Tom’s Newsletter
Saturday 30 January 2021 – Issue #58
a note from Tom
I hope you will have seen my update last week about the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine in our community, as well as further information around testing, business support and other aspects of our response to the pandemic. Last night, I recorded my latest video about the rollout locally, which you can see here.
As hundreds more people are vaccinated across Tonbridge, Edenbridge and Malling, I will focus this newsletter on some of the other priorities and important issues in our community. Of course we must all stay vigilant and do what we can to keep safe.
My dedicated webpage is updated almost daily about the vaccine rollout, which you can read here. I will also send out further details about the vaccine rollout in the next few days. In the meantime there is so much happening across our community which I have still been working on too.
This newsletter will focus on all the other important things happening across Tonbridge, Edenbridge and Malling too. It has been another busy month. If there’s something you think I should be doing, please get in touch. You can always contact me by e-mail on tom.tugendhat.mp@parliament.uk or by phone on 01732 441563. I look forward to hearing from you.
In the Community As I write this there remains the prospect of heavy rain over the coming days. We have seen numerous flood alerts on the River Medway and River Bourne this week, and flood warnings on the River Eden and Eden Brook. There has been flooding of roads in Edenbridge, Bough Beech and Plaxtol, with further alerts in Tonbridge and East Peckham. Please be extremely careful if you live in an area at risk of flooding, and sign up to the Environment Agency flood information service here.
Thank you to everyone who joined our virtual public meetings on the new Medical Centre in Edenbridge this week. It was very different presenting online, instead of in person like last year! I am hugely grateful to our hard working GPs, Kent and Medway CCG and Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust for their time in speaking to us, and also continuing with the project despite the pressures of the pandemic. For those who could not join us, the presentation on this exciting project is available here.
Speaking of new Medical Centres, what an improvement the new Tonbridge Medical Group building will make on River Lawn Road. This provides modern and up to date facilities for our GPs, nurses, trainees and other health care professionals. It will allow Tonbridge Medical Group to grow and better serve its patients. We have seen this past year more than ever the role all healthcare staff do to keep us safe. It is fitting that Tonbridge Medical Group have a brand new facility to use. After many years searching for a suitable site, I am pleased they can consolidate here and continue the excellent care they provide to residents across the town.
Usually at this time of year I join with fellow MPs to host an Apprenticeships Fair. Sadly, this year it won’t be possible but it hasn’t stopped many businesses investing in our community. Figures from the Office of National Statistics show 1,378 companies were formed in Tonbridge and Malling Borough and 1,329 in Sevenoaks District last year.
I am delighted that the Government has done so much to help and support local businesses and while there is still more that can be done, this month we have seen support available including: – Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) – Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment Scheme – Additional Restrictions Grant There are many different grants for all the periods that restrictions changed, so please do investigate what your business, or a business you know, is eligible for.
The best place to start is either on the Government website here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19,
with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council here https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/services/business/business-support-and-advice/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-businesses,
or Sevenoaks District Council here https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/info/20004/business/511/coronavirus_covid-19_advice_for_businesses.
