I have grave concerns about what is happening in Torbay under the leadership of Nick Bye and the manner in which it is happening, and from the letters I read in the Herald Express and the people I talk to it seems that many others share these concerns. It appears that those elected to represent the people of Torbay are no longer listening to us. I have therefore set up this site so that collectively we may be heard. Please read my views below, and if you broadly agree with them, please click on link to gopetition.com on the left and leave your name, location and a comment if you wish. It is possible to sign the petition as 'anonymous', but obviously real names from Torquay, Paignton or Brixham will give it more weight.
Why a petition?
Well, it might not change a thing, but with thing going so badly in Torbay I can't just sit back, keep quiet and do nothing. It's a way of finding out just how many people feel the way I do. If very few people sign it I will stop writing to the Herald Express to air my views on the subject, and the Mayor can carry on with his plans - that's democracy, and at least I will have had my say. However, if thousands of people sign and we get close to the figure of 5283 (the number of votes polled by the Mayor in the election) we might just be able to have some positive effect on how local government operates. Remember that the Mayor backed down over charging the blind for audio books from the library, and on parking meters on Babbacombe Downs when a public outcry resulted in negative publicity.
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7 comments:
This is an excellent initiative but rather than just geeting a petiton to reach a certain number the petition should be calling to get rid of the Mayoral system which is wrecking Torbay. There is a legal framework for this which Torbay Council which would not be able to ignore.
I agree with most of the things that you say is wrong about Torbay but I don't agree it is all down to the Mayor or the Mayoral system. It was going downhill way before that
I don't know Nick Bye personally but I think he really is sincere in doing what he thinks is best for the Bay.
Much of his "Vision" may be pie in the sky but he can't get everything right. I do however think that the siting of the Balloon is vital to its success and by the end of the year we'll all be proud of it. (no, I have no connection with anything other than being a Torquay resident)
I believe Torquay's problems date back to the day Fleet Street was closed to traffic. If the whole of the town was made accessible to traffic in both directions the whole town would come alive again.
Fleet Walk still retains the dimensions for two way traffic and reverting to this must surely be the cheapest way to invigorate the town trade.
I don't think you'll get anywhere with your petition but please don't let that deter you from commenting on the town. I have noted your letters in the HE over the months and the Bay needs people like you.
Best wishes.
If the Lib Dems had been even faintly competent the Mayoral system would not have been proposed.
If successive councils (elected members) and MPs had engaged the electorate more people would have voted in the mayoral election adding legitmacy or maybe electing an alternative....Gordon Oliver anyone?
If successive Council's officers and members had not put their heads in the sand the job of turning Torbay round would be much simpler.
There is a lot of rightful criticism around for decisions and actions of the Mayor and his ruling group but he is making some good decisions.
Electropup said:
YOU, Sir, should be the mayor if not MP. Oh wait. Too much common sense and the skills of analysis and interpretation. Sorry. Got a bit carried away there.
Our current mayor appears to be doing what he knows best - being an untrustworthy estate agent.
Time to let him know that selling out to developers of roads and housing will not attract the type of people or business we need in The Bay.
Having grown up in Torbay, I have been privileged to live in such a beautiful area of the country, it goes against the grain to turn Torbay into a city life culture. We should be supporting the local businesses not forcing them to close. The local businesses have thrived on customers appreciating the added value of personal/quality service which is a far different service that a high street chain can offer. The bay has always been about family and family holidays, there are still a huge percentage of the public that want to holiday in the picturesque surroundings Torbay has to offer. We need to offer more in the way of all weather attractions to the young and equally importantly the young at heart with out adding a premium to this. Visitors leave the City to enjoy the bay, not feel like it's a home from home.
That's a great motive and move that you're doing. Hope for the best of Torquay.
Torquay holidays
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