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News from Westminster

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 16:17, Fri 20 November 2009:

WELCOME!

Here’s the latest edition of my regular newsletter.

QUEEN'S SPEECH

The Queen set out this week the Government’s programme for the forthcoming Parliamentary year. This is an important Queen’s speech which does, I believe, tackle some of the issues that are of most concern to the British people. There are proposals to support people who need care, plans for tougher regulation on bankers, and a strategy to ensure that young people who fall behind at school are given all the support they need to catch up. In addition, the Government will legislate to half the nation’s deficit in four years, ban cluster munitions and increase the level of public spending on international aid. For more information on any of the Bills in the Queen’s Speech, please do get in touch.

BRISTOL'S NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SUCCESS!

Last Monday morning, I popped into to visit representatives of some of Bristol’s Neighbourhood Watch groups. Neighbourhood Watches provide an absolutely invaluable service to our communities and to the police. I was delighted to help celebrate their success. Of twelve Home Office funding awards available to the south-west region, Bristol watches won a staggering eleven. Many congratulations to everyone who works so hard in their spare time to make the Neighbourhood Watch programmes a success.

20 MPH TRIAL IN SOUTH BRISTOL

I was very pleased to see that the City Council have modified their proposals for 20mph zones in Ashton, Bedminster, Southville and Windmill Hill. Originally the Council wanted to exclude a large number of roads from the zones, including several streets with primary schools on. Along with many local residents, I urged the Council to reform the plans to include all of our residential streets in the area. Thankfully, reformed proposals issued last week ensure that virtually all of the streets within the zone will see speeds reduced to 20mph. If the trial is successful, I can see no reason why lower speed limits shouldn’t become the norm across the city.

VISITING ASHTON PARK SCHOOL

I visited Ashton Park School last week to meet with Headteacher Chris Gardner. These are exciting times for Ashton Park. The school is being extensively rebuilt under the Building Schools for the Future programme. Work should be complete by next September. As the school is in a residential area, it is important that builders are considerate to the neighbours, and I am pleased that the school have plans in place to minimise disruption. In addition to the new build, Ashton Park is looking into proposals to become a Trust school, joining forces with several local primary schools. Parents will have been informed of the consultation, and I would urge everyone who has an interest in the school to have their say.

OPENING THE YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION

In my role as Minister for Children, Young People and Families, I went to the City Academy to officially open their Youth Achievement Foundation (YAF). The YAF is a facility promoting vocational subjects for young people who had struggled with mainstream education. Some of the young people had been excluded from previous schools. The YAF offers these people a second chance, and it was a real pleasure to see their enthusiasm for learning new schools. Because of its nature, it admits young people from across Bristol, including here in Bristol South. Many congratulations to City Academy Principal Ray Priest and UK Youth for getting this project off the ground.

TRANSPORT PROPOSALS AND COUNCIL CUTS - HAVE YOUR SAY!

I wanted to tell you about two important consultations that are being carried out at the moment. Unfortunately, the Council is planning to close Customer Service Points around the city. These centres provide advice and support, as well as offering the facility to pay bills, for some of the most vulnerable people in our city. Not everyone can use the internet, or is confident enough to carry out transactions over the phone, and the Council should realise that. Unfortunately, they seem to be more interested in cutting costs than helping people. Have your say via http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Council-Democracy/Consultations/modernising-customer-access-to-council-services.en/.

There’s also still time to tell the West of England Partnership what you think about their latest plans for the South Bristol Link – visit http://www.westofengland.org/transport/south-bristol-link for more information.

TCK TCK TCK – SUPPORTING A GLOBAL DEAL ON CLIMATE CHANGE

You may have heard of the worldwide ‘Tck Tck Tck’ campaign, an initiative to galvanise public opinion in support of transformational change and rapid action to save the planet from dangerous levels of climate change. Support for Tck Tck Tck is growing ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen next month. Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General, recently wrote to the 100 global leaders, asking them to join the Tck Tck Tck campaign and the UK Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband, is also encouraging people to get involved. I’ve personally signed up at www.tcktcktck.org and have written to schools, churches and other organisations in Bristol South asking them to spread the word about the need for an effective, strong and fair deal at Copenhagen.

NEWS ROUND UP

It’s been a busy fortnight and, as well as the activities listed above I also attended Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in Bristol. There was an especially large gathering of people this year to mark a solemn and important occasion for the city and the country. On Monday this week, I met with Knowle West’s Neighbourhood Manager to discuss exciting regeneration plans for the estate. I was pleased to have a chat with students from Merchant’s Academy last Friday, though our planned tree planting had to be cancelled due to heavy rain and high winds. I also met with Transport Minister Sadiq Khan in London to discuss bus services. He has promised to keep a close personal eye on Bristol’s buses from now on.

ANY QUESTIONS?

If you have any queries about these issues, or have a question you would like to ask about anything else, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Email me at primarolod@parliament.uk, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH. Alternatively, for more information on what’s happening in and around Bristol South, you can visit www.bristolsouthlabourparty.org.uk.