Welcome to my September Newsletter!
Hello,
My newsletter is designed to give an overview of what I've been doing as Member of Parliament for Surrey Heath, so please feel free to forward this on to your friends, family and neighbours. They can sign up to receive it directly by clicking here.
With every good wish,
Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
Member of Parliament for Surrey Heath
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Surrey Heath News
Royal Mail visit: Many Surrey Heath residents have not been receiving the service they deserve from Royal Mail, and at the beginning of September, I visited the Camberley delivery office to speak to management about the problems they are experiencing, particularly with unprecedented levels of staff illness. It was encouraging to hear that they recognise they have been underperforming in Surrey Heath, and that they are making positive changes to improve their service. I will be sure to keep in close contact with the team to monitor progress and will provide an update in due course.
Hogs Back Brewery: It was a pleasure visiting the Hogs Back Brewery again on 1 September, a fantastic business in Tongham. Rupert Thompson, Managing Director of the Brewery, gave me a tour of the new microbrewery, which they are launching as One Planet Brewing, a new subsidiary, and all the beer under that name will be 100% solar brewed. We also spoke about the positive impact of the reform of Small Brewers Relief, dealing with HMRC, and the broader issues facing small companies in hospitality, and I have contacted the Treasury about what more can be done to help. Lastly, I had a look at the impressive and very beautiful hop garden, and I have been in touch with Natural England about trying to ensure it is protected as part of the Surrey Hills AONB.
Deepcut walkabout: I had a very helpful catch up with local County Councillor Paul Deach at the Deepcut Café. Paul briefed me on the Deepcut Bridge Road environmental improvement works, which started earlier this month. Paul also explained the likely effect on local businesses, and we spoke to some Deepcut business owners to hear their concerns about the potential impact on the local economy. We then headed across to the new Mindenhurst School.
Ash Manor School visit: I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Ash Manor School on 8 September to see the new Performing Arts block, which they are justifiably proud of. I was also able to talk with some of the cadets and the school leadership team about their experiences and discussed many issues, including their concerns as teenagers and their aspirations for the future. I then had a catch up with Agnes Bailey, the fantastic Headteacher, who cares so passionately for education, the school and most importantly for her pupils.
Camberley Churches Together: I met the members of Camberley Churches Together and discussed several very important issues concerning housing, asylum seekers and their vision for the town. I was pleased to hear that the volunteer Camberley Street Angels, who have done such an excellent job over the last 12 years, will be recognised and thanked for their valuable contribution towards keeping Camberley a safer place to be.
Special Educational Needs Provision: Last December, I convened a meeting with Surrey County Council and some of my Surrey MP colleagues to discuss significant concerns raised by constituents regarding Special Educational Needs services for children. Last week, I arranged a follow-up meeting to discuss progress, and you can read my latest update here.
Sandhurst visit: Last Friday, I joined my parliamentary colleague, James Sunderland MP, at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where we spoke to the Commandant about the brilliant education programme for cadets. It was exciting to hear about the Academy's bright plans for the future, and I look forward to visiting again soon.
Sandringham Infant & Academy School: Road safety outside schools is an important issue to me, and I know that there have been concerns about dangerous parking outside Sandringham Infant & Nursery Academy during pick up and drop off times. I visited the school last week and met the new Headteacher, Tim Lodge, who updated me, and I was glad to hear that the parking situation is improving. I also had the opportunity to have a brief tour of the school, and it was really inspiring to see all the children having so much fun learning in class.
Three Villages Surgery: It was great to meet constituents on 23 September at the Three Villages Surgery in Bagshot with local Conservative Parish, Borough and County Councillors. I am hugely grateful to everyone who took the time to come and chat to me about lots of different issues.
Camberley Sewage Treatment Works: On 28 September, I visited the site once again to discuss the completion of the clean-up operation, as well as how Thames Water can give back to the community for the anguish residents have endured. You can watch my latest update here.
Disability Initiative: DI is a superb charity which provides a vital service for people with physical disabilities or acquired brain injuries. I had so much fun meeting the team in Camberley earlier this week, together with some of the individuals DI is supporting, and I thoroughly enjoyed joining a very healthy cooking session. You can support the charity, helping it to flourish and continue offering vital assistance to those needing its services, by donating here: https://www.disabilityinitiative.org.uk/donate/
Portesbery School: I’m hugely grateful to Nathan Aspinall, Headteacher of Portesbery School, together with Chair of Governors, Chris Hamilton, and Vice-Chair, Nic Pretty, for showing me around on Wednesday. Plenty has changed since my last visit, and it was great to see some of the new facilities introduced as the school has grown.The staff at Portesbery are truly inspiring, and the work they do to teach and look after children with complex needs requiring specialist support is absolutely exemplary.
Surrey Heath Q&A: It was an absolute pleasure to host a Q&A session for Surrey Heath residents at Deepcut Village Hall on Tuesday this week, and I’m so grateful to all my constituents who attended and shared their views and concerns. It was an honour to have the opportunity to answer so many thoughtful questions, and it was really helpful to hear directly from the people of Surrey Heath about what they think can be improved, both locally and nationally.
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Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities News
Birmingham Council issues: Government proposals to tackle serious financial and governance problems at Birmingham City Council were announced on 19 September 2023, and you can read details here.
Damp and mould guidance letter: As part of the government’s response to the Coroner’s report into the tragic and avoidable death of Awaab Ishak, we committed to publishing consolidated guidance on the health outcomes of damp and mould in the home. This guidance has now been published here.
Onshore windfarm progress: Onshore wind projects supported by local people will be approved more quickly in England, in new measures which were brought forward by the government on 5 September 2023. You can learn more here.
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Contact me
The best way to reach me is by email or post, and please include your full address, including postcode, in all communications.
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