After a few days away I was back in the constituency in time for AycLive last Saturday. What a fabulous event! Well organised, well attended and a pleasure to be there. I sincerely hope that it can be repeated next year.
In last week’s column, I advised that The House of Commons rose for summer recess on Thursday 20th July. This means we are quieter on the Westminster front but myself and my team are still working hard. There are many issues that I am looking to address including changes to bus services – currently seeking updates with Arriva, Durham County Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority and other bus operators to find out the next steps needed to improve services – particularly on the X21.
We continue to monitor the situation re the Police station and the basing of both Neighbourhood and Response teams on the town, including a town centre presence but at the time of writing I have not heard that a satisfactory solution has been found. It remains a frustration that we are in this position when so much time has passed since the Fire Brigade made their intentions clear. I will continue to represent you in making sure the PCC (Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner) and Chief of Police understand it is important we at least retain the current Police establishment and preferably benefit from the increased numbers being recruited.
I am aware that many people in Newton Aycliffe have recently been reporting an unpleasant smell. The body responsible for investigating issues of pollution is the Environment Agency and I am engaged with them on this and have been assured they will continue their investigation until they root out the cause of any current issues and secure a suitable solution. If they find a business is not complying with environmental requirements, they can prosecute organisations which can lead to fines or restrictions on site operations. It is important that residents report any bad odour, that you think is pollution, to the Environment Agency, immediately on their 24-hour phone line 0800 80 70 60. I am also collecting a survey of specific instances people have picked up this bad odour to pass on to the Environment Agency. If you have a specific date, you have experienced a bad odour that is potentially from pollution you can access the survey on my website here https://www.paulhowell.org.uk/aycliffesmell
One of my delights before recess was spending time with constituents who wanted to visit Westminster. If anyone would like to visit Westminster, then please get in touch and we can help to arrange a visit. To pique your interest, I thought I would share some interesting facts and information about the wonder of Westminster Palace.
It would be best to start where it all began – Westminster Hall, which dates to 1097, is where many historical events have taken place such as royal banquets, tennis matches involving Henry VIII, the trials of William Wallace and Charles I, speeches by United States President Ronald Reagan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This is also where George VI, Winston Churchill and – last September – Queen Elizabeth II lay in state ahead of their State funerals. The Hall used to host marvellous mediaeval banquets and feasts when, in 1393, Richard II decided that the Hall should be used for more serious business, and this is where he commissioned a magnificent roof which is now the oldest roof in Europe and was ornately designed with oak sculptures which look down on Parliamentarians – and thousands of visitors – to this day.
The monarch sometimes meets Parliamentarians in Westminster Hall as no King or Queen has entered the House of Commons since 1642, when King Charles sought to arrest 5 MPs, precipitating the First English Civil War, which ultimately led to great reduction in Royal power over Parliament. Two centuries later, after the Great Fire of Parliament in 1834, 75% of parliament was engulfed by flames and destroyed. The only rooms to survive were the Chapel of St. Mary’s Undercroft and the Hall itself. This is why the Hall is so important as a survivor of trials and fire and rich with history, it truly is a remarkable place – and it was my pleasure to welcome a large group of pupils from schools in Ferryhill there just a few weeks ago.
On the week commencing Monday 31st July, I’ll be attending a number of meetings across the Constituency. On the morning of Friday 4th August, I have planned a Constituency Surgery in Newton Aycliffe and on Saturday 5th August I’ll be popping over to the Blue Light Day in Newton Aycliffe Town Centre – so do say hello.
I will be planning more advice surgeries, pop up surgeries and roundtable events during parliamentary recess. If you want to get in touch about the summer events in the Constituency; history of Westminster Palace or any other concerns you may have about Parliament or Constituency matters, you can always reach my office by phone on Aycliffe 790580 or by sending an email to paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk