Torridge and West Devon Liberal Democrats
 PeopleLiberal Democrats Representatives and Prospective Candidates at all levels of government. Adam Symons PPC
|
Adam Symons NewsFor more information on any of the news items below contact Adam Symons on 01237 431498 or 07786 277470
Call to Support Business Rate Relief for Local BusinessesStop Scheduled Increases in Business RatesWednesday 15 April 2009 A call to provide business rate relief for local businesses suffering from the effects of the credit crunch has been made to the Government by local Prospective MP Adam Symons. MPs have tabled an Early Day Motion to Parliament to stop scheduled increases in business rates, which will hit struggling local businesses hard. During 2009, no transitional relief will be available, leading to many increases in business rates. 
Adam Symons meeting up with local small business owner Steve Harding at Barton Farm Shop, Woolsery. This at a time when many small local businesses are struggling to meet their costs. Lib Dems Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon Adam Symons met Steve Harding from Barton Farm Shop near Woolsery to discuss the impending problems. He said: “Any increase in business rates this year is going to hit local small businesses very hard. It makes sense for transitional businesses relief to be extended for a couple of years to enable them to weather the economic storm.” “I am calling on those local MPs who have not signed the EDM to pull their finger out and support local businesses. Many of them are struggling with increased costs, and the last thing they need is increased business rates.” Steve Harding said: “We would normally expect business rate relief because of the rural nature of our business. Given the economic climate, now is not the time to end this relief. It is going to hit us hard if these changes are left to stand.” Note: Mark Oaten has put forward the EDM – which states: “That this House notes with concern that businesses across the country are being notified of steep increases to their business rates; understands that this is because the 2005 to 2009 business rate scheme is the first under which no transitional relief will be available during the last year of its cycle; recognises that many businesses will find any rate increases incredibly hard to afford; and calls on the Government to extend transitional business relief for two years to help small and medium-sized enterprises weather the economic recession.” Barton Farm Shop can be seen at www.bartonfarmshop.co.uk
Scandal of Multiple JobsMPs Fail To Attend Important Committee MeetingsTuesday 14 April 2009 A call to limit local MPs carrying out multiple jobs is growing as figures released this week show that local backbench MPs are ‘shirking their elected responsibilities.’ Amid ongoing controversy over MPs expenses, figures unveiled by Parliament show that at least 60 of the 220 members on the most influential Commons committees examining public services and government spending missed more than half their meetings last year, including some local MPs. These committees, which include the important Rural Affairs Committee which deals with many important local rural issues, such as tuberculosis and wind farms, is tasked with scrutinising Government policy in rural areas. Select committees are seen as a vital part of the parliamentary process, cross-examining ministers and other experts and producing reports to which Whitehall departments must respond. Last year select committee members went on 49 foreign trips at a cost of £1.4 million. Local campaigner, and PPC for Torridge and West Devon Adam Symons said: “It is an absolute scandal that the representatives that we elect decide not to bother to attend the most important committees that they sit on. MPs are elected for one purpose only, and that is to represent their constituents. Some attend only one in four committee meetings. They are shirking their elected responsibilities.” “I fear that because some MPs hold down a second job, that it is getting in the way of them doing their duties. I am absolutely against multiple jobs. I think it brings democracy into disrepute. How sad that many residents have to struggle along on wages minimum wages, while some MPs earning over £60,000 believe that they need to earn more from a second job.” Several MPs have also criticised the trend of MPs turning up at committee meetings, asking one question and then leaving, thus ensuring that they are on the attendance register. “You only have to turn up for five minutes to be recorded as attending,” said one select committee chairman.
Note: See also times online article and local MP voting record.
Is Fear Holding You Back?Mental Health Action WeekSaturday 11 April 2009 This Sunday is the start of Mental Health Action Week, and one local campaigner is urging people to ‘let go of their fears.’ As part of the action week, the Mental Health Foundation is launching a national campaign to raise awareness about the impact fear and anxiety can have on our lives. 
Adam Symons meeting with MENCAP coordinator, Charles Reynolds to promote Mental Health Action Week “Is Fear Holding You Back?” Adam Symons, Lib Dem PPC for West Devon and Torridge, met with MENCAP coordinator, Charles Reynolds, to find out more about the issues that people face. Charles said: “Fear and anxiety are part of the mind and body's natural response to threats or thoughts that something bad might happen. Usually they last for a short time and then pass. But sometimes they last longer and you can get stuck with them. “Fear and anxiety can take over your life, affecting your ability to eat and sleep, concentrate, enjoy life, go to work or school, and even leave the house.” Adam Symons said: “I support the work of the Mental Health Foundation, and with them want to tell as many people as possible that help is available and that you don't need to suffer in silence. “I know what impact fear and anxiety can have on people. A close family member has suffered with anxiety linked mental health problems for many years. However, it does not need to be this way. People need to learn to let go of their fears. “The Mental Health Foundation has produced a free guide to help people deal with fear and anxiety. This booklet includes tips about how to break the cycle and where to find help.” As part of Mental Health Action Week, you can order your free information pack, which gives you information on fear and anxiety, as well as a poster to help you raise awareness of the week.
Note: Adam Symons is also a public shadow governor on the Devon NHS Partnership Trust.
