THE last 'Bye the Bye' essay seems to have worked wonders.

Regular readers may recall I used it to get quite a lot off my chest and in particular I had a go (with my tongue ever so slightly in cheek) at all the gloom 'n doom merchants who regularly write letters to this paper or post unhappy web comments.

Although I concluded in praise of free speech and the observation it would be a dull old world if we all agreed on everything, in a nutshell I suggested too many comments were along the lines of 'Torbay is pants, but we'll throw stones at anybody who tries to change it'.

Then along comes the controversial proposal to create an upmarket fish restaurant on the site of the unlovely toilet block at Babbacombe Downs, a silk purse from a sow's ear, if ever I saw one, and, suddenly, the web comments and letters come pouring in saying 'what a marvellous idea!'

There have also been more favourable reports on the previously controversial proposal to create a children's play park on Paignton seafront.

I understand support has been flooding in on the Facebook site.

Perhaps the tide is turning and folk are beginning to realise we cannot carry on saying 'no' to everything and then wonder why Torbay endures the weakest economy in the South West region, high unemployment, and falling visitor numbers (until this year), while keen shoppers go off to new shopping malls in Exeter and Plymouth and families go off to Teignmouth and Decoy to find somewhere to play.

Food, glorious food, smart cafes and up-market restaurants are all part of the experience people now expect in a 21st Century resort.

You only have to see the success of Padstow, Dartmouth and other coastal towns in Devon and Cornwall.

In fairness, there is already a flourishing restaurant scene in Torquay, in particular, and a greater choice of places to eat well across Torbay than for many years. But we are not yet 'on the map' in the way some other towns are.

The plans for Babbacombe (also the new restaurant taking shape as part of the Brixham harbour regeneration) therefore provide a great opportunity.

It is all about meeting ever higher expectations.

Years ago folk will have piled luggage and families into their Standard Eight or Vauxhall Victor, endured the long journey south including the Exeter bypass and Telegraph Hill, where many would have come to an involuntary stop.

Pleasures were simple and the only excitement about food would be if too much sand got in the (meat paste) sandwiches.

Expectations are now very different, which is why we cannot allow the agenda to be set by those who would like to re-create 1959.

The one thing I have always made clear it would be impossible to do in Torbay is turn the clocks back.

I also accept change must not compromise the one thing which makes Torbay so special: our stunning natural environment.

But so much of our built environment around Torbay is now very tired and there are many locations which would benefit from investment.

This, truly, is the raison d'etre of the Mayoral Vision.

Where the letters and web comments went wrong, however, was to mistake the opposition of a few councillors and a trio of past mayors as being representative of the mindset of the present council.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The proposal gained the support of all but one of my cabinet and my impression is the majority of the Conservative group at least are pretty much up for regeneration.

We are all conscious of the dismal legacy of decline of previous administrations.

It's that time of the year again when Yours Truly, councillor colleagues and officers are concentrating on number crunching in the Town Hall.

We have been reviewing this year's budget and are putting our plans together for 2010/2011.

There is a feeling this is the calm before the storm. Everybody understands Government is living way beyond its means and whatever the outcome of next year's General Election, there will be substantial cutbacks in grants to local government from 2011 onwards.

I am therefore very pleased prudent housekeeping and skilful treasury management, together with a much more business-like style of doing things, means Torbay Council is in a stronger position to weather the storm than some others.

Substantial savings from good housekeeping and a good return on our investments from previous years have enabled us to create reserves for the current year and adopt a number of 'invest to save' initiatives.

As I have explained before, Torbay's population includes the highest percentage of over 80s in the entire UK.

This group are most likely to require social care and even though our annual budget for this has increased from £30million to circa £40million in the four short years I have been mayor, I accept it does not cover the cost of all we would like to provide.

At the same time, Torbay has an exceptional number of looked after children — and placements can be as much as £100,000 per child.

The well publicised case of 'Baby P' has led to an increase in excess of 30 per cent of referrals of children thought to be at risk and in common with councils up and down the land our Children's Services Team are doing sterling work under great pressure. The recent serious case review shows just how challenging their work can be.

On top of this we have all the extra seaside amenities people expect in a coastal resort, but are not prepared to pay extra for.

We have beaches and promenades to clean and maintain, superb flower displays and parks, coloured lights and extra loos.

We continue to support the tourism sector with a six figure budget.

We fund tourist information centres and a substantial subsidy to the Riviera International Centre.

I sometimes think it is a miracle council tax bills in Torbay are lower than in neighbouring areas, and in recent years the council tax rise has been in low single figures.

It is all a far cry from the double digit rises when Torbay first became a unitary council, and the ignominy of being capped by Government in 2004 for setting one of the highest rises in the UK.

Our ambition is to deliver lower council tax rises, year on year.

There is likely to be a little extra help next year from Government towards the shortfall on concessionary fares.

In simple sums, the cost of this scheme to Torbay Council is just over £4million and tucked away in all the grants from government is nearly £2 million — leaving Torbay Council with a £2million shortfall. Next year we should get an extra £500,000 plus, which will certainly help. But it is an admission by Government it has underfunded this scheme in certain areas. It also does nothing to help us get through this year.

The one bright spot has been the better than expected income from parking charges.

I know this is a real hot potato and we are still a long way off folks saying 'God bless Chris Lewis' when they are feeding the parking meters.

But these charges do now seem to be accepted here as elsewhere, ensuring the steady turnover of parking spaces and securing extra revenue for the maintenance and repair of our car parks which, like so much else, were in a poor state.

This extra revenue will also fund the £1 weekend parking initiative in the run up to Christmas.

This bargain offer is a great reason to come into the town centres and visit some of the new shops and businesses which have opened up in recent months.

My message is very simple: the more folks take advantage of this £1 parking, the more likely the council is to repeat it.

Use it!