Cheshire Day in Parliament

Cheshire Day in Parliament event 23^rd May 2012 organised by Fiona Bruce MP

On 23^rd May a unique day was held in Parliament – Cheshire Day. Business people, community representatives, members of the Cheshire LEP and Councillors joined MPs and Ministers to promote Cheshire to the Nation at large. The innovative event secured National media coverage.

Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton, who initiated and organised the event in Parliament said:  “Cheshire Day in Parliament was the first time any area in the country had held an event to promote the benefits of living, working and visiting the region. In particular a key aim was to attract new business investment and create new job opportunities to the area by showcasing the economic benefits Cheshire offers in terms of excellent workforces, infrastructure, and speedy communication links, all in conjunction with a very high quality of life including education and community life in a very attractive county.

 “Several Cheshire MPs spoke throughout the day.  Key features offered by the county were emphasised in an opening speech by International Development Minister Stephen O’Brien MP for Eddisbury.  This was followed by a keynote speech by the Chancellor, George Osborne MP for Tatton, underlining the importance of Cheshire’s economic contribution both regionally and nationally and its potential for further growth.  As it was George’s birthday the assembled guests – over 200 business and community leaders from Cheshire and invited guests including MPs from across the country sang him Happy Birthday and presented him with a bag of goodies from the Cheshire Food Fair which formed part of Cheshire Day in Parliament, highlighting tasty local produce including cheese, sausages and ice cream, all washed down with Tatton Beer and Congleton apple juice.

The Food Fair provided light refreshments for everyone during the lunchtime break, whilst Prime Minister’s Questions, which were taking place in the Chamber next door, were viewed on a big screen.

Immediately afterwards we had our very own Cheshire Question Time with several Cheshire MPs including David Rutley MP for Macclesfield, David Mowat MP for Warrington South, Edward Timpson MP for Crewe and Nantwich , Stephen Moseley MP for Chester, Andrew Miller MP for Ellesmere Port and myself with former BBC interviewer, Jim Hancock, taking the Dimbleby role! This Q&A session gave us an opportunity to highlight particular positives for Cheshire business such as Government investment in roads in Crewe and Middlewich and in Bentleys in Crewe through the Regional Growth Fund and in the planned Runcorn-Widnes bridge which will help open up the region’s transport links, so vital for doing business efficiently.

Also discussed were the potential growth opportunities for the nuclear industry in the North West and Government support for business small and large through funding for new apprentices.  This was developed in more detail in the afternoon session in a speech by Employment Minister, Chris Grayling MP, who exhorted companies from across the region to take advantage of Government support for apprenticeships.

The afternoon closed with a number of excellent short contributions from delegates including a stirring slot from Jonathan Williams, Town Clerk of Middlewich on how Middlewich has improved investment in the town, as well as community life, through making the most of its heritage such as its Roman links and salt industry as well as its industrial and now leisure use of canal ways, holding several festivals a year in the town attracting many thousands of visitors. The afternoon proved an excellent opportunity for Middlewich to promote its next Folk and Boat Festival in the country – to be held 16^th-18^th June with many events free.

Fiona concluded: “It was incredibly hard work to organise the day but a great privilege and what was especially positive was how all three local authorities Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington worked together, with the LEP and Marketing Cheshire and all the Cheshire MPs who were so enthusiastic in supporting the day, to help make the day happen.  It’s this kind of joint partnership working which Cheshire clearly showed through Cheshire Day it can achieve which is key to the successful ongoing development of the county.

I do not believe that the event could have been more successful – feedback from fellow MPs from across the country who visited Cheshire Day told me their eyes had been opened as to many positive aspects of the county and they are all wanting to have similar days for their regions – but Cheshire got there first!

Twyfords - Alsager

Fiona Bruce MP asks for full retail impact assessment on proposed supermarket plans for Alsager

Fiona Bruce MP has called upon Cheshire East Council to carry out and publish a full assessment on the impact the proposals to turn the former Twyfords Bathrooms site into a new large supermarket may have on retailing and shopping in Alsager, before any decision is made. She has registered a detailed formal objection to the plans.

The plans would mean a large out-of-town supermarket, new pedestrian and vehicle access and potential road changes.

In a comprehensive objection to Cheshire East Council Fiona highlighted a number of concerns about the proposed scheme including the suggestion that people would link trips between the supermarket and the town centre.  Fiona Bruce said:

“Alsager enjoys a more vibrant and varied shopping centre than very many places of a similar size. Residents value this – and many local families running independent shops and businesses depend for their livelihoods on it.

