Christopher Pincher Welcomes Record Breaking Fall in Tamworth Unemployment

Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, has welcomed the figures released this week which show unemployment in Tamworth has fallen once again to a new decade low level.

Figures published by the ONS show that the number of unemployed claimants in Tamworth constituency in April 2014 was 851. This represents a rate of 1.7% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64. This number of claimants is a massive 726 lower than April 2013 and 117 lower than in March 2014.

Responding to the latest fall in unemployment in Tamworth Christopher Pincher said, “I welcome the news that unemployment in Tamworth has fallen once again and continues to drop below levels seen before the Labour government’s recession. It has now fallen to a new record low for this decade.

“Together with the fall in inflation which we last month, there is now compelling evidence that the government’s long term economic plan is working. But we must not be complacent, there is still much to do. We must make Tamworth the place to set up or expand a business. Tamworth is a working town and we should not put our economic recovery in jeopardy by returning to Labour’s bad old ways.”

Nationally unemployment is now down to 6.8%. Tamworth is also well above regional and national levels of employment which also continues to rise. Last month also saw a record jump in the number of people finding work since records began in 1971.

Conservative Councillor Writes to County Council over Wilnecote Youth Centre

Conservative Cllr Tina Clements, ward councillor for Wilnecote, has written to Staffordshire County Council to ask if they will work to help set up a residents led management committee to keep Wilnecote youth centre open for everyone.

Cllr Clements’ letter follows the County Council’s recent decision to close Wilnecote youth centre and with every other SCC owned youth club. Cllr Clements’ letter is asking for support to keep the building open as a community hub for a whole range of other community groups in Wilnecote and not just the youth club.

Cllr Clements said, “We would like a meeting with county to discuss the future of Wilnecote youth centre. We as residents would like help to set up a management committee in order that we don’t lose such an iconic building.

“Our older residents used to use this building when it was the school and have grown up in the area where it is. We don’t want to lose one of our oldest features to demolition for it to be left for years; there are so many community groups who use this building and where would they go if it is knocked down.”

Cllr Clements, who wrote to the residents of Wilnecote last month calling on them to sign her petition against the proposed closure of the youth centre, said that she would be writing again to them when she has a reply from the County Council.

Election 2014 Conservative Candidates

Conservative Party candidates for the 2014 Tamworth Borough Council election

Amington – Cllr John Garner

Belgrave – Mrs Joy Goodall

Bolehall – Alastair Whitby

Castle – Cllr Allan Lunn

Glascote – Roy Rogers

Mercian – Cllr Michael Greatorex

Spital – John Chesworth

Stonydelph – Francis Worrall

Trinity – Michael Oates

Wilnecote – Cllr Tina Clements

If you have an issue you want them to deal with, contact them by phone 01827 57156 or by email office@tamworthconservatives.co.uk.

More New Jobs Coming to Tamworth

Carmaker Mini is to open a purpose-built showroom, workshops and parts store in Tamworth, which will create 22 new jobs and is another boost for the local economy.

The plans for the showroom and service area at Cardinal Point, part of the Ventura Park Employment Area, were given the go-ahead by Tamworth Borough Council’s Planning Committee last week, by a unanimous vote in favour of the development.

The two-level building will house a Mini dealership, including a showroom, MOT facility, service workshop with six service bays and parts store. The opening of the dealership will create a total of 22 jobs, 20 full-time and two part-time, providing a valuable boost to the Tamworth economy.

The go-ahead for the Mini garage comes just six weeks after the planning committee gave unanimous approval for a luxury BMW dealership on the neighbouring site, which will create a total of 93 new jobs.

Members of the planning committee were united in their support for the development. They agreed that the showroom plan fits in well with the existing prestige car showrooms in the vicinity, complements the new BMW site and will help to enhance Tamworth’s attractiveness as a destination for investment, helping to improve and strengthen the local economy.

Cllr Robert Pritchard, Deputy Leader of the Council said, “The development of the new Mini showroom will be a big asset to the borough’s economy and is yet another sign of the confidence there is in Tamworth as a place to do invest and do business.”

Conservative Controlled Council Extends Free Childcare Scheme

Parents in Staffordshire with a two-year-old interested in returning to work or retraining can now do so thanks to 15 hours free childcare.

Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council launched the ‘Think 2’ free childcare scheme in September 2013 and following a very successful first year, the scheme is to be extended to help even more parents.

Parents who receive Working Tax Credits will now also be entitled to the free places as well as parents meeting the benefits criteria for free school meal eligibility with a household income of under £16,190. This means over 1600 parents could benefit from the extra places.

The free 15 hours childcare is provided by local nurseries, child minders or pre-schools and is available across the county.

