Stephen Metcalfe MP backs Residents Association bid to buy Page Wood

Stephen Metcalfe, the local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock has announced that he will be backing the Bowers Gifford Residents Association in their efforts to buy Page Wood and keep it as a public space.

Having recently become available, the owners of Page Wood have generously offered the Bowers Gifford Residents Association a chance to purchase the space, which up until a few months ago was open to the public. If the Residents Association are successful in their bid to raise the funds to purchase the land, they have committed themselves to serving as Trustees and ensuring that the land will ‘belong to us all’.

Stephen Metcalfe MP, who has previously worked alongside Bowers Gifford Residents Association to successfully stop the development of Little Chalvedon Hall Farm, has now joined the campaign to preserve Page Wood as a public space.

Stephen Metcalfe commented: “I am so pleased to be joining the campaign to preserve Page Wood. While we do have some greenspace in the local area, local residents know that there is very little woodland.”

“This is a rare opportunity to protect Page Wood for this and future generations – and I feel it is my duty as Member of Parliament for the area to help this campaign in any way I can”.

Those interested in the campaign can visit the Bowers Gifford Residents Association website at http://www.bowersgifford.org.uk. The Association is looking for people to contact them with potential pledges as well as any ideas on how to help fundraise.

Stephen Metcalfe MP - hails latest employment figures as Conservatives return to Government

As Stephen Metcalfe, the newly re-elected MP for South Basildon and East Thurock returns to Parliament this week, he has welcomed the latest figures which show that there are now 1,620 fewer people in the constituency claiming Job Seeker's Allowance and Universal Credit compared to 2010. This represents a 59 per cent drop.

Stephen Metcalfe commented: "As I return to Parliament this week to represent the people of South Basildon and East Thurrock, I am so pleased to hear of the continued good news that the efforts of the Conservative Government to get this country back to work is truly paying off for local people."

"Across the United Kingdom, there are now 2.05 million more people in work than at the end of thirteen years of a Labour Government. And that is why the British people last week, decided to give us an increased majority here in Parliament - because they know, that when it comes to the economic security of hard-working families, it is only the Conservative Party who can be trusted to deliver".

"Over the last year, 80 per cent of all jobs created have been full-time - and only around one in 50 people in work currently are on zero-hour contracts! Even in defeat, Labour will try to play down the economic successes of the British people, and we must not let them get away with it."

Stephen Metcalfe returns to Parliament for his first day back

Newly returned to his seat in the House of Commons, Stephen Metcalfe arrived today in Westminster for his first day back following his re-election last week as Member of Parliament for South Basildon and East Thurrock.

Speaking on the day, Stephen said: “I would like to thank the people of South Basildon and East Thurrock for putting their trust in me once again and for returning me as their representative here in Parliament.”

“The last 5 years have truly been a privilege and I cannot wait to get started on all of the plans I have. I am going to be working just as hard throughout this Parliament, and I encourage all of my constituents to always get in contact if there are any issues they wish to discuss or I can be of any assistance with.”

“This year marks the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta and I want the people of Basildon and Thurrock to be able to play as active a role as possible on this important commemoration. I would therefore also encourage any interested constituents to get in touch to perhaps come and attend Parliament and have a tour during this important year.”

Calor offers warm welcome to Transport Secretary

Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport today visited the Calor Gas Centre at Coryton today to hear about transport issues and to review the huge amount of investment being made by both Government and Private business in the Thames Gateway.

L-R Stephen Metcalfe, Patrick McLoughlin, Calor site manager –
Alan Harrison and Calor Finance Director – Adam Thompson

Alan Harrison, Customer Operations Manager at Calor’s Coryton site said: “We are delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Transport to Calor’s Coryton site to witness first-hand our operation and see the contribution we make to the local economy. Calor plays an important role in supplying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to heat rural homes and businesses and to fuel vehicles across the region and the UK. Infrastructure investment and a thriving road transport network are vital in enabling us to deliver these much-needed energy supplies to our customers.”

During the visit Patrick McLoughlin said: “I was very impressed by the vision that Calor has, both for Thurrock as a location to do business and the future of the gas market.”

“I know how important infrastructure investment is in attracting and retaining companies and the jobs which they create.  I am grateful to Stephen Metcalfe for inviting me to Calor today and he certainly made the case for Essex to get more investment.  This is something that I am committed to but we can only invest in Thurrock if we have a strong economy.  The Conservative Party is determined to continue investing here but all this would be put at risk by Ed Miliband and Labour being propped up by Alex Salmond and the SNP.”

Stephen said: “There is no doubt Thurrock is a great place to do business and to invest in. We have some great projects underway such as the London Gateway Port which could potential support 12,000 jobs locally. We are also seeing work start on the new Thames Enterprise Park on the former Coryton site.”

“However, for these investments to truly flourish, we need the infrastructure to support them. I am therefore pleased this government has invested millions of pounds locally in widening the A13, improving junction 30/31 of the M25, introducing Free Flow Tolling.”

