Is Torbay Council Truly Democratic?

Torbay deserves real action, not excuses. Families in Torquay and Paignton are struggling, yet the homelessness crisis keeps getting worse. Over 1,600 people remain stuck on the housing register, a shocking 50% increase since 2018. The number of households in temporary accommodation has surged by 92% since 2019, with around 24 people sleeping rough every month. These are not just numbers. They are lives left in limbo by a broken system. Labour has failed the people of Torbay. Their latest Spring Statement introduced brutal welfare and public spending cuts, pushing 250,000 more people into poverty, including 50,000 children. More than 3 million households will suffer under their reckless austerity measures, with communities like Torbay hit the hardest. Those who rely on support have been abandoned while Labour prioritises political games over real solutions.

Care homes across the UK, including those in Torbay, are taking legal action against Rachel Reeves’ National Insurance hike - a policy that’s hitting private care providers hard and threatening to destabilise both the care sector and the NHS. This £26 billion tax increase, effective from April 2025, forces care homes to shoulder a £940 million annual burden, pushing many to the edge of collapse. If they fall, the NHS - already stretched thin - will face even greater strain as demand surges, leaving Torbay’s elderly and vulnerable at risk. 

Reform UK stands for real change. Ending pointless bureaucracy will allow affordable homes to be built, ensuring local families are housed properly. Investment in community regeneration will give neighbourhoods like Melville Hill the resources they need without forcing through brutal austerity. Rather than cutting people off, Reform UK believes in rebuilding from the ground up. The people of Torbay are already working hard to improve their community. The "Making Melville Marvellous" project has helped clean up the streets, install CCTV and bring neighbours together. These efforts are making a difference, yet without proper support from national government, they will never be enough. The Labour Government, Conservatives and now the Liberal Democrats have failed Torbay. Reform UK will not stand by while people struggle. Change is possible, but only with leadership that puts local people first.

Torbay deserves better. Families in Torquay and Paignton are being let down by a housing crisis that continues to deepen. Over 1,400 families remain stuck on a waiting list with no end in sight. The Labour government's recent Spring Statement has only made things worse. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has slashed £14 billion from public spending, cutting welfare and pushing 250,000 more people into poverty. Torbay's most vulnerable residents now face even greater uncertainty, struggling to find secure housing while the government turns its back.

Ann Widdecombe, on behalf of Reform UK Torbay, has raised concerns about the future of cardiac care services at Torbay Hospital. 

Did you know that if you suffer a heart attack in Torbay, you may not receive treatment locally? Instead, you might need to be transferred all the way to Exeter, a 40-minute drive away - far longer than the 9 minutes it takes to reach Torbay Hospital. In a medical emergency, every minute counts.  So, what happens if bad traffic or snow on Haldon Hill delays your journey? This is a very real concern for our community. With approximately 457 people in Torbay dying each year from heart-related issues, the question arises: will these numbers increase if people are forced to travel further for emergency care? The added stress and risk to lives could be significant.

For years, Oldway Mansion has been falling apart. Once a grand part of Torbay’s history, it now stands in ruins. Endless delays, wasted money and a lack of leadership have left it this way. The people in charge should have protected it, but they failed. Torbay Council has spent years deciding what to do. They have written reports, formed committees and asked for funding - but nothing has changed. Now, fixing it will cost £54 million. People are asking why it was left this long. The answer is clear: weak leadership, bad planning and poor spending choices. The Mess at Oldway Mansion The slow progress speaks for itself. It took until 2025 just to start fixing the roof. Even then, the council needed an £8 million government bailout. Meanwhile, Friends of Oldway, a volunteer group, had to shut down the Tearooms because the building had become unsafe. Local people want to help, but the council keeps failing them. Even with all their so-called ‘plans’ and ‘strategies,’ the council still has no real way to restore the mansion without wasting more public money. This is what Reform UK wants to change. Reform UK’s Solution: Clear Spending, Strong Leadership and Local Control Reform UK believes in smart spending. Taxpayers’ money should be used wisely, not wasted on endless meetings and delays. If local councils were run well, Oldway Mansion wouldn’t be in this state of disrepair. Reform UK would cut red tape. Too much public money is wasted on admin and consultants instead of real action. Councils must work faster and smarter. Spending needs to be focused. While millions are lost on failed projects and pointless schemes, historic buildings like Oldway Mansion fall apart. Reform UK would force councils to focus on real improvements. Local people should have control. Volunteers and community groups like Friends of Oldway care more than the council. Reform UK would let them take charge and get things done. Time for Real Change Oldway Mansion is not the only problem. Across the country, historic buildings, roads and public services are failing because of weak leadership. Reform UK wants a new approach - one that puts efficiency, responsibility and community first. Torbay and the rest of the UK deserve better. If we want thriving communities, we must change how councils work. Reform UK is ready to make that change. The question is: how much longer will we put up with failure? ---------------------------------------------------------- Photo Copyright 2019 by Benedict Fothergill

