HearFromYourMP

Previous message | Messages for this constituency | Next message

News from Your Local MP

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 15:39, Fri 7 October 2011:

PARSON STREET SCHOOL

Along with local councillors Mark Bradshaw and Colin Smith, I went to the opening of Parson Street Primary School’s new buildings and playground last week. The brand new kitchen, hall and foundation stage suite provide a great learning environment for children at the popular school. The new playground was only possible through a huge fundraising effort by the whole school community, including sponsored runs by parents and staff, and a sponsored cycle ride by Headteacher, Mark Lacey, between Bristol and London’s Big Ben.

It was fantastic to see the new school buildings which will really make a difference for pupils and staff at the school. The new playground is amazing – the children obviously love the new equipment! Huge congratulations are due to everyone who has been involved in this project - teaching and support staff, the children, parents and governors. Their hard work has really paid off. This kind of investment just proves how important it is for our local schools to get the funding they need to keep improving and providing the best education for our children. Other primary schools in Bristol South also need and deserve new facilities – let’s hope the Coalition Government listens.

POLICE AUTHORITY MEETING

On Tuesday I joined members of the public at a meeting of the Police Authority. The Authority normally meets in Portishead and, although the meetings are held in public, I understand that residents very rarely attend. Following this summer’s disturbances, a decision was rightly taken to bring the meeting to Bristol, and a large number of residents were present to hear a presentation from officers about crime levels in the city. Fortunately, crime is still falling, which is why it is so important that we ensure that police numbers do not fall, as the Government is proposing. Should you need to contact the police about a routine matter, they have a new number – just call 101. Of course, in an emergency, you should always call 999.

CUTS TO CONCESSIONARY COACH TRAVEL - UPDATE

In my last newsletter, I wrote about the Government’s decision to cut a scheme which provided half price coach travel to pensioners and disabled people. I know how important this scheme is – for many people it has really provided a lifeline to help them visit friends and relatives in other parts of the country. I have raised this issue with the Transport Minister – sadly without success – and have now met with the Managing Director of National Express. I am very pleased that National Express will soon be launching a concessionary scheme of their own.

VISIT TO THE TOBACCO FACTORY

I was delighted to be invited to visit the Tobacco Factory Theatre in Southville recently. I had a tour of the building, and heard about their upcoming shows and other community projects. It’s amazing to see how the Theatre has developed in recent years to become a real hub of the community with such a wide variety of activities on offer. The Tobacco Factory Theatre is also doing its bit to help the environment with its new renewable energy system which is not only a great investment for the future but also helps to keep carbon emissions down.

HARDEST HIT RALLY

Unfortunately, the Government’s cuts have hit disabled and ill people especially hard. A march and rally is being held in Bristol to show solidarity with disabled people during these difficult times. The march begins at noon on Saturday 22 October at College Green, with a rally starting at the same location at 1pm.

KEEP KENCO'S PENGUINS IN BRISTOL

I popped into Zion earlier in the week, the fantastic new arts and community centre in Bedminster Down. They are bidding to keep a family of recycled glass penguin sculptures in Bristol. The penguins were exhibited in our city this summer, as part of Kenco’s campaign to use less glass. They’re a real talking point, and it would be great to keep them here in Bristol. To make Zion the penguins’ new home, please vote at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/kenco?sk=app_236864303029477.

MEETINGS ROUND-UP

During party conference season Parliament is in recess, but that certainly hasn’t meant it’s been a holiday for me! As well as some of the events detailed above, I’ve also attended a number of meetings in Bristol. Along with Shadow Business Secretary John Denham, I chatted with local business owners about how we can support business during the economic downturn. I discussed services for children with autism over lunch at their facility in Hengrove, and met with staff and managers of Bristol’s crisis team for people with mental health problems. I’ve held two surgeries – one in Hartcliffe and one in Knowle West - and this afternoon I met with Council bosses to discuss continuing problems with the rail freight depot in Ashton Vale and Bristol’s bid for the green investment bank.

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 me at dawn.primarolo.mp@parliament.uk, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH.