Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Tamworth’ Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, has welcomed the upgrade to the website www.police.uk introduced on 30 January 2012.
These improvements give the public an even more detailed picture of crime and anti-social behaviour in Tamworth.
The website now includes incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour recorded at all train stations and railway networks. Soon incidents occurring at or near significant local sites like shopping areas, nightclubs, parks, airports, universities, car parks and hospitals will be added too.
In addition, the website now has more specific detail on the precise location of incidents – while still protecting anonymity.
From May this year police.uk will show the action taken by the police or the justice outcome after a crime.
Commenting Mr. Pincher said, “Police.uk gives everyone in Tamworth information on just what crime and anti-social behaviour is happening right on their street.
“In the year since its launch the website has received an astonishing 453 million hits and this upgrade will make even more detail available.
“I am pleased the Home Office is listening to the public’s demand for even more information on crime in their neighbourhood ahead of the election this November of our Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire. I trust this helps Staffordshire Police to further improve on the excellent job they are already doing.”
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Theresa May, the Home Secretary, announced this week that cash payments for scrap metal will be banned and penalties increased, as the Government steps up its action against metal theft.
In a statement to Parliament Mrs May said the Government would:
- create a new criminal offence to prohibit cash payments when purchasing scrap metal
- introduce unlimited penalties for those that break the law
In November last year the Government announced that a dedicated metal theft taskforce would be established.
These changes are part of a wider plan to tackle all stages in the illegal trading of stolen scrap metal and further measures to crack down on rogue dealers will soon be outlined.
Commenting on the announcement local MP Christopher Pincher said, “People across Tamworth are disgusted by metal thieves and the criminals who deal in stolen metal. Our local churches have been attacked by these criminals costing our local parishes thousands.
“St Paul’s church in Fazeley has been stripped of its lead and copper conductors on at least two occasions leaving it vulnerable to fire if lightening strikes. Cable theft from train-tracks is costing residents in train fare increases and more frequent delays.
‘We need to protect business, the public and our national heritage from metal theft and that’s why I’m pleased to back the Government’s action. It’s right that the Government is stopping cash payments and introducing tough penalties to clamp down on the illegal metal trade.”
Thursday, February 9th, 2012
A new healthy lifestyle publicity campaign, more health and fitness sessions and exploring the option for another outdoor gym are all options Conservative controlled Tamworth Borough Council is looking into.
One of the authority’s priorities is to create a safe environment in which local people can reach their full potential and live longer, healthier lives.
Four recommendations (see below) were put to the council’s Cabinet by the Council’s Community & Wellbeing Scrutiny, following its recent meeting to discuss obesity issues in the borough.
The in-depth report – written and presented by Cllr Andrew James – saw the committee Chairman Cllr Ken Gant recommend to Cabinet further work be undertaken in a bid to improve Tamworth’s health.
This work will take place alongside the existing wide-range of health initiatives the Borough Council runs to help people to get fit.
The Borough Council already runs 15 fitness and exercise classes each week, free swimming for all at Wilnecote, subsidises public swimming at the SnowDome, provides three outdoor gyms and numerous other initiatives and programmes available to everyone.
According to Cllr James: “We are already working closely with other organisations to tackle obesity, as we know the devastating impact it can have on people’s lives.
“One of the Council’s priorities is to ‘be healthier and safer’; therefore introducing additional initiatives to encourage people to become more active is very important to us.”
The council does not receive any government funding for public health initiatives, but does invest in working with residents and providing initiatives to improve public health and to increase safety – singly and by working closely with other organisations.
Recommendations put forward:
- Tamworth Borough Council to fund the employment of at least one Health Officer for a period of 12 Months
- Tamworth Borough Council to promote a Healthy Lifestyle poster/leaflet campaign, in conjunction with Staffordshire County Council, across the town
- Community and Leisure services hold fitness classes in the town centre utilising the canopy or the Castle Grounds
- Cabinet fund one more outdoor gym in one of the social housing areas
Current projects to increase access to exercise and health education include:
- Three free outdoor gyms in the Castle Grounds, Wigginton Park and Dosthill Park
- Free swimming for all at Wilnecote leisure centre
- Structured exercise programmes for people referred by their GP
- Zumba sessions
- Nordic walking, which is the fastest growing leisure activity in the world
- Buggy fitness for new mums
Details of fitness classes run throughout the borough are available at www.tamworth.gov.uk or contact the Sports Development Team on 01827 709316.
Monday, February 6th, 2012
Christopher Pincher, Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, is taking part in the second annual Parliamentary live music competition, “Rock the House”, and invites under-18s, solo artists, bands and live music venues in the Tamworth constituency to write and nominate themselves.
The competition was founded by Mike Weatherley MP for Hove in support of the UK live music sector to raise the profile of intellectual property rights issues and counts rock legends Alice Cooper and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan as Patrons.
Musicians and live music venues within the Tamworth area can find all forms and information on the competition at www.rockthehouse2012.com and can send in their nominations to Mr. Pincher at christopher.pincher.mp@parliament.uk
read more
Monday, February 6th, 2012
Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, has welcomed the news of a 10-year deal between Royal Mail and the Post Office, securing the future of local services without resorting to the failed closure programme which dominated Labour’s time in government.
The deal follows the Government’s other measures to protect Post Office services including additional funding, new local and national contracts, a successful piloting scheme to transform many local post offices and improvements in the services offered.
Commenting, Christopher Pincher said:
‘In opposition Conservatives campaigned tirelessly to overturn Labour’s cuts to our Post Offices, which saw them close over 6,500 in a decade – including three in our constituency. I was bitterly disappointed when the Borough Road, Hopwas and Stonnall offices closed. I do not want to see any more go. The Government’s announcement means the future of the Post Office is secured guaranteeing this valuable service for millions of people.’
Monday, February 6th, 2012
Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Haunton, Clifton Campville & Tamworth has joined 105 other MPs from the four largest political parties represented in the House of Commons in writing to the Prime Minister urging a reduction in the subsidy handed out to onshore wind projects.
The joint letter requests that amendments be made to the National Planning Policy Framework to help protect the rural landscape and heritage sites across the country.
It also asks for the Planning Inspectorate to be instructed that these factors, as well as the views of local residents, must be given more weight in their decision making to counter-balance recent verdicts which have favoured regional, national and European renewable energy targets.
Mr. Pincher said:
“I am delighted to be part of this campaign. Not only is onshore wind production inefficient and intermittent, I am concerned that it also adds to the energy bills to every home and business in my constituency.”
“I think the amount of money available in subsidy for onshore wind should be reduced and this saving spread across other renewable energy types and also spent on local energy efficiency measures.”
“It is also important that the new planning regime the Government is introducing ensures that local people’s views are taken fully into account and that the system recognises the importance of the beautiful countryside and heritage assets we have. Turbines that will tower of Clifton Campville parish church and be visible from Nuneaton are not acceptable.
Monday, February 6th, 2012
Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, is supporting the launch of “Chance to be Chancellor 2012” and is calling on schools and young people in Tamworth to take up in the challenge to learn about, and share their opinions on, Budget 2012. Run by the Citizenship Foundation, in partnership with Aviva, Chance to be Chancellor is open to all 14-18 year olds across Britain.
Mr. Pincher said:
“I think it is very important that young people have the opportunity to learn more about taxation and spending policies and the chance to have their say. They will also be able to discover how the decisions they make as Chancellor affect them and their families.”
The challenge is running until the 20th February, participants can enter into a national competition to win great prizes and visit HM Treasury in London. Last year 3000 young people across the country got involved and published their views on the first ever Youth Budget.
To find out more and get involved Herald readers should visit:
www.chancetobechancellor.org.uk
Monday, January 16th, 2012
Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, last week called upon Transport Secretary Justine Greening to offer compensation to anyone suffering planning blight as a result of HS2. His intervention came in the House of Commons after Ms. Greening announced that she will press ahead with plans to build the new rail line. She was question by seventy four Members of Parliament about the proposals with many expressing reservations about the scheme.