Cllr Mike Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Children, Community and Localism on Staffordshire County Council said, “We have been incredibly pleased with the success of the scheme so far and know that it has helped many more parents get back to work or learn new skills.

“Many parents that we speak to tell us that they would like to return to work, but find it difficult to do so because of a lack of suitable and affordable childcare. That’s where our scheme and the free 15 hours has made a huge difference and why we decided to extend it to help even more parents.

“It’s important to remember that very young children who enjoy a good quality early education often get a better start in life. Their early experiences of learning through play form a great foundation both for school life and the years to come.”

Parents will be able to access the 15 hours free early learning per week, choosing to take it either during school term-time over 38 weeks, or spread over the year if the childcare provider has this flexibility. The free places are now available for eligible children on the term following their second birthday.

To apply, obtain information or to check full criteria and eligibility visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk/think2, people can also call 0300 111 8007. Eligible parents will receive a list of suitable high quality childcare providers in their area along with their confirmation letter.

Staffordshire Regiment’s Mascot and Handler Honoured with Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth

Watchman V, the popular former mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment, has been honoured with the Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth.

Staffordshire bull terrier Corporal Watchman V and his handler, WO2 Greg Hedges, had the award conferred on them at a special ceremony in Tamworth’s historic Town Hall on Monday, where Regimental standards were proudly carried by Staffordshire Regiment veterans.

The honour will pass to successive mascots and handlers and means that Watchman will proudly march through Tamworth with the Mercian Regiment whenever it returns to Tamworth.

The role of Watchman is steeped in tradition, and the ever-popular Staffordshire bull terrier mascot has been representing the serving men and women of Tamworth and Staffordshire for more than 130 years.

Watchman and WO2 Hedges continue to carry out numerous duties, now that the Staffordshire Regiment is part of the larger Mercian Regiment.

Watchman joins the Mercian Regiment, The Defence Medical Services and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Fort Rosalie (A385) in holding the Freedom of the Borough.

At today’s event Cllr John Garner, The Mayor of Tamworth, said, “They say a dog is a mans best friend, and nothing is more true than for the men of the Staffordshire Regiment and Watchman.

“We are here today to honour a tradition that goes back to 1882, when The South Staffordshire Regiment were ordered to march with Lord Wolseley to the relief of General Gordon who was besieged in Khartoum.  Whilst entrained at Cairo their Staffordshire Bull Terrier “Boxer” leapt from the moving train and was seen lying unconscious next to the tracks and was believed dead.

“A few days later whilst the Regiment was encamped at Assiut awaiting orders, a very thin and bedraggled dog staggered into their camp and collapsed.  Boxer had walked for over 200 miles along the scorching desert railway track to rejoin his regiment, showing the grit and determination of spirit, which has always been so strong amongst the ranks of Staffordshire men.

“Since then many dogs have lived along side the men of the Staffordshire Regiments but it wasn’t until after the Second World War that the Watchman tradition evolved into what we have today.  This is a tradition we hope will go on into the long future.

“Of course today is about honouring more than just Watchman alone.  With every hard working mascot, there is an even harder working handler behind them.  Warrant Officer 2nd Class Greg Hedges and those before him have voluntarily accepted the responsibilities of ensuring this tradition goes on.

“What is most endearing to us all however is the obvious pride and devotion that they give to the duty at hand.  We owe them a debt for all their hard work in ensuring that the essence of The Staffordshire Regiment goes on.

“I believe this may be the first time a Borough has awarded a mascot and his handler Freedom, and why not?

“Mascots are visual symbols for the bodies they represent and perhaps this is something we should see more of.  Following today I hope every council in Staffordshire follows our example and honours this historic tradition.”

“Tamworth Borough Council Chief Executive, Anthony Goodwin, added, “As a former serving officer in the armed forces, I am very conscious of the impact that changes over the last decade to regimental, Naval and Air Force command structures have had on ex-servicemen and their families.  Consequently, I was delighted when the Council resolved to bestow this honour upon Watchman, his Handler and their successors.

“Any act that serves to acknowledge and sustain the value of such traditions has to be good, not just for the recipients, but for the entire body of men and women, past and present….in this case, the Staffordshire Regiment.  For my part; it was good to stand alongside those very proud veterans and to share their day.”

Tickets on Sale for Mid-Summer Evening Garden Party

Christopher Pincher Gives Powerful Speech During Second Reading of HS2 Bill

Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, gave an extremely powerful speech in the House of Commons last night during the second reading of the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill.

Mr Pincher said, “This debate is hugely important to the country, but the proposals put forward by the Government are of huge concern to many of my constituents who face the prospect of both phase 1 and phase 2 of HS2.

