General Election 2024
This is my first newsletter since the General Election. I was delighted to be re-elected to serve a further term as Member of Parliament for Maldon and would like to thank all my constituents who gave me their support. It is a huge privilege to be elected to Parliament and I will continue to do my best to look after the interests of all my constituents and to help any requesting my assistance, regardless of their political allegiance.
I was of course disappointed that the Conservative Government was defeated and hope that the history books will recognise some of its extraordinary achievements, in particular successfully meeting the challenges of the Covid 19 pandemic and laying the foundations for our recovery from it, as well as leading the world in standing up to Putin and supporting Ukraine. However, I also recognise that too many mistakes were made and that the country wanted a change. Having talked to many voters locally during the campaign, I realise that their unhappiness led a significant number either to vote Reform or not to vote at all. It was this that led to the election of so many Labour MPs despite the total Labour vote being less than that achieved by Jeremy Corbyn in 2019.
As an Opposition MP, I will now want to hold the new Government to account and to oppose its policies when I believe these to be wrong. However, my first priority will remain the people who live in the Maldon constituency and I will continue to campaign vigorously on the issues that matter most to them such as the future of St Peter’s Hospital, the need for infrastructure investment and the protection of our environment against excessive and unwanted development.
Arrow Taxis and Essex and Suffolk DaRT
I was very sorry to hear the news that Arrow Taxis and Essex and Suffolk DaRT have ceased trading. Having helped launch the Dengie DaRT service in 2011, I know how much it is relied upon by many without any alternative transport. Essex County Council has worked with other bus operators in the county to ensure the services affected are back up and running as quickly as is able.
I am advised that the following services will start to run as follows:
- Service 12 Wickford to Billericay – with Vectare commencing on 31 July 2024 (with a reduced timetable until 5 August 2024 meaning that journeys 10:50 from Wickford, 11:20 from Billericay, 15:30 from Wickford and 16:00 from Billericay will not be operating until 5 August 2024.
- Service 45 Bradwell-on-Sea to South Woodham Ferrers – with NIBs Buses. NIBs had capacity to run this service from yesterday 29th July 2024, and so this is already running.
- Service 10 Temple Grove to Pleshey – with Vectare commencing on 5 August 2024 – please note this service will now have a new service number of 48 DaRT 3 North Braintree – with Flagfinders (CTB) commencing on 31 July 2024
The following services will run initially for 3 months. Essex County Council understands that users will want certainty for their route and will continue to work to understand the best way for this to be provided.
However, I am very concerned that an operator of service 99A Chelmsford to Maldon has not yet been found and will continue to work with County Councillors on this.
St Peter’s Hospital
The draft report on the outcome of the consultation by NHS Mid and South Essex ICS on proposals to relocate services from St Peter’s Hospital has now been published.
The report was conducted by Stand, an independent organisation that specialise in relations between people and communities and health service transformation. The report is a comprehensive summary of the public consultation activities including my own survey as well as the one published by the ICS. The report sets out an analysis of the views expressed and shows overwhelming opposition to these proposals from those living in the District including health practitioners.
I encourage those of my constituents that have followed my campaign against the closure to follow this link to NHS Mid and South Essex website to read the report in full:
Draft public consultation report MHS Mid and South Essex (ics.nhs.uk)
Following this, I and Dame Priti Patel, MP for Witham, have written a joint letter to the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, which is below:
BT/Openreach Broadband Cable Theft
A number of constituents contacted me about the recent theft of cable supplying Broadband services in areas such as Maylandsea, Latchingdon and Tillingham.
I have taken this up with BT/Openreach, who have confirmed that all works have been completed in the areas where broadband cable was recently vandalised and stolen and the road reopened.
BT/Openreach have expressed their apologies for the interruption and inconvenience caused to residents.
Lord Mendoza’s visit to Maldon
I was delighted to welcome Lord Mendoza, Chair of Historic England, to two of the nationally important heritage sites in the Maldon District earlier this month, both of which have received financial support from Historic England.
Lord Mendoza was accompanied by Tony Calladine, East of England Director of Historic England. Lord Mendoza visited Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome and was shown round by Chair of the Trustees, Martyn Gill, with Trustee, Sarah Threlfall and Chief Executive, Ian Flint.
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome
Historic England has previously given almost £600,000 of funding to Stow Maries and is continuing to provide support. Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Lord Mendoza also visited Thomas Plume’s Library in Maldon and was shown round by Librarian, Helen Kemp, and Mayor of Maldon and Chair of Trustees, Andrew Lay. Historic England has previously funded repairs to the ceiling of the Library, protecting the Library’s collection of rare book and manuscripts.
