One question that I am often asked is how MPs spend their
time during the Summer recess when Parliament is not sitting. I see it as an
opportunity to get out into our constituency and meet as many people as
possible, visiting businesses, charities and residents to provide support and
listen to the various concerns.
For example, last week I met with the organisers of the
Boardmasters Festival ahead of this event, which brings in so many visitors and
millions of pounds to the local economy. I also met the Foxhole Village Green
Committee to look at their work in maintaining this valuable green space. I visited
the team at Cornwall Airport Newquay to discuss the ways in which I can
continue to support them, and went to Little Harbour Children’s Hospice near St
Austell to talk about the excellent work they do. I also took the opportunity
to meet with Ocean Housing and get a look around one of their new housing
developments. Then on Friday night I went out on patrol with the Police based
in St Columb which provided a very interesting insight into the challenges of
neighbourhood policing in rural areas.
I was also pleased to hold one of my regular Meet your MP
events at the Hewas Inn in Sticker. I
have held many of these events since my election in 2015. They are an
opportunity to meet with local residents in an informal setting and have a chat
about the issues, local and national, that matter to you.
In Sticker, for example I took questions on subjects as
diverse as foreign aid and defence spending to speeding on local roads and
planning. I have had good feedback from these events and people who have
attended tell me they have found them interesting and informative and a good
way to keep in touch with me as their Member of Parliament.
My team in the constituency office are now helping me deal
with those issues raised at that event.
This is a vital part of an MP’s work that goes on from week to week.
I will be holding another Meet your MP event at the Blue
Anchor Inn in Fraddon, between 6pm- 8pm on Thursday 24th August.
Please do come along if you would like to see me and have a chat about the
issues, local and national that are important to you.
Since my election in 2015 my team has helped with more than
3,000 individual cases, including recouping many thousands of pounds of
benefits for families needing support and securing housing for families in
crisis.
As well as looking at personal issues for individuals and
households, my team can also take up issues including national policy. The real
life experiences of local people helps me understand the impact of Government
policies that I can use to help shape and inform my own opinion when it comes
to shaping future policies.
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
