Mark Garnier, Wyre Forest's Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, invited Malcolm Harbour MEP to visit Wyre Forest on Friday 1st February. Malcolm Harbour was recently voted the most business friendly politician in Europe, and it was with that in mind that Mark Garnier organised a tour.
First, Malcolm and Mark visited the Network Worcestershire in the Firs Industrial Estate on the Stourport Road in Oldington and Foley Park. Malcolm was treated to a tour of the facilities where waste electrical goods are both recycled and, importantly, re-used wherever possible. The facility was set up under a DEFRA grant, but has suffered, as has so many other causes, from a lack of subsequent grants, as well as poor legislation. Malcolm was able to offer advice, as well as set up new contacts with relevant organisations and bodies that may be able to help what has become an important local facility.
The tour continued to Kidderminster College where Mark Garnier is a governor. After meeting with Principal Andrew Miller and Governor Chairman Harry Grove, Malcolm spoke with a class of 14 year old business studies students, who asked a series of searching and difficult questions.
Finally, a visit to the new economic regeneration unit at Wyre Forest District Council was hosted by Conservative Council leader John Campion. Malcolm Harbour and Mark Garnier met with officers Mike Parker, head of Planning, Health and Environment and Ken Harrison, Economic Development Manager, where plans for Wyre Forest were discussed.
Mark Garnier added:
"It is important for Wyre Forest to interact with our MEPs - especially given our unique political position here. 70% of the laws that govern us here in Wyre Forest come from Brussels so it is doubly important that Wyre Forest's views and concerns are fed up to the place that has so much effect on us. It was a pleasure to be able to bring Malcolm to Wyre Forest and to give him the opportunity to help an organisation [The Network Worcestershire] that I spend a lot of time with, as well as to show him Kidderminster College where I am very proud to be a governor.