A new parliamentary term – and the agenda for change continues. This term we will be looking at Public Health – prevention is, as they say, very much better than the cure – which can be expensive and without any guarantee of success. The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill had its second reading this week. Next week the Equitable Life Bill will be presented for its second reading. Both of these issues are important and many of you have written to me on both issues. In October we will have the Public Spending Review and we will see which of the very many ideas you all put forward will be taken up by the Treasury.
Following the Academies Act which received Royal Assent last term, 142 schools are due to convert to Academies status and 32 of these are opening as Academies this term. The welfare bill to the taxpayer was under review this summer and the results will form part of the Public Spending Review. While we must protect those in genuine need, those with disabilities and who can’t work, we must encourage those that can work to find and keep a job. One of the biggest problems is the automatic loss of Housing Benefit if a person tries to work which can make getting back to work a huge mountain to climb.
Local issues
On Race Day I met up with representatives from British Horseracing and with the executive team at Newton Abbot Race Course to discuss the challenges facing the industry. The racecourse is very important to our local economy and the threat of a reduced levy could be significant.
I am very concerned to ensure the flood defence proposals for Teignmouth go ahead and that we secure the funding needed. To that end I asked to meet up and discuss the current position with the Environment Agency on site. Five members of the team including the National Director of Flood Risk walked around Shaldon with me to look at the work there and then by ferry we crossed to Teignmouth to discuss the flood plan there. We also discussed the flood risk issue at Dawlish Warren.
Later in the week I had a meeting with Devon County Council to talk about the progress with the bypass, flooding, our lack of Broadband, water rates and surface water flooding, the role of the authority in public health going forward, and the current state of play on the formation of a Local Enterprise Partnership to support business after the demise of the Regional Development Agency. We have a productive ongoing dialogue about what can be done.
Out and About
I took great pleasure in opening the new Dome at Stover School, a great new facility which will enable tennis and other sports to continue despite the weather. Over the Bank Holiday weekend I was delighted to present trophies to so many very able sporting men and women and very talented young people in the Shaldon Regatta. I was also able to slip in to the Teignmouth Art Society Summer Exhibition which demonstrated its usual very high standards.
I visited the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust which is now up and running at Seale Hayne, which I have adopted as one of my local charities. They do a first class job and make a real difference to the lives of the less able. The artwork of residents is first class. I visited to the Dawlish Garden Trust for its Open Day - a great example of how to help those with learning disabilities in an agricultural setting.
I was invited to the Vice Presidents lunch at Newton Abbot Rugby Football Club and then to watch a close match ending in a draw, the first of the season for the All Whites first team –it was a real treat. I was most impressed by not only the standard of rugby – the team has this year been promoted to the National League –but by how much the club does for young people. It runs 14 teams from the Under 7s upwards.
...and finally I paid a visit to the 28th South Devon Beer Festival in Newton Abbot – I can certainly recommend Hunters Full Bore from Ipplepen!
Surgeries and Getting Together
My next surgeries will be on Friday 17th September at Kingsteignton Community Centre at 4pm and Saturday 18th September in Newton Abbot at the Courtenay Centre at 10am and then at 12.30 pm at Teignmouth Library. Please phone 01626 368277 for an appointment.