Jeremy Browne MP’s Monthly Update - June 2009
Posted by Jeremy Browne, MP for Taunton, at 15:04, Fri 31 July 2009:
JEREMY BROWNE'S MONTHLY UPDATE
Jeremy is backing the campaign to re-open Wiveliscombe Town Hall. He said;
"The Town Hall is the focal point of Wiveliscombe. It ought to be the building which hosts much of the civic and cultural life of the town. I have always thought it was a shame to see it in such a dilapidated condition and I hope that the campaign will be successful."
SUPPORTING CARE SERVICES IN TAUNTON DEANE
Jeremy has visited Moorhaven Care Home and Linden House Nursing Home to talk to residents and staff about care facilities in our area. He said;
“Somerset Care, which runs Moorhaven and four other care homes in our area, is now a major employer in the county and also provides specialised training. Across Somerset the group has around 1,000 residents, with their head office located on Blackbrook Business Park.
“Much like Linden House, Somerset Care have invested in new facilities and provide a vital service as demand for care for the elderly grows. I was delighted to open the new portico at Linden House and see the difference the new dining area and garden have made at Moorhaven.
“I am pleased that residential care being provided for vulnerable people is benefiting from a higher profile and extra financial investment."
HOUSING PETITION
Jeremy has presented a petition to Parliament opposing excessive levels of housing development in Taunton Deane. He argued;
“I am pleased that so many Taunton Deane residents support my campaign against excessive development. We need to meet housing demands in our area rather than the Government forcing decisions onto communities.
“We do not have the amenities or infrastructure to support such a big increase in the local population. I also do not want to lose the essential character of Taunton Deane.”
Read the petition at; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090610/debtext/90610-0021.htm#09061077000002
HONOURING THE ROYAL MARINES
Jeremy paid tribute to the Royal Marines from Norton Manor camp when they marched into Parliament in June. He commented;
“This week Royal Marines who have recently served in Afghanistan marched through the gates into Parliament. Leading the parade was Brigadier Gordon Messenger, the former Commanding Officer of 40 Commando in Taunton Deane.
“The bravery and professionalism of the Royal Marines is inspirational. Their service to our country should be admired and respected. They provide the flexibility and excellence that is needed to confront threats to Britain's security.”
IN THE COMMUNITY
Elsewhere in Taunton, Jeremy;
- Visited the Ginger Fig in Bath Place, the Continental Market in Taunton town centre, and the Mount Somerset Hotel in Henlade.
- Opened Blagdon fete, the arts festival at Somerset College, and the fete at Gotton Manor Care Home in Cheddon Fitzpaine.
- Attended the 50/50 cycle ride, the summer festival at St Georges in Wilton, Oake fete, the street party at Old Vicarage Lane in Bishops Lydeard, and the rotary presidential evening at Richard Huish College.
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, taxation and affordable housing.
SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERS
Jeremy has called on the Government to make sure volunteer drivers are not left out of pocket. He urged the Government to include his proposal in the Finance Bill, which was debated in June.
“Until recently there was no high-level cancer treatment in Taunton. We are pleased that there is now a new cancer centre, which provides treatment in the vast majority of cases, but that is a new service. Before that, people had to go to Bristol daily for complicated cancer treatment. Bristol is almost exactly 50 miles from Taunton, so the round trip was 100 miles. Volunteers committed to collecting two or three patients from different parts of the town, driving them to Bristol, waiting while they have their treatment and then driving them back to Taunton. That is extremely generous in terms of time and willingness to incur costs. Their mileage costs are, rightly, eligible for reimbursement, but I do not want such people to feel disincentivised to make that noble gesture on behalf of their community because they feel that the tax-free allowance on mileage does not accurately reflect the cost incurred by them.”
Read the debate at; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmpublic/finance/090625/pm/90625s05.htm
EQUITABLE LIFE
Jeremy has slammed the Government for dragging its feet over compensation for Equitable Life policy holders. He said;
“More than anything else, we need to act with speed. The greatest frustration for most of the policyholders is the Government’s inability to come to a speedy resolution.
“The Government have a responsibility, as the regulator, to compensate for regulatory failure. The Exchequer Secretary must bring this issue to a head now on behalf of the scores of constituents that I and all hon. Members have whose quality of life has been severely affected at the most vulnerable time of their life, because of the loss of savings due in large part to the regulatory failure over which the Government presided.”
Read the debate at; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090624/halltext/90624h0008.htm
DEFYING THE RECESSION
In June, Jeremy’s visits to local companies included two Wellington based businesses which, whilst specialising in two very different sectors, both serve as important drivers for the Taunton Deane economy. On his visit to Managed Asset Services, Jeremy said;
“It is a remarkable specialist company that has customers around the globe. From their offices on the Poole industrial estate, they use the internet to supply spare parts for military aircraft.
"This is a highly specialised business, and the staff are experts in identifying and selling essential components. They are a powerful example of the nature of modern business and the value of the internet. They could be located anywhere in the country, but they are based outside Wellington, and are providing specialist employment opportunities in our local economy."
On his visit to The Big House, Jeremy commented;
“The Big House, which runs Tone Dale House, is a particularly special venue for weddings.
“It is also popular as a location for business conferences and company away-days and helps to generate considerable extra income for the overall Wellington economy.”
Contact Jeremy at office@tauntonlibdems.org.uk , or write to him at: Masons House, Magdalene Street, Taunton, TA1 1SG
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