“I was pleased to hear the Secretary of State say that he does not believe that those who have shown their concern are nimbys, because others have taken a rather different view, as he will know.  If he looks at the report of proceedings in Westminster Hall on 31 March 2011, he will read some very disobliging comments about people concerned about HS2.

“My constituents are not nimbys.  They tell me that if the business case stacked up, if the mitigation was right and if the compensation on offer was fair, reasonable and quick, they would accept the proposals.

“They would not like them, but they would accept them in the national interest.  The problem is that the business case does not stack up, the mitigations are not right and the compensation is not fair, reasonable or quick.

“We have already heard concerns about the business case.  I will not recapitulate them here, but suffice it to say that I am concerned that the connection between our vital airports does not seem to be there; the proposals for the funding do not appear to stack up; and the route around Birmingham goes west, not east, and therefore through virgin countryside rather along than existing transport corridors.  In my judgment, the business case does not stack up.

“Even if it did stack up, the mitigations in my part of the world are nowhere near adequate.  I was pleased to hear from my right hon. Friend Sir John Randall that in his constituency HS2 will be tunnelled.

“Mitigation in Tamworth extends to a few trees, except around the village of Hints, where the ancient woodland will be demolished to make way for the line.  We will gain a few saplings, but we will lose a lot of ancient oaks, because HS2 will not build a cut-and-cover tunnel.

“In Knox’s Grave lane and Flats lane, an innovative proposal from the residents has also been rejected so far.  The local housing stock is so overcrowded in the community that there is nowhere for them to move to, so the compensation simply will not help them.

“They want to rebuild their homes nearby, but thus far, HS2 has said no.  All it has offered to those people is the prospect of living in caravans.  That is a bitter twist of the knife for them to bear.  Indeed, every mitigation proposal in my constituency—in Drayton Bassett, Swinfen, Hints and Flats lane—has been rejected by HS2.

“The Secretary of State made great play of the compensation proposals that he has tabled.  A couple of weeks ago, I listened to those proposals being adumbrated by the Under-Secretary of State, and they are an improvement, but the fact remains that not a single constituent of mine will benefit from those proposals.  The village of Hints lies 400 metres away from the proposed route.

“In the past four years, not a single home has been sold in Hints, except four that have been sold to the state through the exceptional hardship scheme.  The people in that village are blighted now: they cannot move, they are trapped and they have lost their liberty.

“The only way that we can get the property market moving in those places, so that people can realise their aspiration to move if they want to, is by introducing a property bond.  I hope that the Secretary of State or the Select Committee, or a combination of the two, will accept the need for such a bond.

“My right hon. Friend Mr Burns, in a passionate and personal speech, said that when we are building infrastructure, the needs and demands of the country must be addressed.  We would all accept that, but the needs and demands of the people who are affected by the proposals that we are foisting on them also need to be properly and effectively met.

“It is my judgment that, although the Secretary of State has been solicitous and patient with me—I am grateful for his help and concern, and I trust they will continue—the proposals do not stack up.  For that reason I shall, with regret, oppose the Government tonight.”

After the debate, Christopher Pincher joined several Conservative MPs, including neighbouring MPs Dan Byles (North Warwickshire) and Michael Fabricant (Lichfield), in voting against the bill.

Despite the number of Conservative MPs either abstaining or voting against the bill, the first phase of the HS2 rail link was passed by 401 votes thanks to support from Labour and Lib Dem MPs.

Conservative PCC Revisits Tamworth Rehabilitation Project

A Tamworth-based gym that received backing from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Proceeds of Crime Fund, welcomed back Staffordshire’s PCC Matthew Ellis to see its work in action.

Tamworth Boxing Club was given £8,900 for the ‘Right Choice’ project, which aims to rehabilitate and educate adult and young offenders, through programmes based on boxing.  This unique, one-to-one approach helps break down the barriers between the individual and coach, allowing the rehabilitation process to begin.

Conservative PCC, Matthew Ellis, who revisited the Orchard Street based club last month, said, “It’s fantastic to see the work that’s being done here and the results it has.  By engaging these people through sport, we can intervene and re-educate, help breaking the cycle of offending.

“This is not only better for the individuals involved but also the best way of reducing crime and making a positive impact on communities in the long-term.”

Working closely with the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) scheme and Kettlebrook Short Stay School, the project aims to address the causes of offending over 12 weeks for adults and six weeks for children.

Adult candidates are identified and selected by IOM officers who think they are at a suitable stage in their offending cycle to be mentored by the project.  There are currently three adults on the project, with a fourth starting soon, plus four primary school children.

For more information call Tamworth Boxing Club on 01827 314 111.

Spend an Evening with Nicky Morgan MP