Whilst the benefits of a large superstore in Alsager may seem initially attractive, the profound impact this may have on Alsager community life and well being should not be underestimated. This should be fully considered before any decision is taken on these plans.

Many other towns and villages suffer from a high proportion of closed shops; Alsager does not, and residents I speak to want to keep it that way.”

 Fiona Bruce maintains, as she has said over previous planning applications elsewhere, that out-of-town supermarkets can have a detrimental effect on town centres causing potential customers to bypass local shops altogether. In objecting to these plans Fiona is supporting Alsager Chamber of Trade.

Fiona continued “Traders in Alsager work extraordinarily hard to maintain and, indeed, strengthen community life; their contribution to the character and community of Alsager should not be underestimated, nor should their concerns in respect of these plans as the impact of out-of-town shopping has been clearly seen elsewhere.”

VAT on Churches

Success over plans to apply VAT to alterations to Churches

There has been good news for those worried about the effect the changes to VAT on alterations to listed buildings may have on local churches.

Fiona Bruce said today “I am delighted that the meetings held and representations made by me and other concerned Members of Parliament opposed to the Government’s plans to apply VAT for alterations to Listed Buildings have proved successful.  Thank you to all those who made representations on this subject which have played an important part.

With respect to VAT for alterations to Church buildings the Government will now facilitate the recovery of this VAT charge by increasing the amount which the Government is putting into the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme by a further £30 million a year. This is particularly generous since it is more than was actually requested by the Church Estates Commissioners’ Representative in the House of Commons.

I understand that it should therefore fully fund the VAT bills to be paid for alterations and repairs to listed Church buildings and I am delighted that the representations have proved successful in ensuring the ongoing maintenance and protection of these buildings.

As I said to the Treasury Minister I met, these buildings are not only a precious part of our heritage, but are also increasingly valuable community centres, as alterations and adaptations are made for all-age and whole community use.”

Meeting with Cyclists from across the Constituency

Fiona Bruce MP holds meeting of cyclists to discuss how to make Congleton Constituency a more cycling friendly place

Fiona Bruce MP hosted a meeting of over 20 cyclists at her offices in Riverside, Congleton in order to establish what was needed to make the Congleton Constituency more ‘cyclist friendly’.

Representatives from across the Constituency including Alsager, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach, Mow Cop and Congleton Cycling Club met with Fiona and Alan Lawson, on behalf of Congleton Local Area Partnership at Cheshire East Council and its newly formed sub group, the South East Cheshire Cycling Action Group, to air their views and suggest improvements for the future.

The busy meeting covered a wide range of subject areas from the problems of potholes to driver attitudes and speed.

The biggest of the issues raised was that of driver attitudes towards cyclists.  It was felt by the meeting as a whole that car drivers often see cyclists as a nuisance and do not respect a cyclist’s right to be on the road.  The meeting felt that this was a national problem that would benefit from better training of drivers and cyclists and of a campaign in the media much like the ‘Think Bike’ campaign for motorbikes.

Alan Lawson told the meeting that there was a group starting across Congleton Constituency of cycling representatives – South East Cheshire Cycling Action Group - that would look at tackling important issues to cyclists and promote cycling as a viable mode of transport, not just for leisure.  Starting in Holmes Chapel the group is looking at putting together a map of available cycle routes around the towns and into the surrounding countryside.

Fiona Bruce MP said: “I called this meeting to get together cyclists from right across my Constituency and it was excellent to see so many there from Alsager, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach, Mow Cop and Congleton, to discuss how we can make this area a more cyclist and more cycling friendly place.

We had a positive and extensive discussion with some excellent practical suggestions, which I hope will be quickly taken up by Cheshire East Council such as improved signage, speedy pothole repair, a cycle to work scheme and a Cheshire East Cycle Day to promote the health and enjoyment benefits of cycling more widely. There were also some important longer term strategic proposals such as improving driver awareness of cyclists through changes in the driving test and better bike facilities at local stations and I am taking these up at National level with Government ministers and Agencies such as the Highways Authority and Rail companies.

I am encouraged by the announcement at the meeting of a new group, the South East Cheshire Cycling Action Group, which will be working as part of the Congleton LAP and am pleased that this group will be able to take forward the many constructive suggestions from this meeting on an on-going basis.”