Mr. Pincher said:
“My right hon. Friend [Justine Greening] will be aware that many people believe the present exceptional hardship scheme to be inconsistent and unfair. Can she confirm that her proposed refreshed hardship scheme will be consistent and will ensure that anybody affected by blight who wishes to move will be properly compensated? Those people should not be penalised for living in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
read more
Monday, January 16th, 2012
Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, last week used Business Questions to ask Commons Leader Sir George Young for a debate on the state pension in the House of Commons.
Mr. Pincher said:
“There has been a great deal of debate recently about public sector pensions, but may we have a debate about the state pension, so that we can discuss the actions that the Government are taking to improve the lot of state pensioners and ensure that they never again suffer the indignity of the miserly 75p rise they got from Labour?”
Sir George Young responded:
“We would welcome such a debate. This year, pensioners will see the biggest cash rise they have ever seen, and under our triple lock the state pension will always be increased, year on year, in line with average earnings, prices or 2.5%, whichever is the highest. This year’s increase of more than £5 a week contrasts, as my hon. Friend has just reminded us, with the 75p that the Labour Government gave pensioners in 1999.”
read more
Sunday, January 15th, 2012
Last year Tamworth was reported to be the worst place in England for obesity.
However, the league table quoted is misleading because the data used dates back to 2008 and does not take into account what has been done during the last three years to combat obesity across Tamworth.
A report has been produced that looks at the various causes of obesity for all ages and highlights the initiatives put in place and the extensive work carried out by Conservative controlled Tamworth Borough Council and its partners to improve the overall health and wellbeing for all residents of Tamworth.
Both Tamworth Borough Council and its public sector partners are keen to promote an active and healthy lifestyle amongst our residents. In 2009, there were just over 9,000 adults in Tamworth enjoying active sport or exercise. Today it is over 11,000, thus we are moving in the right direction.
- All Tamworth Borough Council staff are offered regular help and advice on health and wellbeing
- In addition to the PE sessions in Schools, Tamworth Borough Council provides additional physical activities in the after school clubs and mobile activity sessions in the localities for children
- Staffordshire County Council actively supports the National Healthy Schools programme where schools are encouraged to achieve Healthy Schools Status using a whole school approach. All of the 32 schools (primary & Secondary) in Tamworth participated in the Healthy Schools programme. 26 of Tamworth’s schools have achieved healthy school status and the remaining 6 schools are working towards healthy school status
- South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust supports Change4Life – a nationwide movement to help our kids to ‘eat well, move more and live longer’
- All food provided by local authorities must meet national nutritional standards. These ensure that children are provided with a healthy, balanced diet. The new standards, introduced in September 2006, require the following: high-quality meat, poultry or oily fish regularly available, at least two portions of fruit and vegetables with every meal, bread, other cereals and potatoes regularly available
- Additionally, there are controls on the following foods: deep-fried food limited to no more than two portions per week, fizzy drinks, crisps, chocolate and other confectioneries removed from school meals and vending machines
- NHS LifeCheck is jointly promoted by Tamworth Borough Council and the South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust. NHS LifeCheck is a free online service designed to help improve the health of all, after answering eight simple questions, LifeCheck will give results and advice tailored to age, gender and lifestyle – www.nhs.uk/lifecheck
- Tamworth Lifestyle service has been up and running in Tamworth since July 2009 and is now well established with all local GP practices referring into the service. The Tamworth Lifestyle team is made up of eight Lifestyle Advisors who give motivational and behaviour change support to clients in the areas of weight management, health eating, physical activity, smoking cessation and reduced alcohol consumption
- Over the past 2 years there have been over 2400 referrals for the people of Tamworth. This has lead to around 10,000 contacts with clients, lasting between 30 minutes and an hour. Through working with a lifestyle advisor 69% of clients have either achieved or part achieved their
- On average people who have accessed the service have: increased their fruit and vegetable consumption from 3.4 to 5.3 Portions per day (meeting the government 5-a-day target), increased their level of moderate physical activity from 2.9 to 5.7 sessions per week (meeting the 5×30 minutes a week national recommendation), reduced their daily consumption of fatty snacks from 5.1 to 2.1 portions per day
The Borough Council’s Community and Wellbeing committee will review the report on obesity in Tamworth at its next meeting, due to be held on Wednesday 18 January at Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth.
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