Sevenoaks and Swanley, and the country, have said our final goodbyes to a constant that was shared in all our lives. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the steady hand that guided us through our country’s triumphs and tribulations over an extraordinary 70-year reign, and our nation and community came together to mourn her passing and to celebrate an extraordinary lifetime of service.
I was honoured to represent Sevenoaks and Swanley at the ceremonies that have taken place both in Parliament and locally. This included attending a wonderful service at St Nicholas Church, Sevenoaks, before then paying tribute to the Queen in the House of Commons. I reflected on the Queen’s close relationship with Sir Winston Churchill, perhaps our most famous past resident. I also attended the Proclamation reading for King Charles III, led by Council Chairman Cllr Avril Hunter at Sevenoaks District Council. It was moving to see so many residents gathered for this historic event.
September also bought with it a new Prime Minister, who in her first few days set out in the House of Commons what support Government would be making available to help residents with the spike in energy prices. The support will ensure that a typical household pays an average £2,500 a year for their energy, from 1 October 2022 for the next two years. On average usage, a household will save £1,000 a year and this is in addition to the already announced £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme for households across the UK. The most vulnerable UK households will also continue to receive £1,200 of support. This is welcome news and will make a huge difference to families across Sevenoaks and Swanley.
I have also been pushing for necessary support to be brought in for businesses and schools, and I am pleased that the Business Secretary has now announced the details of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which will provide businesses, charities, schools and hospitals with a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices worth up to half the price of expected energy prices this winter.
Locally, the summer months were very stressful for many parents and pupils after the announcement by the bus operator that many of the school buses to Tunbridge Wells were being withdrawn, alongside other changes. I, along with local councillors, including Nick Chard, Gary Williamson and Nigel Williams, worked tirelessly with Kent County Council to secure the restoration of as many of the cancelled services as possible. Supporting us all the way were groups of parents who argued the case so strongly on behalf of their children. I am pleased to say that overall, after hiccups in the first week or two, services were broadly restored. Whilst there are still one or two remaining issues, I am grateful to KCC Transport Cabinet Member David Brazier, KCC Leader Roger Gough and their officers, for all their work on this.
Finally, I could not let my newsletter pass without noting the turbulent economic situation of the last few weeks, which I know many of you have rightly been concerned about. The mini-fiscal statement presented by the Chancellor on the 23rd September put in place some very welcome support for households, but it was overshadowed by other elements. I support the decision to make changes, alongside bringing forward the medium term fiscal plan and the OBR forecast.
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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.
- I was invited by two of the Westerham parents who campaigned hard for the restoration of the TW4 school bus from Westerham to Tunbridge Wells, to mark the return of this much-used service. We were joined by other parents and the excellent local councillors Nigel Williams, Nick Chard and Westerham Parish Chairman Helen Ogden. It was brilliant to see such a vital service return.
- Over the last year, and following a series of bank closures in Swanley, I have been doing my best to find a way to improve access to cash for our community. This included approaching the Cash Action Group (CAG) to ask for a Banking Hub to be set up in the town. Whilst I am still pushing hard for a Banking Hub to be established, I am pleased CAG have now announced that Swanley will be one of 12 locations nationwide selected to pilot new ideas to meet needs around obtaining cash and find more varied ways to carry out banking. It is vital that we improve cash and banking facilities in Swanley and by working together I believe we can achieve this. I will keep you all updated.
- We are so lucky to have superb historic locations within our community and over the summer I had the pleasure of visiting, and meeting Tom Hart-Dyke and his mother Sarah, at the beautiful Lullingstone Castle. I’m sure many of you know of Tom’s amazing plan (hatched when in captivity after being kidnapped in South America) to create a world garden, and I was delighted to see his vision first hand, as well as the amazing Cactus House. It is a beautiful location, and well worth a visit.
- Tucked away in Otford is the remaining Tower of the Archbishop’s Palace. Although it fell into disrepair many centuries ago, a hardy band of activists created the Archbishop’s Palace Trust and in 2019 took a 99 lease from Sevenoaks District Council. Over the summer I met two of the Trust’s members Nick Rushby and John Edwards-Winser along with Parish Chairman and District Councillor Irene Roy. Nick gave me a fascinating overview of both the history of the site at Otford Palace and also the work the Trust are doing. It will undoubtedly take some years for the plans of the Trust to come to full fruition, but I look forward to visiting again when there will be three levels of flooring within the tower and for the proposed education centre to be opened.
- For those of us (me included) who commuted in the summer heat, you will know that some of the trains over the summer were unbearable without air conditioning. During the hot weather I spoke to the operators to get an update on when they will be replacing the older trains, and I had encouraging news. The older stock trains (such as those that start at Tunbridge Wells) are gradually being replaced at the moment, and I am assured by next summer, they will have all been replaced by trains with air-conditioning. This will then leave Metro Electrostars (which are a lot newer). While these trains do not have air conditioning, they do have a pressure air ventilation system which replenishes the fresh air in the carriage. I look forward to additional trains being more bearable next year on hot days – for both commuters, as well as those who are visiting family and friends or planning days out.
- It was a privilege to join Sue of Pop-Up Health & Wellbeing (or Pop Up Sue as she’s known by everyone!), for her first Age UK Sevenoaks & Tonbridge exercise class in Crockenhill. Sue is doing some fantastic work locally to help prevent isolation and loneliness and reduce falls amongst the over 50’s with strength, mobility, and balance classes - and it was wonderful to see the class in action. Sue runs a range of classes across our community, so do check out her Facebook page if you, or someone you know, might be interested.
- Following our successful campaign against Sadiq Khan’s London boundary tax, the Mayor is now consulting on an extension of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across London in 2023 – which if implemented would mean a daily charge of £12.50 for diesel cars registered before September 2015, and most vans registered before September 2016, for driving into London. This proposal is unacceptable and will incur a huge costs for many residents. I have responded to the consultation and was clear in my response to the Mayor that it must be scrapped. I will continue to work with Conservative colleagues to oppose this proposal.
- Alongside local councillors Roddy Hogarth and Julia Thornton, I met Ollie Ireland from Live Biking. Ollie provides mountain biking lessons to children and young people, and Live Biking have built and maintains several trails for Sevenoaks area schools, as well as delivering biking tuition at five primaries. Ollie had the misfortune of having to give me my first mountain biking lesson, which I loved. If you would like to find out more information on Live Biking do visit; https://www.livebiking.co.uk/saturday-bike-club
- Finally, I have now launched my annual Christmas Card competition. It is open to all local children, up to 12 years old, and further details – alongside the entry form – can be found on my website.The deadline for applications is Monday 31st October and I am looking forward to seeing some amazing artwork. Good luck
