Fortnightly Update

Over The Last Two Weeks, Alex has:

IN CHELTENHAM

Given a keynote speech to businesses at the Cheltenham Connect Business Day in Up Hatherley on 'The Cyber Vision for Cheltenham'
Held talks with the Chief Executive of the local NHS Trust and fellow Gloucestershire MPs, following the surprise announcement that it had fallen into deficit. READ MORE HERE
Met with Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, at GCHQ
Led, in his capacity as co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cycling, a delegation to Manchester to review examples of best practice in urban cycling design
Warmly welcomed the announcement of a new partnership between GCHQ and Wayra UK, paving the way for Cheltenham's development as a cyber hub of the future, with the official launch of the town's Cyber Innovation Centre expected in early 2017. READ MORE HERE
Held discussions with local NHS leadership regarding Gloucestershire's upcoming Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP)
Held a constituency surgery
Met members of the Cheltenham's local 'Gingerbread' campaign group to plan next steps in a campaign to address hardship faced by single parents - from contact to maintenance issues
Welcomed the Government's commitment to greater capacity and better facilities on Cross-Country trains passing through Cheltenham. Called on Cheltenham rail commuters to let him know their views about the Cross Country service ahead of the planned timetable changes in 2017. R EAD MORE HERE
Secured a commitment from the County Council to fix damaged street railings across the town, building upon an earlier (successfully fulfilled) commitment last year. READ MORE HERE
Welcomed important progress in his long-running campaign to replace unsightly tarmac infills with work starting in the High Street READ MORE HERE
Supported the Echo's Heart of Gloucestershire awards. READ MORE HERE
Launched a 'Paint My Postbox' campaign to spruce up Cheltenham's untidiest pillar boxes. READ MORE HERE
Hailed progress in his campaign to end broadband blight in Cheltenham, with news that residents in Old Farm Drive had reached an agreement with BT Openreach to upgrade their cabinet (with residents in Grace Gardens looking set to also do so imminently)
Visited local design firm, Rimano, in their new offices on Clarence Street
Held talks with representatives from St Mungo's charity about what more can be done to address homelessness in Cheltenham
Travelled to Gloucester to lobby the Chair of the Gloucestershire LEP in relation to (a) Cheltenham's cyber innovation centre infrastructure (b) cycle infrastructure in Gloucestershire and (c) to reiterate his concerns about the proposed A40 Bus Lane scheme
Met the Learning Disability Employment team from Gloucestershire County Council to discuss ways to build upon Cheltenham's first ever Disability Confident Fair and encourage more local employers to employ people with disabilities
Attended the service for the new Archdeacon of Cheltenham at St Peter's Church in Leckhampton
Met with the Chief Executive of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the Chair of the Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership to discuss plans to protect the local environment in Cheltenham and beyond
Secured an assurance that John Lewis remain strongly committed to opening their new store in Cheltenham at the Beechwood Arcade as planned, following concerns about possible delays to the building work
Celebrated the Harvest Festival with members of the local Polish community at St Thomas More church. READ MORE HERE
Visited Natwest's offices in Cheltenham to discuss financial support and advice available to local companies and entrepreneurs
Presented certificates to graduates at the National Citizenship Service ceremony at Pittville Pump Rooms
Welcomed HRH The Duchess of Gloucester to Cheltenham for the opening of St Vincent's and St George's new accommodation at Bradbury Gardens
Supported the 125th anniversary of the Everyman - attending a performance of 'The Dresser'
Met with local businesses at the Coronation Square Traders Association meeting to discuss plans to improve the square for traders
Taken part in a walking tour through Cheltenham's High Street to support and celebrate Cheltenham's inaugural Beer Week
Supported runners at the Park Run in Pittville Park
Visited Cheltenham College to lead a Q&A session for the pupil scholars
Taken part in a cyber security conference at the University of Gloucestershire
Met representatives from the Montpellier Traders Association to discuss efforts to change illogical parking signage which confuses and deters shoppers
Attended the opening of the new Last Word in Art exhibition at the Wilson Museum
Held talks with members of the Gloucestershire Jewish Liberal Community

IN PARLIAMENT

Parliament has been in recess for the past two weeks to accommodate the various party conferences, but Alex has raised the following written parliamentary questions during that period:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether the Government is considering the introduction of a ‘floor’ level on the overall rate available through the Early Years National Funding Formula to ensure currently low funded authorities such as Gloucestershire do not lose out?
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what support will be available for local authorities to commission new nursery places should current providers withdraw or reduce their delivery of subsidised places?
To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether, as part of the EYNFF review, the Government will consider extending the transitional funding for maintained nurseries to include children’s centres providing early years education?
To ask the Sec of State what more can be done to require the manufacturers of sat-navs to ensure that HGVs are not inappropriately directed into narrow residential streets.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment the Government has made of the current regulatory framework for the use of disabled toilets?
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps the Government has taken to tackle the misuse of disabled toilets?
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps are being taken, in light of increasing recognition of the damaging impact social media can have on child and adolescent mental health, to help parents and teachers prepare primary age children for the pressures of the digital age.

Alex has also been given leave to introduce a Ten Minute Rule Motion in the House to extend the maximum sentencing for stalking on Wednesday 12^thOct. Watch this space!

IN THE MEDIA

Written a column for the Echo regarding his cyber vision for Cheltenham. READ MORE HERE
Written a column for the Echo regarding the current state of the Labour Party. R EAD MORE HERE
Been interviewed on the Breeze about the Gloucestershire NHS Hospitals Trust's deficit and impending financial review
Been interviewed by Heart Radio at the Conservative Party Conference

JUSTICE SELECT COMMITTEE

In his capacity as member of the influential Justice Select Committee, Alex addressed Rt Hon Lord Justice Treacy and members of the Sentencing Council about the need for more robust sentencing for stalking offences. The Council will be considering a draft Guideline on stalking later this year.

AT PARTY CONFERENCE

At the Conservative Party Conference, Alex spoke at a fringe event organised by Amnesty International entitled 'The Refugee Crisis: Have We Done Enough?'

UPCOMING CONSTITUENCY SURGERIES

Alex will be holding a constituency surgery in October for residents who wish to raise any issues with him. Appointments can be booked in advance by calling Hannah Wright on 01242 210473 or emailing hannah.wright@parliament.uk