Westminster Week
Posted by Kitty Ussher, MP for Burnley, at 11:23, Fri 14 December 2007:
Dear Friend,
Greetings from Westminster where parliament is in its last full week before we break up for Christmas on Tuesday. It feels even more hectic for me because it's coming up to the time when I’ll be taking a bit of maternity leave (next baby due 31st December) so I’ve felt like I needed to sort everything, Christmas included, in case events prevent me from doing so later on. At the time of writing I still have two separate performances scheduled on the floor of the House of Commons - I am speaking for the government in a Liberal Democrat debate on the future of Northern Rock bank on Wednesday followed by another Commons debate on financial inclusion the following day. Since I am now roughly the size of a beached whale I suspect I shall spend both of these occasions holding on to the ministerial dispatch box for dear life, but as long as the baby doesn’t decide to enter the world before I get back to Burnley for good on Thursday evening I don’t really mind! I had a busy weekend in the constituency last weekend. It began on Friday with a meeting of the steering group, chaired by the Regional Development Agency, that had established itself a couple of years ago to progress plans for a new Burnley College, university faculty and enterprise park that is now starting to be built on Princess Way. Things were going so well, we hadn’t seen the need to meet for a while and it was encouraging to see our plans now being translated into reality. Our task now is to decide whether to move onto another project crucial for the town’s future prosperity and if so which one. Hot contenders are the town's rail links and the development of the Weavers Triangle. From that meeting I went to visit the Anchor Staying Put scheme to talk to staff and those who had benefited alike. For those who don’t know, this is a scheme that provides support - both financial and other - to over 60s who need essential works done on their homes. I have sometimes referred people who come to my constituency surgeries to this service, so it was useful to find out a little more about it. I’m clear that it performs a very useful role and meets a very real demand. The only constraint, as always, is lack of funding which means there’s a bit of a waiting list at present although the organisation is exploring ways of establishing more sustainable funding streams. If you want to enquire as to whether you are eligible for help, give them a ring on 01282 838876. Next up was my monthly meeting with the chief executive of Burnley council, followed by a catch-up session with my team in the Burnley office. From there I went down to St Joseph’s catholic primary school in Ightenhill to meet the pupils and staff and join in their Friday assembly. They had entered into the advent spirit with gusto and so it was in a Christmassy mood that we went down the road to Padiham Town Hall for our monthly surgery there. I don’t know if it’s the weather or people’s desire to focus on their Christmas shopping but both my surgeries last week, in Padiham and Queensgate, were unusually quiet. Or it could be that all the problems are solved …. But somehow I doubt that! So if there are any issues out there that I can help with do come along this weekend (see details below) and we’ll try and get the ball rolling before Christmas. Then on Friday evening we finally had the prize giving for our annual Christmas card competition. We had around 530 entries this year and congratulations to everyone who took part, but particular mention must go to Paige Eckersley from Cherry Fold primary whose gorgeous silk print design of terrace houses on a hill was the overall winner. Thanks again to our sponsors Unite the Union and Aircelle, and also to the Burnley Express, Burnley Youth Theatre and Creative Partnerships for their help and support. Kind Regards,
Kitty Ussher MP
Six ways to contact Kitty Ussher MP
By post: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or 2 Victoria Street, Burnley BB11 1DD By phone: 01282 450840 By fax: 01282 839623 By e-mail: ussherk@parliament.uk On-line: www.kittyussher.com In person: Come to the office or next surgeries are today, Friday 14th December - 3.30pm - 5.00pm in Burnley Central Methodist Church, Hargreaves Street and Saturday 15th December - 10am - 12 noon at the Open Hands Centre, 24 Colne Road, (corner of Hebrew Road)
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