Recently Cooper Tires announced they are launching a consultation on the long term future of 300 jobs at their site in Melksham.
My heart goes out to all of the staff at Cooper Tires whose jobs are currently at possible risk. Since the announcement, my focus has been to support the affected staff and I have been working with Government Ministers and the council to facilitate this.
I have visited the site and met privately with staff of varying levels across the company including union representatives. I heard their concerns and discussed how I can support them in the coming months, feeding these concerns back to the senior management team to seek answers as to how Cooper Tires Europe are going to mitigate the negative effects of the decision on employees whose jobs are at risk.
A taskforce has been launched and numerous local companies have already been in touch stating that they are doing a recruitment drive and are keen to interview some of the staff. Cooper Tires is iconic to Melksham and it is important that they are keeping their HQ in our town and I shall be supporting them in the long term so they can grow the divisions they are keeping in Melksham.
In the run up to UK Parliament Week next month I held a democracy workshop with the 1st Holt Guides group. The Guides quizzed me for an hour and a half with a range of interesting and insightful questions ranging from ones of local significance, through to national policy issues.
I passionately believe that it is important that everyone has access to their MP – whether they can vote or not and that it is crucial I help our young adults to engage with the political process and learn how decisions that affect them are made. These workshops are not party political in any way and give our young people the opportunity to express their ideas and thoughts. If you run a youth community group and would like me to book one in, then please email Michelle.donelan.mp@parliament.uk
Support Melksham News
Help us keep your community connected and informed.
Local news is under pressure more than ever. Choose a monthly subscription or a one-off donation to support independent reporting in Melksham.
Send us your news!
Help us keep your community connected and informed.
Do you have an interesting story you would like to share? Have you seen something you feel needs more attention? Get in touch with a reporter today!
✉️ Click here to get in touch with a reporter
