Thursday, November 21st, 2013
Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, welcomed figures released this week which show unemployment in Tamworth has fallen once again and continues to fall this year.
Figures published by the ONS show that the number of unemployed claimants in Tamworth constituency in October 2013 was 1,145. This represents a rate of 2.3% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64. This number of claimants is a massive 519 lower than October 2012 and 95 lower than in September 2013.
Responding to these figures 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. 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. I am pleased to say that my Jobs Fair held in October at South Staffordshire College went off really well and it was encouraging to see that some of the 300-400 jobs on offer have been filled. I hope they continue to be filled and the unemployment figures continue to fall.
“There are opportunities out there for hardworking people who aspire to get on in life and I welcome the Conservative led government’s campaign to legislate for a £2,000 National Insurance cut for small businesses to help encourage them to take on more staff. Locally the Council introduced Small Business Saturday, giving small independent business free stalls and shoppers free parking. We are firmly on the side of business and it is important we continue back small businesses so they have the opportunity to become bigger businesses.”
Tamworth is well above the regional and national levels of employment, which also continues to rise. West Midlands and national JSA claimants both fell 0.2% to 5.0% and 4.0% respectively.
Friday, November 15th, 2013
Elizabeth Truss MP
Projects run by former armed forces personnel are to receive a further £4.8 million after research showed they were turning around the lives of thousands of young people.
Conservative Education Minister Elizabeth Truss MP announced today that 6 projects, including 2 new charities the Prince’s Trust and CVQO, will receive the funding to build on previous work and support the government’s commitment to drive up education standards.
The new money comes after evidence and feedback from some of the 300 schools where 8,000 pupils took part. They said the projects had a hugely positive impact on improving engagement and attainment among the most disengaged children.
A study by Swansea University of Commando Joe’s, a Manchester-based project which provides trained mentors and activities for schools in some of the most deprived areas in the UK, found 56% of pupils taking part improved their maths grade while 70% showed improvement in writing.
Research and school feedback on the 3 other projects: Challenger Troop in Kent, Knowsley Skills Academy in Merseyside and SkillForce in Newcastle were also positive.
Mrs Truss, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education and Childcare, said, “The lives of thousands of disengaged children have been turned around thanks to these projects which instil our wonderful armed forces’ values of hard work and discipline. That is why we are increasing the funding going to these important projects – so that even more children can benefit from the military ethos.”
The projects instil teamwork, discipline and leadership in pupils through mentoring, outward bound activities and other group exercises focused on improving attainment and behaviour.
Activities include: • one-to-one mentoring skills to help address potential behaviour issues and keep pupils committed to their education • military-style obstacle courses to engage and motivate hard-to-reach pupils and help them understand how to transfer the elements which helped them succeed into the classroom • a mix of indoor and outdoor team-building exercises with an educational focus to encourage discipline, leadership, teamwork and good behaviour • working with schools and other agencies to re-integrate pupils who are not in education, employment or training and prepare them for post-16 courses or jobs • helping primary school children in their transition to secondary school through building their self-confidence
Grants were awarded in August 2012 to 4 organisations to deliver programmes through re-engagement with education and early intervention. More than 300 primary schools, secondary schools and pupil referral units are now being served by these providers with more than 8,000 of the most challenging pupils already taking part.
Friday, November 15th, 2013
Giving millions of elderly people a dedicated GP personally accountable for their care around the clock will bring back the era of the old-fashioned family doctor, Conservative Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt MP announced today.
Under changes to their contract with the NHS, GPs will ensure the four million patients aged 75 or over will get all the treatment they need for physical and mental conditions. Other key changes introduce more transparency over practices’ earnings and performance, greater patient choice and fairer pay.
The new contract for 2014/15 was agreed between the British Medical Association’s General Practice Committee and NHS England, directed by the Department of Health. GPs will oversee personalised care plans integrating all services, so the frail and elderly are better cared for in the community, reducing hospital admissions.
Out of five million emergency admissions last year, one third were people over 75, and more than one million could have been avoided.
GPs’ new responsibilities will include:
- offering patients same-day telephone consultations
- offering paramedics, A&E doctors and care homes a dedicated telephone line so they can advise on treatment
- coordinating care for elderly patients discharged from A&E
- regularly reviewing emergency admissions from care homes to avoid unnecessary call-outs in future
- monitoring and reporting on the quality of out-of-hours care
It is hoped this service will eventually be offered to millions more vulnerable people with long-term conditions that need more support.
Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt said, “The 2004 GP contract broke the personal link between GP and patient. It piled target after target on doctors, took away their responsibility for out-of-hours care and put huge pressure on our A&E departments. This government has a plan to sort this out and today’s announcement of a new GP contract is a vital step.
“We are bringing back named GPs for the vulnerable elderly. This means proper family doctors, able to focus on giving elderly people the care they need and prevent unnecessary trips to hospital. Rigorous new inspections of GP surgeries will mean every local person will know whether they are getting the care they deserve.
“This is about fixing the long-term pressures on our A&E services, empowering hard-working doctors and improving care for those with the greatest need.”
Friday, November 15th, 2013
More much-needed parking has been made available after a block of garages in Tinkers Green was completely demolished and rebuilt by Conservative controlled Tamworth Borough Council.
The 37 garages at Leisure Walk have been completely demolished and rebuilt, with an extra two new garages being built to provide a total of 39 garages available to rent.
As well as the complete rebuilding of the garages, the site has been made more secure with the installation of new security lighting and lockable gates. The access roadway to the garages, off Saxon Close, will also be completely resurfaced next week.
Cllr Michael Greatorex, Cabinet member for Housing and Conservative councillor for Mercian ward, said, “I am really pleased that we are able to carry out these works, which have enabled us to increase the supply of high-quality garages for rent to people living in and around Tinkers Green. We have had a lot of very positive feedback from the people who rent these garages, who tell us that they are very happy with the works which have been carried out.”
The works at the garage site in Leisure Walk are part of a number of environmental improvements across the borough. These include repaving, provision of bin stores and sheds and repainting at five sheltered schemes, installation of security gates, fencing and lighting in Caledonian, upgrading of drying areas at Masefield Drive and Thackeray Drive and the rebuilding and refurbishment of garages in Richmond Close, Sunset Close and Riverside flats.
All the works which are being carried out under the environmental improvement programme were suggested by residents and the Tenant Consultative Group.
Bids for garages to rent in all areas of Tamworth can be made on the Council’s Finding a Home website at www.findingahometamworth.co.uk/garages.aspx by first registering on the waiting list. Available garages are advertised on the site every Wednesday.
Thursday, November 14th, 2013
Work is getting underway on Lichfield’s new skate park this month after Conservative controlled Lichfield District Council appointed Gravity Engineering Ltd to construct a new skate park in Beacon Park, Lichfield.
When complete, the skate park will feature a street-style section as well as a transition zone, which will include bowls, hips and spines for skaters to practice their tricks. The council’s plans also include shielding the facility with trees and grassy mounds to limit the noise and to create an attractive area.
Cllr Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Communications & Tourism, said, “It is great to see work starting on our new skate park. Having teamed up with a leading skate park designer to draw up the plans, as well as involving local skaters along the way, we’re confident that we will create a facility that is both challenging and fun.
“We look forward to launching the skate park next year and hope it will give all our local skaters of all ages somewhere they can enjoy using for many years to come.”
The location of the skate park, which is next to the A51 Western Bypass, was chosen because it is near to the city centre and public transport.
Beacon Park’s skate park is being funded by section 106 capital, The Veolia Environmental Trust, Lichfield City Council, Staffordshire Local Community Fund, and Lichfield District Safer Community Partnership. Lichfield District Council is also contributing funding towards landscaping and will continue to raise funds.
Find out more at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/skatepark.
Thursday, November 14th, 2013
Staffordshire’s Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis has welcomed the publication of the police report on the internal investigation into what happened in the Port Vale and Wolverhampton Wanderers match last August.
He said, “I’m pleased that the Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police has been so transparent in making public the challenges faced on that day at Port Vale and where the police will need to do things differently in the future.
“It is unprecedented that a report of this type is made public and doing so sets the benchmark for a new ‘dawn of transparency in policing’. It is the culmination of rigorous scrutiny by my office of the police process as they have investigated what happened back in August.
“The original agreement was for an edited or redacted report to be published but Staffordshire’s Chief Constable has agreed to go still further by publishing the entire report in its raw unedited form. This is what we want from our police forces across the country and represents a major step forward.
“Police openly demonstrating that mistakes are sometime made and serious lessons need to be learned is powerful and is at the heart of PCCs holding their local Force to account.
