Summer Roundup 2011
Since my last bulletin we have witnessed some appalling scenes on the streets of many cities across our country.
When Parliament returns next week, not only will our focus be on maintaining the UK’s economic stability amidst further global uncertainty, but to also get to the bottom of the deep social issues that lie at the heart of the recent unrest on our streets. We have a responsibility to address these issues to ensure that nothing like it is allowed to happen again.
I have recently added a new section to my website that catalogues all my videos. These include all of my appearances in the House of Commons and can be accessed from the following link: Stephen Mosley Videos
As always, you can find a taster of what’s happening in Chester below, but for more information, please visit www.chestermp.com.
Best Wishes,
Stephen Mosley
Member of Parliament for The City of Chester
Saighton Camp Meeting
I was heartened to see such a large turnout at Caldy Valley Church in Boughton last month to discuss the development of the former military training facility at Saighton Camp.
There were around 350 people in attendance, far too many to fit in the church, and many people had to make do with a view from the car park.
When planning permission was sought by the developers it was strongly objected to by all parish councils (Huntington, Great Boughton, Aldford, Saighton, Rowton and Christleton), opposed vehemently by local CWaC councillors, and rejected unanimously by the CWaC Planning Board. Yet the development is underway thanks to a decision made a few weeks before last year’s General Election by the then Labour Secretary of State for Local Government to give the plans the green light.
I hold the utmost sympathy for those directly affected by the Saighton Camp decision and although I can offer little retrospective consolation, I can assure you that future important local decisions will not be dictated by central government as they were under the last Government.
Local residents affected by the Saighton Camp Development are being invited to find out more about developing their own Neighbourhood Plan at a joint meeting of Great Boughton and Huntington Parish Councils at 7:30pm on 19th September at Bishops’ Bluecoat High School.
Spending a Week at the Countess of Chester Hospital
Earlier this month I spent one week at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust learning how healthcare is delivered on the frontline.
I spent each day shadowing various departments at the hospital and I am extremely grateful to all the members of staff who helped me gain firsthand experience of how the hospital works on a day-to-day basis.
It was a an eye-opening experience and one that has left me with a much stronger understanding of the challenges that face doctors, nurses and the numerous other members of the NHS team.
Each day I published a blog of what I’d been up to, along with a brief video interview. You can access each day’s posts from the following links:
Unfortunately I missed one day of my week as Parliament was recalled because of the riots, but I hope to return to the Hospital to complete the schedule in September.
Reaction to the Recent Riots
The whole country has been shocked by the riots we saw earlier this month. I completely condemn the scenes that we have seen. They are sickening. It is criminality, pure and simple. It has to be confronted and defeated. The Government is on the side of the law abiding people who are appalled by what has happened and I’m pleased that such a comprehensive effort is being made to prosecute each and every one of the offenders.
I was glad that Parliament was recalled for a day and I returned to Parliament myself. The Prime Minister made a statement, a debate was held and I was pleased the House came together in condemnation of these crimes and stood together in its determination to rebuild these communities.
The Prime Minister is right when he says that a major problem in our society is children growing up without knowing the difference between right and wrong and a culture that glorifies violence. We need more discipline in our schools, action to deal with the most disruptive families and a criminal justice system that scores a clear, heavy line between right and wrong.
It is our determination to confront these issues head on, and although there will be no overnight solution, Parliament has already shown its determination to come together over this issue to bring long lasting reforms.
National Planning Reform and Green Belt Legislation
As the decision over Saighton Camp highlights, there is sound reasoning behind my passion for decentralising decision making to local people, and of my desire to see less red-tape and bureaucracy in all areas of public administration.
The Coalition has recently launched a draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that will empower local authorities and communities to produce their own planning objectives, away from central government interference, and with far less complexity than currently exists (there are now more than 1,000 pages of national planning policy, we want to reduce that to around 50).
Local councils should be positive and proactive in encouraging sustainable growth and addressing barriers to investment but should avoid recklessly granting permission wherever there is an empty plot of land. Planning remains, quite rightly, a hugely sensitive issue, particularly in areas like Chester.
Chester is tightly surrounded by Green Belt land and the draft NPPF re-affirms the Government’s commitment to maintaining Green Belt protections to prevent urban sprawl.
All inappropriate development, harmful to Green Belt land, remains prohibited.
It is imperative that local authorities, our own Cheshire West and Chester Council included, pay careful attention to what developments constitute an appropriate granting of Green Belt permission.
Summer Youth Project Success
Despite the horrific scenes from many of our cities streets, not every young person in the country has been wreaking havoc over the summer period. On the contrary, many have been doing exactly the opposite and as important as it is to highlight the wrongdoers in our society, perhaps this is sometimes done at the expense of championing those who do good for their local communities.
I recently had the pleasure of attending Poets Corner in Blacon to see the hard work of many youngsters taking part in a project to rejuvenate the area. This included garage doors being painted, shrubbery being planted, metal fencing being painted, and a huge weeding and litter pick operation.
I also had the opportunity to meet volunteers taking part in a cleanup project at Chester Cathedral organised by Cathedral Camps, a subsidiary of Community Service Volunteers. It was great to see so many young people taking pride in community service, and despite the hard work, they all seemed to be enjoying themselves.
The more young people who get to take part in programmes like this the better and the Government is doing its bit to help encourage such activities. The National Citizen Service, piloting this summer, is giving 11,000 16 year olds the chance to learn new skills and get involved in their community and I was delighted to see the results of the hard work done by the young people taking part in the pilot in Balmoral Park in Chester. The Prime Minister has spoken of his desire to expand the programme next year and I’d encourage anyone interested to get involved; it really is a great way to spend your summer.
Out and About in Chester
Since my last bulletin, I have...
Representing Chester in Parliament
I have since my last bulletin...
You can also view in full my contributions in Parliament. Please see my website http://www.chestermp.com/in-parliament
7 Ways to Get in Touch
By post: Stephen Mosley MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Telephone: 01244 458120
Email: stephen@chestermp.com
Website: www.chestermp.com
Twitter: @mp4chester
Facebook: Stephen Mosley MP on Facebook
In person: Additionally, you can come and meet me at one of my regular surgeries in Chester. Call 01244 458120 to book an appointment.
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