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
Councillor Experiences MS SymptomsSimulator Replicates Symptoms Associated With MSThursday 22 October 2009 THE debilitating symptoms associated with the neurological disorder multiple sclerosis (MS) became all too clear recently for Adam Symons, lead member for Health at Torridge District Council.  Councillor Adam Symons experiencing the MS Simulator. At a recent conference, Adam visited the MS Society exhibition and tried out the MS Simulator, which replicates symptoms associated with MS such as vision and balance problems. “Although this is a crude representation of what it’s like to live with the symptoms of MS, being able to experience this first hand highlights just how important it is to make sure local people with MS have adequate care and symptom relief,” Adam commented after the experience. Here in Torridge, the local MS Society provides a number of services for those suffering from MS and their families. These include an information centre at Bideford Hospital as well as physiotherapy and reflexology sessions throughout the region. MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults and an estimated 100,000 people in the UK have MS. There is no cure and few effective treatments. Anyone wishing to know more about the support the MS Society provides in the local community should contact Delia Gardiner on 01271 344028.
Note: MS is the result of damage to myelin – the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system – which interferes with messages between the brain and the body. Other symptoms include fatigue, depression and cognitive problems.
Tavistock May Lose World Heritage Site StatusMorwellham Quay Closure Imposes a ThreatMonday 19 October 2009 The status of Tavistock as a World Heritage Site could be under threat if Morwellham Quay closes for good, warned Torridge and West Devon Prospective MP Adam Symons.  Prospective MP Adam Symons, with the Mayor of West Devon, Alsion Clish-Green at Morwellham. Earlier this summer, the Prospective MP was highly critical of Devon County Council’s decision to withhold funding from the site. Subsequently the world-famous site has closed, and an administrator appointed. Adam said: “Faced with the possibility that the local authorities - and therefore local taxpayers - may have to pay back £1million of Heritage Lottery funding, Devon’s decision looks rash. Furthermore, it has been suggested to me by local officials that the closure of Morwellham Quay could lead to the Tavistock area being stripped of its World Heritage site status.” “Morwellham is a world-famous site, which had a bright future before the new County administration started their programme of cuts. They had a number of great projects lined up, including television work. These plans are all in tatters now due to the Council’s short-sightedness. This has led to a loss of jobs at a time when jobs are crucial to West Devon.”
Note: Tavistock is included in the UNESCO World Heritage site for the Cornwall and Tamar Valley mining sites.
Sewage Problems Must Be ResolvedSouth West Water Needs to Take ActionThursday 15 October 2009 An explanation for the ongoing release of human excrement in Torrington was sought this week from South West Water by Torridge and West Devon Prospective MP, Adam Symons. Adam met with South West Water representatives today to outline his concerns over the situation in Torrington, and also highlight concerns in Holsworthy and Westward Ho! Torrington has continued to experience release of human excrement and other hygiene products onto a public highway and footpath at Roll Road. South West Water has promised to look into the town’s concerns and provide a detailed report to the local Prospective MP. Further concerns were raised concerning the capacity of the sewerage system in Holsworthy, and releases of raw sewage into Bideford Bay. Adam said: “Torrington residents are getting fed-up with the overflowing sewage in the town, and there are clearly related health implications. I have asked SWW to deal with this issue immediately and report back to me. Residents have also raised concerns with me regarding the capacity of the sewerage system in Holsworthy and the release of raw sewage onto the beach at Westward Ho! I have relayed these to SWW and asked them to investigate further. There is clearly concern in Westward Ho! that these releases may lead to the loss of the Blue Flag.” South West Water has reacted to my concerns swiftly, and I hope that we can find a resolution for the residents who are affected.”
Grant for Hartland Village HallMoney for Remedial Building WorkTuesday 13 October 2009  Councillor Adam Symons hands over cheque to Hartland Village Hall. Councillor Adam Symons has donated £300 from his Councillor Community Grant allowance to Hartland Village Hall. The money was used for remedial building work on a storeroom in a sorry state of repair! The Hall is used daily by villagers of all ages, including babies and toddlers, for play groups, meetings, talks, sports, committees and even elections. Anyone interested in applying to the Councillor Community Grants scheme should contact their Ward Councillor in the first instance. If you are unsure which Councillor represents your area please contact Torridge's Community Development Team on 01237 428871 or e-mail .
Councillor Pledges to ‘Love Food Hate Waste’Benefits our Purses and the EnvironmentTuesday 6 October 2009 Torridge District Council’s Lead Member for Waste and Recycling Adam Symons is supporting the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign in encouraging our local residents to waste less food. ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ is a campaign from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) which shows that by doing easy practical everyday things in the home we can all waste less food, which ultimately benefits our purses and the environment too. If we all stopped wasting food that could have been eaten, it would have the same environmental impact as taking 1 in 5 cars off UK roads. The message - get creative with leftovers and think a little more about the food we eat and how we shop. With each person throwing away their own body weight in food waste each year (approximately 70 kg), there is plenty of room for change. And if you make a pledge to reduce your food waste at Love Food Hate Waste - southwest you could be in with a chance to win a weekend for four at one of the top hotels in the region. Councillor Symons said, “The aim is to encourage people to pledge to waste less food. By planning our meals, cooking the right amount, storing food correctly and making new meals from leftovers we could save over £50 a month. But it’s not only your wallet that will benefit from wasting less food; there are serious environmental implications. When we waste food, we also waste the energy, water and packaging involved in producing, transporting and storing the food. What's more, food that gets sent to landfill contributes to climate change as it creates methane gas when it rots down.” Torridge District Council will shortly be introducing food waste collections to help those residents who do not already recycle their leftovers, which will also help reduce landfill and have a positive effect on our environment. Note: For lots of hints and tips to make your food go further visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com and to make a pledge to reduce your food waste and be in with a chance of winning a weekend for four at one of the region’s top hotels visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/southwest.
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