Antoinette Sandbach MP Newsletter

Since the last newsletter Antoinette has...

• Visited the Tute virtual school to discuss innovation via the internet.
• Attended the Living Den official opening at the Save the Family centre in Cotton Edmunds.
• Attended the launch of the raw milk vending machine at Street Farm in Tarvin.
• Welcomed students from Abbey Gate college and Tarporley CE Primary school to the Houses of Parliament.
• Grilled the CEO of BT about broadband in Eddisbury.
• Celebrated the 125th anniversary of the UK's largest dog welfare charity, the Dog's Trust.
• Spoke in the Local Audit (Public Access to Documents) Bill.
• Supported the RNIB and Blind Veterans UK campaign to raise awareness for the support available nationwide for those who are losing their sight.
• Questioned the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs about war crimes evidence gathering in Aleppo.
• Attended the Decibellas Choir Concert of Light at St Boniface Church, Bunbury.
• Joined the President of the Royal College of Pathologists at the launch of the sudden infant death in infancy and childhood (2nd addition) multi agency guidelines.
• If you know of any other charities that you think should be represented above, please email devitoga@parliament.uk with your suggestions.

Winsford Prison
Last week I was delighted to announce that Prison's Minister Sam Gymiah MP wrote to me to confirm that Winsford will not be considered as a site for a future prison. This announcement is a victory for the hundreds of local residents who have signed my petition and opposed these dreadful plans. I'm grateful to every local resident that has supported my campaign, signed the petition or discussed this with me in Winsford. The Government have assessed the site and found it to be unsuitable, proving that we have made a solid case that it's not wanted here. This is a victory for common sense and we can now continue to focus on what our town really needs.

HS2 Meeting Update
As mentioned in my previous newsletter following the HS2 announcement of the preferred route for Phase 2b I will be holding a public meeting on Saturday 17th December at 10:30am. The details have now been finalised and the meeting will take place in the main hall at Winsford Academy. I will provide an update on the route changes, details about the compensation options for those close to the route and will also be available to answer any questions. Please do pass on details to friends and neighbours who may also be interested in attending. If you plan to attend can you please email cranee@parliament.uk(mailto:cranee@parliament.uk)
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Autumn Statement
The Autumn Statement brought fantastic news for The Alder Centre. These amazing people supported me after the death of my son Sam, and the announcement of £1.4m of funding, paid for by fines against the banks, means the Alder Centre will get a new building. I have been working on this for a year and it will benefit those parents in the North West suffering the loss of a child. Following the Autumn Statement I appeared on BBC North West Tonight to discuss the impact the announcements would make to those living in the North West.

Singing for Syrians
"Singing for Syrians" has been set up to encourage local communities and churches across the UK to host a carol concert. Last year saw a very successful Carol Concert at Chester, and I am pleased to announce that a second concert will take place on 18th December at 3.30pm. Last year 900 people were there, however I am keen to improve on this number. The collection goes to the Hands Up Foundation and all money raised will go towards paying the doctors salaries in Aleppo and towards prosthetic limb clinics in the region. It is currently estimated that over 50,000 Syrians are amputees in urgent need of treatment.

Visit to Tarporley War Memorial Hospital
Tarporley War Memorial Hospital is a local charity which provides numerous services to Eddisbury residents. It has a minor injuries unit, 6 NHS beds, but the remainder of the 10 beds are available for respite care at a subsidised price to local residents. This means a loved relative can be looked after in a fully staffed nursing environment allowing carers to have a break. It was a pleasure to visit and see how services are being developed to support the needs of the wider local community.

Treasury Questions
I was selected for an oral question to ask David Gauke MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury. As you will be aware, since being elected I have campaigned hard for better broadband connectivity, especially in rural areas, therefore I asked about the fiscal steps he is taking to build up UK digital infrastructure in light of recent funding announcements.

Confederation of Timber Industries Conference
I was part of a panel discussion about the sustainability and growth of the timber industry. The timber supply chain is often overlooked as an important economic player, however in its own right is a £10bn supply chain employing 200,000 people directly and many more indirectly. It was a fantastic event that was well attended by industry leaders and has helped raise the profile of the timber industry within the UK.

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