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Zac's News Roundup It
has been a busy three months since the election, and I wanted to send
you a brief update - both in terms of national issues that affect us
here in this area, and in terms of what I have been up to locally. Very best wishes, Zac Goldsmith MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston
PARLIAMENT
Heathrow:
the new Government swiftly fulfilled its pledge to scrap plans for a
third runway. In addition, the Minister of State for Aviation confirmed
to me, in Parliament, that it would protect runway alternation. LINK
Parking charges in the Park: The
Tourism and Heritage Minister officially stopped the previous
Government's plans to introduce parking charges in Richmond Park after
sustained pressure from local people and their representatives. LINK
Garden Grabbing:
Gardens will now be reclassified to give them greater protection
against inappropriate development. National density targets are to be
scrapped, and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government also confirmed, in response to my question in Parliament,
that he will repeal perverse rules that make it impossible for
Councillors to represent their constituent's views on local planning
matters without forfeiting their right to vote. LINK Local Democracy:
The Government is committed to enabling local referendums and
introducing the power to 'recall' members of Parliament. However its
proposals fall short of what is needed, and as a result, I have
launched two Bills, which I hope will strengthen the Government's
position. LINK
Daylight Savings:
I have co-sponsored the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to bring
about a permanent change to UK time to give an extra hour of daylight
in the evening. The Private Member's Bill "Daylight Saving Bill
2010-11" was presented, known as First Reading, to Parliament on 30
June 2010. LINK
The Keep:
I have campaigned for some time to have the homes used by service
families in the Keep, North Kingston, renovated. In response to my
questions, the Ministry of Defence has now said that it "will look at
whether there is scope to refurbish the armed forces' accommodation in
Kingston, and elsewhere, from efficiencies within the Ministry of
Defence." I will pursue this issue.
Disability Benefit:
Following meetings with residents, I have written to Iain Duncan Smith,
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, raising concerns about the
criteria used by ATOS Healthcare for assessing people for Disability
Living Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.
OTHER PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITIES
Maiden Speech:
I delivered my Maiden Speech in Parliament shortly after being elected.
I focused on the environment and direct democracy - arguing that
environmental stewardship is a core Conservative value, and for the
need for Parliament to shorten the distance between people and power so
that politics is less remote and people have more say. LINK
Green Economy:
I delivered a speech during a debate on government support for jobs and
the unemployed arguing for the Government to take the opportunity to
raise from the wreck of an economy built on housing bubbles,
uncontrolled public spending and financial services a more balanced
economy that is both stable and sustainable. LINK
Quality of Life:
Following my work as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party's
Quality of Life Policy group, I have met with Ministers and officials
from the following departments for discussions on how to implement the
key quality of life and environmental policies in the Coalition
Agreement: Cabinet Office, Department for Business, Innovation and
Skills; Department for Energy and Climate Change; Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Foreign & Commonwealth Office;
Department for International Development; and the Department for
Transport.
Oak Processionary Moth:
I arranged a meeting between the Forestry Commission, DEFRA and Royal
Mid Surrey Golf Club to ascertain the Government's plans to tackle the
increasing problem of the Oak Processionary Moth. The Moth is a
particular problem in Richmond Borough, already costing tens of
thousands of pounds to deal with. Without immediate measures, the
problem could spread throughout London and eventually the country.
Questions:
I have tabled more than 110 parliamentary questions on a variety of
topics relating to both national policy and local issues, including on
the levels of fuel poverty in the constituency and on the future and
funding of Kingston Hospital.
EDMS:
I have signed and initiated a number of 'early day' parliamentary
motions, including calling for the swift implementation of the
Sustainable Communities Act 2007 to support local proposals for
community sustainability, the celebration of Carers Week, human rights
in Burma, the future of community pubs, and higher welfare standards
for farmed animals. Votes:
I have voted for legislation to restore freedoms and civil liberties
through the abolition of identity cards, and voted for the Emergency
Budget and Finance Bill 2010 to reduce the deficit and restore economic
growth.
EVENTS
Baroness
Warsi: I was invited to speak at an event in the House of Lords
organised by the United International Community to pay tribute to new
Party Chairman and Cabinet Minister, Baroness Warsi for making history
as the first female Muslim government minister.
Businesses' Appetite for change:
I hosted an event in Parliament to launch a new report by
PricewaterhouseCoopers Appetite for change - the most comprehensive
survey of the international business community's attitude towards
environmental regulation, legislation and taxes. Speakers at the event
included Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne
MP and Lord Chris Smith, Chairman of the Environment Agency.
Deforestation:
I hosted a dinner in Parliament for visiting Senators from Brazil,
Indonesia and Mexico to discuss how legislators from development and
developing nations can work together to halt global deforestation and
tackle illegal logging.
