I feel that we have already done our bit to support the Home Office, with the forthcoming reopening of Haslar Immigration Removal Centre. In response to constituents’ questions about the site I have created a dedicated page on Haslar IRC on my website that is frequently updated with the latest information from the Government. You can access it here.

I’m adamant that sites like Blockhouse, so key to Gosport’s proud military history, should be redeveloped to play an equally important role in our future - driving opportunity, economic and cultural benefits for our community. 

I participated in the Fortifications at Risk Conference arranged by the Fortress Study Group in Fort Brockhurst to share the latest work of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on Protecting Built Heritage Inquiry that I launched in December 2024. 

I argued that the policy of ‘managed decline’ on sites like these is a blocker to economic growth here and talked about my determination to introduce big potential partners, like Warner Bros Studios to Fort Blockhouse here.  

In other news, Gosport has a new District Neighbourhood Inspector, Jabr Shaladan. With great experience in policing and years of service, it was good to catch up with Jabr this month. You can read more about him here. 

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has also provided an update on the long-anticipated renovation of the Gosport Police Station. The work should begin this month and you can find out more here. 

When essential services like live CCTV monitoring disappear due to financial constraints, it is ever more concerning to witness Gosport’s Criterion sitting empty for 3 years after being purchased by Gosport Borough Council. There appears to be no public oversight regarding the £600,000 of taxpayers’ money that’s been spent on it and every time the issue comes up during the meetings of the Lib Dem Council, the public are asked to leave the room. If, like me, you feel that transparency is a must in projects like this, you can sign the petition here.

I am happy to share that Rowner has been awarded up to £20 million from the Government’s new Pride in Place Fund. I am keen for this money to be spent on local priorities such as the reconstruction of the Griffin Walk play area that is simply inadequate and unsafe. I have written to Ministers for clarification on the distribution of this funding and for assurances that money will not be left for allocation solely at the discretion of the Council.

I am pleased that Hampshire County Council confirmed Peel Common Infant School will be reused for Special Educational Needs provision. I campaigned for this decision and wrote to the Council back in July asking them to keep the site in order to meet SEN demand in the constituency after numerous conversations with teachers and parents. You can read my letter here.

If you have professional experience in the early years sector or are a parent of a young child, you may also be interested in the work of the Education Select Committee on early years support for children and parents. The Committee is currently accepting evidence and you can have your say here. Please note that the deadline for sending in your feedback is Friday 10th October.

I enjoyed catching up with the team at Gosport Summer Passport Scheme in Alver Valley. A big thank you to all those who pulled such a brilliant event together for over 600 local children aged 11-16. 

In Parliament, I visited the Dementia Bus, which simulates the experience of having Dementia and gives a much better understanding of the condition. Virtual Dementia Tour UK trained 100,000s of people to provide appropriate dementia care this year alone and it was truly inspiring to hear about their work.

Locally, I met with Willow Group’s leadership to share your feedback and discuss improvements. The staff works really hard to meet enormous demand, but it is important for us to maintain communication to ensure that all patients’ issues and concerns are resolved in a timely manner. This week I am also catching up with ICB representatives to talk about the eConsult system and whether it needs any changes.

It was a pleasure to see staff and residents at Tamar House and witness first-hand the importance of supported housing. I was invited as part of the Starts At Home Day, a campaign that highlights the vital contribution of the sector. Data suggests that without supported housing, NHS beds would face 110,000 more days of delayed discharge, and 41,000 more people would be forced into homelessness.

I brought Southern Water management team to Gosport for a public meeting. Sewage discharges, bill hikes, and poor communication with residents are only a few examples of the issues raised. 

The meeting was well attended by over 75 local residents, and I am grateful to the team for showing up and answering all the challenging questions. 

I have now received the presentation that was used by Southern Water throughout the discussion and would be happy to share it with you. 

Please get in touch at [email protected].

As the constituency with the highest proportion of veterans we understand the importance of supporting those who have served our nation. Many readers have already added their names to a petition to stop Labour repealing an act that protects those who served in Northern Ireland. You can sign here. 

This month, I also added my name to the Help For Heroes People’s Promise to Veterans at Gunwharf Quays. You can read more about this initiative here. 

I was very happy to cut the ribbon and officially open the brand-new garden area at C2U Gosport, a space for anyone who is searching for a calm and quiet moment outdoors. C2U promote mental health and wellness and organise breakfasts for veterans. More information about their work is available here. 

Finally - I’m still welcoming your nominations of the local voluntary groups and organisations that you feel make a difference to our community. These will all be fed into the ballot for my annual Volunteers Reception in Parliament. 

It’s my small way of celebrating those who give up their time to run the sports clubs, charities and community groups which make this area so special. 

Please submit your nomination using the email address below. 

So that's it for September! As ever, my team and I are here for any questions, thoughts or concerns you may have. 

Please do get in touch via [email protected].