This makes catching the train down to London first thing on a Monday morning even harder! The Parliamentary recess which accompanies the Conference season always gives me the opportunity to get out and about in the constituency, which is always something I enjoy. I have also carried out surgeries recently where I have face-to-face meetings with constituents who have sought my help in relation to a number of issues.
Last week, I attended one of Wyre Councils regular management meetings. These meetings are a great opportunity for the Wyre MPs to be updated on local issues and for Wyre Council’s Cabinet Members and Senior Officers to highlight concerns directly to MPs. Maintaining a good working relationship with the local authority means that I can try and get the best outcomes for my constituents. It also enables me to feed back to Ministers how the Government’s policies are working on the ground.
A number of constituents have contacted me in relation to the sale and the proposed development of the Garstang Community Centre. Please be assured that I will continue to do all I can to reflect the views of constituents in my representations to Wyre Council. I also intend to meet the developer.
With regard to Halite, I am currently awaiting a response from the European Commission regarding the environmental issues which I highlighted. I will let you know as soon as I receive a response to my calls for the Commission to intervene in the case.
I was delighted to be able to attend an event for Guide Dogs which took place at the Civic Centre recently. This gave me the opportunity to find out more about the dedicated people who volunteer to train Guide Dogs and to meet some of the dogs in attendance - who were on the whole well behaved!
Nationally this week’s latest employment figures show that a further 140,000 are in employment since July. Employment continues to grow and it has now reached a record high at 73.6%, with 80% of these people in full time work. In Wyre and Preston North, unemployment claimants are well below the national average. I am pleased to say our area has one of the highest rates of employment in the country.
If I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can email me at [email protected] or write to me at: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. I also hold regular surgeries, if you would like to book an appointment please call my Office at the House of Commons on 0207 219 5804. I can also be contacted at my Constituency Office on 01995 672976.