Jeremy Browne MP’s Monthly Update - August 2008
Posted by Jeremy Browne, MP for Taunton, at 10:27, Thu 4 September 2008:
This month, Jeremy met with the parents of baby Rhianna and submitted his official response to the Government’s consultation on domestic hot water safety. He said; “I was delighted we managed to secure this consultation when Rhianna’s parents and I met the Minister in the Spring. The proposals will go a long way to protecting other families, but we need to try and ensure they apply to all pre-2004 systems to keep everyone safe.”
HELPING PEOPLE ACCROS TAUNTON DEANE
In August, Jeremy enjoyed his most successful ever summer village surgery tour. Record numbers of people came to talk about local issues with him when he visited 31 villages across Taunton Deane over four days. He said;
"My summer village surgery tour is an ideal opportunity for me to keep up with developments in rural parts of Taunton Deane.
"Issues raised with me included bus timetables in Burrowbridge, speeding traffic in Corfe and postal services in Churchinford. Many residents also discussed more general problems including Child Support Agency payments and access to NHS services.
"The rural areas in Taunton Deane are pretty diverse - stretching from the Blackdowns, to the levels, to the Brendons. I also enjoyed visiting a range of communities, from small villages like Pitminster and Waterrow to bigger places like Bishops Lydeard.”
Jeremy’s rural surgery tour took in all the villages below, but if you were not able to make it and have an issue he can help with, you can arrange to see Jeremy at his regular weekly surgery by calling 01823 337874.
Monday, 28 July 2008
1000 Bishopswood 1045 Churchinford 1130 Blagdon Hill 1230 Pitminster 1400 Corfe 1445 West Buckland 1515 Nynehead 1600 Bradford on Tone 1630 Oake
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
1000 Bishops Lydeard 1030 Cotford St Luke 1200 Fitzhead 1230 Halse 1430 Lydeard St Lawrence 1515 West Bagborough 1545 Kingston St Mary
Monday, 4 August 2008
1000 Durston 1030 Burrowbridge 1100 Stoke St 1145 North Curry 1245 Stoke St Mary 1415 Hatch Beauchamp 1445 Ruishton 1545 Creech St Michael
Thursday, 7 August 2008
1000 Ashbrittle 1030 Waterrow 1100 Langley Marsh 1130 Wiveliscombe 1400 Milverton 1500 Langford Budville 1545 Sampford Arundel
IN THE COMMUNITY
Stallholders at Taunton Farmers’ Market have won Jeremy’s support for their campaign to attract more visitors. He said;
“Taunton Farmers’ Market is held every Thursday and has become one of the foremost Farmers’ Markets in the West country. People enjoy the mainly local produce on offer, so we should do all we can to let them know what is on their doorstep.”
Jeremy has joined with Taunton Association for the Homeless to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Lindley House. He said;
"I enjoyed attending the Open Day to celebrate 25 years at Lindley House, where Taunton Association for the Homeless houses and supports 45 single homeless men and women.
“I am also pleased that Lindley House makes a real effort to work closely with their neighbours in the area."
Jeremy’s other activities in Taunton included;
- meeting with Corfe Parish Council and local residents to discuss traffic issues, and First Buses to discuss local services.
- attending Taunton Flower Show, the Friends of Woodlands Castle’s open evening in Ruishton, and Halse fete, Creech St Michael fete and Bishops Hull fete.
- speaking at Taunton Rotary Club and Wellington School.
SPOKESPERSON’S NEWS
Jeremy is the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, focusing on issues such as accountability in public spending, personal debt and taxation.
FIGHTING INFLATION
Jeremy has called for greater action from the Government to help Taunton Deane residents struggling with rising energy bills. He said;
"Inflation in July rose to 4.4%. Although that is more than double the government's target, it is still lower than the rises we are seeing for food, gas, water and petrol. The government needs to take action to help people struggling with escalating energy costs, including a major programme of better home insulation and making sure that low-income households are not forced onto expensive payment tariffs."
SUPPORTING TAUNTON’S ECONOMY
Jeremy has visited Western Power’s new £1.5m training centre in Taunton. He was shown around the facility by Managing Director Phil Thorne. Jeremy commented;
“Western Power employs 2,500 staff, many of whom will benefit from this new state-of-the-art facility. The best part of their training is the apprenticeship scheme which is run for young people. “The new training centre will even provide training for other major energy companies, including E.ON and Scottish Power. It is a considerable asset to Taunton and will also generate demand for a variety of other local services, from suppliers to hotels.”
IN AMERICA
This year, Jeremy’s summer holiday included a visit to Wellington, Texas where he met with local newspaper staff to find out more about the town. He commented;
“Wellington, Texas has a population about the same size as Wiveliscombe. Two features that we in Somerset might envy are the reliably sunny weather and the almost total absence of traffic congestion.
“I enjoyed visiting the offices of The Wellington Leader, their weekly newspaper, and I extended a warm welcome to them to visit Wellington, Somerset when they are ever in England.”
Jeremy was also in America to attend the Democratic National Convention as the representative of the British American Parliamentary Group. He commented;
“The election of the next American president is an event of global significance.
“I was privileged enough to attend the acceptance speech of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama with 84,000 others at the Invesco Field stadium in Denver. It was truly remarkable and nobody who was there will ever forget the occasion.
“I also had the opportunity to attend the rest of the Convention. It was fascinating to watch high-profile performances by Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Joe Biden and Michelle Obama. In November America will make a choice between two very different visions and it was amazing to be able to witness in person such a significant part of that process.”
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