I always find the start of the new year a great moment for reflection, and that is why I used my New Year’s Message in the Sevenoaks Chronicle to look back on what we achieved in 2022, as well as set out my plans for 2023 - which focus on six key areas:
- Improving our local transport infrastructure
- Protecting our Green Belt
- Supporting our local businesses
- Cutting local crime
- Standing up for families and young people
- And finally, championing local healthcare.
I always want to hear from residents about your own priorities and concerns – local and national – and that is why my Reporting Back leaflet, which was distributed throughout the constituency at the end of last year, included a feedback form. So many of you have kindly taken the time to return the form, and for this I would like to say a huge thank you. Your comments have been incredibly helpful, and I shared a quick update on my Facebook earlier this month on some of the themes which came up and what I am doing to resolve them – including improving bus services, protecting the Green Belt, increasing the accessibility of GPs and tackling antisocial behaviour. If you haven’t yet completed the form, but would like to get in touch, please do get email me at [email protected]. By working together we will make Sevenoaks and Swanley an even better place to live and work, and your reflections are invaluable for helping me to prioritise the areas that will have the most impact.
One other reoccurring theme which came up in the forms was the strong opposition locally to the Labour Mayor of London’s plan to extend the ULEZ charge across London – something I have been focusing on this month. For those of you not aware, the ULEZ extension will mean a daily charge of £12.50 for those who wish to drive across the border to travel to and from work, visit their loved ones and go about day-to-day life whose cars do not meet the regulations. For instance, residents living in Halstead could be faced with a charge to visit their doctor’s surgery in Chelsfield, as could people in Swanley when travelling to St Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. Vehicles impacted include diesel cars registered before September 2015, and most vans registered before September 2016. Cars with petrol engines will not be liable for the charge if registered in 2006 or later (or in some instances if registered between 2001 – 2005, depending on the model).
Last week, I met with Swanley Town Council Leader Michael Horwood, and local Sevenoaks District Council’s Cllr Lesley Dyball to discuss the atrocious impact of Sadiq Khan’s plan on local residents but let me be clear; the Labour Mayor has no right to impose this charge on non-London residents, and Keir Starmer is simply wrong to support the disastrous proposals which will hit those on the lowest incomes the hardest. Of course, I want to see improved air quality. It is important both for both public health, and the environment. But the expansion of the ULEZ zone is the wrong way to achieve that, especially as TfL's own estimates have already said it would have little to no impact on air quality in outer London. Please be assured that the plan is being strongly opposed by all your local Conservatives and we will continue to fight its implementation. For the latest updates, do follow me on Facebook.
Finally, you all know I do a lot of work on women’s health issues, and I have long been concerned about maternity safety. I have recently launched a constituency survey so I can hear about your experiences of local maternity services. I would like to know about aspects of the service that were disappointing and in need of improvement, as well as good experiences - positive feedback is just as essential as it reinforces when and where services are getting it right. The survey - which can be access here - will be open until 28th February so if you have used our local services recently, please do fill it in, and share with any family members or friends who may also have experiences to share.
Thank you again for all your support, and if there is anything you would like to discuss with me, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Laura
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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 have spoken many times before about the need to protect our much-loved Green Belt, and having an agreed local plan is pivotal in achieving this. This month, I held an online meeting with the team at Sevenoaks District Council to discuss how the new Local Plan is progressing. Whilst the council are having to consult under the current planning laws, I am hopeful that by the end of the process the changes to the planning system being proposed in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill will have come into force, and that the Duty to Cooperate with neighbouring authorities (the unfair reason the previous Plan was held up) will have been dispensed with.
- Following our successful campaign at the end of last year, I was pleased to greet one of the new Maidstone East fast line service trains to London Bridge at Otford Station, alongside Leader of Sevenoaks District Council, Cllr Peter Fleming, and local district and parish councillors Roddy Hogarth, John Edwards-Winser, Carol Bent and Simon Featherstone. The service has had a difficult start caused by the strikes, and diversions - which I’m following up on - but by working together we have achieved a real and meaningful change for residents. This is a huge step forward and I will keep pushing for more rush hour trains to be provided in order to make it an even more user-friendly service.
- After the recent spell of cold weather, a number of you have rightly been in touch to raise concerns about potholes and I recently joined Cllr Lynda Harrison in West Kingsdown and Cllr Lesley Dyball in Swanley to see some particularly dangerous examples. While Kent County Council do excellent work to repair potholes as quickly as possible, we all have a role to play in reporting issues. So, if you are out and about - whether in a car, on a bike, or on foot – and spot a pothole which needs repair, please visit KCC's website. By working together, we can make sure our roads across Sevenoaks and Swanley are repaired and safe for all road users.
- I firmly believe that children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) should be able to access the same high quality education as every other child and at the start of the month I joined a call with the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, Claire Coutinho MP, to discuss the steps Government will be taking to improve services provided locally. I am continuing to work hard alongside the Minister, Kent MP colleagues and Kent County Council to ensure we see waiting times reduced and the process improved for parents. I will keep you all updated.
- Having received a series of emails from residents regarding an increase in local anti-social behaviour, I joined Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, District Commander Chief Inspector Jones, Local Councillors Cllr Pett and Cllr Nelson; and Local Residents’ Association Chairmen Dean Gorton and David Clark, in New Ash Green to discuss what is being done to tackle it. I am pleased that after a number of actions to increase patrols and deal with those involved crime, numbers have now decreased from their peak in August. However, I and DCI Jones, are continuing to monitor developments closely, and I have shared some tips on my Facebook and website as to how to report a crime should you see one.
- In the first week of January, I attended the Prime Minister’s New Year speech where he set out his five key priorities for the 2023; halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut NHS waiting lists and stop small boats. It was great to talk to the media afterwards about what these priorities will mean for people across the country – including here in Sevenoaks and Swanley.
- I have spoken many times before about how proud I am of the response across Sevenoaks and Swanley following the appalling invasion of Ukraine. However, with Ukrainian families still unable to safely return home the challenge to provide accommodation in our community remains – including for those whose original sponsor is no longer able to support them. If you have a spare room, please do consider whether you could host an individual or small family. Each month, for one guest, you will receive a £400 support payment, plus £100 for each additional guest (up to a maximum of £1000), as a thank you for opening your home. There is a huge amount of guidance available from Sevenoaks District Council, Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees and Care For Our Community Ukraine (to name just a few) if you have any questions. To find out more, please email SDC directly at [email protected]
- And finally, as a proud supporter of The Sutton Trust - who work to ensure every young person, no matter who their parents are, what school they go to, or where they live has the chance to succeed in life - I am pleased they have opened applications for their university and apprenticeship Summer Schools, which any Year 12 state school pupil can apply for. I attended one of these courses as a child and it was fantastic, so if you know someone who might be interested and could benefit, then please do visit: https://summerschools.suttontrust.com/
