Torridge and West Devon Liberal Democrats

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Adam Symons News

For more information on any of the news items below contact Adam Symons on 01237 431498 or 07786 277470

Evening Surgeries Will Be Available

More Flexibility for People Who Work.

Wednesday 31 March 2010

Evening advice surgeries for people who work will be launched by Torridge and West Devon Prospective MP, Adam Symons, if he is elected in the forthcoming General Election.

Currently surgeries are held during the day when many people are working.

Adam said: “Most people work during the day, and many of them work on Saturdays. They often find it hard to get time off work in order to get to MP’s surgeries.

“I would like to start rolling out a range of daytime and evening surgeries, so that more people can come and see their MP if they need to. Much like with doctors surgeries, providing flexibility will allow people to get the help they need.

“I meet many people who work six days a week and I want to make sure I am accessible to them as well.”

Dartmoor Rescue Team to get VAT Payback Grant

Part of Lib Dems Spending Commitments

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Dartmoor Rescue Team will get a VAT payback grant under plans announced by local Lib Dem Prospective MP for West Devon and Torridge, Adam Symons.

The Liberal Democrats have made a manifesto pledge to give mountain rescue teams a grant to cover the amount they pay each year in VAT.

Vince Cable, the party’s Treasury spokesman, has agreed to include the £200,000 cost of the measure as part of spending commitments to be announced ahead of the General Election.

 The promise was confirmed this week by the West Devon and Torridge Prospective MP, Adam Symons.   Speaking at Horrabridge village hall on Saturday, Adam said: “It’s great news. This is a tiny amount of money in the scheme of things but to mountain rescue volunteers on Dartmoor, who provide such a vital service, it is a significant amount.

 “Mountain rescue teams deserve our support. They have battled for years to resolve issues over VAT. I think this will be welcomed.”

Stewart Hulse, member of the finance committee of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, said: “I am delighted. The Liberal Democrats have nailed their colours to the mast, which no other political party has done.”

Note:  It is estimated that each year the 56 mountain rescue teams in England and Wales pay between £150,000 and £200,000 in tax and duties and their national finance committee has been involved in a long-running battle with a succession of Treasury ministers to have this refunded.

Love Food – Hate Waste

Waste Food From West Devon and Torridge Makes Gas

Monday 22 March 2010

8.3 million tonnes of food is thrown away by households in the UK every year, causing serious environmental problems. So Adam Symons, the Chair of the Devon Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee went to visit the place where some of Torridge’s food waste goes.

Adam Symons at the Holsworthy Biogas Plant.        

Waste from a range of food processors in Torridge is taken to the Holsworthy Biogas plant. Also West Devon Borough Council collect food waste from housesholds and take it to the same plant.  The plant, run by Andigestion, takes in 50,000 tonnes of food and other organic waste every year, and converts it into methane to generate electricity, and residue which is used as an agricultural fertiliser.

Adam said: “Reducing food waste is a major issue and not just about good food going to waste; wasting food costs the average family with children £680 a year.

“The food waste is delivered to the biogas plant where it is first ground up, then pasteurised, then bacteria get to work to break it down and produce methane.

“The methane is then burnt in an engine and used to generate over 2 megawatts of electricity.  This food waste is being used productively, however it still takes energy to transport it here.

“If we all stop wasting food that could have been eaten, the CO2 impact would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 4 cars off the road.”

Note: Find out more about the campaign at Love Food – Hate Waste

Horrabridge Welcomes Fresh Start

Four Key Principles to make West Devon and Torridge a fairer place

Saturday 20 March 2010

Horrabridge welcomes local Parliamentary Candidate for West Devon and Torridge , Adam Symons, this week, as he meets residents at the village hall, on Saturday 27th at 11am.

Adam Symons has announced that he will fight the General Election on four key principles, designed to make West Devon and Torridge a fairer place.

At Horrabridge Village Hall he will set out his campaign priorities for the local area: fair taxes; a fair start for every child; fair, clean and local politics and a fair, green economy with jobs that last.

