This page provides a list of recent activities/engagements I have has made in Spelthorne.
24th November 2017
I took the Speaker's chair for a lively Commons-style debate by 2 local schools, Thomas Knyvett, Sunbury Manor and St James Senior boys' schools that took place in the Spelthorne Council Chamber during UK Parliament week.
21st October 2017
I attended the Most Courteous Town award in Shepperton. Officials from the National Campaign for Courtesy have announced Shepperton as ‘Top Town for 2017’ after scouring the country for towns which demonstrate the charity’s commitment to good manners, respect for others, courtesy to all and the rejection of anti-social behaviour.
I then visited Thameside Brewery in Staines to tour their micro Brewery and see their new Staines Town Centre premises which had recently opened. I sampled the brewery’s award winning beers and discussed the idea of a Staines Beer Festival which is now being planned to take place in summer 2018.
20th October 2017
I visited Bronzefield Prison in Ashford with the Rt Hon David Lidington CBP MP, the Secretary of State for Justice, for a tour of the prison and to meet the staff.
I then met the new Chief Executive of Spelthorne Borough Council Daniel Mouawad to discuss current Council issues.
During the afternoon I held my regular constituents “ Surgery” where I met local residents.
22nd September 2017
At St James School in Ashford I gave a presentation during the school assembly about life as an MP. I then took questions from the students.
21st September 2017
I visited attended the well attended Spelthorne Skills & Careers Fair at Kempton Park where stall holders were representing sixty-five local businesses and skills providers.
15th September 2017
A meeting was held at St Peters Hospital to discuss the imminent closure of the Blanche Herriott Unit at St Peters Hospital. This unit provides sexual health services to the local community including teenage sexual health advice, HIV care. I have been campaigning against the closure with local residents.
Later at Brooklands College Graduation Ceremony I addressed the students & parents and presented graduation certificates.
21st July 2017
I met with the Spelthorne in Zone 6 campaign team do discuss their progress with their campaign to bring Spelthorne into Zone 6. This would reduce travel costs for local residents and people who work in the borough and allow Oyster cards to be used at our stations.
I have been supporting this campaign for the past couple of years and am impressed with the enthusiasm and passion in which the team are pursuing this fantastic cause!
I also visited local company Dnata based in Stanwell. Dnata employ around 2000 at their Heathrow operation and are one of the major employers in our borough. I was given a tour of the Dnata City operation and discussed local issues faced by the company.
14th July 2017
I met with Steven Harvey, Chairman of Staines upon Thames Business Improvement District (BID) and owner of Oasis Estate Agents. They discussed Staines BID and the plans they have for their first year.
I held the regular constituents “Surgery” – meeting several local residents to discuss and address their issues and concerns.
Later I hosted an event at the Mercure Thames Lodge for the Conservative Association members to thank them for their support during was a hard fought election campaign.
13th July 2017
I was invited to be guest speaker at Staines Prep School year six leavers evening. I gave an address to the students & parents and presented student awards.
7th July 2017
I met Mike Ramlakan at Timeless IT in Ashford to discuss the company’s plans for the future and challenges the company faces. Mike is also the Chairman of the Spelthorne Business Forum (SBF). We discussed the SBF and the work it is doing to support local businesses.
And then on to visit Breakspear Pharmacy in Ashford High Street. I met the team and some customers and discussed the challenges that they face by small independent pharmacies.
Followed by the Red Lion in Shepperton where I met local entrepreneur Nathan Berry who owns a company called Aromair. Nathan has received a large Angel investment and wanted to discuss the future market after Brexit and how that may affect his business.
Finally I met Roberto Tambini, Chief Exec of Spelthorne Borough Council to hear an update on the current situation in Spelthorne.
25th May 2017
This was the day of the Grand Final of the Spelthorne Business Plan Competition. I have been running this competition for 4 years. This year the standard was very high and the 6 finalists pitched their ideas in a Dragons Den style Final to a panel of judges. Congratulations to George Goodger & Adam Wright with their idea “Cillguard”
18th May 2017
18th I attended the Mayors inauguration.
6th May 2017
I spent a lovely afternoon at the University of The Third Age open day at the Salvation Army hall in Ashford. I spoke to many of the members who were on stalls to highlight the many activities they are involved in.
5th May 2017
I visited the Heathrow Employment & Skills Academy who are dedicated to creating skills and employment opportunities for local people. I met some of the learners who are studying there and live in Spelthorne.
21st April 2017
I visited one of our new companies in the borough. ServiceNow have moved into 1 Bridge Street in Staines (formerly the Courage Brewery site). The building has had a fantastic refurbishment and ServiceNow have quickly established themselves in the business community employing over 150 people.
