Welcome ...
Welcome to this my 93rd electronic news bulletin.
Over recess the whole country was been shocked by the most appalling scenes of looting, violence, vandalising and thieving. Although no-one from Crewe and Nantwich was involved in either the inciting of riots or the riots themselves, we can be proud of our Cheshire Police who went to the aid of other forces in Manchester and even London.
In response to my question in the House of Commons the Prime Minister recognised that “Cheshire police gave help to Greater Manchester police and, I think, to other areas as well. I want to reassure his constituents and people throughout the country that this Government, this House, this Parliament are on the side of the law-abiding. What needs to happen is a process of taking back the streets on behalf of the law-abiding, and of demonstrating to the whole country that the guilty will be punished.” Indeed I am glad that, in the weeks since the riots, those guilty of bringing fear and destruction to peaceful doorsteps have been brought to justice.
For the future of our economy, our society and to tackle the problems that caused the riots we need a first-class education for every child. That's why we want to create an education system based on real excellence, with a complete intolerance of failure.
This is an ambitious goal. But when China is going through an educational renaissance, and India is churning out science graduates, any complacency now would be fatal for our prosperity. And it's key to mending our broken society - education doesn't just give people the tools to make a good living, it gives them the character to live a good life and be good citizens.
The trouble is that for years we've been bogged down in a great debate about how we achieve a first-class education for every child. Standards or structures? Learning by rote or by play? Elitism or all winning prizes? These debates are over - because it's clear what works. Discipline works, rigour works, freedom for schools works, having high expectations and aspirations works.
Now we've got to get on with it - and we don't have any time to lose. So there are three bold things we're doing: we're ramping up standards, and bringing back the values of a good education; we're changing the structure of education, allowing new providers in to start schools, and giving schools greater independence; and we're confronting educational failure, where it still exists and persists, head-on.
Please remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me.
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Best wishes
Edward Timpson
Member of Parliament for Crewe & Nantwich
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I have recently ...
- Held a surgery in Shavington Village Hall
- Accompanied Charles Hendry MP, Minister for Energy, on a visit to Bentley Motors in Crewe
- Met with the Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Launched the Dog Walker's facility at the opening of the Georges Community Centre
- Hosted the launch of The Letterbox Club in Parliament. More here
- Launched the new Nantwich route of Dial A Ride at East Cheshire Community Transport
- Attended a Royal British Legion Reception in Parliament
- Opened 'At One' a new design, print and marketing business in Crewe (thanks to Vicky and Mark for their hospitality)
- Met with the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce to discuss local businesses
- Held an "On Your Street" session bringing my surgery to your doorstep
- Opening the Richmond Village 'Connecting the Community Day'
...This weekend I will be
- Attending the re-opening of Queens Park
- Playing for the All Stars v Hollyoaks in a football match near Crewe
- Visiting the Crewe Bangladesh Welfare Association Annual Party
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Photos & Video ...
Edward with Charles Hendry MP, Minister for Energy, at Bentley Motors in Crewe
You can view all my photos and video at edwardtimpsonmp.com
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Petitions
To sign Edward's Welfare Petition click here
To Sign Edward's Immigration Petition click here
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Community News
Dog Walkers Facility at the Georges Community Centre
On Saturday 3rd September I attended the re-opening of the Marshfield Bank Community Centre, now named the Georges Community Centre. The Georges is now run by Big Society Works Ltd, a local steering group and the wider Crewe community. The re-launch has already been a great success raising over £1500 for the Centre, securing many more volunteers and further engaging the local community. Email the Centre here
Do you have community news to share? Email me and it could be here too!
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Edward's Words from Westminster
Crewe Chronicle
This weekend I was pleased to be able to attend the busy re-opening of the Marshfield Bank Community Centre on the King George V Playing Fields in Crewe - renamed "The Georges".