Adam said: “People in West Devon and Torridge have been let down by their politicians and are rightly frustrated. I am going into the election to provide a fresh start, and a manifesto that is short, direct and to the point.

“The Liberal Democrats will introduce fairer taxes by closing loopholes for the richest, introducing a tax on mansions and tax cuts of £700 for everyone else.

“If your child is at school in West Devon and Torridge we can promise investment to help reduce class sizes, improve discipline and develop one-to-one tuition.

“We would also give you the right to sack your MP. The Liberal Democrats are the only party committed to real change of our political system, flushing out big money and corrupt donors and reducing the number of MPs by 150.

“And we will rebuild the economy in every part of Britain in a way that promotes green technology and creates lasting jobs. We will put an end to casino banking, bring back competition and support local entrepreneurs to make sure local businesses can find the money they need to grow.

“The coming months are a crucial time for politics. Its time for a fresh start – people want a full-time local MP who is here for them.”

Note:  Adam will be meeting residents at the Horrabridge Village Hall on Saturday 27th March from 11am to 1pm.

Pledge To Be Full-Time MP

Will Give Up All Other Work If Elected As Local MP

Friday 19 March 2010

The Prospective Lib Dem MP for Torridge and West Devon, has announced that he will give up all his other work if elected as the local MP in the forthcoming General Election, widely predicted to be held on May 6th.

The Prospective MP, Adam Symons, currently works as a freelance environmental scientist, and helps out on the family farming and tourism businesses.

Speaking at a ‘Meet the Candidate’ event in Bideford yesterday, Adam said: “We have so many issues and people who need help in Torridge and West Devon that there is no way that I could carry on another job while making sure I was available to help people. I am making a commitment today that I will give up my current work, and make sure that I put all my effort into making things happen here.”

“I love the work that I do, and will miss it sorely. However, every week I get someone coming to me who is not getting the help that they need. I know that I would need to give 100% of my time to Torridge and West Devon to make the most of the position of MP.”

Tomorrow Adam Symons will be speaking at his next ‘Meet the Candidate’ event at the Hope Café at Bere Alston, giving the same message and pledge to be a full time MP.

Waste Summit Asks Difficult Questions

Exploring Why People Throw Away So Much Rubbish

Thursday 18 March 2010

A waste summit is being held for school children across the area to ask some difficult questions about why people throw away so much rubbish.

Launched by the Chair of Devon’s Waste Recycling and Reduction Committee, Adam Symons, the day-length summit will explore why people throw away so much rubbish, and ask young people how they see the future.

Adam Symons with Devon schoolchildren and Mrs Recycle, helping to promote recycling.        

Adam, who works as an environmental scientist, said: “Young people are the key to all our futures. They have great ideas, and we need to harness these ideas. This summit will allow Devon’s secondary school children to put their heads together and come up with some ideas about the future.”

“I want to ask them some difficult questions. Do we really need all the junk that clutters many of our homes? How do we package food to make sure that it does not go off, which might create even more waste? Is recycling always the best option?”

“Devon local authorities have done a brilliant job at increasing recycling, with well over 50% being recycled last year. My thanks for everyone, as we can only do this with the help and good will of hundreds of thousands of residents.”

Note: The event is being held at County Hall, Exeter, on Tuesday 23rd March and is being launched at 9.45am. Secondary school children from throughout Devon are involved.

Science Block is Lasting Tribute to Des Shadrick

A Replacement for Cramped Conditions

Tuesday 16 March 2010

The newly opened Holsworthy Community College science block is a ‘lasting tribute to Des Shadrick’ according to fellow councillor and friend, Adam Symons.

The Science, Design and Technology block is finally being opened today by Devon County Council following a long battle to make sure that Holsworthy Community College got the support for the much needed facilities. Des Shadrick was at the heart of this battle.

Adam Symons with Des Shadrick out on his farm near Holsworthy.        

Speaking at the opening of the block, Adam Symons, neighbouring councillor for Bradworthy and Hartland said: “Des fought tooth and nail to get the funding for this block. Even when he was desperately ill with cancer, it was a project which he strove to complete. I worked with Des to encourage DCC to provide funding for it, and its completion is a lasting tribute to him.”

