Stephen Metcalfe MP: Noise barrier ban overturned in Vange

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has welcomed the news that plans for a noise barrier in The Meads, Vange, have been reinstated after his campaign with local Conservative councillors.

Residents in The Meads have long been complaining about the unacceptable levels of noise caused by the high volume of traffic from the Pitsea flyover and have been calling for a noise barrier to be installed.

Plans for a barrier were submitted to the Highways panel but were subsequently turned down. Thanks to the hard work of local resident, the local MP and Conservative councillors, this decision has been overturned.

The plans will now go forward to the design stage before going to the Highways Panel for approval.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “This is fantastic news for local residents who have had to put up with unacceptable noise levels for too long.  Whilst the barrier will not be installed over night, this is a huge step in the right direction and residents can now rest assured that this issue is being dealt with.” 

“I would like to thank all those who have worked hard with me to overturn the original decision and I look forward to seeing a barrier installed in the future.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP opens annual Feast and Fayre at Horndon on the Hill

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, joined the local community to open the Horndon on the Hill annual Feast and Fayre last Saturday.

The fayre dates back to the 13^th century when the village was granted a Royal Charter in 1215 to hold a feast and celebration on the last weekend in June. Revived in 1974, the Feast and Fayre sees the village transformed and the high road lined with a diverse range of stalls and entertainment.

This year, under the theme of ‘the Legend of King Arthur’, the entertainment included live music, craft sales, a 10km road race, and charity displays.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “The Feast and Fayre is a brilliant celebration of the local area both now and through the ages. It demonstrates that community spirit is very much alive and well and provides local organisations and charities with a great platform to champion great causes.” 

“I would like to thank all those involved in organising the fayre and the volunteers who gave up their time to create such a great event. The atmosphere was fantastic and I hope that those who attended enjoyed the occasion as much as I did. I look forward to seeing this tradition continue for many years to come so that future generations can celebrate the wonderful heritage of Horndon-on-the-Hill and hope to be invited back next year to celebrate the 800^th Anniversary of the Charter.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP jumps from 13,000ft in support of soldiers

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, recently jumped out of a plane from 13,000ft to raise money for The Soldiers Charity.

The MP completed the tandem sky dive alongside the Army’s freefall display team, The Tigers.

The Soldiers Charity give lifetime support to serving and retired soldiers and their families by providing financial assistance to soldiers and their families when in need. Even when a soldier leaves the Army they are still eligible for assistance. Half of the charity’s money is given directly to individuals to help in areas such as debt relief, mobility assistance, education bursaries, and care home fees. The other half is given as grants to other charities.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “Our armed forces have put everything on the line to serve our country and they have done so time and time again. Their courage is second to none, therefore it was the least I could do to test my courage!”

“The Soldiers Charity looks after thousands of soldiers and their families during extremely difficult times and it was a privilege to play a small part in raising money for them.”

Brigadier (Ret'd) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff at ABF The Soldiers' Charity, said: "There are not many people who would sign on the dotted line for a skydive - it takes a brave person. It's a challenging way to raise money. Stephen is the first MP ever to jump for us - we're extremely grateful for the chance this gives us to spread the word throughout Parliament and beyond. We have a number of jumps throughout the summer so we want to encourage others to take this big plunge.”

It is not too late to sponsor Stephen. If you have any money to spare and would like to support the cause, please visit: http://bit.ly/1jfFoQ3. 

For more information about The Soldiers Charity, or to sign up for the next jump, visit www.soldierscharity.org/events                                           

Stephen Metcalfe MP supports Basildon Hospital in wake of Labour scaremongering

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has come out in support of Basildon Hospital in light of comments made by the local Labour candidate which suggested that patient care is going backwards.

The candidate’s comments were made in reference to recent figures which show that Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust has a deficit of £4.66m. The local MP has hit back at the remarks, highlighting the drastic improvements made at the Hospital in recent months.

Mr Metcalfe said: “In the last couple of weeks we learned that Basildon Hospital has been brought out of special measures, that it was rated ‘Good’ at its latest inspection, that there are more hospital beds, patient care is improving, more nurses are on the wards, and death rates are down.”

“I appreciate that £4.66m is a substantial sum but this must be understood within the context of the improving standards and planned investments designed to ensure patients are receiving the best possible treatment. I have no doubt that the Hospital are committed to managing their finances responsibly and it is a shame that Labour have resorted to scaremongering rather than constructively engaging with the issues to ensure that standards continue to improve.”

