March newsletter

Newsletter January 2014

Nelson Mandela 18.7.1918 - 5.12.2013

The House of Commons paid tribute to former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela who died on 5 December 2013.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Valerie said: “Not many of us would have his courage not to compromise our principles, and many of us today are still judged by the colour of our skin, rather than on our talents. As he said, he was not bitter, because if he had been so, he would still have been in prison. We can only honour his legacy if we together work for his values of forgiveness, perseverance, peace and hope. We give thanks for his life and may he rest in peace.”

 VALERIE WELCOMES REV JESSE JACKSON TO WALSALL COLLEGE

Valerie said: “The Rev’d Jesse Jackson is an iconic figure within the Civil Rights Movement in the USA. When I introduced the Rev’d Jackson to the audience I highlighted the movement he founded, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which aims to bring people together to serve humanity. The movement works to expand education, employment and business opportunities for people who are disadvantaged and for ethnic minorities. The Rev’d Jackson touched on this theme when he pointed out the dearth of ethnic minority students at Oxford and Cambridge.”

“Nevertheless he emphasised to the audience that progress has been made in the pursuit of equality, saying that ethnic minorities no longer face the same difficulties experienced 50 years ago in accessing public amenities or taking part in the democratic process.”

 Small Business Saturday

“Small Business Saturday took place on 7 December 2013 and celebrates the contribution of Small Businesses to the local and national economies. It is a grass-roots campaign that encourages people to shop locally and support small businesses in the local community. Ahead of Small Business Saturday, I invited the Shadow Business Secretary, Chuka Umunna MP to Walsall College on Thursday 5 December 2013. He spoke about the important impact that Small Businesses make and the importance of giving them more support.”

To Contact Valerie:

Constituency Office: 16A Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1TJ

Telephone: 01922 635835

Westminster Office: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Telephone: 020 7219 7176

Email: valerie.vaz.mp@parliament.uk

Referrals to Family Mediation Down

At Justice Questions, Valerie asked the Secretary of State what recent assessment he has made of family mediation services. The Secretary of State replied that there had been a drop in referrals to family mediation services following changes to Legal Aid in April 2013.

Valerie said: “This was a foreseeable consequence of cuts to legal aid. Referrals to family mediation service have dropped by 47% since April 2013. It is crucial that the Government takes steps to change its policy now.”

Office Move

From Monday 6 January 2014, the Walsall Office will be located at 16A Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1TJ. The telephone number remains 01922 635835.

Health Select Committee

On Tuesday 17 December 2013, the Health Select Committee, of which Valerie is a member, heard evidence from the Secretary of State (SoS) for Health, Jeremy Hunt, and the Chief Executive of NHS England, Sir David Nicholson.

Valerie said: “I asked the SoS to confirm if there has been £600 million underspend so far this year. He replied that this is money that has been committed to budgets in many different parts of the NHS and they did not know that they were going to underspend until the end of the year. Given there is a crisis in A&E and more doctors and nurses are needed, it is not clear why £2.2bn was returned to the Treasury in 2012/13 and £1.4 billion in 2011/12. In November the SoS announced an extra £150m to go to CCGs, in addition to the £250m announced in September for hospitals to cope with winter pressures. He confirmed this is not new money and is being taken out of the underspend.”

“I asked Sir David to confirm if there will be a new regime in place to make CCGs accountable to NHS England. He said CCGs will now be subject to quarterly assessments of their effectiveness by NHS England. Whilst CCGs should be accountable for public money, this new regime shows there was a

Valerie Vaz MP Parliamentary Report June 2013

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

Enews from Valerie Vaz MP for May

VALERIE QUESTIONS HEALTH SECRETARY & NHS CHIEF EXECUTIVE


The Health Select Committee, of which Valerie is a member, has heard evidence from Sir David Nicholson the Chief Executive of the NHS and the NHS Commissioning Board and the Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, following the publication of the Francis Report into events at Stafford Hospital. The Committee’s report is expected shortly.

Speaking after the Hearing with Sir David Nicholson in March, Valerie said: "I asked Sir David about the problems at the three strategic health authorities he was in charge of and what he did about them. It is extraordinary that he was not aware of, in particular, the high mortality rates in the hospitals that he oversaw. He said he was not made aware of the mortality rates until he was made Chief Executive of the NHS in 2006. However these figures have been made publically available by Dr Foster since 2001. In his statement, I could not find anything about patient care. Sir David said that during that time, ‘patients were not the centre of the way the system operated, for a whole variety of reasons’."

Following the Hearing with the Secretary of State on Tuesday 23 April, Valerie said: "It was important to ask about the circumstances surrounding the suspension of children’s heart surgery at Leeds Hospital. I asked the Secretary of State to clarify the timeline of when the information about children’s heart surgery mortality rates was received by Sir Bruce Keogh and when he himself had been told. It is extraordinary that he did not know the exact dates of when this information was provided. I am concerned about the role of the new Chief Inspector and the Secretary of State told me he did not know how much this would cost."

SADDLERS’ 125th ANNIVERSARY

On Sunday 29 April 2013, Valerie attended the End of Season Awards and 125th Anniversary Celebration of Walsall Football Club.

Valerie said: "Walsall FC makes a tremendous contribution to the community locally and helps to put Walsall on the map nationally. The Club had a successful season in League One and finished only 6 points from the playoff places. I hope next season, the Saddlers will be able to gain promotion to the Championship."




Dear Friends

This edition of my eNews covers my work over March, April and the Easter Recess. You will find some statistics on the next page about my work during the 2012-13 Session. Parliament is now prorogued and the new Session will start with the Queen’s Speech on Wednesday 8 May 2013.

Yours ever

Valerie




GALA BATHS

Valerie said: "Walsall Gala Baths is home to the only brine pool in the West Midlands and I know this resource is valued by many of my constituents."

"I was contacted by constituents who use the pool and were concerned about its closure. I raised this with the Chief Executive of Walsall MBC who said that the Council is currently reviewing the provision of the Sports and Leisure Service. The Council has said that no decision has yet been taken as to the future of the Gala Baths."

"It is clear to me that the Gala Baths are of substantial benefit to many of my constituents and particularly those who are elderly or disabled. Given the Olympic legacy and the need for people to take more exercise, any move to close the Gala Baths would be resisted. I hope that following the review of Sport and Leisure Services, the Council will ensure the long term future of the Gala Baths."

BEDROOM TAX

Valerie said: "A number of significant changes to the benefits system have taken effect in recent months. These are changes I opposed as they do not adequately take account of people’s needs."

"Figures released by the National Housing Federation show that the ‘Bedroom Tax’ risks having a

devastating impact on around 1,434 households in Walsall South. It is estimated that households with 1 spare room will face a bill of approximately £566 extra a year and those with 2 spare rooms will have to pay approximately £1,010 extra each year. It is difficult to see how those affected are going to be able to make ends meet. The Government says funds are available for people in need, but the principle is wrong and these funds may not be available in the long term."


