January: Crisp mornings and community work

January is often described as the longest month of the year. The Christmas decorations come down, the nights are still dark by late afternoon, and the weather rarely does us any favours. But it is also a month of fresh starts, renewed focus and, in politics, getting straight back to work.

I began the year quietly at home, enjoying a New Year’s Day roast and a film with family, reflecting on the year ahead. Public service is a privilege, but it is sustained by the support of those around us. Taking a moment to reset matters. Then, as ever, it was back to it.

Investing in our towns
One of the most significant announcements this month was confirmation of £20 million secured for Cotmanhay. This funding represents real, tangible investment in an area that has too often been overlooked. It will support regeneration, improve public spaces and help restore pride in place. For me, this is what politics should be about: ensuring that communities like ours in Erewash get their fair share of national investment.

That theme continued throughout January. In Long Eaton, I joined partners to celebrate the official opening of the Old Stables business centre, a flagship project of the Town Deal. The transformation of a 250-year-old Grade II listed building from storage space into modern office accommodation is a brilliant example of how we can blend heritage with economic renewal. When people work in the town centre, they spend in the town centre. That footfall supports cafés, pubs and shops, creating a virtuous circle of local growth.

Equally encouraging was meeting the Long Eaton Business Partnership alongside Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader to discuss a shared vision for the town’s future. Regeneration only works when it is collaborative. Businesses, councils, health partners and residents all have a stake in shaping what comes next. Over the coming months we will be building that framework together.

Standing up for local priorities
January also brought scrutiny and accountability. Derbyshire was ranked among the worst counties in the country for repairing potholes under the new traffic light system introduced by the Department for Transport. Residents rightly expect better. When council tax rises by the maximum amount but basic services fall short, people lose trust. Holding decision-makers to account is as important as celebrating successes.

By contrast, Erewash Borough Council launched its budget consultation with a council tax freeze, expanded free parking, investment in parks and play areas, funding for music lessons and discounted swimming for children. It is focused on two simple aims: easing the pressure on household finances and investing in the future. Affordability remains the issue that comes up most often in conversations on the doorstep, and freezing council tax while enhancing services is no small achievement.

Mid-month, I spent time walking around Ilkeston town centre, stopping people for quick chats about what matters to them. These conversations are invaluable. People spoke about rents, the condition of roads, activities for young people and the need to keep improving the town centre. It is easy in politics to become consumed by Westminster, but our compass must always be local voices.

Supporting working people
Nationally, the Employment Rights Act has now become law, extending vital protections to millions of workers. From April, parents in full-time work will gain stronger rights to parental leave from day one in their job, and families will have greater flexibility in how they share that leave. For too long, workplace rights have lagged behind the reality of modern family life. Supporting working parents is not only fair; it strengthens our economy by giving people the security they need to thrive.

I also visited the JobCentre in Long Eaton to learn more about the support available locally. Whatever reputation JobCentres may have, the staff I met were committed and creative in helping people find secure, well-paid work. Their partnership work with youth hubs in Ilkeston Library and Cotmanhay, and targeted support for carers seeking employment, is exactly the kind of tailored approach we need.

Housing reform featured strongly this month too. The publication of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill marks a decisive step towards ending the outdated leasehold system. For residents in parts of Ilkeston, Sandiacre and Long Eaton, this could mean real savings and far greater control over their own homes. Abolishing forfeiture and capping ground rents are not abstract legal tweaks; they are changes that will protect people from losing their homes unfairly and keep more money in their pockets.

Backing our public services
Our public services have been under immense strain in recent years, so it was welcome news that NHS waiting lists fell again at the end of last year, alongside improvements in ambulance response times and staff retention. There is still a long road ahead to restore the NHS fully, but progress matters. It reflects the dedication of NHS staff and sustained investment to tackle the backlog.

Policing reform was another major national development this month. New standards will ensure faster answers to emergency calls and clearer response time expectations, alongside more visible neighbourhood policing. Everyday crimes such as shoplifting and antisocial behaviour erode confidence when left unchecked. Restoring trust means ensuring that people see consistent, reliable action.

Closer to home, I was pleased to see the Canal & River Trust act swiftly to remove abandoned boats that had been left to sink in the canal at Sandiacre. It may sound small compared to national legislation, but these practical interventions make a difference to how safe and pleasant our shared spaces feel.

