A thank you to all those who work so hard for our community

While there isn’t a ‘Job Description’ for a Member of Parliament, I find the most pleasurable part of my role is thanking the army of people who undertake so much voluntary work or go above and beyond the call of duty in their job for the benefit of our community and make a positive difference to our all lives.

This week was full of ’thank yous’ from the teachers from Devoran School who worked hard to make sure their pupils had an unforgettable school trip to the capital city and Parliament to the Coastguards who came to lobby Parliament.

I am a member of the All Party Reserve Forces and Cadets Group and am participating in the Reserves Review that is being led by the Vice Chief of Defence Staff at the request of the Prime Minister.  I am very supportive of the excellent work that the cadets organisations do in my constituency and the important role of the TA in Truro.  I am pleased to able to communicate their views directly into the review process.

Back in Cornwall, I was able to thank more teachers at Threemilestone School as well as governors, parents and partners in the community for their combined hard work to make such a wonderful new outdoor play space for their youngest pupils.  Also, to Hine Downing Solicitors for attracting the Yorkshire Building Society to Falmouth - it is good to have a building society back in the centre of town.

Thank you to the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners for so tenaciously steering the Port Master Plan into the public consultation last week.  Securing a viable and sustainable future for the port of Falmouth is vital for the future of not only of Falmouth but west Cornwall.   This will take time and require real collaboration between all the businesses in the port.

Like most residents of Cornwall, I am very proud of Shelter Box and as usual they were the first into Japan offering emergency relief.  There have been many calls on their resources over the past year or so and they have offered help in every natural disaster.  Despite the fact that people are tightening their belts during the recession, people collecting outside the Methodist Church in Falmouth were receiving about £800 each day.

So thank you to the Shelter Box volunteers too!

On Saturday night I really enjoyed all the musicians and spoken word performers who put on such a first class Gala Concert on the last night of the Cornwall Music Festival at the Methodist Church in Truro.  While each performer had obviously worked very hard they had been supported over the years by dedicated parents, teachers and volunteers who run the competition.  With such difficult decisions to made in Parliament this week regarding UK military intervention in Libya, I certainly took the words of peace in the winning song composed by Cornish resident Rico Gerber and sang so inspiringly by the Mabe Ladies Choir, very much to heart.

Delighted to be involved in the Conservative Policy Forum

I was pleased to be recently appointed as an MP Representative on the South West board of the Conservative Policy Forum (CPF)

The CPF is a national Party Group that gives Conservative Party Members the opportunity to discuss the major policy challenges facing Britain.

Set up by Minister for Government Policy, Oliver Letwin MP the CPF is being asked to discuss the nature of, and solution to, the challenges facing the UK over the next decade.

The Government will be listening closely to discussions held by CPF groups across the country, the thoughts and suggestions of members helping to shape Government policy.

More information on the CPF and how to get involved can be found through the below link:

www.conservativepolicyforum.com

Register your Cornish identity

http://cornish-census2011.org/

New Tourism Strategy launched

The Government has launched its new Tourism Strategy which seeks to provide a shot in the arm for tourism across the UK.  With the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee next year, the UK could see an increase of four million extra visitors from overseas with an additional £2 billion being brought into the economy if plans are made now, well in advance.

The Strategy itself is a blue-print for how the UK can tap into the potential offered by tourism and secure Britain’s place as a prime holiday destination.  Suggestions in the strategy include:

-        Improving staff skills through more apprenticeships and courses for the tourism sector.

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           Improving alternative destinations across the country, rather than narrowly focussing on London.

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     Consulting on whether to introduce a new bank holiday for St. George’s Day in England and St. David’s Day in Wales or a Trafalgar Day in October.

I would urge local people who have a vested interest in tourism, which is so important to our local economy here in Cornwall, to read the Tourism Strategy. 

