MP column: Jon Pearce on 'working hard for local people'

Five months on from the election feels like a good time to reflect on the progress we have made both locally. 

Without doubt the most rewarding and satisfying part of being an MP is when I can help constituents with their problems. I am incredibly lucky to have a brilliant team of local people based in High Peak dedicated to helping resolve the – often complex – issues that many constituents face from time to time.

Since the election we have dealt with almost 4,500 new cases, far more than any other newly elected MP I am aware of. And we have had some real successes: for instance, we managed to secure £4,000 in backdated benefits for one constituent after the Department for Work and Pensions had made an error with their Universal Credit claim. We helped another constituent claim £4300 in Employment Support arrears that they were owed. And it was particularly satisfying to get school transport reinstated for a disabled child – whose family were having to hundreds of pounds a month to get them to school. 

We have also supported and continue to support local people in campaigns across the constituency. We have helped the local community group in their fight to get Gamesley Community Centre back open after Derbyshire County Council closed and boarded it up, and we are hopeful it will be back in community hands once again in the near future. 

It is fantastic that High Peak Borough Council is wanting to invest in leisure services in the area but having listened to local concerns about the proposals to redevelop New Mills Leisure Centre, I pressed High Peak Borough Council to come forward with a range of options for consultation. I am pleased to see they are doing just that. I am particularly pleased to see that the concerns about local schools being able to fully utilise the sports hall have been taken on board. 

I have also stood up for local commuters and rail users by taking their concerns directly to Northern Rail. I demanded a meeting where I raised all the issues with cancellations, delays and overcrowding people from Buxton, New Mills, Glossop and across the Hope Valley had raised with me. Northern have promised improvements, and I will not get off their case until they deliver the services we deserve. 

If you have a problem and you think my team and I might be able to help, please do not hesitate to get in touch on (01298) 918189 or email Jon.Pearce.MP@Parliament.UK