Earlier this month I was delighted to launch the Clackmannanshire Investment Forum (CIF).

The Clackmannanshire Investment Forum has been set up to help inform how to spend the £8million Westminster funding that forms part of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Deal.

I have already held meetings with Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the treasury, and will be holding the first CIF meeting tomorrow in the Alloa Town Hall.

I will be joined by representatives from Clackmannanshire Council, including office holders and party group leaders, as well as local civic groups and UK government civil servants from the Scotland Office.

The group, which will meet quarterly, will aim to ensure that the UK Government and local stakeholders are working closely together to maximise the investment opportunities for the county.

This is a hugely exciting and important development for Clacks and, having built up good relations with the key UK Government departments from whom the funding will come, I’m determined to ensure we find ways to take full advantage.

Meanwhile in parliament I have been working with colleagues to not only contribute to the on-going debates surrounding Brexit, making good on our manifesto promise to leave the EU, but also making clear that the UK should fight for a close economic relationship with the EU after we leave.

This kind of relationship will help maintain opportunities for small and large businesses, whilst giving the UK the flexibility to choose its own trade policies.

In addition, the government has taken positive steps to develop post-Brexit agricultural and environmental policy.

Working with central government in London, the devolved administration in Edinburgh and with local councils, I feel we have a real opportunity to shape our environmental and agricultural policy moving forward.

I have also been continuing to push our case for funding for geothermal projects in Clackmannanshire; since my debate on geothermal energy in Clackmannanshire on the floor of the House of Commons, I have received significant support from local community groups and businesses across the UK.

We are currently considering options for geothermal energy that include both heating and power. Geothermal energy presents a real opportunity to turn the county’s mining legacy into a positive source of energy and jobs for years to come.

Finally, I want to congratulate Sauchie Community Group for winning the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest accolade that her majesty could award the group, and is a fitting reflection of all the hard work they do on behalf of our community in Sauchie.

As always, if you have any issues/concerns please contact me at my office on 38 Primrose Street, Alloa, by phone on 01259 764407, or by email – luke.grahamoffice@parliament.uk