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News from Your Local MP

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 15:46, Fri 25 November 2011:

WELCOME!

Here’s the latest edition of my regular newsletter.

PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

Many people will be aware of Bristol City Council’s unpopular plans unveiled last year to sell-off a large number of parks and green spaces across the city. The proposals were met with widespread opposition from local residents and the Council has been looking again at the issue in recent months. The new proposals put forward by the Liberal Democrat Council last week would have seen the future of some of these green spaces decided by local people via Neighbourhood Partnerships, while other sites remained on the disposal list including some well loved spaces in Bristol South. One of the sites still earmarked for sale was Salcombe Road Rec where over 400 people signed a petition sent to me in support of the space. I believe it is only right that Neighbourhood Partnerships should have a say on the future of the green spaces in their area and I was pleased that Liberal Democrat and Green councillors eventually backed down from their top-down disposal plans at this week’s Full Council meeting.

CUT TO FEED-IN TARIFFS

Last week I met with Bristol South residents and employees to discuss concerns regarding the Government’s plans to reduce the solar PV Feed-in Tariff by over 50% - a move that is putting jobs and growth at risk. Many people have contacted me in recent weeks to express their shock and disappointment at the Government’s sudden plans which are likely to mean that far fewer households choose to have solar panels installed, resulting in continued reliance on fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. The proposals are understandably worrying for those working in the solar power industry as it is certain to affect demand from householders for solar installations. This subject was debated in the House of Commons this week when Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Energy, Caroline Flint MP, called on the Government to bring forward more measured proposals to put Feed-in Tariffs on a sustainable footing. Unfortunately the Government did not support the motion and the vote was lost. I have written to the Energy Minister raising concerns about this matter and I sincerely hope the Government will think again.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

I was very concerned by the latest figures regarding the number of new rented affordable homes being built in the West Country. The Homes and Communities Agency announced on Tuesday that since April just 17 new homes have been started in the entire South West region, down from 5,588 in the previous year. At this rate of building, with nearly sixteen thousand households on the social housing waiting list in Bristol alone, it could take over 160 years to get a new home. At a time when average private rents here in Bristol are now nearly 50% of average income these figures are simply appalling. By cutting the budget for new affordable homes by 60% the Government has left thousands with no hope of getting a home, and left hundreds of builders without work.

VISITING NEW FOSSEWAY SCHOOL

It was a real pleasure to visit New Fosseway School, part of the Bridge Campus in Hartcliffe, last week. We talked about their Eco Schools project, then I spent some time with the children and young people writing to their pen pals in a school in a deprived part of Tanzania. I also got the chance to meet two members of the school’s new rock band who have begun performing regularly.

LEGAL AID CUTS

A large number of people have been in touch with me regarding the Government’s proposed changes to Legal Aid contained within the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill which had its Third Reading in the House of Commons earlier this month. The huge cuts to social welfare legal aid will leave the most vulnerable without any legal support when things go wrong. The proposals are short sighted – social welfare legal aid actually saves more money that it costs as early intervention avoids crises developing later, with greater cost to the taxpayer. Unfortunately the Government pushed through its damaging legislation despite opposition from Labour MPs and the proposals will now be considered by the House of Lords.

STANDING DOWN IN 2015

As some of you may be aware, I have announced my intention to stand down as an MP at the general election in 2015. I have been the MP for Bristol South since 1987 and it has always been a huge honour to represent local residents both locally and in Westminster. I will always be grateful to people in Bristol South for giving me this opportunity and I can assure you I will continue to work hard on behalf of my constituents right up until the day of the next election in 2015. Local residents have showed their confidence in me at six general elections and it has been immensely rewarding to play a role in improving our communities. I am proud to have been part of hugely important local campaigns, such as for the new hospital at Hengrove Park which will open next Spring, but also of being able to help many thousands of residents who have sought my advice when they have run into difficulties. I held several different Ministerial roles during the Labour Governments of 1997 to 2010 which was a great privilege, but my first responsibility has always been – and will continue to be - to my constituents here in Bristol South.

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.