Commons Touch - by columnist MP Andrew Percy

This week started off positively with the International Monetary Fund predicting the UK will grow faster than any major Western economy.
Pictured (L-R) are Councillor Liz Redfern, Brandon Lewis - Minister for Communities and Local Government, Isle MP Andrew Percy and Mr Holloway.Pictured (L-R) are Councillor Liz Redfern, Brandon Lewis - Minister for Communities and Local Government, Isle MP Andrew Percy and Mr Holloway.
Pictured (L-R) are Councillor Liz Redfern, Brandon Lewis - Minister for Communities and Local Government, Isle MP Andrew Percy and Mr Holloway.

We’ve seen unemployment on the Isle falling, and employment should continue to improve as we benefit from the growth delivered as a result of the tough decisions the Government have made over the last few years.

Flooding continues to be an issue that occupies a large portion of my postbag. I am continuing to meet with the Environment Agency, who recently announced £1.6 million worth of works to strengthen a section of the bank at Burringham and also a bid has been submitted to replace the damaged pumping station at Keadby.

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From April 1 residents who suffered flooding internally in December have been able to apply for a government-funded grant of up to £5,000 for flood resilience works to help prevent flooding in the future.

This is on top of the measures agreed by North Lincolnshire Council last year to support residents by distributing a £300 grant, making available a £1,000 loan and offering a Council Tax rebate for flooded properties that are uninhabitable.

I’m pleased to say I have supported local councillors to extend this rebate to nine months. This was a package of measures that I worked hard on, and I’m glad local and national Government have delivered for local residents.

I am continuing to work with concerned residents about the application to store Ammonium Nitrate at PD Port Services in Keadby. This application has now been validated by planning and Coun John Briggs has formally requested that the application heard by the planning committee at North Lincs Council, this will enable me to make my objection on resident’s behalf and for the application to be determined in a public forum.

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Parliament is in recess this week but I am continuing to carry out constituency engagements, including joining a shift with the Police Public Order Patrol unit.

This is part of my 20 days commitment to the Police Parliamentary Scheme, where MPs join shifts with the police to better understand the challenges they face.

Councillors Liz Redfern and David Robinson deserve praise for the work they’re doing carrying out a survey of traders in Epworth this week to gather views on the appropriate length of on-street parking in the town.

This is an issue we have all worked on over the past year with some success when we managed to secure extra car parking locally.