April 2024 Update
I am pleased to bring you my April 2024 Update. As ever, if you would like to sign up to my mailing list, you can do so on this page or by emailing [email protected].
Dear constituent,
The biggest news of the last few days has been the London Mayoral election. I know that residents will be extremely disappointed with the result, not least because it is clear that Mayor Khan does not work for them. We can see that reflected in the voting locally, as both Ealing & Hillingdon and Brent & Harrow supported Conservative candidate Susan Hall. That trend was repeated in other outer London areas, where support was unquestionably in favour of a candidate who would not put the needs of the suburbs secondary to those of inner London.
While locally this signals a continued rejection of the ULEZ expansion, crime is also significant factor. It was very clear from responses to my local crime survey that residents do not feel that City Hall, under the current Mayor, gives enough priority to policing in the suburbs, nor understands what those priorities are. I hope Conservative GLA members will continue to hold the Mayor to account throughout his third term.
In other local news, it was a pleasure to attend residents' association AGMs in Pinner and Northwood, and what will sadly be my last in Ickenham due to the impending General Election and boundary changes. I had the opportunity to engage directly with the community about the issues at the top of their priority list, both locally and nationally.
It has also been business as usual in Westminster. I am pleased to share with you some of the work I have been doing in Parliament and locally over the last few weeks.
If you would like to keep up to date in between newsletters, I would encourage you to visit my website or Facebook page.
London Marathon 2024
Readers will be aware that I have spent the last few months gearing up to run my second London Marathon, along with a number of colleagues, which I am thrilled to have completed in 6:09:06.
It was a huge honour to run in support of the Alzheimer’s Society, and I am delighted to have raised a total of £2,583 to contribute towards the charity's vital work. Previous research from the Alzheimer’s Society has led to some really encouraging clinical trial results for two types of drugs - Lecanemab and Donanemab - the first of their kind to demonstrate a reduction in the rate of decline in people's memory and thinking.
Thanks to the generosity of donations, the money raised will allow the Alzheimer's Society to continue to fund further research and provide hope to residents and their loved ones who have been impacted by this heart-breaking disease. Thank you once again for the support.
On the Bermondsey leg of the London Marathon, which I ran in support of the Alzheimer's Society
In the Constituency
Surgeries
My regular surgeries have continued this month, and it has been great to help residents with their concerns and issues. Thank you to the teams at Marjan's in Northwood, Café Amici in Pinner and Al Forno Caffe in Ruislip for hosting me this month.
If you would like to make an appointment to meet with me, or if you are a business who would be interested in hosting a surgery, please email [email protected] or telephone 0203 545 2462.
At Al Forno Caffe in Ruislip, where I hosted one of my surgeries this month
School Traffic Meeting
The expansion of ULEZ last summer has brought to the forefront debates about local transport. Key to this conversation is traffic and congestion during peak travel times, particularly around schools. As two heavily impacted areas, I invited schools across Northwood and Northwood Hills to discuss both the challenges and possible solutions to these issues.
The meeting was well-attended by representatives from Holy Trinity, Hillside, Frithwood, St Helen's, Northwood College for Girls and Northwood School, and I was interested to hear about some of the measures they and Hillingdon Council have already implemented to help ease traffic and congestion, such as walking buses and parking wardens.
Constructive ideas were raised about how this can be further reduced, including enhancements to road safety, as well as safety on public transport and at public transport hubs. I have written to Hillingdon Council and TfL to raise the concerns and present the proposals discussed, and I hope to receive some positive news in due course.
Speaking with schools in the Northwood area about how to reduce traffic and congestion around peak times
Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce
Residents may recall that in the summer I met with Andy Sharma and Kim McGearty from the Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce. It was good to catch up with them, together with Sharon Pink who has recently been appointed as Director, at TAG Drinks in Eastcote after a recent surgery.
Following on from our discussion last year, I was updated on work the Chamber has been doing with colleges and universities and plans for the creation of smaller, more specialised hubs that feed into the bigger Chamber. I was also pleased to hear there have been a series of successful networking events, businesses breakfasts and expos hosted locally.
The Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce is a fantastic source of support and advice to businesses of all sizes, enabling them to thrive. If you are interested in becoming a member, please visit their website.
Speaking with Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce at TAG Drinks in Eastcote
LTA Visit
I have previously welcomed the £77,977.74 investment from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and UK Government to transform park tennis courts across Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner.
This month, I joined Amanda from the LTA and representatives from both Hillingdon and Harrow councils to visit two of the five sites receiving funding, Swakeleys Park in Ickenham and Pinner Village Gardens, to see how the projects have progressed.