 
SCHOOL VISITS

Valerie has recently visited Hillary Primary School and Abu Bakr Girls’ School. At Hillary School, Valerie discussed with the Head Teacher Ms Cherry what could be done to remedy traffic problems at the front of the School. Valerie subsequently made representations to Walsall MBC and WHG.

At Abu Bakr, Valerie presented certificates to pupils who had taken part in the ‘Heartstart’ Emergency Lifesaving Skills programme led in Walsall by Phil Jevon of the Manor Hospital, who was also present.

THE CASE OF MRS PRESSDEE
In the Pre-Recess Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons, Valerie raised the case of Mrs Brenda

Pressdee. Valerie said: "My constituent, a senior citizen faces the prospect of having the home she has lived in for 38 years sold but she cannot remember why."

"It is unclear how Mrs Pressdee came into contact with Dream Money Ltd. It brokered an agreement and she had to pay £3,000 in fees because she signed a loan agreement for a second charge on her property of £36,000. Once the brokerage fee and all the fees for lawyers, solicitors and title insurance had been paid, the total charges and interest came to £32,995, which is 99.9% of the £33,000 Mrs Pressdee had initially requested.

"By December 2012, with interest and charges and charges associated with arrears, Mrs Pressdee’s total debt was £51,713.74. She is unable to keep up her payments and now has to sell her home under the mortgage rescue scheme while living there and renting it out. As a result, Blemain Finance will receive a £55,000 redemption from the sale of her home."

"We must help Mrs Pressdee, a vulnerable pensioner who has been driven out of her home. We should be protecting her."

The full transcript of Valerie’s speech is available in the Official Report .


CEMETERY PETITION

Valerie presented a petition of more than 1,200 signatures to Parliament on the planning application for the

development of a cemetery on land south of Aldridge Road.

Valerie said: "The site would be a wholly inappropriate location for a cemetery. The Council took into account the relevant considerations in refusing the application. I presented the petition as residents asked me to and it will ensure that their concerns are raised if ever there is a further application."

The transcript of the presentation is available to view from the Official Report 


PARKING CHARGES
Valerie said: "For two years, alongside local businesses, we campaigned for the removal of on-street parking charges. These charges were removed from Ablewell Street in

December 2013, but the parking meters have been left in place. In response to my subsequent representations, Walsall MBC removed the meters during the week commencing Monday 18 March 2013."

"This is fantastic news. It shows clearly the effectiveness of our campaigning over the past two years and I am pleased the Council have now listened to businesses."


2012-13 PARLIAMENTARY SESSION


During the 2012-13 Parliamentary Session, which ended on Thursday 25 April 2013, Valerie:

 Spoke in Parliament on
64 occasions
 Tabled 56 written questions

 Contributed to
11 reports of the Health Select

Committee

 Tabled
30 Early Day Motions

 Signed 217 Early Day Motions

 Was granted an Urgent Question on the situation in Burma

 Served on the Crime and Courts Bill Committee.

 Raised adoption inequality at Prime Minister’s

Questions
In response to the ongoing situation in Burma and a report published by Human Rights Watch on the humanitarian situation in the country, Valerie raised the issue of Burma with Ministers on two occasions in recent weeks. Valerie’s questions and the Ministers’ answers can be viewed here & here.

Valerie raised in the Pre-Recess Adjournment debate the issue of why the Government has only designated 31 of 127 proposed Marine Conservation Zones. Valerie’s speech can be read here.

Valerie asked the Health Minister whether there was a mistake in the instructions given to parliamentary counsel in drafting the

Section 75 Regulations which have subsequently been withdrawn for redrafting. The Minister’s reply can be viewed here.

Following reports by Cranfield Business School and Lord Davies on women on the Boards of FTSE listed companies, Valerie asked the Minister for Women and Equalities where there was a

possibility of introducing quotas. The Minister’s response is available

Valerie asked the Health Minister whether the new list of 28 prescribed drugs produced by the NHS Commissioning Board will increase access to the cancer drugs fund. The Minister’s answer can be viewed

Following the Secretary of State for Health’s statement on the Government’s response to the Francis Report, Valerie asked whether the new list of 28 prescribed drugs produced by the NHS Commissioning Board will increase access to the cancer drugs fund. The Secretary of State’s response is available 

December enews Valerie Vaz MP

December 2012
VALERIE QUESTIONS MANOR HOSPITAL DEATH RATES
A report from the Dr Foster Organisation has found that death rates at the Manor Hospital on two
of four key measures were significantly higher than expected. Valerie has written to the Hospital’s
Chief Executive asking for an explanation and raised the matter in the House of Commons.

A number of constituents have contacted Valerie with concerns about the treatment they, or their
relatives, have received at the Manor Hospital. Valerie has made representations to the Hospi-
tal’s Chief Executive on behalf of each constituent who has raised concerns.

Valerie said: “These are very worrying findings and the Hospital must immediately investigate
what has gone wrong and set out the steps it will take to cut death rates as soon as possible.”
NHS QUESTION
Valerie asked the Leader of the House for an urgent debate on why £3 billion has been taken out
of the NHS and not used for front-line services.

Valerie said: “In the light of recent findings regarding patient care at
the Manor Hospital, it is clear that the NHS is being given insufficient
resources to guarantee the highest standards of patient care. The
Government must explain why this £3 billion has been taken out of the
NHS.”

SECOND CHANCES SCHOOL
Students from the Second Chances School in Walsall South
visited Parliament and were taken on a tour by Valerie.

Valerie said: “I was pleased to see the students. I took them
on a tour of the Palace, including the chambers of the House
of Commons and the House of Lords.”

“The School’s Head Teacher, Jan Concannon, told me that
many of the students present had never been to Parliament
before. The students learned about how Parliament works”
WestminsterVisit

Bentley West Primary School invited Valerie to visit the School to speak with pupils as part of
Parliament Week.

Valerie said: “I began by telling the pupils a little about my work and what happens in Parlia-
ment. I showed them copies of Hansard and Early Day Motions. The pupils then took part in a
mock Parliamentary debate on a motion relating to the provision of school milk. They sat on
opposite sides with some pupils representing the Government and some representing the Op-
position. At the end, I asked the pupils to vote on the motion by walking through ‘Aye’ and ‘No’
lobbies as we do in Parliament. The motion to provide school milk was passed by 27 to 23
votes. I was very impressed by the pupils’ knowledge and interest.”


