My fifteenth weekly message comes ahead of a weekend of lockdown changes and after a busy week in both Sutton Coldfield and Westminster.
As well as meetings in the office today I also visited Sutton Park with Police Inspector Haroon Chughtai and Senior Park Ranger Daniel Squire. We had a frank discussion about the problems that we have seen in recent weeks including anti-social behaviour, drug use, vandalism and littering. The Police have stepped up their in park patrolling and a combination of Royal Town responsible citizens, Ploggers, and enhanced work by our park rangers meant that when I visited Meadow Platt this morning the entire area was spotless for as far as the eye could see, let us hope that everyone will clear up their own litter and behave responsibly over the coming weekend. I would like to express my thanks on behalf of everyone to the park rangers and generous royal town residents who have given up their time to enhance the environmental quality of the park.
I would like to take the opportunity to extend a very warm welcome to Tina Swani who is joining the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, she will take over the role of Chief Executive when the current Chief Executive Ernie Murray retires next month after 12 years of dedicated service to the Trust.
Earlier this week I held a Zoom call with a number of constituents which was organised by The Climate Coalition. It was an excellent opportunity to discuss climate change, our green agenda- internationally, nationally and locally- and the importance of a green economic recovery. Thanks to everyone that took part and for the follow up emails which I will be responding to over the coming days.
It was a busy week in Parliament with the Immigration Bill and the Finance Bill progressing through the House of Commons, both are important pieces of legislation requiring detailed scrutiny and I spoke up for Sutton Coldfield on both. I also spoke briefly in a statement on Hong Kong’s national security legislation. My recent contributions to parliamentary business can be viewed on my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh1dcjrq62DwcP5ztQMoLWg
Over the past few weeks, our town centres and high streets have started an important economic revival. The pandemic has clearly had a profound effect on our local economy here in our Royal Town. This weekend marks another step forward in our easing of the lockdown restrictions with the flexible furlough scheme coming into operation and our hospitality sector opening up more widely. I do hope that everyone will continue to support our local economy where possible in these difficult times. For those businesses that cannot yet reopen I continue to raise specific points with the Government and hope to see further developments later this month.
In the meantime I hope you all stay safe and well. As your MP I am here to help. If you feel I can assist with any concerns, please do not hesitate to get in contact by emailing me on andrew.mitchell.mp@parliament.uk.