Investing in Brentwood and Ongar

At The Merchant with Rick Live with PFCC Roger Hirst

I am working with businesses to boost our High Streets with investment from the Government's Levelling Up Fund.

In addition, I support the Brentwood Improvement District (BID) which is now in place to enable local shopkeepers, cafe owners, business people, residents and the local councils to work together to improve the amenity, access and enjoyability of the High Streets in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone.

News

Strawberries and Park Run

Last week’s decision by the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, to stand down and leave the Labour leadership and premiership in the grasp of Andy Burnham MP stole the thunder of a couple of excellent local events I have attended in the last fortnight.Brentwood’s Strawberry Fair was, once again, a triumph

Visits To Organisations Which Support Young People in Brentwood

I’ve recently visited two Brentwood-based organisations which are doing amazing work to support young people in the town and surrounding villages.DRCC Youth in Brentwood is led by Aaron Watts, an ex‑engineer who now fronts up this growing and vital youth service.

Local Elections and Ongoing Campaigns

After a hard-fought local election campaign for county, borough and district council seats in Brentwood and Ongar, I offer my congratulations to all those who are now councillors, and my commiserations to those who worked very hard but lost on the night.I am very pleased some of the very strong Cons

Brentwood Boxing Club

I’m a huge boxing fan – from a spectator rather than participant view – and believe it is a great sport for young people, keeping them fit, aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, and out of trouble.I was reminded recently of an interview I gave to BBC Five Live in 2017, when I was asked which

Mandelson, Media and Meetings

My Friday constituency visits were delayed last week as I spent the breakfast hours doing the media round, dealing with the breaking news that sacked US ambassador, Peter Mandelson, had failed security vetting but had still been appointed to the role, which allowed him access to top secret Governmen

Post Office Services in Ingatestone Secured - Next Stop, Shenfield

The gradual closure of most High Street banking services in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone has been a source of dismay to those who like to see the whites of their bank clerk’s eyes when making a transaction, be it large or small.We are fortunate in Brentwood to still have the services of Lloy

Local Government Reorganisation Revealed - Where Will You Be?

We now have a clearer picture on how our local councils will be organised, if the Government’s plans for local government reorganisation in Essex ever go ahead.The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, has chosen a five unitary proposal, which will see the res

Epping Forest Guardian - My View on Local Government Reorganisation

We now have a clearer picture on how our local councils will be organised, if the Government’s plans for local government reorganisation in Essex ever go ahead.The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, has chosen a five unitary proposal, which will see the wor