Local councils have a duty to spend public money wisely. But is Torbay Council doing that? On Thursday 27 February from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, the council is hosting a free “Let’s Talk Inclusion – Race Equality Workshop” at the Torbay Business Centre in Torquay. The workshop aims to promote inclusion in local businesses and encourage discussions about race equality. The session is being run by Diversity Business Incubator (DBI), a group of inclusion experts. It will focus on different types of discrimination and give attendees skills to challenge it. The idea sounds positive, but is it really necessary? Will this event improve people’s lives in Torbay, or is it just another example of councils spending money on trendy ideas rather than real issues? Public services are struggling. Hospitals face long waiting times, roads are full of potholes and schools lack funding. People across Torbay are dealing with real problems every day. Yet instead of focusing on these urgent needs, the council is spending time and money on workshops that may not provide any practical benefits. Reform UK believes that public money should be spent on things that make a real difference. Of course, treating people fairly is important, but does this kind of event actually help? Or is it just a feel-good exercise designed to make the council look good? There are serious questions to be asked about whether this is the best use of taxpayer money. Workshops like this often follow the same pattern. They talk about inclusion, discrimination and diversity, but do they lead to any real change? Or do they just add to the growing list of expensive programmes that make little difference to ordinary people? Most taxpayers would probably prefer to see their money spent on fixing roads, improving local healthcare or supporting struggling families. It is time for people in Torbay to ask tough questions. The council needs to explain why it chooses to fund events like this instead of focusing on more urgent issues. Local businesses and residents deserve to know that their money is being used in the best way possible. So, is this workshop really worth it? Or should the money be spent on things that actually improve daily life for people in Torbay?

The recent government directive mandating the construction of nearly 1,000 new homes annually in Torbay has sparked significant debate. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's plan to build 1.5 million properties nationwide over the next five years imposes a uniform solution that may not suit the unique needs of communities like Torbay. Councillor Adam Billings highlights the importance of collaborating with local communities to develop the local plan. However, enforcing a mandatory target of 940 new homes each year raises concerns about how much local input is genuinely considered in these top-down decisions. Meeting these targets could lead to the complete development of Torbay over the next 14 years, prompting several critical questions: Is the existing infrastructure prepared to support such rapid expansion? What are the environmental consequences of this extensive development? How will this level of construction impact Torbay's cultural and historical identity? Within the council, opinions differ. Councillor Darren Cowell dismisses the 940-homes target as 'scaremongering', suggesting that housing targets are not a new concept. This raises the question: Does labelling genuine concerns as scare tactics hinder meaningful discussion on the issue? On the other hand, Councillor Chris Lewis points out the government's firm stance, indicating there's little flexibility in these mandates. This contrast among local leaders highlights the tension between accepting imposed realities and addressing community worries. Reform UK proposes a housing policy that prioritises local needs over broad national mandates. Their key suggestions include: Overhauling the Planning System: Speeding up planning processes and offering tax incentives to develop brownfield sites, thus preserving green spaces and respecting the character of existing communities. Reforming Social Housing: Changing allocation laws to give priority to local residents and those who have contributed to the system, ensuring housing solutions are tailored to the community's specific needs. Reflecting on this situation, several points emerge: Is it practical to apply uniform housing targets across diverse regions without considering local contexts? How involved are local communities in decisions that directly affect their environment and lifestyle? What alternative strategies could address housing shortages while aligning more closely with local needs and preserving community integrity? In summary, while tackling the national housing shortage is essential, it's crucial to balance this with respect for local autonomy and the unique characteristics of communities like Torbay. A more nuanced approach, as advocated by Reform UK, might offer a viable path that aligns national goals with local interests.