Hollybush is much loved and used by all of us, especially families, so I know how concerning the illegal traveller encampment was for everyone last month. As well as occupying the land, there were also sadly cases of local children being intimidated, as well as theft, violence and antisocial behaviour directed at the Hollybush café which led to them having to close. This is totally unacceptable.
When I first became your MP in 2019, there were several local cases of illegal and unauthorised encampments. And, what became apparent to me were the limitations of the previous powers of enforcement. As part of my four-point plan to tackle antisocial behaviour in our local community, I campaigned for action to be taken so the police could challenge and remove unauthorised traveller sites as quickly as possible; I was so pleased when we passed legislation last year to make this the case. These new laws meant we could move the travellers on within 48 hours, compared to three weeks when a similar incident happened before.
Following the incident of violence at the café, I popped in to meet with owner John Heuerman, manager Gerry, and assistant Katie, to see how the team were doing in the aftermath. What was truly humbling was the way the team acted throughout to protect their customers, particularly the children there. They are a wonderful asset to our community and deserve all our support.
I would also like to say a huge thank you to the residents who helped clear up the mess that was left, as well as to Kent Police and Sevenoaks District Council for their prompt and effective action that enabled a Section 61 Notice to be served and move the individuals on.
In more positive news – this month bought with it TWO huge campaign wins.
Firstly, I was excited to hear from the Department of Transport that contactless ticketing will be coming to six stations across the Sevenoaks district – Bat and Ball, Dunton Green, Eynsford, Otford, Sevenoaks and Shoreham.
Like many of you, I am a regular commuter into London, and this is going to make a huge difference in reducing the extra hassle that queuing up for your ticket, picking the right fare and then locating said ticket on your journey home brings. I have been calling for this to be introduced since becoming your MP in 2019 and I could not be more thrilled.
Secondly, I was delighted last week to hear that our campaign to protect the Green Belt on Brittains Lane in Sevenoaks had been successful.
As some of you may know, Croudace Homes Ltd, sought to build 70 homes on the land which separates Sevenoaks from Riverhead. Despite being refused planning permission by the Conservative led Sevenoaks District Council, Croudace decided to appeal the decision, which this month we found out has been rejected by the Planning Inspector. This is a superb result and I know the news will come as a huge relief to the local community.
I am proud to have played my role in opposing the development and a huge thank you to the Planning Inspector, Sevenoaks District Council, former Conservative district councillors Andrew Eyre and Avril Hunter, and the Brittains Lane Association of residents who raised vital funds to help oppose the proposal.
Whilst the Sevenoaks District Council’s Local Plan continues to progress, I am pleased that the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill currently going through Parliament, and the related consultation on the updating of the National Planning Policy Framework, means we should see less pressure on our area for housing numbers, as more attention is paid to the geographical green belt constraints of the area. This is something I have called for in many debates in Westminster since becoming your MP, as it is vital we are not completely blind to the local geographical circumstances that communities, like Sevenoaks, find ourselves in.
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Below is a snapshot of what I have been working on this month. If there is anything I can do to support you, please get in touch at [email protected]
- I am pleased to say that, subject to a tree survey and the relevant remedial work being carried out, and after much hard work from myself, Kent County Council and local County Councillor Margot McArthur, the TW3 school bus will divert in the morning through Weald Village from the start of the new academic year. Work is ongoing to ensure the afternoon service will also pass through the village. I know this will be a great relief to both parents and pupils and I will continue to provide updates as soon as I have them.
- Following our successful campaign to secure the London fast line through Otford and Swanley, I have received many emails from residents explaining how additional services on the line would benefit them. So, this month I have launched a petition calling on Southeastern to put additional services on, especially during rush hour in the morning. The petition is open until 1st September 2023, when I will then share it with Southeastern to help make our case for change. Please do get involved and share the petition with your friends and family – the more signatures we collect, the better our chances of succeeding with the campaign.
