As well as sharing local successes with her Rutland and Melton constituents, Conservative MP Alicia Kearns has this week announced that she has been appointed the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

The Rutland and Melton Conservative MP, Alicia Kearns, said: "In Westminster last week, I was truly humbled to have been elected by fellow MPs as the new Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. As you may know, during my time as a MP I have been a member of the committee and it's an honour to be able to use my background in foreign policy, counter terrorism and countering hostile states to contribute towards keeping our country safe.

"I look forward to getting started in this new role, but rest assured I will continue to work just as hard for all of our communities across Rutland, Melton, the Vale and Harborough Villages to deliver on the pressing local priorities we deserve!"

Alicia Kearns has also shared a list of her recent successes. These include:

New CCTV System for Melton:

"I am very pleased to share with you all that a new CCTV system is set to be installed in Melton, replacing the existing ageing system which dates back to the 1990s! This new network will provide much greater support to our police in tackling crime and keeping our local businesses safe. The new system will also equip our town's excellent Pubwatch scheme with an updated system to help coordinate responses to incidents in and around our licensed premises."

Rutland Cable Theft Issues Resolved:

"I am pleased that works have now been completed to reconnect residents who lost their landline connectivity following a significant cable theft in Rutland (9km of cabling was stolen!). I worked hard to double the number of staff working to resolve services and after speaking with BT at the end of last week I can confirm that the final stretch of cable repairs in Seaton have now been finished."

Successful Bid for New Electric Car Charging Points:

"Many of you have written asking for more electric vehicle charging points in our communities and I am very happy to share with you that Midlands Connect's local electric vehicle infrastructure (LEVI) bid was successful! For Rutland specifically, this means that there will be 20 new on-street and 10 new off-street charging points to help our communities go electric and encourage green transport which often isn't easy in rural areas."

New Community Funding:

"Over the past fortnight a couple of our local community centres have received welcome boosts in Government funding. It is fantastic news that the redundant pavilion on Manor Field in Thurnby will be reused and extended to provide a community centre and café! A huge well done to St Luke's Church PCC who made a successful grant application and will receive £135,091 in funding from Harborough District Council. This is a significant addition for the team after the cost of living crisis and escalating costs threatened the projects prospects. I look forward to seeing the development of this new bustling community hub at the heart of Thurnby!"

In addition to this, £200,000 has been made available for voluntary and community organisations across Rutland, Melton, the Vale and Harborough villages in an effort to prevent young people from being drawn into crime and anti-social behaviour.  

Launch of Alicia's Annual Christmas Card Competition:

As the winter months begin to approach, Alicia has launched her annual Christmas card competition! This year's competition follows the theme 'Christmas carols' and entries are now open to all local primary schools. The winning card will be printed and sent out as Ms Kearns's official Christmas card this year and prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd!6.      

Out and About in Our Communities:

"Over the past week it has been great to catch up with businesses and members in our local communities.

"I had the privilege of being invited to visit Matt Hampson's Get Busy Living Centre in Burrough-on-the-Hill.

"On Friday I met with the primary care team at Oakham Medical Practice to discuss their efforts to move out of special measures. Delivering the healthcare that our communities in and around Oakham deserve is an absolute priority for me and I will continue to work hard alongside the practice to ensure Rutlanders have the best possible health services locally.

"I also had the pleasure of meeting international sheepdog trainer Nij Vyas at his farm in John O'Gaunt. With over 28 years of experience as a trainer and sheepdog trialist, Nij is well renowned on the international circuit and has enjoyed great success at world trials.

"I finished off the week dropping by the Welcome Café at Twyford and Thorpe. It was great to be able to visit this beautiful and friendly cafe and chat to members of our communities about their most pressing local concerns."

Visit to Commando Training Centre Royal Marines:

"I was honoured to spend 48 hours at the Commando Training Centres Royal Marines (CTCRM). Based at Lympstone in Devon the centre selects and trains all Royal Marines Officers, recruits and reserves. I had a fascinating time, learning all about their training, operations they're deployed on, and how MPs can support them and their loved ones. This was really useful to understand because as MPs we often have to make decisions about the Armed Forces."

Alicia has also been meeting with residents about individual concerns, including fuel poverty, homelessness, abuse, education, health, and visa difficulties.

Ms Kearns added: "Whilst I try to focus on our local priorities in my updates to you all, it has proven once again to be a very difficult and challenging time in politics. I have been very clear with the Government on my views on the mini-budget, and whilst I did not support Liz Truss to be leader, like all of us with mortgages and the pressures of life, I willed her to succeed.

"As I have said publicly, in a time of global crisis, the public does not want to see dogmatism of any sort, and instead needs pragmatism, compassion and fiscal responsibility. It is vital that any leader brings the country with them, as well as their own MPs.

"Since Jeremy Hunt's appointment we have seen the markets stabilise, and now, with the lowest unemployment ever and third highest growth in the world, I want to see us do what we need to do to get our communities through the winter. I will continue to do everything in my power to hold the Government to account and to scrutinise their actions and fight for what we need for our communities."

Find out more about Alicia Kearns on her website.

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