Welcome to this week's newsletter.
Starting off, the Post Office have recently announced that the Devonshire Square branch will now be operated by Zco Ltd. Whilst it’s of course positive to hear there will be ongoing post office services at this location, we still haven't had the details and commitments to match services like coin deposits so I am following up. I was also disappointed some local providers didn't get a chance to bid.
I wanted to touch on the report stage of the Assisted Dying Bill that took place a couple of weeks ago. As Shadow Justice Minister, I spoke on behalf of the Opposition. I know that many MPs thought very hard whilst debating and voting at this stage and my message to the public and anyone campaigning on this issue is to respect the views of others even if they aren't the same as your own.
Earlier this week, I spoke on GB News to discuss an array of issues related to recent decisions by this Labour Government, including my concerns for the new EU-UK deal, the lack of initiative in creating a deterrent for illegal immigration, and the clear softening on justice for criminals at all levels. See the article below for a link to the whole video.
Rother Voluntary Action have an exciting new project that they are working on - to convert the former Edinburgh Wool shop on Devonshire Square into a new Community Hub. Thanks to Levelling Up Partnership Money awarded to Rother under the previous Conservative government, work is underway to create a community hub for Bexhill right in the centre of town. It is great to see an empty space in our high street being put to good use!
I was pleased to visit Bexhill Senior Citizen Club to chat with some of the members and hear about the range of activities that they host, including table tennis, pool, engineering and carpentry workshop, bingo and special events. It's also just a place to meet up with friends and have a game of cards with a cup of tea and biscuits. If you are interested in finding out more, see the details in the article below.
Bader College, at Herstmonceux Castle, recently invited me back to learn more about their vision for the castle site from the senior leaders at Queens University Canada. It was great hear of the university’s continued commitment to the grounds, including their plans for international and Canadian students to study together here, increasing environmental management and biodiversity of the estate, and the future of the observatory which resident will be pleased to hear is going to continue housing the Science Centre.
I met with Adam Millicent, Branch Manager of Nationwide Building Society in Bexhill, where we discussed the pledge by Nationwide Building Society to remain on the high street to provide personal banking services to local residents. I know that there has been concern over the disappearance of high street banks, so it is great to see a continued commitment from Nationwide.
Parentkind hosted their parliamentary drop-in, where I met actor Isy Suttie who was there to discuss the worrying development of how social media is impacting the mental health of teenagers. There are too many cases where social media has enabled bullying to follow young people out of the school gates and into their homes, with not enough done to protect their mental health.
Before covering local road works, I wanted to share that the Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme has launched a public survey to help shape a 100-year coastal management plan starting from 2037. Your feedback will help shape this long-term coastal management plan. To get involved, please do fill out the survey linked in the article – it should only take 5-10 minutes.
And lastly, please see the bottom of this newsletter for updated information on local road works, as provided by third parties.
Have a great weekend.
This week's newsletter:
- Update on Devonshire Square Post Office
- The Assisted Dying Bill - Report Stage
- Speaking about National Issues on GB News
- Rother Voluntary Action - New Community Hub
- Morning at Bexhill Senior Citizens Club
- Visit to Bader College at Herstmonceux Castle
- Nationwide Branch in Bexhill
- Parentkind's Parliamentary Drop-in & Young People Using Smartphones
- Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Public Survey
- Local Road Closures
Update on Devonshire Square Post Office
Yesterday, the Post Office announced that the Devonshire Square branch will have a new operator, Zco Ltd.
Whilst it’s of course positive to hear there will be ongoing post office services at this location, we still haven't had a commitment on cash deposits which was important to local businesses and community groups.
We have also received no details on the number of staff who will be working in the branch.
I’m very disappointed to see that the Post Office would not consider a key local stake holder as a potential operator, and instead opted for a company which operates from Bolton with no connection to the local area.
Overall, the Post Office has handled this whole situation very poorly, and I will be raising this in Parliament.
The Assisted Dying Bill - Report Stage
Whilst the latest stage of the Assisted Dying bill took place a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to share my thoughts on it in this newsletter.
