St Peter’s Hospital Update
I very much welcome the Report published on 27th March of the Working Group set up to review proposed changes to community hospital services and possible closure of St Peter’s Hospital. The Group has done an extremely thorough job and I am grateful to James Halden, the Chair, and to all the members for the amount of time and hard work that they have spent. In particular, I would like to thank Jo Phillips and members of the Save Maldon Medical Services Group for their invaluable input and who I and Dame Priti Patel MP have worked closely with throughout.
I strongly support the conclusion of the report that the initial proposals of the ICB were flawed and, if implemented, would have significantly reduced the availability and quality of health care for residents of the Maldon District and beyond. I very much welcome the recommendation that instead there should be investment in the existing facilities to allow outpatient services be maintained at St Peter’s for the next 5 years and that during that time capital funding be identified for a new purpose-built facility on part of the existing site.
Since the report was published, I and Dame Priti have met Tom Abell, Chief Executive of the Mid and South Essex ICB to discuss the next steps. This will involve a survey of the existing building to be carried out by Mid and South Essex Hospitals to identify the work needed to maintain the building, which should be concluded in the next few weeks. The recommendations of the report for the long-term provision of services will be considered by the ICB at a Board meeting in June or July.
The Report represents real progress towards establishing the new Health facility in Maldon which has been promised for 20 years and which is so badly needed. There is still a long way to go and obtaining the necessary funding will be a major challenge. However, I and Dame Priti will continue to work with the local community, the District Council and the ICB to make it happen.
Closure of Santander and the Future of Banking Services in Maldon
I was very disappointed to learn of the decision by Santander to close their branch in Maldon High Street and can fully understand the widespread concern, as it will mean that Maldon no longer has any bank or building society branches.
Following the announcement, an assessment of cash access in Maldon was carried out by LINK. This concluded that there needs to be a banking hub in the town with an ATM providing cash deposit and withdrawal services, a conclusion I strongly welcome. Please follow the links below to see the findings of the assessment:
Maldon – Santander – 19032025.docx
Since then, I have had a further conversation with Thea Watts, Regional Manager of CashAccess UK. Following this, I am pleased to confirm that a banking hub will be established in Maldon and that Santander will remain open until that time.
CashAccess UK are now looking for possible premises to house the hub, preferably in a High Street location. Once up and running, Cash deposits and withdrawals will be administered by the Post Office and it is hoped that all the 5 major banks will offer advice services on a walk-in basis, probably each on a different day.
Although I am saddened by the loss of Santander, the new banking hub will mean that customers of all the major banks should be able to access services from their bank on a weekly basis in Maldon.
The Case of Mr and Mrs Adrian Fenton
I am sure many of my constituents will be aware from recent media reports of the case of Mr and Mrs Adrian Fenton.
For those who are unaware, Mr and Mrs Fenton were returning from a holiday in France, only to discover that an illegal migrant had stowed away in the bike rack of their motorhome. The couple quite rightly and responsibly reported the incident to the police, only to then receive a large fine from Border Force as a consequence.
This understandably sparked widespread outrage and attracted the attention of national media outlets. I was able to put their case directly to the Prime Minister during PMQs, emphasising that the Fentons ought to be praised for acting as responsible citizens and pointing out that the initial punishment of the couple by Border Force will deter others from doing the right thing by reporting such incidents in the future. I am pleased to say the fine has since been rescinded.
Please follow the links below to read a transcript and watch a clip of my question to the Prime Minister on this:
YouTube Link: Sir John Whittingdale MP Questions Prime Minister on Constituents’ Issue
Website Link: Sir John Whittingdale MP Questions Prime Minister on Constituents’ Issue – Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP
Limebrook Primary School and Nursery Opening
Last weekend, I had the privilege of performing the official opening ceremony of the new Limebrook Primary School and Nursery in Maldon.
I was accompanied by Justin James, CEO of Lion Academy Trust, Tony Ball, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Deputy Cabinet Member, Andrew Sheldon, Mayor of Maldon Cllr Andrew Lay, and representatives of Morgan Sindall Construction and Ingleton Wood Consultants.
Lion Academy Trust – Limebrook Primary School and Nursery
Having signed one of the steel struts at the ceremony in September 2023, it is fantastic to see the school completed and open to pupils. I congratulate the County Council and all those involved in constructing it so quickly and to such a high standard. I am also delighted that the school is now part of the Lion Academy Trust school family and look forward to seeing it grow. Having been three times oversubscribed for the coming September entry, I have no doubt that it will be very popular and will be a real asset to the town”.
