News from MP

I began my May with a visit to the Bunbury Church Fete at Beeston Castle which was a delightful day out. As well as chatting to Bunbury residents and sampling some of the excellent produce that was on offer, I enjoyed watching the goat racing, and suffered ritual humiliation in the most agile dog competition when my dog promptly ran out of the ring and I found myself having to jump the jumps with him on a lead!

Last week Cllr Michael Baynham and I were privileged to visit the Twisted Barber in Winsford. The barbers were recently taken over by Mark Newton, who exemplifies the strong entrepreneurial spirit of Britain's small business owners. Mark has cultivated a unique niche for his business and serves draught beer at his barbers, meaning you can relax and have a glass of lager while he cuts your hair.

In the lead up to Parliament's prorogation (the process whereby it is discontinued without being dissolved) Westminster has been as busy as ever. In my contribution to the Housing and Planning Bill I called on the Government to undertake a review into planning legislation.

I believe that it is essential that our communities are protected from predatory developers and wholly inappropriate planning applications wherever possible.

Broadband has been issue for many Eddisbury residents and I understand all too well how frustrating it is for businesses and families to struggle with slow, ineffective and erratic internet connections. I met with Ed Vaizey, Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy on Tuesday to raise my concerns over the Government's commitment to the broadband Universal Service Obligation and to encourage him to do more to help those who live in broadband blackspots, where connectivity can be painfully slow.

I also attended a NFU (National Farmers Union) 'spotlight' on farm broadband and mobile network and an Ofcom event, both of which I found to be very informative.

In Tuesday's Westminster Hall Debate on Tenant Farmers, I raised several points about the complexities of tenancies and what needs to be done to assist the farming community on this issue.

As a farmer myself, and from my experiences over the last five years, I believe that the biggest constraint on tenants has been rent levels and I think more needs to be done to raise awareness of the challenges tenant farmers face on that front.

Lastly, as I have been a Member of Parliament for exactly one year, it has given me great pleasure to reflect on everything that has happened and been achieved over the past twelve months.

There is still a long way to go however and I will continue to campaign for better broadband and better planning strategies as well as raising awareness about HS2 and the benefits and risks it poses to Eddisbury.

I would like to thank all those who have helped and supported me since I became an MP, and I look forward to the next four years of this Parliament, and hope that they will be as fruitful as the first.

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