As Shadow Justice Minister, I had the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Opposition at the report stage of the Assisted Dying bill in Parliament.
It’s an issue that understandably evokes strong feelings and personal stories. I’ve received many messages from constituents on both sides, and I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their views with me.
But I’d like to say gently that when MPs reach a different conclusion, it isn’t because they haven’t listened or don’t care, it’s because they’ve considered the arguments and come to a different view.
In a democracy, how we engage with each other matters. We all benefit when difficult issues are met with mutual respect and understanding from Parliament and the public alike.
I’m grateful for everyone who’s contributed to this debate with thought and care.
Speaking about National Issues on GB News
Earlier this week, I spoke on GB News about a range of issues, including my concerns for the new EU-UK deal, the lack of initiative this Labour Government has in creating a deterrent for illegal immigration, and the clear softening on justice for criminals at all levels.
The previous Conservative Government left Labour with a deal to the EU that could be revisited year after year and negotiated accordingly to our fishermen’s needs. Now those fishermen are stuck with the same deal for the next 12 years, and the ECJ will have direct influence on the UK.
The previous government also left Labour with a strong plan to deter illegal immigration through the Rwanda scheme. Labour scrapped that and has instead looked to Kosovo as a third country to process asylum claims. However, this plan will mean that claims will get caught up within our legal system, the very thing which the Rwanda scheme looked to prevent.
And now, following the Sentencing Review, Labour will be releasing some of the very worst offenders in our society early, including rapists, child abusers and people who have killed other people.
It is hard to imagine that this Labour Government could be less in touch with the direct concerns of the British people. Yet, they continue to commit to policies which threaten our safety and security at all levels.
Rother Voluntary Action - New Community Hub
I was delighted to meet Greta and Peter from Rother Voluntary Action to find out more about the project to create a Community Hub in the former Edinburgh Wool shop on Devonshire Road. Thanks to Levelling Up Partnership Money awarded to Rother under the previous Conservative government, work is underway to create a community hub for Bexhill right in the centre of town.
The hub will be a new co-working and community event space to help charities, community groups and individuals to develop and deliver essential support and services to people in Bexhill and from across Rother.
Residents will be able to access key services, attend events and get information. Workspaces and rooms will be available to hire for Rother’s voluntary and charity sector (VCSE). Space will also be available for community events.
For more information click on the link above, or visit their Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RotherVA
Morning at Bexhill Senior Citizens Club
It was great to visit the Bexhill Senior Citizens Club in Eversley Road this week to find out more about the wide range of activities which are available to its members.
The club was particularly busy with the 'knit and natter' group, creative writing group, and sequence dancing. It was great to chat to the members and hear why this busy club is so important to them.
The club has over 200 members but is already ready to welcome more. Other activities include table tennis, pool, engineering and carpentry workshop, bingo and special events. It's also just a place to meet up with friends and have a game of cards with a cup of tea and biscuits.
I couldn't resist giving the dancing a go and I was in good hands despite my lack of practice!
Visit to Bader College at Herstmonceux Castle
I was delighted to return Bader College at Herstmonceux Castle recently to learn more about their vision for the castle site from the senior leaders at Queens University Canada.
Local residents had written to me last year about their concerns for the future of the Herstmonceux Science Centre which is on the Bader College/Herstmonceux Castle estate. At that time, I reached out to the university to ask about their plans for the Science Centre whose lease was coming to an end and I visited the castle grounds to find out more about the urgent works which were being carried out to repair and restore the castle. I was told that the university was considering a vision for the whole castle estate which would ensure it is well managed and sustainable into the future.
It was therefore really good to visit the castle again this spring to hear of the university’s continued commitment to the grounds, including their plans for international and Canadian students to study together here, increasing environmental management and biodiversity of the estate, and the future of the observatory, where the science centre is located. Residents will be pleased to hear that agreement has been reached for the Science Centre to continue on the site.
There will also be exciting developments to sensitively open the estate up to more visitors as well as the opportunity to get involved by volunteering in new environmental management programmes.
