Next Steps for ‘Common sense’ Business Rates shakeup –Tessa Munt MP

Tessa has been contacted in her area numerous times by local people, those running pubs and shops in her area and those who are simply concerned by the increasing number of empty shops on the high street.

Tessa believes the current system for business rates is not only unfair and disproportionately hard on Small and Medium sized Enterprises, (SMEs) but has the potential to stifle the growth upon which this country’s economic recovery relies. Clearly, if we are to encourage growth, then the Government must act to make life easier for our SMEs.

When you consider the points below, it would be ludicrous not to address this issue:

 

  • 99.9% of the total number of enterprises in the UK are SMEs
  • SMEs provide 59.1% of the jobs in the UK’s private sector
  • SMEs generate 48.7% of the turnover of the UK’s private sector

 The Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for a change in the way businesses are taxed. Tessa believes that if business rates for the largest employers were increased by a single percentage point, then we could remove the burden of business rates from our smaller businesses altogether. When Tessa was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in March this year, one of the first issues she raised was the burden of business rates on SMEs. Vince encouraged her to pursue this through Parliament. Read the rest of this entry »

MP Tessa jumps onto a raft again at the Wells Moat Boat Races

Local MP Tessa Munt had such a good time at last year’s event in Wells she was delighted to take up the challenge of competing in a raft again in 2012.

This highly successful and fun event is organised by the City of Wells Lion Clubs and the local 1955 Air Cadets. Now in its 11th year, the money raised goes to the two groups as well as to the Bishop of Bath & Wells’ chosen charity, which this year is the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance.

Tessa joined the Wells Boxing Club raft who stormed to victory in the first race of the day.

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Tessa Munt MP opens new factory extension in East Brent

A major boost to the local economy was made today as William Haley Engineering Ltd officially opened its new £500,000 factory extension in East Brent with guest Tessa Munt MP.

 Tessa said, “This is a large investment in a highly successful local business. People are often surprised that our local economy hosts industrial and manufacturing firms, but it does and I’m proud that we have such diversity and skills locally.”

 William Haley Engineering Ltd is the largest structural steelwork company in the south-west, having built the steel frame for the new Weston Pier and currently building many steel frames for schools across the country.

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Tessa Munt MP visits 160th Mid Somerset Show

The 160th Mid Somerset Show in Shepton Mallet (the biggest free agricultural show in Europe) was a huge success last weekend and Tessa spent the time chatting with locals and enjoying music from the Wurzels.

 Talking about the show Tessa said, “Considering the summer we are having, we were so lucky with the weather in Shepton and the show was a huge success! Everyone was in fine fettle, helped along by some excellent entertainment, including Somerset’s favourite sons, The Wurzels!”

 Tessa Munt

20th August, 2012

Tessa Munt MP helps out again at Wedmore Harvest Home

Wedmore celebrated its 100th Harvest Home this year, and once again, Tessa could be found helping to serve the 700 villagers and guests in the marquee this year.  

 However, in a break with tradition, Tessa served cider, beer and wine – usually a task for the men of the village – whilst sporting one of this year’s special commemorative ’100 years of Harvest Home’ t-shirts.  

 This year’s special guest was John Craven OBE from Newsround, Swap Shop and, most recently, Countryfile.  He judged the procession and was main speaker after lunch.  Lunch was followed by the Children’s Tea and an afternoon of Sports, held in glorious sunshine.  

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Tessa Munt’s ‘Bella’ from Wells competes to be Westminster Dog of the Year

NO CANINE COALITION HERE AS BELLA SEEKS OUTRIGHT LIB DEM WIN

 Bella, the 2 year old Flat Coat Retriever Cross, working in the office of Tessa Munt, Lib Dem MP for Wells, will be hoping for a decisive Liberal Democrat victory when she enters the 20th Westminster Dog of the Year competition on Thursday 25th October, at Victoria Tower Gardens in London’s Westminster.

 The competition, which is organised jointly by Dogs Trust and The Kennel Club, aims to highlight dog welfare issues and the unique relationship between woman/man and dog as the canine companions of MPs from all over the UK strut their stuff in a bid to take the coveted title. 

 Proud friend Tessa Munt MP explains:

 “I am extremely excited to be representing Wells and going head to head with my fellow MPs at this year’s Westminster Dog of the Year. I have every faith that Bella will give the other dogs a run for their money as she is full of energy and has a lovely cuddly nature which I’m hoping will wow the judges and make her a hot contender for the title.”

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Tessa Munt MP abseils for charity

Never one to walk away from a challenge, local MP Tessa took the plunge abseiling and taking the zip wire from the top of Priddy church tower last weekend.

The event, in aid of church repairs, was open to everyone looking to add a little ‘height excitement’ to a sunny Sunday and many came to take up the challenge.

Tessa said: “This is a fun way to raise a little money for a local cause and I wish Priddy church all the best for their fundraising efforts. I abseiled down Cheddar Gorge last year, but the view from the top of Priddy church tower was spectacular on Sunday”

Tessa Munt

13th August, 2012

Tessa Munt MP holds 300th advice surgery!

Tessa was thrilled to hold her 300th surgery at one of her regular monthly locations at Crispin Hall Cafe in Street last weekend.

After being elected in 2010, one of Tessa’s key promises was to be as accessible as possible to local people to be able to listen to their concerns and help them with their problems. Tessa runs 11 regular surgeries every month in Burnham, Highbridge, Cheddar, Axbridge, Glastonbury, Street, Meare, Shepton Mallet, Chilcompton, Wells and Wedmore. In addition to these she runs extra village surgeries throughout the year, most of which take place when Parliament is on recess. 300 surgeries in 27 months greatly exceeds what most MP’s do and Tessa also makes many home visits every week on top of conducting surgeries.

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African Initiatives Charity meets MP Tessa Munt

A passing remark by a constituent to Tessa Munt, Member of Parliament for Wells, at one of her popular and relaxed monthly surgeries in Coffee No 1 was the catalyst for her to have a meeting of minds with another local woman with a keen interest inAfrica,Rosie MartinofSt Thomas Street, Wells.

Rosie is CEO of a vibrant and growing charity called African Initiatives which supports social justice and local communities in East andWest Africa. As one of Tessa’s hobbies is East African history, her knowledge and sympathetic understanding of the difficulties faced by Tanzanian pastoralists in their land right difficulties, education and other justice issues made the meeting fast paced and productive with several ideas and support forthcoming for various initiatives for Government proposals that are presently looking to fund innovation in parts of Africa.

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