This week sees Parliament rising for Summer Recess. I will be
at home for the rest of July and August in Mid-Cornwall and seeking to get out
and about meeting local people and attending as many events as possible.
If you would like me to visit your business or group during recess
then please get in touch via the details below and I will be happy to consider
a convenient time.
Although Parliament has now risen, in its last week I was
still able to cram in a lot of work on behalf of Mid-Cornwall, including
speaking on the Spaceport announcement, presenting a petition on behalf of
local parents who home educate their children, and also welcoming Energy
Minister Claire Perry to Foxhole to discuss the success of the Winter Wellness
programme.
I have also been appointed to the Parliamentary Committee
for the Parking Code of Practice Bill. This means I will be one of a committee
of MPs who will be seeing this new legislation through Parliament.
This Bill seeks to bring greater regulation to private
parking firms, something which has long been of interest to me due to the
number of people, both locals and tourists, who regularly contact me after
being caught with a fine.
I have raised this in Parliament in the past, including speaking
in a debate on it last year, in which I named and shamed two particular
offenders, and argued the way in which some parking firms operate in issuing
penalties for spurious reasons is unfair to motorists and damaging the
reputation of Cornwall.
At the time I argued that when we have unfair practices,
when we have firms operating in ways that are damaging other businesses and
upsetting tourists and locals, it is right that the government look at this
carefully and if necessary bring in legislation that will protect motorists and
help sustain local businesses.
I do not want the defining memory of so many visitors to
places like Newquay being their shoddy treatment at the hands of these rogue
operators. The legislation proposed will bring in a strict code of conduct that
will regulate the way that private parking firms can operate. It will include
measures such as insisting of clear signage and allowing periods of grace to
enable motorists to find a parking spot and buy a ticket. Once passed this new
legislation will address many of the key issues that are concerns under the
current set up.
I was pleased to highlight some of the issues effecting
people here in mid-Cornwall in the committee and the impact it is having our on
the tourism industry. I look forward to seeing this legislation being passed
into law and am pleased to be able to represent the concerns locally in shaping
this Bill.
My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and
work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support.
The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no
appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on
then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or
office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only,
advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at:
www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
