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David Heath urges Government to reconsider post office closures
David Heath has tabled Early Day Motion 1036 “POST OFFICE CLOSURES IN SOMERSET”, calling on the Government and the Post Office to reconsider the planned closure of 30 Somerset County Council post offices.
The motion calls for the Government to reconsider the closures of post offices serving the villages of Barwick, Bason Bridge, Bayford, Bicknoller, Bower Hinton, Bradford-on-Tone, Croscombe, Dinder, East Coker, Easton, Haselbury Plucknett, Holcombe, Keinton Mandeville, Kingsdon, Kingston St Mary, Mudford, Pylle, Sparkford, Walton, West Buckland, West Monkton, West Quantoxhead and Wookey Hole.
It also calls on the Government to reconsider reduced services for the villages of Brompton Regis, Chartlon Horethorne, Churchinford, Kilve, Lydeard St Lawrence, North Cadbury and Wheddon Cross.
Commenting David Heath MP said: “On Monday I submitted this motion to Parliament calling on the government to recognise the need for continued rural post office services. This is one of the many measures I have planned over the next couple weeks in Parliament and within the constituency in order that we can facilitate the maximum possible response to the consultation process.
“Somerton and Frome Liberal Democrats are also supporting a petition for members of the public to sign. I hope that pressure from the public and from MPs will contribute towards many voices calling on the Government and the Post Office to urgently reconsider the planned closures.
“These closures and reduced services will have a hugely detrimental effect on our rural and local communities. These plans are another onslaught on rural services that we have seen through the continual closures throughout the previous Conservative and Labour Governments. They will risk or precipitate the closure of village shops and will continue to erode the post office network over many years.”
David Heath breathes a sigh of relief over new health investment
David Heath is is delighted to be informed of the newly proposed service for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the constituency.
An investment of £500,000 has been awarded by the Somerset Primary Care Trust to Clinovia, a group who will provide treatment to the county’s 8000 patients in their homes.
Somerset PCT will be hosting an information event at the Holiday Inn, in Taunton, on February 28 with the British Lung Foundation.
Commenting David Heath MP said: “I am delighted that people within the constituency who suffer from COPD, a dominating and restrictory disease, are receiving help in more comfortable surroundings. The scheme ensures that patients can reduce their hospital admissions, with help from oxygen clinics and rehabilitation classes.
“I have been concerned in the past that local care trusts, individual hospitals and GP practices have been constrained by what central government and strategic health authorities will allow. But in this case we can see that the Somerset Primary Care Trust have remained innovative, eager to listen and committed to improvement, in turn providing care for patients who are unable to take part in activities that most of us take for granted.”
It is about time First Great Western invested in services - Heath
David Heath has welcomed news that First Great Western plans to invest £29 million into its troubled infrastructure and operations.
This comes amid news that the Government has issued a remedial notice could terminate its franchise unless the rail operator improves its service.
Passengers throughout the south west have been continually troubled by poor and “unacceptable” performance. First Great Western regularly fails to provide a punctual service and even then it fails to provide enough carriages.
This announcement of greater investment comes after recent protests by passengers and fare rises that have now consisted of 145 per cent since privatisation.
Commenting David Heath MP said: “I welcome this investment of £29 million in First Great Western services. I hope that some of this money will find its way to improving the services of rural lines, especially those in the constituency. I am also encouraged to see the Government finally acting on the concerns of passengers, by providing this final warning to the operator, ensuring that it must improve its service or face the termination of its franchise.
“I have been calling for years for greater investment and commitment to the passengers in the south west by First Great Western. It now seems that they have signalled some commitment to the people who have been routinely let down by this company. They must now deliver on this investment otherwise I will be leading calls for the company to have its franchise withdrawn.
“After writing countless letters to ministers and to First Great Western I had almost given up hope that the south west infrastructure and services would be improved. While this investment is somewhat delayed, it should nevertheless be welcomed as it may be the only investment the area sees for many years, unless the operating company and government can show real commitment by adding to this investment in the future.
Defend local post offices, says David Heath
David Heath is deeply concerned about the consultation process and proposed post office closures in the constituency.
This latest batch of consultations covers the Bristol and Somerset areas. In the Somerset County Council area 30 post offices are proposed for closure, and in the constituency of Somerton and Frome there are 7 proposed closures. These are: Bayford, Bower Hinton, Holcombe, Keinton Mandeville, Kingsdon, Sparkford and Yeovilton.
