Firstly, I cannot start my newsletter without reflecting on the deeply concerning developments in the Middle East.
I have been shocked by the barbaric, unprovoked attacks by Hamas against Israeli civilians. Hamas is a terrorist organisation and deserves absolute unequivocal condemnation. Antisemitism must not stand. We must, support absolutely Israel’s right to defend itself, take back the hostages, and deter further incursions, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Closer to home, I have been concerned to hear of increased shoplifting locally – a trend which has also been seen across the country. Therefore, this month I invited a number of local retailers, Chief Inspector Jones of Kent Police and Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent, Matthew Scott to a meeting to discuss the problem.
Each retailer was able to express the problems they were experiencing - and it was particularly upsetting to hear about the violence and threats some staff are having to face. This is unacceptable and must be stopped.
The common theme was a request for more visible policing, and I was grateful to Chief Inspector Jones and Matthew Scott for listening and setting out their plans. I was pleased to hear that they are placing a greater focus on this issue by targeting repeat offenders in the district and using all the powers they have to act, including orders that ban them from stores.
Matthew has overseen a huge increase in police numbers within Kent (with 4,203 officers in comparison with 3,787 in 2010) and there was clearly an expressed view from local retailers for more of these officers to be deployed locally.
I welcomed the clear commitment from Matthew in response for additional resource, and he confirmed that more of these Officers are going to be deployed into our local neighbourhoods. This will mean residents will see more visible patrols available to respond when needed. Officers have also recently been pro-actively engaging with businesses as part of Safer Business Action Week where they’ve been visiting local businesses and conducting surveys.
Building on this, the Home Office’s Retail Crime Action Plan announced last week includes a commitment from the police to prioritise attending instances of shoplifting involving violence against shop workers or when security guards have detained an offender. These are welcome developments and a step in the right direction.
My thanks go to all the shop owners and shop workers in Sevenoaks and Swanley who are dealing with this every day. I will do all I can to help.
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Below is a snapshot of what we have been working on. If there is anything I can do to support you, please get in touch.
- Further to our local campaign, and the visit from the Transport Minister Richard Holden MP last month, I am pleased the London Mayor Sadiq Khan has reversed his decision to end the Day Travelcard to and from London. I have opposed this proposal since the very start, as the plans would have seen the price of travel to and from the capital rise by 33%. It was simply unacceptable – and meant further cost increases for hard working local families. I do find it quite remarkable that the man who said he was scrapping the card, is now claiming to have saved it. But let’s hope this is the start of a trend and he soon will realise the mistake he has made extending the ULEZ zone.
- Earlier this month it was announced that WASPS rugby club is engaging with Sevenoaks District Council to build a new multiuse stadium, training ground and hotel on the site of Pedham Place Golf Course, just outside of Swanley. WASPS are a historic English rugby club, with an iconic international brand, and the news is potentially very exciting. However, I have always been clear that local support is vital for any new development in our community and I will therefore be looking closely at the details to ensure fans, local residents and local business will benefit. In particular, I will be looking for firm commitments around transport and traffic infrastructure – there is an existing issue in and around junction 3 of the M25 as it is. I will be meeting soon with both WASPS and the District Council and look forward to hearing more about their plans.
- Last week I met with local district councillor Gary Williamson, who has been working hard to campaign for those local residents in Fort Halstead (who current rely on a private water supply from the Fort) to enable them to benefit from the new water supply being provided to in readiness for the new housing development. Whilst it has been agreed to provide piping to the neighbouring roads – there is still the question of who pays for the final connection to individual houses. I firmly believe this cost should not fall on the residents and following our meeting I have now written to CBRE, who represent the landowner to encourage the final connection is paid for by them – rather than hard-pressed residents. I will keep you updated with developments.
- I was delighted to make a speech at the Sevenoaks Business Awards and meet with some of the brilliant nominees (and winners!). Our local business owners are what makes Sevenoaks such a great place to live and work, and the awards are always such a fantastic opportunity to both celebrate their achievements and thank them for all their hard work. Speaking at the event was a privilege and congratulations to all those who were nominated – as well as Sevenoaks Town Team for arranging such a great event.
- This month I visited Meeting Point Swanley, which is operated by Sevenoaks District Council. The site offers a range of facilities including desk hire, private offices, meeting rooms and shared working areas and can be used by local businesses and home workers alike. It is a really lovely facility and a great addition to Swanley. Do visit https://meetingpoint.org.uk/ to find out more.
- Earlier this year, there was a plan to close the A233 Westerham Hill for up to 38 days, and then a further plan to close the same stretch of road in August – again for a lengthy period - in order to allow Thames Water to connect the new houses on Westerham Hill to the water network. I made it clear such a lengthy closure was wholly unacceptable and the works were postponed. These works unfortunately do however need to take place, and having worked closely with Orpington MP Gareth Bacon MP, Westerham businesses, councillors and Thames Water, it has been agreed they will now occur over Christmas (starting on 16 December), for no more than 14 days, in order to minimise disruption - especially for those on the school run (which has been a big concern I know). This is still going to be a huge pain, but I think it’s the best we can do given the circumstances, and I am pleased with the shorter timeframe at least. I have asked councillors to keep a close eye on the works to ensure they keep to time. My thanks both to Thames Water for listening and also to Kent County Council Councillor Nick Chard for all of his hard work over this matter. Please do feed into both of us, any further thoughts.
- This month I visited; Dunton Green Primary School to catch up with their new Executive Head Ben Hulme, gave a talk to the Sixth Form girls at Walthamstow Hall School on my career and was shown around St John’s Primary School in Sevenoaks by some (seriously impressive!) members of the school council and then took part in an assembly. Visits like these are some of the best bits of my job, so thanks so much to all the schools for having me.
- I am pleased that from November 8th, possession of nitrous oxide — known as laughing gas — will be illegal, with repeat users facing up to two years in prison and dealers up to 14 years. Sadly, we have seen locally the link between antisocial behaviour and laughing gas, and it has been raised with me a number of times on local visits and meetings with residents. Tackling anti-social behaviour is an absolute priority for me and this announcement is a good step forward.
- I was delighted to take the Roads and Bus Minister Richard Holden MP to meet with Austin Blackburn the owner of the local bus company go-coach hire, at their bus garage in Swanley. We met two of the apprentices working at the depot and it was great to hear how involved they are. We also discussed the work Austin had been doing with Riverhead and Dunton Green councillor Graham Clack, who alongside his colleagues Kim Bayley and County Councillor Nick Chard, had been arguing strongly for a bus service to serve Dunton Green. Austin was able to confirm that Kent County Council have now agreed to fund the Number 3 bus, which will travel to Orpington and Sevenoaks – including the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough. It will also cover a new S3 route to relieve the pressure on local school buses – something I have been calling for since the start of the school year. This is great news and well done to all those involved.
- And finally, MP surgeries are an important way an MP can listen to people’s concerns, or help with individual cases, and this month I dealt with a variety of cases including those relating to a child with Special Educational Needs and adult social care. Such cases are not always straightforward, but as your MP I am here to help wherever I can. If you would like me to take up a case on your behalf, do email me at [email protected] and I will do my best to assist.