I am pictured with Tony Ball, Cllr Andrew Lay and Justin James performing the opening, and with them as well as others in the school.
Visit to Parliament from St Mary’s Church of England School in Burnham on Crouch
I was delighted to welcome the Year 6 pupils of St Mary’s Church of England School, Burnham on Crouch, to Westminster on 10th March.
Having organised for them to tour Parliament, I enjoyed answering their questions in one of the Committee Rooms and was most impressed by the wide array of issues that they raised. These ranged from house-building in Burnham and the state of the roads, through to why I became an MP and what football team I support.
It is always a great pleasure to help arrange for local schools to visit and I would encourage other schools to get in touch should they also like to do so.
Breakfast Meeting with Maldon and Southminster NFU Branch
I recently had a breakfast meeting with members of the Maldon and Southminster NFU Branch at the Purleigh Bell.
The meeting, chaired by Cllr Jane Fleming, was attended by NFU Secretary, John Harvey, and County Adviser, Hamish Debnam-Sharp as well as farmers from across the Maldon area and the Dengie Peninsula.
The discussion centred on the Government’s proposed imposition of Inheritance Tax on Farms through the removal of Agricultural Property Relief. Other issues which were raised included the new Environmental Land Management Schemes as well as the challenge of rural crime such as hare-coursing and fly-tipping.
Farming is still an incredibly important industry in the Maldon District and makes a vital contribution to our food security. It was very good to hear from a large number of local farmers and I am grateful to the NFU for organising the breakfast. I fully understand the deep concern felt locally about the damage that will be done by the Government’s removal of Agricultural Property Relief – Labour’s Family Farm Tax, which will bring an end to many farms that have been worked for generations.
I will continue to press the Government to rethink its plans.
Clayhill Vineyard made finalists to win a Rural Oscar
I was delighted to learn that Clayhill Vineyard near Althorne is a regional finalist in the Countryside Alliance Awards “Local Food and Drink” Category. The Awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of British food & farming, enterprise and heritage through our small hard-working businesses.
I was very pleased to open their wine shop and tea room back in 2017 and am delighted by the success they have achieved since then.
As well as helping to make the Crouch Valley a major wine-producing area, the Vineyard’s perfect location is attracting visitors to enjoy both local produce and at the same time the stunning views of the Estuary.
I warmly congratulate Clayhill Vineyard on this latest achievement, they richly deserve this recognition and would encourage everyone to vote for them by visiting: Countryside Alliance Awards 2025 East of England final – vote for your favourites Survey
Voting will close at midnight on Sunday 6th April.
My question to the Prime Minister on Ukraine and Baltic States
In early March, following the Government’s announced increase in Defence Spending, which I strongly welcome, I emphasised to the Prime Minister, my concern and sadness about the apparent direction of peace negotiations between the US and Russia over Ukraine suggesting that some of Ukraine’s sovereign territory be ceded to Russia.
I also stressed the fact that in light of this the future security of the Baltic states lies exposed. As I know many of the other former Soviet states feel the threat of Russian expansionism very acutely, particularly should any Ukrainian territory be ceded to Putin in a future settlement.
YouTube Link: Sir John Whittingdale MP questions Prime Minister on Ukraine and Baltic States
Website Link: Sir John Whittingdale MP questions Prime Minister on Ukraine and Baltic States – Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP
Visit to Coral Bookmakers in Maldon
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting Coral Bookmakers in Maldon High Street to take part in the Grand National Charity Bet Campaign organised by the Betting and Gaming Council. The Grand National which takes place on Saturday 5th April is the most popular horse race in the world, watched by around 600 million people with an estimated 13 million adults in the UK placing a bet on it.
As part of the campaign, I was given a £50 complimentary charity bet which I placed on “I Am Maximus” at 9 to 1. If the horse wins, winnings of £2,500 will go to my chosen charity, Maldon HomeStart. If it does not win, the BGC will still make a £250 donation to HomeStart.
It was a pleasure to meet Karen (pictured below), the Coral Area Manager and Colin who runs betting shop in Maldon. Millions of people will enjoy a flutter this Saturday on the National and I am sure the shop will be busy.
