"As we find ourselves well and truly into the New Year, I look forward to all that 2018 has to offer. I am very optimistic about the coming year as I carry on working hard and doing the job that I love – being your Member of Parliament.
Indeed, 2017 was a busy year but with so much achieved, locally and nationally. We have seen a deal struck by the District Council and Government to complete the rollout of high-speed broadband and not one, but two ground-breaking new plans for affordable housing in our district. £215m was secured for Oxfordshire in the Autumn Budget, whilst I and local Councils are pursuing a number of different options for improvements to local transport infrastructure, such as the County Council’s Housing Infrastructure Fund bid. Furthermore, we have secured more support for Oxfordshire’s healthcare (such as over £3million more to help with winter pressures) and in my particular interest area of mental health.
Of course, as ever, there’s more to do. I continue to participate fully in the discussions over primary care for Witney and the surrounding area. Work continues on a final fix for the A40. I want to see improvements in broadband matched by improvements in mobile signals; to make it easier for local businesses to grow and thrive. I will continue to support our NHS and education systems as they continue their outstanding work.
Rest assured, these are only a few of my priorities for the year ahead. If there are any issues you wish to raise with me, please do email me at robert@robertcourts.co.uk – I would greatly appreciate hearing your views. Or, if you see me popping in to the Great Rollright Market, do feel free to stop me for a chat."