It was great to spend my final constituency day before Christmas in Bude meeting constituents for surgery appointments where we discussed various local issues including education and economic development.

I then met the Bude Town Team to hear their vision for the town and saw the dredging project in the canal which will have both a financial and practical benefit for Bude. Water quality is always high on my agenda, and I’m aware that the outflow at Harlyn Bay was open for several days following recent bad weather. I have contacted South West Water to ask them to brief me on this, and what mitigation efforts have been put in place. 

Last week I also took part in the NFU roundtable in North Petherwin. I’m pleased to be able to have these conversations with North Cornwall’s farmers, and I can assure you they tell it to me straight! I will be equally as candid when I feedback to the Minister in the New Year. 

Christmas is a great time to sit down and reflect on the previous twelve months. Although 2023 was a challenging time for North Cornwall as we continue to recover from the pandemic there were many high points. 

For me, at the top of the league for this year is the way that our communities came together to take over leisure centres in Wadebridge and Launceston, transferring them into Community Interest Companies. This was their first full year of operation and they have gone from strength to strength. I worked hard to deliver a £935,000 funding package from the government to ensure the future of the Wadebridge Centre; I also worked with our Cornwall Councillors in Launceston to unlock funding for the centre at Coronation Park. 

On a personal note, 2023 has been a fantastic year. Over the summer my team and I were out across North Cornwall meeting constituents, catching up with some old faces and introducing myself to some new ones.  I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you all in 2024! 

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 cost of living support then please get in touch. I also raise constituent concerns and issues with Ministers in Westminster including policy and lobbying, so please contact me via [email protected] or 01208 74337. 

I hold regular advice surgeries across North Cornwall, over the phone and online. If you would like to meet with me this can be arranged via my office. 

Further information about the work I do on behalf of our community can be found at www.scottmann.org.uk and on social media - www.facebook.com/therightmannforNorthCornwall