Welcome to my latest newsletter. I hope you find this a useful summary of my work on your behalf
** HUW MERRIMAN MP NEWSLETTER
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Dear Resident,
With Christmas approaching, I am sending my best wishes and a final newsletter for the year.
It’s been a difficult year. The invasion by Russia of Ukraine has led to huge challenges which have caused inflation and energy costs to soar and destabilised incomes at home. There are many challenges for us to face and I’m determined that we do so with empathy and resolve. I’d like to use this opportunity to thank my team for all of their hard work and to all constituents who have demonstrated that they are the best of Britain.
I do hope you have a lovely Christmas.
Best wishes,
Huw
Community Paediatrics
I met some of the hardworking team who deliver community paediatric services for the local hospital trust at their centre in Egerton Park which opened earlier this year.
The clinic supports children and young people across East Sussex who have been referred for neurodevelopmental assessment.
This centre has been designed by the staff to be a welcoming place for children and their parents outside of the busy hospital sites.
Water and Power issues
Winter came suddenly at the end of last week with snow storms which were heavier than expected. For some, this brought down power cables. Water was lost to many more households than experienced power cuts as the power cuts at two local pumping stations and a water treatment works near Battle.
Whilst I await full reports into this incident from SE Water and UK Power Networks, I am immensely frustrated by the continued lack of resilience at SE Water pumping and treatment centres when power is lost. The absence of bottled water stations for residents who were without water for up to 3 days was unacceptable, I have written to the CEO of SE Water about this and two other water loss incidents in the cosntituency since July. I will keep residents updated.
Observer Article 16 December
In my most recent column for the Observer, I wrote about The Bear Inn in Burwash who took in stranded strangers who got stuck in the snow and reflected on difficulties faced by residents who had lost water supply. I also talked about the work of Rother Voluntary Association who held their AGM in Burwash last week and awarded volunteers from across the community for their outstanding work. I should also like to thank all those who take time to volunteer. You are essential to our communities, you change lives and make a real difference. Thank you
Read more here ([link removed])
Local Firefighters
I had the pleasure of meeting with two local firefighters who came into Parliament to lobby me on pay and concerns regarding access to funding for the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. It was really interesting to speak with them and hear their concerns.
I also had a separate meeting with the senior leadership team of the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service on the challenges they may face if funding is limited. We discussed the additional work and responsibilities the service has taken on following new regulations for medium and high rise buildings as a result of the Grenfell Fire inquiry. East Sussex is the smallest fire authority in the country but has the 4th highest number of high rise buildings and second highest medium sized buildings outside of London so the impact of new regulations is higher for them than most fire authorities.
Following these meetings, I wrote to Ministers with responsibility for local authority funding and the fire service to raise their concerns, and my own, on issues that East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are facing.
Industrial Action
I appreciate that many local residents and businesses are facing immense disruption due to the industrial action being taken by a number of public and private sector employees over the festive period. Workers opted to strike in an attempt to secure better pay and working conditions. Whilst it is important that pay settlements are fair, they must also be affordable and guided by each sector’s independent pay review body.
As Rail Minister, I consider my role in the rail strikes, which are about pay and introducing modern working practices, is to help bring matters to a conclusion by encouraging discussion between the unions, Network Rail and rail companies to find common ground on which they can agree to secure the future of the rail industry. This is something I have been working hard on since becoming Minister and will continue to do so in the New Year.
Rye Swimming Pool
Freedom Leisure took the decision to temporarily close Rye Swimming Pool from the beginning of November due to rising energy costs.
Whilst Rye pool is not in my constituency, I know that many of my constituents and local schools in eastern Rother use these facilities and this closure is therefore of great concern. Working closely with Sally-Ann Hart, the MP for Rye, I have held meetings with the CEO of Freedom Leisure and local stakeholders to see if this closure could have been averted or a solution found. I have also raised it with Ministerial colleagues.
The government is reviewing the energy costs support being given to vulnerable sectors with a view to making decisions on further support in January. If this is not forthcoming, I will be working with local stakeholders for alternative solutions to re-opening the pool.
Carols by Candlelight in Battle
It was an honour and privilege to take part in the beautiful Carols by Candlelight service at St Mary the Virgin parish church in Battle last Sunday.
Community Diagnostic Centre in Bexhill
I was really pleased to see the completed Community Diagnostic Centre just ahead of its official opening. The team at East Sussex Hospital Trust have done an amazing job transforming the former Ford car dealership on Beeching Road into a state of the art community diagnostics facility following government investment of £2m.
Within the centre there is state of the art equipment including; a mobile CT scanner, two X-ray rooms and six clinical/ultrasound rooms, as well as a space to undertake blood tests. This will help reduce NHS backlogs and make it easier for patients to access diagnostic services closer to home.
The centre, which will initially run Monday to Friday but will increase to Monday to Saturday next year. Since my visit, the CDC has opened it doors to patients.
Observer Article 2 December
In my article of 2 December, I wrote about the issue of industrial action, the benefit of shopping locally (its not too late if you have last minute presents to buy!) and community warm spaces.
Read more here ([link removed])
Abattoirs
A local small abattoir has decided to close its operations. This is a business decision for the owners which I respect. However, a number of farmers have contacted me about the gap in local abattoir provision that this will leave. Like the farmers, I am concerned about the impact on animals' welfare if they have to travel further for slaughter. The longer journey times also impact farming resources our local butchers.
I have asked the Farming Minister to carry out an urgent review of local abattoir provision to see what solutions might be brought forward, I am due to meet the Minister in the new year to discuss this further and I welcome any input from local farmers.
Retained EU Law Bill and impact on food and environmental matters
I held a meeting with Cllr Pam Doodes, Cllr Ann Newton of Wealden District Council and the Head of Environmental Health for Rother and Wealden to discuss concerns relating to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform Bill) 2022. The Bill will completely overhaul a body of UK domestic law known as “retained EU law” (REUL).
There is concern that laws relating to food and the environment which protect public health may not be reviewed and incorporated in domestic law by the deadline of end December 2023. I understand this issue as it also impacts the transport sector. I will work with our local councils to raise their concerns with Defra Ministers.
Jobs Fair 2023 - Exhibitor Registration Open
Registration is now own to businesses and training providers to exhibit at the Bexhill Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair on 10 March next year. It's free to exhibit but spaces are limited and demand is high. Registration closes on 4 January.
I'm proud that my office plays a key role in organising this event with the excellent team at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill College and Rother District Council. It is always a great success so don't miss this excellent recruitment opportunity.
To register and for further information please follow this link ([link removed])
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