As the MP for Southend East and Rochford, a significant portion of my time (as well as that of my team) is spent working on residents’ casework.
I hold two advice ‘surgeries’ for residents per month, and in February I held four due to increased demand. I also canvas regularly and hold monthly ‘Meet your MP’ meetings to ensure that I am out in the community and able to pick up the issues facing residents.
I am committed to delivering for residents and whenever I meet with new charities, organisations and individuals, I always ask about the support they require. Whether they are having an issue with premises, funding or anti-social behaviour, I will always strive to support them.
Driving tests and parking issues
There are significant issues affecting motorists in Southend East and Rochford.
In particular, the availability of driving tests in Southend. Bots are used to buy up tests to re-sell at profit and residents are forced to consider travelling out of the area. I’ve written to the DVSA to request clarity and a timeframe for this to be resolved.
Another issue for motorists is over-zealous private parking companies issuing unjust fines. This has been the case since the closure of Rochford District Council’s offices in Rochford and the move to a satellite site in Rochford Library, which is also used as the local Blue Badge Assessment Centre. I have attended roundtables in Parliament to address action that can be taken against private parking companies and have organised a meeting with the British Parking Association on site to address the issues facing residents. I’m also looking into the situation at Southend Airport retail park.
Water quality
As a coastal community, we are particularly beholden to water quality and flooding issues. Having chaired my first Water Quality Summit in February, I am determined to tackle the issues facing Southend East and Rochford. I have written to the Secretary of State about flooding around Thorpe Hall Avenue and I have asked the Minister about how the Government is ensuring that water companies are front and centre in planning and infrastructure to ensure that existing communities aren’t affected by new developments.
Opportunities for young people
I feel very strongly about providing avenues into politics to our young people. With my constituency office opening in Shoeburyness soon, I’ve been reaching out to local schools and colleges to offer students work experience placements within my team. I want to ensure that young people from Southend East and Rochford have every opportunity open to them.
by Bayo Alaba – MP for Southend
East and Rochford
bayo.alaba.mp@parliament.uk