Dear Resident,
It’s been a busy few weeks in Parliament and in the Constituency, so here’s a flavour of my recent activities as your Member of Parliament.
I know many across the country and in Erewash are concerned about the issue of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in education settings. Whilst, to date, Erewash schools are not affected, in Parliament, I asked the Education Secretary Rt hon Gillian Keegan MP whether she could reconfirm her commitment to the School Rebuilding Programme, specifically the two recently approved projects at Kirk Hallam Community Academy and Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy in Erewash. You can view my question here. I have since received confirmation of these projects.
Other parliamentary debates that I participated in include questioning Government Ministers in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) about the War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes, as well as ramping up further pressure on Home Office Ministers over the timetable for the closure of the Asylum Accommodation Centres on Bostocks Lane. You can view my MoD question here and my Home Office intervention via this link.
Locally, I will continue to hold the Labour run Erewash Borough Council to account, ensuring that they are adequately serving our Borough’s needs whilst at the same time providing a service that is of value to the taxpayer.
Labour’s Executive Committee is preparing to rubberstamp proposals to charge residents an extra £37.00 every year to use the Council’s garden waste collection service from April 2024. The new Bin Tax not only goes against the spirit of Labour’s manifesto, but it also hits the poorest hardest and could lead to a massive increase in fly-tipping across our towns and villages. Please sign my petition to the Leader of Erewash Borough Council calling on Labour to immediately reverse their decision and keep the Borough Council’s brown bin service free. Don’t let Labour Tax our Bins – sign up today here.
I am also urging local residents to back my campaign to oppose the Labour controlled Erewash Borough Council’s plan to defund Parish Councils by scrapping the Concurrent Grant. Under proposals, the Concurrent Grant will be reduced to £2,000.00 in 2024/25 and eliminated completely by 2025/26. Parish Council across the Borough provide crucial local services and events such as the Remembrance Sunday commemorations. This work is largely funded by the Concurrent Grant and unfortunately Labour’s move may force a significant rise in Council Tax and cuts to key services. Please sign my letter to Labour’s Council Leader calling on him to immediately reinstate the Concurrent Grant and to cease Labour’s attack on our Parish Councils. You can do so here.
It has been a busy time in the Constituency too. I recently met with Severn Trent to discuss the progress of the Ilkeston Flood Alleviation Scheme. Severn Trent have committed to spend £42 million in Ilkeston by 2030 on flood prevention and protection measures, including a major engineering scheme which will ensure that communities across Ilkeston will not be flooded in the future.
There have been numerous other events in Erewash I’ve had the privilege to attend, including Erewash Partnership’s Ilkeston Heritage and Classic Vehicle Show; the Rotary Club of Long Eaton’s Family Fun Day, The Royal British Legion of Ilkeston and Long Eaton’s VJ Day and Merchant Navy Day commemorations and Treetop Hospice’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Through my casework, I have also helped hundreds of Erewash residents and within the last month have successfully resolved 315 cases.
Other useful information:
🏉 Long Eaton Rugby Football Club is set to benefit from Rugby Football Union funding which will boost the women’s game. Further information can be found via this link.
⚽ Since 2000, the Football Foundation, in coordination with the Premier League, the Football Association and the Government have provided £2.3 million into grassroots football in Erewash. More information about future proposals for Erewash can be found here.
🚙 The DVLA has launched a call for evidence on drivers with medical conditions. If you have experienced issues or have any ideas of how to speed up the medical licencing process the DVLA wants to hear from you.
💉 The NHS winter vaccination programme is underway, and I am urging eligible constituents to book their Covid and flu vaccinations. More info here.
With best wishes,
Maggie Throup MP
Member of Parliament for Erewash
P.S. My Community Office is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday from 9am-5pm and on a Thursday 8am-5pm. Should you have an issue I can help you with, please either phone my office on 0115 930 0521 or email me at [email protected].
P.P.S. Your friends and family can now sign-up to receive my Westminster Despatches, by visiting www.maggiethroup.com. In addition, should you know of anyone who does not have access to a computer and would like to receive paper copies of my e-news on a regular basis, then please do let me know their details (including their full name and address).
