Welcome to this week's newsletter, the first of 2023! I hope you all had a wonderful new year.
I have been doing what I can to stop the old school building in Shavington from being sold off by Cheshire East. After working alongside the Parish Council, they have been persuaded to give a chance for a charity or community group to run it, and expressions of interest are now open. Read on below to find out more.
Have you struggled to get a blood test at Leighton since they stopped taking telephone bookings? I have been told this is an issue by a constituent and would like to hear from others so let me know your experience.
In Parliament, I met with representatives from Crewe Alex and the EFL to discuss how we can support the Fan-Led Review of Football. As you may know, the review sets out a series of recommendations to protect the future of the sport, such as more fan involvement in club decision-making.
A new regime for awarding business subsidies has come into force, allowing us to give support where it is needed quicker and more fairly. This replaces the old EU system, which was too time-consuming and bureaucratic, delaying vital support.
The Government announced more funding this week for our vital public services. Firstly, there will be funding to cut NHS waiting times by providing more beds in care placements and expanding hospital discharge facilities. I recognise this is not going to fix the huge challenges right now. I would just ask people to keep in mind that this is primarily being driven bu a huge increase in demand. Appointments, treatments and staff are all at record levels, but so is demand. I wish it wasn't the case and I will continue to advocate for greater resources in discussions with Ministers but given the record increases in funding to date, it is challenging to ask for further money to be taken from other public services.
There is also a funding boost for 16-19 education, providing resources for organisations like our local South Cheshire and Reaseheath Colleges.
The RSPB will, once again, be hosting its Big Garden Birdwatch in a few weeks - a great way to get outside and connect with nature! Find out more below:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/
Finally, the UK has signed a historic new defence deal with Japan, paving the way for greater cooperation and protecting our joint interests across the globe.
Have a great weekend.
Shavington Youth Club
Leighton Hospital Blood Tests
Crewe Alex and EFL Meeting
New Subsidy Regime
Funding to Cut NHS Waiting Times
Funding Boost fort 16-19 Education
RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch
Japan Defence Agreement
Traffic Report
Shavington Youth Club
As many of you may know, I have been trying to stop the old school building in Shavington from being sold off by Cheshire East. They have allowed its roof to get into a state of disrepair (which they were obliged to maintain), making it hard for anyone to take it on. Nevertheless, after working with the Parish Council (thanks to Cllr Claire Wain - Shavington cum Gresty, Russel Jones, Ben Gibbs and others), we have persuaded Cheshire East to allow a community group to try and run it. I know from my survey that residents want this building saved as a Youth Club and or other community use.
If you are an organisation or community group and you think you could use the building but would struggle with the roof repair bill, contact me to discuss ways to make a conditional application. It might also be several groups could come together.
Offers should be made in writing or by email by Friday, 24th February 2023. For full information, visit here:
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/pdf/council-and-democracy/property-for-…
Leighton Hospital Blood Tests
Residents have contacted me, struggling to book blood tests at Leighton Hospital since they withdrew their telephone booking system. They originally were asked to take the service as a stop gap and were not funded for a telephone service.
I will soon be meeting with local health service managers to discuss the impact this decision is having on local people who cannot use the online booking system.
Have you personally had any issues or difficulties with booking tests? If so, please let me know your experience by emailing me at kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk or calling on 01270 583 432.
Crewe Alex and EFL - Fan Led Review of Football
In Parliament this week, I met with Tony Davison, Director of Crewe Alex, and Rick Parry, Chairman of the EFL, to discuss how we can support the fan-led football review.
The review was commissioned to explore ways of improving the governance, ownership and financial sustainability of clubs in English football and better support the football pyramid. It brought forward several recommendations, such as the creation of a new regulator for football, greater oversight of club ownership and finance and giving fans a say in the running of their clubs.
It is a positive step forward for football that will ensure greater integrity of the sport and that the views of fans are heard.
Funding to Cut NHS Waiting Times
We all know that the NHS is facing several challenges right now. Winter cases of Covid, Flu, and Strep A, as well as the backlog from the pandemic, are putting the Health Service under pressure.
To combat this, the Government is spending £250 million to free up hospital capacity. The funding includes £200 million to buy thousands of extra beds in care homes and other facilities so patients can be discharged safely. There will also be another £50 million for upgrades to hospital discharge facilities.
Ensuring patients are discharged safely and quickly means more people will get the help they need when they need it. Please see above my comments on the wider issues facing the NHS.
New Subsidy Regime
A new system for awarding business subsidies has come into force this week, allowing businesses to receive support in a fairer, quicker and simpler way.
Under the previous EU system, most subsidies would go through a time-consuming bureaucratic process and require approval from the European Commission. This would delay businesses getting vital support when they need it fast.
The new system is tailor-made for businesses and public authorities in the UK, with many giving their views in a public consultation. Subsidies will now be tailored to local needs, and there will be the flexibility to ensure support is provided where it's most needed as quickly as possible.
There will also be streamlined routes, pre-assessed by the Government, providing an even quicker way to award subsidies. Three of these schemes are currently being developed, covering research, development and innovation, energy usage, and local growth.
This is just one way we have been able to adapt systems to meet UK businesses' needs - only possible since we have left the EU.
Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-regains-control-of-business-subsi….
Funding Boost for 16-19 Education
Our local 6th Forms and Colleges, such as South Cheshire College and Reaseheath, do fantastic work in giving young people the skills they need to succeed.
Whether through A-Levels or more technical-based learning such as T-Levels and vocations qualifications, the education provided at these organisations sets them up for the world of higher education and/or work.
That is why the Government is investing a further £125 million into 16-19 education - helping colleges and 6th forms continue to deliver these high-quality courses.
This funding will also be targeted at key areas, such as engineering, construction and digital subjects - ensuring young people get the skills they need for the jobs of the future.
Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/funding-boost-to-support-more-young-….
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
On the weekend of 27th - 29th January, the RSPB invites everyone to participate in its Big Garden Bird Watch - the world's largest citizen science wildlife survey.
This project asks people to go out onto their doorstep for an hour and record the number and species of birds they see. A great way to get outside and reconnect with nature!
More information, including how to take part, is available via the link below:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/
Japan Defence Agreement
The Prime Minister has signed a historic defence agreement with Japan, increasing cooperation between our two nations.
This agreement will allow UK armed forces to deploy in Japan, working together more closely to protect our shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
We are the first European nation to have such an agreement.
This comes alongside agreements in other areas, such as digital security and cooperation on developing new military technology - further highlighting our strong global ties.
Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-hosts-japanese-pm-and-agrees-historic-defence-agreement.
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead, as reported by Cheshire East.
Waterloo Road, Haslington (Between Cross Road and Field Road) - 18th January until 7th February
Mill Lane, Oakhanger - 16th January until 14th April
Barthomley Road - 14th January
Lime Tree Avenue, Crewe - 19th January until 3rd March
Earle Street Bridge, Crewe - 14th January until 15th January
Flag Lane, Crewe - 18th January until 10th April
Delamere Street (Between Flag Lane and Saint Mary's Street) - 18th January until 10th April
St Andrews Avenue, Crewe - until 3rd February