A further two post offices in the constituency, Charlton Horethorne and North Cadbury, are proposed for replacement with a so-called Outreach service, with reduced opening hours, probably operated from a mobile post-office van.
Commenting David Heath MP said: “I am deeply concerned at the ever increasing likelihood for closures to so many of our rural post offices and services. Once again rural constituencies are being under funded and under appreciated.
“The post office has always been an integral part of community life; so many people rely on their post office. Villages that have already lost their school and shops and elderly residents who risk losing their independence now face even greater problems if these closures go ahead. What is particularly damaging is that in many cases the post offices due to close are also the only shop in the village.
“The post office provides vital services to the local community and it is essential that we show the post office network the very real need to maintain our post offices throughout the constituency. I hope that everyone who has an interest in one of these post offices will respond to the consultation process. Over the next couple weeks we will be organising petitions and helping people to respond to the consultation process.
“I have fought long and hard to retain our postal services and I will continue to do so throughout this consultation period, in some hope of stopping the closure of post offices. Although, I fear that this consultation will be yet another farce and the voices that these closures will affect, will not be listened to. I am determined that we will not allow Somerset post offices to be closed without, at least, a fight.”
David Heath challenges all schools to be fairer
David Heath is encouraging local schools to apply for the Fairtrade Schools scheme.
David Heath MP has also added his support to a parliamentary motion, Early Day Motion 913, marking Fairtrade Fortnight and urging the Government to support the expansion of fair trade into new countries and products.
Fairtrade have recently launched a new ‘Fairtrade Schools’ scheme. So far just over 1,000 schools have registered with the scheme (this is the first stage which allows for formal application after one year depending on the meeting of the criteria), but Fairtrade Foundation have a target of achieving 2,000 primary and 500 secondary schools fully signed up by 2009.
Commenting David Heath MP said: “The growth in Fairtrade initiatives is very impressive in my constituency and the effort to improve awareness in schools is particularly important.
“Despite huge increases in Fairtrade products, sales represent only a tiny fraction of total spending on food and drink. There is so much more to be done and our local schools are a vital way to show all local people that we can make a difference.
“The Fairtrade Foundation has set an ambitious target for schools to participate in this scheme and I hope that schools in Somerton and Frome will lead the way and embrace this project. I am also very keen to hear from any schools applying for this scheme, and I will monitor their progress with great interest.”
Claim free football kit and sports equipment now
David Heath is encouraging all clubs, schools and organisations to apply for a grant that will provide £400 for new football kit or sports equipment.
Various other grants are also available, including facilities, communities and goalpost grants. The Junior Kit grant entitles all under-18 football teams and adults with disabilities to receive a voucher of up to £400 to buy football kit and/or equipment. 2,000 awards are available every year.
As well as being able to apply for a new voucher every three years, clubs and schools may apply for an additional one, as long as one application is for a girls’ team, and the other is for a boys’ team. To apply for a grant then simply visit the football foundation website and download the application form.
Commenting David Heath MP said: “I am really keen to encourage local schools and clubs to apply for a grant that will give them a chance of getting new football kit and equipment. I also hope that local clubs not only get new strips but will additionally apply for larger awards so that we can upgrade our football facilities locally.
“I am urging all schools, sports clubs, youth clubs, football teams and local authorities in the area to get onto the Football Foundation website and download the application form in order to take advantage of the funding opportunity on offer.
“It is only right that local children and disadvantaged adults are given every opportunity to realise their potential and succeed in football and participate fully in sport. At the very least it will encourage greater fitness and health, and you never know, it may encourage an Olympics hopeful one day, if not in 2012.”
Somerset home repossession order claims still too high - Heath
David Heath is concerned about the high amount of home repossession order claims throughout Somerset, which have had a significant impact on homeowners throughout Somerton and Frome.
Somerset courts have had 29% more repossession order claims for mortgage holders in the last three months than the prior quarterly figures. This has meant that 2,577 homes have been under threat from repossession over the last year, a 2% increase on the previous year.
Commenting David Heath MP said: “It is very worrying to see repossession orders continue to be so high throughout Somerset, which I am sure, has had a significant impact on the lives of many of my constituents.
