May/June 2013
GALA BATHS
In June Valerie raised the proposed closure of the Walsall Gala Baths in Walsall Town Centre
at Questions to the Leader of the House. She also presented a petition of 1,938 users of the Gala Baths to Parliament.
Valerie said: “Keeping the Borough’s flagship Gala Baths in the Town Centre would send the message that sports, exercise and improving people’s participation in physical activity are a priority. 7.7% of adults in the Borough suffer from diabetes, 27.8% are classed as obese, only
21.8% eat healthily and only 7.8% exercise enough according to Department for Health figures.
It is clearly vital that Walsall MBC takes steps to encourage many more people in the Borough to exercise.”
Speaking in the debate which followed the Queen’s Speech in
May, Valerie said:
“I had hoped the Queen’s Speech would include plans to implement the 290 recommendations of the Francis Report into events at Stafford Hospital. Instead, the Secretary of State for Health has merely suggested the creation of a Chief Inspector of Hospitals. This was not a recommendation contained in the Francis Report and looks more like a vanity policy rather than a genuine measure to protect patients.”
he Government wants people to build conservatories, but at the
same time has introduced a ‘bedroom tax’ forcing people out of
their family homes. It is giving the companies the benefit of doubt
over lunch to minimise their tax bills, yet at the same time does not
give the benefit of doubt to those people who must attend ATOS
assessments even if they are in a wheelchair or have other long
term health conditions. Nurses and junior doctors say they need
more staff, yet the Government has failed to commit to improving
staffing ratios.”
“The Government’s new legislative agenda should be based on
justice, tolerance and the rule of law, yet this is being undermined.
The gracious people of this country on whose behalf the gracious
speech was made deserve better.”
Debate on the Queens Speech Legal Aid Debate
Speaking in the Backbench Debate on Legal Aid on 27 June 2013,
Valerie said: “I was disappointed that the Lord Chancellor did not
attend the Debate and chose not to engage with lawyers, charities and advice organisations on this issue. It is not clear what the Lord
Chancellor is trying to achieve other than undermining the legal system. The Lord Chancellor does not appear to understand that if people are given access to legal services, they do not always need to go to court. In the West
Midlands 20 firms would have been given access to Legal Aid. This undermines client choice. These proposals are toxic to society and should be withdrawn.”
Following the debate, the Lord Chancellor has conceded on client choice.
Incident near Aisha Mosque, Rutter Street
Following the recent incident near the Aisha Mosque, Rutter
Street, Valerie said:
“This could potentially have been a very serious incident and
I am pleased that nobody was hurt. During my visit to Rutter
Street on Sunday afternoon the majority of residents were
returning to their homes. Residents were shocked but settled
when I spoke to them. They were understandably upset that
their lives should be disrupted. I would like to thank West
Midlands Police for its proportionate response and Walsall
MBC for providing shelter to residents who were evacuated.”
Buses on Stafford Road, Darlaston and Stanhope Way, Pheasey
On Thursday 27 June 2013, Valerie raised at Transport Questions the problem of buses using Stafford Road Darlaston and Stanhope Way, Pheasey.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Valerie said: “Stafford road and Stanhope way in my constituency are in
a state of chaos owing to unco-ordinated bus services using narrow residential roads. What plans does the
Minister have to look at the strategic co-ordination of bus services outside London?”
Valerie’s question and the Minister’s answer can be viewed on the Official Report
On Friday 24 May 2013, Valerie visited the Shree Ram Mandir Hindu
temple on Ford Street to take part in the Shiv Ling Pran Pratistha celebrations. This marked the installation of a new Shiva Ling, a representation of the deity Lord Shiva. As part of the celebrations, the congregation processed along Ford Street and Wednesbury Road and returned to the Temple.
Valerie said: “It was a pleasure to meet
the students from Moorcroft Wood Primary School. The Parliament
Educational Service provides a wonderful learning experience for school children of all ages. Moorcroft Wood Primary School spent the day touring Parliament and learning more about UK politics.”
Caldmore Village Festival 09 June 2013
Valerie said: “At the Caldmore Village Festival in Palfrey Park we heard from a
number of very good musicians who entertained the crowd. It was good to see
Palfrey Sure Start at their stall with members of staff helping us to make
badges. There were may other stalls including the Charity Midland International
Aid Trust. I bought plants from Calmore Community Gardens. It was a lovely sunny but windy day.”
George Rose Community Garden
On Friday 21 June 2013, Valerie visited the George Rose Community Gardens.
Valerie said: “It was a pleasure to visit the Gardens in the planning stage. I
am pleased that Kier Construction has worked with Walsall MBC’s
Community Gardens Officer, Alison Bate to clear the land free of
charge. Now local residents can turn this once derelict land in
Darlaston into what will become a beautiful wildflower garden. The
George Rose Community Gardens is a wonderful example of what can happen when the community works together.”
Question on Green Belt Protection
Valerie Vaz Speaking in the House of Commons, Valerie Said:
“The national planning policy framework states that it is inappropriate to build on the green belt, yet a ministerial statement last September said that local plans would be fast-tracked if they included the green belt. My constituents want to know whether the green belt is safe, so may we have an urgent debate on Government guidance to local decision makers on this conflicting policy?”
Valerie’s question and the Leader of the House’s response
can be viewed on the Official Report
Valerie Vaz Darlaston SureStart Children’s Centre
On Friday 14 June 2013 Valerie visited Darlaston SureStart Centre.
Valerie said:“The tremendous contribution made by SureStart
Children’s Centres to our communities is too often
overlooked. But the impact of Darlaston SureStart Children’s
Centre is immense. I was impressed by the dedication of staff,
who often deal with extremely difficult situations. The Centre
brings together a range of services under one roof including a day
nursery, the National Childbirth Trust new parents class, a sewing
group and a place where anyone can meet in a cafe largely run by
volunteers. On Thursday mornings advice is available from
Walsall Welfare Rights Service.”
“Our SureStart Children’s Centres represent a vital investment in
the future of society and I hope they continue to be funded in the
coming years.”
Health Select Committee
In May and June the Health Selection Committee, of which
Valerie is a member, has taken evidence on and is due to
report on the following:
. Emergency services and emergency care.
. The implementation of the Health and Social Care
Act 2012.
. Management of long term conditions.
. Post-Legislative Assessment of the Mental Health Act
2007.
Further information regarding these enquiries is available on
the website of the Health Select Committee
Children and Families Bill
Valerie tabled two amendments to the Children and Families Bill
which had its Third Reading in the House of Commons on
11 June 2013. However the amendments fell.
Valerie said:“I introduced two 10 Minute Rule Bills to Parliament.
In 2010 I moved the Epilepsy and Related Conditions (Education
and Health Services) Bill, and in 2011 I moved Adoption (Leave,
pay and Allowance Arrangements) Bill.”
“I am pleased that the Government has included provisions from
both of my 10 Minute Rule Bills. These provisions will give
adoptive parents the same entitlement to statutory leave, pay and
allowances for those who are self employed as parents whose
children are born to them. The Government has also included a
local authority requirement to secure for a child, educational,
health and care plans, in light of a having an assessment of their
education, health and care need, although it has not made specific
reference to epilepsy.”
Other Questions in Parliament
In May and June, Valerie has asked questions in Parliament
on;
. The situation in Burma.
. Funding for urgent building repairs at Joseph Leckie
School
. The budget for medical education and research.
. Onshore wind planning policy.
. Accident and Emergency departments.
Valerie’s questions and the Ministers’ responses can be
viewed on the Official Report
