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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my South West Surrey update No.202.
Sorry you haven’t heard from me for a few weeks - as you’ll no doubt have seen, things have been pretty busy with my new responsibilities and the Autumn Statement coming up next week. I’ve also been busy arranging a public meeting with Thames Water, Southern Water & the Environment Agency to address flash floods and sewage storm overflows in the area. But some good news amongst the gloom is that my London Marathon run raised £30,000 for the new Cancer & Surgical Innovation Centre at the Royal Surrey which made the blisters all worthwhile! A huge thanks to all who sponsored me - we have now passed the £200k in our fundraising which is a terrific milestone.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER

CHANCELLOR UPDATE I have been heads down, including over Saturday and Sunday, preparing the Autumn Statement with the Prime Minister. I think most people understand that there will need to be both tax rises and spending cuts if we are to tackle inflation and keep down the cost of weekly shopping bills and mortgages (as outlined in my Herald article ([link removed]) this week). Some present this as a trade off between sound money and growth but in truth there is no trade off: no growth is possible without the basic stability that comes from balancing our national books and bearing down on our debt. In that the Bank of England has a very important role and I want to work with them so that monetary policy which they are in charge of (interest rates) is pushing in the same direction as fiscal policy which the government is in charge of (tax and spend). You can watch my reaction to the latest 0.75% increase in
the base rate here ([link removed]) , still incidentally lower than rates in the US. I also met the International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in No.11 last week who told me the IMF is predicting one third of the world’s economy will be in recession next year, so this is a very tough global economic crisis.

COVID UPDATE As of Saturday 4th November, the total number of Covid cases in England in the community has decreased, with the ONS now reporting that 1 in 35 have the virus ([link removed]) , compared to 1 in 30 the previous week. The Coronavirus dashboard ([link removed]) data confirms this decrease with cases down 32.1% in the last 7 days, hospitalisations down 26.5% and deaths down 24.2%. To keep us moving in the right direction during these colder months, please do schedule your Covid booster jab here ([link removed]) if you haven’t already.

The key number remains 0300 200 1008 for anyone with pandemic related difficulties. Also please check out my full list of local groups ([link removed]) working to support vulnerable residents.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

BOUNDARY REVIEW RESULTS This week, the proposals for new parliamentary constituency boundaries in England, Scotland & Northern Ireland have just been published by the relevant Boundary Commissions. ([link removed]) I need to understand the implications of the report, which are terrible for me personally. After proudly representing Godalming, Farnham & Haslemere (and their surrounding villages) for over 17 years, it looks like I will have to choose between two halves of a constituency that is basically being cut in two - a frankly impossible and heart-breaking choice. There is now a 4 week consultation and I will not be rushing this particularly difficult decision. For more information on how the boundary review works, its proposals and next steps, click here. ([link removed])

GREEN SPACES If anyone had any doubt about the impact of climate change, this week’s sobering report from the UN ([link removed]) is pretty convincing about the last eight years as the hottest ever. Although we do not face drought or famine in the UK, freak weather events seem to be rising including this week’s heavy rainfall, flash floods and prolonged sewage storm overflows in both Haslemere and Godalming. 93.5% of respondents to my green spaces survey ([link removed]) agreed to sign my petition to Thames Water and Southern Water so I have decided to hold a public meeting at 5 pm on Friday 25th November with Sarah Bentley, CEO at Thames Water alongside representatives from both the Environment Agency and Southern Water. In case you need reminding, sewage storm overflows in our area last year amounted to the equivalent of 65 days continuous flooding which is
totally unacceptable. The meeting is likely to fill up so will be free of charge but ticketed. Please complete this Google form ([link removed]) to request a place.

SURGERY CALLS - Last Friday, I spoke to an extremely talented Farnham resident who has set up a boutique production company which does music management and makes TV programmes and films. He’s looking for investment to help him grow his business. I said I would write back to him with possible sources of finances, as suggested by my Treasury officials. Then, I spoke to Ann Kenney from the Surrey Wellbeing Partnership ([link removed]) about a new alliance of local charities to intervene earlier for children and young families with emotional and wellbeing issues. From many conversations I have had with my parliamentary colleague Andrea Leadsom, I know that early intervention makes a world of difference so it is excellent to see this initiative happening. I also said I would chase the Treasury on a VAT decision she is waiting for.
I also spoke to a Ministry of Defence civil servant who lives in Farnham, about the issue of civil service pay. His concern is that the PCS union rejected the offer on the table without asking its members even though the offer, whilst not generous, did offer stability over three years. He believes the government should press on with plans to make it mandatory for unions to do ballots on pay deals. I also spoke to another Farnham resident about the way Surrey police reacted to an allegation of coercive control made against him which was subsequently dropped. He raised a number of concerns which I have said I will take up directly with the Chief Constable of Surrey.

Finally, I spoke to Katie Abbott who works forArthouse Unlimited ([link removed]) , a wonderful Godalming High Street charity which sells work done by artists who have needs requiring 24 hour support. It is chaired by the indomitable Colin Stokes. She is concerned about a German non-tariff barrier which makes it harder to export. I said I would ask Kemi Badenoch, the Trade Secretary, to look into it. Please note that my surgery slots for the remainder of the year are now fully booked but we can sort out most problems without a surgery - just email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) (SW Surrey constituents only).

TRAIN TIMETABLE SIGH OF RELIEF Over the past year, I’ve heard from many concerned constituents regarding South West Rail’s proposed December 2022 Timetable Changes (which would have reduced services at Farncombe Station from two an hour down to one). However, following numerous exchanges between me and the then Rail Minister as well as meeting SWR CEO Claire Mann at Farncombe Station, the final changes are less bad than feared. SWR will now restore two off-peak trains per hour at Farncombe Station (calling at Clapham Junction) from Monday to Saturday. This is hugely positive news for residents and good for emissions as the alternative would have been many more car journeys to Godalming. Please don’t forget to check your journeys ([link removed]) ahead of 11th December to make sure you aren’t caught out by changes to timings of services.

MEALS ON WHEELS Brightwells Gostrey operates a vital Community Meal Service called Meals on Wheels, providing the most vulnerable senior citizens in our local community and surrounding villages with a fresh, hot, daily lunch. These are delivered by a dedicated team of volunteer drivers, who are just as important as the food they are bringing. For some, the volunteers are the only faces that these people will see in a day, helping to relieve extreme loneliness and isolation, as well as carrying out essential welfare checks. The charity is extremely keen to be able to continue to offer its service, which is a lifeline to so many. Further details of how you can support them; as well as make a donation can be found here. ([link removed])

FARNHAM DIARY DATES The Farnham Repair Cafe is back on Saturday 12th November (10am - 1pm) at The Spire Church, South Street, GU9 7QU. You can bring up to 3 items, and six repair stations are available covering; electrical, laptops, mechanicals, bikes, furniture and clothing.The session is free and registration is not required. However, if you want to beat the queue you can pre-complete these two repair forms ([link removed]) and bring them with you. More details on FRC can be found on the FRC website ([link removed]) and on their YouTube channel ([link removed]) . Also, there’s the incredible fundraising exhibition taking place at St Andrews Church in Farnham, in support of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. This has now been extended until Saturday 19th November and is open 10am-4pm. Don’t miss the opportunity to see works by many internationally
renowned artists in response to the war - for more information, to make a donation or to buy prints online, please click here ([link removed])

AND FINALLY I am not always compared to James Bond and after you have seen this video you will understand why ([link removed]) …

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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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South West Surrey Conservative Association . 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road . Hindhead . Surrey, GU26 6TD . United Kingdom