The power of the pen

Anna Soubry MP

working hard for Broxtowe

The pen must remain the mightiest weapon; a free press is the cornerstone of a democratic society.

www.annasoubry.org.uk

Hello again,

Parliament fell silent on Thursday lunchtime in memory of those murdered in Paris. Many of us held out our pens as a symbol of our support for a free press. As a former journalist I was particularly keen to pay tribute to those so brutally killed on Wednesday. Today, Broxtowe Borough Councillor, Halimah Khaled was in Nottingham handing out roses of peace on behalf of our Muslim community who share our outrage at this weeks events in France.

Those who killed the innocent this week, have many similarities to the two terrorists who murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby. All had criminal records, were mentally unstable and had turned to a perverted view of Islam. They are extremely dangerous terrorists, oblivious to whether their victim is a child or a Muslim, relishing the prospect of martyrdom and highly trained and equipped. Stopping this evil is complicated and will take time, but it is the one thing above all others, that unites us all.

Other local events this week seem somewhat trivial in comparison but there is much news.

As ever,

Anna

It was a real honour to take two great community champions to Downing Street for a party hosted by the Prime Minister. 

Allison Dobbs has battled long and hard on behalf of residents on Lower, Fletcher and Albert Roads who have endured the very worst of the tram works for over two years. 

I am a huge fan of Jeff Buck who inspired Rumbletums in Kimberley and continues to work there as a volunteer. Rumbletums is an outstanding social enterprise offering work and training for young people with special needs and excellent cake, coffee and lunch for all! 

Stapleford Community Group is a few hundred pounds short of the £750 they need to buy a World War 1 Memorial bench to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Walter Parker receiving a Victoria Cross. I have offered a donation and if you can donate or want more information please visit the Stapleford Community Group web site. You can also learn more about Walter Parker's heroism during WW1.

Borough Council wastes your money!

Broxtowe Borough Council's cabinet has decided to spend £20,000 on a "tram feasibility" study to Kimberley. The money has come from funds put to one side for traffic improvements, including pedestrian crossings, in the Giltbrook, Greasley and Kimberley area. 

Broxtowe has no control over any future extension of the tram network because the system is run by the City Council. The study will also look at traffic problems in the Kimberley area even though these are the responsibility of Notts County Council and the Highways Authority. 

This is not a matter of whether you are for or against trams or indeed a new line to Kimberley. I like trams and in principle I am not opposed to a line to Kimberley or indeed Eastwood. But I am opposed to Broxtowe's wasting council- tax payers' money which should have been spent for the immediate benefit of people living in that part of the constituency. And, I will not support any extension of the tram network until we have had a proper enquiry into the tram shambles in Beeston, Chilwell and Toton and learnt the lessons.

Evidence has emerged that tram supporters have been encouraged by Labour Councillors to use false names and aliases to post on web sites and social media. Members of the controversial "Tram Rant Room" on Facebook and subscribers to the popular Bramcote Today web site have complained that people have been using false names and aliases for some time.

Click here to read the full story on the Tram Ranting Room Facebook page

It seems Wilkinson's is set to return to Beeston Square and an announcement is expected soon; this is very good news. I offered Broxtowe Borough Council to help secure other big name stores into the town as well as encouraging smaller independent shops. Unfortunately, my offers of assistance were refused.

In the past I have supported Milan Radulovic. I gave a character reference when he faced false criminal charges. His behaviour this week has let down all of us.

Calls for Council leader to resign

Broxtowe Borough Council's Labour Leader has refused to resign after using foul and abusive language about a Beeston resident. Milan Radulovic swore at Ginny Hartman during a spat on my Facebook Page following Monday night's vote. He told Ms Hartman to "f**king grow up" except he didn't use asterisks. Milan refused to apologise even telling the Nottingham Post Ginny could "p*ss off".

In further postings Milan said he had been told Ginny worked for me; when told she did not he apologised saying he had sworn at her thinking she was one of my constituency team. 

Like many, I am appalled at Milan's behaviour. I am shocked that he seems to suggest that if Ginny worked for me his behaviour would be perfectly reasonable, that he has refused to stand down and that his party have said nothing about this dreadful episode.

Read the story in the Nottingham Post

Check out my Facebook Page for the full story

Broxtowe Labour Party 

There is growing concern about Broxtowe Labour Party. Firstly, Labour Councillors picketed Kimberley pupils when the school was deciding whether to become an Academy. Then Kimberley Town and Borough Councillor Andy Cooper, called a Kimberley resident a racist name. Now we know Labour Councillors encourage supporters to use false names to post on web sites and social media. There are allegations that they circulate false information about people who don't support the tram. Council Leader Milan Radulovic swears at a voter and makes excuses that he thought she "worked for the MP".  All the while there is silence from the leadership of our local Labour Party and their candidates seeking your vote this May.

Business support grants

Notts County Council has announced grants of over £20,000 are available for local businesses. the money is for capital investments and the deadline for applications is February 13th. If you run a business and are interested please email [email protected] or visit the County Councils web site here.

Parliament looking for Britain's best small shop

The all party Parliamentary Small Shops group is asking for entries into this year's best small shop competition.  If you would like to enter or support a small shop that should enter then check out the web site here.

