Latest news from Bolton West and Westminster
Posted by Ruth Kelly, MP for Bolton West, at 10:10, Tue 26 August 2008:
Dear all,
I am writing to keep you updated regarding developments both in my constituency and at Westminster.
Bolton West
Lancashire Wildlife Trust
I am delighted that Lancashire Wildlife Trust has recently been granted two awards from SITA Trust’s new GreenPrints Youth Volunteering Programme. Lancashire Wildlife Trust is the leading local environmental charity in this region. They aim to use their knowledge and expertise to help the people and organisations of the region to enjoy, understand and take action to conserve their wildlife and its habitats.
The funding awards will enable young people to clear litter from the brook and woodlands at Doffcocker Lodge. It will also enable volunteers to remove invasive Himalayan Balsam from the area. I am sure that both volunteers working on the projects and visitors to Doffcocker Lodge will reap the rewards of these projects.
Armstrongs
I have recently been informed by the Environment Agency that the deadline for Armstrongs to stop processing green waste has been set as 3rd September. If you have any concerns or queries about this, you can contact the Environment Agency incident line on 0800 80 70 60.
Bolton Citizens Advice Bureau
I joined forces with Bolton Citizens Advice Bureau to urge residents to seek information and advice about benefits entitlements. As much as £9.9 billion in means tested benefits went unclaimed last year, meaning that as many as 6 million people could be missing out, according to statistics released by the Department of Work & Pensions. Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Working Tax Credit are currently massively under claimed.
Barry Lyon from Bolton CAB said: “Too many people are missing out on money that is rightfully theirs. Many simply assume they won’t qualify and others are daunted by the prospect of making a claim. But claiming can be simple. We are urging anyone who is unsure about their entitlements or who like help making a claim to come along to the bureau and get a free confidential benefits check.”
Bolton CAB provide a great service to local residents and have helped countless numbers of people facing financial uncertainty. They do a wonderful job in often difficult circumstances. I was pleased to be able to support their campaign to ensure that people access the benefits to which they are entitled. Anyone wishing to find out about the various benefits are advised to contact 0845 300 3900 (Working Tax Credit), 0800 99 1234 (Pension Credit), 01204 331590 (Housing Benefit) and 01204 331590 (Council Tax Benefit) Bolton CAB will also be able to ensure that you know what you are entitled to and how to claim.
Swimming Consultation
Bolton Community Leisure Trust have set up a consultation process to ask users of local leisure facilities regarding changes
I was contacted by a constituent who was disheartened that Ladybridge Leisure Centre now only holds male only swim sessions one night a week. After contacting the Department of Adult and Community services at Bolton Council, they informed me that Bolton Community Leisure Trust is to undertake a review of their programme of swimming sessions at each of their sites. The review will focus on the issue of single sex swimming.
I am very glad that the council are responding to concerns and that users of leisure facilities will have the opportunity to make their opinions count. I would urge customers to take part in the surveys and have their say on how such changes would affect them. I have asked to be kept informed of developments and to receive a copy of the findings when the review has been published.
Westminster
Prime Minister’s visit to Afghanistan
Gordon Brown made a surprise visit to the troops serving in Afghanistan en route to Beijing last week, and told soldiers serving at Camp Bastion that their achievements surpassed those of Britain's Olympic heroes. The Prime Minister held talks with President Karzai in which he discussed the need for closer co-operation with Pakistan in the fight against terror.
A-level and GCSE results announced
I am delighted that A-level and GCSE results showed that pass rates continued to rise. These excellent sets of results reflect the hard work which has shown by teachers and pupils across the country. GCSE results published last week show the overall A*-C pass rate has jumped 2.4 percentage points to 65.7% and on the back of that, English has risen 0.7 percentage points and maths 1.1 percentage points.
The results come from the first cohort to be educated exclusively since 1997. This means they are the first GCSE students to have benefited fully from the government’s extra investment in schools, increased numbers of teachers and teaching assistants and reforms such as the Literacy and Numeracy Hours.
Olympic successes for Britain in Beijing
It has been wonderful to see so many British athletics achieve success in Beijing, not least gold and silver medal winner Jason Kenny from Bolton. The achievements demonstrate how instrumental lottery grants have been in helping to ensure that athletes have the facilities and equipment which they require.
Ruth Kelly
Member of Parliament for Bolton West
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