News from February 2010

Tuesday, 16 Feb 2010

Debate on Football in Parliament

Hayes has always been a footballing area dating from the early history of football in this country. With Hayes and Yeading United gaining promotion to the Conference Premier division the fortunes of the local team and the state of football generally are important issues for many of my constituents. Last week there was a debate in Parliament on the administration of football and the need for reform. It was a short debate in which I took the opportunity to set out briefly some ideas for reform to secure the long term future of the sport. You can see this film of the debate.

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Tackling the Flytipping in Alleyways in Hayes

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For some time now I have been working with local Councillor Lynne Allen to try and tackle the flytipping that is causing such a mess in the alleyway in Hayes town centre between East Avenue and Coldharbour Lane. I visited the alley this weekend and saw again the mess and health hazard that is being caused by rubbish dumped in the alleys. At long last action has been promised by the council in the coming weeks. As in other areas where I have forced the Council to tackle this issue I will keep the pressure up to secure improvements. I interviewed Councillor Lynne Allen, who has worked hard on this problem across the Townfield ward.

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Saturday, 06 Feb 2010

Sahara Fundraising Trek by Local Nurses

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A group of local palliative care nurses, including Claire Colman, Claire Young, Liz Bunker, Fiona Hamer and Lorraine Barton, is undertaking a 100 km trek across the Sahara to raise funds for a new centre at Hillingdon Hospital, which will provide information and practical support for people and their families, who have been diagnosed with serious health conditions. This is a brilliant new initiative, which deserves our support. The group aims to raise the funding for the project from the Macmillan charity from local people. They have already raised £20,000 by people sponsoring their fundraising trek. Please help if you can. Lorraine explains the project and how you can help in this film. To show your support visit www.justgiving.com/theraragirls

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Opening of Townfield Community Centre

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Last weekend we celebrated the re-opening of Townfield Community Centre in Townfield Road in Hayes. In the 1980s I grant aided the centre when I was the local GLC Councillor but unfortunately the local council for years failed to maintain the centre and it became derelict and unsafe. Thanks to our campaigning as local residents and especially local Councillor Lynne Allen, we prevented the site being sold off by the council and last year gained a grant of half a million pounds from the government, which I helped secure, and £100,000 from HCT to renovate and reopen the centre. The centre will be for local community use for everybody. Hillingdon Age Concern will manage the centre but it is open for use for all ages. Do go along and have a look. It has been renovated and furnished to a high standard, including a built in underground renewable energy source. If you are part of a group that would like to use the centre contact Julie, the centre manager, who I have interviewed in this film.

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Thursday, 04 Feb 2010

Debate on Punjabi Community in Britain

A large number of my constituents are of Punjabi origin. Consequently I am the chair of the All Party Group in Parliament on the Punjabi Community in Britain. This group serves as the voice of the Punjabi community in Parliament. From time to time I apply to hold a debate to discuss the issues we are dealing with and the progress of our work. This year’s Adjournment Debate on the Punjabi Community in Britain was held yesterday in the Westminster Hall chamber of Parliament. This is the film of the debate. If you move the slider under the picture it to 02.037 it will take to the start of the debate.

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Compensation for Small Businesses blighted by 3rd Runway Threat.

Local small businesses in Sipson have beeen blighted by the threat of the 3rd runway. There is no compensation scheme in place to assist these businesses. Some people, like the local hairdresser and publican, who live above their workplaces, are thretaened with losing their homes and jobs if a 3rd runway goes ahead. I have demanded compensation and protection for my constituents effected in this way. I raised the issue at Prime Minister’s Question time in order to secure a meeting with Ministers to resolve this pressing problem.

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