Off The Fence column with Alan Mak MP: Working closely with the community

I'm a strong believer in being active and visible in the community and giving people the opportunity to talk to me in person.

That's why, in addition to my regular MP surgeries, I hold Q&A public meetings for residents all year round. These are both in Parliament as part of my popular tours and also across the Havant Constituency.

Last week I held the latest one at Bedhampton Community Centre. I'd like to thank residents for coming along and look forward to the next meeting, which will be for residents of Havant and Langstone on Friday 20 March.

For details of my programme of Q&As and to register your interest in attending, please go to www.alanmak.org.uk/PublicMeeting

I also organise 'Tea With Your MP' events, the most recent of which was at Purbrook Heath Bowls Club.

I met officials and chatted with members over a cuppa and cake, plus presented trophies to competition winners.

If you'd like to hold a 'Tea With Your MP' event, please get in touch at www.alanmak.org.uk/contact

This year I'll also be holding my three popular community fairs again - my11th annual Community & Volunteering Fair on Friday 10 April, my 5th annual Health & Sports Fair on Friday 26 June and my 11th annual Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair on Friday 23 October.

For details of venues, please sign up to my weekly e-newsletter at www.alanmak.org.uk/newsletter

Would you like to go on a tour of Parliament and meet me for a Q&A session? These have proved very popular and more tours are being organised this year. Please register your interest at www.alanmak.org.uk/Tours

The best ways to stay up to date with the work I'm doing as your local MP all year round are to follow my social media accounts, especially Facebook ( www.fb.com/AlanMakHavant), and sign up for my weekly residents' email newsletter.

I'm providing free St. George and Union flags to constituents. To get yours, apply online at www.alanmak.org.uk/Flag

You can also share your views on local and national issues with me by completing my online survey at www.alanmak.org.uk/Survey

Finally, last week I was honoured to win Conservative MP of the Year at a prestigious Parliamentary awards ceremony.

The annual cross-party awards, hosted by the Speaker and charity Patchwork, highlight MPs who work closely with their communities, delivering excellent representation and coverage to otherwise underrepresented segments of society.

I want to thank the residents of the Havant constituency for their continued support.

Being a constituency-focused MP means working with local people, small businesses, charities and community groups all year round and I would like to dedicate this award to them.

Alan Mak, MP for the Havant Constituency