Development trusts from across the country gathered at a reception in the House of Commons on Tuesday 27 November to award a group of exceptional MPs for the vital role that they have played in helping local people to transform their communities for good.
The awards ceremony was the first of its kind organised by the Development Trusts Association (DTA) and saw development trusts from all over the country, including areas such as the islands of Orkney and Shetland and Cornwall in South West England, award their local MP for their commitment to the communities they serve.
The event was hosted by Paul Clark, MP for Gillingham and Rainham in Kent. Mr Clark was also among the 16 MPs who were presented with an award from the DTA for the positive support they have provided to community groups in their local areas. Mr Clark was recommended by the Sunlight Trust in Gillingham who described the MP as “first and foremost a committed and hardworking constituency MP”.
Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector also attended and congratulated all the MPs for their outstanding work.
The MPs that received an award were:
Linda Riordan, MP for Halifax, recommended by Halifax Opportunities Trust
Colin Breed, MP for South East Cornwall, recommended by Calstock Development Trust
Kate Hoey, MP for Vauxhall, recommended by Coin Street Community Builders
Simon Hughes, MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, recommended by Coin Street Community Builders
Michael Jabez Foster, MP for Hastings and Rye, recommended by Hastings Trust
David Taylor, MP for North West Leicestershire, recommended by Ibstock Community Enterprises Ltd
Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, recommended by Shoreditch Trust
Hywel Williams, MP for Caernarfon, recommended by Galeri Caernarfon Cyf
Dr. Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland, recommended by Community Ventures [Middlesbrough] Ltd
Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney & Shetland, recommended by Stronsay Development Trust
Hywel Francis, MP for Aberavon, recommended by New Sandsfield Aberavon
Karen Buck, MP for Regent's Park & Kensington North, recommended by Dalgarno Neighbourhood Trust
Alan Williams, MP for Swansea West, recommended by Phoenix Community Development Trust
Tony Wright, MP for Great Yarmouth, recommended by Great Yarmouth Community Trust
Martin Caton, MP for Gower, recommended by Cwmni Clydach Development Trust, Gorseinon Development Trust and Mumbles Development Trust
Paul Clark, MP for Gillingham and Rainham, recommended by Sunlight Development Trust
