GOOD AFTERNOON & welcome to my weekly update no.292

Wow that was a windy weekend thanks to Storm Bert - and coming after an equally stormy farmers protest in Westminster last week. I suspect this week will be no calmer with Friday’s assisted dying vote…but in the meantime good progress is underway in fixing the mobile phone ‘not spots’ amongst other local issues.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
 

CHICKENS COMING HOME TO ROOST Last Tuesday thousands of National Farmers Union members and supporters gathered in Westminster to protest against Labour’s inheritance tax changes which will be a disaster for family farms in our area. It doesn’t take long to work out that few farms fall below the £1m threshold but if you aren’t making the profits how will you pay the tax bill? I met local farmers and the recurring theme was that to pay the bill they would have to sell land making the farm unviable. Don’t forget wrapped in with it are measures that do the same thing to all family businesses. We are hoping (but not hopeful) for a rethink.

DON’T GO BACK TO THE FUTURE As reported by the BBC and elsewhere this week, Health Secretary Wes Streeting  has told a conference in Liverpool this week that ‘failing hospitals will be revealed in league tables and NHS managers sacked if they do not turn things around’. I suspect that the messaging from Wes was more nuanced than some of the media has reported, but as I said in my question in parliament last week, the NHS is already  the most micromanaged large healthcare system in the world with NHS managers already having over 100 central targets to meet. Of course if someone fails, they should go. But the bigger question we should ask is why our system makes it so difficult for anyone to become a ‘good’ manager. Hospitals have NHSE targets, CQC targets, local ICB targets and numerous reviews to implement. Taken together they have the impact of depriving managers of the autonomy to deliver the transformational change the NHS needs. We should sort that out first.

MOBILE MISSION I grabbed the opportunity to ask a question at a Commons debate last week to Chris Bryant, Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms. In fairness he took quite a witty swipe back at me but I am going to see him in person tomorrow to talk over our atrocious local coverage following the meetings I have been having with mobile network providers. In the meantime, thanks to everyone who has filled in my survey and if you haven’t there is still time! I need as much data as possible as to where the gaps are so click here to add your feedback.

COP 29 Last week also saw the conclusion of COP 29, the major climate change conference. It very nearly collapsed but was salvaged by a pledge no one was really happy with for developed countries to contribute at least $300 billion annually by 2035 to help developing countries combat climate change. Reminder: July 22 2024 saw the hottest ever average global temperature recorded - and the following day it went even higher. It’s not always popular to say so but we do need to find a solution on this.
 

WHAT’S GOING ON LOCALLY 

A BRIDGE TOO FAR (AWAY) A full inbox this morning from angry Ash residents following Guildford Council’s disappointing announcement that the new Chester Bridge will now not open until January 2025. Currently the level crossing is advertised to be closed to vehicles during this time too which is the main concern from locals including the brilliant Ash Cllr John Tonks. This sounds crazy so I have contacted Surrey Highways and GBC to get to the bottom of this because it appears GBC does not have a permit. And if the crossing closure can’t be avoided the alternative route needs to be communicated .. quickly!

ASH GP APPOINTMENTS GETTING EASIER In the election campaign there were lots of complaints about how difficult it is to get a GP appointment at Bartlett’s Surgery so on Friday I met Senior Partner Dr de Ferrars. It sounds like the problem has improved dramatically with the launch of new incoming Rapid Health consultation tool which is freeing up the phone lines for those who can’t get online - but let me know if not. Afterwards I paid a trip to the Ash Lodge Park site which I am worried will be given back to developers for more housing if the NHS doesn’t want it - so will raise with Frimley NHS boss Fiona Edwards when I see her next week.

SCHOOL BUS WINS AND WOES Good news that Surrey County Council has now decided to continue Milford’s Chandler school bus for 9 out of 10 school journeys each week (but not Monday afternoons). But why have Bramley parents with kids at Tillingbourne been told their older junior school children won’t be allowed on the school bus service from next September? Another one for me to take up…

HOGSBACK SOLAR FARM AND A TRIP TO THE BREWERY Big thanks to Compton PC and CPRE for their words of support following my letter to Angela Rayner asking for the Solar Farm planning permission on the north eastern slopes of the Hogsback to be called-in. Meanwhile on the north western slopes of the Hogsback I visited Tongham’s Hogsback Brewery on Friday. It was a little too early in the morning to sample the ale on offer but owner Rupert Thompson and Master Brewer Miles Chesterman briefed me about the pressure being created by the employer NICS rise in the budget and pressure in the hospitality sector. Interesting fact; did you know the 6 big brewers hold 93% of the UK market? A great reason to pay a trip to the Hogsback Brewery very soon! 

SURGERY CALLS My first call was to a resident of Godalming High Street concerned that he cannot park near his flat unless he spends £1400 a year for a permit for Crown Court car park. He has raised the issue repeatedly with the Waverley leader. It would seem reasonable to offer town centre residents a reduced price permit similar to the price of residents parking permits so I will try and raise again. I then spoke to a consultant working in a senior position in Macmillan Cancer Care about her concerns on assisted dying bill ahead of Friday's vote. Her concern was about a lack of choice on palliative care as well as patients feeling pressure to end their life to reduce the care costs for their family.

BROOK LEVEL CROSSING SAGA Thanks to Shere County Cllr Bob Hughes who has raised crossing issues in Brook. Network Rail and UKPN are upgrading the crossings (great) but they now plan to close the road at the Brook crossing starting tomorrow for a month - which is completely different from first advertised and means a massive diversion. I’m in touch with Andy Haines, CEO of Network Rail. 

WHAT A GREAT LOCAL SCHOOL Alongside Rodborough, Glebelands and Broadwater I visited one of our four great state secondary schools in our constituency - Ash Manor. Agnes Bailey is one of the most inspirational heads I have met and the school is thriving as a result. A privilege to meet her and her motivated pupils despite a fire, chilly weather and power cuts! 

JOIN ME Want to get more involved with my brilliant election-winning team locally? Email me at [email protected] to help support our work in our community.

AND FINALLY ….Fans of Wicked beware! The new film adaptation is out but following some less than perfect renditions of ‘Defying Gravity’ in cinemas a no-singing edict has been issued. The Hunt family will be sticking to Paddington 3 I think…

SOCIAL MEDIA If you would like more regular updates of my work locally and nationally, do follow me on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Please don’t always assume I will see every comment on a post - email is a more reliable way to ensure a reply.

As always, if you know anyone (a friend or neighbour perhaps?) who might like to receive this email, please do forward it on. Anyone can sign up here to receive them and can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the box below or emailing me.