Community and wellbeing
Politics is not only about policy; it is about people. One of the most meaningful experiences this month was spending a cold January morning alongside James, Ilkeston’s Big Issue vendor. Standing with him as he worked in freezing temperatures, selling just a handful of magazines, brought home how hard it is to build an income in those circumstances. The Big Issue model offers dignity and opportunity, but it relies on community support. If you see James on Bath Street, do stop and say hello. It was also lovely to hear that James sent his story to The Big Issue directly, who printed it!

Mental health was also front of mind around what is often dubbed “Blue Monday”. I joined Sole Mates, a local walking group, for a ten-kilometre ramble through muddy fields. The walk symbolised the life expectancy gap between men in the most and least deprived areas. Conversation, connection and fresh air may not solve every problem, but they are powerful antidotes to isolation.

Community groups continue to inspire. I spent time with Parklands Stroke Support Club in Petersham Hall, discussing local priorities and hearing first-hand how vital peer support can be. At West Park Leisure Centre’s open day, dozens of organisations came together under one roof, showcasing the strength and diversity of Long Eaton’s civic life.

I also visited Bennerley Fields School in Cotmanhay, a remarkable setting supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities. Meeting pupils and staff, and taking part in a lively question and answer session, was a reminder of why investment in education and inclusive provision is so essential.

Celebrating heritage and environment
Erewash is blessed with character. From serious matters to the delightfully quirky, protecting our local identity matters. When the much-loved “NatWest hole” in Ilkeston was unexpectedly blocked off, residents were quick to voice concern. I raised the issue and sought clarification on how we safeguard such small but cherished features of our town’s heritage.

Looking further ahead environmentally, proposals to reintroduce beavers into the Erewash Valley generated considerable interest. Beavers are not just charming; they are ecosystem engineers, improving biodiversity and helping with natural flood management. Careful study is required before any reintroduction, but it reflects a wider commitment to environmental restoration and long-term thinking.

On the doorstep
The month ended as many do: knocking on doors in Ilkeston, speaking directly with residents about their priorities. Conversations ranged from regeneration in Cotmanhay to rogue landlords, park renovations and council tax. Afterward, I called in at local businesses for lunch and a hot chocolate, before meeting the Friends of Ilkeston Town Centre to hear about their ongoing work.

These are the moments that keep politics grounded. Policy announcements and parliamentary debates matter, but so too do everyday conversations in Larklands or over a cup of tea in the town centre.

Wins this month
My team have been working as hard as ever to support local people – here’s an array of this month’s wins:

• Secured social housing for a disabled, homeless resident in Ilkeston.

• Ensured racist graffiti in Kirk Hallam was removed swiftly. This behaviour is appalling and will not be tolerated in Erewash.

• Supported a family in Kirk Hallam after they were served with a Section 21 eviction notice.

• Helped speed up a resident’s driving licence application following a long delay with the DVLA medical department.

• Secured essential electrical works for a school in Breaston.

• Assisted a family in obtaining a council house after their private landlord decided to sell the property.

• Resolved an administrative error so a resident could receive a long-overdue hearing assessment and hearing aid.

• Supported a constituent in raising concerns about antisocial work practices.

• Secured boiler repairs for an Ilkeston school after faults led to temporary closures. Maintenance is now under way.

• Arranged for a large pothole in Stanton to be repaired after it damaged a resident’s car.

• Helped a local school retain the lease on a building, preventing the potential closure of one of its courses.

• Secured an investigation into safety improvements at the Sandiacre crossroads following evidence it is a collision hotspot.

Looking ahead
As we move into February, the pace will not slow. The Cotmanhay investment must translate into visible change. Leasehold reform must progress through Parliament. NHS improvements and policing standards must continue to deliver results on the ground.

Locally, we will keep shaping Long Eaton’s regeneration plans, supporting community groups and ensuring that affordability remains front and centre in council decisions.

January may be long and often grey, but it has been full of purpose. From canals to council budgets, from national reform to muddy walks across Derbyshire fields, the common thread is simple: practical action rooted in local voices.

If the rest of 2026 follows the same pattern, it will be a year of steady progress for Erewash and for the country.