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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my South West Surrey update No. 156. A few thoughts on the Party Conference season this week and a deep dive into local climate/environmental issues (which actually also featured in Boris’s speech). As ever please pass this email on to a friend or neighbour if you think they would like it - they can sign up here ([link removed]) to receive their very own copy.

PANDEMIC UPDATE As of today, we have had a total of 8,006,660 positive cases of COVID-19 with 137,295 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 10,738 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 243 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 379 active cases in Waverley. The latest ONS infection survey shows a slight increase in the number of cases ([link removed]) in the community with 1 in 85 of us having the virus compared to 1 in 90 in the previous week. The government COVID dashboard ([link removed]) on the other hand has all indicators coloured green (heading down). I would hope to see this trend feed through into the ONS numbers which are a week or so behind but either way things aren’t getting worse, and gradually there are signs things are getting better. One thing to keep an eye on is the fact that the number of pupils who are absent
due to the virus rose by two thirds in a fortnight ([link removed]) . So not quite getting back to normal yet.

The key number to remember as ever for anyone with pandemic-related difficulties remains 0300 200 1008 the Surrey Helpline run by Surrey County Council (Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm).

BORIS ON FORM A typically upbeat and optimistic speech ([link removed]) from the Prime Minister ended the party conference season yesterday. His main announcement was a £3000 bonus for maths and science teachers who teach in struggling areas (called, surprise surprise the ‘levelling up premium.’) For us locally the most significant part was the hint that housebuilding pressure could ease in green belt areas as splashed on by the Telegraph this morning. ([link removed]) His argument was that levelling up the North would reduce pressure on the South and there is even speculation today the 300,000 annual housebuilding target could be scrapped - something I will be sure to ask Michael Gove about when I meet him in a couple of weeks time (as well as complimenting him on his dancing skills...well maybe not). I thought the
speech was one of Boris’s best performances but even the Conservative-leaning papers today were a bit more mixed.

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT UPDATE

LITTER PICKS Some very hardy volunteers joined me in Milford ([link removed]) at the weekend to pick up litter in pouring rain from the verge along from the Esso garage. They really do make a difference (check out how much better the verge looked afterwards) and one van driver even kindly stopped to thank us. It is, though, shocking just how much rubbish people chuck away - not just the usual crisp packets but a car battery and even an unopened can of gin and tonic (which remained unopened I should add). I’ll be organising more of these in the future and all help gratefully received.

RIVER SEWAGE Earlier this year I was pleased to support my friend Philip Dunne MP’s Bill ([link removed]) that would place a duty on water companies to ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers and other inland waters. I am pleased that the government has committed to taking on many of the provisions in this Bill as we desperately need to do more to protect our rivers from raw sewage. Over the summer I visited the Thames Water treatment plant at Shalford to see the work being done to reduce water waste. Those who swim, paddle board, fish or generally enjoy the River Wey should also pay particular attention to where treated sewage is discharged. The Rivers Trust has a handy interactive map you can use. ([link removed])

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING POINTS. Surrey County Council has launched an electric vehicle charging point trial in our area. Drivers using EVs can now use two charging points in Hale Road, Farnham; four charging points in Summers Road, Farncombe; and four charging points in Farnham Lane/St Christopher’s Green in Haslemere. More information is here ([link removed]) . When I campaigned to be Prime Minister I suggested that the government fund a nationwide network of these points and not so long ago the government announced all new homes and offices will now have to have them.

LOCAL FARMERS are absolutely key to preserving our beautiful local countryside. I met up with some and the Surrey NFU ([link removed]) a few weeks ago to discuss rewilding schemes and the replacement for the CAP which is intended to incentivise environmental protection rather than over-production.

COME ON WAVERLEY! As regular readers will know I have been pressing the government to publish more details on how we are going to meet our national climate goals (including a 78% reduction in emissions by 2035) but we need local action too. I have asked for an update on Waverley’s Zero Waste Strategy and whether they are meeting the 15% a year reduction in residual waste target set out in their Net Zero plan as well as requesting a meeting with their head of Environmental Services - all to no reply despite repeated requests. Hopefully this will prompt one.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

FARNHAM REPAIR CAFE The next session for the fantastic Farnham Repair Café takes place this Saturday at the Spire church in South Street. Farnham residents can bring one product for repair per session. If an item is larger than hand luggage or unusual, please email [email protected] to assess the feasibility of repair. Five repair stations will be available covering electrical, laptops, mechanicals, bikes and textiles. Our friendly and skilled repairers will aim to help fix products where they are able – our current repair rate is 66%. More details on FRC can be found ontheir website ([link removed]) and on their YouTube channel ([link removed]) .

SURGERY STORIES Some interesting surgery calls yesterday. We have in Elstead someone who was a whistleblower in one of the biggest companies in South Africa and she wanted to talk to me about possible changes in the law to protect whistleblowers here - very relevant to my role as Health Select Committee Chair where I have prioritised making sure we make it easy for doctors and nurses to speak out about concerns. I also spoke to a Farnham resident about concerns that the Farnham Neighbourhood plan, painstakingly put together by Cllr Carole Cockburn and endorsed with an overwhelming mandate, is now at risk because Waverley has not been keeping its five year housing supply up to date. I will ask Michael Gove what can be done to protect Neighbourhood Plans when they are put at risk in this way. Finally I spoke to a Godalming business that is having trouble getting export licences to China for its precision measurement equipment so will be raising the issue with Business Secretary Kwasi
Kwarteng as they seem to be getting conflicting signals from the government.

POLITICAL THEATRE Not Michael Gove at Conservative Party Conference but this new play, Maggie and Ted ([link removed]) , showing at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford. It has received cracking reviews so check it out if you fancy a night out.

See my list of local groups working to support vulnerable residents here ([link removed])

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
I NEED YOUR VOTE! No, the general election hasn’t been called early. Instead, I’ve entered the Hunt family dog into the hotly contested Westminster Dog of the Year competition. Please spare a few moments and vote for Poppy. ([link removed])

AND FINALLY After 30 years in the UK pop megastar Kylie has announced she’s moving back to Oz ([link removed]) . I’m sure this will have people’s heads spinning right round, but she’s assured everyone we’ll stay good neighbours, and all I can say is Australia is lucky, lucky, lucky.
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Promoted by Sean Donovan-Smith on behalf of Jeremy Hunt MP and South West Surrey Conservatives, all at 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6TD.

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