August Bank Holiday Week was the last full week in the constituency before returning to Westminster and included a number of summer fairs and other opportunities to meet constituents. The first for me – on Saturday 26th August – was at Denehurst Nursing Home in Ferryhill which had previously been scheduled for early August but was delayed by heavy rain.
On Tuesday, I met the CEO of the Advance Learning Partnership who are the Academy that now encompasses Greenfield school to discuss their plans. To see both Greenfield and Woodham schools being essentially rebuilt is great news for the town. On the schools front, it is extremely concerning to see the issues arising due to RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete). The most affected school in my constituency is Ferryhill but there are others with follow up actions in progress and I have offered my support to them all should they need it. To my knowledge there are none in Newton Aycliffe but if you have any concerns about your child’s school (and haven’t had any answers from the school) please get in touch and we can try and help.
I also took the opportunity to pop into the Aycliffe Bus Preservation Society to see their new facility and the start of work on a new conference room. I look forward to calling again when it is complete. I spent time in the Aycliffe office on Monday which included writing to the Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner for an update on what is happening to Aycliffe Police station. I’m concerned that it has all gone very quiet again and I would like some assurances that our Police will be remaining together on the town and not being split up or relocated elsewhere.
On Tuesday afternoon I held a surgery in Middleton St George before speaking at the Business Elevate Event. This was aimed at small businesses and along with me were the Mayor of Tees Valley Combined Authority, Ben Houchen, and the Mayor of Darlington, Cllr Jan Cossins. Later in the week I went back to MSG to visit MJ’s Café after we had spoken at the surgery, and I would thoroughly recommend trying them for a meal or snack if you are passing.
Wednesday it was off to Newcastle for my annual medical before holding a surgery in Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre and later going to Piercebridge to meet locals, council officials and Natural England to discuss repairs needed following some vandalism to the Roman fort. Later it was a trip up to Blackhill for a meeting with the Consett and Blaydon Conservatives.
Thursday started with a trip around the Gestamp factory, a serious piece of real estate which has seen significant investment over the years since I first recall it as Tallents. Gestamp is a real asset to the town and I thank Jonathan and his team for their hospitality. I went from there over to NETPark to discuss how I can best support them on my return to Westminster.
It was then a pop-up surgery in Sainsbury’s at Sedgefield. Whilst these surgeries are primarily to give people the chance to have a chat about anything they want, or to arrange a surgery if required, I also get a chance meet people who I haven’t seen for years. This was no exception and I met a lady, Dorothy, who I last saw when I left Darchem Engineering at Stillington in 1983, a real bonus for me. When it comes to treats though that had to be Friday evening at the Newton Aycliffe Women’s Institute Sweet Delights event. The number of cakes and bottles is something to behold!
Saturday started with a visit to OakLeaf Sports Complex to support them in their indoor bowls taster sessions, held every Saturday morning in September from 9.00-10.30 where you can try for £1, well worth it, and lovely people. Again, I met someone I hadn’t seen for years, Terry from Perstorp. It was then off to Hurworth Fair for a quick visit before heading to Chilton for their Fun Day, where I spent most of the afternoon. I then headed to Aycliffe where the protest was happening as regards events at the Scout Hall, but I arrived just as it finished. I remain fully behind the need to get a positive resolution and would encourage the committee to engage constructively with people who care about all the scout groups on the town. If they don’t want to, then perhaps they should be standing down and making way for people that do care.
Sunday was a bit of family time and planning for going back to Westminster. Business this week will include the Economic Crime Bill and Opposition Day debates will be on Wednesday. I will also be back in the routine of Treasury Select Committee meetings and supporting Treasury work at Oral Questions to the Chancellor this week as well as Adjournment and Westminster Hall debates.
As alway, if you want to get in touch, you can always reach my office by phone on Aycliffe 01325 790580 or by sending an email to paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk