Last week, as restrictions continued to lift, I had the pleasure of supporting the Mayor of Ferryhill at his Italian themed charity night at La Mensa Italian restaurant. It was great to see this supported by many Mayors as well as locals. We had Mayors from as far afield as Barnard Castle, Sunderland and Stockton but it was fabulous to see our own Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Sandra Haigh, there too. It was great to catch up and I look forward to attending Sandra’s charity events later in the year.
I had discussions with the other Durham MPs and the leaders of Durham County Council about devolution. This included all six Durham MPs, three of the four elected leaders of the council, as well as the acting chief executive and his key staff. You will be aware that there are devolved powers to the Tees Valley and the North of Tyne Mayors, but that Durham, and a number of other regional councils, do not yet have these powers. The Prime Minister has recently announced more flexibility in the deals being available. This presents a significant opportunity for Durham, and I am pleased to say there was plenty of concurrence between all parties present and a proposal will now be prepared to put to Government about what we all think is best for Durham.
I also spent some time meeting residents in Wheatley Hill and Station Town, discussing the serious anti-social behaviour they are experiencing and how we can work with the police and Durham County Council to improve things. I was also doing all I could, alongside Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, and the Unions to help the administrators of Cleveland Bridge in their efforts to save the business.
I was able to catch up with Dehenna Davison, MP for Bishop Auckland, and Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education, to discuss provision of education in County Durham. The Department for Education is therefore the next one I will tell you more about.
The Department for Education is responsible for children’s services and education, including higher and further education policy, apprenticeships, and wider skills in England. The department is led by The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP, Secretary of State for Education, and his team are Michelle Donelan MP, Minister of State (Minister for Universities); The Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State (Minister for School Standards); Vicky Ford MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Children and Families); Gillian Keegan MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills) and Baroness Berridge of The Vale of Catmose, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for the School System). Depending on the nature of the concerns we are contacted about will determine which of the team we specifically contact for advice. As you will also note from the above, and last week’s detail on BEIS, ministers can be drawn from either the House of Commons or the House of Lords to form the team required by the Secretary of State.
I was also invited to open an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Lionel Playford along with portrait drawings by pupils from Dean Bank Primary School. Lionel’s work is focused on the landscape around Dean Bank, made famous by Norman Cornish, and Lionel spent time with the pupils at Dean Bank Primary School encouraging them to draw portraits. As I originally went to this school, and my Granda went down the Dean & Chapter pit, this work was of particular interest to me. The exhibition runs until the 5th of September in Dean Bank & Ferryhill Literary Institute and is worth a visit.
Once again, I would encourage anyone not yet jabbed to take up the opportunity, 16–18-year-olds also now have the option but don’t worry if you think you have missed your chance. The offer remains open to everyone eligible to go at any time now.
There will not be a column next week as I am taking a few days away, so please stay safe and hopefully enjoy some sunshine.
Paul Howell
Member of Parliament for Sedgefield