HUMAN FERTILISATION AND EMBRYOLOGY AUTHORITY
Valerie co-hosted an event with Gareth Johnson MP to introduce the work of the Human
Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and their recent consultation on mitochondria
replacement.
Valerie said: “It was important to highlight the work of the HFEA in Parliament. As the body
responsible for the regulation of fertility treatment, the HFEA plays a crucial role in informing
the public and providing support for families with children conceived through IVF.”

PAT FINUCANE
Valerie has put questions to the Northern Ireland Secretary and the
Prime Minister about the Govern-ment’s response to the murder of
Pat Finucane, in which the security services colluded.

Valerie said: “The Government must ensure that Pat Finucane’s
family receive the justice they de-serve. The latest review into the
case—the Da Silva Report—has not achieved this. The Government
must do more to bring justice.”

EU BUDGET
PARKING CHARGES
PETROL TAX
NEW ART GALLERY
The Government was defeated on the EU budget at the
end of October 2012. Valerie voted against the budget.

Valerie said: “At a time when the cost of living is rising
quickly for tax payers in the UK and significant cuts are
being made to vital public services, it cannot be right to
increase the EU budget. This was a perverse move when
governments across Europe are making big cuts in public
spending.”

“It is important that Britain is an active member of the EU,
which is crucial for much of our trade and many of our
jobs. But when EU plans are wrong for Britain, we must
say so. The EU must look at savings which can be made
through measures such as the reform of agricultural sub-
sidies including the Common Agricultural Policy.”
Following an 18 month long campaign by Valerie and
local traders, Valerie has welcomed news that the on-street parking charges on
Ablewell Street and five other town centre streets
have been removed.

Valerie said: “Shortly after the charges were intro-
duced without consultation,
I was contacted by traders from Ablewell Street who were concerned about the drop
in passing trade. Over the past 18 months I have made
several representations to Walsall MBC, presented an
800 name petition to Parliament and raised the matter
during a debate in the House of Commons. Local busi-
nesses should not have had to endure an unnecessary
drop in trade over the past 18 months. The charges must
now be removed from every street. I will continue to
push for the charges to be dropped in every town centre
street and for a proper review.”
Despite voting against an Opposition motion calling for
it to be scrapped, the Government has announced that
the 3p per litre rise in petrol tax that was scheduled for
January 2013 has been cancelled.

Valerie said: “At a time when the cost of living has been
increasing rapidly and families across the country are
struggling to make ends meet, I was surprised that the
Government told its MPs to vote against an Opposition
motion to scrap the 3p per litre rise in petrol tax as re-
cently as 12 November 2012.”

“We continued our campaign and I am pleased that the
Government has been forced to reverse its position and
cancelled the 3p per litre rise that was due to come into
effect in January.”
2012 has been a successful year for the New
Art Gallery and Valerie is a supporter and a fan
of the NAG.

Valerie said: “After making a number of repre-
sentations to WMBC, and collecting a petition
of over 100 signatures, I was pleased when the
Gallery brought back Sunday openings. This
has boosted visitor numbers by 1,400 a month
and is expected to reach 20,000 a year.”

“The Gallery is one of four to be shortlisted to
host the Turner Prize in 2015 and recently
opened a year long exhibition of Damien Hirst’s
work.”

LEVESON REPORT
The Leveson Inquiry into the Culture, Practice and Ethics of the Press
published its findings and recommendations in November. Valerie has
welcomed the report and called on the Government to introduce legisla-
tion for the statutory underpinning of the regulation of the press.

Valerie said: “We were all shocked when details of the phone hacking
scandal emerged. It is simply not acceptable that the Press Complaints
Commission could be allowed to continue as the regulator of the press
when run by the press.”

“I welcome Lord Leveson’s measured proposals to give the self regula-
tion of the press a statutory basis. I call on the Government to imple-
ment Lord Leveson’s recommendations in full.”
 
VALERIE’S WORK IN PARLIAMENT
Since being elected to Parliament in May 2010, Valerie has:
. Spoken in Parliament 147 times;
. Tabled 264 written questions;
. Primary Sponsor of 85 Early Day Motions;
. Worked on 5,406 constituency cases;
. Been called 7 times at Prime Minister’s Questions;
. Presented 5 petitions to Parliament;
. Published 20 reports of the Health Select Committee;
. Held 70 constituency surgeries;
. Visited or welcomed to Parliament 20 of 42 schools in

Walsall South.
. Introduced 2 Ten Minute Rule Bills on equal rights for adop-
tive parents and a bill to improve health and education provi-
sion for children and adults with epilepsy.

November enews from Valerie Vaz MP Walsall South

November 2012 VALERIE PRESSES GOVERNMENT ON ADOPTION INEQUALITY AT PMQs

At Prime Minister’s Questions Valerie raised the issue of equal rights between adoptive parents and parents whose children are born to them. The Deputy Prime Minister responded on behalf of the Prime Minister, who was abroad. Valerie said: “My Ten-Minute Rule Bill in the previous Session called for equalising statutory rights for leave, pay and allowances between adoptive parents and parents whose children are born to them. That can be done by regulations, so will the Deputy Prime Minister ask a Minister or two to meet me to eliminate that unfairness?” The Deputy Prime Minister responded by paying tribute to Valerie on her campaign for equal rights for adoptive parents and indicating his support for Valerie’s proposals. He suggested that the Government would make an announcement on the issue shortly.

WOMEN ON THE BREADLINE Valerie said: “The Women on the Breadline event was organised jointly by the TUC and the Walsall Women’s Forum. I was pleased to speak with a group of women about politics. The women present also had the opportunity to take part in workshops on a variety of issues, seek legal and welfare advice and take part in training opportunities.”

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT This month Valerie questioned Ministers on a range of topics. At Questions to the Leader of the House, Valerie asked why the West Midlands Ambulance Service has had to rely on assistance from St John’s Ambulance and what can be done to have a Pelican Crossing installed on Darlaston Road. The Leader of the House said he would ask his Ministerial colleagues to look at these matters. During a Statement on Health, Valerie asked whether NHS underspends would be retained or returned to the Treasury. The Secretary of State responded that the Government aims to avoid NHS underspends. LIFESAVING SKILLS As part of a Backbench Business Debate, Valerie spoke on the importance of educating children on life-saving skills in schools. Valerie said: “It is crucial that life saving skills are taught in schools. Knowledge of just a few crucial tech- niques can be the difference be- tween life and death for someone suffering cardiac arrest or seriously injured in an accident. I want the Government to make lifesaving skills part of the school curriculum.”

BRAINNAV LAUNCH The West Midlands Launch of the BrainNav online tool for people with brain injuries and their families was attended by Valerie. To visit BrainNav, Valerie said: “BrainNav shows that organisations with a range of expertise can come together and develop services that can improve people’s lives significantly.”

