Torridge and West Devon Liberal Democrats
PeopleLiberal Democrats Representatives and Prospective Candidates at all levels of government. Adam Symons PPC
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Adam Symons NewsFor more information on any of the news items below contact Adam Symons on 01237 431498 or 07786 277470
Wind Turbine Policy Promoter Welcomes RSPB ReportCommunities Must Play a Role in Identifying LocationsWednesday 25 March 2009 The proposer of tough new rules to control on-shore wind farms in Torridge has welcomed a report by the RSPB which says that they can be developed ‘without trashing wildlife.’ The report, released yesterday, calls on the Government to step in to ensure better and quicker decisions on wind farms, while protecting wildlife and winning the backing of local communities. The report also recommends that the planning system should take a strategic approach to identify those areas where turbines can be given priority, and that developers should engage with communities, with more funds going towards improving community facilities.  Cllr Adam Symons, in front of wind turbines in his ward in Bradworthy. Hartland and Bradworthy Councillor, Adam Symons, who has been promoting new policies in Torridge District Council to control the location of on-shore wind turbines, said: “I welcome this report. It supports many of the areas I set out in my motion to council. It also recognises the importance of considering the relative impacts of climate change and conservation. “I am particularly pleased that the report recognises the importance that local communities play in the planning process. Developers cannot just ignore residents, and hope they go away. Communities must play an important role in identifying the location of new facilities, and must benefit from them. Many of the people I speak to in the communities which are affected by turbines are not completely averse to them. They want to ensure that they are correctly located to cause minimum disturbance, while the community gets some benefit from the revenues generated.” Torridge District Council agreed to form a wind turbine policy working group, resulting from Cllr Symons’s proposals. The first meeting is Thursday 26th March at 11am.
Note: The report recommended:
Torridge Faces Worklessness ProblemsA Real Drag on Our EconomyTuesday 24 March 2009 Figures releases this week by the Office of National Statistics show that Torridge has a disproportionately high level of ‘workless households’. The data, highlighted by local Lib Dem Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon, Adam Symons, shows that nearly 20% of Torridge’s households do not have an adult who is in work. This is the highest number of workless households in Devon, and third highest in the south-west after Restormel Borough Council and Penwith District Councils in Cornwall. Local Lib Dem Prospective MP, Adam Symons, said: “We are facing a real problem in Torridge with worklessness. Nearly 1 in 5 households do not have an adult in work. This must be a real drag on our economy. We really need to tackle this issue. The Lib Dems have launched a plan to pump billions into the economy through developing renewable energy, public transport and other green infrastructure. This is not wasted money like the Government’s VAT cut, but will bring economic and environmental benefits for generations. “We have so much potential in Torridge, in terms of renewable energy, but also with agriculture, tourism, marine engineering and education. We need to develop a positive vision of the future which will involve improving the adult populations’ skill levels, and equipping them for the green road ahead.”
Note: Data showing percentage of workless households in 2007. (pdf)
“The ‘Perfect Storm’ is a great local opportunity” – SymonsWorld food production must riseFriday 20 March 2009 Following the pronouncement by a leading Government scientist that we are facing a ‘Perfect Storm’, a local Lib Dem has spoken out about the opportunities available for the local area. Professor John Beddington gained the headlines yesterday as he pronounced that the world is facing a ‘Pefect Storm’, in the need to grow more food, for increasing numbers of people, while climate change reduces available water resources.  Adam Symons, ploughing for the 'Perfect Storm'. At the Sustainable Development 2009 conference in London, he outlined the food supply problems the UK was facing. For example, grain stores in the UK are at their lowest level since records began, at only 14% of total annual consumption. Speaking at the same conference, Adam Symons, Lib Dems Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon said: “What Professor Beddington has set out is that if we don’t change course now, we are going to be hit by a series of food, energy and water supply problems. World food production must rise by 50% by 2030. With 6 million people being added to the planet every month, we are going to face increasing pressure on productive land. “However this is a great local opportunity for Torridge and West Devon. I believe that we can make a real contribution to increased food production, and it will be a real boost for the local economy. Every cloud has a silver lining, and we must learn to grasp these opportunities where they exist.”
Devon pupils look to the future at Waste SummitAdam Symons to Open the EventTuesday 17 March 2009 The future of Devon’s waste will be in the hands of 80 secondary school students during the seventh ‘Don’t Let Devon Go to Waste’ summit on Monday 30th March. Young people from eight schools across Devon have been invited to attend this event at County Hall in Exeter to tackle the issues surrounding waste. Students will also work 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 Devon residents. They will also listen to presentations on marine pollution and hear from students of St Peter’s School in Exeter about how they made huge waste to landfill reductions at the school. The summit will be opened by the deputy chairman of the Devon Authorities Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee, Torridge District Councillor Adam Symons. “The Don’t Let Devon Go To Waste summit is a fantastic opportunity for students from around the county to learn about waste issues,” he said. Rubbish and recycling is such an emotive subject and is widely publicised in the media. This event equips young people with the knowledge so they can make informed choices when purchasing items from clothing to food and make general lifestyle decisions, without preaching to them. We want to promote the value of changing behaviour and the positive effect this will have on our beautiful county.” Devon County Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Margaret Rogers, said: “Last year, Devon residents threw away over 390,000 tonnes of waste and, despite the huge support for recycling schemes throughout the county, the majority of rubbish is still sent to landfill. Currently, 50% of Devon’s rubbish is either recycled or composted, however national figures suggest that if we all did our bit we could recycle or compost around 65%. “This event will show these young people they have important lifestyle choices and that the future lies with them.” Viridor Waste Management is sponsoring a ‘waste free lunch’ competition at the event. Students are encouraged to bring packed lunches which generate the least amount of waste possible and the winners get £150 for their school.
Note: The above item is a Devon County Council Press Release.
“LANDSLIDE”New Councillor Elected for Hartland and BradworthyMonday 16 March 2009 In the late hours of Thursday night, a new councillor was elected for Hartland and Bradworthy, with a “landslide” margin. 
New councillor Brian Redwood, on the right, with current sitting councillor for Hartland and Bradworthy, Adam Symons. Brian James Redwood, was elected as Councillor for Hartland and Bradworthy, on the back of a record turnout in this rural area. Over half of the residents turned out to cast their votes, with over 63% voting for Brian Redwood, Liberal Democrat. The by-election was caused by the death of the sitting councillor, Bill Pillman. Brian said: “I have been overwhelmed by the support of all the villages. I pledge to continue the doughty work of Cllr Pillman, and represent the villages diligently. My father was from Bradworthy, and my mother from Hartland, and I have lived in both villages, so I really feel I know the area well enough to represent everyone.” Adam Symons, Lib Dem Prospective MP, and fellow councillor in Hartland and Bradworthy said: “Brian worked amazingly hard, and deserves this overwhelming mandate. He will work hard for local people.” Election ResultThe results of the Hartland and Bradworthy District By-election held 12 March 2009: Redwood, Brian J (Liberal Democrats) 786 votes (63.4%) Goaman, Simon J (Local Conservative) 317 votes (25.6%) Julian, Robin (UKIP) 103 votes (8.3%) Pryor, Clifford S (Independent) 33 votes (2.7%) Percentage turnout was 51%
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