Welcome to this week's newsletter.
This week I presented the winning design of the Christmas Card competition to the Prime Minister. Willow, a talented artist from Beechwood Primary School, crafted the winning design, chosen through a public vote. Congratulations, Willow!
Emergency laws aimed at tackling illegal migration progressed through Parliament this week. The legislation, which I supported, emphasises our commitment to deciding who we offer refuge to, rather than leaving such decisions in the hands of criminal gangs. This measured approach ensures that our country's laws, supported by independent courts, continue to strike a balance in the national interest.
Applications are now open for the Cheshire Youth Commission, providing a platform for young people to actively contribute to the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire and Cheshire Constabulary. If you're aged 14-25 and a resident of the Cheshire policing area, we invite you to be part of this dynamic team. The Youth Commission has a history of engaging with diverse communities, gathering views, and providing valuable insights to the Constabulary on key themes affecting young people.
Submit your application to Becca@leaders-unlocked.org by 19 January 2024.
Know someone considering their next career steps? The National Grid UK is recruiting apprentices for various roles within the UK energy network. Take the opportunity to work and learn at the heart of the nation's energy infrastructure. Applications for the apprenticeship programmes are now open.
Finally, amidst the ongoing global challenges, let's not forget the struggles faced by Ukraine. Our commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people remains steadfast. This week we have pledged a new package of maritime support. This includes the transfer of two minehunter ships, in collaboration with Norway, to enhance Ukrainian capabilities and aid in the region's stability.
Have a great weekend.
Presenting Winning Christmas Card to Prime Minister
Rwanda - Tackling Illegal Migration
PPC Youth Commission
National Grid Apprentice Programme
Traffic Report
Presenting Winning Christmas Card to Prime Minister
It was great to present the winning design of my Christmas Card competition to the Prime Minister this week! It was designed by Willow, from Beechwood Primary School and was decided as the winner by a public vote.
Well done to Willow, and to everyone who took part in this years competition - there were so many amazing designs!
Thank you everyone who sent in entries and to those who voted. Also, thank you to Daniel Dunning-Cole and Scott Dunning from the Charterhouse Group for sponsoring the competition this year. Thanks to their generosity, we are able to give creative arts prizes for the winning school and two runners up and we will also be working with Crewe FC to sell the cards to raise money for The Wishing Well Project.
Rwanda - Tackling Illegal Migration
This week the emergency laws to tackle illegal migration passed its latest step through Parliament.
Stopping small boat crossings is the fair thing to do. No matter how much I might sympathise with someone who wants a better life in the UK, they shouldn’t get to skip ahead of other people just because they happen to have the money to pay people smugglers. We should decide who we give refuge to. Not criminal gangs. Anyone coming here in a small boat is coming from France and should not be a priority.
I am glad we live in a country with strong laws and independent courts. But that has always needed to be balanced with Parliament being able to sometimes have a stronger voice in a reasonable way to enact what MPs believe to be in the national interest. This is one of those examples and I voted for the bill.
PCC Youth Commission
Applications for the Cheshire Youth Commission are now open.
The Cheshire Youth Commission enables young people to support, challenge and inform the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire and Cheshire Constabulary.
Since 2016, the project has continued to work together to recruit enthusiastic, skilled young ambassadors for Cheshire. These dedicated volunteers have given up their own time to get out and talk to other young people about the priorities that matter to them.
They have gathered views from more than 5,500 young people across the diverse communities of Cheshire through peer to peer engagement and undertaken innovative work such as acting as observers on key police operations over Halloween and Bonfire Night.
In addition, over the course of the past two years, working alongside the Constabulary the Police & Crime Commissioner, Youth Commission members have set up a Youth Advisory Group to provide advice and input to the Constabulary on key themes affecting young people such as stop and search and missing from home.
They are looking for participants aged 14-25 years who are currently residents of the Cheshire policing area. The role is open to anyone in this age group living in Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington.
They are looking for people who will be good team players, who will be committed to the project and willing to do all the activities involved. They are also very keen to ensure that the Youth Commission is made up of a diverse group of young people who broadly reflect the make-up of the local population, including those who may have direct experience of the police and justice system.
Submit your application to Becca@leaders-unlocked.org by 19 January 2024.
Find out more here: https://www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/youth-commission/
National Grid Apprenticeship Programme
Do you know someone thinking about their next career steps? The National Grid UK are recruiting apprentices for a range of different roles providing an opportunity to work and learn at the centre of the UK energy network.
Applications for the apprenticeship programmes are now open. Click the link below to find out more:
https://jobs.nationalgrid.com/UK/content/Apprentices/
Support for Ukraine
While I understand there is a lot going on in the world at the moment, it is important that we do not forget the struggle that Ukraine is still facing. They are still fighting a war against an illegal Russian invasion - defending their homeland.
We have reiterated our support for the Ukrainian people following a visit by the Foreign Secretary last month, and have now committed to a new package of maritime support.
The Ukrainian economy has suffered from a blockade in the Black Sea - reducing their ability to transport vital exports. We have, therefore, committed to transfer over 2 minehunter ships, alongside Norway, that will help improve Ukrainian capabilities in the region and save lives.
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire East.
Mill Lane, Oakhanger - Until 15th July 2024
Manor Way, Crewe - Until 9th February 2024
Goddard Street, Crewe - 11th December until 3rd January