“When I visited Holsworthy Community College some two years ago, the conditions in the science and technology block were pretty cramped. They have some excellent teachers, but the facilities were acknowledged as being not up to scratch. I am so pleased to see the block finished. Well done to all the hard work the school put in – they never stopped chipping away at DCC to get the money they needed.”

“I really hope that this becomes an inspiration to all pupils to follow in Des’s footsteps. He was a scientist by heart, and knew just what young people could achieve if they put their minds to it.  He was an example to all by his drive and intelligence.”

Bere Residents Invited to Grill Prospective MP

“Its time for a fresh start”

Sunday 14 March 2010

Residents from the Bere area are invited to come to hear local Lib Dems Prospective MP for West Devon and Torridge, at the Hope Café in Bere Alston on Saturday 20th March.

At the event, Adam Symons, the Prospective MP, will set out the four keys areas of fairness which will benefit the local area.

Adam will say: “The Lib Dems are the only party with a coherent plan to cut the public deficit, slim public finances and give tax cuts to low earners. We aim to encourage people into work by making it pay, to give people a fair chance by improving education, and investing in transport and renewable energy.

“For too long, politicians have been taking people for granted. Too many MPs think that it is their own opinion that counts, not that of their residents. We will change democracy so that peoples’ vote counts; so that MPs can be sacked, and that local people have a greater say over local issues.

“Its time for a fresh start. It is time Torridge and West Devon had a full-time, locally born MP.”

Note:  The event will be held at the Hope Café at Bere Alston from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Local Authorities Would Get Powers to Tax Second Homes

Empty Houses Drive up Local House Prices

Saturday 13 March 2010

The Lib Dem Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon announced today that the Lib Dems would give Torridge District Council and West Devon Borough Council powers to increase the council tax on second homes if in government.

Adam Symons was speaking at Holsworthy Market Hall in the market town of Holsworthy, setting out his local priorities for fairness for the area to local residents.

Adam said: “Thousands of people in our area are currently on waiting lists to get housing. Yet 5% of houses in the area are empty for most of the year because they are used as second homes. This is driving up local house prices and causing increased demand on local authority housing. Therefore it would only seem right that local authorities themselves had the power to levy more council tax on second homes.”

“We are striving to bring fairness to Torridge and West Devon. We also want local authorities to have more say over their local area. This policy will help with both, and reduce the demand to build extra housing.”

Young People Being Forced Out

Lack of Rural Homes and Jobs in Torridge & West Devon

Monday 8 March 2010

A lack of rural homes and jobs is forcing youngsters out of Torridge & West Devon and other rural areas, warns local Prospective MP Adam Symons, following the report by the Commission for Rural Communities on the state of the countryside.

The report identifies that opportunities are lacking for youngsters in rural area, and that these areas are threatened by the flight from the countryside of young people. The long-term future of the countryside is in jeopardy because so many young people are being forced out of rural areas, it says.

The Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon said: “I know exactly what this report is talking about. The lack of opportunities drove both myself and many of my friends out of the area, and continues to have an affect on communities.

“Relatively expensive housing and lack of work and training opportunities are making it really hard for young people to stay in this area. The report has gathered significant evidence on the fears aspirations, challenges and needs to young people in rural areas. Without young people, our rural economies are unable to fulfil their potential. I will be working hard to provide more opportunities for young people, and help raise their aspirations to stay and work in the area.”

The Chairman of the Commission, so-called ‘countryside tsar’ Stuart Burgess said: “Challenges for rural young people need addressing positively and urgently and that failure to act will put the future viability of our rural communities at risk.

“It is essential to break the cycle of low aspirations and, instead, inspire young people to fulfil their potential and play an active role in our society.”

Bideford Divine Chocolate Carries Message

Buy Fairtrade and Make a Difference to People’s Lives

Friday 5 March 2010

Bideford Baptist Church played host to a visitor from Ghana last night, and enjoyed a masterclass in chocolate growing and ‘twi’, Ghana’s official language.

