Firstly, and most importantly, I am pleased Sevenoaks District Council say with the help and co-operation of all parties, Sevenoaks Leisure Centre could reopen with a new operator within a matter of weeks. I know the last few weeks have been incredible stressful for both members and staff and I urge the Sencio Board and its insolvency agency to do everything in their power to help the council achieve this aim. I will be monitoring Sencio’s cooperation very closely and am grateful for Sevenoaks District Council for keeping me updated on their conversations.
As your MP, I have continued to contact local providers with leisure facilities and activity space, to see if they are able to help on a temporary basis whilst the leisure centre is closed, in addition to the support already provided by Everyone Active.
West Heath School are helping several local primary schools and Sevenoaks School have gone out of their way – they are helping Sevenoaks Swimming Club, some local primary schools and looking at what more they can do to support local fitness groups. Offers of help have also been made by The Stag Sevenoaks, and Sevenoaks Town Council, who although having limited regular availability, are also seeing if they can help cover some displaced Sencio activities.
A huge and heartfelt thanks to all those who have come forward. I really am grateful for your support and I will continue to provide updates as and when I can.
Elsewhere, tackling anti-social behaviour is an absolute priority for me. Everyone has the right to live without fear of facing anti-social behaviour, to leave their home without fearing intimidation, to shop in a vibrant high street free from disorder and disrepair, and to use and enjoy their parks and community spaces.
I know there have been problems of local anti-social behaviour recently on the Vine. This culminated in the police recently imposing a Dispersal Order for the Vine for a 48-hour period. I know the police and the district council, through the Community Safety Partnership, are also carrying out other work including visiting schools, upping patrols to the Vine, working with British Transport Police and other organisations such as the Kenward Trust. I fully support them in this and will be keep in close contact to understand how the visits go.
I was pleased to read this week the Government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, which reinforces the Government’s commitment to stamp out anti-social behaviour and restore the right of people to feel safe in, and proud of, their local area. It includes bigger fines for graffiti, tougher fines of fly tipping, the banning of laughing gas, hotspot patrols and strengthened powers for housing associations, to name but a few.
I will be working closely with our local authorities and Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott to ensure the plans are introduced swiftly across our community.
And finally, I have spoken many times before in my column about my firm belief that every child deserves high-quality education and care, and I remain very concerned about the continued lack of Special Educational Needs provision locally. I receive so many heart-breaking emails from distressed parents on this topic and it must be addressed.
Earlier this month the Government agreed to provide additional financial support to Kent County Council to assist with SEN provision and I strongly believe this should include a dedicated SEN school locally. We cannot continue to have the situation where the only SEN places available to children involve long journeys outside of the district – we MUST have a local facility.
Since being elected, I have promised to stand up for local families and young people. And this continues to be at the heart of work locally. I have meetings with KCC and the Department for Education coming up, so I will keep you updated on my discussions.
