A MANIFESTO FOR ONE AND THE PRICE OF A MARS BAR

Well i can't bring you a political heavyweight like David Cameron or Nick Clegg, a host of MPs from the Cabinet ministers or shadows in opposition.   Just a hard working family who support me day in day out for FREE and happy to do so.  

The next bit is my leaflet which i will be distributing to resident of the town and parish during the election as my 'election address'.  I'm not sure that this will go onto a A4 sheet so i hope you will read this and pass the information on and call me if you have any questions.  

Dear Elector,   My name is Armand Toms a Looe man born and bred, married to Rayna with three children.   I have been very luck to represent Looe as a County/Cornwall Councillor, a Town Councillor as well as a member of other towns organisations for up to 12 years, I am currently the Deputy Mayor of the town. 

Over this time I have a proven track record of delivering for the town, from a simple footpath at the Globe, Station Road to stop people having to cross the road.  Whilst my idea of Seagull proof sacks has gone on trial county wide and has been very successful.  At a local level I work across organisations to get the best outcomes for the town and at Cornwall Council I have worked across political parties to do the same.   During the last four years I have been the portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and worked hard to raise the standards with the department improving from performing adequately to performing well.  Doing the best for Looe and Cornwall is the most important part of being a councillor.

I love the job I do and have always felt honoured to represent my home town.  Being out and about in the community helping with events in good times or when there are floods and other major events is what the job is all about.   It’s about being there for the vulnerable individuals, groups, businesses in good and bad times.   Seeing the problems and doing something about it, whilst helping when and where needed.  

Yours Faithfully   Armand Toms

ALLOTMENTS

The amount of people who want allotments in the town has always been greater then the space available for them.   I wrote to the glebe (church) committee and they allocated land at St Martins and this should be available soon to provide space to meet the needs of the town.   A lease is being drawn up between Looe Town Council and the Glebe committee solicitors in the near future.   If you wish to register for an allotment please contact the town council on 01503 262255

NHS DENTIST FOR LOOE

Over the last couple of years I have been campaigning to get an NHS dentist for Looe.   The last one closed in December 2010 and local residents now travel miles to receive dental care.    On highlights the problem recently the numbers on the waiting list for Looe increased from 8 to 300 with many local families joining.   Whilst two local practices showed an interest in coming to Looe they are businesses and a client list of 2000 to 3000 is needed to make a practice viable.   To register please call the helpline 01726 627990

FLOOD DEFENCES

During recent flooding events I have been talking to the local Environment Agency officer about the situation in Looe, as it is the most flooded place in the South West.     We talked over the problems in the past and the failed schemes of the 90s and how to bring forward a scheme for Looe now.   On his advice we have visited to Harbour Commissioners to discuss bringing together a scheme for the town.   Recently I organised a meeting with a number of the towns organisations to put the idea of a scheme being put forward by the town to meet the towns needs.    With the help of the local EA officer a bottom up approach to a scheme, funding from the EA is available to  support this and the town could bring something that not only delivers flood defences but a outer harbour/breakwater.   Thus bringing the full benefits of defences and providing a regeneration project as well, this is only the start of a long awaited scheme which needs the backing of the town and it’s resident.  I look forward to working on this project further with everyone involved.

There is also a need for a flood defence plan for the town in the areas most a risk with the businesses and residents involvement.

MILLENDREATH

Millendreath had seen some great changes in the last year with a number of planning applications coming forward and being approved.   The Valley has improved with the works already carried out along with the great work of “Millendreath in Bloom”.   Whilst any further developments must involve the tenants and residents of the valley to make sure that it benefits all. 

ST MARTINS PARISH

It has been a pleasure working with St Martins Parish Council over the last four years.   Although progress on reducing the local speed limit has been slow, a safer waking route from Holland Road to the shop/post office is moving forward.    A local safety scheme is being proposed which will help make crossing the road safer.  The coastal footpath is also a problem with recent landslips, it needs to be moved further up the cliff to make it safe again.   Council officers are working on the new route and proposals should be coming forward soon.

APPRENTICESHIPS

Last year I organised a day for local business to get advice on taking on apprentices or work experience with the Job Centre Plus and the local Apprenticeship Advice Service.    It was a great day and a number of businesses and organisations turned up to take advantage which made it a great success.  Working with the two agencies proved a great partnership and over 30 youngsters got the chance of work experience and apprenticeships.   I would like to do this again and work with Jane and Cathie to give more of our young people a great start in life.

ROAD CLOSURES AND LANDSLIPS

The tragic events of the last few weeks have been incredibly difficult for the town and especially the family of Susan Norman and our thoughts and prayers are with them.   I have called for a full enquiry into the events leading to this and that the reports be made public.   Whilst St Martins Road remains closed it impacts on the towns residents and businesses.   Any engineering solution must be permanent and involve the local area home owners and businesses.  

BATHING WATER QUALITY

The bathing water quality in Looe is very important to local people, tourists and businesses, with the new bathing water directive from the EU coming into force in 2015 more works needs to be done to meet the new standards.    Currently the EA are spending a large amount of money working with farmers to improve the farm waste run off for the fields in the Looe Valley.   Plus SWW are wanting to do works to the storage capacity in the area of the Health Centre to help to minimise the risks of spillages from the current containment tank.    I have been working with SWW contractors to bring together the organisation (Health Centre, Cornwall Council and Looe Town Council) so that a project to expand the tanks capacity is completed quickly and minimise any potential problems to the Health Centre.

FIREWORKS

Many of you will remember that towards the end of last year no one would take on the New Years Eve Fireworks and with Sue Pengelly and the help of the town council staff not only did we take this on but secured it for at least another year.  Two displays and a childrens fancy dress which which was fun and brought families out into the town.  Can we do better this year, we will try as this is a part of Looe's year and must remain so.

The above is just a small part of what i do and what i have done over the last four year as a councillor.  I may have become a Independent but i am the same person who loves his job and is always prepared to have a go for local people.  Oh yes the Mars Bar please ask all candidates why when the Conservative Police commissioner wanted to put up the Police precept 2% to keep officers on the beat that is ok.  Yet when the council wanted to put the precept up 1.97% that was wrong, the budget that has been set will reduce key services like Childrens and Adults Social Care and with 30% of the popuation in Looe over pensionable age i believe that they should have the respect of being given the right services to meet their needs.  Take time to speak to someone who needs social care, many of you will not know what it is but will be delighted to recieve it when you need it and for what less then a price of a mars bar extra precept each week.  When  the opening hours for libraries and call centres are reduced and you can't report something or get help please remember this.

Thank you for taking time to read my manifesto

Armand Toms

PS Promises are easy to make and hard to keep, so i make only one to work hard if elected for the people of Looe and Cornwall