I share a passion for affordable housing in North Cornwall — it’s what got me into politics in the first place many years ago. 

So it makes me very proud to welcome 25 brand new council houses on a high-quality housing development in Padstow that have been completed and allocated to local families with a housing need. 

The energy-efficient new homes at Trecerus Farm are part of a Cornwall Council scheme to provide 55 affordable homes in Padstow for households with a local connection. Our Conservative councillor, Stephen Rushworth, was instrumental in the delivery of these homes, and it goes to show what can be achieved by a proper local champion. 

I offer a sincere thanks to Cllr Rushworth and the team at Cornwall Council for delivering these homes.

From this week farmers in North Cornwall will be able to apply for individual grants up to £100,000 to prepare nature projects that will attract investment from the private sector. 

Part of the £5-million Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund, the money can be used alongside food production for activities such as measuring the tradable effects of woodland creation or peatland restoration, so farmers can attract private sector investors interested in carbon capture and flood management. 

Then, from December 18 farmers, growers and foresters in North Cornwall will be able to apply for a share of our £850,000 Research Starter funding to get innovative new projects off the ground which have the potential to move the agricultural sector to net zero. 

Previous rounds of this funding have helped researchers test the best way to turn nitrogen upcycled from plastics into a usable pellet that acts as a fertiliser. 

The funds form part of the government’s manifesto commitment to invest £2.4-billion per year in farming for the rest of this Parliament. 

Uptake of our other Environmental Land Management schemes remains strong, and I remain firmly committed to spending every penny to support farmers. 

Farmers and foresters who require further information about the grant process are welcome to contact me directly.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has launched a call for evidence to support the assessment of fishing in Stage 4 marine protected areas (MPAs).  

They are now seeking evidence and views on their draft Stage 4 Fishing Gear MPA Impacts Evidence documents, pressures of interest and potential management options.  Please visit ‘Call for evidence — Stage 4 fishing in marine protected areas’ on gov.uk, which includes further details and information on how to respond.

Since my election in 2015, my office has actioned over 60,000 cases on behalf of North Cornwall residents. 

If you require my help with anything, including benefits, the NHS, or raising a concern with the government, please contact me via [email protected] or 01208 74337.  I hold regular advice surgeries — if you would like to meet with me please get in touch.