Effective local policing here in Cheltenham has always been about more than just officers’ visibility – never more so than today, with crime increasingly taking place behind closed doors and online.
I was delighted by the announcement in Parliament this week of a £5bn investment in England’s bus and cycling services. This presents a massive opportunity for Cheltenham.
On Tuesday night, for a brief moment, it looked as if the Brexit purgatory might be coming to an end. Parliament voted, with a majority of 30, to back the new Brexit deal negotiated with the EU.
Cheltenham’s schools are some of the best in the country. Thanks to talented teachers and head teachers they are delivering better outcomes year on year, as this summer’s A level and GCSE results showed.
The highlight of the Party Conference in Manchester for me has been the announcement of a major boost in funding for schools. From next year, schools from Balcarras to All Saints’ Academy will receive at least £5,000 per pupil per year.
I’m writing this from the train heading to Westminster. Following the decision of the Supreme Court, parliamentary proceedings will resume later today.
The campaign to save Cheltenham’s A&E is stepping up a gear. Earlier this week I hand-delivered hundreds of responses to NHS bosses’ "engagement exercise" about the future of healthcare in Gloucestershire.
