Harlow Community Update

A very busy Friday, as the morning started off with a meeting for local residents about the Waste Transfer Station.
We were there to meet Essex Council Leader Peter Martin and Cllr Kevin Bentley to raise objections to the proposed Waste Transfer Station in Templefields. Some progress was made in that the Councillors agreed to examine other sites for the WTS. The strength of feeling against the site as proposed was also made clear.
After, I went to Harlow College for a meeting about the proposed University Technical School (Apprentice School). Harlow is in the second round, and the bid is being backed by Harlow College, Anglia Ruskin University and local businesses. The UTC bid is focused around healthcare and we hope to involve the local NHS and other Healthcare providers.
Then to Latton Bush Centre to speak to Harlow Homestart AGM. I am proud to be a patron of Homestart - as it is an amazing organisation. Through volunteers, Homestart provides support and mentoring to parents facing difficulties. The enthusiasm of the volunteers is immense and the transformational effect on the parents profound. I heard an inspirational speech from a parent, Lizzie, who described what the charity had done for her. I felt really pleased to be there.
Every few months I have a meeting with Harlow church leaders. This afternoon we discussed the Freedom Bill and how it affects Christians. We also talked about other issues and a new organisation called Faith Matters.
Then to Berecroft to celebrate the finishing of the roofing of all the Houses by Circle Anglia and Kia Harlow. A great party event at the Community Centre, crowded with local residents. After a huge amount of anxiety after the fire last April, the community has been brought closer together. Well done to Circle Anglia for finishing on time, to the Berecroft Residents Association and local for the community work they have done.
Finally, the evening was spent in the company of Harlow Conservative Ladies Annual Churchillian dinner (Churchill was the MP for Epping (including Harlow) between 1924 and 1945). The guest speaker was Graham Brady MP, Chairman of the 1922 Committee, which is the Backbench Cttee of the Conservative Party. He spoke about enduring Conservative values and the need to renegotiate our relationship with the European Union. It was a wonderful evening at Canons Brook Golf Club, packed with Harlow, Epping and Saffron Walden Conservative members.

P.S. the pictures show me at the Homestart AGM and with Berecroft residents.