The event was held as part of ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’, and guests at the event got to sample Divine chocolate, made from the cocoa beans from Ghana’s Fairtrade coca producers, Kuapa Kokoo.

Fairtrade Fortnight runs from Monday 22nd February to Sunday 7th March, and aims to encourage people to buy goods where the produced gets a fair amount for the product sold.

A short impromptu language session was carried out where guests had to respond to the Kuapa Kokoo greeting with ‘Papaa Paa’, which means ‘best of the best’.

The local Prospective MP for Torridge Adam Symons, was one of the guests. He said: “We can actually all make a difference to people’s lives in other countries by just changing the type of products we purchase. Divine chocolate is 45% owned by the Ghanain cocoa farmers, and therefore when you buy it, money goes straight back to them. It does not mean you have to stop buying chocolate, you can just make a choice, and by making that choice benefit hard-working farmers in Ghana. They get a fair price, and you get great chocolate.”

“The same goes for buying local food in Torridge. Many local farmers do not get a fair price for the goods they produce, and we should use this fortnight to not just promote paying fair prices to producers of chocolate and tea overseas, but also to encourage local producers.”

“Not many local products are branded as Fairtrade, but if we go to Farmer’s markets and buy direct from producers, we will find that more money goes direct to the people who make the food. That’s local Fairtrade!”

Fuel Poverty Crisis in West Devon and Torridge

Need to Invest in Decent Heating and Insulation

Thursday 4 March 2010

West Devon and Torridge suffers the worst fuel poverty in Devon and Cornwall, according to figures obtained by the Lib Dems.

The most recent fuel poverty figures from the Government indicate that 10,600 households, nearly a quarter of all households in West Devon and Torridge, suffered fuel poverty in 20006.

Commenting on the figures, Lib Dem Prospective MP for West Devon and Torridge, Adam Symons said: “I am shocked at the numbers, but not surprised. There is a clear problem which the Government is failing to deal with. Time and again, we have raised this issue, yet Government have failed to take action.”

“We need a programme of ‘warm homes’ investment to make sure that houses are properly insulated and that residents are not paying more for heating there homes than they need to. It makes financial and environmental sense to invest in decent heating and insulation, and in the long run it will be good for the economy, jobs and the environment.”

“That nearly a quarter of homes in West Devon and Torridge are in fuel poverty is a shocking indictment of the lack of investment in housing. Literally billions of pounds are needlessly being sent up in smoke.”

The figures were released following the tabling of a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change by North Devon MP, Nick Harvey.

Note: Fuel Poverty Figures 2006:

Local Pubs Get Backing From Pint Pulling PPC

Pubs Are Important For Local Communities

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Local Prospective MP, Adam Symons, visited the famous thatched Hoops Inn last week to give his backing to the “I’m backing the Pub” campaign.

Prospective MP Adam Symons pulling the perfect pint of  Hoops Harty.       

The campaign aims to help those most affected by pub closures, including those in the sport and recreation, hospitality, music and tourism industries.

He was given training on how to pull the perfect real ale pint from the staff at the Hoops Inn.

The Hoops Inn was seriously damaged by fire last year, but has staged a successful recovery.

Adam Symons, Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon said:

“I’m backing the Pub. I have been a customer of the Hoops Inn since I could legally raise a glass. Pubs like the Hoops Inn are important for our local communities, and I want to see that we do everything we can to allow local pubs to flourish.

“With successive Governments over 30 years cut rural services like Post Offices, the local pub is often the only surviving village meeting place. The loss of village pubs can have a big impact on community cohesion. We need to value them.”

Note: 

The campaign builds on the success of the "Axe the Beer Tax - Save the Pub" campaign which was launched in November 2008. That campaign mobilised the public to send over 27,000 emails direct to MPs. This helped to win the backing of over 200 MPs and highlight the huge public concern over pub closures and falling beer sales.

The "I'm backing the Pub" campaign is led by the British Beer & Pub Association, whose members brew 98 per cent of the UK's beer and own more than half of Britain's 54,000 pubs. You can learn more about the BBPA at www.beerandpub.com.

The campaign is supported by a number of organisations including the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and many other organisations, politicians, and celebrities.