Some of Nick's current campaigns

SAFEGUARDING THE REGENERATION OF NORTH DEVON COLLEGE

Following the faltering of the Learning Skills Council funding for a new North Devon College, Nick has been lobbying in Westminster to secure a firm commitment from Government to honour the budget originally earmarked for this flagship project. Failure to do so on the part of the Government will not only be financially detrimental to the College's future plans but also to the economy of North Devon as a whole.

DIGITAL TV RECEPTION FOR ALL

TV reception has always been a problem in parts of North Devon, with some houses only getting a picture from Wales or Bristol. Nick has taken up many cases over the years, but the authorities have said problems can be tackled at digital switchover. Now that is fast approaching Nick is pressing UK Digital to make good these promises. The aim is to ensure that every house can get digital TV.

SAVE THE AMBULANCE CAR SERVICE

Ever since the South West Ambulance Service Trust ceased providing the "non-essential" element of the Voluntary Ambulance Car Service, there has been anxiety over how this community service would be managed and funded. There is a sense of "buck-passing" between various NHS bodies. Some part of the NHS must provide a service to those with no other means of getting to hospital.

DEVON CARE HOME CHANGES: SAFEGUARDING SERVICES

Having decided to follow most other social services authorities in ceasing to run care services itself, but rather to buy them in from the private sector, Devon County Council was negotiating a 30-year block contract with Shaw Healthcare to redevelop and operate all its care homes. This caused understandable anxiety to families whose relatives use the current services. Nick campaigned with them to ensure changes caused minimum disruption to current users, and offer the widest choice to future users. Shaw subsequently dropped out of the project.

CHULMLEIGH COLLEGE: NEW BUILDINGS

Chulmleigh is a very successful College, the majority of whose classrooms are 'temporary' blocks many years past their sell-by date. They suffer from leaking roofs, damp, rotting timberwork and are freezing cold in winter and baking hot in summer. The College budget struggles to find the funds to keep them habitable, and most are well beyond the point of economic repair. The College needs rebuilding to provide a campus fit for purpose in the 21st Century with permanent classroom blocks and community facilities.

INSTOW: NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL

Instow's community primary school is hugely popular and successful, and in consequence of its reputation and growth is almost bursting out of its characterful but aged buildings. Neither does it have much in the way of sports facilities, nor the space to develop them. While the school cheerfully makes the very best of what it has got, there has long been a consensus that a complete new build on a fresh site is needed.

FREE LASER EYE SURGERY FOR FRONT LINE TROOPS

For frontline troops good eyesight can literally mean the difference between life and death. Wearing glasses or contact lenses is far from ideal in the dusty desert conditions of Afghanistan and Iraq. US armed forces are offered free laser eye surgery to correct sight defects, and as well as enhancing performance also keeps experienced servicemen and women in their posts as they get older. Such a move in the UK could have very significant benefits.

JUSTICE FOR EQUITABLE LIFE POLICY-HOLDERS

Equitable Life ran into financial troubles in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and declared itself unable to meet its obligations to investors. The debacle has had disastrous financial consequences for many people, who have formed an action group which believes the regulators failed in their duty to protect investors and - understandably - wants compensation from the state.