NEW ART GALLERY SUNDAY SUCCESS Valerie said: “I am delighted that the return of Sunday openings has boosted the New Art Gallery’s visitor numbers by 1,400 in a month and that the Gallery expects this figure to reach 20,000 in a year.” “This is exactly what I and the people of Walsall wanted. I made several representations to Walsall MBC, collected an online e-petition and raised the matter with Culture Minister, Ed Vaizey MP. I am pleased that so many families are visiting the Gallery.”

NOOR INAYAT KHAN This month Valerie attended the unveiling by the Princess Royal of a memorial to Noor Inayat Khan. Valerie said: “I became involved in this project when I was elected in 2010. I tabled Early Day Motion 109 which received cross party support. I then wrote to the Vice-Chancellor at the University of London, of which I am an alumna, to request permission for a commemorative memorial to be placed in Gordon Square near to Noor’s London home. Vice-Chancellor Graeme Davies agreed and after his retirement Vice-Chancellor Geoffrey Crossick honoured that commitment.” “The beautiful sculpture by Karen Newman was well received by the guests. It is right that Noor has now been honoured for her extraordinary bravery during the Second World War. She worked as a radio operator in occupied France and was eventually captured and tortured by the Nazis. Despite this she remained silent until her execution at the age of 30.”

September /October News from your MP

　



 
WALSALL MYPLACE CENTRE
Valerie visited the Walsall MyPlace youth centre in Palfrey and was given a tour of the Centre by Director Ian Cruise – Taylor.

Valerie said: "The Walsall MyPlace youth centre in Palfrey is a fantastic resource. MyPlace offers young people a variety of activities to take part in during their spare time as well as a wide range of advice services delivered by a number of different public and private sector providers. I saw students taking advantage of this who felt they had a real stake in it. They were involved in the design too."

September/ October 2012

WE ARE WALSALL
In September Valerie spoke at the We Are Walsall event at Gallery Square in the Town Centre. The event was organised to oppose an organisation that had come to Walsall with the aim of promoting division in society.

Valerie said: "There is no place in Walsall for people who promote racist views. Our diverse commu-nities have been living together harmoniously for many decades and will not allow themselves to be driven apart by the actions of an extremist minority."

　
ABLEWELL STREET PARKING CHARGES
Following an 18 month campaign against the charges, Valerie welcomed news that Walsall MBC is to abolish charges for on-street parking on Ablewell Street and five other town cen-tre streets.

Valerie said: "Shortly after the charges were introduced, I was contacted by traders from Ablewell Street who were concerned about the drop in passing trade. Over the past 18 months I have made several representations to Walsall MBC, presented an 800 name peti-tion to Parliament and raised the matter during a debate in the House of Commons. It is a pity that local businesses have had to endure an unnecessary drop in trade over the past 18 months and that the charges are not being removed from every street. I will continue to push for the charges to be dropped in every town centre street and for a proper review."

　
BADGER CULL

Valerie voted for the Motion to stop the planned Badger Cull. It was carried by 147 to 28.

Valerie said: "The motion called on the Government to stop the planned cull. The Government has only announced a postpone-ment of the cull until next year."

　
Valerie raised the proposed changes to the planning rules, which were announced by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, in a Pre-Conference Adjournment Debate.
Valerie said: "The Secretary of State’s statement should have given us clarity, not ambiguity. Planning inspectors will decide on applica-tions, instead of the local authority. The problem is not the speed with which planning officers have to deal with applications, but the lack of properly qualified staff. Cuts are affecting the number of staff who can make considered decisions on planning issues. The proposals to in-crease the limit on the size of extensions that can be built without Planning Permission are wrong and have been rightly rejected by a number of councils. The Government’s plans serve only to take power out of the hands of local people."

　
 
EU BUDGET

On Wednesday 31 October, Valerie voted for an amendment calling for a real terms cut in the EU budget between 2014 and 2020. The Government was defeated by 13 Votes.

Valerie said: "At a time when the cost of living is rising quickly for tax payers in the UK and sig-nificant cuts are being made to vital public services, it cannot be right to protect the EU budget.

This would be a perverse move when governments across Europe are making big cuts in public spending."

"It is important that Britain is an active member of the EU, which is crucial for much of our trade and many of our jobs. But when EU plans are wrong for Britain, we must say so. The EU must-look at savings which can be made through measures such as the reform of the CAP."

　
SUNDAY TRADING

　

Valerie asked the Leader of the House of Com-mons for clarification of the Government’s posi-tion on Sunday trading.

Valerie said: "Sunday trading regulations help support small businesses by allowing them to open for longer than the larger stores over the weekend. The Gov-ernment has been sending confusing messages about their plans to extend the relaxation of Sunday trading restrictions beyond the end of the Olympic and Paralympic games."

"The Leader of the House said the Government was constantly looking at the issue, but had not changed its plans."

　

In September, the House of Commons Health Select Com-mittee, of which Valerie is a member, heard evidence from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC is responsible for regulating all health and adult social care providers in England.

Valerie said: "Inspections are crucial to maintaining public confidence in healthcare practi-tioners and ensuring that abuse, such as that found at Winterbourne View cannot go undetected. I asked about the staffing levels as this was one of the Health Select Commit-tee’s concerns. The CQC told me that there were 194 in-spector vacancies in April of this year. It takes 8 weeks to train an inspector and so it will take some time for all the vacancies to be filled. The CQC must urgently address this problem to ensure inspections are undertaken."

　
RETROSPECTIVE PRE-PAYMENT

ELECTRICITY CHARGES
Valerie said: "I was contacted by a constituent who had re-ceived a retrospective electricity bill from Npower despite having a pre-payment electricity meter. I am aware that this is not an isolated incident. I wrote to Npower and Ofgem to ask why retrospective bills are sent to pre-payment custom-ers. Npower’s response does not give a clear explanation.

If you receive such a Bill, I would advise you to contact Npower to challenge it

VALERIE BACKS ACTION ON HEARING LOSS’ "LOCATE & RATE" SERVICE

　

." Valerie is backing Action on Hearing Loss’s ‘locate and rate’ web-site which helps her constituents to find local hearing services best suited to their individual needs.

‘Locate and rate’ enables people with hearing loss to comment on and rate their local NHS and private hearing services in terms of service accessibility, the clarity of explanations about hearing test results, and the usefulness of advice about communication sup-port services. To access "Locate & Rate", please click here.

　

VALERIE VISITS ACORNS CHILDREN’S HOSPICE
　

Valerie said: "The Acorns Children’s Hospice offers a network of care for life limited and life threatened children and young people, and their families. It is the only organisation that provides this level of care to vulnerable youngsters whilst offering a range of support services to the whole family to help them cope at every stage of their child’s life and beyond into bereavement. The hospice is well adapted to suit the needs of these children including a special sensory stimulation room and state of the art hoist in every bedroom. The respite care it offers for families is also a vital service."

