Bracknell is at the geographical heart of Berkshire. Bracknell Forest Council and Bracknell Regeneration Partnership are jointly working on ensuring the town centre regeneration occurs as quickly as possible. The new 36,000 sq ft Waitrose store build by the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (jointly owned by Schroders and Legal & General) opened in November 2011 and is the perfect first evidence of this. Waitrose is already acting as a catalyst attracting much interest from retailers in coming to be part of the new regeneration which is planned for the town centre.

The next phase of the regeneration will include new office, residential units and car parking and the £2m transformation of the existing entrance to Princess Square Shopping Centre. Dr Lee also pointed out the importance of attracting cultural activities such as a theatre, cinema or museum. For a sustainable town regeneration plan, Dr Lee pointed out the need to consider public transport, including links with Crossrail.

Dr Lee commented: “The debate gave me an opportunity to speak about ongoing town developments in Bracknell, which I celebrate and support. [...]In the next couple of months there will be a presentation by the Bracknell regeneration partnership announcing the next stages of the town development. Originally it was going to be a £1 billion development to happen in one go, but economic reality means that it has been broken down into a series of developments. I have every confidence that it will be completed by the end of this decade.”

He added: “The town’s sustainability and its contribution to the long-term health and happiness of all my constituents are of paramount importance to me.”

See full debate from Hansard here
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120117/debtext/120117-0002.htm#12011754000178

Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, visited Fujitsu in Bracknell last Friday 13^th of January 2012 to meet with Simon Blagden, Chairman of Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe, Cathy Walker, Head of Public Sector Marketing and David Sillitoe, Director of Group Property for Fujitsu UK & Ireland.

Fujitsu is a leading IT systems, services and products company employing 11,400 people with an annual revenue of £1.7 billion. Bracknell excels across a number of business sectors, with a particularly strong base of expertise in technologies and science. It is often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley of Europe’.

Bracknell has evolved into one of Britain’s leading ‘knowledge economies’ –characterised by concentrations of high skill and technology industries such as advanced engineering, ICT and pharmaceuticals, financial and business services. In an independent survey commissioned by the BCC and Experian in 2010 Bracknell was ranked No 1 location for foreign owned businesses. Bracknell has the highest share of high-tech employment of any location in the UK.

Dr Lee commented: “It was a pleasure to meet with Simon Blagden, Chairman of Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe, Cathy Walker, Head of Public Sector Marketing and David Sillitoe, Director of Group Property for Fujitsu UK & Ireland.  Fujitsu does many things to support this country, many of which are undertaken within Bracknell constituency. I am proud to have such a successful company in my patch that is contributing to the thriving economy here in Bracknell.”

Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, visited the new Waitrose in Bracknell last Friday 9th of December to meet with Graham Oakley, Branch Manager. The John Lewis Partnership is one of the largest employers in Bracknell Constituency. The new store will create 172 new jobs for the area. The opening of the new supermarket is a significant step forward to Bracknell Town regeneration plans and with our festive season coming up the store and its employees have the busiest time of the year.

Dr Lee commented: “I am very pleased to have Waitrose as the largest employer in my constituency. The new store in Bracknell will create 172 new jobs which is a positive sign of town development. Graham Oakley and his staff are doing a fantastic job of providing a great store for everyone to use.”

Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, was warmly welcomed by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) last week from the 23^rd to 25^th of November 2011. Dr Lee attended a 3-day trip as part of the British young parliamentarian’s delegation to join German MP’s on discussions about German-British relations.   

KAS is a political party foundation associated with the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The foundation’s civic education program is aiming at the “promotion of freedom and liberty, peace, and justice” through “furthering European unification, improving transatlantic relations and deepening development cooperation.” As a think-tank and consulting agency, the foundation intends to provide citizens with a basis for political action through the research and analyses of current political trends.

Dr Lee commented: “I very much enjoyed my visit to the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. It was a fantastic visit and I returned from Berlin with very interesting new impressions and thoughts.”

