Jeremy Browne MP’s Monthly Update - July 2009
Posted by Jeremy Browne, MP for Taunton, at 14:57, Tue 5 January 2010:
Jeremy and leading officials from Somerset County Cricket Club visited 10 Downing Street to celebrate the success of the England Women’s cricket team in July. He said;
"The England Cricket Board and the organisers of the Twenty20 tournament were very impressed with the way that Taunton staged the women's group games. I am delighted Taunton has played a part in their success by becoming the official home of England women's cricket."
COMBATING PARKINSON'S DISEASE
This month Jeremy joined with a cross-party group of MPs to launch a new report calling for a national strategy to combat Parkinson’s Disease. He said;
“As a founder member of the all-party Parliamentary Parkinson's Disease group and a vice president of the Parkinson's Disease Society, I was very pleased to launch the group’s first report.
"120,000 people in Britain have Parkinson's Disease, and many benefit from the excellent care provided by specialist doctors and nurses, but the level of provision varies greatly in different parts of the country. We are generally well served in Somerset, but other areas are less fortunate.
"A national strategy to improve care for patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease and other neurological conditions could raise the quality of life of thousands of people.”
WELLINGTON CARNIVAL
Jeremy is calling on the Government to remove the performance licence fee requirement from this year’s Wellington Carnival. He argued;
“Wellington Carnival has a tight budget which includes insurance payments and donations to local charities. Now fears have been raised that Wellington Carnival will be forced to pay £1,500 extra in performing rights fees. They have never had to pay this fee before.
“Carnivals are important and historical community events in Somerset and should be exempt from performing rights fees.”
RURAL SURGERIES
Each summer Jeremy’s rural surgeries tour takes him across the constituency. This year his tour started in July, but you can still catch him during August outside the venues listed below.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
1000 Durston - village hall 1030 Burrowbridge - pub 1100 Stoke St Gregory - shop 1145 North Curry - shop 1230 Hatch Beauchamp - pub 1415 Stoke St Mary - pub 1445 Ruishton - pub 1530 Creech St Michael - shops
Thursday 6 August 2009
1000 Ashbrittle – village centre 1030 Waterrow - pub 1100 Langley Marsh - pub 1130 Wiveliscombe - community office 1400 Milverton - Victoria Rooms 1500 Langford Budville - school 1530 Holywell Lake - pub 1600 Sampford Arundel - school
If you cannot make the times above but have an issue he can help with, you can arrange to see Jeremy at his regular weekly surgery by calling 01823 337874.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Elsewhere in Taunton, Jeremy;
- Opened the YMCA pre-school extension, the new Somerset Care offices, the foundation unit at Priorswood school, and Somerset Care’s summer garden party.
- Attended speech day at Queens College, Science Day at St Augustine school, the charity concert in aid of Mind and Open Door held at Creech St Michael Baptist Church, the Somerset Gardens Trust fundraiser at Glebe Court, St Margaret’s Hospice summer ball, and Fitzhead fete.
- Visited Ladymead school, Parkfield school, Creech St Michael summer fair, Bishops Lydeard Almshouses Social Club fete, Dunkirk Memorial House, Bishops Lydeard summer fete, and Summerfield Developments.
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.
BACKING LOCAL BUSINESS
In July, Jeremy led campaigns to support fairer taxation and stronger business opportunities for Taunton Deane’s employers. He tabled several amendments to the Government’s Finance Bill to remove punitive tax rises, and visited several companies in our area to talk with proprietors.
BEER TAX
“People in Taunton Deane or Somerset as a whole enjoy having their local breweries, believing that they add to the character of the community and that there is something distinctive about them that helps to define our area.
“Having an opportunity to drink in a pub in my constituency a pint of beer that has been brewed in Wiveliscombe or somewhere else in Somerset is part of their enjoyment as a visitor to the county. It would be extremely sad if that were to be affected by the Government’s unfair tax hike.”
Read Jeremy’s latest beer tax speech at; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090707/debtext/90707-0017.htm
BINGO TAX
"Bingo is taxed at 22% but all other types of gambling are taxed at just 15%. 1,900 customers visit Taunton Mecca Bingo every week, yet their enjoyment is being threatened because the punitive tax rate is making it harder for bingo operators to remain in business.
“I have spoken several times in the House of Commons against the tax, and enjoyed calling the numbers at Mecca Taunton when I visited earlier this month. Bingo is a largely social activity and I am keen to ensure Taunton’s bingo players are not being unfairly penalised.”
Read Jeremy’s latest bingo speech at; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090708/debtext/90708-0014.htm
SMALL BUSINESSES
Jeremy is backing local architects to shape Taunton Deane’s community legacy for future generations. On visiting local firm Mark Richmond Architects, he commented;
"Architecture leaves a lasting legacy that can shape a community for hundreds of years. New projects in Taunton and across Somerset will influence the character of our area.
"There is considerable architectural talent in Taunton Deane, such as Mark Richmond Architects, who have been responsible for well-known local projects like the re-designed interior of the Temple Methodist Church in Taunton.
“Architects who live and work in Somerset are most likely to have a feel for the needs and history of our county, so I want local architects to be the first port of call when local councils and businesses are planning new buildings.”
Contact Jeremy at office@tauntonlibdems.org.uk , or write to him at: Masons House, Magdalene Street, Taunton, TA1 1SG
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