I also visited IAG at Heathrow who are one of the sponsors of The Spelthorne Business Plan Competition. I am extremely grateful to all the sponsors who make the event possible each year.
I finished the day with a constituency surgery
10th March 2017
I visited Sunbury Health Centre to meet the management team and discuss their ongoing issues they are having with their building and the inflated maintenance fees being imposed on them. I have been actively involved in helping them find a resolution with NHS Property Services and will continue to support them.
17th March 2017
I visited the Fairways Homeless Shelter in Staines. This project runs throughout the winter months every year to give homeless people a safe and warm place to sleep. They also provide meals and clean clothing. This is an essential service to help local people often during the most difficult time of their life.
I also visited Shepperton Health Centre. They are facing the same challenges as Sunbury Health Centre. I am very pleased to be able to support both these practices which provide essential medical services to our community and will continue to work with them both to help find a resolution.
18th March 2017
I attended an Ashford North Residents Association meeting to hear from local Ashford and Stanwell residents. They discuss issues the community are facing and Councillors and members of Spelthorne Council attend to listen and assist where needed. I really enjoy the local community meetings and it gives me an opportunity to really understand the core issues my constituents are facing.
24th March 2017
I visited Romans Estate Agents in Staines Upon Thames. We discussed the new legislation for letting agents and how that will impact the market and help people struggling to afford rented accommodation.
I also visited St Mary Church in Sunbury and enjoyed chatting with Rev Andrew Downes about the Sunbury parish and the work they are doing in Sunbury.
My next meeting was at Barclays Bank in Staines Upon Thames to find out more about their initiatives as an employer, and a provider of services to individuals and businesses.
Finally I held a surgery at my constituency office in Staines Upon Thames.
24th February 2017: I visited Esso Garage Shepperton
3rd February 2017: I visited Johnson & Johnson, Sunbury; and Surinder Arora, Sofitel Terminal 5. I held a Surgery and met with Spelthorne in Zone 6 campaign team
18th December 2016: I gave one of the Reading at the Carol Service, St Mary’s Church, Sunbury
16th December 2016: I talked to students at Thomas Knyvett College
25th November 2016: I visited Brooklands College, Ashford
25th November 2016: I attended the Democracy Week event, Knowle Green Staines
13th November 2016: I attended the Remembrance Day service, Ashford
21st October 2016: I visited to HMP Bronzefield, Ashford
4th October 2016 - I attended the Spelthorne Gym “Spade in the Ground” event, Sunbury
10th September 2016 - I attended the St Mary’s, Staines upon Thames open day
3rd September 2016 - I attended the Shepperton Horticultural Show
1st September 2016 - I attended the Ashford Health Centre information meeting
30 July 2016 - I attended the Chertsey & Shepperton regatta
9th July 2016 - I spoke at the Ashford North Residents Association AGM
7th July 2016 - I attended and spoke at the Spelthorne “in the zone” meeting at Thomas Knyvett
11th June 2016 - I joined residents in Wrens Avenue, Ashford for a street party to celebrate the Queen’s birthday
3rd June 2016 - I spoke at the Laleham residents association AGM
3rd June 2016 - I attended the Spelthorne funding fair at Knowle Green, which I initiated.
26th May 2016 - I was a judge of final of Spelthorne Business Plan competition, which I was instrumental founding in 2013
6th May 2016 - I participated in a pre-referendum open meeting in Ashford to discuss EU membership
4th May 2016 - I attended the induction of the new vicar at St Mary’s, Sunbury on Thames
30th April 2016 - I joined Cllr Alison Griffiths for her drop in surgery at Sunbury library
29th April 2016 - I visit to St Paul’s School, Sunbury on Thames to meet the headteacher and students
22nd April 2016 - I opening of the Heathrow Firsts! Exhibition at the Spelthorne Museum
15th April 2016 - I participated in a pre-referendum open meeting in Shepperton to discuss EU membership
24th March 2016 – I visited SaveSurrey Credit Union
20th March 2016 – I opened Kenyngton Manor Recreation Ground
19th March 2016 – I met Heathrow representatives to discuss development
11th March 2016 – I attended the Spelthorne Music Festival
4th March 2016 – I visited Halliford School
3rd March 2016 – I visited University of Surrey
5th February 2016 – I visited the Winter Shelter
5th February 2016 – I attended a meeting with Lower Sunbury Residents Association
29th January 2016 – I attended a meeting with Charity funding providers
22nd January 2016 – I visited Springfield School
22nd January 2016 – I visited the Staines Hub