Andrew Gwynne MP's Newsletter
Posted by Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, at 11:53, Tue 6 March 2007:
Andrew Gwynne MP
Labour Member of Parliament for Denton and Reddish
News from Parliament – March 2007
Welcome to my March 2007 newsletter, for members and constituents who have asked me to keep them updated on my work in Parliament for Audenshaw, Denton, Dukinfield, Haughton Green, Heaton Chapel, Heaton Norris, and Reddish.
A Final Reminder for all Postal Voters
I would like to use this opportunity for one last chance to remind everyone that is registered for a Postal Vote, that they will have to re-register for their Postal Vote by mid-March to stay registered. See the notice at the end of this email for more information.
News from the Constituency
Save our Stations Update
I led a delegation this month from Stockport, Tameside, and the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, to meet with the Minister for Railways, to make the case for saving Denton and Reddish South stations.
The delegation was able to put forward the case for a very commercially viable service for the threatened stations directly to Minister Tom Harris. The proposed service would go from Stockport to Manchester Victoria through both Reddish South and Denton stations.
After hearing the arguments, the Minister has asked that a strong business case be put forward for the service, which GMPTE have now agreed to do, with the aim of having a fully functioning service in place for the 2008 timetable changes. We still have to win Network Rail’s support, but I am very confident that a viable business case can be formulated for the new service; the demand is there, we must now convince Network Rail with the details.
Tameside Councillor Brenda Warrington said:
“I am delighted that the campaign to save our stations has had the chance to go all the way to the Government. Now that GMPTE have agreed to prepare the business plans, the proposed service from Denton Station to Manchester Victoria has a real chance of being realised over the coming 12 months.”
Stockport Councillor Walter Brett said:
“I welcomed the chance to put the case for Reddish South station to the Minister. Hopefully with the backing of Stockport and Tameside Councils, as well as the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, we can secure an efficient service into the city centre for the residents of South Reddish by 2008.”
Tameside Hospital
I am delighted to announce that the redevelopment of Tameside General Hospital has reached another key milestone. Planning approval has recently been granted by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council for the major works. This represents the last of a series of planning applications which support the overall development of the Hospital and means that full approval is now in place for the most significant, multi-million pound building improvement work the hospital has seen for decades.
This is excellent news for the residents of Tameside as it brings the hospital closer to providing the new clinical facilities that patients want. Work has already begun on a number of new units, and final approval by the Department of Health for the major PFI investment is anticipated in early summer with construction starting shortly after.
Community Policing
I have received a request this month from a Denton resident to include a local story about the excellent work that our police officers are doing in the constituency. The resident, who lives in Haughton Green, has had frequent problems with youths congregating outside of his house, smashing windows, writing graffiti and causing noise disturbance late at night.
After paying a visit to the site of the problems, PC Ian Rowley promised that he would try to reduce the disturbances by making it difficult for the youths involved to group together in such large numbers. After two weeks of providing information over the phone, regarding when the problems were occurring, the youths had vanished and the trouble has now been resolved.
Friends of Granada Park
Denton West Councillor Brenda Warrington is looking for members of the community to come forward and form a Friends of Granada Park group, to ensure that this parkland is improved and used more in the future.
For those of you who don’t know, Granada Park is a large expanse of open space in the Dane Bank area of Denton, bordering with North Reddish. The Council are working hard to ensure that the park remains clean, and issue fixed penalty notices to those who do not use it responsibly. However, punishments are not the only answer. With a Friends of Granada Park group, Councillor Brenda Warrington and I believe that we could turn this parkland into a valuable community resource.
With a Friends Group we would be able to put in a bid for grants for park improvements such as the installation of a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), the creation of walks and areas of environmental interest and natural beauty, the erection of a building for multi use, meeting rooms, kids clubs and much more. With the help of the community we could create a facility that children, as well as other residents of the area, could really call their own.
If anyone is interested in helping Councillor Brenda Warrington to establish a Friends of Granada Park group please ring her on 0161 336 5693, or write to her at 26 Haughton Green Road, Denton M34 7QN or bren.warrington@ntlworld.com. A number of people have already come forward, but we really need more if we are going to make this proposal a success.
Park friends groups are already established and active at North and South Reddish Parks, Heaton Norris Recreational Ground, Haughton Green Playing Fields, Ryecroft Hall Park, Tame Valley Park in Dukinfield, and Denton’s Victoria Park.
Congratulations Councils
Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council has come in the top category of improving councils, in the Audit Commission’s latest report published in February. Tameside Council is one of only twelve in the top category of councils “Improving Strongly”, and has retained its top 4 Star rating for the services it provides.
The Audit Commission has given Tameside Council a 4 Star rating as it has been judged to provide excellent services across the board. In addition, Tameside Council is the only council in all of the UK to receive a Charter Mark for every single one of its departments.
Tameside’s success is both a result of the hard work of Councillors and officers, as well as the commitment of local communities, the police, school head teachers, and other stake holders, to work with the Council, to ensure that we get the results and improvements that we all want to see.
Stockport has also retained 4 Stars in the lower category of “Improving Well”.
Hoax 999 Calls.
I am supporting a campaign organised by the local press to name and shame hoax 999 callers who are wasting the time of the Greater Manchester County Fire Service.
Hoax 999 calls are both a waste of money, and potentially a waste of human life. One paper, the Tameside Advertiser, has recordings of hoax calls on their website, with the hope that listeners will be able to recognise the voices of the callers.
With each prank call costing the fire service around £1700, I would like to commend the Tameside Advertiser for taking the lead on this issue, and helping users of their website to identify people committing this serious criminal offence. Visit the website for more information:
http://www.tamesideadvertiser.co.uk/features/200045_stop_the_hoaxers.html
News from Parliament
I have been heavily involved in two major pieces of legislation this month: The Offender Management Bill and the Local Government & Public Involvement in Health Bill.
The Offender Management Bill
As a Home Office Parliamentary Private Secretary I have been closely involved with this Bill since its introduction to the House of Commons in December. The Bill is designed to increase the involvement of the private and voluntary sectors in probation work by allowing the Secretary of State to commission services directly. It is designed to allow the Secretary of State to allow local specialist charities to become more involved in the rehabilitation of offenders, and make the public safer.
I was on the committee for this Bill, which discussed many important issues surrounding re-offending rates, and how the probation service works to improve the safety of the public. The debates that we had, and the local experience that many MPs brought to the committee, have made this a very well considered Bill. It has now completed all of its stages in the House of Commons, and has entered the House of Lords.
The Local Government & Public Involvement in Health Bill
I have been serving on the committee for this Bill since mid-February, and it is expected that it will continue to be debated by the committee for approximately another month. I was delighted to be placed upon the committee, as I have a background in local government in Tameside, and a strong interest in making it work across the country. The Bill seeks to change many aspects of local government, one of which is the way that councillors are elected. Many of my Labour colleagues and I felt that some of the proposals for electoral reform would not have suited all local councils, and after much considered debate, we have gained concessions from the Local Government Minister, which would allow residents in areas like Tameside and Stockport to continue to elect their councillors by thirds, almost every year, rather than in all-out elections every four years.
I believe that it is very important that the public are kept engaged by their council and councillors in order to ensure that we can make the local changes that we want to see, together. This may mean different types of elections in different areas, and I support local communities being able to use the system that works best for them.
Crime Committees
I have also sat on a number of smaller committees in February regarding Anti-Terrorism law. It is very important that the law stays ahead of potential terror threats, and is able to bring in offences for new tactics that terrorists may choose to use. It is through these smaller committees that we have a chance to discuss what new powers the Government should have to reduce the threat of terrorism in the UK.
Ground Rent Scams
I have raised the issue of ground rent and chief rent scams in the constituency to the Leader of the House of Commons, Jack Straw MP. I informed the House that throughout the constituency residents are receiving bullying letters from ground rent and chief rent companies asking for information, and sometimes for substantial amounts of money to which they are not entitled.
Jack Straw has assured me that he is aware of this problem, which is particularly serious in the north-west, and has recommended that I call for an urgent debate on the issue, which I shall be doing. This is an issue that is causing a great deal of anxiety amongst local residents, and particularly pensioners, and I am determined to call these scamming ground rent companies to task.
Please read more of my Parliamentary contributions at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/andrew_gwynne/denton_and_reddish
Support for Families
I have welcomed plans this month to introduce more help to make sure all local children can get the help they need to learn to read.
When I read with my children I can see the difference it makes to them as they learn about the world outside and their imagination begins to grow and develop. But reading well is a crucial skill as well as a pleasure, and its one that many of us take for granted. We have a responsibility to make sure every child can deal with all the different challenges of the modern world.
That is why I’m backing the new scheme that will give intensive help for the children who need it to help them learn to read. I am also urging local parents to get involved – in their schools, helping their children to make the most of the support available; and at home reading together as a family.
After the completion of a pilot project, all local authorities will now benefit from the roll out of the programme which will see 30,000 children receive intensive catch up reading support by 2010-11.
For more information on the Every Child a Reader scheme go to:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2007_0006
I have also welcomed a new country-wide consultation and new Government measures to improve support and services for carers.
There are some 725,000 carers in the North West providing unpaid care, looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner.
Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, has announced the launch of a country-wide consultation with carers and voluntary organisations to update the 1999 Carers Strategy. Ivan Lewis, Minister for Care Services, is making available £33m in an initiative known as the New Deal for Carers.
Under the New Deal for Carers, local authorities in England will be allocated a share of £25 million to provide emergency support. A further £3 million will be spent on a national advice and information service, and £5 million will be spent on a training programme for carers.
I am delighted that the Government has recognised the contribution that carers make to society and has allocated additional funding to support them. Tameside and Stockport Councils will receive £245,000 between them to provide emergency support, which will give carers peace of mind and ensure that they can look after their own health and wellbeing. The nationwide consultation on the new Carers Strategy will ensure that carers’ voices are heard at the heart of Government.
Support for Charities
World Scout Jamboree
I am delighted about the news that the Government will be putting almost £1.5million behind plans to host 40,000 Scouts from 216 countries at this summer's Centenary World Scout Jamboree. The Jamboree will be held between 27th July and 8th August 2007 at Hylands Park in Essex. The announcement was made by Ed Miliband MP, Minister for the Third Sector.
I met with Chief Scout Peter Duncan, and Scouts Naomi and James, at the House of Commons to celebrate 100 years of Scouting, and the support that the Government is giving in recognition of the work that the Scout movement does throughout Britain and the World. The Jamboree will see 40,000 young people taking part in community projects and celebrations, with a special focus on social cohesion and increasing levels of volunteering. The Government is keen to support the incredibly valuable benefits that this will bring.
I have always been a strong supporter of my local Scout groups, and am confident that they, with the other Scout groups from around the world, will put this money to great use at the Centenary World Scout Jamboree this year. I would also like to commend Tameside Council for their decision to donate £35,000, to allow Scouts from all parts of the borough to attend the Centenary Jamboree.
Save the Children
I am encouraging young people in the constituency to apply for a Save the Children ‘Here to HELP’ award, funded by British Gas. Awards of up to £1,000 are available as well as a small number of grants of up to £3,000 that young people can apply for to improve something in their local community.
Save the Children and British Gas created the ‘Here to HELP’ awards to get young people involved in dynamic and lasting community projects. So far the awards, which have been running for nearly two years, have had a positive impact upon the lives of over 10,000 children in England, Scotland and Wales.
I think that this is a great opportunity for young people with ideas to improve their local area. If you are a young person who knows of a real need in your community and have a great idea, you should apply for an award. Save the Children recognise that the health, education and the protection of children and young people are vital in today's society. So the charity is looking to award £1,000 for projects that help address one or more of these issues.
For the £3,000 awards, the charity is specifically looking for project ideas with a clear aim of benefiting the most disadvantaged or marginalised in society. Poor children have less chance of living in adequate housing and getting access to basic services like healthcare and education, and they're more likely to suffer from social discrimination and exclusion. Save the Children wants to help children and young people be active partners in tackling poverty in their communities.
Whaling
I have called on the Government to take action to protect whales from the threat of whaling and am urging the people of Tameside & Stockport to add their voices in opposition to the practice.
I met with campaigners from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) on its Song of the Whale marine research vessel this month to learn more about IFAW’s work protecting marine mammals from a variety of man-made threats, including commercial and so-called ‘scientific’ whaling.
The governments of pro-whaling countries are active all year round in enlisting support for their whaling agenda, so it is crucial that the British government works at the highest diplomatic levels to protect the future of these magnificent, yet vulnerable creatures.
Ellie Dickson, IFAW marine campaigner, said:
“We are delighted to have Andrew Gwynne’s support. Some people believe that whales were saved in the 1980s, but the reality is that today whales are under renewed threat. We urge everyone in Tameside & Stockport, and across the UK who cares about whales to take action now to protect these spectacular animals.”
To take action and find out more about IFAW’s work to end whaling visit:
www.ifaw.org
Disability Rights
I am backing a Disability Rights Commission (DRC) campaign to encourage more disabled people to use public transport and exercise new rights to fair treatment on buses, trains, trams and taxis. The campaign is an important step in raising disabled people's confidence in using public transport. The Disability Rights Commission's (DRC) campaign is being launched with a poll revealing that disabled people are four times more likely to lack confidence using buses and trains than non-disabled people.
The DRC's campaign- GOJO - follows changes to the Disability Discrimination Act introduced in December 2006. Under the new legislation a bus driver is required to notify someone with a visual impairment when they reach their stop, and train staff can be asked to bring refreshments to a passenger who can't walk to the buffet car.
Responsible Pet Owners
I, along with 50 parliamentary colleagues joined the charities Cats Protection and the Dogs Trust at Victoria Tower Gardens, London, to launch National Neuter Awareness day on 31st January. With appalling numbers of abandoned and stray cats and dogs found every year in the UK, the two charities are determined to prevent this situation. Cats Protection and Dogs Trust believe that the best solution to humanely reduce the dog and cat population is through neutering. Last year according to a Dogs Trust survey, over 100,000 dogs were found stray, and every year Cats Protection re-homes 60,000 abandoned, unwanted and stray cats and kittens. The charities believe that neutering is the most effective and humane way of reducing the number of stray and abandoned cats and dogs, by preventing the number of unwanted litters. Neutering is a simple procedure that also has great health benefits.
And Finally… To all Postal Voters
I would also like to remind everyone that is registered for a Postal Vote, that they will have to re-register for their Postal Vote by mid-March to stay registered.
Because of concerns in small parts of the country about Postal Vote fraud, you will be required to fill in a new application form, which you will receive from the Council shortly, if it has not already arrived.
To make sure that voting is as secure as possible, Tameside & Stockport Councils need some more basic information about you. The form will ask you to fill in your details, including your signature and date of birth, so that no one but you will be able to use your Postal Vote at election time.
I hope that you will choose to re-register for a Postal Vote to ensure that you can continue to vote in the most convenient way possible to you.
Tameside residents will have to return their new application form to their Council by 20th March, and Stockport residents will have to return their form by 8th March. If you do not return the form, you will no longer be registered for a Postal Vote, and will have to vote in person at a polling station at the next election in the conventional manner.
If you know someone that is a Postal Voter, that may not know this information, I would appreciate it if you could pass this message on.
Thank you.
ANDREW GWYNNE MP
For more information on my campaigns, and for full copies of my press releases please visit my website at http://www.andrewgwynne.labour.co.uk/.
Please read my Parliamentary speeches at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/andrew_gwynne/denton_and_reddish
Please feel free to contact me at gwynnea@parliament.uk; phone me on 0161 320 1504 or send a letter to Andrew Gwynne MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
If you would like to be removed from this email list, please email Ben Garratt in my office at garrattb@parliament.uk.
Commenting on this message is now disabled.