Thames Enterprise Park is a hub of industrial and energy-related businesses, occupying one of the largest industrial sites in the northern Thames Gateway and complementing the neighboring Thames Oilport and London Gateway.

Stephen added: “The park could potentially be home to some really game-changing businesses such as the proposed GreenSky London project which would see household waste converted in to jet fuel and electricity.”

Patrick added: “GreenSky London is an exciting project that could transform fuel use in aviation and bring jobs to South Basildon & East Thurrock. It is an excellent example of UK innovation in green technology and the partnership between Solena Fuels and British Airways shows the potential for a high-tech sector to regenerate a former industrial heartland.”

Stephen finished by commenting: “I am grateful to Patrick for his visit today and for the infrastructure investment that have been made. If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected, I will push for further investment in the area, particularly in addressing the issue of Level Crossings in Thurrock and investment in the A127.”

Stephen Metcalfe and Eric Pickles visit Frost Estate

Stephen Metcalfe, local Parliamentary candidate for South Basildon & East Thurrock and Eric Pickles the Secretary of State for Local Government stopped by the Frost Estate to support the Conservative election campaign in Corringham. Eric was out and about with Stephen Metcalfe and his team hoping to return him to Parliament, as well as showing support for local election candidates, Deborah Stewart and Gary Collins.

Stephen said: "Nearly three years ago I started the process of helping local residents on the Frost Estate explore ways that they could tackle a number of long running issues such as the state of the roads.”

“Following the establishment of a resident led steering group, a Residents Association was formed who have worked with Thurrock Council to look at the creation of a Parish Council for the area.”

“After extensive consultation and a formal ballot, the majority of residents who responded supported the idea and this was evident while Eric and I were out and about.”

“It is therefore a disgrace that Labour and UKIP Councillors voted to kick the Parish Council into the long grass, even though it was supported in a public vote by 75% those who voted.”

Stephen added: “If re-elected I will keep working to give the people of the Frost Estate what they have asked for and voted for.”

“We need a Conservative Government and Conservative Council to continue with the localism agenda to ensure that we honour any local referendum, opposed to this unacceptable fudge. I voted for the Localism Bill that Eric introduced to give people more power over their communities, if re-elected I will keep backing local people”.

Stephen Metcalfe and Tony Ball Call for the Barge Inn to be protected

Stephen Metcalfe, local Parliamentary Candidate and Tony Ball, Basildon Council Candidate for Vange have today called for The Barge Inn in Vange to be protected.

Unfortunately the Barge Inn suddenly closed a couple of weeks ago and faces an uncertain future, however, whatever its future, Stephen and Tony are calling for the building itself to be protected.

Stephen said: “It would be a real shame if this valuable local community facility closed permanently and, if re-elected, we would want to explore what options there are for it to be brought back to life, perhaps as a community enterprise. However, I am equally keen to see the building itself protected.”

“We know there has been a pub on this site for a least 200 years, possibly much longer, and it would be a crime to lose yet another bit of local heritage.”

Tony Ball said: “This local landmark is an important part of our heritage and another candidate for a ‘Local List’. As a predominately new town, our local heritage is sparse but our local identity is strong. That it is why it is important to protect what we do have.”

Stephen added: “Since we lost the Old Rectory I have met with Basildon Heritage and together we are hoping to start pulling together a list of local landmarks that could form the basis of a ‘Local List’, what we don’t want to see is yet another Basildon icon lost to a block of flats. These sites are important and we should work to protect them.

“If elected that’s what both Tony and I will do.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP: welcomes increased funding for Basildon and Thurrock school buildings

Stephen Metcalfe, the local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has today welcomed the news that schools in his constituency will receiving funding to improve their buildings.

This is part of an extra £367 million that the government has allocated for investment in buildings at over one thousand schools across the country. The condition improvement fund targets schools that need additional money for repairs, or to help them expand.

This money will be used to ensure that schools like Great Berry Primary School, Hassenbrook Academy, Corringham Primary School, and Gable Hall, have the facilities to deliver the best education, so that pupils can fulfil their potential and get on in life.

Investment in the schools is key to our long-term plan for education - our aim is that every child will have a good-quality place in a local school. As part of this, £18 billion has been made available for investment in schools in England over this Parliament - more than double the amount Labour spent in its first two terms combined.

Stephen Metcalfe commented: “Part of my six point plan for South Basildon and East Thurrock, is to put education at the top of my agenda to give young people the best possible start in life and to give them the skills they need to succeed in an ever more challenging world. That also means ensuring our schools are able to offer the best possible facilities to create the best learning environment.”

“It is great news that, thanks to the difficult decisions this Government has taken to deal with our deficit, it has been possible to fund this boost for for our local school community, and address the needs of our children.”

“As part of our long-term economic plan, we are delivering the best schools and skills for young people, with a million more children in schools rated good or outstanding than 2010. This announcement means that pupils in Basildon and Thurrock will feel the direct benefit of our plan, and will get the investment in their education that they deserve.”