Wiltshire Childcare Desert
There has been a 706 fall in the number of childcare places in Wiltshire since 2019, House of Commons Library research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.
In her own words, meet Sarah:
I was brought up in this part of Wiltshire and I know what a strong sense of community and can do attitude people here have. I've been a Wiltshire councillor since 2017 and run a small business locally. That has made me realise that's so many of the initiatives started at a local level are thwarted by a lack of strong representation at Westminster. I have spent my whole adult life persuading large teams of people with often diverse priorities and interests to work together for a common goal, be that a new school or a regeneration of a town centre.
I know how to bring people together to make great things happen and I want to put that ability to use here.
As a member of the Green Liberal Democrats, and a founding member of the Wiltshire Council Climate Emergency task Group, I will put our environment front and centre of everything I work on. I have already met with Wessex water several times to see how I can help reduce sewage overflows into our rivers and streams. I will work with the Environment Agency, particularly on the Avon Project in Chippenham to ensure a balance between the biodiversity improvements and maintaning the river for the town.
Corsham lost its town centre pharmacy because the conservative government has effectively cut funding to pharmacies by 30% over the last decade making them unviable. Having met with the chief exec of community pharmacy England I will lobby for more town centre community pharmacies. I will aim to get the disused health center back in to use as a medical facility for Corsham, and help improve GP access.
I will continue to work with housing associations to improve access to social housing and stop the sell-off.
I will continue to push for a train station in Corsham, which along with these services, is vital to support the town centre continuing to be the vibrant place that it is.
I will work with local doctors I will work with the GP's in Chippenham to achieve the urgent care centre they have been asking for since they lost their last liberal democrat MP for Chippenham. This will reduce waiting time and improve primary care to combat the 14 years of conservative government that has seen a loss of 4500 GPs.
The Avon river project is a huge inward investment by the Environment Agency and I will be the strong voice for Chippenham to ensure that it delivers for the residents of Chippenham, and that any redevelopment of the town center provides the community space we need. As as your MP I will make sure that Wiltshire Council and Wessex Water work together, and I will fight for improved legislation to stop the sewage spills into our river.
Royal Wootton Bassett has been let down by Conservative controlled Wiltshire Council, with a local plan going against the wishes of residents and proposing inappropriate development that risks joining Bassett to Swindon where it will lose its independent and vibrant character. As your MP I will make representation against this development and push for affordable homes for local people in the right place. I will actively lobby for a new train station to make access easier to and from the town and help reduce traffic.
Calne has been ignored, both by Conservative led Wiltshire Council and by the government.
I will work with the GPs in Calne to get the stalled, new Health Centre the town so desparately needs, be it at the approved Baverstock site or closer to the town centre.
I will lobby for levelling up funding to come here, tackle the lack of real affordable housing for local people by pushing for planning reform and changes to how housing associations are funded.
Sarah here outlines the key areas where, as your Lib Dem MP she would focus her efforts:
Sarah needs your help and support to realise all these goals, which will benefit all of us. Anything you can do to help and get involved is important - donations are necessary, and always gratefully received, If you can't donate, then get involved with the local party and community it represents.
There has been a 706 fall in the number of childcare places in Wiltshire since 2019, House of Commons Library research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.
New law results in the weakening of Ofwat enforcement powers against sewage dumpers Local MP votes in Parliament against advice from environment groups Local Lib Dem says vote will leave water regulator with “one hand tied behind their back”
The latest poll from YouGov has predicted that Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Sarah Gibson is on course to win the Chippenham constituency at the next general election.