Coastal Scene Column - 17th February 2012

"This week I have been conducting my first constituency tour, visiting villages across Suffolk Coastal, over two days.

It was great to meet so many people to talk through a wide variety of issues, to visit businesses and sample Suffolk produce in the shops, pubs and village halls across the constituency. We were made most welcome by Howell Jenkins, along with the Chairman and Vice-chairman of Melton Parish Council, Cllr Mrs Bryony Abbott and Cllr Miss Katy Martin at Five Winds Farm at Melton Station with some delicious sausage rolls on offer. The amount of people coming to see me at my various stop off points varied from 40 to none! I wanted to visit as many villages as possible were I don't usually host regular surgeries. The main issues raised were about planning and housing, most notably flagship properties.

I have already organised an important meeting with the Chief Executive of Flagship that will take place before this article goes to print, to discuss concerns raised by residents.

Many constituents have expressed their concern about the number of empty properties (107) that exist locally, as well as comments about maintenance and repair. I will bring all of these up when I meet with them. I will also be asking why Flagship Housing hasn't bid for any grant money to build more affordable housing.

Last week saw the launch of the Coastal Communities Fund a new multi-million pound Government project to support the economic development of coastal communities.

This is great news for Suffolk Coastal and I encourage quality bids from organisations that support economic development including charities, social enterprises as well as local authorities. This has the potential to have a real and lasting impact on our local economy.

The money will be allocated using half of the revenue raised by the Crown Estate's marine activities, and is estimated to be £23.7 million in its first year. I am concerned that there is no indication that the amount of money allocated will be proportionate to the amount of money generated from Crown Estate activities in each area. Ministers previously promised this and I will be taking this up with the Secretary of State.

The big lottery fund will distribute the money and guidance on how to apply can be found at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/regeneration/coastalfundprospects"

The statutory consultation period has opened on East Anglia Array and will run until the 30th March. It is welcome that cabling instead of pylons is to be used to bring the power onshore but undoubtedly residents are going to have questions about the route. There is a Public Information Day in Woodbridge Library on the 21st February from 1pm – 7pm if you would like to attend."

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