Valerie visited the Acorns Children’s Hospice and met with the Chief Executive David Strudley and Head of Care, Anne Small.

"To donate to Acorns, please telephone 01564 82 5000 or visit http:www.acorns.org.uk."

　

EPILEPSEY12 NATIONAL AUDIT REPORT

Valerie spoke at the launch of the Epilepsy12 National Audit Report at the Royal College of Pae-diatrics and Child Health.

Valerie said: "This report is an excellent audit of the needs and services for children with epilepsy. The report sets out 12 specific steps that would be required to improve the quality of care. I sup-port the 12 recommendations proposed including that chil-dren must see a paediatrician with expertise in epilepsy and that an early initial, and timely ongoing assessments should be required. This is a helpful report and monitoring of the recommendations should now prompt further action for healthcare professionals."
 
　


RISING FOOD PRICES

　

At DEFRA Questions Valerie asked the Minister what discussions he had had with his colleagues in the Treasury and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about rising food prices.

Valerie said: "Families on incomes in the lowest one-fifth of the population have cut their consumption of fruit and vegetables by nearly a third in recent years, as the cost of food has increased by 12% in real terms according to Defra’s own statistics. This has led to one in five mums going without food to feed their children ac-cording to Netmums. The Minister said he would speak with col-leagues in the DWP to ensure all possible support is provided."

　

HEALTH QUESTIONS

　

At Health Questions Valerie asked the Secretary of State for Health if he would use the £4 billion surplus and the savings made in the NHS to lift pay restraints for lower-paid workers to increase morale and boost productivity.

Valerie said: "At a time when the cost of living is rising quickly many front line health staff on the lowest incomes are struggling to get by. These staff are vital to our NHS and it is crucial that they are paid enough to live on."

Let us all stand against hate and division in Walsall!

S tand together against hate and division


Racist EDL

Not Welcome in Walsall

On Saturday 29th September a gang of racists plan to descend on

Walsall.

Their aim is to ferment hatred and division in our community.

Whatever they claim, the English Defence League’s anti-Muslim and

racist slogans and their Hitler salutes tell us who they really are.

At their heart are fascists who have been active in the British National

Party (BNP) and NF (National Front). Given the opportunity, the EDL

threaten, abuse and intimidate anyone whose skin colour or ideas they

don’t like. Their poisonous message of hate must not be allowed to go

unchallenged.

The various parts of our diverse community in multicultural Walsall live

together in harmony. We must stand up against this attempt to divide

us and to scapegoat a section of our population.

Join the peaceful and inclusive celebration of unity in our community.

Gallery Square at New Art Gallery, Walsall, WS2 8LG,

11am Saturday 29th September

Organised by We Are Walsall  

Let us say no to racism in Walsall!

Please forward this email to others who will want to take a stand against the poison of the EDL

The EDL are now clearly set to come to Walsall on Sat 29th September

The We are Walsall event is coming together and support is growing.

Stand together against hate and division

Racist EDL Not Welcome in Walsall

Come to the Forum on

Countering Racism, Fascism and Islamophobia

11am, Saturday 22nd September,

Upstairs in the East Room of 'The Crossing'

Walsall WS1 1DA - Darwall Street entrance

Contributions from anti-fascist and anti-racist campaigners, community and faith leaders and local councillors. Come and join the discussion

and

Help build the We are Walsall event the following week:

Gallery Square at New Art Gallery,

Walsall, WS2 8LG,

11am Saturday 29^th September

With this event we are both celebrating a united Walsall and protesting against the EDL's attempt to promote hatred and division. By gathering on the day we will be ensuring that the EDL are tightly contained away from the Saturday crowds and cannot roam around town abusing and intimidating people, spreading their message of hate. We will be making sure that the EDL's message is not the dominant story of the day. Please continue to encourage people to attend this peaceful but determined event - the racists need to know they cannot win.

Attached is the most recent flyer, a pledge sheet developed from the earlier statement that has been circulating and an email to Walsall Councillors which has received a considerable number of positive responses.

We have been allocated an assembly point of Gallery Square and that is now included on the flyer. We will need to make a final decision as to whether to make an application to march at the meeting on Thursday.

We are Walsall meets again this Thursday 20th September, 7:15pm at Palfrey Community Centre, Milton Street, Walsall.

Please bring new people to the meeting if you can so that we can develop the momentum over the last 10 days.

   Please spread the word!!
Thanks
Ian Robertson
Secretary Walsall South CLP

The threat from introduction of Universal Credit in 2013

17th September


You may know that this Tory Government plans to introduce Univeral Credit in October 2013.

While I think everyone would accept that the benefit system needs a continuous reform process, this step will seriously affect many of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in Walsall and especially in some wards where many disadvantaged residents live. I post the concerns of many organisations that deal on a day to day basis with those at risk.
The evidence shows there is widespread concern about managing Universal Credit online, the implications of it being paid monthly and being paid to one member of a household, and the gap when the current system is phased out and the new one starts.

Ministers are very keen to ensure that the new system should be "digital by default" - in other words, managed and run online.

The new universal credit system risks causing difficulties to the 8.5 million people who have never used the internet and a further 14.5 million who have virtually no ICT skills," says Citizens Advice.

Only one in ten of claimants think it would make their lives easier”

Women's Budget Group

The public sector workers union Unison makes a similar point, as does the National Housing Federation, the umbrella group for homeless organisations, Homeless Link and Community Links, a charity based in east London, amongst others.

Concerns are raised too about paying Universal Credit monthly.

The Women's Budget Group, which describes itself as an "independent organisation bringing together individuals from academia, non-governmental organisations and trades unions to promote gender equality," also makes some observations.

It tells the MPs: "The government says monthly payment of Universal Credit mimics life in work.


"But many on low incomes in work have wages and/or benefits and tax credits paid more frequently, which matches common budgeting patterns for those on low incomes.

"Only one in ten of claimants think it would make their lives easier. Women are likely to be hit harder, as in low income families they tend to make more frequent purchases that will be squeezed as money is stretched."


There are concerns too that the payment of Universal Credit to one person in a household could, in some instances, upset the family dynamic: potentially putting that individual in a position of considerable power and influence.

Many of those who have submitted evidence are worried about how some people will cope when the changeover from the current benefits system to the Universal Credit takes place.

Work and Pensions Secretary Ian Duncan Smith wants to overcome problems in the benefits system "What consideration has been given to providing grants to cover a shortfall when transitioning from fortnightly to monthly payments, rather than claimants having to rely on budgeting advances or 'pay-day loans' which need to be re-paid?" asks Gingerbread, the charity for single parents.

Manchester City Council raise a broader concern: the effects not just on people, but communities.


