63rd Weekly Newsletter
This week exposed growing instability at the top of Labour. Andrew Gwynne’s resignation has descended into a grubby internal struggle over Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster, with Sir Keir Starmer’s allies moving to block any threat to his leadership - hardly the conduct of a party focused on governing. Meanwhile, proposed plans to merge police forces across England and Wales risk pulling policing ever further away from local communities like ours, undermining accountability at a time when residents want to see officers on their streets, not decisions taken far from our area. It is the same mindset behind Labour’s determination to surrender the Chagos Islands - a decision Conservatives are continuing to resist in Parliament, in the national interest.
Greg
FEATURED THIS WEEK
Conservatives win vote on social media ban
The Conservatives successfully passed an amendment in the Lords on Wednesday that marks a first step towards banning social media for under 16s. Labour voted against - despite huge public support - but now the Commons will have their say.
I’ll be voting in favour of the ban
Talking SEND with Challengers Farnham
Gen and her team do excellent work in supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Farnham and the wider area. With my role as Vice Chair of the APPG on SEND, it’s vital that local expertise here feeds directly into the national discussion - so it was great to hear Gen’s thoughts.
Passfield Stores - a great local shop
Many of us will recognise Passfield Stores as a stalwart of delicious sandwiches and savouries across the area. I dropped by to meet Jason to hear about any of his concerns as a businessowner and discuss any concerns local to Passfield with Cllr Debbie Curnow-Ford and some lovely residents.
Preventing tragedy through NHS intervention
As a Shadow Minister, I spoke about the urgent need to tackle domestic abuse, warning that too many women and children are still being failed by gaps in NHS support and the justice system. I pressed Ministers on funding, mandatory NHS training and better recognition of psychological harm.
THE FUTURE OF SEND SERVICES
It’s clear that the SEND system as it currently operates needs reform - but even with change, pressure on local government finances will remain high. In Surrey, the Council retained a sizeable reserve to help account for the ever-growing deficit in SEND funding. But that’s the issue - the gap between funding and the level of services required keeps growing.
That’s why I asked the Department for Education to take action and help protect funding for SEND services in Surrey for years to come. I asked the Schools Minister to extend what is known as Surrey’s Safety Valve Agreement - which helps the Council meet its obligations. Unfortunately, the Government is being anything but forthcoming until its much-delayed White Paper on SEND Reform is released.
PROTECTING OUR COUNTRYSIDE
After a controversial development in Haslemere - and within the Surrey Hills National Landscape - was granted permission on appeal, I met with the Surrey Hills team to go through concerns about what this might mean for future developments.
In my view, planning authorities should be doing everything they can to work with the Surrey Hill and protect our countryside. The National Landscape is not like a National Park - it relies on the authority of local Councils to maintain its status. Given the increase in housing targets, it is going to be more important than ever this happens. Meanwhile, Natural England is considering the proposed extension to the Surrey Hills - and I look forward to supporting this going forward.
THIS WEEK’S CASEWORK 'WINS’
I was pleased to hear from Thames Water about much-needed works in the Frensham and Farnham areas, which I hope will help to alleviate the ongoing issues with drains and blockages. We’ve also seen further rollout of new broadband, with properties in Conford and Passfield connected in recent weeks.
After being informed of an accident involving a school pupil on Shortheath Road, I raised concerns with the County Council and welcomed the feedback I have already received from residents on road safety, both on Shortheath Road and across the constituency, through my recently launched survey.
On housing, there has been positive progress, with a damp survey now secured for a resident in council accommodation. However, I was extremely concerned to learn of a young mother and her son who have been left without hot water and heating since before Christmas, and I have pressed their housing association to ensure this is resolved without any further delay.
