News from May 2012

Tuesday, 29 May 2012

West Drayton Cricket Ground Under Threat

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I visited West Drayton Cricket Ground because I have heard of concerns that the site is now under threat. West Drayton Cricket Ground has been used over generations for local cricket and sports. Local residents built a cricket pavillion and refurbished the pavillion some years ago to a high standard. Hillingdon Council owns the site and in recent years have neglected it to such an extent that it is understood that the Council now intends to demolish the pavillion because it is in such a derelict condition. There are fears that the Council may now seek to sell the site for development. This would mean the local community losing another valuable area of green open space. I am asking local residents to join me in asking the council to come clean on its plans for this site and to urge the council to retain this land as green open space for the use and enjoyment of local people.

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Friday, 25 May 2012

Government and Council Deny Hayes Schools Funds to Repair Classrooms and School Buildings

I have expressed my fury today at the way schools in our constituency have been treated by the Government and Hillingdon Council.The Council blocked a £150 million programme to rebuild and refurbish schools in the south of the borough under the last government and this week the Secretary of State for Education has announced that only three schools will be receive funding for renovations. None of these schools are in the south of the borough and the Hayes and Harlington constituency. None of the special schools that are in need of repair are to receive any funding.I am pleased for the three schools that are to receive some funding because I fought for them too but this decision by the Government and the Council is a disgrace and yet again discriminates against the south of the borough. The Council passed up the chance to modernise the schools in my constituency and are now willing to stand back and let our children be taught in buildings that are in some cases literally falling apart. I am appalled that this discrimination against the children of my community can still take place in this country in this day and age.

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Local Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams at Risk

I have expressed his deep worry at the news filtering out of the Metropolitan Police Headquarters that local Safer Neighbourhood Teams are now at risk of closure.I have now heard from various sources, including many serving Police Officers, that our local Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT) are at risk of closure. It appears that our local teams are to be merged, reducing staffing levels, and what officers are left are to take over a wide range of additional duties. The new Police Commissioner is not a fan of the SNTs and is being forced to make cuts in Police numbers after the Olympics. This means our local Safer Neighbourhood Teams are effectively being abolished and the local SNT Police ofices will be closed.The SNTs were the best Policing initiative we have seen in decades and now we are to lose these Police officers from our streets. I believe that this is sheer madness and contrary to all that Boris Johnson and the Prime Minister promised before the mayoral election. I will be calling local meetings and demonstrations to support our local Police teams.

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Tuesday, 08 May 2012

Worry at Threatened Closure of Hesa Walk in Health Centre in Hayes Town Centre

I am extremely worried about the threatened closure of Hesa Walk in Health Centre.Hillingdon Health, the local PCT, has launched a consultation about the future of the Hesa Walk in Centre in Hayes town centre.The centre has been open since 2009 to provide a walk in health facility in the town centre to deal with minor injuries and aliments 365 days a year from 8am to 8pm. Hillingdon Health is now proposing to close the centre and locate all urgent care at Hillingdon Hospital.

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