Latest news from Bolton West and Westminster
Posted by Ruth Kelly, MP for Bolton West, at 17:28, Thu 7 August 2008:
Dear all,
I am writing to keep you informed of the latests activities and news from the constituency and Westminster. Bolton West
Update on Armstrongs
I am pleased to report that, following my representations to the Environment Agency after the fire at their Horwich site, Armstrongs have now been told that they can no longer store wood on site unless facilities are introduced to safely store materials. I contacted the agency regarding residents concerns regarding environmental waste and I have been recently informed that Armstrongs can no longer process green waste.
Update on Planning Application 80089/08
I contacted the Chief Executive and representatives of the Planning Committee on Bolton Council after seeking residents views on the planning application, which sought to change the current use to a waste treatment process plant. I asked them to take account of residents concerns which ranged from public health and environmental concerns to fears around traffic congestion. The application was considered earlier today by the Planning Committee and has been rejected.
New Childrens Centres
I am pleased that Children’s Centres are to be extended across the borough. The government has increased the revenue funding available for Sure Start Children’s Centres for 2008-2011, rising to £1.3bn in 2010-11. This programme has been hugely successful and Children’s Centres have been already established in Westhoughton, Horwich and other communities.
The children’s centre services will cover Heaton and Lostock with part of Smithills and Hulton with Westhoughton North and Chew Moor. There are also plans to introduce a satellite centre in Blackrod that will link to Horwich Children’s Centre.
The childrens’ centre programme is a government initiative which aims to improve outcomes for all children and narrow the gap between the most disadvantaged and less disadvantaged children.
Children’s centres bring together services for children under the age of five and their families. They provide support to families during the challenges of looking after a young child and help parents and carers to give their children the best start in life.
The centres will build on facilities for children and families in the designated areas, bringing together services such as:
· Family information and support
· Child and family health services
· Activities for children and families
· Links to information about training and employment opportunities
· Support to childminders
· Information about childcare and schools in the area
Bolton Council is co-ordinating the development of the centres and they want to hear what local families want from the new centres. I urge as many residents as possible to take part in the consultation process and to complete the surveys which will be sent out shortly.
For further information, please contact Bolton Families Information Service on 01204 386030 or families@bolton.gov.uk
Local Employment Partnerships
I have welcomed reports from Jobcentre Plus that more and more people are now finding work through Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs) each week. Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs) are an exciting new collaboration between Government and business to tackle the increasing recruitment and skills challenges of our labour market and economy.
The initiative asks employers to make a deal with Government to offer people opportunities to get back into the workplace and progress - through for example interviews, mentoring, on the job training or work trials. Employers receive access to potential employees who they previously might not have considered who are eager to work and have the core skills that they need. Jobcentre Plus advisors in return ensure that their prospective employees have the support and advice that they need to help them to get back into employment.
I am delighted to see so many local employers recognising the clear benefits of working with Jobcentre Plus to tap into the skills and resources that jobseekers have. I am pleased that the scheme has been so successful and I look forward to many more jobseekers being able to take advantage of this initiative in future.
Groundwork Business Awards
I have urged businesses, schools, community groups and public sector organisations to submit entries for the Groundwork Business and Community Awards 2008.
Groundwork delivers a programme of support to businesses in Bolton to address their environmental performance, and they are also working with communities within Bolton to improve their neighbourhoods.
The Groundwork Business and Community Awards 2008 cover several categories and are designed to recognise the contributions made to environmental causes within Bolton and Bury. Last years winners in Bolton included Crompton Place Shopping Centre and Dean Clough Outdoor Classroom. The deadline for submissions for this year's awards is 24th October 2008.
Oxfam’s East Africa Response
I was proud to be invited to back Oxfam’s emergency response in East Africa and to highlight this issue in the local press. Oxfam is calling on people to donate as millions of people across the region face crisis caused by drought, conflict and rising global food prices. The agency is currently working with people in Ethiopia, Somalia and Northern Kenya to help stop the crisis escalating.
I urge people in Bolton West to back Oxfam’s work and support people in East Africa. Local residents can make a real difference if they donate now. Donation can be made by going to any Oxfam shop, calling 0300 200 100, going to www.oxfam.org.uk, or by post to: East Africa Appeal, Oxfam, John Smith Drive, Oxford OX4 2JY.
Events
I have recently visited Lostock train station upon hearing the news that the extension to the car park will begin this Autumn. I met local fundraiser Steven Howarth and discussed his forthcoming trek to the Sahara to raise money for ‘RP Fighting Blindness’. I also visited the new midwife-led maternity unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital and I was very impressed by the excellent facilities available for mothers-to-be.