“The Government has failed to provide rural communities with sufficient affordable housing and it is rural families that suffer and are paying the price for a lack of adequate Government planning.
“With the current economic situation, I expect things to get worse unless the Government makes housing a priority, not only in urban schemes, but in rural areas where demand exceeds supply.”
David Heath demands MoD replace documents after data loss
David Heath has written to the Secretary of State for Defence demanding that replacement documents be provided to those people whose data was lost when a Ministry of Defence laptop was stolen recently.
A number of young people from David Heath’s Somerton & Frome constituency have been affected and have contacted Mr Heath to express their concerns.
These young people had applied to join the armed forces, or simply expressed an interest in joining. Their personal data has now been compromised and David Heath feels that in this particular instance, the young people affected should have their important document, passports and driving licences, replaced free of charge.
David Heath said: “I am calling on the Minister for Defence as a matter of urgency to ensure that all young people affected by the Ministry of Defence’s data loss have their documents replaced free of charge. The loss of data and the possibility of identity theft are bad enough, but to put young people to the trouble and expense of having their official documents replaced and then charging them for the privilege is adding insult to injury.
“An arm of government has been grossly negligent in losing the information, and the least they can do is to bear the cost of putting things right.”
David Heath backs demands to end smells from Somerton tip
David Heath has chaired the latest in a series of meetings aimed at dealing with the smells originating from a rubbish tip in Somerton.
Mr Heath intervened personally to convene a series of meetings since last summer in an attempt to get to grips with a problem that has plagued the town, causing upset and anger at the way that the Whiscombe Waste Site has been run and the lack of intervention by the Environment Agency who are tasked with regulating the site.
Mr Heath called together officials from the Agency, along with Somerset County Council and South Somerset District Council, to hear directly the complaints from Somerton Town Councillors, County Councillor Pauline Clarke, and the District Councillors for the town.
On Friday, following a visit to land next to the site, he was brought up to date with progress at a meeting in the Parish Rooms in Somerton, and later found an opportunity to again talk with local residents about the continuing problems they are experiencing.
Mr Heath said: “I appreciate the fact that over recent months the Environment Agency have been taking the concerns very seriously and have devoted a good deal of time and trouble to finding solutions. There is no excuse for the way things were allowed to get out of hand over recent years, when more careful regulation would have identified shortcomings and initiated enforcement action. This is a problem that we thought we had sorted out four years ago.
“However, they are now taking a much more hands-on approach, and as a result of monitoring the site more carefully, using their powers to apply enforcement orders, and working with the site operators, there are signs of improvement.
“The situation is far from perfect though, as they will freely admit, and the smell from the lagoon which collects the leachate water is as bad as ever. In addition there appears to be a problem with discharges into the sewage system, and I have asked Wessex Water to give me an update on the situation.
“The bottom line is that people in Somerton are sick and tired with putting up with the most appalling smells from this site, and there is ample evidence of the site operator failing to meet the requirements of the site licence. They are right not to accept any more excuses but to demand that the problems are solved. It is up to the regulators to enforce matters to put this right, and although I am encouraged we are making progress, we are still not there yet.”
David Heath attacks "dishonest" claims in referendum campaign
David Heath has attacked a campaign running in his Somerton & Frome constituency for making “very, very dishonest” claims about his own position.
Commenting on the poll taking place in the constituency to support a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, the new arrangements governing relations between within the European Union following enlargement, Mr Heath said: “Everyone will have received what appears to be an official ballot paper over the last few days, with a stern warning to return it by the end of next week.
"Of course, it isn’t official at all, simply something dreamed up by a pressure group to promote their view that we should have a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, and is basically a glorified opinion poll.
“I have no problem with that, but I do object strongly to the leaflet some people are distributing in support of the campaign. It shows my head crudely Photoshopped onto somebody else’s body, and in the text says that I personally am against a referendum.
"That is not the case, I have never suggested that I am against, and the organisers know perfectly well what my position is because we talked about it last week. The campaign is very, very dishonest.
“I have for 30 years argued that the British people should have a clearer say on how the European Union is run, sometimes getting myself into trouble with my own party in the process.
"I argued for a referendum on the Maastricht Treaty when it was refused by the then Conservative government, and I was one of the leaders of the Vote 2004 campaign for a referendum on the proposed European Constitution. I haven’t changed my view.
