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Dear Resident,
Welcome to my latest newsletter. Over the past few weeks, I have met some wonderful people who work hard to build strong communities and improve the lives of local residents.
I was delighted to nominate a local GP and pharmacist for an NHS Parliamentary award for their innovative programme to reduce heart disease and strokes through blood pressure monitoring at local pharmacies. You can read more about this below.
I also joined the Sidley community for their first Sidley roadshow which connected local people to organisations and services which can help improve both physical, mental and financial well-being. The event was a great success and more are planned.
Last week was Carers Week. During a visit to a new local care home in Stone Cross, I met with Care for the Carers, a local charity which supports unpaid carers across East Sussex. Further information about the charity is below.
Finally, following the local elections, new councillors have been busy settling into their roles on parish and district councils and working on their plans to enhance and support their communities. I met with Battle Town Council to talk about their priorities and how I can help them. I look forward to similar meetings with councils across the constituency. Being a councillor is hugely rewarding and you can make a real difference to your local community by getting involved. A number of parish and town councils across the district have vacancies and would welcome skills and input from new members.
Best wishes,
Huw
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Northeye Update
I have now received a response from the Home Office to the many questions which I have raised, on my own behalf, and on behalf of residents, about the proposed Northeye asylum centre.
Given my commitment to ensuring that all information I received is disclosed, I have posted the response on my website.
I do not find that the answers adequately address the questions raised. Additionally, the detail is not consistent with what has been stated previously. I have continued to hold a dialogue with the Immigration Minister and have now requested an urgent meeting with the officials at the Home Office to ensure we have complete, consistent and relevant answers to these questions.
I recognise, and share, the frustration at the lack of clarity given we have all been waiting for some time to receive a response.
All of the information I have received relating to the Northeye proposal can be found here.
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Role of pharmacies in delivering vital healthcare services
Following my meeting with Dr Suneeta Kochhar and Marie Hockley, I visited the fantastic Collis Pharmacy in Bexhill for a blood pressure test with local pharmacist, Fahim Chowdhury. He explained about the important role that pharmacies play in delivering NHS services, like blood pressure testing which help to prevent serious illness.
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Improving passenger safety at London Bridge station
Concerns have been raised by constituents who travel by train to London - both those commuting for work, or just visiting for the day - about overcrowding and passenger safety on platforms at London Bridge at peak times.
So it was good to visit the station recently and learn how Southeastern and Network Rail are working to improve safety on platforms during the busiest times of the day.
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Discussing priorities for Battle with the new Town Council
I had a good meeting with the new Battle Town Council last Friday where I learnt more about their priorities for the town.
Councillors discussed a number of issues that are important to local residents, including: housing development public transport links; roads and pavements; and a thriving high street.
The Town Council has achieved many things for the town over recent years, including the recreation ground, and I am looking forward to continuing to work closely with them.
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St Nicolas Church Pevensey Flower Festival
It was a real pleasure to visit the annual Flower Festival at St Nicolas Church in Pevensey over the Bank Holiday weekend. This year's theme was 'Sussex by the Sea'. A big thank you to the great team who work so hard to put this spectacular show on every year. The event raised over £4000 for the church.
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Update on Bexhill Bathing Water quality
I have been working hard with Southern Water and others over recent months on the issue of sewage pollution. I am pleased that Bexhill’s bathing water is showing signs of improving and that Southern Water are taking the necessary steps that I have been pushing for.
Read the full update here.
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Sidley Roadshow
It was great to visit the Sidley Roadshow at Freedom Church. This event was organised by Maureen Chaseley of The Marketplace, which runs each week at the church, with support from other local organisations. It was a really positive event for local people to find out more about what support and activities are available in their local community of Sidley.
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Observer Article - Bathing Water Improvement in Bexhill
In my Observer article today, I have written about the improvement in the quality of local bathing water as well as increased testing from Southern Water.
You can read the full article here.
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Local blood pressure check service nominated for NHS awards
I have nominated Bexhill GP, Dr Suneeta Kochhar, who is also a Clinical Lead for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Sussex, and Marie Hockley, Deputy Chief Officer, Community Pharmacy Surrey and Sussex, for an NHS Parliamentary Award for their innovative blood pressure service. The system they have developed helps pharmacies and GP surgeries work together to identify people aged 40+ with high blood pressure, and helps promote healthy behaviours to patients.
I recently met Suneeta and Marie to discuss their service which you can read about here.
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Heathfield Show
During my visit to the wonderful Heathfield Show, I spoke alongside Jeremy Kerswell, the inspirational Principal of Plumpton College.
Plumpton trains our future farmers, winemakers, and those who want a career working with animals and horticulture. Jeremy spoke with passion about the need to embrace change to make our land more profitable and attract young people who may not have been born on a farm but have so much to offer and many skills to help our countryside adapt.
You can read more in my recent Observer article here.
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Supporting Carers Week 2023
Carers Week was held during the first week of June, and I was delighted to show my support for the vital role unpaid carers play in caring for vulnerable people.
I met Carol Gregory from East Sussex charity Care for the Carers, who represents carers and raises awareness of caring, working with local communities, organisations and service providers to build a carer friendly county.
If you look after someone who couldn’t manage without your support, and would like to know what help is available, you can contact Care for the Carers on 01323 738390 or email [email protected].
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Observer Article - Farming, Flowers and Trains
In my recent Observer article, I wrote about my visits to the Heathfield Show and annual flower festival at St Nicolas Church in Pevensey, and provided an update on the current rail dispute.
You can read my article here.
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Visit to new Sycamore Grove Care Home in Stone Cross
During Carers Week, I visited the fantastic Sycamore Grove Care Home in Stone Cross.
It was wonderful to see the excellent facilities available to residents, and learn more about the amazing work care workers and volunteers do to make a real difference to residents' lives.
You can read more about my visit here.
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Sussex Day
Today is Sussex Day and to kick off celebrations, some of my Sussex colleagues and I had our annual picture with the Sussex flag. This year we were in Westminster Hall in front of the Speakers State coach, after we launched the Sussex Wine Tourism Growth Plan. Just in time for English Wine Week next week!
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Visit to local business in Westham
I recently visited the Wiltshire Farm Foods depot in Westham to learn about their recycling scheme which is helping to reduce packaging waste. Under their programme, plastic trays are collected from customers and recycled into completely new trays containing a minimum of 80% recycled plastic.
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