Dear Constituent,
Ahead of Party Conference this Sunday, I have been busy meeting people across Farnham, Bordon, Haslemere, Liphook and the surrounding villages. I have used recess to catch up with local businesses, the 4 councils, Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, and held surgeries for constituents with ongoing local concerns ranging from crime/anti-social behaviour to planning.
If you are attending Conservative Party Conference, I look forward to seeing you, and if not I will tell you all about it in next week’s update.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do send me an email via [email protected], and my team and I will endeavour to help where possible.
With every good wish,
WHAT'S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
SURREY MPs' LETTER TO THE CHANCELLOR CALLING FOR SEND VAT EXEMPTION
Alongside colleagues, I co-signed the Rt Hon Claire Coutinho’s letter to the Chancellor asking for SEND pupils to be exempted from the Government’s attack on hard-working parents who pay for their children to go to independent schools.
The Government’s decision is ill-thought through and only increases pressure on a state system, already bursting at the seams. I am contacted daily by constituents who are pulling their children from the independent system due to the financial strain, and I implore the Government to reconsider this legislation and not use it as a punishment on parents.
Many schools will not survive this legislation and many children will be disadvantaged from mid-year disruption to their education.
Letter contents detailed below.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AND VAT LETTER TO THE TREASURY
Two weeks ago I wrote to the Treasury on behalf of a constituent who had raised concerns about the number of school places for children who may leave the independent schooling system into mainstream due to the Government's unaffordable VAT plans. This constituent has been told by her local secondary school that they will not place her children and that they will have to travel (at the parent’s expense) to another town to receive education.
Labour’s political attack will direct impact hardworking parents (not the super rich) who choose to send their children to independent schools.
I was disappointed by the Minister's lack of empathy for the situation, but worse, the Government's clear lack of planning for the unavoidable January 2025 exodus into the state school system.
WHAT'S GOING ON IN FARNHAM AND BORDON
SAVING BORDON TIP
Yesterday, Hampshire’s scrutiny committee recommended to the Cabinet that Bordon tip remain open. This follows my campaign and the campaign of local residents and Councillors including Debbie Curnow-Ford and Andy Tree.
I know how much pressure the closure of this site could put on residents across East Hampshire, who would have to travel a significant distance to access another HWRC. I have written to both the Leader and Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council, urging them to maintain the site as operational and request an urgent meeting prior to the final decision on the issue in mid-October.
PIERREPONT FARM VISIT
Next to the River Wey between Tilford and Frensham is Pierrepont Farm, home to several small businesses and a working farm. The site is managed by the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) and I was delighted to visit the team and some of the businesses based on-site.
The Farm has everything from a micro-brewery and bar, to fresh cheese and fudge. Their ‘open day’ is next Saturday (5th October) where anyone can go along to see what businesses the farm has to offer.
The CRT has exciting plans to develop more of the buildings on site to bring new business and greater accessibility; I have offered to support them where I can - including a request to have Farnham Brewing Co. beers on sale in Parliament!
See the link to the CRT’s website:
Farnham Herald:
VIDEO: Farnham and Bordon MP tours farm to see cows, cheese and crafts | farnhamherald.com
HASLEMERE FOOD FESTIVAL FUN
The annual Haslemere Food Festival returned to Lion Green on Saturday. As always with such great community events like these, there was a host of local food and drinks, with some live music too. I very much enjoyed going along to support the event and want to once again say thank you to Melanie and all those involved for organising.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/LbvyQHnz1YPbmgKG/
GOOD NEWS FOR WAVERLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL
While not in this constituency, it was great news to hear that Daniel Husseini has been elected onto Waverley Borough Council to represent Godalming Binscombe and Charterhouse ward - a Conservative gain from Labour and the 8th in 5 weeks!
I look forward to working with Daniel and all Councillors on Waverley Borough Council to improve services in my constituency.
