Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

CAMPAIGNS

South West Devon is a great place to live. It does us good from time to time to count our blessings. Yet part of my job is to identify and articulate the problems that need solutions and bring pressure on those who have the power to make things even better.

Here my top five priorities right now:

1. Fighting for a level playing field for Devonport Dockyard to make sure that we get a fair share of refit work in the face of massive Scottish lobbying for the rival yard in Rosyth. The Dockyard employs 4,700 people directly, but its activity puts food on the table in 15,000 homes in Devon and Cornwall. We need to make sure that contracts are not being awarded elsewhere just for political reasons. That battle will dominate all others in the next 2 years.

2. Making sure that Derriford Hospital gets the go ahead on its plans to build a new hospital for general medial use, to take the pressure off the existing over stretched facilities. Doctors, nurses support staff and management are all working as hard as they can, but without the new project, known as Vanguard, we will not see the first class health service this region deserves. At the same time we have to solve the crisis of no access to NHS dentistry in this region – a running sore of discontent to many.

3. Ensuring that the new town at Sherford, and other giant developments, such as the Westbury proposals for the Blue Circle site do not ruin existing communities and overwhelm local roads. No one wants these massive developments – they are being forced upon us. My job is to make sure they create as little damage as possible.

4. Making sure that our police get the resources and backing to combat growing anti-social behaviour. I was disappointed that the application to the Plymouth Council for a dispersal notice recently was turned down. We need both extra neighbourhood officers and to give them the tools to do the job if we are to make inroads.
5.Fighting for better bus services. Eighty five per cent of us have at least one car in the family. Fine. But for the minority that does not, getting around these parts is a real problem. I am constantly on to the bus companies to improve their services.
I could easily double the list. A wonderful area, but the fight for better services goes on.

posted by Nigel on Saturday, April 02, 2005