Rutland MP Alicia Kearns discusses petition against Mallard Pass solar farm in latest column
I hope you all had a lovely Easter surrounded by your family and loved ones, writes Alicia Kearns MP for Rutland.
I am delighted to begin this fortnight by sharing the fantastic news that Uppingham Community College and Langham CE Primary School will receive funding to maintain and improve the condition of their school buildings. This is wonderful news and follows the investment announced in Great Casterton College where significant refurbishment works are hoped to be completed by April 2025.
In more good news locally, Rutland County Council has received £92,161 in Government funding to for cycling and walking routes. This funding will support the Oakham Road, Burley Road share use route scheme, giving more members of our communities the choice to enjoy travelling by bike or foot.
Down in Westminster before Easter, I officially presented our petition against the proposed Mallard Pass Solar Plant to the House of Commons. Whilst online petitions often achieve tens of thousands of signatures in days, it is deeply uncommon for physically signed petitions to reach over a few hundred. To receive 3,414 signatures is a real tribute to our communities and the amazing work of the Mallard Pass Action Group. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero will make the final decision on the solar plant by May 16, so fingers crossed all of our hard work pays off! I also have a debate in the House on this in early May.
Out and about in our communities recently, I had the honour of officially opening For Rutland’s infamous Good and New Clothes Sale, where a phenomenal £47,000 was raised to fund two specialist advisors at Citizens Advice Rutland. I met with the CEO of Citizens Advice Rutland just before the sale to hear all about the amazing work they do to support members of our communities with long-term health conditions.
Another charity doing vital work in our communities is Living Without Abuse. I recently met with them to discuss the invaluable support they provide to those who have been affected by domestic and sexual violence in Rutland and Leicestershire. They’re really very inspiring, and I hope we can eradicate domestic abuse from our communities.
Last week also marked English Tourism Week, and it was a joy to celebrate the launch of Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland’s Local Visitor Economy (LVEP) with Discover Rutland. We discussed some really exciting plans for the future to make Rutland the go-to visitor destination in the UK, so do keep an eye out!
Rounding off a busy week, it was great to meet residents in Pilton, Lyndon, Great Casterton, Stretton and Burley on the Hill to discuss a number of local issues and priorities.
In between local visits and meetings, much of my work that goes on behind the scenes includes supporting residents, or what is often known as casework. This spans a huge range of issues, from assisting residents with pensions, UKVI and HMRC, to SEND support and solving issues with housing and utilities.
One of the issues which residents often come to me asking for help with is planning. Unfortunately, planning does not sit within my remit as an MP, as it is a decision made by our local council, meaning my voice carries the same weight as yours. This can often prove frustrating, as I am unable to provide support on large planning issues locally, although I can challenge the process followed around the proposal. Rest assured on all other issues where I can intervene, I will always do all I can to help residents resolve issues when they have been left with nowhere else to turn. It’s my greatest joy to help people, and I’m proud to have helped almost 13,000 people locally in my four years as your MP.
