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News from Your Local MP

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 12:34, Fri 17 December 2010:

SALCOMBE ROAD RECREATION GROUND

Yesterday I was very disappointed to learn that Bristol City Council’s Liberal Democrat Cabinet had decided to sell part of Salcombe Road Recreation Ground. This site was one of several green spaces across the city proposed to be sold for housing and I received a petition, signed by over 300 local residents, opposing the sale. People told me how valuable the green space is for the local community and I submitted a statement to the Cabinet meeting asking them to reconsider their plans, however, the Council is going to press ahead with the sale, much to the disappointment of local residents.

76 BUS

Regular readers of my newsletter may remember that the No. 76 bus was recently re-routed without public consultation, leaving many local residents in the Teyfant area of Hartcliffe without a regular bus service for their local journeys. Working with the Labour councillor for Whitchurch Park, Helen Holland, I surveyed residents about the bus changes and wrote to the First Bus and the City Council asking them to take another look at the route. Helen and I are very pleased that First and the Council have listened to residents’’ concerns and have agreed to re-route three buses every hour to ensure Teyfant residents have access to a regular service.

TUITION FEES & EMA

Many residents have been in touch following the vote to increase tuition fees to a maximum of £9,000 a year. I believe that an increase in fees to £9,000 a year is absolutely unacceptable. It is simply too much to expect students to pay and will, without doubt, prevent young people from going to university. As you may also be aware, the Government have signalled that they intend to abolish the Aim Higher programme, which was specifically designed to help increase participation in higher education from people from poorer backgrounds. Alongside this, the decision to scrap Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) has caused huge anger. EMA provides funding for young people from poorer families to stay on at college, and studies have shown that it is very valuable. I will be continuing to try to convince the Government to think again. If you’re currently entitled to EMA but haven’t claimed for this year, you need to do so by December 31. More information is available at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/EMA/index.htm.

SCHOOL SPORT PARTNERSHIPS

Young people from across the country came to Downing Street this week to protest at the Government’s proposals to scrap School Sports Partnerships. I was fortunate enough to meet with two students from Ashton Park School who had helped present a 500,000 strong to petition to the Government. Through their School Sports Partnership, Ashton Park School is facilitating competitive sport, and letting children and young people have a go at new sports, in nearly 50 schools. This would not be possible without the funding they currently receive. The Government’s plans have been criticised by Labour politicians, young people, teachers and a wealth of Olympians and other sports stars. As a result of continued pressure, the Government have now pledged to look again at the proposals.

SOUTH BRISTOL HOSPITAL

I was delighted to receive the latest newsletter about the new South Bristol Community Hospital this week. I have put a copy of the update on my website. It’s fantastic that such good progress is being made on the new building, with everything on schedule.

MEETING WITH AVON FIRE AUTHORITY

Last week I met with the Chair and Chief Fire Officer of Avon Fire Authority to discuss the future of fire and rescue services in Bristol South. Following the Government’s announcement of significant cuts to fire services across the country, I was very keen to know what the impact would be on provision in Bristol South and how the local Fire Authority would be managing the reduced budget to ensure front line services are not affected.

GOLD STAR AWARDS

This afternoon, I’m looking forward to attending the Evening Post’s annual Gold Star awards. The awards have become a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Bristolians. The winners have shown bravery, kindness or dedication to a cause. Many congratulations to all the winners.

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.