We have concerns about the impacts on people but also on 'place' - either from large scale churn de-stabilising people and communities or reductions in income within areas with high concentrations of people currently on benefit."

Let's now turn to look at some of practical problems around making this change happen on time.


A wide range of organisations involved in meeting the government's deadline are clearly very worried about achieving it.

At the heart of the Universal Credit is what is known as the Real Time Information system. The aim is it will be much more responsive to people's changing circumstances.

It will require employers to report their employees' pay each time they are paid. In addition the self-employed will have to report their income every month instead of every year.

This will be a "significant and difficult burden, reliant on information from others", the Chartered Institute of Taxation tells the MPs.

The success of the Universal Credit depends on the new computer system being completed "under extremely tight timelines," the employers' organisation, the CBI says.


The new system's tight delivery timetable, coupled with low awareness among companies, is a risk to business and to the implementation of the Universal Credit."

"There is a real risk that the central government Universal Credit IT systems will not be ready on time," adds the Local Government Association, which represents councils.


So how does the government respond? Radio 4's The World This Weekend invited a minister to appear on the programme, but the invitation was declined.

In its evidence to the committee of MPs, the Department for Work and Pensions claims that "digital skills are a factor in around 72% of jobs", and so encouraging people to manage their Universal Credit online is sensible. It also saves a significant amount of money.

Advice will also be available, the department says, for those recipients who need help with managing their family budget.

"Rigorous, integrated IT testing has also commenced," it adds, pointing out it has "some of the best contingency arrangements in place across government" if things go wrong.

Do you think that this Tory run Council cares a jot about the potential   effects to residents in Walsall?

Please commit yourself to supporting Labour here in Walsall who cannot stop these changes but at least are compassionate on their effects and will ( if they are in charge) try to mitigate the disastrous effects on the most vulnerable in our society.
Please post support or otherwise!

Regards

Ian Robertson
secretary Walsall South CLP

April enews from Valerie Vaz MP Walsall South

April 2012


Walsall South

For further information, please visit: http://www.valerievazmp.co.uk

VALERIE WELCOMES ZAK THE ZEBRA TO WALSALL SOUTH

Valerie has welcomed Zak the Zebra to Walsall to call for a safer crossing on Darlaston Road in Pleck. Zak made an appearance with Valerie and local campaigners at the exist-ing Zebra Crossing, near the junction with Hough Road, on Friday 20 April 2012. Valerie also presented a petition of over 300 names to Parliament on Monday 23 April 2012.

Valerie said: “On 16 April 2012 I wrote to Walsall MBC to request that a signal controlled crossing is installed in place of the existing Zebra Crossing on Darlaston Road in Pleck. Residents have provided me with details of five incidents that took place on the crossing in five months between September 2011 and February 2012.”

“Drivers tend to travel fairly quickly along this busy road and the large number of parked cars means that visibility can be limited both for drivers and pedestrians, particularly chil-dren. In one incident, on 8 September 2011 a four year old boy was hit by a car on the crossing and sustained serious head inju-ries. The driver of the car was recently sentenced to 10 months in prison for dangerous driving. A woman was also hit by a car on 25 November 2011. There are several schools nearby and the potential consequences of similar incidents are far too great for immediate action not to be taken.”

Sunday Trading

On Monday 30 April 2012, Valerie voted against plans to suspend Sunday Trading Laws for a period covering the Olympic Games.

Speaking during the Bill’s Second Reading in the House of Com-mons, Valerie said: “The workers are against the Bill, small busi-nesses are against it, and it is against family values. No one wants it, and the majority of the British people will gain no benefit from it. I urge Members to vote against the Bill.”

The Bill was passed at Third Reading by 272 votes to 125. Valerie acted as a Teller for the Noes.

Valerie Acts as Teller for Food Labelling Bill

On Tuesday 24 April 2012, Valerie acted as a Teller for the Noes for the vote on Philip Davies MP’s Food Labelling (Halal and Kosher Meat) Bill 2012. The Bill con-tained provisions to com-pel retailers to label all meat slaughtered using halal or kosher methods. It was defeated by 73 votes to 70.

New Art Gallery Petition

Valerie has launched a petition calling on Walsall MBC to immediately reopen the New Art Gallery on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. This follows news that the New Art Gallery is due a substantial rebate on the Business Rates it paid from 2005 to 2010. Please click here to sign the petition.

Valerie said: “I have launched this online petition, calling on Walsall MBC to reverse the decision to close the Gallery on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays immediately. This move would cost just £30,000 per year and would enable the people of Walsall to enjoy the full benefit the Gallery can bring.”

Valerie Publishes Report into Obesity and Diabetes

This month Valerie published her report on ‘Obesity and Diabetes Programmes in England’. The re-port gives an overview of the status of obesity and diabetes and related programmes in England, us-ing data collected through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests sent to Primary Care Trusts Clusters in July 2011.

Valerie said: “Diabetes and obesity are growing public health concerns in our society. The aim of the Survey was to analyse PCT initiatives in controlling the levels of obesity and diabetes in England and to highlight possibilities for further improvement. This report draws together the information in a way that is useful to a wide audience including healthcare providers, patients, policy-makers and organiza-tions seeking to reduce diabetes and obesity in England, and interested members of the public. It is clear that stronger action is needed from the Government.”


Surgeries

Valerie holds regular surgeries. To arrange an appointment, please call the Constituency Office on 01922 635835

 To Contact Valerie:

Constituency Office: 114a Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1SZ

Telephone: 01922 635835

Westminster Office: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Telephone: 020 7219 7176

Email: valerie.vaz.mp@parliament.uk

Labour Manifesto for May 3rd Elections

“

“YOUR VOICE IN TOUGH TIMES”



THE WALSALL LABOUR MANIFESTO FOR THE 2012 COUNCIL ELECTIONS





The Conservative government has let down people in the borough of Walsall - with the backing of the Liberal Democrats. And the local Tories are not standing up for local people.



The people of the distinct and proud communities that make up our borough have a history of hard work, independence and self-reliance which made it a watch word for craftsmanship, high quality and innovation. The term “Made in Walsall” was something looked for, and to be proud of. That accolade was earned by the endeavors of its people; by their industry, their vision, their determination not to just make do or accept that “it is good enough”, because they wanted better for themselves and their children.



But during the industrial decline of the 1980s our borough has seen the loss of tens of thousands of jobs, our wages fell well below the national and regional average - and remain so. Our public health has split into an east / west divide where those in the more deprived areas die, on average, eight years earlier than those in the leafy suburbs. Our education system lags behind the rest of the country in almost every significant aspect.



Between 1997 and 2010, the Labour government made good on its pledges to invest in health, in education, in jobs and economic growth. . With the support of the Labour government, we have a new hospital, a new college and there was a chance that our manufacturing industry might be able to start to grow again. But from 2000 the borough has been controlled by the Conservatives with, at times, support from the Lib Dems, and the opportunities of that economic growth were too often wasted.



