This month I am delighted to say we have seen a flurry of announcements and campaign wins which will benefit residents of Sevenoaks and Swanley.
Firstly, after a long campaign funding has been approved for us to build a new Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) school in Swanley. This is fantastic news and will make a huge difference to families across the whole constituency. I have continually argued that there is a shortage of SEND places available locally and in 2021 I wrote to the Schools Minister seeking access to additional funding. Earlier this year I also had meetings with the Department for Education and Kent County Council to discuss this issue and make our case. A big thank you to KCC Conservative Leader Roger Gough and Swanley Kent County Councillor Perry Cole for all their hard work in achieving this. With the superb school annex campus now open in Sevenoaks, and the soon to be rebuilt Orchards Academy in Swanley, the Conservatives are delivering for local parents and pupils.
On transport, over 1,000 of you signed my petition to increase the number of trains on the fast line through Otford and Swanley, and earlier this month I received the brilliant news from Southeastern that an additional rush hour train will be added to the morning service after the timetable change on 10th December. This means during the two-hour morning rush hour period, there will be a half hourly service to Charing Cross via London Bridge. I hear regularly from commuters that use this line, how much of a difference it has made to their day-to-day travel, and I know this additional service will be hugely welcome. Thank you to all of you who signed my petition, without your support this would not have happened. I’m also keeping up the pressure for a half hourly service during the evening rush hour, I will keep you posted.
In Sevenoaks during the rush hour there had also been a gap in the timetable between the 07:12 and 07:48 for trains direct to Cannon Street – another popular commuter route. I am very pleased to report that Southeastern has listened to concerns raised and from the December timetable change a new service will now fill this gap, with a direct train from Sevenoaks at 07:26 arriving at Cannon Street at 07:58. These changes come in addition to the arrival of contactless ticketing, which will be introduced toward the end of this year at six additional stations across Sevenoaks – Bat and Ball, Dunton Green, Eynsford, Otford, Sevenoaks and Shoreham - following our successful campaign and local visit from the Rail Minister.
And finally, I was so pleased that Darent Valley Hospital (DVH) was announced as one of 30 NHS organisations across England to benefit from funding which will help ease pressure in urgent and emergency care services. The £2.5 million will create additional beds across three wards and will help many residents, especially those in the north of the constituency, be treated quicker this winter. On my visit last month, it was great to hear that the Trust is now ranked 5th out of 120 NHS trusts in the UK, which is a huge achievement, and down to the extraordinary hard work of doctors, nurses and other hospital staff, as well as the excellent leadership from CEO Jonathan Wade and his team. I have - and always will - champion our local healthcare and I am pleased that this Conservative Government is investing in Sevenoaks and Swanley’s local NHS.
Another busy month, but by working together we are making Sevenoaks and Swanley an even better place to live, work and do business. And I could not be prouder.
***
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.
- Over the summer I received many emails from concerned Otford residents about a proposal to dispose of the public space at Chalk Pit, Otford. I - alongside local Conservative District Councillors Irene Roy and John Edwards-Winser- raised with the council the many concerns received and I am pleased to say the notice has now been withdrawn. I am very grateful to Sevenoaks District Council, and in particular Conservative council leader Julia Thornton, for having taken action. Protecting our public spaces is so important for our local communities, and I will continue to ensure the local voice of residents is heard.
- I joined FM Conway, a leading family-run infrastructure services company based in Sevenoaks on the Vestry Estate, to speak to their female employees. We discussed being a women in the workforce, as well as the balancing act of juggling family responsibilities. They are an incredible group of women. My thanks to the company Chair Joanne Conway, as well as Ella Cole and her colleagues for organising such a great event.
- I had the pleasure of meeting Cathy, who alongside her sister Sandie, last year opened the fantastic LIME TREE WORK SHOP - a vibrant and award winning coworking space in the heart of Sevenoaks. The old warehouse had previously laid empty for more than 20 years, but Cathy (an interior designer) and Sandie (who works in meetings and event planning) have now designed a fabulous layout, using the original features to superb effect. Desks and office space are available to hire, as well as an events space (which also offers a brilliant array of events), so do please visit their website and see how it could benefit you. https://limetreeworkshop.co.uk
- The River Darenth is one of only around 200 chalk streams in the world, and I was pleased to meet with the Darent River Preservation Society (DRiPS) at Castle Farm (situated between the villages of Shoreham and Eynsford). The Darent is such a clean river, which was rated ‘good’ or ‘high’ for water quality in 2022; DRiPS play a vital role in this preservation. It was great to discuss various matters with them including the need for new reservoirs (one is due to be built in Kent in the 2030’s) and the pressures new housing bring on the water supply.
- It was an absolute pleasure to visit Rockdale Housing Association, to celebrate their 75th anniversary. I loved meeting the residents and receiving a tour of the beautiful gardens that Annette and residents have been working on. Huge congratulations to Chris, Trupti, Annette and all the team. 75 years is a huge achievement and testament to all the hard work you put in for residents.
- At my most recent surgeries – which are meetings for constituents who wish to discuss their concerns or issues with me, I discussed a range of topics including Capital Gains Tax, Entrepreneurs Relief, small boats and support for small businesses. If you would like to join one of my future sessions, please do email my office at [email protected], setting out what you would like to discuss.
- As part of my ongoing campaign to see banking facilities returned to Swanley, I visited the town’s Post Office to meet with longstanding staff member Ruth and Postmaster Jigna Suthakaran to see how their excellent new dedicated banking counter is supporting local residents. While I am so grateful to the Post Office and all the staff for providing this facility, it of course does not replace the need for a banking hub locally – especially in light of further bank closures in Sidcup. I continue to push for a banking hub to be opened and I will of course keep you updated with any developments. In the meanwhile, I encourage all local residents to make use of the banking facility within the Post Office. The more demand shown for face-to-face banking, the more powerful our case will be for change.
- As a local road user, I completely understand the concerns of drivers about extortionate charges from private car parks. I am pleased the Government is working to address this by finalising the Private Parking Code of Practice, which will ensure fewer drivers are penalised unfairly and tackle issues like misleading signs, and a lack of grace periods. There will also be a new independent appeals service to allow drivers to more easily challenge an unfair parking charge. To ensure the code is effective, a call for evidence has been launched which puts under consideration reducing the current £100 charge limit to £50, potentially banning debt recovery fees, or retaining existing limits. I have already responded with my views, given local cases I have worked on, however please do make sure your voice and experience are heard before the 8th October deadline. It is so important that we ensure drivers are not taken advantage of – especially given the distress caused to so many people. It must be stopped.
- Further to my meeting with Kent Police and Matthew Scott, PCC for Kent on antisocial behaviour, Kent Police and Sevenoaks District Council Official are now considering the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) at The Vine. A PSPO is an additional tool that gives the Police and Council Officers powers to help reduce specific anti-social behaviours – including issuing warnings, or a fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour carried out by individuals. The police have been very clear this move is to enhance people’s enjoyment of our beautiful public space – not to restrict it – and I support them and Sevenoaks District Council at looking at every tool available to ensure The Vine remains a relaxing and safe space for all residents.
- Swimming is such a popular activity and provides both fitness and mental well-being for all ages. However, in recent years, maintaining the viability of swimming pools, first due to the pandemic, then rising utility costs, has been a real struggle. Last month I therefore wrote in support of Sevenoaks District Council's application to the Government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund for £500,000, which if successful will benefit the pools across both Sevenoaks and Swanley (including the Edenbridge leisure centre). It is vital we support our local sport and leisure facilities and ensure they are still there for the next generation to continue to enjoy.
- And finally, I know it might seem early, but my annual Christmas Card competition for 2023 is now open. The winning design will be printed on the front of the Christmas cards I send out in December. And, The Stag Sevenoaks has very kindly donated prizes, including tickets to see the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime this winter for the winner, and cinema tickets for the runner ups. All local children, up to 12 years old, are invited to take part and the deadline for applications is Tuesday 31st October. For further details – alongside the entry form – please visit: https://www.lauratrott.org.uk/christmas-card-competition
