AS you plan your Christmas table this year, I hope you will try to ensure that as much of your festive fare is locally-produced and sourced as possible.
In my role as Local Government Minister, I recently launched a £1m Pocket Parks programme designed to help create new green spaces or refurbish existing ones.
The Christmas season is now well and truly upon us and our local High Streets and Market Places are looking good after the big-switch on events and festive markets last weekend.
In my job as Minister for Local Government I talk to lots of people making important decisions about our everyday lives.