Rt. Hon Edward Argar MP March 2025 Update to Sileby Parish Council

Following my father passing away earlier this month, may I take the opportunity to thank those who sent me kind messages of condolence. In my update to the Parish Council there are three key issues I want to offer an update on.

Flooding

As Sileby's local MP, I continue to work on specific local flooding issues, such as Cygnet Close, following the flooding in January, but also in the context of the long-term problems of flooding in Sileby. I have taken up specific issues raised around Cygnet Close with Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency, as well as continuing to press the Government and Environment Agency for action and support.

I recently received a response to my letter of 6th January to the Floods Minister, in which I called for the release of Flood Recovery Framework funding to support communities in our area, and, among other things, for the Government/ Environment Agency to begin to explore whether a Brentingby-style dam (which protects Melton) might potentially be practical from an engineering/ hydrological perspective to help protect Sileby in the longer-term. I was disappointed that the Government confirmed their refusal to provide Flood Recovery Framework Funding to our county, and for a less than positive response to my calls to explore an engineering solution to help protect the village. While a disappointing response, it will not deter me from continuing to put pressure on the Government to act to support Sileby.

In parallel, we have seen the County Council increase its budget for flooding, and I have written to LCC to ask what the process will be for the allocation of the funding, and how to bid for particular local projects to receive support.

I have also been in touch with the recently formed Flood Action Group, and am hoping to speak with them in the coming weeks. Although the weather is now looking more spring-like, from Sileby's past experience, we know that this doesn't mean we can let up in pressing for action now, to seek to reduce the risk of, and impact of, future flooding, and I will keep the Parish Council updated on any developments.

I do also believe, as I set out to the Minister, we need to have a much clearer understanding of possible links between increased development, and increased flood risk, and that there needs to be an increased willingness/ ability to turn down planning applications where there is a discernible increased flood risk associated with them.

Sileby Railway Station Step-Free Access

As some may recall, prior to the last election the then Government announced funding for Sileby Station, among others, to develop plans for step-free access to the station – something very much needed by disabled people, many older people, people with pushchairs and buggies etc.

Following the election of the new Government we have not received any updates on the future of this funding or the project, so as Sileby's MP I have recently written to East Midlands Railways to ask them for an update on the funding, and the project that I, like many others, am keen to see progress. Again, I will share any update I receive with the Parish Council.

GP Practices and Development

And finally, for this update, I am due in the coming weeks to meet with our local NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB), the NHS body that co-ordinates NHS services in our local area, and which commissions and funds them, to, among other issues, raise with them the need for a clear plan from the NHS to support our GP Practices in Sileby to ensure they can continue to meet the needs of the village, in the face of significant development in recent years, and increased pressure on GP services. The two practices work hard to meet local peoples' needs, but the increasing population of the village increases pressure for appointments, so I will be pressing the ICB for that clear plan to help local services meet that need.

As always, if there are any additional/ further local issues that Parish Councillors wish to raise with me, please do feel free to do so via the Clerk to the Parish Council, or directly.