News

HOWARD'S WAY.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

17 November 2005

Last Friday began with a meeting at New Romney Town Hall with members of New Romney Council Drainage Committee, Southern Water and 4D, the company which has been nominated to carry out much of the work involved in installing mains drainage in the town.

Much concern had been expressed about the prices quoted for the work and the demand that householders pay the whole sum before the work commenced. After I asked the regulator, OFWAT, to intervene the letters which had been sent to householders were withdrawn. Prices are to be reviewed and instead of paying the whole sum in advance, householders will pay a 10% deposit.

Some concerns remain but some progress, at least, has been made.

After the meeting I opened Madeira Day Services – a centre which provides welcome facilities on the Marsh for those suffering from mental impairment of various kinds.

Next stop was Tesco’s at Cheriton where I presented computers to several local primary schools. I am sure they will be very well used.

That was followed by one of my regular meetings with Shepway Primary Care Trust. I was able to congratulate the Trust on the progress they have made in making available facilities in the community to replace residential rehabilitation beds being lost at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Readers will know that I had great reservations about the decisions on the hospital but at least the replacement facilities promised do appear to be in place.

I then went to a meeting of the Shepway Economic Regeneration Partnership to discuss plans for closer co-operation with Shepway District Council on making Shepway a more attractive place for business and job creations.

Then, after stopping at the Sports Centre to meet some of those taking part in the 10th Annual Kent Veterans Badminton Tournament, it was off to Channel School to distribute the prizes at the school’s annual awards evening. This gave me the opportunity to pay tribute to the tremendous achievements of headteacher Colette Singleton and her team in taking the school out of special measures and making a real difference.

On Saturday evening Sandra and I were privileged to be present at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall and on Sunday came the last time I shall attend the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday as Leader of the Opposition. Next year, God willing, I shall be in Folkestone.