Westminster
Shortly before Parliament went into recess, the government postponed the rise in fuel duty which had been due in the Autumn.
Latest Crime Statistics
I am pleased that the latest crime statistics show the following:
Overall crime is down 39 per cent. Domestic burglary down 55 per cent All vehicle-related thefts down 57 per cent All household crime down 39 per cent All BCS violence down 40 per cent All personal crime down 39 per cent The risk of being a victim of crime has fallen to 22 per cent, the lowest level ever recorded since the BCS began in 1981. However, I understand the fears that exist locally, particularly after the recent knife incidents in Bolton. The government are not complacent about tacking such crimes and has ended the use of cautions for the over 16s who are found in possession of a knife. From now on, anyone over the age of 16 caught in possession of a knife can expect to be prosecuted on the first offence.
An extra £5 million has been provided to directly support the police and other delivery partners in the areas that are particularly affected by knife crime to support: There is to be an increased use of searches, in targeted and intelligence-led operations, to complement the 100 new portable knife arches and 350 search wands that the government has brought in over the last 3 months.
The Home Office are liaising closely with groups like Be Safe, who hold workshops with young people to get them to understand just how serious the consequences of carrying a knife can be. There will be home visits and letters to parents of those young people whom intelligence suggests are known to carry weapons.
Greater Manchester and Lancashire police forces are amongst those that will receive additional funding to introduce these measures. One scheme which has been outlined is to show young people the consequences of carrying knives by taking them to visit stab victims in hospital.
Policing Green Paper
The government has set out a new Green Paper which would set out a Policing Pledge for the first time. This would state what local people can expect from their local police - with clear national standards- including the amount of time spent on the beat, easy ways to contact your local neighbourhood team, and clear response times to all calls and incidents. If the plans are finalised, it would mean these standards would be in place in every police force in England and Wales by the end of the year.
The aim of the Green Paper would mean a stronger voice for local people - regular information on crime, including crime maps, and action being taken to tackle it and regular local meetings to discuss priorities, backed by new directly elected Policing Representatives.
Tougher Penalties for Rogue Employers
I welcomed the recent government announcement on fair tips and the minimum wage and calls for rogue employers who underpay staff to be exposed.
It has been ten years since Labour voted to introduce the National Minimum Wage in 1998. Since then, one million low paid employees, two thirds of them women, have benefited from the National Minimum Wage and an extra 2.3 million jobs have been created.
The Government announced recently that it intends to change the current minimum wage rules on tipping, to ensure that in the future tips will be additional to the Minimum Wage. There are even tougher penalties as part of the Employment Bill before Parliament to crack down on rogue employers who con staff.
I think the minimum wage has been one of the proudest achievements of the Government. I am pleased that this measure and others, such as paid holidays and the right to request flexible working for parents and carers, have benefitted millions of people across the country. Virtually all employers recognise the importance of fairness at work but there are, in some instances, employers who still refuse to pay the minimum wage. I am glad that there will be further legislation to target these firms and ensure everyone is paid a decent wage.
If you think an employer is not paying the correct wage, call the national minimum wage helpline on 0845 6000 678.
Will Aid
I have actively encouraged local solicitors to take part in November’s Will Aid campaign. Most people do realise that they should write a Will and keep it updated but many simply do not get around to it and as a result their loved ones can suffer after their death. Will Aid provides the motivation many people need to make their Will and raises vital funds for the charities involved.
Will Aid aims to help everyone put their affairs in order by drawing up a Will and at the same time help the Will Aid charities. The money raised is shared between the participating charities: ActionAid, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Help the Aged, NSPCC, Save the Children UK, Sight Savers International, SCIAF and Trocaire. During November, Will Aid solicitors have the chance to achieve so much by giving their skill and time to write basic Wills in exchange for a charity donation from the client. Participating solicitors will be helping more people to write a proper Will; they will gain positive press coverage and attract new clients to their business and they will raise vital funds for the Will Aid charities.
During November, instead of charging for drawing up a basic Will, Will Aid solicitors will waive their usual fee and ask instead that the client donate the fee they would normally have been charged to the Will Aid charities. The suggested minimum donation is £75 for a single Will, £110 for mirror Wills. Solicitors wishing to take part or to find out more about the scheme, should telephone the Campaign Office on 01460 271178, visit the website www.willaid.org.uk or email enquiries@willaid.org.uk.
Kindest regards,
Ruth Kelly
Member of Parliament for Bolton West
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