Ongar and Villages

I spend a considerable amount of time each year dealing with issues raised by constituents which fall under the responsibility of Essex County Council.

It was good to get back to Ongar after a busy three days talking about skills and apprenticeships at the Conservative Party Conference as part of my new brief as a Junior Minister in the Department of Education.

Over the summer I have been able to get out and about across the Brentwood and Ongar constituency to start meeting people face to face again for the first time in more than a year.

6,500 homes and businesses across rural parts of Essex are set to be upgraded to lightning-fast gigabit broadband as part of the Government’s Project Gigabit programme.

As children break up for the summer holidays, and the weather, occasionally, brightens up to toast us and our gardens, thoughts turn to travel and time away from home.

After more than a year of restrictions on getting out and about to visit people and places across the Brentwood and Ongar constituency, it was a pleasure to spend time in Ongar last week meeting some of the people who keep the town, and its activities, running.

Written for the Ongar News

The size, shape and make-up of Parliamentary constituencies have changed over the years, with regular reviews carried out by the Boundary Commission of England (BCE).

The bright sunshine and looser lockdown has brought people back into the great outdoors – and into the great British beer garden.

Brentwood Borough Council will receive £67,383 to help local high streets reopen and attract shoppers and tourists along with £116,694 for Epping Forest District Council.