MP runs excellent casework service

Roberta has been commended for running such a strong support service for her constituents. Since being elected in 2005 she has helped almost 10,000 people with individual issues and has taken up almost 30,000 cases.

Balanced Communities

I am delighted with the action the Government has taken today to change Use Classes Orders relating to HMOs, to license and register private landlords and to give local authorities powers to stop the spread of private renting where it causes problems. This is an amazingly successful outcome for the group I chair in parliament and the local Durham Forum. For more info click here

Market Place Statue

"I am very disappointed, but not surprised, that the Government Office for the West Midlands didn't call in the Market Place application.  .

"Even though the planning application has been passed I will continue to work with Durham County Council to make the Market Place scheme more acceptable by taking into account local people's comments and concerns.  "I am also very keen to see if we can get a café in the Market Place which is something a lot of people, especially younger people, would like to see.'I have met the Chair of English Heritage as I don't believe enough has been done to preserve and protect our heritage'.

Flooding
As a number of you will know I have been pressing local agencies for some time to come up with a new flood prevention plan for Durham. A new Flood and Water Management Bill is going through parliament that seeks to provide better, more comprehensive management of flood risk.