November 2024 newsletter to constituents
As we head into the winter months, I wanted to take a moment to update you on the work I’ve been doing on your behalf to protect our services and hold the government to account following the October budget. From pushing for affordable transport and stronger healthcare to campaigning for vital community spaces and support for families, there’s a lot of work to do.
In this newsletter, you’ll find updates on my recent efforts. Please scroll through for any topics of interest:
Southern Water's Environmental Wrecking Ball
Fixing Our Broken Relationship with Europe to Help Small Businesses
Blue Flag Status for Seaford Beach
Phoenix Centre at Risk of Closure
Newhaven Food Waste Site Cancelled - Stop the Slops Campaign Succeeds!
Bus Fares
It’s time to take Talland Parade in Seaford away from the developer - meeting with minister
Lewes bus station on hold
Workplace and Early Years Rights
Children's Hospices
Ending the Need for Foodbanks
Education and SEND Funding
Remembrance Day
Out and about
Staying in touch
Southern Water's environmental wrecking ball [back to top]
Southern Water's recent proposal in response to their now £6bn debt to raise customer bills by 84% is a shocking increase, especially considering the company's ongoing issues with sewage discharges into local rivers and seas, including the River Ouse and Cuckmere.
The FT have reported that Southern Water’s finances have hit serious trouble, with debts soaring over £6bn. Another example of a privatised utility on the brink. It leaves one asking- why are customers and the environment paying the price for these financial messes?
I've secured a meeting with the Chief Executive of Southern Water It's unacceptable for residents to bear the financial burden of rectifying environmental damages caused by the company.
I am calling on the government to overhaul the regulatory framework governing water companies. This includes replacing Ofwat with a more robust regulator, banning bonuses for executives of failing companies, and preventing water companies from passing the costs of their failures onto consumers.
It is vital that we hold Southern Water to account and ensure that our community is not unfairly penalised for their shortcomings. I'll also be encouraging the new Labour Government to take bold action urgently.
Fixing our broken relationship with Europe to help small businesses [back to top]
The Tories' botched Brexit deal continues to do damage to our economy, and the fastest way to repair that is mending our broken relationship with our closest neighbours. I recently asked a question during Prime Minister’s Questions, urging the government to pursue closer European cooperation to help local businesses. You can watch that here.
With that goal in mind, I recently met with a European Parliament delegation to discuss shared issues like trade, environmental protection and security.
Another priority is re-joining the Youth Mobility Scheme with Europe, which would allow young people to travel, study and work abroad more easily. A scheme like this would open up invaluable cultural and educational exchanges, benefiting both our young people and the future of our local workforce. That the government is dragging their feet on this is a major failing for our young people who deserve to be given every opportunity to develop, not be limited by political positioning by the current government.
Blue Flag Status for Seaford Beach [back to top]
Seaford Beach is one of our community’s gems and I believe it’s time we secure the recognition it deserves. This month, I pushed for Lewes District Council to apply for Blue Flag status for Seaford Beach- an award that sets the gold standard for clean, safe and well-managed beaches worldwide.
Achieving Blue Flag status isn’t just about a title; it’s about showing our commitment to maintaining high environmental standards and enhancing the beach as a safe, welcoming spot for locals and visitors alike. This award would help boost tourism and protect our beach from future sewage dumping that threatens to pollute our water.
I’ll be working closely with local leaders to ensure we meet all the requirements and give Seaford Beach the recognition it deserves.
My campaign was covered by the BBC here: Sussex: Calls for Seaford Beach to apply for Blue Flag status - BBC News
Phoenix Centre at risk of closure [back to top]
I was lucky enough to visit the Phoenix Centre in Lewes and hear about the brilliant work done at the Adult Social care facility. It was touching to be able to speak to people who use the facility and hear about how it helps them. A number of them really appreciate the respite for family carers while others benefitted hugely from the social aspect and combatting isolation.
It is a specialised facility that was recently renovated including with solar panels. It has specialised equipment to help with various needs including personal care, and will help people to be comfortable before and after they visit.
There is a real and massively damaging funding gap for East Sussex County Council, and the closure of these services is the consequence. Even in these circumstances closing a facility like the Phoenix Centre is cruel and short-sighted. Choices matter in politics and I feel this is the wrong choice.
There are just a few days left to reply to the consultation which you can do here: Have your say on the day services at the Phoenix Centre - East Sussex - Citizen Space
Newhaven Food Waste Site Cancelled - Stop the Slops Campaign Succeeds! [back to top]
Earlier this year, Lewes District Council approved plans to reopen the former Household Waste Recycling Site on Lewes Road in Newhaven as a food waste transfer facility. This decision was met with significant opposition from local residents, as well as local Lib Dem councillors, who raised concerns about potential noise, odour, and vermin issues.
In response to these concerns, I joined the community in calling for a reconsideration of the plans. Our collective efforts led to the council pausing the proposal in May to explore alternative solutions.
I'm pleased to report that, after review, the council has decided to cancel the plans for the Newhaven food waste transfer site. Instead, they will partner with a specialist waste management company, ensuring that food waste will not be deposited or transferred in Newhaven.
This is a huge win for local residents and I'm pleased to see their success.
