Saffron Walden Young Conservatives

27/01/2022

Like many of you this I’m pausing to remember all those who lost their lives in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

The world must never see such atrocities again.

08/11/2021

As part of the Government’s target of 20,000 additional police officers by 2023, 235 officers have been recruited for Essex so far, benefitting Chelmsford and Uttlesford.

The additional recruits mean there are now 3,551 police officers in Essex, helping to tackle rural crime like hare coursing, car theft, as well as supporting much more of the behind the scenes work that is required in our local violence reduction units and domestic abuse prevention teams.

One of my key priorities for our constituency is more police officers and alongside my ministerial colleagues I am committed to delivering on this - helping to keep our communities safe.

27/10/2021

Affinity Water - pay your bill online, set up a direct debit, tell us you’re moving, report a leak or find answers to your frequently asked questions

26/10/2021

Thank you to Hatfield Heath Primary School, Headteacher Mrs Gelston and Deputy Mrs Collier for welcoming me to your school recently.

We spoke about the challenges the school community have faced over the last year. It was very reassuring to hear about the resilience of teachers, pupils and parents to ensure a good system was put in place to provide the level of support the children required. They will be taking some aspects forward despite restrictions easing.

We also discussed school funding, pupil’s catching up, staff retention and the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund, which the school were very supportive of.

There will be a £7.1 billion increase in funding for schools in England by 2022-23, compared to 2019-20 levels. This three-year investment represents the biggest school funding boost in a decade. Schools are also benefitting from the £3 billion ‘catch-up’ package for the 2020-21 academic year to directly tackle the impact of the disruption that coronavirus has caused.

I have worked closely with local schools and my ministerial colleagues to represent any funding concerns over the past 4 years and will continue to do so as we recover from the pandemic.

09/09/2021

I held a supermarket surgery in Great Dunmow recently to speak with residents about issues or concerns they have locally or about national policy. Whilst Parliament was in recess it was great to have more time to be out and about in the constituency.

Residents raised concerns regarding anti-social behaviour, pavement parking, flooding and streetlights and I will be following up with enquiries to the relevant bodies.

Thank you to Cllr Barker and PCSO’s from Essex Police for joining me.

24/08/2021

05/07/2021

The residents in Writtle voted against the Lib Dem Hylands Park parking charge and for local man,

30/06/2021

Cross Party movement highlights governance shortcomings at Uttlesford District Council

Last night, I was one of thirteen signatories, all from the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green parties, who made the decision to move a Vote of No Confidence in the Leader and Cabinet at Uttlesford District Council.

Simply put:

They have failed residents by ignoring the decision of the planning committee in refusing Stansted's expansion, costing the taxpayer millions which could have gone towards our communities.

They have failed in good governance, given that one or more of the leadership is under criminal investigation which is preventing the Council's accounts being signed off.

They have created a bullying culture of defamation and intimidation which cannot be allowed to continue.

My allegiance has been, and will always be, with the duty to deliver for the residents of Flitch Green, Little Dunmow and Uttlesford at large. THAT is why I supported the motion and that is why we all put politics aside to come together yesterday evening.

This reckless R4U administration is taking money from taxpayers and playing fast and loose with it, all in the aid of self preservation. It's a far cry from the prudence and responsible behaviour of administrations gone by.

Me and my colleagues will continue to hold them to account for residents, all of whom expected so much more.

Please remember you can always contact me via email [email protected] if you have any issues or concerns.

18/06/2021

Given the rural nature of the constituency, most of us travel by car, which means it is vital our roads are kept in good condition. I have often raise the condition of our roads with Essex Highways and our county councillors.

I am pleased £280 million is being made available by Highways England for the Eastern region and will see 100 improvement schemes for roads across Essex.

I will be writing to Highways England to find out how our constituency will benefit from the schemes.

02/06/2021

𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘙𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴

Since becoming the local MP I have done my utmost to push for improvements to our rail network.

With many residents relying on trains to get to work and to travel across the constituency (myself included) I know how important it is that we not only have a high quality and efficient service but fair ticket prices.

I have previously written to local providers like Greater Anglia to express my concerns and raise complaints on behalf of residents who have not received an adequate service on the line. However, I know many residents feel that they have still not been getting the service they deserve.

This is why I welcome the Government’s new public body Great British Railways which will integrate the railways, own the infrastructure, set most fares and timetables, as well as reform the way we pay for our tickets for the ease of the commuter.

With restrictions easing, many constituents will be travelling to work by train again and I look forward to seeing the long-term proposals to reform our rail networks under this new public body.

29/05/2021