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
Local Food Businesses Expand Despite CrunchPeople really Do Value Good FoodThursday 25 September 2008 The only crunch you could hear on Wednesday was the sound of happy foodies, as the best of West Devon’s food businesses showed their wares at West Devon Food and Drink event at Brimpts Farm near Two Bridges, Dartmoor.
Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for West Devon and Torridge, Adam Symons, was on hand to talk to the business, and satisfy his taste buds. He said: “Local businesses have produced a magnificent spread of locally grown and prepared food. The wonderful thing is that nearly every business I spoke to is expanding, despite the credit crunch. It seems that people really do value good food amongst everything else. West Devon has got a really diverse range of local food businesses, and they make such a contribution to the cultural life of the area.” “The event let people find out what’s available locally under one roof and see a wide variety of produce from cheese and chutneys, to organic vegetables, pies, cakes, ice cream, pastries and beers.” The festival was organised by the newly established West Devon Food and Drink Network, part of the wider Food and Drink Devon, in association with Ruby Country. It was set up to offer business support and training opportunities to small-scale local food and drink producers.
Note: Brimpts is a prize winning diversification enterprise run by tenant farmer Andy Bradford and his family. The Duchy of Cornwall upland beef farm is host to a flourishing traditional tea rooms, bed & breakfast / self catering accommodation block (complete with hot-tub and sauna) and a charming medium sized conference and function suite.
Stop This Harassment!TV Licensing Causing DistressWednesday 24 September 2008 TV Licensing has been accused of harassing vulnerable members of the community, as residents of Torridge receive multiple threats that enforcement action will be taken against them. Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon, Adam Symons, was contacted by a concerned elderly resident, Mr Jones, who had already received four threatening letters from TV Licensing to take enforcement action against him. Recently another arrived, threatening to send enforcement officers around to his house.
Adam said: “Mr Jones bought a TV Licence at the start of the year. Yet TV Licensing have continued to harass him with threatening letters. If I was elderly and on my own I would feel quite threatened by the tone of the letters, especially if they kept coming.” “I have written to complain in the strongest terms to TV Licensing. They obviously do not have a clue as to who actually has a TV Licence, but their actions are causing distress to elderly and vulnerable people. They must stop this harassment!” Mr Jones said: “No matter what I do, the letters keep coming. I worry that one day I will have enforcement officers banging at my door demanding to see all the paper work. I just want them to recognise that I have a valid TV Licence. They are wasting their time and money, and causing stress and anxiety.” If you have similar problems with harassment from TV Licensing, contact Adam on (01237) 422032.
Note: TV Licensing is run by Capita Business Services Ltd. under contract to the BBC. To make a formal complaint you need to contact: Customer Relations TV Licensing Bristol BS98 1TL
Cycling Councillor Warns of Rural Transport FearsContinuing Decline in Rural ServicesSunday 21 September 2008 “People in rural Devon lack adequate access to public transport”, a local councillor, has warned, as he gets on his bike this Monday to celebrate National Car Free Day.
Hartland & Bradworthy Councillor, Adam Symons, will be cycling the 11 miles into Bideford this Monday to publicise National Car Free Day. However, as people throughout Devon are leaving their cars at home, the Commission for Rural Communities has published five reports putting the spotlight on the transport challenges in these rural areas. Adam said: “Many people rely on rural public transport to live their lives, but these reports show that because of the continuing decline of rural services, residents need to travel greater distances. Inadequacy of the public transport system means that more people have to use cars.” “Residents in rural areas have to travel an average of 40% further, and therefore rising fuel prices are hitting less well-off households rural households the hardest, especially where a higher proportion of income goes on essentials including transport costs.” Adam called on the Government to work with the Commission for Rural Communities to develop transport policies and practices that take account of the needs of rural communities. He said: “The Government’s policies have been very urban-centric. Rural areas need more flexibility in transport, and greater innovation. Too many of our rural communities suffer from a complete lack of public transport access to services.”
Note: Councillor Symons will be joining staff and councillors for breakfast at Riverbank House in Bideford to celebrate National Car Free Day.
Day Centres Could Save NHS CashHealth Benefits from caring and socialisingFriday 19 September 2008 “Day centres could save the NHS cash”, was the message that District Councillor Adam Symons took away after visiting the Holsworthy Day Centre this week. Holsworthy Day Centre provides support, entertainment, companionship and a cooked meal every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at the Manor Suite in Holsworthy Memorial Hall.
Councillor Symons, lead member for Health in Torridge, joined day centre clients for a meal and a chat, to find out the health benefits for people who use the centre. He said: “I can see how much this centre means to the people who use it. Everyone I met told me how much they valued it, and many explained the health benefits from having somewhere caring to come and socialise with people. The staff here, most of whom are voluntary, are amazing.” “It is quite obvious what a valuable service this is. One elderly man told me that without it, he would never be as healthy as he was, and that increasing the number of day centres could save the NHS cash.” Holsworthy Day Centre, which is run by a registered charity, also runs regular day trips, has visiting musicians and provides an annual 5-day holiday for clients. For more information, call (01409) 254677.
Note: To be eligible for use of Holsworthy Day Centre, clients have to be referred through Devon County Council Adult Services.
‘Complete Sham’ of Post Office ConsultationSupport For Special InquiryTuesday 16 September 2008 Local Lib Dems have reinforced calls for a special inquiry is to investigate the government's handling of plans to close 2,500 post offices. The National Audit Office have already announced that will examine the Post Office's controversial Network Change Programme. The programme is part of a government plan aimed at making the post office network profitable. The NAO will examine whether communities have been adequately consulted over the closure of hundreds of post office branches. Adam Symons, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Torridge and West Devon who has been working with a number of post offices said: “Many of the sub-post masters I have been working with to help stop the closure programme are still in shock. They don't feel that they, or the community have been listened to. Post Office Ltd. did not even bother turning up to the Shebbear meeting.” He slammed the consultation process. “It was a complete sham! The criteria used were inadequate. Post Office Ltd. did not allow us access to the economic data, which they seemed to base much of their closure programme on. The community was completely ignored. I am very sad that communities such as Buckland Brewer and Bridestowe are losing out.” “After having spoken to a number of sub-post masters, I am writing to the National Audit Office to submit evidence as to why I think the consultation was flawed.”
Note: The National Audit Office will assess the government's role in:
The National Audit Office aims to publish its report in Spring 2009.
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