A spokesperson from the Hospital said: “The trust is committed to providing excellent patient care that is also value for money. In 2013/4 the trust board agreed a planned year end deficit to make significant investments in quality, including opening additional beds and employing more clinical staff, which improves care and reduces our reliance on agency staff.” 

“Continuing work to improve care while ensuring the trust doesn’t spend more than it earns is our main priority. As part of this aim the trust has launched a new cost improvement programme to deliver major savings. Monitor, the foundation trust regulator, has been fully updated on our financial plans for 2014/5.”

Jump before you're pushed! MP takes fundraising for Soldiers to new heights

Member of Parliament Stephen Metcalfe will be taking to the skies for ABF The Soldiers' Charity - jumping from 13,000 feet in support of soldiers and their families.

Stephen, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, will be taking part in a tandem skydive next month, he said; "Soldiers show great courage when serving their country, and I want to do my bit in return. This certainly will be different from the challenging debates in Parliament.”

"The Soldiers’ Charity looks after thousands of soldiers and families who are facing hardship, as well as many specialist charities that help the wider Army family. Stephen adds; “As current operations come to a close, we still need to keep the Army in our thoughts. Some of the issues they may face can surface long after operational tours are over."

Brigadier (Ret'd) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff at ABF The Soldiers' Charity, said: "There are not many people who would sign on the dotted line for a skydive - it takes a brave person. It's a challenging way to raise money. Stephen is the first MP ever to jump for us - we're extremely grateful for the chance this gives us to spread the word throughout Parliament and beyond. We have a number of jumps throughout the summer so we want to encourage others to take this big plunge.”

Stephen will be jumping alongside The Tigers, who are the Army’s freefall display team from The Princess of Wales Regiment. He will also be joined by 77 year old Chelsea Pensioner Ray Pearson who will be jumping in his scarlet uniform to raise funds for The Soldiers’ Charity.  The jump will take place on the 20^th June at Netheravon Airfield in Wiltshire.

For more information, or to sign up for the next jump, visit www.soldierscharity.org/events

To support Stephen, visit http://bit.ly/1jfFoQ3 . 

Or for details on how you can take part in the skydive, please visit: http://www.soldierscharity.org/events/event-item/skydive

Stephen Metcalfe MP welcomes public consultation on Frost Estate

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has welcomed the news that Thurrock Council will be conducting a public consultation into roads on the Frost Estate.

Local residents, councillors, and the local MP have been campaigning for the Council to fix the road which has fallen into a state of disrepair. Earlier this year the Frost Estate Residents Association submitted a petition which called on the Council to hold a referendum on creating a community, or parish council.

Thurrock Council will now initiate a consultation and if 51% of Frost Estate residents engage with the process, a parish council could be up and running by May 2015. This would then allow the parish council to precept money to repair the roads.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “This is fantastic news for the Frost Estate residents and brings them one step closer to their ultimate objective of getting the roads fixed.” 

“I would like to thank the local councillors how have been involved in solving this issue and the Frost Estate steering group who’s dedication and determination is now beginning to pay off. Hopefully when I visit the Estate in the future, we will be even closer to getting the roads back into working condition.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP: Victory as green belt land is saved at Little Chalvedon Hall

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, was informed by the Government today that the green belt land at Little Chalvedon has been saved and will not be subject to development.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Government, Eric Pickles MP, agreed with the inspector that development of the land would be inappropriate, that it would have harmed the green belt and increase traffic volumes to an unacceptable level.

The local MP, Stephen Metcalfe, has been campaigning against the proposals and took the fight to the Planning Inspectorate in March where he called upon officials to listen the views of local residents who vehemently oppose the proposals. He wrote to the secretary of state, arguing that the development plans flew in the face of localism and were an assault on democratic decision making.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “I am delighted that local people have been listened to! The Secretary of State has demonstrated that the Government are committed to the localism agenda, to listening to the will of the people, and to protecting much loved Green Belt land.”  

“I would like to thank each and every person who made their views known to me on this issue as it enabled me to effectively communicate the strength of feeling against the plans to the Inspectorate and to the Government. I look forward to seeing the Green Belt land enjoyed and cherished for many more years to come.”