At the beginning of each year, my team and I take some time to set out my priorities and plan for the year ahead.  This year will be slightly different for us all. Previously, when championing and lobbying for local issues I could ask questions of Ministers in the House of Commons and call for debates. My team would be busy supporting me in this. As a Minister and Member of the Government, I can now only speak in the House on matters which relate to my ministerial portfolio, Rail and HS2. However, whilst I am no longer able to speak in the chamber beyond Rail issues, I can be just as effective as your local MP, if not more so, having direct and regular access to Ministerial colleagues to discuss important local matters.  Whilst you may not see me asking questions of Ministers in the chamber, I will be meeting with these same Ministers with my requests for residents on the campaigns which matter. A good example of this was a meeting held this week with the Health Minister, and my neighbouring MPs, to discuss progress on the hospital rebuild programme for Bexhill, Hastings and Eastbourne. 

This year, as with every year, my key priority is helping constituents with issues which they are not able to resolve for themselves. My team and I work hard to help those who are facing difficulties or struggling to make headway with organisations who direct responsibility.  Some of these issues are ones which I need to escalate to Ministerial colleagues as they involve policy decisions which have had unintended consequences, or mistakes which have been made by those in charge. There are also wider issues which affect many more people and our local councils.  Issues like social care, planning reform, sea defences, access to health care, sewage pollution, transport, education and the environment. I know from my mailbox, and from meeting many of you, just how important these issues are. That is why this year, my team and I will be focussed on bringing about positive outcomes and communicating them to you.

Sea defences are very important to all those living in coastal communities, but especially residents from Cooden Beach to Normans Bay and Pevensey Bay. The current sea defence contract to defend homes, infrastructure and businesses from sea flooding is due to end in 2025. The Environment Agency (EA) is currently working on longer-term proposals which will defend the coastline from erosion and sea breaches for the next 100 years, taking into account the impact of climate change.  A member of my team attends the community steering group for this project as meetings are at times when Parliament is sitting.  I also regularly meet officials from the EA to discuss progress and community concerns. I am ready to escalate the issue to Ministers at any time which is considered necessary to get the assurance that the project is on track to deliver.

Planning and housing is a major concern for our district councils who, despite approving planning applications, are under pressure from government to approve more when these are not built out.  The new Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, that is currently going through Parliament, will contain important planning reforms.  It is clear that we need new homes to meet demand from local families who want to be able to afford to live in East Sussex; we also need homes for people to support economic growth. However, in places like Rother and Wealden, which have a high proportion of land in protected zones, like the AONB, this is a huge challenge.  Some areas, like Little Common, have seen housing growth which puts pressure on local roads and amenities.  Planning reform is therefore essential to ensure we get the right homes in the right places. The Secretary of State, Michael Gove, has already stated that top-down housing targets imposed by government will stop. Districts will have greater say over housing numbers to meet local need. I have already made my views clear to Mr Gove and I will continue to follow progress of this Bill closely to ensure housing targets are reformed.  I shall be making my case to Ministers through meetings and correspondence. I will keep our district councils and constituents updated.

I wish readers a very Happy New Year and I hope to meet many of you when I am out and about in the constituency. My diary is already filling up fast with local engagements and meetings. I am looking forward to lots of face-to-face meetings this year, virtual meetings have their place and can be very helpful, but nothing replaces meeting in person and sharing thoughts, concerns and ideas.