This week’s column is my last before Parliament returns at
the beginning of September. This summer’s Parliamentary Summer Recess has
certainly been an eventful one and it has been great to be able to spend time
here in Cornwall and get out and meet people and businesses across
Mid-Cornwall.
I have visited communities across our constituency as well
as attending numerous events. Thank you to all of those who I have met and have
given me a warm welcome.
One of the major concerns has been the impact of the result
of the EU referendum on Cornwall and I have spent time meeting with Cornwall
Council as well as business leaders, including Newquay Airport, to listen to
their views and concerns. I remain positive that we can secure a better future
for Cornwall with the UK outside of the EU and will be doing all I can to
secure the investment we need.
One major issue that became apparent in St Austell was the
increase in anti-social behaviour in the town centre, which was highlighted to
me by a number of residents and businesses as well as being raised in the local
press. I have now met with the local town council, police and our Police and
Crime Commissioner and am taking forward a number of issues, both locally and
in Westminster, to seek to find longer term solutions to this issue.
I have also taken time to meet with local NHS
representatives addressing some of the issues we face here in mid-Cornwall
including dental health provision, community hospitals and mental health.
As part of this I spent time looking at mental health
provision in and around Newquay. I have visited a number of facilities to see
some of the excellent work that is currently taking place there as well as the
challenges faced and understand what I can do to press the case for increased
mental health provision for Cornwall going forward.
Across our constituency I have also done a great deal of
work with South West Water, who I am working with to achieve a permanent
solution to historic problems with sewage leaking in Fowey. It is also good to
see the renovation work at the Yellowsands viewing platform at Pentire
Esplanade in Newquay.
I have held a number of ‘Meet your MP’ events across
Mid-Cornwall. These are events held in informal settings, such as a local pub,
where people can come and see me without an appointment and talk about anything
that they want. I was pleased to see excellent attendance at events in St
Austell, Roche and St Stephen and look forward to holding more across the
constituency throughout the year.
It has been a busy but enjoyable time, but next week
Parliament returns and I will once again in in Westminster 4 days a week. Back
in Parliament I will be continuing to meet with Ministers and make the case in
Parliament to get the best deal for Cornwall following Brexit. Ahead of the
Autumn Statement I will also be doing all I can to ensure we get the best
outcome in the Government’s funding reviews for local government, schools and
the Police, all areas where Cornwall has been traditionally poorly served by
consecutive governments, where I believe myself and my Cornwall MP colleagues
have a real chance to make a difference.
As always, my team and I are here to serve the whole
constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone
needing support. If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then
please contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk.
Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the
constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
