UPDATE:
I am sure that many reading this would like an update on the latest activities in Westminster, however as I contribute to this newsletter well in advance of its publication I’m afraid I cannot predict with any certainty what the situation will be when you read it: Perhaps we will be in the throes of a general election! I do however regularly update my website, facebook and Twitter pages so for more up to date news please do follow them.
Locally there have been two major successes in the past few weeks (I write at the beginning of October.) As the population of the local area increases so does demand for essential services. Key among these is the demand for excellent schools. Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) predicts that primary schools across the county will require an extra 25,000 places by 2031.
I was therefore dismayed earlier this year to hear that schools across Oxfordshire were having trouble expanding their facilities, in particular classroom space, to meet the increase in demand. Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) had asked the Department for Education (DfE) for permission to expand their classrooms and they were refused, on the basis that the sacrifice of playing field space at the schools would be too great.
I was asked to intervene by parents and staff of schools in my constituency. I visited one of the schools myself, Marcham Primary and after a successful intervention by MPs across Oxfordshire I was delighted to receive news last week that the applications for expansion across the county have been approved.
A further cause for celebration is that NHS England have confirmed that not only will PET-Scan services at the Churchill be protected and remain in the hands of Oxford University Hospitals (there were fears earlier this year that they may be lost to a private operator) new scanning services will be provided at other Hospitals serving the constituency, including the Great Western in Swindon. Following intervention by Oxfordshire MPs.
Once again these issues go to show what can be achieved if communities, local councils, MPs and Government work together to achieve the best outcomes.
Finally, the Government is rolling out a new rural broadband scheme from which you may benefit; more information can be found at https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/
Please feel free to contact me if you have any pressing issues that you would like help with. Either myself or one of my team will get back to you as soon as possible and do what we can to assist. You can contact me on any matter by emailing vaizeye@parliament.uk, phoning 0207 219 6350 or writing to House of Commons, SW1A 0AA. Email is the quickest and most reliable way to get in touch, as I keep a very close eye on my emails and can reply very quickly. Details of my activities in Parliament can be read on my website, https://www.vaizey.com. I also send out occasional general interest emails about developments in the Wantage and Didcot Constituency. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please complete the online form at http://bit.ly/EdVaizeyMP