election campaign would be for the candidate to resign as elected Mayor.  It is a case of doing the right thing." 

Councillor Darling added: “There are far too many problems that need the Mayor’s full attention in Torbay.  We have one of the lowest scores for public confidence in a local authority and urgent issues with children’s services, getting more better paid local jobs and improving our local environment.  There is far too great a risk that he will take his eye off the ball.”

Good News as Pensioner Energy Grants Increased

Elderly, disabled and low income families will now get up to £2,000 more to warm their homes, after action by Adrian Sanders in Parliament.

After questions from the Torbay MP the Government has increased how much money Bay residents can gain through the Warm Front Scheme.

Adrian said “I am glad that the government has extended the Warm Front Scheme, increasing the extent to which people can be helped to heat their homes in a cheap and environmentally friendly way.

This is a positive step not just towards eradicating fuel poverty in Torbay, but also towards reducing unnecessary pollution”.

On the 26^th March Adrian Sanders MP told the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change that the government should extend the scheme following complaints from residents that the scheme was bad value for money for applicants and the taxpayer. The government has now agreed that the grant levels will be raised to solve the problem of residents having to contribute their own funds.

Someone who is recommended either a new oil or low carbon system will now receive up to £6,000 (up from £4,000), whilst the standard grant has increased from £2,700 to £3,500. This will remove the need for most people to make a contribution towards making their homes energy-efficient.

Adrian also met representatives from the Warm Front Scheme to discuss local concerns with the scheme, and emphasised ways in which the scheme could be further used to lower carbon emissions, such as by using Solar and Wind power more often in their home improvements.