APPOINTMENTS:
Environmental
Audit Committee: I have been elected to serve as a member on the
Commons Environment Audit Committee (EAC). Unlike other Commons
committees, the EAC works on a cross-departmental basis looking at the
extent the policies and programmes of government departments and
non-departmental public bodies contribute to environmental protection
and sustainable development. LINK
Vice President, Globe International:
I have been elected as a new Vice President of Globe International, the
Global Legislators Organisation which works with parliamentarians in
the 16 major economies to develop and advance progressive climate and
energy legislation within their national parliaments that will underpin
any future international climate agreement. LINK
RICHMOND AND NORTH KINGSTON
Shene School:
I met with the new leader of Richmond Council, Nicholas True, our
education spokesman, Paul Hodgins, the Secretary of State for Education
Michael Gove MP and Schools Minister Lord Hill to discuss the future of
Shene School and its plans to re-open as a new school with academy
status and answerable to a strong local parent board. We are making
progress and I will keep you informed. New Secondary School Kingston:
Following news that the Building Schools for the Future scheme has been
axed, I have repeatedly raised the urgent need for a new secondary
school in North Kingston with the Secretary of State LINK
Network Rail Masts:
Local Councillors and I have persuaded Network Rail to delay building
its 15m communications mast in North Richmond until it has held a
consultation with residents in August. LINK
Railway Consultation in Richmond:
Network Rail has agreed to let me organise a public meeting where
residents will be able to quiz them on a wide range of issues, from the
proposed Airtrack Scheme to the increasing problem of downtime at our
level crossings. The meeting will be at 7:00pm on October 22nd, at Duke
Street Church, Richmond.
Whale of a protest in Parliament:
I invited children from Barnes Primary School to Parliament, to display
a magnificent five meter long whale that they made out of recycled
materials at an event in support of future whale conservation. Through
parliamentary questions to the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs (Defra), I received a commitment from the Minister for
Fisheries Richard Benyon MP that he would write to the Japanese
Fisheries Minister to express the UK's continued opposition to the
killing of whales in the southern and Northwest Pacific oceans, and to
the hunting of small cetaceans in Japanese coastal waters. LINK
Number 10 School Petition:
I arranged for pupils from St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary school in
Richmond to hand-deliver a petition to the Prime Minister at Number 10
Downing Street On Thursday 15th July. The petition relates to the
'Send My Friend to School' Campaign, which is part of a global movement
involving children in over 100 countries, asking world leaders to keep
the promise they made in 2000 that everyone should have the chance to
get an education by 2015. LINK
Richmond Station Development:
Before the election, local Conservatives and I promised to hold a
proper consultation re the controverisal proposed development of
Richmond Station. We will do so after the Summer, allowing local people
to have their say before any changes are made.
Grey Court School Farm:
I was thrilled to open Grey Court's School Allotments at their
community fair in July. The schools' head, Maggie Bailey, spoke about
the benefits for pupils of growing their own produce, providing for the
community and educating those around them about the importance of
fresh, local food.
Missing People and Stop UK: I met the two East Sheen-based national charities, 'Missing People' and 'Stop UK', to hear about their vital work. LINK
Cassel Hospital: I was honoured to be asked to officially open Cassel Hospital's annual Garden party in Ham. LINK
Buy Local:
'Buy Local' is a campaign sponsored by The Best of Richmond, a local
company that champions independent businesses in the borough LINK
Anti social behaviour in Kingston:
I joined officers from the Metropolitan Police for a night-time
operation, focusing on anti social behaviour at the transport hubs in
Kingston. LINK
Morden's Baitul Futuh mosque:
I was invited to the Batiul Futuh mosque, to sign a condolence book
following the tragic murder of nearly a hundred members of the Ahmadi
community in Lahore, Pakistan LINK
Barn Elms:
I attended the pre-consultation meeting for the proposed regeneration
of Barn Elms. Given that the site was so close to being sold to
developers, the fact that the community has reached this stage is
remarkable. I have committed to helping the Barn Elms Sports Trust
raise the remaining funds it needs, and will be organising events later
in the year. LINK
Kingston Magistrates Court under threat:
Kingston Magistrates Court has been included in a list of over 100
courts that may be closed by the Ministry of Justice in an effort to
save £15.3m in yearly running costs. The reasons for a court in
Kingston are just as valid now as they were nearly 600 years ago, and I
have teamed up with local newspapers and representatives to prevent the
closure. LINK
Tudor Drive Surgery opening:
After two years of campaigning, residents have been rewarded for all
their hard work with the opening of the new Tudor Drive Doctor's
surgery on Thursday 16th July. LINK
Opening Deer Park Care Home for the Elderly:
I was honoured to be asked to open the new Deer Park Care Home, which
has been purpose built to provide nursing and residential care for
elderly people with dementia. LINK
Abbeyfield Care Home, Kew: I visited the wonderful Abbeyfield Care Home last week, and shared in two birthday celebrations. LINK
Kew Dog Show:
I was invited to judge The Kew Midsummer Fête Dog Show in June. It was
a daunting task, and particularly the 'dog that looks most like its
owner' category. LINK
Flower Shop:
I joined 20th anniversary celebrations at the Sun Inn Flower shop at
Barnes Fair. Given the hard time almost all independent businesses
have faced, even before the recession, the survival and success of this
stall is a genuine good news story. LINK
Meadows Hall Q+A:
Age Concern kindly arranged for me to visit Meadows Hall Social Centre
in South Richmond to discuss a range of topical issues with users of
the facility.
Election Spending:
Some of you will have seen that Channel 4 put out an extraordinary
report on election funding, focusing specifically on me. The report
itself was frivolous and unfounded, and for those interested, I
provided an answer here: LINK:
Finally:
'Young Cruse', an off-shoot of the Richmond-based Cruse Bereavement
Care, has reached the final of the National Lottery Good Causes Awards
for its project in Northern Ireland. Cruse is a hugely valuable
organisation, and helps tens of thousands of young people cope with
profound loss. Please help Cruse Bereavement Care go all the way by
voting for them Voting ends on midday 13 August 2010. LINK
To contact Zac: Email: zac@richmondconservatives.co.uk
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