WELCOME
Welcome to my latest newsletter. Please forward it to anyone else who you think would like to receive it, and they can sign up at my website (www.peterheatonjones.org.uk).
In the last few weeks we've delivered thousands of new residents’ surveys across North Devon. Hundreds of people have replied and given us their email address, so it may be that you’re receiving this newsletter for the first time.
You may not be a Conservative supporter, but rest assured I try to avoid party politics as much as possible. This newsletter is more about the campaigns I'm running and the issues I'm fighting on – many of which cut across party lines. I hope you enjoy receiving and reading this newsletter each week, and please do contact me at any time with your views.
Devon County Council
Next week I’ve arranged a meeting with the leader of Devon County Council, John Hart, to discuss some of the big issues here in North Devon. I’m also meeting Andrew Leadbetter, the cabinet member in charge of economy & growth.
Working with our county councillors from this district, I want to ensure that North Devon gets a fair deal when decisions are made in Exeter.
Among items on the agenda will be the Link Road, the future of our libraries and care centres, and Barnstaple’s road system. But what else should I raise?
If you were in that meeting with Cllrs Hart and Leadbetter, what would you say to them about North Devon? Do let me know, before Monday please. I’ll give a full report back in next week’s newsletter.
Broadband & Mobile
One of my priorities is to get the best for North Devon and put our case clearly and strongly to the people in charge. I don’t think that’s happened enough in recent years and it needs to change. That’s why I make a point of bringing the decision-makers here to tell them what we think and what we want.
Just this month I’ve hosted visits from the UK’s EU Commissioner, the Farming Minister and the Solicitor-General. This week it was the turn of Justin Tomlinson MP, a ministerial aide at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), to get the North Devon treatment. I’ve known Justin for many years – since my days in the media in fact – and contacts like that are invaluable when you’re asking for action.
One of his department’s areas of responsibility is broadband and mobile coverage. I took the opportunity to press the case for more investment in North Devon, for our towns and rural areas alike. It’s vital for anyone running a business, for farmers facing growing online regulations, and for all young people in education. Actually, in 2014, everyone should be able to access a superfast broadband service and the best possible mobile coverage.
The government has invested a great deal of money into this, and the consortium called Connecting Devon & Somerset is rolling out improvements. But I always want more for North Devon, so I made sure Justin was aware of our particular needs. I know he will go back to the Department and lobby for us.
Incidentally, the County Council is part of the Connecting Devon & Somerset group, so it’s another issue I’ll be discussing with them next week. If you have particular problem getting a decent broadband or mobile service where you live or work, please let me know.
Local Media
I’m a big supporter of local media. For 20 years before being involved in politics, that was my career. That’s why I’ve been delighted to support and promote The Voice FM, North Devon’s community radio station.
They are now the only local radio service specifically serving our district; the others are either countywide or regional services. They have their role to play of course, but if you live in Combe Martin you’re unlikely to be interested in the waiting times for the Teignmouth to Shaldon ferry!
One of the problems for The Voice FM is that current government rules mean community radio stations are not allowed to take advertising. However the terms of their licence mean they have to deliver a great many community services, including training young people and providing opportunities for volunteers. This costs money, but without income from commercials, it’s a real struggle.
That’s why I asked Justin Tomlinson from the DCMS to meet Paul Crockett, the Managing Director of The Voice FM, at their studios (see photo). Together we lobbied for a swift decision from his Department on this issue.
It’s several months since the end of the consultation on possible changes to the rules, and at the time I made a submission on North Devon’s behalf. Now we need some certainty as to when we’ll know the outcome. Justin promised to take this away and made some really helpful suggestions as to how the future arrangements might work for the benefit of the whole media industry.
OK, this may not seem like one of the most pressing issues of the moment, but local media services like The Voice FM play a vital role in our community and we must support them.
Exams
Speaking of local media, it’s been great to see the papers filled with photos of smiling students getting their GCSE and A-Level results. Now that all the results are out, we know that it’s been a very successful year.
Keep in touch
I am active on social media, which is a good way to keep up with what I am doing so please:
Follow me on Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/PeterNorthDevon
Like me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PeterNorthDevon
Many thanks.
Until next week......
Peter
Peter Heaton-Jones
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
email:[email protected]
http://www.peterheatonjones.org.uk
Welcome to my latest newsletter. Please forward it to anyone else who you think would like to receive it, and they can sign up at my website (www.peterheatonjones.org.uk).
