Category: Wokingham and West Berkshire Issues

I was visited by a Committee member from Wokingham Theatre at my surgery today to ask about the expansion of the Theatre and how more local people could get involved.

I suggested the Theatre get in touch with the Planning Officers of Wokingham Borough about any planning application they might like to make.

I gave a number of ideas of how they might like to promote the theatre more. In the age of social media and internet campaigns it is possible to widen the audience for a local facility at modest cost.

It is a good facility for our Borough. I look forward to their ideas for its development. I have suggested some ways in which I might be able to help.

I have received this letter from the Ministry of Defence about the Submarine Dismantling Project: 160707 MOD Letter re SDP.

I have received the letter below from the Minister regarding the roll out of superfast broadband in the Wokingham constituency. I would be grateful if you would get in touch with me if you are experiencing difficulty in accessing superfast broadband for your home or business.

Wokingham Constituency

Dear Colleague,

Superfast broadband Progress

I am writing to provide a further update on superfast broadband delivery in your constituency. By the end of March 2016, the government’s Superfast Broadband Programme had provided coverage to nearly 4 million homes and businesses, in collaboration with local authorities and the devolved administrations.

Your constituency is located within the Berkshire project.
The project has been allocated over 5.1m of government funding for Phase 1 and/or 2 of the Superfast Broadband Programme.

I am also pleased to say that the phase 1 of the Berkshire project has now completed delivery and funding efficiency gains of £868k have been agreed with BT. This money is now available for further investment in additional superfast broadband coverage. The local project team is now planning on how to take this forward.

You can check the availability of superfast broadband services at http://gosuperfastchecker.culture.gov.uk/ from where you will be directed to available superfast broadband providers and for those who cannot currently get superfast broadband, some providers provide a demand registration service where you can register your interest.

If you have any concerns about discrepancies with local coverage data, you may wish to follow up with your local project team. Further information is available via the project website at http://www.superfastberkshire.org.uk/

State aid

On 26 May 2016 the European Commission published their decision to approve the new UK national Broadband Scheme (NBS). The Decision recognises the NBS scheme as being compliant with EU competition law, and public bodies in the UK will not need to notify the Commission each time they wish to run a new broadband procurement. Instead, they just need to demonstrate compliance with the NBS to BDUK. The NBS scheme will run until the end of 2020.

Universal Service Commitment

May I also remind you that we have made available a subsidised satellite broadband connection to all eligible premises which are unable to access a basic broadband of at least 2Mbps. This enables all premises to gain access to a functional level of Broadband. Any homes or businesses which would like to take advantage of this offer can get further information and make an application via the local project team at: http://basicbroadbandchecker.culture.gov.uk.

Universal Service Obligation and Digital Economy Bill

Furthermore in the Queen’s speech we announced that universal broadband would be in the Digital Economy Bill, which will help us to provide a safety for those who are unable to access superfast broadband. We recently consulted on our approach and on 17 May we published the government’s response (http://bit.ly/USObroadband). This measure will ensure that no one is left behind and risks economic and social exclusion in the rapidly emerging digital world.

In addition, we want businesses and consumers to be able to identify with ease the factors that matter most to them when purchasing communications services. The Bill will provide Ofcom with powers to ensure providers release data such as complaints and broadband speed so people can make informed choices. We will also legislate for Ofcom to make it easier for consumers to switch providers, especially in the complex area where consumers buy bundles services including fixed and mobile services. Ofcom’s powers will allow it to require communications companies to co-ordinate switches so they are quicker and easier for consumers.

Bill provisions will ensure automatic compensation for consumers and businesses when things go wrong. Customers will no longer have to seek redress themselves, but will instead receive refunds automatically for any loss or reduction of service. These powers will support the work Ofcom is undertaking as part the Strategic Review of Digital Communications and will be subject to further consultation by Ofcom. As communication services are increasingly essential we believe we should level up the compensation arrangements that are already available for disruption of utilities.

Finally, if you have any issues that you would like to discuss, please contact my office and my officials will organise a convenient time for us to meet.

Yours sincerely

ED VAIZEY
MINISTER FOR CULTURE AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

Some constituents have written to me about Labour’s Opposition day debate. I like them have asked the Home Secretary to reassure all people currently here legally that they are welcome to stay as we leave the EU. Vote Leave made that clear recommendation in the campaign, and I am surprised Mrs May has not automatically done so.
I will not be voting against the Labour motion, which I would expect to carry the House without division.

I have consulted with constituents, Conservative members and Association Officers.  There was wide range of views, with support for most of the candidates. The largest number of favourable responses was for Andrea Leadsom, and I have decided to use my vote  to support her.

I have been impressed  by the work she did in the Vote Leave campaign. When she first entered Parliament in 2010 she set about defining the problems with our current relationship with the EU, and established the many areas in need of reform. She brought together the Fresh Start Group of MPs, largely from the 2010 intake. They worked together well under her guidance to produce a range of documents on EU issues. I was always doubtful myself that reform was possible, but I understood what they were trying to do.

When she saw the direction of travel of the modern  EU she worried about how feasible reform would be. The EU was clearly going in the direction of more central control and power when the UK wanted less. With the UK out of the Euro and out of Schengen it was becoming increasingly difficult to be within the wider decision making body.When she reviewed Mr Cameron’s lack of progress in getting any meaningful reform despite the threat of exit with a referendum she decided to campaign to leave. She showed herself to be someone who looks at the evidence and makes up her mind. Her choice was not a comfortable one for a rising Minister in a Remain government, but she took it nonetheless.

She has held senior business jobs before entering Parliament, and is now Minister of State at the Department of Energy. She has a  fresh and determined mind, with the qualities necessary to get us out of the EU quickly and with the minimum of disruption.

I have been asked to write  an article for  the Telegraph on Monday  morning which has not appeared in the paper and to be on the Victoria Derbyshire show to discuss the leadership.

It was a great pleasure to attend the ceremony for the Queen’s award to the children and young people’s charity based in Toutley Road. I Am full of praise for the work of the organisers and volunteers, and thrilled for them that they have been recognised by this national award.

I am consulting members of the Wokingham Conservative Association about our next leader and would be happy to hear your view.

It was my pleasure to go to the St Paul’s Parish Rooms last  Saturday to present cups and prizes to exhibitors.

There were some magnificent blooms, vegetables and floral displays. This has not been an easy growing season, with too much cold and wet weather. Nonetheless local gardeners managed to produce some high quality and impressive produce and some great flowers. The standard of flower arranging was very high, with some good interpretations of flowers in a jug.

I congratulate all involved, and thank the organisers for a good afternoon.

There have been unwelcome reports of more racial abuse and violence in various places around the UK. I joined others in Parliament this week to hear the Minister condemn it roundly, and promise further measures to deter and punish those who are involved.

The issue united the House, with all of us wishing to reassure every UK resident that they have the full protection of the law.

Post the referendum there are various enquiries to join the Conservative party. All Conservative are welcome to join, and the 30 Rose Street Office would be happy to help you.

I think it fair to point out that anyone joining now will not be eligible to vote in the leadership election, as you have to be a member for 3 months before qualifying.