A week in the constituency for me as Westminster is on recess at half term, meaning, whilst I had a number of zoom or similar meetings, I was also able to spend more time here.

I had a zoom meeting with my colleague Lee Anderson, MP for Ashfield. Lee is an ex-miner, and we had a discussion with union and trustee representatives about the mineworkers’ pension scheme and the recommendations made by the BEIS select committee. I was part of the committee that produced a report requesting Government to improve the allocation of funds to the scheme. I also had discussions with one of the newer companies in the market who are installing fibre broadband to explain to me their approach, and how it affects people in the constituency. I have also continued discussions with Council officers and others as regards our proposals for applying the opportunities afforded by the Levelling Up Fund. The results of our recent survey on the potential for Aycliffe town centre is reported separately in the Newton News.

The main issue in the inbox, as regards Aycliffe, is the planning proposal for an incinerator on the Business Park. We are arranging two online Q&A sessions with the business to help people be better informed as to what precisely is being proposed. This is not part of the planning process; it is a voluntary opportunity from the business to explain their proposal for those that are concerned. I have had some criticism for not immediately objecting to the proposal but, with the details I have seen and the environmental standards they would be mandated to achieve, I find it difficult to object. However, my role is to represent residents and if, after they have considered the full information, grounds for concern remain then I will fully represent them. I am not a scientist, so I am very definitely open to hearing concerns. I am not immediately objecting because environmental standards have moved significantly in recent years. I trust the Environment Agency who have no other agenda than public safety and a clean environment, and they would need to approve the operations. I understand the standards this facility would need to achieve are the same as a much larger waste incinerator built in Copenhagen in 2019 which is so clean that they have an artificial ski slope on its roof that local residents use. This is a completely different paradigm to when I lived in Aycliffe (prior to the establishment of the Environment Agency and stricter enforcement) when unpleasant smells regularly wafted across the town.

I am planning to hold two sessions, the first session will be aimed at residents in the Durham County Council area and some of these ward councillors will also be attending. The second event will be aimed at residents in the Darlington Borough Council area.

There will be the opportunity for the Fornax team to answer questions, however these can only be questions regarding their plant. Questions about the consultation and planning process for example would have to be directed to council planning officers.

The people present to answer questions will include Mark Roberts the Founder and Chair of Fornax and Dr Amanda Gair an air quality specialist.

The first webinar will be on Monday 14th June at 7:30pm.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

parliament-uk.zoom.us/j/68784063271

Webinar ID: 687 8406 3271

Passcode: 430683

The second webinar will be Tuesday 15th June at 7:30pm

parliament-uk.zoom.us/j/67862373531

Webinar ID: 678 6237 3531

Passcode: 219541

Recess means that because there are no debates happening, I have more time to spend with the team in the office in Aycliffe. This week we have started planning the specific details regarding pop up surgeries. Whilst we will be able to meet people in the Aycliffe office this is not always accessible to people elsewhere in the constituency, as I am sure you are aware it reaches from Thornley in the north, to Hurworth in the south. For surgery planning, the constituency has been divided into seven regions and whilst we will hold at least one surgery each week, it will move between the regions in an attempt to be more accessible. We will publicise on our website and in the Newton News (and other media) the proposed schedules.

As regards the constituency, the independent boundary commission has this week produced its first iteration of the proposals for the next election. This is to equalise the number of constituents each MP represents. I currently have an electorate of 64,325 but the requirement is for each MP to have between 69,724 and 77,062. I therefore needed to have at least 5,400 added. Because other constituencies around me also require changes, the impact on the proposals for Sedgefield are more significant. It starts with a proposal to rename the constituency as ‘Newton Aycliffe and Sedgefield’ and sees major changes to the geography. I will lose all of my Darlington Borough Council wards as well as Wingate and Station Town and they will be replaced by areas like Shildon, Coxhoe and Bowburn. The next stage in this process is for representations to be made on the proposals, after which the boundary commission announce their final proposals. These are intended to be finalised in time for the next General Election, currently scheduled for 2024. However, this proceeds I will continue to be your Member of Parliament until the next election and hopefully beyond.

We continue the steps out of lockdown and look to the next critical date of 14th June when we will know whether restrictions are to be lifted on 21st June. For now, can I please continue to encourage you all to be sensible and not push the boundaries of what we are allowed. Slow and steady progress is much more sustainable.

Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air.

Stay Safe.

Paul Howell

Member of Parliament for Sedgefield