Alan Lawson said: “I was impressed by the large turnout at the meeting, indicating the strength of feeling locally around cycling issues. The discussion highlighted that there are clear benefits to society of increasing the number of people using their bikes instead of their cars, especially for short journeys, such as health benefits, environmental benefits and reduced traffic levels. Yet there are significant factors discouraging people from doing so, relating to safety, infrastructure and a perception that significant numbers of motorists perhaps do not regard cyclists as legitimate road users. Congleton Local Area Partnership is keen to work with local cycling groups and other local organizations to look at ways of beginning to overcome some of these barriers and get more of us on our bikes.”

ARMA

Fiona Bruce MP calls for national strategy to deliver improved care for people with arthritic conditions

Local MP Fiona Bruce has joined the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) in calling for the introduction of a national strategy for such conditions.

The strategy would help implement key priorities in the Government’s NHS reforms such as greater engagement by clinicians in the care of those with arthritis and similar painful joiont conditions, better joined up working between medical and social services and in delivering improved treatment results. 

Speaking in Parliament at the launch of the new report “Joint Delivery” by ARMA calling for these improvements, Fiona Bruce said:

“Arthritis and similar conditions – medically termed “musculoskeletal”- affect a huge number of people – 9.6 million in England alone – more than respiratory conditions, diabetes and infectious diseases.  Many people stoically soldier on in discomfort and daily pain, often for years, without asking for help.

A national, joined-up strategy, involving all medical advisors – right from the point when an individual first goes to their doctor’s surgery, would help improve access for appropriate help; from advice on diet and the right exercise to more sophisticated medical treatment.

A national strategy would also help address the variations in service provision in relation to musculoskeletal conditions which exist across the country something I am particularly concerned about for my constituency with the highest aging population (per head) of any area in the North West.”

Women's Lacrosse World Cup Bid

Fiona Bruce MP supports bid to host Lacrosse World Cup

Last week the English Lacrosse Association launched their Bid to host the 2017 Women’s World Cup in the UK with the help of the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson and MPs including Congleton Constituency MP, Fiona Bruce.

Fiona Bruce MP helped demonstrate her support by signing the ‘Back the Bid’ England flag. 

Cross –party Parliamentary support came from Prime Minister David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband.

Sue Redfern, Chair of the English Lacrosse Board said ‘We were delighted with the response and support that we received from Members of Parliament yesterday and with over 10% of the House behind us, we believe that this puts English Lacrosse in good position in the bidding process.’

Fiona said: ‘Hosting this tournament, as with so many sporting fixtures, will stand the country in good stead in terms of its support for sport of all types, especially for young people.  If the UK bid succeeds it will be yet another cause for sporting celebration in this Olympic year.  I wish the ELA every success.’

The final decision will be made by the Federation of International Lacrosse in June this year. Lacrosse is becoming an increasingly popular sport internationally - 30 nations are expected to compete in the FIL Women’s World Lacrosse Cup in 2017 in comparison to the 16 countries that competed in Prague in 2009.

Lab in a Lorry

Fiona Bruce MP congratulates Lab in a Lorry for inspiring a love of physics in local children

‘Lab in a Lorry’ is an initiative led by the Institute of Physics which aims to bring an interactive, school trip experience to the classrooms of pupils across the country and is currently sponsored in the North West by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. The Lorry in the North West is one of three, the other two being mainly stationed in Scotland and Africa! It is touring the North West until July and hopes to visit 30 schools and give 6000 children a unique insight into science.

Experiments in the Lab, which was at Alsager School this week, included using an endoscope on a dummy and learning about fibre optics, seeing how sound can make a wine glass vibrate (but hopefully not shatter!) and learning just why the sky is blue.

Visitors to the Lab said that the young people experiencing the activities and teaching in the ‘Lab in a Lorry’ were “fully engaged and entertained”. Regular exclamations of “Oh Wow!” and “This is awesome!” indicated what a good concept this must be in the teaching of science and especially physics.

Tony Buckley, STFC'S senior communications specialist at Daresbury Laboratory said that “It was marvellous to see young people engaging so actively and enthusiastically with the experiments in the lorry.  The visit of this wonderful laboratory might be the spark that ignites an interest in science, helps young people see how what they learn in class gets used in everyday life, inspires them to get a better grade at GCSE or pursue a career in science.”

Whilst Louise Butcher of the Institute of Physics added that “Young people need to know that there is a wide range of careers out there for those who choose to study physics at A-level and beyond. ‘Lab in a Lorry’ gets students involved, hands on, in experiments showing them how exciting physics is.”

Fiona Bruce MP said “’Lab in a Lorry’ is just the type of initiative that we need in the North West. Engaging children with science helps to foster the engineers of the future.  Building our manufacturing base is very important in our country at the moment. The Lab’s fun and interactive approach to science must surely show the students of the practical application of their lessons.”