The unexpected closure of Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, alongside Lullingstone Park Golf Course, has been really difficult for our community. So, first, and most importantly, I want to assure you all that the leisure centre will reopen and reopen soon. Sevenoaks District Council has plans in place to bring in a new operator and they are working hard to ensure this happens – hopefully within a matter of weeks with the help and co-operation of all parties involved.
However, in the meantime, we need to make sure that those who have been affected by the closure are helped. From the start I have made strong representation that arrangements are made to enable at least some facilities elsewhere to be used by Sencio members, and I am grateful to Everyone Active (who operate the council’s Swanley White Oak Leisure Centre) who have offered Sencio gym members free access to any of their gyms for up to four weeks, as well as options for relocation to schools and clubs who were already using the leisure centre. Sevenoaks District Council have also made every effort to engage with as many providers as possible to ensure arrangements can be put in place elsewhere.
Offers of help have also been made by The Stag, and Sevenoaks Town Council, who although having limited regular availability at the Bat & Ball Centre due to its popularity, are seeing if they can help cover some displaced Sencio activities. West Heath School and Sevenoaks School have been very generous with their support for local primary schools and the Sevenoaks Swimming Club. And conversations are ongoing about what more Sevenoaks School can offer to local fitness groups.
A huge thanks to all those who have come forward. It really does mean so much to see our community once again coming together. All offers of help are truly appreciated, so if you think you could get involved, please do not hesitate to contact my office or contact Sevenoaks District Council directly at [email protected].
I will continue to keep you all updated on my Facebook page as soon as I have further information. And, if you have any questions or concerns about the closures, please do email me at [email protected]. I will come back to you as soon as I can.
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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.
- A huge thank you to everyone who joined me for my first co-hosted Apprenticeship Fair in Maidstone. The turnout was terrific with 70 organisations – including local businesses such as UK Power Networks and FM Conway – and local students all in attendance. Apprenticeships are such an important way to both gain a qualification and earn at the same time. And it is brilliant to see just how many options are available locally to those who are considering this route.
- Whilst delighted with our successful campaign to rebuild Orchards Academy (with work due to begin toward the end of this year), I remain concerned about two further aspects of schooling provisions in our area. Firstly, I am worried about the lack of both grammar school spaces, and Sixth Form provision within Swanley, with many pupils having to travel outside of area. Secondly, I am well aware of the continued lack of Special Educational Needs provisions locally. We cannot continue to have the situation where the only SEN places available to children involve long journeys outside of the district. Since being elected, I have promised to stand up for local families and young people. I am determined to address both of these areas and will keep you updated on my campaigns.
- For many years the former Farmers pub site has been a blot on our landscape opposite Sevenoaks Station. Recently, I met with local councillors Peter Fleming, Simon Raikes and Graham Clack to discuss what Sevenoaks District Council have been doing to hold the owners of the land to account, including taking the owners to court to pay a near £500,000 Community Infrastructure Levy payment (successfully obtained) and encouraging the developers to either come up with a viable scheme or sell the property. We also discussed the Government’s proposals for planning reform, which I am hopeful will make a real difference to the Farmer’s site and help our excellent Conservative local councillors finally ensure the site no longer lays empty.
- Our campaign to bring back banking facilities in Swanley continues, with ongoing conversations taking place between my office, Cash Access UK Ltd (formerly Cash Action Group) and Swanley Town Council. However, in the meanwhile, I am delighted that Barclays are bringing their innovative mobile van to Swanley every two weeks. Following a successful visits to Swanley Market near the YMCA on 22 March, its next visits will take place on 5 April and 19 April. If you are a Barclays customer, please do pop by and meet the team – I want to use this as part of the campaign to demonstrate the need for better access to banking facilities so it’s vital that we use this service as much as we can.
- Many of you will know from my previous newsletters that I remain incredibly concerned about the Labour London Mayor’s decision to extend the ULEZ charge later this year. This month I met with the Secretary of State for Transport to highlight my concerns, and those you have shared with me. And in response to a question from my brilliant colleague Louie French MP, I spoke in the chamber about the attack on the poorest that Sadiq Khan is mounting. I want to be clear; 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. If you have not done so already, please sign our petition so that we can send a strong message to the Mayor.
- Litter blights our towns and roadsides and spoils our enjoyment of the countryside. It is also incredibly expensive, costing local councils hundreds of millions of pounds a year to clear up. I therefore met with local town councillors Keith Bonin, Roddy Hogarth, Nick Busvine and Simon Raikes at the Vine in Sevenoaks to see the new recycling bins the town council have put in place. Another example of our excellent Sevenoaks Conservatives town councillors working hard on your behalf.
- Earlier this month, I was pleased to watch the Chancellor deliver on many of my local priorities for Sevenoaks featured in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget. Announcements included extending the Energy Price Guarantee to July to help with rising prices, offering 30 hours of free childcare for every child over nine months and increasing funding for early years providers, and investing more in fixing potholes, with £6,054,800 being awarded to Kent. The Government remains committed to cutting inflation and growing the economy, and I will continue to deliver on my ‘My Plan’ for Sevenoaks and Swanley.
- I had the pleasure of joining the Southeast Conservative Women’s Organisation for their AGM, who do fantastic work to ensure amazing women are elected at all levels of government. Following International Women’s Day, if you know a woman who should be part of public life, why not ask her to stand. As the first female MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley I have used my platform since 2019 to address many female issues in the House of Commons including maternity safety, regulation of non-cosmetic surgery procedures, women in war zones, and childcare. Having female voices at the top table means our experiences are heard and ensure these issues do not slip down the priority list.
- Last year, the Chancellor announced a huge package of measures to help people with their energy bills, including a £400 non-repayable payment for every household. While most households have been paid this support via their energy supplier in monthly instalments some households, such as Park Homes, who do not have a direct relationship with their electricity supplier have not been able to receive payment automatically. Applications for this fund are now open so, if you have not received the Energy Bills Support Scheme and you pay for the energy your household use, please do check if you are eligible and apply today for the £400 payment here.
