Next week on Thursday 2 May, there are two elections taking place in Crawley. The Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner election takes place across the whole of Sussex, with our excellent Police Commissioner Katy Bourne, seeking re-election. I was pleased to be out campaigning with Katy at the weekend in Crawley, telling residents about her strong record of delivery, including more police and PCSOs for Crawley.
Henry Smith MP is backing the campaign for a memorial to the late Dame Vera Lynn CH, who famously sang ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’.
Henry Smith MP has hailed the decision of Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket, to become the latest retailer to support the campaign he is backing which called on supermarkets to implement an online ‘Buy British’ button.
In the first three months and one week of this year, Crawley’s rainfall for the year so far reached 400mm (16 inches). This follows a very wet October to December, meaning we’ve had an unprecedented twice the average rainfall over the last six months. This has had a major impact on the condition of road surfaces and the ability to make permanent repairs.
The new financial year came into effect on 6 April and this year, that is good news for everyone. After two difficult years with global high inflation eroding the value of our money, it is starting to feel like a corner has been turned.
· Millions of bus passengers will enjoy cleaner, more reliable and more comfortable journeys thanks to the Government funding almost a thousand zero emission buses.
· Supported by £143 million of funding, 25 local authorities across the country will receive funding for cleaner, more modern and reliable bus fleets, with rural areas prioritised.
· The Government is sticking to the plan to improve everyday life for people across the country, grow the economy and deliver a brighter future for all.
I wish more people had seen the shenanigans at last week’s Full Council meeting of Crawley Borough Council, in order to see the attitudes and behaviours displayed by several Labour councillors. While the live broadcast failed again, the recording was uploaded the next day onto Crawley Borough Council’s YouTube channel. It’s there for everyone to see, if anyone doubts the accuracy of what I’m about to say.
Following a campaign pursued by Henry Smith MP calling for a ‘Buy British’ section on supermarkets’ online stores, three more stores have implemented a ‘Best of British’ section for online shoppers.
· Swimming is an accessible and fun way for people to benefit from the positive physical and mental health effects that come from exercise.
· That is why the Government is investing over £60 million in 325 swimming pools across the country, making swimming more accessible, allowing more people to make the most of the positive health benefits associated with exercise.
· The Government is sticking to the plan to get 3.5 million people active by 2030, delivering on the plan to improve people’s health and create a brighter future.
· People should be able to travel in the way that works best for them, but too many people feel that traffic schemes are being implemented by councils without local consent.
· That is why the Government is sticking with the plan by delivering its Plan for Drivers, giving local people a stronger voice on road schemes that affect them by cracking down on anti-driver road schemes, overzealous traffic enforcement and strengthening guidance on 20mph limits.
· While drivers in Wales and London are being penalised with blanket 20mph limits and the expanded ULEZ charge, the Government is on the side of drivers as it sticks with the plan to make driving easier, fairer and cheaper.