In a first for Cheshire, the local council has brought in the not for profit "Big Society Works" organisation to work hand in hand with local residents to them help set up and run for themselves a vibrant and community-focused facility that offers what local residents want.
The speed and enthusiasm with which it has got off the ground bodes well, with a youth club, lunch clubs for older people, dance classes and the ever-popular bingo amongst the first offerings.
A number of local businesses helped improve the Centre's fabric and presentation by donating their free time, expertise and stock, including floor coverings and computers for the new cyber cafe. I'm pleased they managed to raise even more money on the launch day, and recruit volunteers to run their centre.
I was also delighted to be able to officially launch a dog-walkers' facility at the Centre that was designed and delivered by a team of young people from South Cheshire College, who also raised the money for the facility.
It provides refreshments for dogs and owners alike, as well as free poop sacks and bins to discourage fouling, which is a real problem on the playing fields.
This community project, which followed a residential element, was one of the first to be completed under the Government's new National Citizen Service.
National Citizen Service has been taking place during the summer for those pupils who have finished year 11. It runs for three weeks full-time, including two weeks away from home. After that, participants need to complete another 30 hours on a part-time basis. Working in a team, they have the chance to take part in exciting outdoor activities like mountaineering, canoeing and abseiling.
They also get the opportunity to design and deliver their own project in their local community - projects such as this at The Georges.
With strong community involvement and support, this a great opportunity for local people to have a real sense of pride in and ownership of where they live and work. Why don't you go and find out for yourself, and maybe even get involved?
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Virgin London Marathon 2011
Raising money for Parkinson's UK in Crewe & Nantwich
In April I completed my 9th marathon, raising money for Parkinson's UK Crewe Branch. There's still time to sponsor me on my webpage and help support a great organisation!
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Edward Timpson MP Welcomes Business Rates Plan
Crewe & Nantwich Guardian
CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has welcomed the Government’s plan to localise business rates.
Authorities will get to keep their own business rates under new local government financing proposals.
Local Government secretary Eric Pickles presented the findings of a six-month review into council finance that sought to repatriate rates, create a financial incentive for councils to promote local growth, reduce dependency upon central Government grants and maintain protections for business and vulnerable areas.
Ministers believe a new system is needed to end a long-standing problem where councils have no direct growth incentive, to build stronger relationships with business and to put councils in charge of their own financial circumstances.
National discounts and rate relief will also continue to be supported, meaning no change to such groups as charities, amateur sports clubs, voluntary groups, those in hardship, and eligible rural or small firms.
Mr Timpson said: “The current system of local government funding inherited from Labour is broken. It is confusing, arbitrary, complex and widely seen as unfair.
“Our plans to allow councils to retain their locally-raised business rates will free councils from dependence upon central Government grant and give them a strong financial incentive to drive local economic growth.
“No longer will local areas’ money be snatched away by Whitehall.
“This is localism in action and exactly what councils want.
“It will be much more straightforward.
“By letting councils keep the products of enterprise we will end their disparaging dependence on government handouts, finally start rewarding economic growth and support local firms and new jobs.”
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Crewe Health and Safety Firm Hands Award to Top Achiever
Crewe Chronicle
CREWE’S Safety Advisory Services (SAS) Ltd has selected its local outstanding achiever of the year in health and safety management.
Ron Birchall, managing director of SAS Ltd, and local MP Edward Timpson were on hand to present Eric Barbour of Lloyds Banking Group the award after he completed the NVQ Level 5 in Management of Health and Safety at SAS Ltd’s Crewe Training Centre.
Eric is team leader of the senior specialist team for Lloyds.
Mr Birchall said: “He has been outstanding with his own progression and developments. Eric is very active with his charity work and is a good role model for the health and safety profession.
“He is also a good ambassador for common sense health and safety.
“Eric was presented with his certificate of achievement plus a plaque in recognition for his dedication and hard work put in throughout the course of the year.”
For more information about the firm visit www.sas-ltd.co.uk.
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5 ways to contact Edward Timpson