Dr Lee added: “I was discussing similarities and differences between German and British politics with Bundestag members when we had a tour of the Bundestag and the Soviet Graffiti wall captured my attention. The question arose whether a close memory of the past shapes the Germans present euro view of the Euro crisis.”

Data released last month showed that here in Bracknell:

• 510 people started an apprenticeship in 2009/10.
• 780 people started an apprenticeship in 2010/11.
• This means the number of people starting an apprenticeship increased by 270 last year

Dr Lee commented: “This is great news for the business and young people in Bracknell. The record rise in apprenticeship numbers, particularly in Advanced ‘A’ level equivalent qualifications shows the Government’s commitment to helping employers train the skilled workers they need to build a stronger economy and sustainable growth.”

He added: “I also welcome the cash bonuses for small firms who take on young apprentices and I urge companies in Bracknell to take up this opportunity.”

The Growing Places Fund, available to Local Enterprise Partnerships across England, such as Thames Valley Berkshire’s LEP, will give local businesses and organisations the opportunity to make their own decisions and apply for the funding they need based on local priorities.

Dr Lee commented:  “This fund will make a real difference on the ground, improving the lives of local residents in Bracknell and boosting the local economy. From building strategic link roads to reducing congestion, the investment will set businesses free and create jobs”.

Business Secretary Vince Cable launched the campaign this week, “Despite popular belief, Britain still does make things and has outstanding manufacturing companies, large and small. Our world-beating companies have an excellent reputation for innovation. I want our young people and those who hold outdated views of British manufacturing to see that reality. That’s why we’re launching the Make it in Great Britain campaign.”

Over the past three weeks the Government has announced £140million of investment in manufacturing to end 13 years of decline in manufacturing under Labour.

Dr Lee commented: “Manufacturing can boost the economy if we help manufacturers to grow and export. I am encouraging everyone involved in manufacturing in Bracknell whether they are business owners, designers, engineers, plant operators or even apprentices to support the campaign by putting themselves forward as manufacturing champions. With their help, we can modernise people’s views of manufacturing.”

Last week’s announcement will be warmly welcomed by the road safety organisations, sporting bodies, tourism industries and community groups that make up the 80 strong coalition backing the Lighter Later campaign. Evidence suggests that moving an hour of light from the early morning to the evening could make our roads safer, cut the UK’s carbon while boosting its economy and provide more time for leisure activities and sport. 

“There’s a lot further to go before we change our clocks but this announcement is a big step forward. The bill would mandate the UK Government to conduct a proper review of the evidence for and against changing the clocks.  By rationally weighing up the evidence for reform, Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland have the opportunity to become safer, healthier and more prosperous countries” said Daniel Vockins, Lighter Later campaign manager.

Dr Lee commented: “Today the government made an important step towards making our days longer. I believe that if there is strong evidence to support the benefits it could bring, I will support this.”

Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell visited Meadows Tesco in Bracknell with store manager, Terry Cushings, last Friday the 14^th of October 2011. Meadows Tesco is the busiest Tesco store in the country.

Dr Lee commented: “Tesco is one of the largest employers in our county and I was impressed to visit the country’s busiest store located in Sandhurst.”

Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, attended the opening of a new Maximus Office in Bracknell last Friday, the 9^th of September 2011. Dr Lee is pleased by the work that Maximus is providing in Bracknell by helping local, long-term unemployed back into work.

Maximus partners with the UK governments to provide efficient, high quality essential services to citizens. Through long-term sustainable employment, Maximus puts people on a path to self-sufficiency and improve their lives. With over 20 years of success in the UK, they have managed a broad range of welfare-to-work and related employment and training programmes to deliver positive outcomes for job seekers, employers and governments alike.

Dr Lee commented: “I am pleased that Maximus opened a new office in my constituency. Maximus efforts make a difference to people’s lives by helping unemployed people to overcome personal and professional barriers and connecting them with meaningful employment. I am pleased to see their commitment to the local community”