Another busy week in Westminster. This week saw the country mark St George’s Day on Monday, when we also welcomed the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child.
On Tuesday, a statue of suffragist leader Millicent Fawcett was unveiled in Parliament Square, commemorating her extraordinary advocacy for equality and fairness for women. For the first time a statue of a woman, joining all the men in Parliament Square, taking her rightful place at the heart of our democracy.
However, despite these nationally significant events, my main focus has remained on local matters. Last Friday I brought together all the agencies involved in the ongoing illegal dumping at Hubbs House Farm, Southfield Lane and Delves Lane, Colne. Senior representatives from Lancashire County Council, Pendle Council, the Environment Agency and Lancashire Police updated me on the action they are taking in response to residents’ concerns.
Following a conviction in January, the owner of Hubbs House Farm, Mr John Allison, was fined £80,000 and ordered to clean up the land by 30th June 2018. However, no attempts have been made to start the clear up and there is evidence that illegal dumping continues. During the meeting all the agencies agreed to improving communication and sharing of information, as well as discussing a range of possible next steps.
Another environmental issue that has taken up some considerable time this week, has been residents’ concerns over the emissions from Uniroyal Global in Earby which recently featured on the front page of the Barnoldswick and Earby Times. After a recent meeting with residents I look forward to visiting the business later today to discuss what the company is doing to address these concerns.
Nationally, I’m really pleased that the UK is now taking a global lead on a range of environmental issues, which includes our ban on microbeads, the 5p plastic bag charge, and last month’s pledge to introduce a deposit return system for single use drinks containers. Recent TV programmes like the superb BBC Blue Planet series have highlighted the impact of our “disposable” culture and its impact.
Therefore, as we mark St George’s Day, it is surely right that we all reflect on what we can do to protect as William Blake described it ‘England's green and pleasant land’.