Now with a Conservative-led national government, supported by the Liberal Democrats, we have seen a return to mass unemployment, cuts in health and education, and a manufacturing industry struggling to survive. Since being elected this government has cut a staggering £100 million from our council’s budget. On top of this, there are cuts in our NHS, in our police and emergency services. There have been wholesale reductions in services to the elderly, disabled and the most deprived.



For hardworking families home re-possession has become a constant fear as they struggle to pay the bills, while our town centre now hits the headlines - not for the quality for its goods, but for its record number of empty shops.



While other councils around the country - including Conservative run authorities - have spoken up and tried to defend their communities against savage cuts, our council has meekly accepted these attacks on the services we rely on. Local Tories tell us that Walsall has to be run like a business. Well if that is true then under their leadership the borough increasingly resembles a shop with empty shelves whose political management settles for second best - whilst it should be remembered has for the last two years tried to give itself a pay rise.



But this year, in 2012, we have the opportunity to change how our borough is run. We have a chance in May’s elections to get rid of the incompetent Tory management and their Lib Dem supporters.



A Labour run council cannot change the economic policy of a Government run by ex-Eton schoolboys who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. But at every opportunity we will defend our borough and its people. And for starters, a Labour council will cut the councillors’ allowance bill by £50,000.



Over the next two years a Labour run Walsall council will make sure the needs of its most vulnerable clients and communities and the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods are protected. It will fight to use regeneration schemes to bring high skilled, high paid jobs to the borough. It will seek to organise education so that children from Suretstart to Sixth Form share in the best practice and most effective support so all our youngsters can move forward and none are left behind. In social care we will demand and deliver a fair and sympathetic approach to needs assessments of the disabled and the elderly. We will turn the council’s £900,000 communication’s unit into a tool that doesn’t tell people how well the council’s political leaders think they are doing, but instead asks voters, ‘how can we do better?’



Who will now dare to tell us that "We are all in this together" ?



FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE

Fairness in service delivery, ensuring equality in resources, cutting waste and delivering better governance starting at the top.



The Conservative budget cuts go too far and too fast, are disproportionate to local government as a whole and to our borough in particular. Furthermore a wide range of studies show that Walsall and the Black Country are amongst the least resilient areas across the country, in terms of the impact on our local economy, increases in unemployment, house re-possessions, rising child poverty - and all the social challenges which will inevitably follow.



The primary role of a Walsall Labour council will be to defend our local communities in the face of the “bankers’ recession”. We recognise that our borough needs financial stability - it would help none of our disadvantaged communities to have a bankrupt council.



We will address widespread elements of unfairness and inequalities currently present in the allocation of resources in all areas of life in Walsall. We recognise that the current central Government is cutting support for Walsall. We must therefore use current funds as effectively as possible, look at every opportunity to develop new funding streams for Walsall, use high-level negotiating skills before signing any contracts, and merge fragmented services where possible into a single commissioning contract. We will place the vital contribution of the voluntary sector at the heart of our strategic plan for Walsall.



Labour will therefore undertake a “root and branch” review of council structures and external contracts, in order to create “value for money” and the flexibility and finance to invest in our local neighbourhoods.



Furthermore the following policy priorities and principles should underpin the implementation of budget decisions :

• to protect the needs of the most vulnerable clients and communities

• to protect services within the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.



Our local Conservatives often tell us that our council should be run as a business. However during their decade in power it is well documented that in excess of £30 million has been lost through errors, misjudgements, project overspends and mismanagement - monies which in other circumstances would have been in our financial reserves and available for use in tough times.



Walsall Labour will give greater priority to the Council’s audit committee and function, with greater emphasis on independent advice and participation. We will improve the accountability of Cabinet decisions, with all relevant minutes reported to full council meetings.



Walsall Labour will revise the current Councillor allowance scheme, within an overall budget reduction of £50,000 over the two year council term.



We would retain a positive “critical friend” relationships and “open door” policy with local trade unions - and will support national not local pay bargaining. Whilst we are unable to make unrealistic promises in the economic circumstance of local government, we also share many common interests.



CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND EDUCATION

Shaping futures for our youngsters, protecting our children, supporting families and building stepping stones for successful lives.



There is much to celebrate and be proud of in the achievements of our children and young people. But the sad fact remains that Walsall’s performance in terms of academic attainment remains well below the national average. Despite recent welcome improvements at key stages 2 (age 11) and 4 (GCSE / O-level), our borough is currently ranked nationally at 144 out of 151 councils at both early years / foundation stage and key stage 5 (A-level). Furthermore attainment is very patchy, with outcomes in the most disadvantaged areas proving year on year that there has been insufficient investment and resources.



Many of our schools across the borough are being forced into academy status. We worry that this is not based on any evidence of educational advantage, but on political dogma. Academy and “free” schools are accountable only to the Secretary of State, which leaves a vacuum in local leadership and responsibility.



Whilst Labour agrees that the SERCO contract is no longer viable in the face of these policy changes (and indeed opposed the extension of the contract in 2008) we have major concerns about the potential vacuum between the local authority and local schools. We strongly believe that there is a responsibility to support, monitor and scrutinise education and schools across the borough whatever their status - both within and without of the local authority family.



We would therefore develop an educational partnership to understand and oversee educational performance and attainment, health and well-being, progress and prospects for our children and young people at all stages of their development. We believe that there remains a crucial need for strategic leadership at a council level, to support local children, parents and families to achieve the best start in life.





Walsall Labour welcomes the continuing local commitment to Surestart programmes for young children and their families. We will ensure that good practice and partnership working are shared across the sector to improve support to challenging families and personal development and performance within nursery and early years settings.



We will ensure that young people are provided with a suitable range of sport and other positive activities. We will also work closely with and recognise the importance of the key role our voluntary sector plays in helping to achieve positive outcomes for young people. This must be balanced with reassurance that anti-social behaviour will be firmly tackled within the wider context of neighbourhood management and community safety.



SOCIAL CARE AND HEALTH

Protecting our elderly and vulnerable, fighting health poverty, defending OUR NHS



Provision of effective and efficient social care and health are at the heart of a caring society. Inequality, disadvantage and poverty are major determinants as to quality of life and health enjoyed by local people across Walsall.



It is recognised that there are increasing demographic pressures on budgets, both through the increasing numbers of elderly people and the very high numbers of people in Walsall with long-term illness and conditions. Labour supports the important principle of preventative measures to assist people to live as independently as possible, caring for people as close to home as possible, along with the crucial importance of integrated working between social care and NHS services.



