Adam Symons News
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Huge Swing as New Councillor Elected in Tavistock
Vows to Oppose Urbanisation of Tavistock
Tuesday 15 December 2009
A new councillor was elected in Tavistock on Thursday, vowing to oppose the urbanisation of Tavistock as the council is set for a key vote on West Devon’s core strategy.
Kirstie Clish-Green, Liberal Democrat, was elected for the Tavistock South ward, with a massive swing from the Conservatives and Independents.
New councillor Kirstie Clish-Green with Prospective MP Adam Symons.
29 year old Kirstie, who was born and brought up in Tavistock, said: “Thanks for all the support I have had. I am thrilled to be able to represent people in Tavistock. I will always listen to them and try to do my best to keep Tavistock the vibrant and cultural centre that is it.”
“Lib Dem councillors always represent residents before politics, and I pledge to continue this tradition and get things done. I really want to get this youth centre project moving now!”
Adam Symons, Prospective MP for West Devon and Torridge said: “People could see that Kirstie was really going to be working for them – not for the Council. It was also clear on the doorstep how angry people were regarding the over-development of Tavistock.”
“Residents think that West Devon
Borough Council have got things wrong concerning the huge 750 housing development in Tavistock. They know it is going to change the character of Tavistock. Yet rural communities are screaming out for affordable housing in their villages. Instead West Devon are trying to cram most of it in a Greenfield site, damaging a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They know that this is all driven by the ‘sweetener’ of the possibility of reopening of the railway.”
A Big Win for Lib Dems in West Devon
Kirstie Clish-Green takes Tavistock South
Friday 11 December 2009
A big thank you to everyone who helped yesterday. The Tavistock South seat is one we have not held for 16 years!!
We were told when the election was called that it was a safe Conservative seat and we could not win it.
Results: Independent 170, Conservative - 450, Kirstie Clish-Green - Lib Dems - 523. Turnout 33%, swing from Conservative to Lib Dem from 2007 election - 31%.
Kirstie will be a great councillor who will work to represent the communities views. This a great result for Lib Dems, thanks to a well organised campaign and to all those people who helped out - and encouragement to everyone else to join in for the General Election - only 4 months to go!
Let's get on and bring Liberal Democracy to Torridge and West Devon.
Post Office Banks Welcomed
But too Late to Save Our Communities
Monday 7 December 2009
The government’s announcement that rural Post Office branches would provide bank accounts has been welcomed by local Prospective MP Adam Symons, but he has warned that it is ‘too little, too late.’
Plans for the Post Office to start offering financial products – an idea which could save rural branches, have been set out last week in a public consultation. Access to accounts would by offered by all 11,500 Post Office branches – more branches than all the High Street banks combined. The plan would require investment of up to £1.7bn by 2011.
 Too little too late to save our Post Offices? Adam Symons campaigning against Post Office closure at Shebbear last year.
Adam Symons, Lib Dems Prospective MP for West Devon and Torridge said: “I welcome the concept; however this approach is far too late to save the offices we lost last year. Why could we not have done this earlier and save jobs and communities?
“Before local offices were shut I called on the government to invest in the Post Office network to make them hubs for their local communities. This included reinstating the old postal bank network. This would have saved offices like Bridestowe, East-the-Water and Shebbear and helped to develop new services for local communities.”
“Instead the government closed offices on a whim, and had no long-term plan for how to make them work. They still don’t; these plans are just a sticking plaster to keep the network limping along. Far more radical proposals are needed.”
A spokesman for the Commission for Rural Communities said an expanded role for branches had the potential to provide rural access to essential services. “We are especially pleased that the consultation touches on the role of credit unions, which have an important part to play in tackling financial inclusion in rural areas.”
The consultation closes on 24 February 2010.
Market Towns miss out on ‘Christmas Bonus’
Only Torbay gets any funding in Devon
Sunday 6 December 2009
Market towns in Torridge and West Devon such as Bideford, Holsworthy and Tavistock have again missed out on the Government’s Real Help Now scheme, which helps reopen or re-use empty shops.
In total, £5.6 million has been allocated across England to help local authorities find new uses for vacant premises. The first tranche of money was distributed in August, and with 60 places benefiting, however the only place to benefit in the south-west was Bristol.
For the second tranche of funding, the south-west market towns have missed out again, with the only Torbay getting any funding in Devon.
Adam Symons, local Prospective MP for West Devon and Torridge said: “So much for a Christmas bonus – none of the funding has reached down to Devon and Cornwall. Once again we seem to have been completely ignored by central government.”
“The downturn has really hit some of the shops in Bideford, Holsworthy and Tavistock. This funding would have helped keep these town centres vibrant. The Lib Dems have pledged to cut business rates for small businesses which will help town centre small shops.”
Schools Federation Roaring Success for Tavistock
Benefits from Cooperation
Saturday 5 December 2009
The federation of two schools in Tavistock was given the thumbs up this week as local Prospective MP for West Devon and Torridge, Adam Symons, handed out awards to star pupils.
St Rumon’s CE Infants School and St Peter’s Junior School became ‘federated’ last year, and now have one head teacher, one governing body and a committed group of staff and parents.
Adam Symons visited the Tavistock Church Schools Federation, to learn about the trials and successes of federating, and meet pupils and staff. While attending St Rumon’s assembly he gave out special ‘Gold Award’ prizes to eight pupils.
Adam said: “It was so good to see the success that has taken place through federation. Although these schools are close together, they perhaps did not work that closely in the past. However, now they can share staff, ideas and enthusiasm, and really drive forward a culture of excellence in learning.”
“I was so impressed by how the staff at both sites have pulled together to unite the two schools. I gave them my thumbs up! I think that federation is the future, especially for smaller rural schools which would benefit from cooperation with other schools and sharing staff and expertise.”
Adam also renewed his call for fairer funding for Devon’s schools. He said: “Education is the most important part of what the state provides to communities. However, with Devon getting £375 less on average per pupil than other counties, our schools are missing out. It is time to give schools a level playing field so that children in Devon don’t get left behind.”
Appledore Shipyard Beacon for Local Industry
Thirty new apprentices recruited
Friday 4 December 2009
Adam Symons with the front section of the new ‘super aircraft carriers’, and below with Andy Hamilton, shipbuilding director at Appledore.
Appledore Shipyard has been called a ‘shining light’ for local industry following a visit to the new ‘super aircraft carrier’ construction site by local Prospective MP Adam Symons.
Appledore Shipyard, run by Babcock Marine, is in the first stages of building parts for the Royal Navy’s new ‘super aircraft carriers.’
The bows and other sections of the two vast new vessels, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, are being built at Appledore.
This contract will provide work for Appledore up to 2014. This has encouraged the firm to take on 30 new apprentices recruited via Petroc.
Lib Dem Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon was given a guided tour of the site this week by shipbuilding director, Andy Hamilton. He was shown progress on the front section of the aircraft carrier, which will eventually measure 256 metres long and over fifty metres to the flight deck.
Adam said: “The scale of the operation at Appledore is amazing. They are putting together thousands of tonnes of steel like an intricate jigsaw puzzle. The design, engineering and construction skill that this requires is immense.”
“Babcock has shown their commitment to employing local people by recruiting 30 new apprentices. They are investing in new engineering facilities, and bidding for new work. Innovation and safety go hand in hand at the site. They are a shining light for local industry.”
“They believe that local young people have the aptitude to be world class fitters and engineers. I agree; our young people are talented, and we need to nurture them and equip them with skills for the industries in our local area.”
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