Read my latest update on the work I am doing in Parliament and Blackpool North & Cleveleys

Dear Resident,

It has been a busy few weeks as constituency activity continues to build back up after constant interruptions. No-one should presume to predict what the future may hold, but I am sure that none of us wishes to continue to see such uncertainty and stop-start living – and hope the virus permits us to avoid that.

One of the most rewarding events I was able to attend recently was a memorial service for one of my constituents, Barbara Williams, who sadly passed away back in January 2021. A stalwart of local choirs the Dream Team and Harmony & Health, the two choirs combined under the stewardship of choir leader Shirley Eracleous to put on a concert in Barbara’s memory. A vicar’s wife, former magistrate, town councillor, who marched at Aldermaston against nuclear weapons. A Governor at Chaucer Primary in Fleetwood, RE teacher at Kirkham Grammar, volunteer coastguard, former member of Fleetwood & District Choral Society, lecturer for Wyre U3A, preacher at Fleetwood United Reformed, and annual visitor to the British School in Rome where she gathered information for her many talks to local groups and the MA in classical studies she embarked upon in retirement. I could go on did so much not make me feel so exhausted.

I only knew Barbara from meeting her through her choral work – but I was immensely struck by the lengthy list of her achievements above. It reminded me how each of us – even if we don’t quite amass as many roles as Barbara did – touch so many lives through what we do in our own life. Whilst I don’t usually pay tribute to those we have lost in my emails, I just thought Barbara’s contribution so varied and noteworthy that I felt I just had to write about her.

In the talk given at service for Barbara, it was said “An innate interest and curiosity about people and the world around her resulted in a lifelong passion for learning. She held an unerring belief in the potential in all of us, which is what made her such an amazing mum and teacher, and she took any opportunity to share her experience and knowledge, encouraging the people she met to try new things, stretch themselves and take more responsibility for their own future.” I think we could all take something from that for our own lives.

In other activities:
* Have been doing a fair amount of work with Thornton Action Group to get LCC to adjust how it assesses the traffic impacts of new housing developments. It makes assumption that travellers use the A585 rather than Fleetwood Road North even when census evidence proves otherwise – leading to genuine concerns that an already-busy road at peak hours becomes even more congested.
* Visited the Men’s Shed in Cleveleys and ‘tried’ my hand at making some birdboxes, despite my hopeless at school at craft, design and technology. The Men’s Shed (at the top of North Drive) enables purposeful activity for older men in retirement – and its popularity is demonstrated by the lengthy waiting list to join.
* A trip to Blackpool Food Bank’s new HQ on the Whitehills Business Park to meet not just the new Chief Executive but to discuss how the Government’s new support funds for energy and cost-of-living will work in practice. I’m also about to join a Trussell Trust inquiry as the
Conservative representative looking at the role food banks can play in ending destitution – part of my work on the wider All-Party Group on Ending the Need for Food Banks.
* Visited local vaping liquid manufacturer and retailer DripDrop to discuss some of the amny regulatory challenges they face to be able to compete on a fair and level playing field – issues like the ability of any company to hand out free samples to under 16s.
* Visited Holy Family Primary to discuss climate change with one of the classes who had all written personal letters to me. We all learnt a lot from each other!
* Attended the return to live performances with St Bernardette’s Players with their annual panto – an innovative twist on Sherlock Holmes this time, so something a little different, but performed with the usual verve and vigour.
* Led a debate in the House on prescription charges for those with cystic fibrosis which you can read at [link removed]. Essentially, an act in 1968 determines which long-term medical conditions qualify for free prescriptions. Back then, those with CF did not live into adulthood, so prescriptions were free for them as children. Now life expectancy is much longer but they find themselves paying for prescriptions when others with non-life limiting conditions can get them free. It is a long-standing unfairness in the system.
* Introduced my Ministerial Competence Bill into the House of Commons – as the order paper says “A Bill to make provision for an annual appraisal of the performance and competence of individual Ministers, conducted outside the Cabinet Office, to inform the Prime Minister in recommending ministerial appointments; and for connected purposes”. I am sure we can all make our own assessment of the extent to which it is needed!


Finally, I have had a (surprisingly small) number of queries about dealing with increased energy costs. Without going into the whys and wherefores of the background, I have just put below my practical suggestions which I have been sharing which you may find useful yourself, or may help you make to suggestions to friends and family.

Energy Costs
Energy companies each have their own dedicated support services and their own funds they use to support their customers - [link removed] is a good example from my own energy provider, but you should contact your own. This will also involve agreeing a payment plan that you are more likely to be able to afford.

The Government has a Warm Homes Discount scheme that will take £140 off your energy bills this year if you receive one of the qualifying benefits. For winter 2022-23, the Government has expanded the range of benefits which qualify. You can learn more and check your eligibility at [link removed].

The Household Support Fund was launched late last year by the Government and provides help to those struggling to pay household bills during the winter months. The grant is available for households with a low income and will support residents who are most in need this winter.

As funds are limited, costs relating to energy and water bills will be prioritised. Other essential costs that have an impact on household budgets will also be considered.

Applications to this fund can be made until 31st March (subject to funding availability), details of who and how to apply are listed on the Council websites.

For more information on the Household support fund and how to apply go to: www.blackpool.gov.uk/householdsupport or [link removed].

My final advice is to try speaking to [link removed] – they can help ensure that what you have coming in goes as far as it can and ensure you maximise what you might also be entitled to.

And, before anyone asks, I have asked the Treasury why people cannot choose to ‘opt out’ of the £200 off energy bills as a number of constituents have asked. Don’t forget this is separate to the £150 off council tax for bands A-D (96% of households locally).

Yours faithfully,

Paul Maynard MP
Conservative
01253 473071

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