Thomas Plume’s Library (thomasplumeslibrary.co.uk)
Pictured visiting the Aerodrome are: Martyn Gill, Sarah Threlfall, Tony Calladine, myself and Lord Mendoza (left to right)
Release of Political Prisoners by Russia
I was delighted to hear of the recent release of American journalist, Evan Gershkovitch, Russian opposition activist and British national Vladimir Kara-Murza, and a number of other political prisoners by Russia.
Having met Vladimir Kara-Murza’s wife and mother, I have repeatedly called on the Government to increase pressure on Russia to obtain their release including by asking a question at the First Foreign Office Questions of this Parliament.
John Whittingdale:
I thank the Foreign Secretary for his early statement calling on the Russian Government to release the British citizen Vladimir Kara-Murza. Will he look at what further sanctions might be used to put pressure on the Russian Government to release him and other political prisoners, such as the American journalist Evan Gershkovich?
Stephen Doughty Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office):
The right hon. Gentleman is right to raise this important question. We call for the release of all those detained in Russia on political grounds, including those imprisoned for their opposition to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. We have met many of the families of those concerned, and we will continue to take this very seriously.
New Maldon Housing Developments
While I recognise the need for new housing, I am deeply concerned that the Government is imposing mandatory Housing targets on local authorities and removing the right of local communities to have a say.
I am very much aware of the strong feeling locally that new housing developments are not being supported by investment in infrastructure and raised this with the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner:
John Whittingdale:
An additional 3,000 homes are currently being built in Maldon and Heybridge in my constituency, and Liberal Democrat-controlled Chelmsford city council wants to build another 3,000 at Hammonds Farm in my constituency, yet the local roads and health and education services are all under intolerable pressure, so what will the Secretary of State do to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is put in place before the developments take place?
Angela Rayner Deputy Prime Minister, The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government:
The right hon. Gentleman’s Government was in power for 14 years and could have resolved this issue. One reason why we are consulting on the revised NPPF is because we recognise that infrastructure is critical, as I have said to many hon. Members today. People often reject housing proposals because they do not see infrastructure. That is why we have the golden rules, why I have asked all the Departments to look at what we can do to ensure that infrastructure is there, and why we will support the strengthening of section 106 to ensure that developers do not try to squeeze out of what they promised as part of the development.
Burnham on Crouch Pontoon
Many constituents have asked me when work will start to replace the pontoon at Burnham On Crouch. I am therefore very pleased that Maldon District Council has recently announced, thanks to funding from the previous Conservative Government, that work will begin on the replacement pontoon at the Town Steps in Burnham-on-Crouch on 5th August.
The pontoon will be replaced after the original structure was damaged in Storm Eunice. Installation will take up to two weeks and it will be protected by fencing initially while the work is going on. The replacement pontoon will have handrails and a new non-slip decking to improve safety. It is also intended that the new pontoon will be in place before the start of Burnham Week.
Broomfield Hospital Park and Ride Service
I am pleased that from 1st August staff, patients and visitors travelling to Broomfield Hospital will once again be able to use a park and ride service running from Chelmer Valley Park and Ride.
Demand for parking at Broomfield Hospital frequently exceeds the number of spaces available, so I am hopeful that the return of this service will help to take away the stress of finding a space for staff and patients and ease parking pressure at the hospital site.
The shuttle bus service will run every half-hour from 6.30am to 8.00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). Normal park and ride ticket prices will apply, with NHS staff paying a discounted rate of £1.50 for the Broomfield Hospital route.
Chelmsford City Council’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) open
I am pleased that Chelmsford City Council has opened applications for grants from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) established by the last Government. This initiative seeks to support capital projects that improve productivity and strengthen rural economies and communities.
Chelmsford City Council has been awarded £400,000 from Government to deliver such projects across a two-year period and is now inviting applications for funding of capital projects up to the value of £20,000. Applications should have 20% of match funding in place. Full eligibility criteria and further details can be found on their website: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/repf.
Their webpage also contains a link and instructions for an eligibility map which details the areas within Chelmsford that are classed as ‘rural’ by Government for the purpose of this fund. Applications should be received by 30th August 2024. If funding remains following this initial call for projects, Chelmsford City Council will then reopen the scheme to applications. I encourage those wishing to submit a bid for finding to follow the link below.
