I am deeply disappointed that the efforts to save the Belton Surgery have been unsuccessful. Despite the concerted efforts of local campaigners which included Belton Parish Council, the PCT has decided to close the surgery in Belton from 1st June. It now essential that the PCT ensures that the transition is as smooth as possible for local residents, who may be left struggling due to poor transport links. The PCT needs to proactively engage with
I was delighted to learn that after nearly a year a Post Office is set to return to the village of Rollesby. I have been lobbying for a return of this vital service ever since the old office suddenly shut after the retirement of the old subpostmaster. A limited service will be returning from Tuesday the 15th May. The subpostmaster at Catfield Post Office will provide a service on Tuesday and Fridays between 9.30, and 12.30. This provision will provide
In the Great Yarmouth area, the tourist industry is worth an estimated £500 million to the local economy. In terms of accommodation, most people would think that visitors stay in a hotel or a local guesthouse. In fact, around half the tourists that come here on holiday stay in a static caravan in one of our excellent holiday parks. Therefore, what may seem an obscure debate about applying VAT to the sale of static caravans
Today I showed Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, that Great Yarmouth is ahead of the curve when it comes to getting Enterprise Zones up and running, when I took him to visit the local success story, Seajacks. We visited the office of the company; as part of Mr Pickles’ visit to Great Yarmouth, and met with the Managing Director, Blair Ainslie, as well as a range of representatives from the LEP, including local
I welcome the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework. Under plans announced by Greg Clark, Minister for Decentralisation, planning rules have been transformed and simplified into a short 50 page document. Previously the collected rules ran to thousands of pages. The minister also outlined new measures to free up land for housing and business development whilst removing barriers for growth and enabling sustainable development. The document goes on to include a ‘town centre first’
This weekend I braved the weather to join members of Great Yarmouth Cycling Club and the Community Interest Group, Activating, for a ride through central Yarmouth and Gorleston in order to promote safe cycling. Following the high profile ‘Safe Cycling’ campaign launched by The Times and Parliamentary Debates on cycle safety in town and city centres, I felt it
Last week I revealed that staff at the axed East of England Development Agency(EEDA) were receiving a £250,000 bonus, even though the quango no longer existed. Sloppy contractual arrangements agreed by Labour ministers has allowed this to happen. During question time in the House of Commons, I took the opportunity to highlight this disgraceful situation. Already the local enterprise partnership that replaced the bureaucratic EEDA s making a difference in Norfolk. As a business and
The Post Office has received a massive £1.34 billion funding boost from the Government to invest in the branch network. It will see the largest investment programme in the history of the Post Office, with over 6,000branches being converted into a new style of post office. This plan will secure the long-term future of the network and unlike under the last Labour government there will be no compulsory branch closure programme. Customers will benefit from
New figures reveal that staff at the East of England Development Agency has received over a quarter of a million pounds in bonuses, despite being scrapped by the Conservatives shortly after the election. These payments are due to the appalling contract arrangements – instigated across the public sector – by the last Labour government. Over £1/4 million was paid to 203 staff at the East of England Development Agency since May 2010. It is shocking
Brandon Lewis