The Christmas period is often a time for reflection. This week and next on these pages, I will think back to just a few issues and events from the past twelve months.
At the start of the year we marked the 75th anniversary of the official designation of Crawley as a post-war New Town, on 9th January 1947. The neighbourhood principle which runs through our community is as strong as ever.
It is difficult to comprehend that it is approaching ten months since a sovereign country in Europe was invaded with the intention of toppling the government and installing a puppet regime. While Kyiv still stands as a symbol of a free democracy, the people of Ukraine remain under attack this Christmas. Crawley can be proud of the role it has played in welcoming Ukrainians fleeing the conflict into our community.
Global factors including Putin’s invasion of Ukraine have had an effect around the world. The Government is providing £39 billion of support to people throughout our country to address cost of living pressures, which have affected every family. Details of this support from Government are available at: www.gov.uk/helpforhouseholds
This support for households is alongside backing for our public services. As the summer term came to an end, the Department for Education confirmed that funding for schools in Crawley is set to increase in 2023-24 to almost £100 million. Overall, core schools funding is going up by £1.5 billion in 2023-24, building on the £4 billion increase already provided this year.
At the last General Election I was elected on a manifesto to enhance backing for our police officers, and this is what I continue to pursue on a local and national level.
Sussex was awarded £1.5 million of new funding from the Safer Streets Fund this year; a £50 million package of Government support to provide extra CCTV and streetlighting, protect women and girls, and tackle neighbourhood crime.
In September I launched my petition to highlight the strength of opposition in Crawley to Homes England proposals to build up to 10,000 housing units on green fields to the west of Ifield.
I continue to raise my objections in Parliament. It is clear these proposals would cause significant environmental damage and infrastructure pressure, without the people of Crawley being fully in control of the planning process.
Recently I met with the Sussex Wildlife Trust at Oldhouse Warren to reiterate our opposition to plans put forward by Center Parcs for a holiday site there.
These are just some of the issues I will continue to pursue in 2023.
My best wishes to all in Crawley at Christmas.
Henry Smith MP