In the last few weeks we've delivered thousands of new residents’ surveys across North Devon. Hundreds of people have replied and given us their email address, so it may be that you’re receiving this newsletter for the first time.
You may not be a Conservative supporter, but rest assured I try to avoid party politics as much as possible. This newsletter is more about the campaigns I'm running and the issues I'm fighting on – many of which cut across party lines. I hope you enjoy receiving and reading this newsletter each week, and please do contact me at any time with your views.
Devon County Council
Next week I’ve arranged a meeting with the leader of Devon County Council, John Hart, to discuss some of the big issues here in North Devon. I’m also meeting Andrew Leadbetter, the cabinet member in charge of economy & growth.
Working with our county councillors from this district, I want to ensure that North Devon gets a fair deal when decisions are made in Exeter.
Among items on the agenda will be the Link Road, the future of our libraries and care centres, and Barnstaple’s road system. But what else should I raise?
If you were in that meeting with Cllrs Hart and Leadbetter, what would you say to them about North Devon? Do let me know, before Monday please. I’ll give a full report back in next week’s newsletter.
Broadband & Mobile
One of my priorities is to get the best for North Devon and put our case clearly and strongly to the people in charge. I don’t think that’s happened enough in recent years and it needs to change. That’s why I make a point of bringing the decision-makers here to tell them what we think and what we want.
Just this month I’ve hosted visits from the UK’s EU Commissioner, the Farming Minister and the Solicitor-General. This week it was the turn of Justin Tomlinson MP, a ministerial aide at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), to get the North Devon treatment. I’ve known Justin for many years – since my days in the media in fact – and contacts like that are invaluable when you’re asking for action.
One of his department’s areas of responsibility is broadband and mobile coverage. I took the opportunity to press the case for more investment in North Devon, for our towns and rural areas alike. It’s vital for anyone running a business, for farmers facing growing online regulations, and for all young people in education. Actually, in 2014, everyone should be able to access a superfast broadband service and the best possible mobile coverage.
The government has invested a great deal of money into this, and the consortium called Connecting Devon & Somerset is rolling out improvements. But I always want more for North Devon, so I made sure Justin was aware of our particular needs. I know he will go back to the Department and lobby for us.
Incidentally, the County Council is part of the Connecting Devon & Somerset group, so it’s another issue I’ll be discussing with them next week. If you have particular problem getting a decent broadband or mobile service where you live or work, please let me know.
Local Media
I’m a big supporter of local media. For 20 years before being involved in politics, that was my career. That’s why I’ve been delighted to support and promote The Voice FM, North Devon’s community radio station.
They are now the only local radio service specifically serving our district; the others are either countywide or regional services. They have their role to play of course, but if you live in Combe Martin you’re unlikely to be interested in the waiting times for the Teignmouth to Shaldon ferry!
One of the problems for The Voice FM is that current government rules mean community radio stations are not allowed to take advertising. However the terms of their licence mean they have to deliver a great many community services, including training young people and providing opportunities for volunteers. This costs money, but without income from commercials, it’s a real struggle.
That’s why I asked Justin Tomlinson from the DCMS to meet Paul Crockett, the Managing Director of The Voice FM, at their studios (see photo). Together we lobbied for a swift decision from his Department on this issue.
It’s several months since the end of the consultation on possible changes to the rules, and at the time I made a submission on North Devon’s behalf. Now we need some certainty as to when we’ll know the outcome. Justin promised to take this away and made some really helpful suggestions as to how the future arrangements might work for the benefit of the whole media industry.
OK, this may not seem like one of the most pressing issues of the moment, but local media services like The Voice FM play a vital role in our community and we must support them.
Exams
Speaking of local media, it’s been great to see the papers filled with photos of smiling students getting their GCSE and A-Level results. Now that all the results are out, we know that it’s been a very successful year.
We have many outstanding schools and colleges here inNorth Devon, and the results would not be possible without the hard work of teachers, staff and students…and the encouragement and tolerance of so many parents!
Whatever their next step, be it further education or entering the workplace, I hope you’ll join me in wishing all young North Devonians every success for the future.
Keep in touch
I am active on social media, which is a good way to keep up with what I am doing so please:
Follow me on Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/PeterNorthDevon
Like me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PeterNorthDevon
Many thanks.
Until next week......
Peter
Peter Heaton-Jones
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
email:[email protected]
http://www.peterheatonjones.org.uk