“In Staffordshire the police have already made operational changes which will address the issues raised in this powerful document and I commend the Chief Constable and his Force for leading the way to achieving genuinely full and open public accountability.
“Ensuring this happens is at the heart of responsibilities for all Police and Crime Commissioners.”
The police report can be viewed at http://staffspolice.com/pvfcwolvesreport.
Thursday, November 14th, 2013
Conservative controlled Lichfield District Council is calling for witnesses to fly tipping at Little Aston and Lower Stonnall.
The District Council is urging local people to come forward and report incidences of fly tipping in and around Little Aston, if they have seen the culprits in the act of dumping waste illegally. This follows a rise in fly tipping at Forge Lane in Little Aston and at Hook Lane in Lower Stonnall.
Just in the last month, the council has been called out to clear up after six incidences, where items – such as building rubble, garden and house clearance waste – have been dumped in these areas.
Cllr Louise Flowith, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Operational Services, said, “The amount of waste being left across the district seems to be increasing. It is not only unsightly, it is also expensive to clear up, which is why we’re also encouraging anyone who has seen any fly-tipping in action to report this illegal activity to us so we can investigate.”
To help stamp out fly tipping, report it by calling Lichfield District Council on 01543 308999 or visiting www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/reportit.
Thursday, November 14th, 2013
Thursday, November 14th, 2013
Christopher Pincher with Jeremy Hunt MP
Last Friday, 8th November, the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt MP, was the guest of honour at Tamworth Conservative Association’s annual dinner, which was held at Drayton Manor.
200 people enjoyed a jovial evening, which included a meal and speeches from both Mr Hunt and Tamworth’s MP Christopher Pincher and Mr Hunt, and Mr Hunt took time to chat with several guests.
Tamworth Conservative Association’s Chairman Trevor Soult said, “The dinner was a very enjoyable and successful event. The fact that Jeremy Hunt honoured us with his presence is a reflection of the standing and reputation that Christopher Pincher has established in Parliament.”
Christopher Pincher added, “It was a tremendous evening with a positive atmosphere and I was pleased to see many new and young members.
Thursday, November 14th, 2013
Owners of empty homes who do not have the funds to refurbish them are being encouraged to take advantage of help available to bring them back into use and help to increase the number of homes available for rent in Tamworth.
There are currently 199 homes standing empty in Tamworth, of which 98% are privately owned, and many could be brought back into use with the help three different sources of funding.
Empty Homes Grants of up to £10,000 are available from Conservative controlled Tamworth Borough Council. The scheme means these homes can be brought back up to standard, before being used to provide valuable rented accommodation for people needing a home.
The project is aimed specifically at people who may have been either left property as a legacy and struggle to maintain it, homeowners with no savings or people who have not been able to upkeep the home, while ill or living elsewhere.
Tamworth Borough Council also runs a joint initiative with Waterloo Housing Group. The project includes refurbishing properties up to a reasonable letting standard. Waterloo will then lease the property from the owner and manage and maintain it.
Homeowners taking part in the scheme will receive a guaranteed monthly rent for five years, after which the home will be returned to the owner in its improved condition. The third source of funding is a loan of up to £15,000 through the National Empty Homes Loan Fund.
Tamworth Borough Council is using National Empty Homes Week, which runs from November 25 to November 29, as an opportunity to highlight the three schemes, and to offer help and advice to people who have empty properties in Tamworth.
Staff from the authority’s Strategic Housing Services Team will be holding a drop-in event at Marmion House on Tuesday November 26 from 10am to 3pm, to give more information on the help that is available to bring empty homes back into use.
Cllr Michael Greatorex, Cabinet member for Housing and Conservative councillor for Mercian ward, said, “The three schemes are excellent ways of bringing empty homes back into use, and providing good quality rented housing for people who need it.
“Recent changes to council tax legislation also means that if a property is left empty for more than two years, the owner will be charged 150% council tax, which means it is costing them to have their properties standing empty.
“We have approximately 2,000 people looking for a home in Tamworth and a shortage of affordable rented accommodation. These initiatives are helping us to bridge the gap. We are keen to work with property owners and I would urge anyone to get in touch to see if they can benefit from these schemes.”
For information about the Empty Homes Grant, the Waterloo scheme, the National Empty Homes Loan Fund or to report an empty property, please contact 01827 709469 or email housingstrategy@tamworth.gov.uk.
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Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, welcomed figures released this week which show unemployment in Tamworth has fallen once again and continues to fall this year.
