Andrew Gwynne MP Parliamentary News
Posted by Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, at 16:27, Wed 4 November 2009:
An audience with the Prime Minister
I invited constituents down to a reception that was held at Ten Downing Street. The invited guests to this event included Sarah Kew, a Community Regeneration Manager from the Denton South Partnership and Denton South Community Campaigner Claire Francis.
The “Community Heroes reception” is held at Ten Downing Street, and is an opportunity for MPs to recognise people who have made a contribution in their community. At the event they all had a picture taken with the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown MP and his wife Sarah Brown.
I was extremely proud that Sarah Kew had the opportunity to meet Gordon and Sarah Brown in the reception for Community Heroes in Ten Downing Street. Sarah was chosen by me because of the dedicated work, over a number of years, by her team to regenerate the Haughton Green and Denton South area in my constituency.
Andrew says don’t write off people with Autism
I am backing a National Autistic Society (NAS) campaign to stop adults with autism being written-off by the employment and benefits system. A new report by the NAS reveals a third of people with the condition currently live without a job and without benefits; many are forced to rely on family and friends for help. People with autism have a great deal to offer and we know that many want to work but are unable to get the help and support they need to fulfil their potential. It is crucial that people with serious, lifelong and disabling conditions such as autism get the help they need when seeking employment and are supported financially when they cannot work. People with autism say their experiences of the employment and benefits system are marred by anxiety, confusion, delays and discrimination. It is scandalous that thousands of people with autism are being consigned to poverty by a complex and counter-productive benefits system. Research for the Don’t write me off report found: Almost 80% of people with autism on Incapacity Benefit want to work. Over a third said their Disability Employment Advisor’s knowledge of autism was “very bad” or “bad”. The NAS is calling for a national strategy from government to transform access to employment for people with autism across the UK. To find out more about the campaign, visit: www.autism.org.uk/dontwritemeoff
Beautiful Stained Glass window replaced at Denton Town Hall
The Tameside Council Leader has come to the rescue after the impressive stained glass window at Denton Town Hall fell into a state of disrepair. After receiving a request from me, Cllr Roy Oldham provided the necessary funds to take down and repair the imposing work of art which overlooks the main stairwell. At a cost of just over £4,000 the window, which depicts the town’s coat or arms, was taken down and taken away to be repaired and refurbished before being secured back in place, complete with a new lick of paint for the surrounding woodwork.
The window was originally installed in the 1930s to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. The original metal frames holding the sections of glass together appeared to have warped quite badly and I was concerned that this important piece of civic history would be lost without the urgent repair being carried out.
I was so pleased when the Leader of the Council approved the restoration work and it now looks as good as new back in place on the Town Hall staircase.
Supporting campaign to cut carbon emissions
I added my name to the campaign to try to cut the country’s carbon emissions. The campaign 10:10 has been devised by the people who made the climate change film the “Age of Stupid”; a powerful call to arms for all those who want to save the planet. 10:10 gives individuals, schools, businesses and local authorities the chance to do their bit to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions by working out how they can cut the amount of CO2 they produce by 10% in 2010.
I’m signed up to the 10:10 campaign because it gives me a chance to really show I can make a difference on a personal level to tackling climate change. People in Denton and Reddish are already making an effort but signing up means that effort is visible. Everyone in Denton and Reddish who signs up can be part of a big national effort – all of us pulling together to prevent global warming. Anyone can sign up to 10:10 here. http://www.1010uk.org/
Andrew made patron of Willow Wood Hospice
After a recent visit to Willow Wood Hospice I was invited to be become their patron. The Hospice cares for cancer patients from Tameside and Glossop. On my recent visit I got a tour of the facilities and met many of the staff who do such important work. They provide excellent care to cancer patients, the Hospice has cared for more than 2,000 patients and their families over the years. The staff and volunteers at Willow Wood Hospice are committed to providing a better quality of life to those dealing life threatening illness and I fully support the work that they do.
Celebrating our local parks
I welcome the news that Victoria Park has been awarded a Green Flag for the tenth consecutive year. For the second year running it has also received the Green Heritage award, this recognises the work done to restore the park’s original features, such as the band stand and the war memorial. Other parks in the constituency awarded the Green Flag are – Ryecroft Hall, Reddish Vale Country Park, Audenshaw; Denton Cemetery; Haughton Green Playing Fields in Denton; South Reddish Park. Haughton Green Playing Fields and Tame Valley Community Green have also received the Green Pennant Award. So well done to everyone who has worked so hard to keep the areas so pleasant.
Denton and Reddish Roads set for Improvements
Motorists in Denton and Reddish are set to benefit from a share of up to £45 million for additional repairs and safety measures on the local road network. This money will fund essential repairs vital to the safety of the road network. It will also allow crucial maintenance work to take place, further improving the condition of local roads in Stockport and Tameside areas and reducing the risk of disruption and delays in the future.
I am really glad that both Stockport and Tameside will receive addition money to repair our roads. I know that there have been concerns from local people by the letters I receive. This money will certainly go a long way to helping to address these concerns.
The Government will provide £33.43m immediately with a further £7.09m to follow when all the necessary consents has been received. The local authorities are jointly contributing £4.5m.This funding is in addition to the £254m allocated to the North West region for road maintenance over the next two years. The funding provided will allow the authorities to start repairs where they do not need to acquire statutory consents prior to any maintenance works
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