Welcome to my October update. It’s been a busy few weeks in the constituency following the conference recess. This week, I was pleased to speak at the despatch box for the first time in my capacity as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy) at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
Over the Conference recess, I’ve been busy meeting community groups and business across Chester North & Neston, often helping connect the two together for mutually-beneficial projects, more on this later.
I am privileged to represent the people of Chester North & Neston in the House of Commons Chamber – a historic and powerful symbol of our democracy. This October marks 75 years since the reconstruction of the House of Commons Chamber, which was bombed in May 1941 and reopened by King George VI on the 26 October 1950. The new chamber has provided the iconic setting for the workings of Parliamentary democracy and remains today a powerful symbol of resilience and renewal. To mark this important anniversary, the House of Commons has created a fascinating online exhibition exploring the Chamber’s history and the story behind its post-war reconstruction.
As always, I hope you find this newsletter interesting and if there if you would like more information please do get in touch.
It was a busy few days in Liverpool for Labour Party Conference, over the 5 days of the conference, I met with a range of charities and organisations who are doing fantastic work here in Chester North & Neston and across the UK. I’d like to thank constituents who emailed in requesting I visit specific stands to learn more about the issues that matter most to them. It was also positive to hear the announcements made at conference, in particular the recognition of the importance of high-quality apprenticeships.
In these newsletters, I like to highlight some of the fantastic organisations that call our area home. This month I visited Bren Bikes in Hoole. The Bren Project is a small, independent charity offering people with learning disabilities and autism the opportunity to experience supported, bespoke work placements in Chester and the surrounding area. The team recently celebrated 20 years of the project, readers can support the project by purchasing a renovated bike, donating your old bike or getting your bike repaired by Bren Bikes who are located just off the Millennium Greenway by the Lime Wood fields.
In other fitness related news, I was pleased to join Council Leader, Cllr Louise Gittins on a visit to Brio Northgate to learn more about the improvements they are making to the much loved Northgate Arena. Residents will be pleased to see the Whale that was an iconic feature of the swimming pool.
Last month, I was pleased to donate a quiz prize to Richard Trotter. Richard runs The Chester Blog and does an excellent job highlighting all our city has to offer. He also hosts an annual quiz at Chester Market, last year’s quiz raised £800 for the Platform for Life charity and this year’s charity raised £1,430 for the Countess of Chester’s Extra Mile Appeal. I’d like to thank Richard for all he does for our city.
This last month has seen even more businesses decide to call our city home. This includes the new IKEA on the Greyhound Retail Park, this brings more than 50 new jobs to Chester and will help attract customers to our city to boost our strong retail industry. It was great to be joined by Kate Dearden MP, Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection for the official opening.
This month, I visited the suitably autumnal Jubilee Orchard off Thackeray Drive. This project to plant trees, increase biodiversity and improve the quality of local green spaces is supported by the Mersey Forest and delivered locally by volunteers coordinating with Great Boughton Parish Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council. This month saw us reflect for World Mental Health Day, I continue to value the positive impact of forest bathing on our mental health. If you have a favourite green space in Chester North & Neston you’d like me to visit and champion please do get in touch by responding to this email.
As highlighted at the beginning of this newsletter there are many opportunities to connect businesses in the constituency and this month, I visited Urenco at Capenhurst to learn more about their expansion plans following several months of good news for the nuclear industry which directly benefits those residents employed at Urenco.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank members of the Women’s Institute in Chester who invited me to their HQ in White Friars last month. We discussed their latest campaigns which are focused on environmental issues. I’m grateful for the support they have given to the Clean Dee campaign for Bathing Water Status for the River Dee. The consultation for this ended last month and I’m now working with the Clean Dee campaign to finalise the application.
In my visit to Urenco, the importance of good local schools was mentioned as one of the key factors in so many companies choosing to make our city their home. Last month, I visited Highfield Community Primary School to hear about their fantastic work to support all learners at the school. This included a discussion on SEND provision locally. I’d like to thank the team for their continued approach to develop inclusive education.
This month, our local area has received positive investment to support children, families, and vulnerable people. Over £163,000 has been committed to open a Best Start Family Hub in Cheshire West and Chester by April 2026, as part of Labour’s Best Start in Life campaign, which brings together information, support, advice, and guidance on everything from early health, education, pregnancy, and childcare support through to starting school. Additionally, £624,320 has been allocated to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, providing essential support for families in temporary accommodation and funding vital prevention services ahead of winter.
Finally, I’d also like to remind residents that our great local Councillors and I continue to hold surgeries and events in the constituency to help resolve issues raised by local residents. These can be booked through contacting my office.
As always, if you have any ideas or issues, please get in touch at samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk
With best wishes
Samantha Dixon MBE, MP
Chester North & Neston