I would like to wish you and all constituents a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This year, my Christmas card competition was won by Penny and Rosie. Penny attends the Buddies after school club in the Garden Quarter, Chester. Her amusing chalk drawing of Santa Claus stuck in a chimney is delightful. I was also impressed by Rosie’s lovely drawing of a snowman. I hope you agree!
Earlier this month, I was very pleased to join the hardworking staff and volunteers of KidsBank to launch their new fundraising campaign, ‘A Gift For Forever’. KidsBank is an amazing charity that collects new and pre-loved items for babies and children, to re-gift to local families in need of support. KidsBank have an opportunity to purchase the LOVES Garage site in Chester, giving them a permanent home and generate an income to continue supporting local children for generations to come. I decided to donate the money I would have spent on printing Christmas cards to the appeal this year. If you’d like to offer support you can do so here: A Gift For Forever Appeal – JustGiving.
I’ve been able to help other local charities over the past month, for example, joining the West Cheshire Foodbank team along with staff at the Chester Frodsham Street, Tesco. The generosity of shoppers was heartwarming. While there, I was pleased to learn that Tesco will be investing in a significant refurbishment of the store, meaning it will be closed for 10 weeks from January 10th 2026.
Along with fellow MPs from across the county, it was great to lend support to Chester Women’s Aid’s White Ribbon appeal with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Services. The campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of and promoting action against violence against women and girls. I was very pleased to see the recent launch of the Government’s comprehensive strategy to tackle this which you can read here: Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross-government strategy – GOV.UK
It is wonderful just how many people in Chester North and Neston volunteer for local charities. It was interesting to learn more recently about the Oaks Charity which provides overseas aid for children in Sierra Leone. Established by Neston resident, Nic Phipps, I met him and Parkgate Cllr, Martin Barker to hear about the great work they’ve done over the past 20 years, supporting the school and providing education to more than 1,000 children and young people.
Earlier this month, I marked the third anniversary of my election as a Member of Parliament. It has been a very busy three years with more than 21,500 cases being dealt with by my great team of caseworkers. There has been a significant amount of positive news recently including increased Government funding for buses to the tune of nearly £10m for Cheshire West and a new Railways Bill which, alongside the freezing of rail fares and fuel duty for motorists, is good news for the constituency’s commuters.
Motorists will benefit too from the Government’s record funding boost for road maintenance, including £800 million in the North West with £57,074,00 allocated for Cheshire West and Chester. Councils across England will fix potholes and prevent new ones, thanks to a doubling of roads cash by the end of the Parliament as part of the Budget. Just a reminder that reporting pot holes can be done through the Council’s report it app, a straightforward way to draw attention to everyday maintenance issues. Learn more here: Report it app | Cheshire West and Chester Council
There was good news for Blacon earlier this month when the Government announced funding of £20m over the next 10 years for the ‘Pride in Place’ funding. Next year, people living in Blacon will be able to decide how the funding is used and a local neighbourhood Board will be set up to make the plans. It’s an exciting time and a wonderful opportunity for the Blacon community.
More broadly, changes in the way the Government funds local Government have meant a significant increase in the amount of money coming to our Council. Cheshire West and Chester are set to receive a £104.4m cash injection for essential services – a 28% increase in the Council’s spending power, this is compared to just 8% under the previous conservative Government. This new funding arrangement marks an end to the previous Government’s policy of austerity. After 14 years of cuts that hollowed out local government, the new Government is investing in renewal and restoring pride and opportunity. Our mission is to revive high streets, strengthen local jobs and skills, and restore trust in local government. The Government also intends to get back what has been lost, meaning that our council will have more resources available to support our communities.
It’s been a very busy time in the run up to the holidays for our local businesses and Chester and Neston’s streets have been filled with shoppers and visitors. I was very pleased to welcome to Parliament, the Chief Executive and Chair of the Chester Business Improvement District, Carl Critchlow and Neil Hardy to talk about the opportunities and challenges facing our high street.
It was also great to meet Lina from Armandos Deli on Garden Lane, during the recent UK Family Business Week. The Deli was established by Lina’s father in 1977 and is a wonderful presence on our high street.
UK Parliament Week provided a wonderful opportunity for organisations across the constituency to learn more about our Parliament and democracy. I’ve had the privilege of meeting the wonderful students at Neston Primary and Mill View Primary as well as JH Godwin Primary in Blacon. I was really encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of all the children and their teachers. It was also a pleasure to join First Upton Guides during Parliament week as well. Their debating skills were excellent!
Finally, I was honoured to join celebrations for the opening of the Blue Skies balcony at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. The staff shared with me how, during Covid, they dreamed of an outdoor space for patients, families and staff to enjoy. After years of determined fundraising, it was great to see this beautiful space in use for the improved health and wellbeing of our hardworking NHS staff, volunteers and the patients and their families.
I continue to support residents across the constituency whether calling on you during my weekly door-knocking sessions or meeting constituents in my regular surgeries which are on-line, on the phone or in person depending on which you prefer.
As we look forward to 2026, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a peaceful Christmas and a happy new year. If there is any support that you need, I would be pleased to help.