March 2025 newsletter to constituents
I’ve been busy on a number of key issues locally and continuing work in Westminster on the local NHS and pushing for action to stop sewage dumps in our neighbourhood. I've also been able to go on some brilliant local visits, some of which you can see further down in this newsletter. There’s a bit of a theme through this newsletter which is the failure to listen and act in the interests of local people by East Sussex County Council. You can read more on that in my column in the Sussex Express here. Please do scroll down below to read the full newsletter.
Exceat Bridge: £4.6 Million Waste and Indecision Havens Food Hub Faces Closure: How You Can Help Phoenix Centre: Tories Choose to Close Vital Social Care Facilities Local Government Reorganisation Consultation NICs Rise Impact on Constituency 7,000 Cases Dealt with by My Office Raising Polegate Parking with Police and Crime Commissioner Meeting with Southern Water CEO Rural Road Safety: Ditchling Visit |
Exceat Bridge: £4.6 Million Waste and Indecision [back to top]
The Exceat Bridge project has faced costly delays, with £4.6 million already spent without visible progress. At the Cabinet meeting on March 4th, East Sussex County Council deferred a decision on the project, reviewing funding streams, including reallocating from the Bus Services Improvements Plan. I have demanded urgent action to end the dithering and deliver results.
Havens Food Hub Faces Closure: How You Can Help [back to top]
The Havens Food Co-Operative is under threat of closure due to a severe funding shortfall. This vital community resource provides essential support to families across our area. It collects over-produced, mislabelled, and "wonky" food from 19 supermarkets between Brighton and Eastbourne and supplies them to food banks, schools, families, individuals, and community groups.
Councillor Christina Bristow highlighted the incredible work they do and the funding crisis they face on BBC Radio Sussex which you can listen to here.
And please support them if you can by donating through their LocalGiving page: Havens Community Hub.
Phoenix Centre: Tories Choose to Close Vital Social Care Facilities [back to top]
I am shocked by the decision of the Conservative-led East Sussex County Council to close multiple vital social care facilities, including the Phoenix Centre in Lewes and Linden Court in Eastbourne, despite widespread public opposition. The closures, confirmed after a consultation with nearly 3,500 people, will leave vulnerable residents without essential local services.
The Liberal Democrats proposed an amendment to reinstate over £1.5 million in funding, but it was voted down by the council.
Read more here: Tories to close the Phoenix Centre despite public opposition - Lewes Liberal Democrats
Local Government Reorganisation Consultation [back to top]
The Labour government delayed elections scheduled for this may delaying for a unitary authority in which will be formed in the coming year after a request from East Sussex Conservatives. There's now a consultation open on local government reorganisation. Please submit your views on how the new structure can support our local communities, including a fairer voting system for councils. We can't hold our council to account locally, but at least we can try and influence the new structure.
NICs Rise Impact on Constituency [back to top]
Various businesses, schools, and charities in the constituency are bracing for the impact of rising National Insurance Contributions. I have visited multiple businesses, including Paradise Park, which raised concerns about the financial strain these increases present. The added costs risk harming local employers and the services they provide, creating widespread uncertainty.
Over 7,000 Cases Dealt with by my office [back to top]
My office has now dealt with over 7,000 cases since I was elected, supporting constituents on issues ranging from housing and healthcare to education and local infrastructure. This milestone reflects the high demand for assistance and my commitment to standing up for the people of Sussex. A massive thank you to my team for the help in replying to and helping local people.
Raising Polegate Parking with Police and Crime Commissioner [back to top]
I met with Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne to discuss key local issues, including parking problems in Polegate. Resolving these issues remains a priority, and I will continue to push for practical solutions that benefit residents.
Meeting with Southern Water CEO [back to top]
I recently met with the Chief Executive of Southern Water, Lawrence Gosden, to demand urgent action on key issues affecting local residents and the environment.
At the meeting, I raised serious concerns about Southern Water’s performance and pressed for immediate improvements. I called for urgent support for residents struggling to pay their water bills, fast action to reduce sewage spills in the Ouse and Cuckmere, support for Blue Flag status for Seaford Beach, and the securing of official bathing water status for the Cuckmere River.
It’s simply unacceptable that Southern Water continues to pollute our precious rivers and seas while local people struggle with rising bills. I made it clear to the Chief Executive that the people of Lewes, Seaford, and the surrounding areas deserve better.
Rural Road Safety: Ditchling Visit [back to top]
It was a real pleasure to meet with residents from Ditchling and Hassocks to discuss safety on Keymer Road. My thanks to the Headteacher from Downlands School for joining us too.
It is a very dangerous stretch of road with a 60 mph limit. Children walk along it every day during term within inches of speeding vehicles. East Sussex County Council has so far refused to act to improve the road.
The road should have a lower limit and improved cycling and walking routes. I will continue to work with residents to make the road safer for everyone.
Listen to my discussion on rural road safety on BBC Radio Sussex here.
Western Road School Strikes [back to top]
I joined staff and parents at Western Road Community Primary School today to stand against devastating staff cuts. This brilliant, oversubscribed school is being forced to let go of teachers and support staff — and it’s simply not right.
As a dad, I know how important a well-resourced school is to my children. Every child deserves that same support, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure they get it.
SeeAbility: Supporting People with Disabilities [back to top]
Recently, I visited local charity SeeAbility, which was celebrating its 225th anniversary supporting people with learning disabilities and autism, some of whom also have sight loss. It runs the hidden gem of the Bradbury Centre and has two accessible homes in Seaford providing bespoke one-to-one support for adults with different disabilities.
All services are open for referrals, and the charity is keen to hear from people with different disabilities in Seaford and surrounding areas who feel they could benefit from their warm welcome, fun, friendships, and the range of activities that take place at the Centre to help develop skills and independence.
The support team is also recruiting, offering great opportunities to work for this historic charity or volunteer. If you have a spare hour or two, consider befriending so the people SeeAbility supports get even more opportunities to be out and about in our wonderful community.
For more information on SeeAbility, get in touch with SeeAbility manager Caroline Pulleyn at c.pulleyn@seeability.org or call 01323 873423. For volunteering opportunities, email askvolunteering@seeability.org.
Getting in Touch [back to top]
Please forward this newsletter to anyone who might like to stay updated, and encourage them to sign up for email updates at jamesmaccleary.uk/emails
I hold regular surgeries across the constituency. To book an appointment, email James.MacCleary.mp@parliament.uk with ‘Surgery request’ in the subject line, including a brief description of your issue and your full address for verification. Online surgery appointments are also available.
For casework queries, please email James.MacCleary.mp@parliament.uk with your address. My team and I are working hard to respond as promptly as we possibly can.