Don't chuck it - find it a new home

Beeston Free-Recycle has relaunched on Facebook. Please check them out here. This is a great scheme which helps find new homes for unwanted stuff other than land fill!

Council funding Cuts  

I have written to the Local Government Minister, Kris Hopkins following a cut in Government funding to Broxtowe Borough Council. Along with 19 other Councils from across England and London, Broxtowe's government grant was cut by 6.4%; on a more positive note Notts County Council received a reduction of 0.1%.

The BBC web site has more on the recent announcement and provides all the figures free from spin! I will let you know of Kris's response.

Gritting complaints

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me about problems with snow and ice between Christmas and New Year. Notts County Council is responsible for gritting our roads and pavements and is debating the matter on Thursday. 

I am told the last administration at County Hall doubled the capacity of grit and salt stocks and the budget for gritting has not been cut. In any event we could do a far better job in involving our town and parish Councils and teams of volunteers to make sure our side roads and pavements are made safe when there is snow and ice.

All your comments and suggestions along with my own have been passed on to Notts County Council. I will let you know of their response.    

Our QMC Accident and Emergency Department has been coping well with a record number of people attending the Emergency Department in the last few weeks. We are all grateful for the hard work of our NHS staff. If you have a Twitter account you can follow the situation @Nottm Hospitals.

I think it is important to note that spending on the NHS has gone up in the last four and a half years. The word "privatisation" is frequently bandied around. The "private sector" includes charities and social enterprises. Under the last Government 5% of NHS services were provided by the "private sector" which includes MacMillan nurses. It is now just over 6%. 

Three generations of my family have worked in the NHS and I am a proud user of it.

And finally …….

Everyone running a business is invited to supper at Chilwell's outstanding Haveli Restaurant on  Thursday March 19 from 7pm. The guest speaker is Treasury Minister, Priti Patel. The cost is £25 a head and this is a non party political event to which everyone is invited who has an interest in business. Please email me back if you would like to come along.

Saturday 17 January

Beeston Farmers' Market   
9am till 2pm
Where: Beeston Square.       

The Churchfitters in concert    

7:30pm

Where: Chilwell Road Methodist Church, Chilwell Road, Beeston       

What’s on:  Unique and energetic performance from a trio of musicians.  Full details here.  

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Sunday 18 January

New Year Mindful Walk   
11am till 1pm
Where: Walled Gardens Bramcote Hills Park.     
What’s on:  Free seasonal walking meditation through Bramcote Hills Park.  Walk through Nature with a qualified yoga teacher.  

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Monday 19 January

Beeston Wildlife Group - Talk   
7:30pm till 9:30pm
Where: Trent Vale Infant School.     
What’s on:  Talk is on Derbyshire mammals - by Debbie Alston.  

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Wednesday 21 January

Beeston and District Local History Society - meeting    

7:30pm  
Where: Chilwell Memorial Hall, High Road, Chilwell.      
What’s on:  19th Century adverts - a talk by Maureen Rushton, full details here.  

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Thursday 22 January
Village Ventures - Fordante from Strauss to the Movies   
7:15pm for a 7:30pm start
Where:  St Helen's Parish Church, Church Lane, Stapleford.        
Full details here.  

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Friday 23 January

Strelley Village Panto - Mother Goose
7pm
Where:  St John's Church Hall, Graylands Road, Bilborough, NG8 4FD.  
What’s on:  The panto is written and acted by Strelley villagers, and will be also be on Saturday at 2pm and 7pm.  For full details please click here.  

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Beeston Farmers' Market   

9am till 2pm
Where: Beeston Square.       
What’s on:  Here you can purchase meats such as Bison and venison as well as cakes, cheese and pies and artisan breads.   

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Saturday 24 January
Forever Stars 1st Anniversary Concert  
Where:  William Booth Memorial Halls.        
What's on:  Forever Stars 1st anniversary concert presented by Nottingham Salvation Army.  Full details on this free event here.  

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Guided Walks

10am till 1pm
Meeting point:  Attenborough Nature Reserve car park.    
What’s on:  Beeston Wildlife Groups walks are free of charge please click here for full details.  

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Free Gardening at Dig In, Stapleford  
10am till 12 noon
Where: Albany Allotments Site, Pasture Road, Stapleford, NG9 8HZ.       
What’s on:  If you enjoy growing your own food, or would like to give it a try, come along to Dig in Community Allotments.

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Tuesday 27 January

Holocaust Memorial Day
10.50 am  
Where: Bramcote Park.

Thursday 29 January

Jack and the Beanstalk Pantomime
7:15pm  
Where: The Pearson Centre, Nuart Road, Beeston.       
What’s on: The Pearson Centre for Young People are performing their 65th annual pantomime.  The Pantomime will be also running on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.  Full details including cost here.  
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Saturday 31 January
The Haven Church and Community Centre Open Day
2pm till 7pm
Where:     
What’s on:   Family open day in their new building, and also a chance for you to learn of their 23 community projects.  

My surgeries

Please call the office (0115 9436507) to make an appointment at my weekly surgery. For obvious reasons  we are not publishing my full surgery details.