An important part of Tessa’s day at Strode was giving a talk to ‘Aspire’ students. The Aspire Programme has been developed by Strode College to encourage and equip their most able and talented A Level students. This helps them with applications to the best universities as a first step in pursuing lives and careers that are challenging, rewarding and have a positive social and economic impact. One of Strode’s aims is to raise ambition and motivation by exposing the students to positive, inspirational role models – such as Tessa. Students had the opportunity to hear about Tessa’s experiences, the different jobs she had done and her route to becoming our MP. Tessa said “I am hugely impressed with this group of young people and I commend the college on its Aspire Programme. I hope I was able to give them an insight into my experiences and good advice from what I have learned along the way – they are brilliant young people and I said to them they must go for it!”

Tessa also helped another group of students on their Level 3 Public Services Course. In an exciting practical exercise, she played the role of a VIP on a walk about of the college followed by a presentation in the theatre where it was the job of the students to protect her by providing professional security in all situations. The students had to respond to a number of challenging situations, for example, when Tessa twice diverted from the planned route to speak to people she knew and on a couple of occasions and when the course tutors had planned unexpected interventions from ‘members of the public’.

Finally Tessa presented certificates to candidates on the apprenticeship scheme run by Waitrose to help in their recruitment of top quality staff to the new Wells store.

Tessa said; “I had a brilliant day at Strode and a huge amount of fun. It really is an inspirational learning centre which I’m proud to have in my patch and I commend all the staff and students there.”

Tessa Munt

13^th May 2013

Tessa spoke about the importance of pushing traineeships and apprenticeships and the need to start thinking outside the box for young people. One of the most interesting ideas she put forward was making use of local Council brown field land for building projects specifically to train young people ‘on the job’ in the construction industry. Tessa said “I’ve seen firsthand the potential of going down a route like this from the Red Brick Building project in Glastonbury where are looking at giving lots of local young people the opportunity to be on an exciting building project where they can learn so much. There is every reason for us to be looking at doing the same thing in other places.”

Along with a lively audience present, Tessa was joined on the panel by Baroness Stedman Scott (Chief Executive, Tomorrow’s People); Gordon Marsden (MP and Shadow Minister for Further Education, Skills and Regional Growth); Kay Carberry (Assistant General Secretary Trade Unions Congress) and Graham Hoyle OBE (Chief Executive, Association of Employment and Learning Providers). The session was chaired by Jonathan Portes (Director, National Institute of Economic and Social Research).

Talking more generally about the event afterwards Tessa said “I felt this was an essential session I absolutely had to be at because doing everything we can to assist young people getting into jobs and training is absolutely key at the moment. I will be feeding the outcomes of today to the Business Secretary Vince Cable and taking them back to Lib Dem Party to be fed into the development process for our 2015 Election Manifesto.”

 Tessa Munt

14^th May 2013

Tessa joined hundreds of people enjoying the summer sunshine in the annual celebrations arranged again by the Wells Lions club. Alongside the traditional Maypole dancing were vintage cars, stalls, games, music and of course drums!

Tessa said; “This is always a wonderful annual event in the Wells Calendar. We have fantastic weather, and it’s been great fun meeting all sorts of people and visiting dozens of stalls and activities.”

Tessa Munt

7^th May 2013

The ‘being there’ project is a virtual tour of Glastonbury where you can zoom into various shops, hotels and cafes, allowing people to look around the venue and find out information. 

Tessa said; “This is an exciting project, unique in Somerset and once completed will be a huge asset for the town. I congratulate the Chamber of Commerce for making it happen.”

Tessa Munt

7^th May 2013

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Virtual Tour Site: http://www.glastonburystour.com/glastonburystourcom/highst/

Jeremy Hunt MP visited the planned site for a much-wanted new ‘Health Campus’ in Shepton Mallet, meeting some key members of the ‘Friends of Shepton Hospital’ campaign, which challenged last year’s suggested closure of some of Shepton Hospital’s beds.

Tessa said: “I’m so glad that Jeremy visited Shepton Mallet to learn about our campaign to retain our excellent Community Hospital, which provides such an invaluable local service.  I’m delighted he took the chance to hear about our GPs’ plans for future health care in the town and hope we can rely on his support.”

“I look forward to continuing to campaign, both locally and in Parliament, to save our Hospital beds and for the planned ‘Health Campus’ in Shepton Mallet.”
Tessa Munt

30^th April 2013

Visitors to The George Inn with an electric vehicle can now recharge for free while staying overnight at the Grade II listed building or top-up while enjoying a meal in their locally-sourced restaurant.

Gordon Stevens from The George Inn, said: ‘We are very pleased to be supporting electric car drivers by installing Zero Carbon World’s Charging Stations. It is a great feeling to know that we are now a part of a national network of locations offering reliable charging to drivers.’

‘We are looking forward to welcoming our first electric car and its driver.’