A link to the Strategy can be found here:

http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/Government2_Tourism_Policy_2011.pdf

The fight for Falmouth Coastguard continues

Ensuring that senior management of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Government Ministers consider alternative proposals for the modernisation of the Coastguard, continues to be a top priority.  The fight for the future of Falmouth Coastguard will continue.

So far, I have managed to ensure backing from members from all parties in supporting this in Parliament - from all nine political parties represented from around the UK. Following meetings with the Secretary of State for Transport and the Minister, Mike Penning MP, responsible at the Department of Transport and questions I asked in the House last week, the Government have agreed to an extension to the consultation on the MCA proposals for modernisation.  This will allow time for the alternative proposals to be fully considered.

Mike Penning will be visiting Falmouth Coastguard before the end of the consultation to discuss their alternative proposals. Last week’s rescue of the Ben My Chree serves to underline the importance of keeping Falmouth Coastguard open 24hours.  I was delighted to receive the news on Friday from James Instance that Falmouth Coastguard was awarded the Chief Coastguard’s Commendation for Exceptional and Meritorious Service 2010.

Since Vince Cable MP announced that the Post Office has lost the contract for Giro cheque payments to Paypoint, I have been making representations to him to ensure that the Post Office network is given as much help as possible to replace the loss of income.  I am also very concerned about vulnerable customers such as elderly people who do not have bank accounts and rely on friends of family cashing their Giro cheques in the local Post Office.  The change from Giro to Paypoint will not happen until next year.  During the rest of this year, I want to ensure that as many people as possible, who currently receive their pensions and benefits by Giro, sign-up to a Post Office Card Account.  This is a simple product that offers free access to cash, without credit checks and a second card if someone needs help to collect their money from the Post Office.  I will be happy to help anyone who needs information or help in opening an account.  Just call 01872 274 760.

In Parliament I will continue to push Vince Cable to implement the Coalition Agreement to enable Post Office Account holders the chance to benefit from direct debit discounts on, for example, fuel bills.  Many elderly constituents contact me as they are struggling to pay their essential bills for water or energy.  On many occasions, people are not claiming the reduced tariffs they are entitled to.  For years I have been calling on the Government of the day to ensure that Post Office Card Account holders are automatically given details of the lowest tariffs available and will work hard to make sure this Government implements the change.

I will also continue to press Vince Cable to ensure more high street banks enable their customers to access their cash from Post Offices.  With more banks closing their branches, such as Barclays in Penryn, it is more important than ever, especially for small businesses, to be able to access banking services in our vitally important village Post Offices.  As Post Offices receive payments for handling these transactions, it would provide vital income for them too.

Working with parliamentary colleagues to highlight the concerns of everyday people

I am proud to be a member of ‘The Forty’ group of Conservative MP’s; working together to focus the Government’s attention on the needs and concerns of ordinary constituents, and the need for dynamic and sustained job creation:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12700211

Have your say on Building Society's donations to Cornish charities

I would encourage all local residents to take part in the Falmouth Agency of the Yorkshire Building Society’s public vote on their charitable donations.  

To celebrate its opening in Falmouth in January, the Yorkshire Building Society are donating £1,000 to three local good causes and it’s asking the people of the Falmouth–Penryn area to decide how much money each charity will receive.

Existing customers and members of the public are encouraged to call into the agency on Friday 18^th March where they will have the opportunity to vote for one of the following three local charities:

·         Falmouth Befriending Support – supporting the isolated elderly community in Falmouth

·         The Merlin Project – caring for people who have Multiple Sclerosis in Cornwall and the surrounding areas

·         Children’s Hospice South West – providing care and support to children with life limiting illnesses in the South West counties of England

Votes will be accepted for a two-week period running from Friday 18^th March to Saturday 2^nd April and the number of votes for each charity will determine the amount donated

I will be launching the scheme at the Falmouth Agency of the Yorkshire Building Society on the morning of the 18^th March, and look forward to seeing many residents taking part.