I was interested to learn more about local initiatives to encourage more people to play tennis, such as weekend coaching and the lending of equipment. It was pleasing to hear that the take up of tennis has increased across both boroughs, and I hope this will continue as we enter warmer weather months and Wimbledon season.
You can find and book tennis courts through the LTA website, or directly on the Hillingdon Council and Harrow Council websites.
At Swakeleys Park in Ickenham with Amanda from the LTA and Mekaya Gittens, Sports and Physical Activity Officer at Hillingdon Council
Joined at Pinner Village Gardens by Cllr Jean Lammiman, Portfolio Holder for Community & Culture at Harrow Council, and Chair of the Pinner Association and former Hatch End councillor, John Hinkley
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner Funding Updates
Further to the investment in park tennis courts, I am pleased to have received news of funding in several other areas across the constituency.
Those living near Pinn Meadows in Ruislip, or its regular users, will welcome the provision of the Government's Natural Flood Management programme. To be implemented by Hillingdon Council, Pinn Meadows will receive £250,000 to help increase flood resilience through natural processes. You can read more about this on my website here.
In addition, Northwood School has received a portion of the Department for Education's Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) 2024-25, and the Harrow Over 50s Club has recently been awarded with a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. This will be used to fund projects aiming to reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation and anxiety by providing opportunities for socialising and participating in cultural activities.
This is welcome news all round.
At Pinn Meadows, which will benefit from the Government's Natural Flood Management programme
In Parliament
In the run up to the recent local elections, many of my colleagues have found themselves travelling across the country to talk to their residents. I have had many conversations with my constituents as we approached the mayoral elections.
Despite this, Parliament has continued its important work scrutinising Government legislation and policy. Much of our focus has been on the issue of immigration and the Government’s flagship Rwanda relocation programme.
Safety of Rwanda Bill
This month, I had yet another opportunity to scrutinise the Safety of Rwanda Bill. During its revision by the House of Lords, MPs had decisively rejected the proposed amendments. Readers will know that I am broadly supportive of the Bill yet I have sought to push the Government into some minor amendments to strengthen the legislation.
My constituents will know that I am particularly keen on enshrining the role of the European Convention on Human Rights in our national debate. It is clear that the Government’s concerns are, contrary to some commentator’s narrative, being taken very seriously. As I outlined in my speech, we need to continue to play a part in ensuring it develops in a way in which we would wish to see it develop.
The second issue that I wished to raise was that of the impact of the legislation on existing safeguards. Those who have followed my previous remarks will know that I am particularly concerned about a clash with the Children’s Act 1989. This Act set up the legal framework that protects lone children and ensures that they become the responsibility of a local authority that can take them into the care system. I am concerned that conflicting legislation will leave local authorities in an impossible place when it comes to providing appropriate levels of care.
Shortly after my contribution, an agreement was reached, and the Bill became law. We have already seen the first voluntary relocation to Rwanda, and I know that the Government is keen to see further flights take off for Kigali in July.
You can watch my contribution to this debate here.
Education Questions: School Places
Since my time on Hillingdon Council, I have had a keen interest in education affairs. During my time on the Council, I saw the demand for school places rise and fall as you might expect. There has been a long history in the capital of variations in the number of children, which goes through cycles, but at present there is an alarming drop in numbers.
A report published toward the end of 2023 worringly showed that most London boroughs were facing a serious challenge of overcapacity. Hillingdon alone was shown to have seen a 15% reduction in the number of primary school children. This important report also highlighted a serious shortage of places for children with special educational needs and disabilities across the capital.
This is an issue that I have sought to raise with Ministers over the last few months. Earlier this month I had the opportunity to raise it directly with Ministers at the Department for Education during a routine session of oral questions.
In the Minister’s response, he reassured me that the Government are providing £242 million in this financial year to support schools in managing overcapacity. The Minister went on to outline support through the SEND and alternative provision improvement plan, that ensures we are making schools across the country inclusive.
You can watch my question to the Minister here.
Remembering the West Africa Squadron
I joined the Leader of the House to view the proposed memorial to the West Africa Squadron in Parliament. This is in honour of the Royal Navy Fleet which helped to bring about the end of slavery, freeing 150,000 men, women and children.
William Wilberforce was a prominent figure whose work was integral to the abolition of slavery. Having been a resident during his campaign, it is important to remember the British forces that suppressed the slave trade.
West Africa Squadron
My office remains open for residents in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to get in contact should you require my support.
Kind regards,
David
