Stephen Lloyd MP has this week written to the Leader of the Council, Cllr. Peter Jones and the Chief Executive, Becky Shaw, seeking assurances that Eastbourne will be properly protected if the town suffers sudden, heavy snowfalls this year.

Stephen said: 'it is vital that our town is fighting fit throughout 2012. We know the economy nationally is going to be difficult over the next 12 months and I do not want Eastbourne to be unprepared, if, like last year when we had a couple of sudden snowfalls the town almost ground to a halt because the County Council Highways Department were unprepared.

Since living in Eastbourne I have come to appreciate that one of our greatest strengths is our deep sense of community. As I go about the constituency, visiting and working with individuals and organisations I see this again and again. There are people involved at every level - in churches and voluntary groups; within cadet forces and residents associations; businesses, the hospital and in our schools - all caring passionately about the town.

On Tuesday this week Stephen Lloyd MP attended the debate on fuel prices in Parliament and spoke out against the rising cost of petrol and diesel in the UK, which is severely affecting families and pensioners as well as having a negative impact on small and medium sized businesses.

The Motion, which was discussed by the House on Tuesday, notes 'the damage that high fuel prices are having on many areas of the economy and requests that the government consider the effect that increased taxes on fuel will have on the economy. It also looks to ensure that any drop in the price of oil is passed on to the consumer and urges the government to consider a price stabilisation mechanism to work alongside the fair fuel stabiliser to address fluctuations in the pump price'.

Recent announcements by the local NHS commissioning board (PCT) to downgrade cardiology services at Eastbourne DGH, have been met with dismay by the MP and local campaigners.

Stephen Lloyd MP said, "When I first heard the PCT were planning to reduce the opening times of the PCI unit (emergency heart department) at the DGH from 24/7 to 8-5pm, I expressed my strong concerns. Since then I have been informed that the changes do not have the support of the 9 cardiology consultants at the hospital trust, nor the staff from either the Eastbourne or Hastings site. The total lack of support from staff for this downgrade, along with the recent opening of a new Cath lab at the DGH, mean this decision seems utterly counter-productive."

Eastbourne schools are celebrating the award of a million pounds as part of the Pupil Premium funding which was secured by the Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government.

Stephen Lloyd MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon said "I am delighted to be able to announce that our Eastbourne and Willingdon schools are receiving this additional funding, which is targeted towards children from disadvantaged circumstances. Schools will be free to decide how best to target these additional resources which will be allocated to schools across Eastbourne and Willingdon."

There was a Reception in Westminster this week, hosted by the South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. The purpose was to inform Parliamentarians of the important role the TA play within their local community, and across the South East.

Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd said: "I was delighted to welcome Eastbourne's commanding officer, Major Kieran Francis to Parliament. Our reserve force and their cadet corps have a long and honourable tradition in Eastbourne. I was also delighted that our own local TA passed through the Government's recent spending review unscathed."

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP visited Eastbourne last week to see for himself some of the excellent work that is going on there to promote apprenticeships. Stephen Lloyd's recent initiative to find 100 apprenticeships in 100 days was well and truly smashed with a sensational 181 apprenticeships offered by local employers.

Today Stephen Lloyd MP met Rear Admiral Sir Jeremy de Halpert, the Executive Chairman of Trinity House, to discuss the opportunity for a joint effort between to repaint the iconic East Sussex structure.

Trinity House is the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales and the Channel Islands responsible for the provision of aids to navigation (for example lighthouses, buoys, radionavigation signals) to protect mariners from the dangers around these shores. It is funded by commercial vessels who pay a levy (called Light Dues) when they call in to aUKport. This money is used to fund the provision of aids to navigation.

Eastbourne's hugely successful 100 Apprentices in 100 Days Challenge drew to a close last week with the occasion being marked by a ceremony at the Town Hall. A number of apprentices, employers and training providers were present to celebrate the fantastic achievement, of smashing the target, with a whooping 181 apprenticeships being pledged in Eastbourne over the 100 days.

In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."