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39KENSINGTON AND BAYSWATERJoe Powell MPI am honoured to introduce myself as the new Member of Parliament for Kensington and Bayswater, which includes the vibrant community of Knightsbridge in the south of the Borough. I%u2019ll be hosting regular constituency surgeries and coffee mornings. Please email me at joe.powell.mp@parliament.uk to book an appointment, find out when our next event is, or invite me to your local community gatherings. I was fortunate enough to meet many of you during the General Election campaign, but if we haven%u2019t had the chance to have a conversation yet here are some of my top priorities for Knightsbridge:TACKLING THE HOUSING CRISIS One of my main goals is ensuring safer, affordable and quality housing for our community. Since becoming your MP, I%u2019ve been holding social housing landlords to account and calling for stronger protections for private renters, including abolishing section 21 no-fault evictions. I have been campaigning for better regulation of the ShortTerm Lets market, so that Councils have the power to hold companies accountable for the 90-day maximum letting rule in London, anti-social behaviour and ensure too many properties are not leaving the private rental market. I am also pushing the government to deliver on our manifesto commitment to end the outdated feudal leasehold system, ensuring a fairer, more secure housing market for all.SUPPORTING KNIGHTSBRIDGE BUSINESSES Knightsbridge is home to some of the world%u2019s most iconic businesses, yet they continue to face challenges, from rising operating costs to rampant shoplifting and the lingering effects of the pandemic. I am actively working to ensure that our local businesses receive the support they need to thrive. I%u2019m pleased that in this Labour Government%u2019s first budget, the Chancellor confirmed that, starting in 2026-27, permanently lower tax rates will be introduced for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties. This means Knightsbridge shops, caf%u00e9s, and pubs will see lasting financial relief. Additionally, to prevent a jump in business rates next year, the Chancellor has extended a relief scheme introduced during the COVID pandemic, providing much-needed stability for our local economy. I have also been campaigning for tougher police action on shoplifting, and I%u2019m pleased that the government has ensured the %u201c%u00a3200 rule%u201d will be scrapped, ending the effective immunity for low-value crime.E-BIKE MANAGEMENT and TACKLING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Many Knightsbridge residents have written to me about out-ofcontrol dockless e-bike parking. I know many people enjoy using e-bikes but there are also valid concerns about inappropriate parking and anti-social behaviour. I am committed to working together with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council to improve the management of e-bikes in our community.I want to hear from you about what you think is working and what you want changed. Please fill in my resident survey: https://www.joepowell.org.uk/survey/e-bikes/STAY CONNECTED To keep up with local news and updates on my campaigning work, join my newsletter. If you have any concerns or would like to discuss specific issues, please reach out to me at [insert email].SIGN UP FOR KNIGHTSBRIDGE NEWS FROM YOUR MP