WEEKLY UPDATE
Last Sunday was Remembrance Sunday and it was my huge privilege to lay a wreath on behalf of my constituents at the ceremonies in Newton Aycliffe St. Clare’s, Aycliffe Village St. Andrew’s and Trimdon Village St. William’s. These complemented the Middleton St. George Memorial Association Service on the 11th at Teesside Airport.
There are so many services around my constituency and it is just not possible for me to attend them all, but I do try to at least lay a wreath at each. This year I was able to lay wreaths from Hurworth to Thornley, Wingate to Middridge, Bishopton to Piercebridge and Heighington to Cornforth. In total I laid 28 wreaths this year. If I have missed anywhere, please let me know and I will leave one next time. The style and scale of memorials varies from place to place but the emotion and significance to local populations is constant.
Last week, as I said, the proposed changes to parliamentary constituency boundaries were announced and with the Sedgefield constituency changing significantly and being renamed as Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor. I currently have around 64,000 constituents. With the changes I lose around 20,000 of my existing and gain a new 27,000 to finish with 71,000. The biggest changes for me are that I lose my Darlington constituents and gain Spennymoor, Bowburn and Croxdale. To be clear – none of these changes are implemented until after October 2023 – and then only when an election takes place. Until then nothing changes.
Last week I met with the national team from Citizens Advice to help promote their work and I am scheduling another meeting with the local team. I also had a meeting with Richard Holden in his capacity as a Transport Minister. I wanted to pursue the plans for investment in bus services. I have regular discussions with Transport North East and need to make sure plans are progressing for better and more frequent services. Whilst I have a campaign running to reopen the Railway Station at Ferryhill, it is better buses that are needed in the meantime.
As usual, I attended Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday before heading back north. I had meetings with the Durham County Council leadership team for regeneration and, whilst we talk about many things, an irritant of mine has been the graffiti on the signage for Aycliffe Business Park near the new Crafter’s Companion buildings. I am delighted to see that has finally been sorted. I had a visit to PFF Group at Sedgefield, one of the UK’s largest independent food packaging manufacturers and Britain’s largest manufacturer of PPE aprons. Yet another of the great businesses in our area that are investing in the future.
In Sedgefield, I also went to meet the ladies HRT group who are campaigning for better support. I have also linked them with the Menopause APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) in Westminster where I am a Vice Chair. These ladies have a cause that needs broader acknowledgement and awareness, but they also offer significant advice and support to those affected, so if you would like more information please do get in touch.
It was also my pleasure to visit Woodham Academy to see their exciting proposals for a new school. They intend building a completely new school within the existing grounds before then demolishing the existing buildings. This will be fantastic for our young people.
Last Friday, as well as the service at Teesside Airport, I had an interview with the BBC; went to Thornley to discuss a dangerous junction with a resident and then had the enormous pleasure of making introductory remarks at the Stronger Communities Awards in Darlington.
As always, if you want to get in touch, just give me a call on 01325 790580 or email: [email protected]
