Week commencing 25th September was the first week of the conference recess and meant I could get out and about. Monday saw me in the Aycliffe office before heading to Middlesbrough to meet Ivan Fedorov, Mayor of Melitopol in Ukraine. He was here to meet Ben Houchen, the Tees Valley Mayor, and some displaced Ukrainians. I, and other MPs, assured him of our support. On Tuesday I had a meeting with Durham University to talk about how we get our young people’s voices heard and amplified. Later I met with the Rail Industry Association North about priorities for rail and I have to say we were very aligned in the need for local rail improvements and not just the big schemes. Then it was a catch up with Mark Preston about the Missed a Beat initiative around more defibrillator access. Between him and David Sutton Lloyd we have some great local energy here but if you can support him in any way, I am sure Mark would love to talk to you. You can find out more online at https://www.missedabeat.co.uk/ Last thing on Tuesday, I went to Ferryhill to what I remember as the Black Bull but is now known as the Dean & Chapter. There I met some constituents for a chat about local issues.
Wednesday started with a chat to SSE about their solar investments at Teesside Airport and their plans for more recruitment before heading to Sedgefield racecourse to see how they have reengineered the track to make it safer. Then it was over to Bishop Middleham for a constituency surgery. This is where I just turn up for a conversation with local residents. It’s always really interesting and I get to hear opinions on everything from very local concerns to national or even international issues.
Thursday was a good day. Not only did I have the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins, visiting but we were told the details around the banking hub for Aycliffe town centre. Victoria visited NETPark to see the high-tech businesses as well as calling at my office in Aycliffe, the Town Centre and visiting Roman Showers before heading to the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) for meetings with the Treasury team.
Friday started with the Macmillan coffee morning in the Tawny Owl pub on Neasham Road, I met the Bus Minister to share my frustration, particularly re the X21 connecting Trimdon, Fishburn and Sedgefield to Newton Aycliffe, before a couple of meetings with constituents. I then headed to Ferryhill to congratulate a lady on being 100 years young and then it was up to Newcastle to record the Sunday Politics show. This airs on Sunday but it is a ‘live’ recording on a Friday. It was then back to Sedgefield to support the mayor at a charity event in the Parish Hall.
On Saturday I went back to Bishop Middleham for their Michaelmas Fair. A lovely event where I learnt some new (old) games in Kubbs (a lawn game where the objective is to knock over wooden blocks) and Nine Men’s Morris (a 2-player strategy game which I’ve heard may date back to before the Roman Empire). We also held an inaugural meeting of the new Conservative Association for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor.
Sunday was a celebration of Bill Cooksey’s achievements at ROF59 and Steam Machine with a trip on the buses provided by the Bus Preservation Society where we collected Bill from his home. I had the pleasure of presenting him with a book from the Air Vice Marshal including an annotation thanking Bill whilst the Deputy Lord Lieutenant also thanked him officially. I await with interest to see what this incredible man does next.
Issues around the Scout Hall are continuing to progress. I understand that a request has been made to the Chairman, Officers and members of the Management Committee, Newton Aycliffe Scout Supporters’ Association (NASSA) for a Special General Meeting on 10th October. Many thanks to everyone who has been in touch with me and kept me up to date regarding support for our local Scouts.
I am delighted to see the Government putting more funds into Towns with the announcement this week that included our neighbours in Spennymoor. Towns have been allocated £20m funding according to the Levelling Up Needs Index. This takes into account metrics covering skills, pay, productivity and health, as well as the Index of Multiple Deprivation to ensure funding goes directly to the towns which will benefit most, without new competitions or unnecessary hurdles. I am pleased these competitions and hurdles have been removed but the next question is what about those who didn’t receive the funding. Newton Aycliffe is higher up the metrics than Spennymoor, but we still have needs, and I will continue to push our Levelling Up bid for the Town Centre as well as for investment in other towns and villages like Ferryhill and Cornforth etc.
If you want to get in touch, please give me a call on Aycliffe 01325 790580
or email: paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk