May Newsletter from Duncan Baker MP
It’s been a busy month around North Norfolk with some really important local and national news which will be hugely beneficial for North Norfolk.
Congratulations to those Elected
Firstly, a huge congratulations to all those elected in our community. Standing to be a local councillor either at a Parish or District level is a role with great responsibility. Congratulations to all those who stood and those elected, may I wish them good luck in representing their communities. I will help and support you wherever I can.
Coronation
What an incredible way the country came together to mark the King’s Coronation. I managed to visit as many community events as possible, including being dragged onto the dance floor in Blakeney to practice my belly dancing! Yet again it showcases just how wonderful North Norfolk is and it was lovely to see so many families having fun. My thanks to so many volunteers who put such amazing events together.
A148/Holway Road Sheringham Roundabout Ministerial Visit
We are very lucky to have been visited by Richard Holden MP, the Minister responsible for roads. He met with local councillors and highway officials to see the challenges himself at the Sheringham Holway road junction. This is a difficult scheme to achieve funding for because although the junction is dangerous and suffers from a lot of congestion, the serious accident record is not conclusive. Norfolk Country Council will be putting a business plan together and I will continue lobbying the government to help us fund junction improvements with any funding pots we can access. But at £3m, I know this is a long term project.
Planning Proposals to Regulate High Numbers of Holiday Lets and Airbnbs
We know that in our coastal beauty spots the numbers of second homes, holiday homes and Airbnbs is causing immense pressure on the sustainability of the local community. I have campaigned tirelessly to help these areas, not by being anti business but to provide a sensible policy to help. Under new proposals the government is considering, our local authority would have to give planning permission in certain ‘hotspots’ if someone wishes to rent their home out as a holiday property. This along with doubling council tax on second homes is another ‘tool in the box’ of proposals I have campaigned on to help our area and local people, have a better chance of remaining in North Norfolk, to get a foot on the property ladder whether that be renting or buying.
Improving Our Water Quality
As one of the leading MPs to highlight the atrocious record of the water companies using their storm overflow drains to spill sewage into the sea, we are making solid progress with some of the toughest laws in the world to end this. We can’t stop using storm overflows tomorrow because in heavy downpours of rain the water has to go somewhere, when the water companies cannot cope. We cannot vote to have sewage come up in your kitchen, bathroom and streets by switching these mechanisms off. But by the end of the year, 100% of all storm overflows will be monitored, there will be unlimited fines on water companies that break the law and a £56 billion investment programme to end this behaviour. We will keep improving the situation. It is reassuring to know that nationally, just over 72% of beaches and inland water sites met the “excellent” standard last year – the highest since stringent new requirements were introduced in 2015. And since the government has been in power they have increased the percentage of bathing waters classified as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ from 76% in 2010 to 93% in 2022. Let’s not also forget our drinking water remains one of the best qualities in the world.
Improving Access to Doctors Appointments and Medical Treatment
Constituents regularly raise with me the fact that they cannot see their doctor. This causes a great deal of worry and frustration for many. So, while I have been campaigning locally for better services, as well as campaigning to keep Blakeney Surgery open, we have extra support coming from the Government.
For the first time ever, patients in North Norfolk who need prescription medication will be able to get it directly from a pharmacy, without a GP appointment, for seven common conditions including earache, sore throat, or urinary tract infections by next winter, thanks to government investment of £645 million over two years to expand community pharmacy services. This is all thanks to a major expansion of services under a radical plan to improve access to primary care.
I know we have recently struggled to recruit local pharmacists. This is why this announcement is so important because the investment and signal to the market will drive more people to take up the opportunities of becoming a pharmacist.
And finally my eye…
So many people have kindly written to me with well wishes over my eye operation. It was around six weeks ago now that I underwent surgery for a complex cataract which had developed in my left eye following a retinal detachment when I was very young. I had lost virtually all of my sight in that eye and developed a squint as a consequence. I can report that the operation was a resounding success, better than I ever expected and I can see so much better. Taking the bandage off to see my family out of my left eye after about 30 years was quite overwhelming! Thank you for the many kind wishes. More than anything the doctor says I am allowed to start running again!
I look forward to sending you all another update next month.
Yours sincerely,
Duncan Baker MP
Member of Parliament for North Norfolk
