This has been a very varied week in Parliament, during which I have raised issues with waste disposal charges at Levelling Up questions and spoken in the debate on spiking in Westminster Hall.
On Friday I will be meeting Aster Group representatives, alongside Cllr Nick Adams-King to see if we can find a solution to the enormous charges being levied on some former Aster Housing properties to have their sewage taken away. This has been an ongoing problem for years, and whilst some sites have found solutions the majority have not. The Minister promised on Monday that she would also look at this and I will also be following up with her.
The Triangle site at the top of Pauncefoot Hill has been put forward as part of the review of the minerals and waste plan as a possible site for gravel extraction and back fill. This site was last considered the best part of 20 years ago when an appeal inspector decided nearby ecologically sensitive sites might be at risk were it to go ahead, and it was therefore refused. I cannot see what has changed in the intervening time, and local residents have until 31st of this month to register their objections.
As part of my New Year fitness drive I am off to Itchen 2 Train to talk about menopause, nutrition and have a little bit of a work out this weekend. I have decided it is still too soon for a Park Run, but following my visit to Ganger Farm Sports Hub last week it is definitely next on the agenda. The pavilion there was very impressive and it was great to hear how Romsey Rugby Club and Romsey Hockey Club have both made it their new home, as well as hearing how well used the pitches already are. One of the biggest areas of growth in demand has been for girls football, not least because of the success of the Lionesses last year, I hope that continues to go from strength to strength. There remains a significant drop off in physical activity among teenage girls, which is one of the reasons I have always supported the This Girl Can campaign.