I hope everybody reading this had an enjoyable Easter weekend and got to spend some time with family and friends. Parliament has been in Easter recess but the constituency work doesn’t stop and nor does the work of Government.
I strongly believe that communities should take pride in their own areas and that’s why it angered me so much to see recent reports of fly tipping at Northumberlandia – oil drums dumped for others to clear away. I hope the Police or the Council can catch who was responsible. I was pleased to see confirmation that Northumberland County Council has been chosen by the Government as one of the councils to receive extra cash to deal with fly tipping. One of the projects highlighted by the Government was portable CCTV cameras to patrol and capture footage across Northumberland. A few more people being caught and prosecuted will be a deterrent to others.
On a more positive note it was great to see an area being improved with the first tenant at the new development South Beach in Blyth opening their doors. I’m sure this new branch of North East bakers Greggs will be a huge success and I can’t wait to get along soon for a sausage roll. Some small independents will be moving in too and it’s credit to Lord Ridley and his team that they have created a great mixed use development in a high profile area.
State pensions have just increased 18,232 pensioners in Blyth Valley by a record amount which protects the triple lock for pensioners and helps helping them with the cost of living and ensures they have the security they deserve.
There’s going to be a lot of political focus on council elections in early May and the party in Government often suffers a bit. There are no elections in Northumberland but neighbouring areas do have them and I wish Conservative candidates all the best. The Conservative administration in Northumberland has really made a difference in the past six years and has shown what is possible. We’re seeing major projects like the Northumberland Line and huge schools investment being delivered by Conservative MP’s, Council and Government working together. Education standards are rising in our County, new jobs are being created and as a county we seem to be out-performing many others. Long may it continue.
