James Wharton

This afternoon I helped Phillip Broughton, one of the Conservative Councillors for Grangefield ward and his local team to deliver the latest Councillor’s intouch newsletter.   Phillip and his ward colleague Aidan Cockerill are doing a superb job in Grangefield and you can really see the difference they have made over the past year.  It was also a good opportunity to meet local residents.  One lady kindly offered me a bottle of lemonade as i gave her a newsletter, a kind thought on what was a hot and sunny day out delivering!

Yesterday afternoon I visited a crime scene in Thornaby.  Late on Friday night/early Saturday morning there was a knife attack down by the river Tees, just behind the Old Thornaby village area of the Town.  The popular footpath was cordoned off with PCSOs ensuring nobody could disturb the scene as the area was searched.  That this could happen in one most picturesque areas of our Borough and so near to a residential street is truly horrifying.  Violent crime really is out of control under Labour and more must be done.

I attended a meeting of BO2SS last night.  The group is keen to get up and running and to increase the pressure for a new Secondary School on Ingleby Barwick.  Over the summer I will be doing what I can to support their efforts.  It must be clear, however, that BO2SS is not a political group in so far as it is not affiliated to any particular political party.  It is a residents organisation with the sole aim of securing an additional Secondary School and deserves everyone’s support.

Tonight I met with some of the local Conservative Councillors representing wards in Stockton itself.  We had a detailed discussion about local issues and I was able to raise some of the concerns brought to me by constituents over recent weeks.  There are some exciting things being planned and I look forward to working with Councillors of all parties to deliver more for our area.

This afternoon I had spent some time discussing the issues facing Yarm with Town Council Chairman, Jason Hadlow.  The new Town Council in Yarm has achieved a great deal over the past year or so but there is still much to do.  Hot on the heels of the successful Yarm Gala there is going to be a continental market in September and the resolutions to a number of other long running problems are starting to take shape.  Jason leads an excellent team of Town and Borough Councillors and they are working extremely hard for the community, they deserve congratulations and support and I am sure the people of Yarm will continue to see the very visible benefits they bring.