- While I continue to campaign hard to secure a banking hub in Swanley, there have been some positive recent developments: Firstly, the Post Office in Swanley is now providing a dedicated banking counter, and you do not need to join the main Post Office queue should you wish to use it. At the counter, customers can check their balance, withdraw cash, pay in cash, pay in cheques and pay bills. And secondly, the Barclays Van continues to visit twice a month, with its next visit taking place on Wednesday 26th July between 10am and 2pm. Although you cannot pay in or take out cash (which you can do at the Post Office), Barclays are able to help you with other aspects of banking, including opening an account, lost or damaged cards, guidance for customers in financial difficulties, payment of bills, transfer of funds and international payments. Alongside Swanley Town Council and local Conservative councillors, I continue to push for further banking improvements – but in the meanwhile I urge you to use the facilities that have now been made available to show that there is sufficient demand in Swanley for a further upgrade in facilities.
- I was delighted to visit Amherst School, where I met the pupils of Year 6. I was greeted by a wonderful rendition of “Food Glorious Food” ahead of the school’s production of Oliver, before the pupils asked some excellent questions on a variety of topics including what the Government are doing to reduce drug crime and our support for Ukraine in their war against Russia.
- I had the pleasure of joining the team from West Kent Sport & Wellbeing to celebrate their second showcase event. I took the opportunity to speak to many of the exhibitors including Sevenoaks Rugby Club, Swanley Rugby Club, Sevenoaks Suns Basketball Club and HC Knole Park to name but a few. They, and the other clubs in attendance, do amazing work within our community – for people of all ages. It was great to hear of each clubs' plans to continue to progress and expand – and I was especially happy that Sevenoaks Suns may well have found a permanent home within the district – with the resultant additional basketball facilities this will bring to our area. If you want to read more on local sports, do take a look at their website.
- Some months ago there was sadly a terrible accident at one of the crossings in Riverhead, where a pedestrian was seriously hurt. Local district councillors Graham Clack and Kim Bayley have since been working with Kent County Councillor Nick Chard and the Riverhead Parish Council in order to seek to improve the visibility of the crossings. I was pleased to lend my support and I continue to monitor the situation closely.
- It was great to meet Leo the Baker, a fantastic local baker based in Sevenoaks who sells his homemade goods at many of our local markets and events. Needless to say, I couldn’t resist buying a selection of bread, cakes and sausage rolls from him – all of which were devoured in a blink of an eye by my family! Everything was delicious and highly recommended. Hearing Leo’s story is a perfect reminder of the importance of small local businesses to our community, and it is so great to see such businesses thriving. He also runs workshops for those interested in learning the tricks of the trade, so do visit his Facebook page if this might be of interest to you, or someone you know.
- As some of you may be aware, there has been an ongoing review by the Boundary Commission into parliamentary constituencies, and this month they published their final findings. As a result, from the next General Election; New Ash Green will sadly no longer fall within the Sevenoaks Constituency (although it will remain within Sevenoaks District Council). They will now join the constituency of Tonbridge and Malling. And, Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley from Dartford Borough Council will join the Sevenoaks constituency (whilst remaining part of Dartford Borough Council). It is with sadness that I will say goodbye to New Ash Green, but I know that my neighbour Tom Tugendhat will do a terrific job representing their views. I want to offer a warm welcome to those within Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley whom I look forwarding to representing.
- I want to make sure everyone across Sevenoaks can choose cheaper, greener and healthier travel. And, developing the right infrastructure to deliver this is critical. Having successfully secured £1.2 million from the Government’s Active Travel fund last year, I am delighted that Sevenoaks District Council this month consulted residents over the Sevenoaks east/west cycle, walking and wheeling route. The route would connect the town’s schools with the communities they serve, from Riverhead and Amherst Schools in the west with Trinity, Weald of Kent and Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys annexes in the east. The proposed route also goes via Sevenoaks Primary School and Walthamstow Hall Junior School and close to Knole Academy, the Granville School and Sevenoaks railway station. I will be monitoring closely the results and next steps.
- And finally, on a national stage, and as Pensions Minister, I piloted a huge package of pension reforms which were announced last week by the Chancellor at Mansion House. These reforms will boost an average private pension by £1,000 a year – making a huge difference to people’s retirement.