Nationwide Branch in Bexhill
It was a pleasure to meet Adam Millicent, Branch Manager of Nationwide Building Society in Bexhill at their branch on St Leonards Road.
We discussed the pledge of Nationwide Building Society to remain on the high street to provide personal banking services to local residents. Adam told me that their customers really value the face-to-face banking advice and support that they offer.
This has been demonstrated by the uptick in new customers opening accounts at the branch since many of the high street banks have left the town. Their branch is now as busy as the branches in Eastbourne and Hastings and his team are proud of the service they provide to the local community.
Parentkind's Parliamentary Drop-in & Young People Using Smartphones
Smartphones can pose real challenges for all of us but this can be especially true for young people particularly. Too often they are causing disruption in schools and harming early development in crucial formative years.
I joined actor Isy Suttie at an event in Parliament where we discussed the worrying development of how social media is impacting the mental health of teenagers.
There are too many cases where social media has enabled bullying to follow young people out of the school gates and into their homes. With 74% of older teenagers believing social media is harmful and 93% of parents concerned about the potential harms of social media, there is clear appetite for the government to act.
More needs to be done to improve and protect the mental health of teenagers, which is why I support a social media ban for all young people under 16 and I’m interested in Parentkind’s call for an outright ban on smartphones for young people.
Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Public Survey
The Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme has launched a public survey to help to shape a 100-year coastal management plan starting from 2037.
The purpose of the Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme is to increase the resilience of the area between Cooden Beach and Holywell, including Normans Bay and Pevensey Bay, to coastal flooding and erosion over the next 100 years.
Your feedback will help shape this long-term coastal management plan. To get involved, please do fill out the survey linked below.
The survey will take around 5-10 minutes, with the option to opt-in to a prize draw to win £100.
Survey - Valuing the Coast
Local Road Closures (please note this information is provided by third parties):
Bexhill
- Cooden Drive: 3 February 2025 – 1 February 2026
- West Down Road: 2 June, 08:00 – 6 June, 18:00
- Devonshire Road: 12 June, 00:00 – 13 June, 01:00
- Watermill Lane: 9 June, 09:00 – 12 June, 16:00
Pevensey
- Church Lane: 3 June – 12 June
Battle
- Telham Lane: 9 June, 09:30 – 20 June, 16:00
Westfield
- Junction Road: 2 September 2024 – 31 July 2025
- Whitworth Road: 2 September 2024 – 31 July 2025
- Maplehurst Road: 2 September 2024 – 31 July 2025
- Cottage Lane: 4 June, 08:00 – 10 June, 18:00
Ninfield
- Ponts Green: 2 June, 08:00 – 4 June, 17:00
Cowbeech
- Foul Mile: 1 June, 06:00 – 12:00
Ticehurst
- Rosemary Lane: 29 May, 20:00 – 31 May, 06:00
Brede
- Stubb Lane: 2 June, 09:00 – 6 June, 16:00
Hawkhurst / Flimwell
- Demolden Lane: 9 May – 28 June
- Post Office Road: 31 March – 30 June
Northiam
- Northiam Road: 9 June – 10 June
Crowborough
- Treblers Road: 2 June – 3 June
- Argos Hill Road: 11 June – 12 June
- Hadlow Down Road: 9 June – 25 June
- Crowborough Hill: 25 June, 20:00 – 26 June, 05:00
- Goldsmiths Avenue: 19 May – 4 June
- Redbridge Lane: 13 May – 13 June
Wadhurst
- Snape Lane: 12 May – 6 June
- Buckland Hill Lane: 2 June – 23 June
Robertsbridge
- Willards Hill: 4 June, 08:00 – 17:00
- Station Road: 5 June, 00:00 – 7 June, 01:00
- Mountfield Lane: 5 June, 00:00 – 7 June, 01:00
- Beech House Lane: 11 June, 00:00 – 12 June, 01:00
- Brightling Road: 11 June, 00:00 – 12 June, 01:00
Burwash
- Sheepstreet Lane: 5 June, 09:30 – 15:30
- Shrub Lane: 1 June, 01:00 – 2 June, 04:00
