Dialling up…
The speed of change always outpaces our imaginations. Ten years ago, the very idea that millions of people would be able to work from home would have been considered either lunacy or fantasy or perhaps both. However, today businesses and individuals are being provided with greater rights including the ability to work from the comfort of their own homes.
Inevitably this is likely to decentralise populations from our city centres and see people live further afield. On the whole, it should be welcomed. Our local high streets will buzz with activity, new shops will open, our schools will throng with the happy voices of schoolchildren. Dwindling communities will see the fortunes reversed and that famed British community spirit will be given a new breath of life.
However, it predominantly depends on one key service – the internet. If we want to attract those who wish to live and work in South Devon full time, therefore changing the balance between primary and secondary homeownership, then digital connectivity needs to be upgraded, and in some places rolled out, at a record pace. Fortunately, progress is being made, although for those still disconnected it cannot come soon enough.
Mobile phone signal and broadband services are being improved across the region. Over a billion pounds has been put forward from both the public and private sectors to improve mobile phone coverage. This is estimated to deliver 95% UK landmass coverage and for the South West, coverage of 99% from at least one Mobile Network Operator.
In relation to broadband and digital connectivity, Devon MPs are in constant contact with BT Openreach and Connecting Devon and Somerset. New Airband systems are being installed and further progress is being made in addressing the “not spots” across the area. Full fibre is being introduced in areas across South Devon and by 2025 it is estimated over 94% of the area will have strong digital connectivity.
Connecting our area will have untold benefits but most immediately, it will help to draw people to live and work in South Devon as opposed to just visiting.
Bobbies on the beat
Our Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez has done a fantastic job in strengthening our police force. We now have more officers in Devon and Cornwall’s police force than we did in 2010. However, this has yet to prevent crime in rural areas and small towns from increasing.
In particular, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour are on the rise. In recent weeks I have heard first-hand from residents who have had to put up with drug dealing on their streets and even in the centre of their towns. There can be no relief for those who seek to break the law and those who are trying to turn our towns into drug dealing centres.
The new officers coming online must be deployed to those forgotten about areas and new police hubs should be opened so that once again residents can be greeted by the familiar and friendly sight of a bobby on the beat.
In the meantime, I will be meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss this matter and see what more can be done for South Devon.