Welcome to my weekly update no.360
Today marks a significant day for the country with the arrival of a new PM. I am afraid I have a sense of foreboding, as I explain below – but I hope I am proved wrong! Lots of water-themed issues affecting us locally from the new hosepipe ban, the ongoing diversion of the Law Brook, the continued closure of the Hascombe Fountain and the likely nationalisation of Thames Water. I am off now for a few weeks but will be back with more local news and updates in September. Until then, have a wonderful summer.
WESTMINSTER WHISPERS
CRASH AND BURNHAM? Today is the day that Andy Burnham officially became Prime Minister. In a democracy we should wish our opponents well, as I did on the night of the last General Election with Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves. But I am worried this time. Good leaders need to explain why they are going to take unpopular decisions, not just promise the earth as I explained in this post on leadership. Andy Burnham is a formidable communicator but how will he pay for defence spending or social care? Will he reform welfare (he’s faced both ways so far) or put up taxes on business? He claims to have a plan but won’t give us the details. But from what can gleam it involves a lot about redistribution and precious little about wealth creation. But surely he knows that it is taxes paid by the private sector that ultimately pay for everything, including social goals. Let’s hope we are not replacing the paralysis of Starmer/Reeves with a 1970s experiment that ends in tears.
MORE MANCHESTERS We do know a big part of Andy Burnham's agenda will be to give more powers to regional Mayors. Devolution has generally failed in the UK so in this article I look at how we should do it differently this time. It’s one of my new fortnightly emails on national issues which you can sign up for here. You can also see a video version here. Perfect to send you to sleep in the garden on one of these hot afternoons…
DOWN THE DRAIN It’s high noon for Thames Water which says it will run out of money by the end of the year unless a deal can be agreed with its creditors. They are basically demanding higher bills and lower investment so it looks increasingly likely that Andy Burnham will bring the struggling water company into public ownership via a Special Administration Regime (SAR). My concern is what that means for investment in the network: how much would the Treasury prioritise Thames Water over new hospitals and schools? Mind you Thames Water have not helped their case with the remuneration packages given to their managers.
DUTY OF CANDOUR Last Tuesday, the Hillsborough Law Bill – officially the Public Office (Accountability) Bill – was voted through the Commons and was sent to the Lords. This was a major victory for transparency campaigners because it requires public bodies to tell the truth to inquiries (as didn’t happen in the case of Hillsborough). I tabled some changes to the bill in an attempt to improve transparency in the NHS too, particularly to stop hospital lawyers from advising trusts not to tell bereaved families the truth about tragedies. They were not included so I have asked the Health Secretary to put them in the Health Bill instead.
LOCAL LIFE
HOSEPIPE BAN INCOMING South East Water has today announced a hosepipe ban affecting customers across Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire - so in our area this includes Puttenham, Ash, Ash Vale, Tongham, Wanborough, Elstead, Thursley and Seale and Sands. The ban comes into force just after midnight on Saturday - here’s what it means for you. Lower than average rainfall, continued hot weather and exceptionally high demand mean reservoirs and groundwater sources are under significant pressure.
FOUNTAIN OF HAPPINESS I recently visited the Royal Surrey’s Fountain Centre to see first-hand the extraordinary support it provides to people with cancer – from complementary therapies and psychological support to practical advice and information. The Fountain Centre is an independent charity which offers compassionate care that makes a real difference at every stage of a cancer journey and they took me around their brilliant wellbeing garden...
Click on the image to view the clip
NOR ANY DROP TO DRINK The water supply to the Hascombe Fountain was switched off a few months ago following public health concern and is a continuing source of frustration for local residents and the many people who travel from far and wide to collect its spring water. Hascombe Parish Council is working with Waverley Borough Council to assess the risks and explore options for restoring the supply, but meeting the statutory requirements is likely to be costly and could have implications for the parish precept. The Drinking Water Inspectorate has confirmed that the councils must comply with the relevant legislation before the fountain can be brought back into use. All very frustrating but we will all continue to support the work to hopefully see the water flowing again.
NOR FOR THE GUNPOWDER MILLS Many of you have contacted me about the ongoing problem affecting the Law Brook near Albury where some months ago a breach in the bank diverted the watercourse, leaving Gunpowder Mills and a number of downstream ponds, fields and properties without the usual water source. This is now causing real difficulties for local landowners, with some having to find alternative water for livestock and farming activities. I am working with local councillors Bob Hughes and Jane Austin to press for a solution and am in regular contact with the Environment Agency, Network Rail, local landowners and other stakeholders. We're hoping an imminent response from the Environment Agency will help unlock the next steps and get the water flowing again.
BRILLIANT BIRTLEY Birtley House south of Bramley is a wonderful privately owned nursing home set in 48 acres. Alongside providing exceptional care, the team has opened its beautiful grounds to a wide range of charities, groups and artists, including a Forest School, bushcraft, beekeeping, willow weaving, stone sculpture, woodland wellbeing sessions and nature recovery projects. Local charities and community groups also make regular use of the site, creating a vibrant environment where residents remain connected with people of all ages. Thanks to Simon Whalley for showing me around - what an inspiring example of how care and community can work hand in hand.
SURGERY CALLS My first call was to an Ash resident who is one of the people who was scandalously given infected blood and is finding the compensation process for her and her family extremely stressful. This was an issue I told the Treasury to resolve before I left the government so it is extremely disappointing that two years on things are still not resolved. I then spoke to some leaseholders in Bramley who have found the law allowing people the ‘Right To Manage’ does not work as intended, to their enormous frustration, so I am going to see whether the Leasehold Reform Bill could be amended. Finally I spoke to a Farncombe resident who is very concerned about the return of the Assisted Dying Bill, particularly if the Parliament Act is used to force it through.
LOCAL SPORTING SUCCESS Huge congratulations to Godalming's Yasmina Hasan on being named Captain of England's Under-25 Bowls Team. Following her senior international debut and gold medal for England earlier this year, this is another outstanding achievement and a proud moment for Godalming. Go Yaz and the England team - wishing you the very best for the international series upcoming in September.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON POLICING IN SURREY Residents are invited to join a live online discussion with Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, Chief Constable Tim De Meyer and Surrey Police's Divisional Commanders on Tuesday 21 July, from 6.00pm to 7.30pm. The session is an opportunity to hear about local policing priorities, ask questions and raise concerns about crime and community safety. You can register here. Surrey Police has been placed at Level 2 under a new national policing performance framework introduced by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. The four-tier system assesses the performance of all 43 police forces in England and Wales, with Level 1 indicating no additional support is needed and Level 4 reserved for the most serious performance concerns.
AND FINALLY…It seems customers weren’t the only thing flying through the checkouts at the news M&S Godalming last week with some local wildlife popping in to see what all the fuss was about – and not just Percy Pig! Let's hope we don't have a repeat appearance from Dave the Magpie, whose previous shopping trip certainly kept everyone entertained...
