The year since my last annual report has once again proved a challenging time for our country. Very sadly we lost Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II only a few short months after we celebrated her Platinum Jubilee.
Delays at Junction 29 remain a real problem for businesses and residents. I have held multiple meetings with National Highways and Derbyshire County Council to discuss progress on plans for a potential redesign and, while nothing is confirmed, talks remain positive.
You cannot overstate the impact local crime and anti-social behaviour has on our towns and villages. It makes residents feel unsafe, ruins the landscape and hinders our ambitions to make Bolsover a tourist hotspot.
Following the announcement by Bupa that it was closing its dental practice in Bolsover, I had emergency meetings with the Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, Ministers in the Department for Health and Social Care and Bupa to discuss what needs to be done to restore this provision to the town
The Covid-19 pandemic had a severe impact on our NHS. Despite the incredible hard work of the frontline workers who saved so many lives, the effects of delays and cancellations continue to have an impact on those needing help now.
Back in November 2021 the Government released its Integrated Rail Plan which scrapped the Eastern leg of HS2b which was planned to run from East Midlands Parkway to Leeds, devastating many of the rural communities across Bolsover.