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News from your local MP

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 15:54, Fri 2 July 2010:

WELCOME!

Here’s the latest edition of my regular newsletter.

COALITION BUDGET

I am extremely concerned about the impact of last week’s Budget on people living in Bristol South. The Coalition Government is failing to support the economy and is making immediate cuts which will cost jobs. We’ll see VAT increased to 20%, significant reductions in tax credits and less help for people in need of housing support. Those people who are least responsible for the recession are being made to pay more and I fear that residents in Bristol South, where earnings are already less than the national average, will be hit hard by job losses, pay freezes, benefit reductions and tax rises. I will be doing all I can to support people who lose out as a result.

BRISTOL'S FLAWED CONSULTATION

While the Government’s Budget has been getting lots of attention, you may not have heard about a ‘consultation’ the City Council has started into its own local budget. Because of the Government’s decision to bring spending cuts forward, the Council has been told that it needs to cut £3.1 million from its budget this year, and it will also have to make significant cuts in future years. The Council has launched a website – http://askbristol.wordpress.com/ - to ask residents where the axe should fall. Genuine consultation is, of course, very welcome. Unfortunately, the Council’s attempts to consult have fallen flat. Only one member of the Council’s ruling Cabinet has so far bothered to comment on the proposals and residents have been provided with no financial information whatsoever to help them make informed suggestions. The Council desperately needs to show some leadership here, and not hide behind the smokescreen of a phoney consultation.

A BUSY FRIDAY

As usual, I’ve been out and about in Bristol South today, as well as catching up with work in the office. This morning, I went along to the opening of Knowle DGE. Formerly Florence Brown School, Knowle DGE is a learning centre for children and young people with learning difficulties or social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The old facilities were tired and unsuitable, so I was delighted that the previous Government made money available from the Building Schools for the Future programme to build a brand new centre. I helped open the building with representatives from Knowle DGE’s partner school in Kenya. Then, after a quick bite to eat, I went to the Bridge Learning Campus where children from New Fosseway School and the Student Support Centre at the Bridge are working together to create a fantastic outdoor space. The plans include a sensory garden, social area and even an outdoor classroom.

SUPPORTING PARENTS IN HARTCLIFFE

I’ve always been a supporter of the PIPA project, which has provided support for parents in Hartcliffe, Withywood and Knowle West over many years. As well as parenting advice, PIPA has offered skills courses to help prepare parents for employment. I went along to PIPA’s celebration event last week, and was delighted to speak with parents who have benefited from this fantastic project. Unfortunately PIPA’s funding is coming to an end. I’ve contacted the Council who has decided not to fund the project again. I will continue to explore any avenues to make sure that this high quality advice and support is still available to local parents.

OPENING MILLENNIUM GREEN PLAY PARK

I was very pleased to join local residents, parents and children at Hartcliffe Millennium Green’s recent fun day. The event was arranged by the Friends of the Millennium Green Group and, alongside the Lord Mayor, I helped to officially open the fantastic new play equipment which is already proving very popular with local families. The fun day was well attended and I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak with a number of local residents and community activists.

WELCOMING MERCHANT'S ACADEMY TO LONDON

Students from Merchant’s Academy were given a behind the scenes tour of the Houses of Parliament earlier in the week. I was delighted to meet with them, and I took the students to see a debate in the House of Lords before hosting a question and answer session. A tour of Downing Street rounded off a busy day. I always visit as many local schools as I can, but it’s also nice to welcome them to Westminster so that students can see Parliament in action. The young people raised some really important questions, particularly about how we should respond to climate change, and I’ve promised to keep them updated.

GREEN SPACES AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT – HAVE YOUR SAY!

Bristol City Council is currently seeking local residents’ views on two documents: “Area Green Space Plan - Ideas and Options Papers” and the “Site Allocations and Development Management Options Document”.

The Area Green Space Plan document builds on the Council’s previously agreed Parks & Green Space Strategy and asks people for their views on options for Bristol’s parks and green spaces over the next 20 years. The Site Allocations document forms part of the wider Bristol Development Framework and suggests options for specific sites in terms of their future use and development, as well as suggesting ideas for development management policies. I will of course be carefully reading these two documents to see how the proposals impact on Bristol South and would encourage local residents to take a look at the proposals, all of which are available on the Council’s website www.bristol.gov.uk. The documents are also available to view in local libraries and Customer Service Points and a series of drop-in events is also taking place at various locations across the city ahead of the consultation deadline of 29 October.

ANY QUESTIONS?

If you have any queries about these issues, or have a question you would like to ask about anything else, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Just email primarolod@parliament.uk, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH.