We have made it to Midsummer's Day, and back home in Northumberland the weather resembles April showers... But in good Northumbrian style it hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of around 500 visitors to our village open day in support of the excellent Pegasus Centre for Riding for the Disabled in Morpeth. Our showery weekend rounded off a busy week in Westminster, with:
Fantastic news on the protection of our landscape and getting fairer energy bills for the poorest: we have fulfilled our first major election promise, that the onshore wind turbine subsidy will stop from April 2016 and local views will at last now have real weight in determining any future builds;
The second reading of the EU referendum bill (a bit challenging around the clause relating to Purdah, on which I will be working with ministers to improve the Report Stage to ensure that the Referendum is as balanced as it can be within the challenges of supra-national forces from the EU who will do all they can to encourage an "In" vote)
The second reading of the Scotland Bill: the SNP voices were lyrical and articulate, but continued to beat up Westminster over their urgency to run from our Union, demanding fiscal autonomy alongside keeping the benefits of the Barnett formula... but they don't seem to mind the hypocrisy of demanding that even if Britain voted out in the EU referendum, they would want Scotland to stay IN the EU... Leave one union but stay in another. Beyond my powers of logic!
Each week brings the opportunity to meet with charity & lobby groups, and this week has afforded me time to talk with:-the fantastic Citizens Advice Bureau (pic of me and two Trustees, one our very own Councillor John Woodman from Bamburgh), an organisation I have watched at close proximity for years work miracles for people in need of guidance in Berwick and Alnwick.
They are doing some really interesting work on gathering data and deciding how can we use big datasets to improve government policy delivery; - a delegation of constituents who came to London for the Climate Change Rally. It was great to catch up with friends from Berwick Green Party - I believe there is much we can do together on improving small scale renewables on our schools and on improving the carbon neutral positioning in house building.
I have also been able to meet with health ministers to discuss the ambulance provision challenge in the North East. The Secretary of State is keen to support any solutions we can offer for better service in rural areas. I hope to meet up with the new Chief Executive of NEAS before long to progress these discussions. We cannot continue with the day-to-day gaps in rural provision which are the reality today.
On a personal area of interest, I had the opportunity to speak in the Debate on Skills, and I raised with Nicky Morgan (Education Secretary) the challenge of understanding why more girls do not study maths to a higher level in the UK? I also confessed to a personal interest since I am a girl with a Maths degree! My public announcement has led to my being asked to co-chair the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) on Maths and Numeracy. You really can get involved in anything that interests you here in Westminster!
Local news:The Alnwick Schools Partnership review took another step this week as the Scrutiny Committee at County Hall met to discuss what to do next. I have submitted my view of a sensible mixed-economy solution, with two tier in Alnwick town, and the rural mini-hubs of Seahouses, Belford and Wooler being able to run three tier schools. You can find the full letter at www.teamtrevelyan.co.uk.
Seton Hall Care Home: We have some potential progress with staff considering the prospect of turning it into a social enterprise. County Hall are offering technical help if staff decide to go down this route. I am still battling to get to the bottom of the 'over-supply' of care home provision which has appeared in the market in recent years. Do you know of anyone who is stuck in their home with carer visits, but who might be much better cared for & happier in Seton Hall?
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