Pilgrims Housing – Action not Abuse is what is needed
Posted by Richard | Filed under Housing
I was shocked at the highly personal tone taken by Bedford’s MP in his attacks on the Head of BPHA recently. While I share the concerns at the sudden and sharp increases in utlity charges and service fees for some BPHA customers, I don’t think abusing the head of the organisation will be effective in getting BPHA to amend its policies and do something to help those hardest hit.
I went to see John Cross, the Head of BPHA , to press the case for re-consideration and to see if there was any latitude to reduce or delay the fees increases. He listened and I felt that I had the opportunity to make the case on behalf of residents more effectively than grandstanding for the press. Whether my effort will result in a change, we will have to wait and see; but I am hopeful and will continue to make the case as effectively as I can.
Labour’s Campaign – Smears and Unfounded Fears – Part One – SureStart
Posted by Richard | Filed under Bedford & Kempston
When a Government has run out of ideas, run out of policies, run out of money and run out of credibility, its only resorts are smears and unfounded fears. So it is with this Labour Government and their literature campaign as they gear up for the upcoming election here in Bedford and Kempston.
My support for SureStart in Bedford and Kempston is clear. I have had the pleasure to visit many of the local centres and was delighted to be able to give my personal assurance and support for their continued funding. I blogged about this and my commitment is open and clear to see.
Not only that, but David Cameron has pledged his full support too. Not only do the Conservatives support Sure Start but Mr Cameron has pledged to strengthen it by providing 4,200 new Sure Start health visitors to provide universal support to families with children under five.
So why does the Labour Party here produce a leaflet headlining that Sure Start Centres are under threat? That is clearly untrue and they know it – but when your record in government is in tatters, when you have nothing positive to say, no vision to offer – smears and unfounded fears are all you have left to offer. The people deserve better.
University of Bedfordshire Debate
Posted by Richard | Filed under Bedford & Kempston, Business
Judy Oliver and Local News TV joined with the Local Chamber of Commerce and University of Bedfordshire to host a “Question Time”. Panellists included the three parliamentary candidates plus Cheryl Smart, acting CEO of The Chamber of Commerce and Jules Salder, President of the Students Union. Video from the event is available here.
Sports Relief Run
Posted by Richard | Filed under Community Relations
Richard at the run for Sports Relief in Bedford Park
I took part in the Sports Relief Mile at Bedford Park on Sunday, running 3 miles in a disappointing time, but enjoyed the event immensely.
It’s great that people are willing to give up their time for such a great cause. The turnout was fantastic and the event organisers did a really good job of cheering us on as we went along – it really helped motivate me to do another lap!
As for my time – well let’s just say, I don’t remember the Park being so big when I was a kid running around.
Passion Week Debate
Posted by Richard | Filed under Bedford & Kempston, Democracy
Congratulations to Brickhill Baptist Church and to the organisers of the Passion Week event for hosting a very well attended “Passion for Bedford’s Future” event. The range of questions was broad and the responses from the panel were fascinating and constructive.
Litter Pick to Launch Cauldwell and Kingsbrook in Bloom
Posted by Richard | Filed under Environment
Richard on the litter pick with UCC Councillor, Kitty Sams
I recently joined a community litter pick to mark the launch of Cauldwell and Kingsbrook in Bloom 2010. Local residents constantly tell me that littering is a real annoyance – not only for the ugly blemish on our landscape but also for the cost to local wildlife.
Our council workers do a good job, but there is always a need for local volunteers to spare their own time to help out. One person who epitomises the volunteering spirit is Kitty Sams. She is devoted to the community of Cauldwell and is also a hard working member of the Urban Community Council. I was happy with the amount of rubbish I had collected, but Kitty managed to collect more!
A time to consider those who sleep rough – and those who work hard to help them
Posted by Richard | Filed under Housing
The King’s Arms Project held their biennial “Sleep Out” on Friday to raise awareness of the problems for people who have to sleep rough on our streets here in Bedford and Kempston. On this topic, as on others, The King’s Arms church is dedicated, knowledgeable, caring and inspiring. Their leadership is providing help and insight to some of the most disadvantaged in our community.
In her talk, Ali Inwood, CEO of the King’s Arms Project, mentioned how important it was to recognise that every instance of a person sleeping rough is an individual story, with an individual history of events and circumstances that has led that person to the need to sleep rough.
The volunteers of King’s Arms make a real, positive impact on people’s lives. I hope the next Government can encourage them to do even more to help.
Shadow Minister for Disabled People visits the Elisabeth Curtis Centre
Posted by Richard | Filed under Health
Richard with Mark Harper, Shadow Minister for Disabled People and Huggy
I was joined recently by Mark Harper, Shadow Minister for Disabled People, who was visiting the area to learn more about access and other issues for the disabled.
Mark and I toured the Elisabeth Curtis Centre, which runs Riding for the Disabled. Based in Bromham, the Centre, which is volunteer run, serves the needs of disabled and other special needs children from many areas across our county.
It was a great visit and a chance for me to learn more about the history of the centre and hear some of the stories of success and help from the volunteers. Mark and I also got to meet a couple of the horses – Chunky and, pictured above, Huggy.
Celebrating the work of the RSPB
Posted by Richard | Filed under Environment
Touring the RSPB’s Sandy Reserve with Tom Fewins and Amanda Crack of the RSPB
Last month, I took the opportunity of the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird Watch to visit the organisation’s headquarters and tour the reserve in Sandy.
I was able to discuss a wide range of environmental issues with RSPB representatives– from wind farms to agricultural policies to global warming.
The RSPB plays a vital role in bird conservation and for our environment. With over one million members, 12,000 volunteers and a charitable income of nearly £80million, it is great that they are headquartered in our area. I hope local councils will continue to encourage our schools to make full use of this great resource and giving kids a great connection with our natural wildlife.
2011 will mark the 50th anniversary of the move of the RSPB to its headquarters in Sandy. A great way to mark this milestone is to bring the family to the sanctuary, learn firsthand about the work of the RSPB and maybe make a donation or two to help promote their vital work.
Low Detection Rates Raise Concerns over Serious Crimes in Bedfordshire
Posted by Richard | Filed under Crime & Justice
Reviewing the latest crime statistics with Cllr Mingay outside the High Street Bank that was robbed recently
The recent robbery in Bedford’s High Street shows that violent crime remains a real concern for our town. It is alarming that the latest Bedfordshire police figures show that only one in ten serious acquisitive crimes are detected. This is below target and also well below the level that reasonable people have a right to expect.
The changes to Bedfordshire police budgets are not helping. Policing Luton Airport is a major drain on our Bedfordshire Police resources. We are already under-resourced in Bedfordshire and it is wrong that the Government is proposing to cut funding for policing the airport further – by £380,000 – in next year’s budget.
I have real concerns about the low detection rates for serious crimes in Bedfordshire and misjudged budget priorities being imposed on our local police service. A Conservative government will reduce paperwork to enable the police to focus on police work – it currently takes over eleven and a half hours to process an arrest – and make police accountable to a local, directly elected individual who will set priorities for policing their local community
