Dear Resident,
Welcome to my Newsletter.
Parliament returns next week but this newsletter is focused on some of the work, and visits, which have occurred in the constituency. In a very difficult climate, it is heartening to visit the many great organisations, businesses and groups which provide our backbone. Thank you to everyone who has worked with me locally this summer. Thank you for everything you do.
Next week we will have a new Prime Minister. There is much for that person to do. We have a cost of living challenge which will require further intervention to ensure households and businesses can cope. I do not tend to deliver opinions in this opening but I want to concede that there is much which is not working and there will be some difficult decisions which will have to be made. I won’t duck the challenge albeit not everyone will agree with my ideas over the weeks and months to come.
If there is one article to ask you to focus on, it is the update and actions regarding sewage discharge. Please do take a read. We will never eradicate this if we don’t understand the background and work together to hold each organisation to account for the part they own (which includes me). I’m determined to play my part in making our waterways and coastline cleaner.
With best wishes,
Huw
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Sewage Pollution
We were all very cross and disappointed to be dealing with an emergency discharge to the Bexhill coast. This arose from an asset failure at the Galley Hill pumping station. With regard to storm overflows, which impacted much of Sussex, I’ve campaigned for stronger action. This saw me vote against my own Government but it was worth it to gain the stronger legislation which came in as a result. I’ve put together a campaign section in my website which you can find here. Do have a read. You will see that the pumping station discharge appears to be the fault of UK Power Networks and not Southern Water. You will also find written questions to, and answers from, Southern Water and the Environment Agency. A note of my recent meeting details the Government’s new sewage targets and my call for Southern Water to prioritise Bexhill’s storm overflow given our bathing water is not as good as the quality found in neighbouring beaches.
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Blackcurrant Harvest
I visited Rosemary Farm in Flimwell for their blackcurrant harvest. This exceptionally dry year has been difficult for our local farmers and it was a good opportunity to discuss the challenges of climate change and global events and what more the government can do to support them. You can read more here
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The Marketplace - Sidley
I visited The Marketplace at Freedom Church in Sidley during the recess. Their fantastic volunteers run a community food larder and café from 10am to 12pm every Tuesday. The Marketplace offers food to local people that would otherwise be disposed of by supermarkets as they are unable to sell it. The community larder hope to achieve two goals: to help us eat more sustainably by reducing the environmental impact of food waste and to help reduce food poverty in the area. The café which runs alongside it is a great place for people to meet and socialise. I was impressed by the wide range of fresh and dry produce which was available on the day and the really warm welcome which everyone receives. It is a fantastic community initiative open to all generations. You can find out more on their website at this link
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Wealden Policing.
I was pleased to meet Wealden District Commander, Gavin Patch and Inspector Lauren Buck at Heathfield Police Station to talk about policing matters in the Wealden part of my constituency. One message they would like me to pass on to constituents is to report crime, concerns and anti-social behaviour to the police. All emergencies should be reported to 999 and other issues can be reported online or to 101. Whilst a lot of concerns are shared on neighbourhood social media groups this does not alert the police.If it is not officially reported police will not be aware of it and cannot allocate resources to effectively deal with problems in our communities. Sussex Police
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National Citizen's Service
Each year I get involved in the summer programme of local National Citizens Service programme where 16–17-year-olds have the opportunity to grow skills, confidence, make new friends and get involved in community action. This year I was asked to be a judge/adviser on a Dragon’s Den style morning and I was incredibly impressed with the young people I met. You can read more here
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Wartling Village Road Safety Site Visit
I visited residents and parish councillors in Wartling with district councillors Cllr Pam Doodes and Cllr Ray Cade and Chair of Parish Council to discuss ongoing speeding issues which are impacting the quality of life and safety of residents in the north of the village whose homes are outside the 30mph zone. Speeding through villages by cars and motorbikes blights the daily lives of residents but enforcement can be a challenge. With an ESCC Highways officer, we discussed some options to build data which may support a change in speed limit, more enforcement as well as other ways to highlight make drivers more aware of the dangers of speeding.
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Work Experience Student
I was delighted to welcome local student, Jacob Kremer, on work experience in my office during recess. Whilst he didn’t get to visit Westminster, he had a very busy week accompanying me on constituency visits. You can read his account of his week here
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Saxonwood Care Home, Battle
It is always a pleasure to visit the care homes in my constituency. My visit to Saxonwood care home in Battle was no exception and I joined the residents and staff for a Mastermind style quiz where I was placed in the hot seat. Resident Georgie Farrow, whom I have known for a number of years, set some very challenging and cryptic questions! Georgie is also a phenomenal knitter who has raised over £800 for Ukraine guests by selling her knitted Ukrainian ribbons at local supermarkets and she has raised huge amounts for local hospices.
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GreenBlue Urban in Bodiam
Sally-Ann Hart MP and I visited GreenBlue Urban based in Bodiam. This is an amazing local business which started from humble beginnings 30 year ago but now has a global and presence and continues to grow. Their innovative products and passion for urban landscaping was inspiring and really brought home how important landscape design is in the planning process for both housing and commercial developments. You can read more here
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Turkey Road – Road Safety Site Visit
Sidley GP surgery, Dragonflies nursery and the community centre are cut off from the south and east of Sidley by a lack of safe pedestrian crossing points across Turkey Road and Ninfield Road. During July, I held a site meeting with County Councillor for Sidley, Cllr Abul Azad, District Cllr Jimmy Carroll and an officer from the East Sussex Highway team to discuss the pedestrian priorities and options for creating safe crossing points. I will be working with the councillors and community of Sidley as we seek to find the funding to deliver safer walking routes for residents to access their essential services
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Event for Ukrainian Guests in Battle
My thanks to Battle Town Council, and Cllrs Glenna Favell, Vikki Cook and Sue Burton, for arranging a lovely afternoon on the recreation ground with our many new Ukrainian guests and their hosts in Battle. It was helpful for me to understand the challenges back in Ukraine, and the issues for those who are providing support and outreach over here. My resolve for our Ukrainian friends, in their struggles against the Russian authorities, is strengthened from our afternoon together.
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