Tessa said “I was so excited to launch this – the Wedmore Green Group and The George Inn have been working really hard to get the charging point here. What’s brilliant is that there is no charge for this service and while you are waiting you can be sampling the delights of the wonderful pub and I really hope this will encourage more people into the village.’’

Tessa is with Cara Nadan (ZCW), Sharon Fay (FJ Chalke), Jono Taylor (WGG), and Indie Heaslip (The George Inn)

‘There are no restrictions to use ZeroNet, our National Electric Car charging network’ said Cara Nadan of Zero Carbon World. ‘You don’t have to be a member, subscribe, pay in advance or use a smart card to access electricity. Wherever EV drivers are, they can recharge while eating, sleeping, working or simply relaxing. We are extremely proud to be creating the UK’s only Open Charging Station Network.’

Tessa Munt

29^th April 2013

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Notes:

For more information on Zero Carbon World please visit:

www.zerocarbonworld.org

Zero Carbon World donates Charging Stations to the hotel and leisure industry to support the development of a national charging infrastructure and to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. Wedmore Green Group and The George Inn paid for the kit installation but for anyone charging their car there is no charge!

The Charging Station donation to The George Inn comprises two simple, robust and reliable Charging Stations – one 13A and one 32A. Zero Carbon World is donating Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations to businesses around the UK. The George joined ‘ZeroNet’ – the only unrestricted National Electric Car charging network in the country.

For more information on The George Inn please visit:

www.thegeorgewedmore.co.uk

For more information on Wedmore Green Group please visit:

www.wedmoregreengroup.co.uk

The completion of the plan is the result of over two years hard work involving the whole village; 42 committee meetings, open days, fund-raising, newsletters and consultation events. The plan is here to best reflect the views of everyone in the village. It identifies features and local characteristics that people value, identifies local needs and opportunities and includes an action plan for the future.

Tessa said; “Not only is the plan itself an invaluable document, the work behind producing the plan has been a fantastic example of a community pulling together to achieve something important. Even before the plan was finished a litter picking group and a river watch group were established once the need was identified which was just terrific. I commend the committee and the whole village for making this happen.”

Tessa Munt

29^th April 2013

A ban on excessive surcharges for debit and credit card payments came into effect on 6 April 2013 as a result of a two-year campaign from consumer champion ‘Which?’ The campaign was supported by over 50,000 members of the public as well as Tessa.

The new law means that any surcharges paid must reflect the cost of processing the payment. Which? estimates that this should be no more than 50p for payment by debit card, or 2% of the transaction fee if paying by credit card.

Tessa said: “It’s good news that people in Somerset will no longer have to pay over the odds when paying by card. Unfortunately, while most companies are playing by the rules, there are still some that aren’t. I encourage anyone who is charged too much for using their card to report it to Which?”

Richard Lloyd, executive director, Which? said: “We’re pleased the ban on rip-off surcharges was introduced but for it to be effective there must be a tough enforcement regime.  Companies must also play fair and not pass costs on to customers in other ways.  We will be monitoring the ban closely and want people to come forward and tell us about surcharges they think are excessive.”

Tessa Munt MP is calling on people to visit www.which.co.uk/surcharges to report surcharges they think are too high. Which? will pass the complaints it receives on to Trading Standards which is responsible for policing the ban.

Tessa Munt

29^th April 2013

www.tessamunt.org.uk

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1     Booking fees, administration charges and other fees that don’t directly relate to processing payments are not considered ‘surcharges’ and have not been banned.

2     For more information about the campaign, visit the Which? campaigns website: http://www.which.co.uk/campaigns/personal-finance/card-surcharges/

3     Consumers can report companies that are charging excessive surcharges to Which? online (www.which.co.uk/surcharges). It only takes a minute, and consumers’ details will not be revealed to any of the companies they report.

Somerset Levels RDA group are a charity providing carriage driving therapy for more than 30 disabled people. The group’s attendees were Caroline Sturgess (Chair), Ann Turner (a wheelchair-bound user of the group’s services and a trustee), George Turner (Ann’s husband and a group volunteer), and Paul Dickens (a client of the group’s services).

Caroline Sturgess, Chair of the Somerset Levels RDA Carriage-Driving group said “This was a fascinating day.  It was hugely interesting to see at firsthand what we usually only hear reported in the media.

“It was also great to see how Parliament is truly wheelchair-friendly – and to see how Party Whips work very differently to carriage-driving whips”, she added.

Tessa said, “It was great to welcome the team to London and for them to see Parliament in action. I am always more than happy to give other local people or groups the opportunity to visit.”

Tessa Munt

30^th April 2013

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For more information on the RDA please call Caroline Sturgess on 01278-760621 or 07939-418414 

 Photo-Caption:

Left to right:  Paul Dickens, Tessa Munt MP, Caroline Sturgess, Ann Turner, and George Turner.

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