Holsworthy Pupils Hold Future in Their HandsPromoting the 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse and RecycleTuesday 7 April 2009 The future of Devon’s waste was in the hands of 80 secondary school students during the seventh ‘Don’t Let Devon Go to Waste’ summit recently. Torridge Councillor, and Vice-Chair of the Devon Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee, Adam Symons, urged students to take ‘responsibility for their actions’ by telling them that it was their ‘future he held’ in the bag of rubbish he brought along to show them. Young people from eight schools across Devon have been invited to attend this event at County Hall in Exeter, including Holsworthy Community College, to tackle the issues surrounding waste. 
Holsworthy Year 10 students with the Waste Summit launcher Adam Symons and Mrs Recycle. Students worked in groups to discuss plastic packaging, how to lead a more sustainable lifestyle and even produce a radio advert to promote the 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to local residents. Adam Symons said: “The Don’t Let Devon Go To Waste summit is a fantastic opportunity for students from around the county to learn about waste issues. I brought along a bag of rubbish to show them that it was their future I was holding in my hands. Yet they have the ability of changing their future by taking responsibility for their actions now.” Holsworthy teacher, Hannah Rockliffe-King, who is working with the students said: “Eight of our Year 10 students were excited to be part of the Waste Summit 2009 held on Monday 30th March at County Hall. It was an informative and interesting day which we were lucky to be involved in. ‘It makes you think’ was the collective opinion of the students. We hope to take what we learnt back to the school and spread the very important message ‘the future is in our hands’. Many thanks to everyone who made the day such a great success.”
Beat the Credit Crunch With Real NappiesAnd They Are Better for the EnvironmentMonday 6 April 2009 Opting for washable nappies, rather than disposable nappies, could help families beat the credit crunch, according to Torridge and West Devon Prospective MP Adam Symons. He was speaking as he and his wife were being shown the range of different washable nappy options that parents can chose. They are expecting their first child at the end of April. 
Amanda Wycherly showing Adam Symons and his wife the different styles of washable nappies available. Adam said: “My wife and I want to use washable nappies. I know, as an environmental scientist, that used properly, washable nappies are better for the environment. Perhaps a greater incentive in the days of a credit crunch induced recession is that they cost less than disposable nappies. Parents can save at least £500 by using them, and it could be much more. “Using disposables can cost nearly £1000 over the life of the child. Real Nappies vary widely in their cost depending on the style chosen. You can buy all the nappies and covers you need for your child the high street for just under £50. More versatile nappies cost more, but most parents could save lots. A perfect recipe for the credit crunch.” Amanda Wycherly, who is the ‘Real Nappies Coordinator’ for Torridge District Council, has a range of demonstration nappies that she is happy to show people. To contact Amanda and for more information on real nappies, please call her on 01237 428919 or email . In West Devon contact Fiona Oliver at Wee Greenies on 01822 833584.
Note: Paediatricians recommend that babies’ nappies are changed after every sleep and feed. This works out at an average of six changes a day as suggested by paediatricians Miriam Stoppard and Dr Christopher Green. The average price per disposable nappy is 16.9p. This is based on WEN research (February 2006) of both branded and own brand nappies. The same research found the average price of branded nappies to be 17.1p per nappy (branded nappies hold 92% of the market), and an average of 13.6p per nappy for own-brand. With six changes per day at 16.9p per nappy this equates to an average cost of £7.10 per week, and an overall spend of £922.74 over 2.5 years. See WEN Real nappy campaign for more details.
No Money Allocated For Devon and Cornwall Village HallsMost Allocations in Midlands and North of EnglandThursday 2 April 2009 Torridge and West Devon PPC, Adam Symons, has expressed surprise that no village halls in Devon and Cornwall are to be funded to be renovated under the Big Lottery Fund. It was announced on Monday that some 55 villages up and down the country will have their village halls rebuilt, using £19m of Lottery Funding. However, not a single one of those projects is to take place in Devon or Cornwall. The Community Buildings Fund is dedicated to investing in buildings that give communities a chance to improve their quality of life and meet local needs, by offering a range of activities and services open to a broad range of people. Up to £50 million is being distributed across England over three years with grants of £50,000 to £500,000 available. Adam Symons said: “I cannot believe that no village halls in Devon and Cornwall have been successful in their bidding. There are only two projects in the whole of the south-west, with most being in the midlands or north. “I know of several village halls in Torridge and West Devon who are seeking funding to improve what are very old village halls. They need some encouragement that they might actually be successful in being funded. I hope that this is not a sign of things to come, where national money is directed to areas which are perhaps politically more sensitive.” Note: The programme opened for applications in June 2006. 200 applicants were invited to submit stage 2 applications and development funding was awarded to some projects. The programme is now closed for applications.
Welcome for More Flexibility for Village DevelopmentGovernment Accepts Almost All RecommendationsWednesday 1 April 2009 Welcoming the Government’s response on the Taylor review, local Prospective MP Adam Symons has called on the Government to “provide more flexibility to keep our villages alive.” The Taylor report into affordable housing and the rural economy was produced by Lib Dem MP Matthew Taylor who was asked by the government in 2007 to investigate ways planning rules could better support rural business and deliver affordable housing. The Government’s response accepts almost all the 48 recommendations the report, and includes new measures to help:
Commenting on the Government’s response, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon Adam Symons said: “I welcome this recognition that we need to provide more flexibility to keep our villages alive. Previous national planning policy has stifled development in these villages. Yet they need space to breath and grow, while recognising the need to contain development sprawl. “For too long our villages have been tightly constrained. With the loss of local houses to second homes, this means that the population in many villages has actually decreased, while total population in the area has increased. This has led to a loss of viability of village shops and businesses, and increased pressure on the medium sized towns to accommodate development they do not have the community infrastructure for.”
|