“The best thing would be for a proper informed debate and a referendum on the real issue - whether Britain stays in or leaves the European Union. It’s staggering that no-one under the age of 50 in this country has had the opportunity to vote on such an important matter.
"A vote on the narrower issue of the Lisbon Treaty would be very much second best, but I intend to vote for it, as I promised, and I have warned my whips I will do so.
“I never mind debating issues with my opponents where we have a disagreement, but I really object to my position being deliberately misrepresented in such an obvious and dishonest way.”
Land Girls and Lumber Jills recognised for their war service
David Heath has encouraged former members of the Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps to apply for a badge commemorating their service and acknowledging the debt that the country owes to them.
The Women’s Land Army (WLA), colloquially known as the Land Girls, was formed at the outbreak of World War Two to work on the land, as a vital part of the war effort. By 1943, 80,000 young women were working in agriculture.
The Women’s Timber Corps (WTC), also known as the ‘Lumber Jills’, provided timber for the war effort, felling trees, sawing timber and sharpening saws.
Commenting David Heath MP said: “The Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps provided vital services to this country and democracy during World War Two. I am delighted to promote this long overdue recognition of their contributions.
“I encourage any former member of the WLA and the WTC to apply for their badge. The Land Girls and Lumber Jills served their country in its greatest hour of need, without being fully recognised and now it is finally the time for them to claim the reward and thanks they deserve.
“Following my recent appeal for Bevin Boys, I am sure that given the agricultural and rural setting of Somerset, there will be many more Land Girls and Lumber Jills that are eligible to apply for their commemorative badge.”
David Heath disappointed as minister cancels visit to A303
David Heath was disappointed after being told that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Transport, Tom Harris MP will no longer be attending a long awaited visit to the A303.
The Minister had agreed to visit the stretch of road on the A303 between Ilchester and Sparkford and attend a meeting with local representatives from Somerset County Council, South Somerset District Council and Wincanton Town Council to discuss the need for improvements.
Commenting David Heath MP said: “I am deeply disappointed that Tom Harris MP has cancelled a visit to the south west, where I had planned to show him first hand the problems with the A303.
“For many years now I have been campaigning for someone from the government to visit the stretch of the A303 from Ilchester to Sparkford so that they can finally see for themselves the need for investment on this stretch of road. I was extremely pleased when Mr Harris agreed to come and see for himself the problems of the A303, and it is a great shame that the Government Whips have now apparently prevented him from coming. I will continue to press for him to make the visit and I hope that he will re-arrange his timetable accordingly.
“My continuing concern is this government is not listening to the very real safety concerns of the A303 and is displaying the ignorance shown by the Government for all rural issues.
“While there is a possibility of a meeting with Tom Harris MP in London, it is no substitute for actually visiting the stretch of road. I hope that he will visit one day in the future.”
David Heath's Dolly good idea to help Somerset children to read
David Heath recently met with the country and western music star Dolly Parton to discuss her Imagination Library project, which is focused on inspiring preschool children to read.
Ms. Parton launched the project in 1996 in Sevier County, Tennessee, in her Smoky Mountain homeland. Children in Sevier County who have signed up receive an age-appropriate free book every month from the day they are born until their fifth birthday. The Dollywood Foundation has just launched the scheme in the UK.
Mr. Heath has also met with David Dotson, the Executive Director of the Dollywood Foundation, and with representatives of Somerset County Council to discuss the matter in more detail. Mr. Heath is confident that this project can now be implemented for children in Somerset.
Commenting David Heath MP said: “I have spoken to Somerset County Council and they seemed very interested in this fantastic project. Representatives of the Dollywood Foundation are now due to visit Somerset in a month or two’s time to talk to County authorities.
“The Imagination Library is a terrific way of ensuring that the youngest children in Somerset have access to books from an early age. I am convinced it will be a major benefit to them in educational terms.
“There are still details to be worked out but I hope before long that the project is up and running for children in Somerset. When it is, the Imagination Library will make a real difference to disadvantaged children across the county.
“On a personal note, I was delighted to meet Dolly Parton. She is not only one of the finest singer-songwriters of all time; she is an amazing woman who has made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of children. I was a fan before but I’m even more so now.”