The Inland Waterways Association has been calling on all PPCs to support their five point partnership, and has been listing those who do on their website. I’ve supported the partnership, the five points of which are shown below. The sections in bold are the commitments the IWA want PPCs to make.

1. Protect our Heritage Many of Britain’s canals and rivers were built at the height of the industrial revolution and are home to over 2,700 listed structures, 50 scheduled ancient monuments and five UNESCO world heritage sites. It is vital that planning and development proposals properly take account and protect this unique heritage. We ask that future Members of Parliament ensure that future planning legislation takes account and protects the unique heritage of the waterways.

2. Build a Local Relationship with Constituency Waterways Groups There are many voluntary groups whose members use and promote the waterways for the benefit of the wider community including restoration groups, boat clubs, and IWA local branches. We ask future Members of Parliament to support local waterways groups in their constituency.

3. Work with IWA in Parliament – Join the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways At a National level IWA ensures our waterways have a strong voice in Parliament. We speak to Government and opposition parties and deliver briefings on matters relevant to our cause. The All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways brings together MPs and Lords to scrutinise Government, Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency and other bodies. We ask that future Members of Parliament join the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways and take an active role in the proceedings of the Group.

4. Support the Transfer of Navigations Currently Managed by Environment Agency to Canal & River Trust. We welcome the 15 year funding (from 2012) for Canal & River Trust. IWA wants to see the Government deliver its stated commitment to transfer Environment Agency (EA) navigations into Canal & River Trust, this will help put the EA’s more than 600 miles of navigable waterways onto a sustainable funding basis. In its 2014 report, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Waterways called for this process to begin in the next Parliament. We ask that future Members of Parliament press the Government of the day for early implementation of the transfer of EA’s navigable waters to Canal & River Trust.

5. Support Affordable New Off Line Moorings In some areas of the country leisure and residential moorings are in short supply and the costs are beyond the reach of many people. IWA wants to see an increase in the number of affordable off line moorings to meet this need. We ask that future Members of Parliament encourage the Government to look at new ways to promote affordable moorings.

The Countryside Alliance have asked for all PPC’s views on their manifesto and whilst I am supportive of the vast majority of their campaigns there are some I oppose.

High Peak Liberal Democrat PPC Stephen Worrall has recently received a number of emails from constituents asking him to complete a survey on his views on Animal Welfare issues as part of an International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) campaign.

Stephen commented “These issues are obviously ones that concern a lot of people in the High Peak and I think therefore it is only right, fair and proper for as many residents as possible to know my answers to this survey as we head towards election day. That is why I am sharing my answers here.”

The survey consisted of five questions to which PPCs could respond Yes, No or Don’t Know. The questions are set out below as well as Stephen’s answers in bold.

1)            If you were elected, would improving the welfare of animals be one of your top priorities?

Yes.

2)            Do you think that the UK should continue to lead international efforts to combat the illegal  trade in endangered wildlife and wildlife products?

Yes.

3)            Do you support an end to commercial whaling?

Yes.

4)            Do you think the Hunting Act should remain in place?

Yes.

5)            Would you be likely to support initiatives to better protect native wildlife species?

Yes.

High Peak Liberal Democrat PPC Stephen Worrall has welcomed the announcement from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) that the £22.2 million expansion to its Growth Deal, agreed with the Government, includes the final piece of funding necessary to allow the go ahead of the long delayed Buxton Crescent development.

The D2N2 LEP, which overs Derbyshire, Derby, Nottinghamshire and Nottingham, has now had £196.2 million invested in it by the Government as part of the Growth Deal funding projects all across the two counties.

Stephen commented “It is great to see that the Liberal Democrat commitment to Growth Deals in government is enabling local communities to have more power over how funding to boost their local economies is spent. “

The £2 million will finally allow for the Grade I listed buildings to be brought back into use as a hotel and spa development, boosting the visitor economy and delivering a projected 140 direct jobs.

Stephen added “I am excited to see how the development progresses and I look forward to seeing the finished article and hopefully staying there myself one day in the future!”

Stephen Worrall is supporting the campaign for Flood Free Homes which launched on Tuesday 20^th January. The campaign has been launched by the Association of British Insurers, supported by Friends of the Earth, Know Your Flood Risk, National Flood Forum, and the Property Care Association’s Flood Protection Group. The aim of the campaign is to raise the issue of long term flood defence investment and land and water management.

Flooding has long been recognised as the greatest natural threat the UK faces. With Environment Agency data showing around 2 million homes in England and Wales at flood risk now from the rivers and sea, with over 500,000 of these at ‘moderate’ risk or greater, and around 2.4 million additional homes at risk of surface water flooding, we know this is a serious problem facing the country today.

Without action to reduce the risk across the UK, the effect on our homes, businesses, communities, infrastructure and way of life is potentially devastating.

Stephen said:

“I am supporting the campaign for Flood Free Homes which calls for effective management of our land and water. I know the devastating impact that flooding has had on the constituents of High Peak, I can remember the floods in Glossop for example not all that long ago, and I want to make sure that home-owners and local businesses do not suffer from destructive floods in the future. We need ambitious long term solutions to ensure that our communities are protected.”

Huw Evans, Deputy Director General at the ABI, said:

“The need for this campaign to address the UK’s rising flood threat has never been more important. No action is not an option. Last winter’s floods highlighted the trauma and devastation flooding brings. How we manage our land and water has to become central to government decision making across the UK, whoever is in power.

“Without adequate long-term investment in flood defence protection that reflects the increasing threat, a zero tolerance towards building in flood risk areas and political agreement, too many communities will continue to live with the constant fear of flooding.”

Flood Free Homes is campaigning for:

• By 2025 £1 billion per year to be spent managing flood risk in order to keep pace with climate change.
• A zero tolerance of inappropriate new developments in areas at risk of flooding.
• Cross party consensus on ambitious long term solutions that manage all types of flood risk.

How to get involved and find out more information

• Visit the campaign website floodfreehomes.org.uk
• Follow the campaign on Twitter @FloodFreeHomes
• Like the campaign on Facebook Facebook.com/floodfreehomes2025
• Email us floodfreehomes@abi.org.uk

Notes to Editors

1. The Flood Free Homes Campaign is a campaign led by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), with support from a number of other organisations. The ABI is the voice of the UK insurance industry, representing general insurance and long-term savings and life insurance. The ABI has over 250 members, which account for around 90% of the UK insurance premiums. The ABI and the organisations supporting the Flood Free Homes Campaign are not affiliated with any political party, nor do they endorse the views of any political party or its individual members.
2. For information about the campaign or any of the supporters, please contact Malcolm Tarling tarling@abi.org.uk 020 7216 7410 Mobile: 07776 147 667 or Caroline Jones caroline.jones@abi.org.uk 020 7216 7327.