Bus Fares [back to top]
The recent decision by the government to lift the bus fare cap from £2 to £3 threatens to put an additional financial strain on our community. For regular bus users, this could mean an extra annual cost of up to £448- the equivalent of a 1p rise in income tax for those who rely on bus services every day to commute to work or school.
At a time when the cost of living is already a challenge for so many, this “bus tax” is simply unacceptable. Increased fares could also push more people into cars, adding to road congestion and environmental strain on our area. I am joining local Liberal Democrats in calling for the government to reverse this fare hike and reinstate the £2 cap to protect commuters and keep our public transport system accessible to all.
Reliable and affordable transport is essential for our community’s well-being and sustainability, and I will continue to advocate for fair policies that support everyday bus users in our area.
It’s time to take Talland Parade in Seaford away from the developer [back to top]
The appalling, drawn-out saga of Talland Parade has caused untold harm to Seaford. I’ve taken this issue directly to the government, making the case for action. I met Alex Norris MP, a minister in the department of Housing, Communities and Local Government, bringing them together with Lewes District Council. Cllr Carolyn Lambert joined me to make the case.
Following the advice in the meeting I will be encouraging the council to take the building into council ownership and develop the site for council homes. The case for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) is strong. Updated guidance and legislation appear to back this approach.
Over a decade has passed since the developer was granted planning permission. Enough is enough. I’ll be working closely and constructively with the council to build the case for a CPO and finally bring this blight on Seaford to an end.
Lewes Bus Station Still On Hold [back to top]
I’m also working to protect the future of Lewes Bus Station, which is essential for keeping our town accessible and supporting foot traffic on our high streets. I’ve written to the Secretary of State for Communities, urging clear support for the station’s preservation as a key piece of local infrastructure. Following my letter to the Deputy Prime Minister the site was put on hold and that remains the case. I have followed up to seek further clarity and make the case for saving the bus station.
Workplace and Early Years Rights [back to top]
Access to quality childcare and support for working families is crucial and so this month in parliament I’ve advocated for increased resources and funding for nurseries and pre-schools. Provision of these facilities is so important for early child development and for enabling parents to balance family and work responsibilities- I hope the government treats this issue seriously and i will be pushing for real policy in this area to bring us the reforms we need.
In Parliament, I also called for improvements in paternity leave provisions so new fathers can be with their families in those early days without financial hardship. The current system often falls short in supporting working parents and is long overdue real reform- we need support that allows all families to thrive in the modern world.
Children's hospices [back to top]
Ensuring that vulnerable members of our community receive the support they need is a priority for me. This month, I spoke in Westminster about the critical role of children’s hospices, emphasising the need for increased funding to keep these essential services available for families facing serious health challenges. Children’s hospices provide compassionate care, and it’s crucial they have the resources needed to continue this work.
Ending the need for foodbanks [back to top]
I also joined the newly formed All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ending the Need for Foodbanks. At our inaugural meeting, we discussed how we can address the underlying causes of food insecurity to create lasting solutions. No one should have to rely on foodbanks, and going forward I am committed to working on measures that will help reduce the need for these services, supporting families in a more sustainable way.
Education and SEND funding [back to top]
Ensuring that every child has access to quality education and the support they need is essential for a thriving community. This month, I’ve continued my efforts in Parliament to push for increased funding for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services. Too many families are struggling to secure the resources required for their children and schools are often stretched beyond capacity to provide specialised support which badly impacts both those in need of SEND services and those without that need.
I submitted a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Education, calling for mandatory SEND training for teachers. With proper training, educators are better equipped to support diverse learning needs, creating more inclusive and effective classrooms for all students and allowing every person the opportunity to be independent and succeed in life.
Remembrance day [back to top]
This Remembrance Day, I had the honour of joining our community in paying tribute to the people who have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. I was able to attend events at Seaford and Lewes and we laid wreaths across the constituency. The courage and commitment of those great individuals must never be forgotten, thank you to everyone who took part in commemorations across the constituency.
Keeping busy locally [back to top]
Despite the worsening weather it has been great going out to local residents to hear their concerns directly, pictured below is Cllr Lesley Boniface and I listening to resident's concerns in Newhaven last week, and my family enjoying the incredible as ever Lewes bonfire night! I've also visited a number of local schools including Denton Primary in the picture below and even got to visit the RNLI and tour one of their lifeboats.
Staying in touch: [back to top]
It’s been great going out this month to hear concerns and talking to people directly, but if you have a specific concern I can help you with, please read below for information.
If you would also like a more in depth months review with a range of local issues addressed, please see this post on my Facebook page where I go through a variety of pressing issues and give updates on their progress: https://fb.watch/vWV4G_rovB
How to book a surgery slot
I’m hosting regular surgeries across the constituency. I’ve had surgeries already in Seaford, Newhaven, Polegate, Lewes and Willingdon. If you'd like to attend a surgery, please email James.maccleary.mp@parliament.uk using the subject line ‘Surgery request’, please include in your email a brief description of your issue, concern or what you’d like to raise along with your full address, so I can verify you are a constituent. Online surgery appointments are also available.
For any casework, please email James.maccleary.mp@parliament.uk including your address so that I know you are a constituent. My staff team are very busy, but we will respond as soon as we are able to.
As always, I’m here to represent you and make sure your voice is heard on the issues that matter most to our communities. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need any support or have questions about what’s happening locally.
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