This is the second monthly report from Elizabeth Truss MP updating residents on her activities.
Parliamentary activity: Elizabeth made a speech in the House of Commons on the importance of value for money in government investment. Elizabeth asked oral Parliamentary Questions to DEFRA on the Environment Agency and the Home Office on serious and organised crime. Elizabeth has been made a joint secretary of the All Party Group on Human Trafficking.
Local issues: Elizabeth had a meeting with Wiggenhall St Germans residents about air quality and traffic movements from the proposed incinerator at Saddlebow and is taking this up with the County Council. She also met West Dereham residents about the recycling plant and Little Cressingham residents about flight noise.
Education: Elizabeth has visited Swaffham V C Infant & Nursery School and Swaffham Hamond's High School. She is making representations to the Education Secretary Michael Gove about the funding for the proposed Thetford Academy.
Treasury: Elizabeth raised concerns on the Equitable Life compensation scheme with Mark Hoban, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and will be meeting the management of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme about the Norwich & Peterborough Building Society.
Roads, rail and infrastructure: Elizabeth continues to press the Government for dualling of the A11. She conducted a press interview on site with fellow MP Matthew Hancock and local business people. Elizabeth met National Express East Anglia and the Department for Transport to put the case for more focus on the Norwich-Cambridge line. She is in discussions with Network Rail about how resources could be better utilised such as the empty buildings at Thetford station.
Defence: Elizabeth visited RAF Marham to see the Tornado operations and met staff at an RAF Benevolent Fund event in Westminster. She visited the Army Training at STANTA.
Agriculture: Elizabeth hosted a farming breakfast forum in Downham Market which discussed the RPA, inspection regimes and the Common Agricultural Policy. She met the Environment Agency to discuss how its functions could be locally accountable.
Media: Elizabeth has appeared in articles in the EDP, Lynn News and Bury Free Press on issues ranging from magistrates courts to education. On 6th July, Elizabeth featured on BBC Radio 5 Live discussing PMQs, and, on 3rd July, on KLFM to discuss the proposed Saddlebow incinerator. She was filmed as part of BBC Great British Menu which will be broadcast in August.
Meetings and Events: Elizabeth has met the following people and organisations: British Sugar, Norfolk’s Chief Constable, Phil Gormley, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk planning team, Country Land and Business Association, Inland Waterways Association, Wayland Women in Business and the Thetford Business Forum. She attended the following events: the Norfolk Show, Mayor of Thetford’s Civic Reception and Civic Service, the Stow Bedon and Breckles Fete, the Thetford Allotment and Garden Show, the Downham Market Horticultural Show and Thetford Open Gardens. She also gave a reading at St Mary's Church, Sporle to celebrate Armed Forces Day.
Upcoming events and surgeries: A meeting for local businesses to discuss Government policy will be held on 17th September at 10am in Thetford. Please contact Fiona Walker on fiona.walker@parliament.uk or 01842 757345 for more details.
Elizabeth will be holding surgeries on the following days and times:
• 30th July (Downham Market) 5-7pm
• 10th September (Swaffham) 5-7pm
Please contact Fiona Walker on fiona.walker@parliament.uk or 01842 757345 to book an appointment.
If you would like to contact Elizabeth, please write to her at:
The Limes, 32 Bridge Street, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 3AG
Constituency phone: 01842 757345
Westminster phone: 020 7219 7151
Or email her at elizabeth.truss.mp@parliament.uk
Read the latest Monthly Report here.
