June news from Freddie van Mierlo MP

I'd like to start by taking this opportunity to congratulate all Councillors across our constituency elected to Oxfordshire County Council in May. Having been a County Councillor, I know what an honour and responsibility it is, so I wish all - no matter which party - the best of luck in their endeavours. I will of course be watching the performance of the Council closely too!

Campaigns 

I'm pleased to report back that the two council summit I had called for on the Thame-Haddenham Greenway took place in May, with both Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire leadership teams attending, as well as myself and the MP for mid-Buckinghamshire. I set out just why this project is so important to residents of Thame and the villages and encouraged the Councils to continue to work together, at renewed speed, on delivering this. 

I also had the pleasure of joining Claudia Fennel to present her petition on the Marsh Lock Horsebridge to the Deputy Speaker of the House - this will require a response from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). I will be holding further meetings in June with the Environment Agency to call them to account on their promises to work up detailed plans. 

Meanwhile, in Watlington I’ve held meetings with officers of Oxfordshire County Council to urge progress on the Watlington Relief Road. The road has been submitted for another round of consultation. 

In the north of the constituency, I made time to meet with residents of Horspath at Horspath Hub who told me of the closure of their outreach post office - a life line for older and vulnerable people. I signed the petition to reopen it, and will be pulling on all available levers to make it happen. 

In Westminster

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill makes it way through Parliament, with my Oxfordshire colleague Olly Glover ably providing scrutiny as a member of the Bill Committee. My two amendments were read by Olly, which asks for guidance on compulsory purchase order powers for active travel projects (like Thame-Haddenham), and would require developers to rectify any flaws in drainage and flood prevention schemes up to five years after completion of a development. Neither passed but the government promised Active Travel England will issue guidance (I will take that as a win!). I’m aware also of concerns around the impact of the Bill to protections for nature and will be engaging on this as it passes into the commons chamber, whilst also getting the balance right to deliver on vital projects. 

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill also reached ‘report stage’; on the first day of report stage I supported amendments to strengthen the rights of clinicians to decline to take part, but continue to support the passage of the Bill overall. Further days are scheduled to debate amendments tabled by MPs before the Summer Recess. 

 In Parliament I also spoke during the second reading of the Mental Health Bill, which has some welcome measures and spoke in debates on flooding and school funding, and also during an opposition day debate calling for the removal of the red tape that stops us trading with the EU. 

Finally, it was satisfying to get two All Party Parliamentary Groups off the ground and running - the APPG for Fatherhood and the APPG for Access to Medicines and Medical Devices. The latter builds on my professional experience and links to many of the heart-breaking cases I hear from residents, and the former is a more recent passion, but one I’m honoured to be chosen to champion. 

In the Constituency

 In May, I enjoyed an informative visit to the Townlands Hospital (my second since being elected). This time I was shown around by NHS Properties, who hold the leasehold to the site. NHS Properties work to ensure full occupancy, with Oxford Health, Royal Berkshire Hospital and a commissioned physiotherapy service making use of the excellent facilities. We also discussed what steps would need to be taken for further services to be delivered at the site. 

It was also a delight to attend the Mayor Making in Henley as Cllr Buckley became Mayor of the town. I also congratulate Cllr Gilbert for being selected for a second term as Mayor of Thame. I’ve enjoyed working closely with the Mayors of the towns and very much hope to continue. 

 A special thanks also to Emma Jane Taylor for inviting me to speak at a very heartfelt event in Henley for her charity Project 90-10 which aims to provide vital tools and information to safeguard children.

Whilst I can't say I enjoyed coming face to face with invasive crayfish near Stadhampton during Invasive Species Week - I'd like to thank the River Thame Conservation Trust for a really eye opening visit to the river!

Many thanks also this month to Thame Town Council for inviting me to see their work at Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve, Sandy Lane Farm for welcoming me to their incredible nature focused farm, as well as Little Milton Shop, Berinsfield Parish Council, Tony Garbett and Henley YMCA for sharing their time and expertise with me. Additional thanks to Benson Pharmacy for an incredibly informative visit on the role of community pharmacy.

And to close for this month, I was really touched to visit Watlington and view local artist Jo Wace's amazing portrait of me on display during South Oxfordshire Artweek!