I recently received the below letter from Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, concerning the revocation of the regional strategy for the South East of England Plan. I warmly welcome this announcement which means that the top down Central Government targets for house building will be scrapped. It will give more responsibility to elected local councillors to decide how much development we need and where it should take place.
The local NHS consultation closes on 16 April.
To see a short and jargon-free summary and to comment online you can look HERE.
The proposals include changes to hospital services at Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe. There’s been a fair bit of coverage in the local media already but if you haven’t yet what is being suggested and want to have your say, do follow the link.
I have received a letter from the Post Office regarding their decision to proceed with the trial of a Post Office local service at Halton Camp Stores on Rowborough Road. Further information about this development, including details of opening hours and parking facilities, can be found in the letter below.
The Chilterns Multiple Sclerosis Centre has for years operated out of what amount to portakabins at the top of the hill by what used to be the Princess Mary RAF Hospital on the border between Wendover and Halton. Dedicated staff, supported by an amazing team of volunteers, provide therapy for people from our area and beyond who suffer from this dreadful disease.
When the hospital was closed and the site sold by the Ministry of Defence for housing development, there were fears tha tthe centre would have to cl0se, but an arrangement was negotiated under which the developer agreed to provide a new site for them on the estate and pay £1 million towards the cost . What’s now needed is lots more money to reach the £2.5 million needed build and equip the new centre. So on Friday evening I went there to a preview of the art exhibition that they have been holding over the weekend. There were some fantastic pieces on sale and I came home with a Ben Waddams print of a hare running at speed. (You may know Ben from his column in the Bucks Herald).
If you want to contribute in any way to the centre’s appeal, please go to their web site here.
From Monday 12th April at 5.00pm Parliament was dissolved. This means there will be no MPs until after the General Election on 6th May. Until that time I will be campaigning for re-election as the Conservative Party’s Candidate for Aylesbury.
My Westminster staff are not allowed to work in the House of Commons during the election campaign though they are continuing to deal as best they can with constituency casework from their homes.
To find out more about the Conservative Party’s policies please visit http://www.conservatives.com/
Constituents wishing to learn about the latest travel advice regarding the adverse weather conditions in the constituency should visit Buckinghamshire County Council’s website by following the link below.
In my Autumn 2009 Westminster Report, I announced that after lobbying the Post Office it would re-open the Halton Camp Branch on 26th October. I have now been informed by the Post Office that the opening will be delayed because the original agreement for the Stoke Mandeville branch to take over the running of Halton has fallen through
I have therefore written to the Post Office to take up this matter and obtain a revised timetable for the re-opening of Halton Camp Post Office. I will of course keep constituents up to date on anything that I hear.
Yours faithfully,
David Lidington
Aylesbury MP David Lidington has been told Post Office Ltd plan to re-open the Halton Camp branch in October. The news comes after an agreement was reached with Stoke Mandeville subpostmaster to setup a Partner Outreach service.
An Outreach branch will see a limit on facilities available to costumers. Nevertheless, it will be located 10 yards from the old post office with users benefiting from extended opening hours, a new serving counter and low-level wheelchair access.
David said:
“I welcome the news that the Post Office are proposing to keep a service in Halton Camp as it is vital for elderly people and those without access to a car.
“Consultation is on going until 15th September and I urge residents to let the Post Office know what they think of these proposals. I will be contacting the Post Office to clarify exactly what the difference in services will be, and will make sure to update residents.
“I know local residents had been concerned that the branch would not re-open after similar closures in near by villages. However, the Post Office told me that they are committed to keeping a service in Halton.”
Constituents wishing to comment should email consultation@postoffice.co.uk or write to:
Post Office Limited
c/o National Consultation Team
PO Box 2060
Watford
WD18 8ZW
