From Angela Smith MP
Posted by Angela Smith, MP for Basildon, at 10:37, Fri 17 August 2007:
E-News from Angela Smith MP – August – No 18 Dear Resident, This is the latest edition of my email newsletter, with a number of different items that may be of interest. Yours sincerely, Angela Smith MP
1. Orsett Show I am honoured to be the President of the Orsett Show this year, which is to be held on Saturday 1st September at the Orsett Showground. This traditional country show is in its 101st year and promises to be packed with entertainment and events. If you've never been before, why not bring friends or family for a really interesting and fun day out? There are horticulture, farming, hobbies and schools marquees, craft stalls and trade stands, and displays throughout the day.
2. Road Repairs in Basildon My ongoing campaign for road and pavement repairs across Basildon continues. I have had some success over the past year in Langdon Hills in particular, with the latest roads to be added to the programme for repair this year being Fern Hill and Motehill. However, experience shows that repairs have to be monitored to ensure they are of lasting quality – if you have already reported problems to me, I am taking them up. I am keen to hear from residents who believe their road should be a priority for repair, or where a pavement or footpath is becoming dangerous.
3. Bus service in Fobbing I have again taken up the issue of the continued delays to the Number 11 bus service through Fobbing. The Number 11 had been cut back from an hourly service in an attempt to make it run to time, but this has so far been unsuccessful. The service is subsidised by Thurrock Council, and I have questioned the passenger transport department as to the steps they are taking as the service continues to fail to run to time. The Head of Passenger Transport has summoned the bus operator to a meeting for him to demonstrate that the problems experienced have been solved and that the specified timetable will be met in future. I am also supporting residents' calls for the installation of bus shelters at the stops in Fobbing before the winter, as passengers continue to have long waits for the service.
4. Around and about July was a busy and exciting month for me, after my appointment by the new Prime Minister Gordon Brown as his Parliamentary Private Secretary. In this role, I am based in Downing Street and act, among other things, as the link between the Prime Minister and backbench MPs in Parliament. One of my first tasks was to return to Northern Ireland (where I had been a Minister for over 3 years) with him to meet Ministers from the rest of he UK’s parliaments and assemblies. I attend Cabinet Meetings and it is a fascinating insight into the workings of the highest level of government. It allows me the time to continue to concentrate on constituency activity, and activities in July included the opening of the ever-popular Stanford Festival, attending the Echo Business Awards, the latest Guide Dogs for the Blind campaign launch, the Young Firefighters’ Parade at Orsett Fire Station, supporting the USDAW shopworkers’ trade union’s ‘respect for shopworkers’ campaign on a visit to the Co-op Store in Gardner Avenue, Corringham and the award presentations at the South East Essex Fuchsia Fellowship. I visited the Children’s Centre in Northlands Park, Pitsea, Barstable School, Kingswood Junior School, Basildon Festival, the Basildon site of Prospects College, I read for the Wickford Talking Newspaper and I met with the South West Essex Primary Care Trust. I was pleased to have the chance to talk to a number of residents when delivering newsletters in Pitsea and East Tilbury. Laindon Day Centre and Stanford & Corringham Probus Club visited Parliament.
5. Website You can see details of many of my local activities and campaigns on my website, which is now updated weekly. Please go to: www.mpangelasmith.org
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to friends and neighbours. Best wishes, Angela Smith MP
Comments
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Posted by mrs c j toward, 09:05, Sat 18 August 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
what about the fate of collins house!
Posted by Angela Smith, 15:29, Thu 23 August 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Collins House, Corringham I supported Option 2 of the Council's consultation, to develop the home to decent standards, as did 88% of those who responded. I am very disappointed and concerned that this has been ignored and i am worried this will elad to the runnign down of the services provided and possible eventual sale of the home. It is important that the needs of care home residents are met and if you, or any other residents of the area, have any further concerns that you feel the Primary Care Trust has not addressed then please let me know at flackk@parliament.uk Angela Smith MP