Campaigning
Campaigning is in my DNA. A strong campaign is vital for electoral success, and I am regularly out and about supporting candidates across the region and further afield.
I led the Conservative Group into the 2021 election and was responsible for bringing together our manifesto and campaign. I campaigned across the county in 20 divisions giving support to our excellent Conservative Candidates.
Our manifesto resonated well with voters and we had the best Conservative results since 1977, taking 55 of the 75 seats.
Norwich to Tilbury pylons
This beautiful part of East Anglia is at serious risk of seeing proposals by National Grid scarring the landscape with 114 miles of gigantic pylons marching across the countryside. I have been very clear as Leader of Suffolk County Council in our response that the proposals put forward are unacceptable. Our communities must be treated fairly with the impact fully understood. This has not been the approach taken by National Grid and they must be held to account.
There are arguments from National Grid that the cost of burying out at sea or going underground would be three times the cost compared to pylons going overground. Well if they can do it in Scotland to preserve the countryside then why not here? The heart of Suffolk is renowned for its landscape and this must be protected.
National Grid will continue to be held to account and a more appropriate scheme must developed that protects our part of East Anglia from this blight. I have recently written to National Grid with the Leaders of Essex CC and Norfolk CC expressing our collective concerns. See the letter here: twitter.com/HicksCllr
Supporting our farmers
We are very fortunate to live in such a diverse landscape in the centre of Suffolk, encompassing a wide range range of farms including livestock, arable, horticulture, free range and intensive farming. It is vital we support the industry. My in-laws are livestock farmers and we often talk around the kitchen table about the proud track record of animal welfare in this country. I have been a proud Member of the Suffolk Agricultural Association for over 10 years.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive, Local Nature Recovery and Landscape Recovery schemes have been established to support environmental land management and will support the rural economy while achieving the goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan and a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.
Through these schemes, farmers have the opportunity to enter into agreements. However, there has been much discussion recently about the roll-out of the Sustainable Farming Incentives which has suffered delays. The roll-out in January 2024 was to deliver an approach that food production go hand in hand with the environment. I strongly believe that we must support our farmers with the vital food production they provide. Our farmers have a key role in our region and are some of the finest in the world.
Water is also a key resource and those using large volumes such as farmers and food processors must not be held back with supplies meeting demand.
This requires appropriate infrastructure being delivered with a forward plan setting out future demand.
Transport
Improving regional rail connectivity in the region is vital for our region and in particular at Haughley and Ely Junctions, which are close to reaching capacity. I was pleased to support a £1m commitment from Suffolk Public Sector Leaders towards Haughley but only greater investment in these two junctions will allow not only better passenger train reliability in the East West corridor but will also allow significant freight to come off the road network.
Long term maintenance to the East Suffolk Line will also be critical with the start of construction Sizewell C and the increase in freight usage.
HGV traffic across our region needs a more coordinated collaborative approach. Freight plays a vital role in our economy so working with businesses on having agreed routes is essential. Many villages and towns want to have a greater say in reducing movements in the centres and work together with road haulers to lessen impact when possible. We must avoid the worst case scenario of simply moving the problem from one community to another by not taking a big picture strategic approach.
Better broadband
Broadband has moved on significantly over recent years with just under 98% of premises in our region able to receive speeds greater than 24mbps. However while that is a significant achievement fibre to the premises is now being delivered on a significant scale, bringing speeds of up to 900mbp.
I was delighted to see Project Gigabit has been awarded to both Norfolk and Suffolk allowing many more premises to move over from using old copper wires to fibre to the premises and the much faster speeds. I was able to discuss this with Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale, Minister of State for Data and Digital Infrastructure on a recent visit to Suffolk.
We still have some premises getting speeds of under 10mbps and it is vital we gain further funding to reach those still outside the current delivery areas. The pandemic has so clearly demonstrated the importance of digital connectivity.
In Suffolk we have via our adult care team delivered digital care technology Cassius which is changing the lives of over 2300 residents, allowing people to remain independent for longer. The technology includes movement sensors, smart watches, wearables and falls prevention devices. I wrote an article recently on Conservative Home detailing the project.
With greater advances in digital care at home wider connectivity through broadband is essential.
Broadband is now a basic utility required by all whether for work, education, care or personal use.