Parliamentary recess is now finished, I have really enjoyed getting around Blyth Valley delivering surveys, meeting constituents and visiting businesses and community organisations. Westminster welcomed me back with glorious sunshine and a busy schedule. I headed to the office for an early morning constituency surgery via teams then spent the rest of the morning replying to emails and general office admin. I also had the pleasure to bump into our Prime Minister on the way to a meeting. Rishi asked about how the summer went in Blyth Valley and was impressed with the idea of the Youth Festival I organised in August. I then had defence OPQs and a vote before getting back to the flat after midnight.
On Tuesday I had a diary catch up to run through the schedule for the next week and put the final plans in place for the Blyth Valley Jobs Fair on Friday 15th September. After some more office admin and a quick lunch, I had a follow up call for one of our cases and was delighted to hear that we had successfully won a financial award from DWP for 15 years of over payments. Needless to say, the constituent was over the moon and I was so pleased we could help. I then travelled to Kings Cross and hopped on the train back home.
The next day I had a meeting with our office manager about casework and general admin followed by a team meeting where we discussed ongoing casework, the jobs fair, social media and future projects. I was also happy to see that the fences around Blyth marketplace are up, ready for the construction of the new look marketplace and culture hub. I have received confirmation that over £30m is due to be invested in the town centre in 2023-24 including support for businesses in the town centre. The funds will aim to make the centre more vibrant for both visitors and traders including the new 3 screen Jam Jar cinema, a creative and developmental play space for celebrations, events, music and comedy. There is the ‘Open for Business’ scheme to help protect the businesses in the area, a ‘Retail Crime Partnership’ alongside Northumberland County Council and Northumbria police to improve CCTV and clamp down on Anti-social behaviour. There is also the ‘Keel Row Tenant Support Service’ as part of the council’s acquisition of the Keel Row Shopping Centre which can support businesses affected.
Thursday, I took the day off to take my Mam out for the day. We had a lovely time and a catch up. I then had time in the early evening to get on with some much-neglected house jobs such as cutting the grass and washing the car.
On Friday morning I headed to the office early for in-person constituency surgeries. Then I had a fascinating visit to RWE's base at the Port of Blyth Bates Clean Energy Terminal to see hear more the huge Sofia Wind Farm project. RWE employ 2,600 people in the UK, are investing £15bn in green energy and supply 15% of the UK's electricity. The Sofia Offshore Wind Farm sited on Dogger Bank in the North Sea is RWE's largest offshore wind project and is bringing new jobs to the Blyth Valley area and wider North East. It goes without saying that this is fantastic for the area. I then headed to another business who were struggling with permissions, we are working together for a positive outcome. Late afternoon I had a campaign meeting focussing on fresh ways to reach people and hear what their priorities are.
I spent sunny Saturday morning at home with my family enjoying the warm weather then got the bus to have some lunch to celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. On Sunday I had the pleasure to attend a dear friend’s 75th birthday celebration and then had an early night ready for another busy week.
As always, if you have any queries or if you would like to contact me, please email [email protected] or call 01670 338435.
