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News from Your Local MP

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 15:34, Fri 27 April 2012:

WELCOME!

Here’s the latest edition of my regular newsletter.

BRISTOL SOUTH'S NEW HOSPITAL – NOW OPEN!

As many of you will know, the new Bristol South Hospital is now open and treating patients. It’s fantastic that the long campaign for the hospital is finally over – it was definitely worth the fight! I’ve been to look around the hospital, in fact, I was referred for an x-ray by my GP last week and was very impressed by the state of the art facilities and friendly staff. Local residents tell me they are delighted with the brand new hospital in the heart of Bristol South at Hengrove Park where a range of health services are provided. More information can be found on the following website: http://www.sbristolch.nhs.uk/

VISIT TO MERCHANTS' ACADEMY

Last week I was very pleased to visit the Merchants' Academy in Withywood to hear about the school’s current projects and future plans. During my visit to the secondary school I met teachers and pupils including members of the School Council with whom I had a very interesting discussion about democracy and what it means to represent others. The young people are clearly enjoying their learning and GCSE pass rates are improving. I wish the pupils and teachers every success going forward.

NEW TENNIS COURTS AT VICTORIA PARK

I was delighted to be asked to help celebrate Victoria Park Tennis Club’s successful bid for £50,000 to fund the much-needed resurfacing work for the Club’s two tennis courts. The money was secured from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund which forms part of the London 2012 Olympic legacy programme. I know how popular Victoria Park is with local residents and it’s great that this investment is being made for the benefit of the community.

SCHOOL PLACES UPDATE

Last week Bristol City Council wrote to all parents of children due to start primary school this September letting them know where their child has been allocated a school place. This time last year there was a significant shortage of school places, particularly in the BS3 area, and I received many letters and phone calls from concerned parents whose child had been allocated a place a considerable distance from their home. Over the past 12 months I have been working with local Labour councillors pressing the Council to resolve this issue for the 2012 intake and lobbying the Government for additional funding. It’s fantastic that Ashton Gate Primary, Compass Point and Southville Primary schools have all agreed to accept an additional class in September, meaning 90 new places have been provided in the BS3 area this year. While this is great news, the Council must look ahead to 2013 and beyond to ensure every child has a place at a local school in future.

NEWS ROUND-UP

I popped into St Mary Redcliffe Primary School recently to pass on my congratulations regarding the school’s latest Ofsted report. Two years ago the school was placed in special measures so it was fantastic to hear that Ofsted now rates the school as “good” following a recent visit. In Westminster I listened to concerns raised by members of the Fire Brigades Union during their lobby of Parliament and I also attended an event hosted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare to pledge my support for their campaign against the illegal ivory trade.

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.