It was a busy few weeks in Westminster as Easter recess approached but I’ve been pleased to have had the chance to raise some local issues that I know really matter to people locally.
Back in February, I raised the shocking issue of the sewage being dumped into our waterways and the companies behind it being allowed to get away with it. Locally, we’ve suffered a 67% increase in sewage discharges into the River Leam and River Avon. Nationally, the number of discharges has risen from several hundred a year to hundreds of thousands a year. The public are disgusted.
It’s a real betrayal of the public that our waterways continue to be polluted in this way. I’ll keep pushing on this and hope we get some much-needed change soon.
In March, I raised the huge issue about the ongoing delays with Oakley School in Parliament and the impact this is having on local families and kids whose education is being disrupted. I’ve asked for a debate on the delivery of infrastructure in new developments in an effort to avoid situations like we’re seeing with Oakley School happening again in the future.
I’ll keep raising this both locally and nationally.
Just before the house rose for Easter Recess, I raised the matter of the housing scandal and the net loss of 14,000 social-rent properties in this country and how locally, Warwick District Council promised to build a development of 42 social-rent properties on Court Street, which never happened. Given the housing crisis we face, I’ve asked for a debate on the much-needed supply of social-rent housing. She assures me the Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will be in touch with me, so I hope to have an update in a timely manner.
With local schools breaking up last week, I know the easter holidays may prove difficult for local families as the continuing financial pressures stretch budgets tighter and tighter.
I’ve seen a number of supermarket cafes are offering free or much reduced meals for children over the holidays which may provide some welcome respite to families across the constituency. If you are struggling and need help or to be signposted, please do get in touch with me at [email protected]
It’s now less than a month until the local elections taking place across our district and for the first time, voters will need to show photo ID when they vote at the polling station.
I believe it’s an unnecessary step based on the extremely low levels of voter fraud in the UK (four in 2019!) but it’s a decision the government has made so it’s important that voters are aware and have a plan ahead of going to the polls on 4th May.
Please do ensure that you, your family and friends have a plan ahead of election day. Local elections are just as important as general elections. The value of a good local representative cannot be understated!
Finally, I’d like to wish a very happy Easter to those celebrating over the weekend and Chag Pesach Sameach to our local Jewish community over the coming days.