However government policy has also forced major budget pressures being implemented in Social Care, which already in Walsall indicate savings since 2010 of over £40 million, which is equivalent to nearly 30% of the initial budget. Furthermore the dogmatic pursuit of the current so-called "reform" of the NHS has led to massive uncertainty as to the future.



Walsall Labour will ensure that a free community alarm / telecare service is available to all residents over 80 years of age resident in the Borough, and will investigate the possible extension of this provision to other vulnerable adults.



We will amend the current benefits-based charging policy so as to ensure that service users no longer have to pay for services which they do not receive.



We will ensure improvements in relation to :

• a fair but sympathetic approach to needs assessments,

• better communication with service users, including charging formats

• named person contacts to provide continuity and assurance.





We will campaign against privatisation of the NHS, and in the short-term retain a separate health scrutiny function within council structures. We will work to retain joined-up commissioning approaches with NHS partners, including a wide range of general services and including mental health and learning disability, and support the establishment of a strong health and well-being board, able to scrutinise and challenge commissioning decisions.







REGENERATION

Creating skilled jobs, fighting low pay and low expectations, building for the future, protecting our environment



The past ten years of Conservative and Lib-Dem administration in Walsall has yielded little for our most vulnerable communities. They have relied too heavily on major projects to the detriment of our district centres and our most deprived neighbourhoods. Walsall’s Meanwhile the Conservative-led administration has continually taken advantage of the Labour governments’ commitment to spend money on regeneration, claiming credit for millions of government spending on projects such as the ring road, Walsall Manor Hospital, Walsall College - and £50 million alone in the Bloxwich New Deal Area.



Since the Coalition Government came into power, Walsall’s Conservative-led council has fully supported a package of cuts that are now starting to have a negative impact on our most vulnerable residents. The demise of the Future Jobs Fund Training Scheme and the abolition of the Educational Maintenance Allowance have inflicted extreme hardship on young people, with youth unemployment at a level not seen since the early 1980s.



The Conservative-led council’s regeneration strategy has led to a Walsall town centre that is disjointed, unfocused, and full of abandoned retail premises. Walsall Conservative’s housing strategy is in disarray, failing to deliver on the much-needed affordable family homes that they promised, with district centres - the very towns that make up Walsall - starved of investment.



Walsall Labour will ensure that this picture is reversed, by using council assets to support growth in the economy, creating much needed employment. We will work closely with our colleagues across the Black Country to ensure that the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership delivers the sustainable re-development of the Darlaston / Walsall enterprise zone.



We will ensure that Walsall Adult and Community College is neighbourhood-focused and works more closely in a sustainable partnership with our Voluntary and Community sector - so that the skills gap is closed and that everyone gets the opportunity to better themselves without prejudice to where they live.



New models of housing investment will be developed to ensure families and individuals have adequate housing and choices of tenure, and we will develop more co-operative housing models to ensure tenants are empowered to take control of their communities.



Walsall Labour will:

• support young people into work

• create housing co-operatives

• deliver regeneration of Darlaston / Walsall enterprise zone

• work with local businesses toward sustainable and skilled employment

• encourage housing developments that meet the needs of our residents

• ensure our college supports our commitment to neighbourhood regeneration.









ENVIRONMENT (TRANSPORT AND PLANNING)



Supporting and encouraging businesses and investment, delivering cleaner and greener communities, review parking charges and stop discouraging motorists and visitors, making planning work for communities by listening and acting on residents’ views.

Recycling has always been high on the agenda for Walsall, and government targets have continually encouraged the council to do what is right for the environment in local and global terms. But under the savage cuts in local government spending, the pressure will be on to change service delivery to suit limited budgets instead of what is right for the community.



Cleaner streets are what local people expect from a good local council. Unfortunately the Conservative-led council have failed to listen to Labour pleas to provide a fair and equal service across our borough. Often this leaves many of our communities abandoned to rubbish and fly tipping as a normal daily experience, whilst lack of meaningful enforcement has led to our streets becoming blighted. We believe is unacceptable.



Transport in Walsall has benefited from major investment during the Labour Government years, but local decision-making by the Conservative-led council oversaw massive overspends on the ring road, putting pressure on other local road repair projects and inadequately dealing with potholes.



The Conservative-led council has continually failed to play a full role regionally, allowing other areas to get major investment in rail and road projects, with no sign of any metro line coming into our borough.



We welcome the principles of the localism agenda by the Government and will support any legislation that puts planning decisions closer to the communities it effects ; however we also recognise the negative view that this may mitigate to oppose planning applications rather than supporting positive change. We believe that planning is a tool to allow neighbourhoods to regenerate and the local economy to grow, and thus will take a more positive stance to enable communities to work together to ensure that new developments and regeneration are neighbourhood-based and supported through our Neighbourhood Management model.



Walsall Labour will :

• ensure recycling is affordable and accessible to all our neighbourhoods

• make neighbourhoods cleaner and greener, where necessary through the use of more effective enforcement powers

• ensure Walsall gets its fair share of investment in our roads and public transport

• review Walsall town centre car parking

• make planning work for communities

• bring decision making back to local people and empower people to play an active role and take pride in their borough.









NEIGHBOURHOODS

Fighting crime , creating safe communities, acting on residents’ concerns, listening to peoples’ needs not telling them what they should want!

Following many years of campaigning by Walsall Labour for the introduction of a Neighbourhood Management model of working in Walsall, the Conservative administration finally caved in and introduced it. We welcomed the better partnership working that this change brought and the impact it had on our neighbourhoods. Unfortunately they neglected one of the most important parts of Neighbourhood Management - that is our residents.



So many things that are important to people happens on their door step and affect them daily. Our Police service is based on neighbourhoods, our schools are based in neighbourhoods, our doctors are in our neighbourhoods - and our neighbourhoods are made up of people. So why does the council finally get all the services working together, but then make it difficult for YOU - the people that matter - to influence how those services work on your behalf ?



Crime and anti-social behaviour happens in our streets and our neighbourhoods ; fly tipping and litter happens in our streets and our neighbourhoods. Our homes, our streets and our neighbourhoods are crucial to our quality of life. Walsall Labour believes that this is where services should be targeted and where people can have a real say in how our council works.



Walsall Labour believes that the regeneration of our communities should be delivered within our neighbourhoods, allowing residents to take control of their own destiny and supporting them to make their neighbourhood the best it can be.



Walsall Labour will :

• develop the Neighbourhood Management model to benefit the most vulnerable

• make residents equal partners in service delivery

• build better partnerships to tackle anti-social behaviour, crime and make our neighbourhoods safer to live in

• support the Voluntary and Community Sector in delivering better services for people

• put people first.




We keep our promises.. Please vote Labour on May 3rd
published by electronic means by Ian Robertson 87 Belvidere Road Walsall WS1 3AU