Greece wildfires, heatwave, King’s Lynn Gaywood Florence Fields, Hunstanton recycling bins

Friday Politics July 28 by Cllr Jo Rust, Independent Partnership, Springwood Ward

As a place that has a significant coastal area we know full well how reliant our economy is on tourism. We have to work so hard to strike the right balance between the needs of our economy and the needs of our residents.

Seeing and hearing how terrible the situation is in Rhodes and wider areas in Greece, with the devastating wildfires, the loss of habitat, housing and the tragic loss of one life I can only offer heartfelt sympathy for those holiday makers who have been caught up in such a terrifying situation.

After Covid and the mayhem experienced by those who were abroad when infections started and lockdowns took place, many have taken their time before making that decision to once again holiday abroad. Having saved for this welcome breakaway, to go and then be caught up in this disaster must be overwhelming.

As a species we have to take responsibility for the way in which our lives have contributed to this situation, by burning fossil fuels and destroying nature people have heated the planet by 2°C above pre-industrial levels. The conditions that wildfires thrive in are far more prevalent now than previously. We can all play a part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and recycling is one small way.

It was good to see that our own holiday resort of Hunstanton has introduced recycling bins to try and cut down the amount of drink cans and plastic bottles that often find their way into our seas and to ensure that they are recycled which will help reduce our impact on the environment. Well done to Portfolio holder Sandra Squires and the borough council for taking this action. I hope we see more of it.

A holiday away from home is one of the things that make up the minimum socially acceptable living standards that the Joseph Rowntree Foundation say that each and every one of us should be able to access in order to meet material needs and participate in society. But there is a growing gap between what people have and what they actually need for a decent standard of living.

Although the local MP claims that his government is taking the right action to bring down inflation and that families in need are being supported, that’s not the situation that I’m being told by residents in my ward with entrenched problems within the social security system meaning that those on out of work benefits have only 52% of what they need for a minimum standard of living.

A couple with two children need to earn £43,400 between them in order to reach this minimum standard but with mortgage payments going up and no reciprocal rise for those who actually have savings, the money that people have to spend on things like a holiday, is dramatically reduced.

Those who rent are facing rocketing rises or worse, losing their home as the landlord decides to sell, or put the rent up to such an extent they can no longer afford it.

It’s no wonder that homelessness figures are on the up, with government data showing there were nearly 2,500 people estimated to be sleeping rough on one single night in March. This is a huge increase since 2010 and evidence that this government’s policies are just not working.

Even if this government’s claim that it will build one million new homes by the next election comes to fruition, it’s likely that they’ll be unaffordable for most people. This is why it’s great news that our local council has found a way forward to continue to support the night shelter which is there for those who are rough sleeping.

I’ve been proud to volunteer at the night shelter since it started some years ago and now I’m proud to be a part of the new administration which has found a way to carry on with the financial support needed to ensure the shelter is there for the future.

It’s also good to learn that the proposed Parkway development, named Florence Fields, will have a larger number of homes available for private rent than originally proposed. Steps like this will have a positive impact locally, we just need to see an improving national picture now.