Welcome to my April newsletter!

View this email in your browser ([link removed])
Victoria Prentis MP
April Roundup

Welcome to my April newsletter!

With lockdown restrictions now easing, it does feel as though we are gradually returning to normal. Like so many people, I was thrilled to meet up with family and friends as soon as we were allowed to see each other again. We had a memorable sunny Easter lunch, but some fairly chilly meals too. While there is no simple fix to overcoming the pandemic, the combination of vaccination, testing and social distancing seems to be working.

Victoria

Death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

We began this month with the deeply sad news of the passing of HRH The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness visited North Oxfordshire on a number of occasions, but I know many of us fondly remember his visit to Banbury alongside The Queen in 2008 to mark the four hundredth anniversary of the town’s charter. His Royal Highness toured the Prodrive headquarters while Her Majesty opened the Agnes Court care home. From an outstanding naval officer to an exceptional consort, Prince Philip devoted his life to the service of our Queen, country and Commonwealth. I know that the whole of North Oxfordshire mourns his loss.

Constituency Corner

Jacob Douwe Egberts, Banbury

The ongoing situation at the JDE factory in Banbury is clearly not easy for its employees, many of whom have worked there for a long time. In the discussions I have had with JDE, it has been made clear to me that some structural changes need to be made to secure its future in Banbury. We all want JDE to remain in the town and not look to take its operations elsewhere. Ultimately, these really are decisions for employers and their employees. I remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached which everyone is happy with. Read more here ([link removed]) .

Finmere

Throughout April I have received lots of complaints about the unpleasant odour from the landfill site in Finmere. Last week, I visited the village and I met my fellow DEFRA colleague, Rebecca Pow MP, on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the issue at length. It was a productive meeting with the Minister and the Environment Agency. I was pleased to hear that the remedial work in Cell 10 is nearly finished, and three new gas wells have been installed within the cell. I am hopeful that this will lead to a significant reduction in the odour in the near future. Read more here ([link removed]) .

Banbury United F.C.

Earlier this month. I caught up with Martin Cantrell, Paul Duester and James Pope from Banbury United Football Club. It was great to hear how the men’s, women’s and junior teams have been getting on as restrictions have eased, and I was also pleased to learn more about the Club’s sustainability commitments for next season. I have continued to liaise with Cherwell District Council and the Club on their work towards securing new grounds.

Bicester Village

Earlier this week, I visited Bicester Village to see how shops have been getting on since they reopened on 12 April. I met Community Relations Director, Miranda Markham, who showed me the wide range of measures which have been put in place to ensure the shopping experience is safe for all those visiting the Village.

Virtual Surgery

This month, I had a number of calls with constituents to discuss everything from local concerns to national issues. My next virtual surgery will be on 21 May between 9:00 and 10:00. Please get in touch with my office by emailing [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) if you would like to make an appointment.

Last weekend, I also met constituent and National Chair of the Inland Waterways Association, Paul Rodgers on his narrowboat “Victoria” at Somerton Deep Lock (top pic). It was a really useful opportunity to hear more about how the IWA is moving with the times and talk about how good canals are for the soul.
National News

Easing Restrictions

On 12 April we moved into Stage 2 of our roadmap out of lockdown. I am sure many people have taken advantage of being able to go to a restaurant and sit outside for a meal with friends, or enjoyed a visit to the shops. I am looking forward to my hair appointment next week!

I continue to receive fortnightly briefings from local public health officials. Vaccination rollout is still going extremely well in our area, and we now have a range of testing sites available for those experiencing symptoms and those who are not. Regular lateral flow tests have become the norm in the Prentis household.

In the coming weeks I hope to be able to get back out on my normal visits, including to those organisations which have benefitted from Culture Recovery Fund grants. It will also be good to take part in this year’s Great British Spring Clean ([link removed]) which runs from 28 May until 13 June. If anyone is organising their own litter pick, do let me know.

Prorogation of Parliament

Yesterday, the House prorogued ahead of the State Opening of Parliament, which will take place on Tuesday 11 May. Prorogation is the formal name given to the period between the end of a session of Parliament and the State Opening that marks the beginning of the next session. It brings to an end nearly all Parliamentary business. Read more about what happens to Bills and tabled questions here ([link removed]) .

Farming, Fish and Food

Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act

I am thrilled that the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act gained Royal Assent yesterday, shortly before Parliament prorogued. I was glad to be able to support the Bill both as a backbencher and as a Defra Minister. The Act increases the maximum sentence for animal cruelty offences and completes Finn’s Law Part Two, in tribute to the brave police dog Finn (above) who sustained multiple stab wounds while defending his handler from an attacker. Find out more here ([link removed]) .

Debates

I have travelled to Westminster a number of times this month for Oral Questions, Statutory Instrument debates and Westminster Hall debates. On Monday, I was pleased to speak in a Westminster Hall Debate on Enabling Access to Nature to Support Mental Health, a topic which I know many of us have found particularly important in the past year. This week has also been Great British Beef Week and I was pleased to attend a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday on British Meat and Dairy Products.
April Arithmetic
For more information about anything you have read in this newsletter or to find out more about my work, please visit: www.victoriaprentis.com

============================================================
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
** Email (mailto:[email protected])
Copyright © 2021 Victoria Prentis MP, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Victoria Prentis MP
House of Commons
London, SW1A 0AA
United Kingdom

Promoted by Alana Powell on behalf of Victoria Prentis MP,
both of Wykham Park Farm, Wykham Lane, Banbury, OX16 9UP.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
Victoria Prentis MP . House of Commons . London, SW1A 0AA . United Kingdom

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]