MP joins bid for Humber offshore energy research facility

GRAHAM STUART MP, for Beverley and Holderness, has urged the Government to select the Humber for a national research centre into offshore renewable energy.

The University of Hull is applying for the investment on behalf of the Humber area, with support from key partners in both the public and private sector. The facility will be a Technology and Innovation Centre, specialising in offshore energy production.

The Offshore Renewable Energy centre will be the third of a network of technology and innovation centres to be established by the Technology Strategy Board, with a government investment of more than £200 million over the next four years.

Graham Stuart said: “I have officially registered my support for the Humber bid with the Technology Strategy Board and also written a letter of support to the University of Hull.

“The Humber region has a lot to offer in terms of offshore renewable energy. With the nearby University of Hull renowned for its research excellence in this field and a proximity to the major offshore wind super cluster, we can offer a perfect location for the centre.

“This facility could aid regeneration in the area by creating jobs and attracting national and international investment. We have a unique chance to create employment opportunities that can be targeted at the local population, forming a platform for inspiring young people to become the next generation of skilled experts in this expanding industry.

An 'Expression of Interest' has been submitted by the University.  The Technology Strategy Board and the Government will now draw up a shortlist of bids, which will be asked to submit final full proposals. The successful bidders will be announced in December 2011 and the centre will begin operations in the summer of 2012.

Read more...

MP: New enterprise zone could create 4,850 jobs in the East Riding

GRAHAM STUART MP has congratulated the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) after its proposal for a Humber Estuary Renewable Energy Super Cluster was approved as one of the 11 new enterprise zones in England.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, last week finalised the second wave of new enterprise zone locations in England in a bid to boost economic growth and create up to 30,000 new jobs by 2015. These enterprise zones will aim to attract hundreds of new start up firms by simplifying planning rules and providing super-fast broadband with businesses enjoying over £150 million tax breaks over the next 4 years.

GrahamStuart MP said: “I want to congratulate the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership for all their hard work in bringing this unique opportunity to the area. We need new businesses to create economic development in this country and this scheme could provide budding entrepreneurs with a great opportunity to kick start new companies. The go-ahead for a new enterprise zone is positive news for the East Riding. It has been estimated that 4,850 jobs could be created in the area by 2015. This needs to be celebrated. This is a chance to bring prosperity and growth to the region and I hope we can utilise this opportunity to its fullest potential.”

Proposals for the enterprise zones were drawn up by Local Enterprise Partnerships. The announcement brings the total of enterprise zones to 22 across the country and each one is expected to specialise in a different industry. The Humber LEP proposal concentrates on the Renewable Energy industries and at 375 hectares is the largest of those approved.

On its temporary website, the Humber LEP Manager, Richard Kendall said: “The fact that our Enterprise Zone has been approved at more than double the size originally suggested by the Government prospectus shows that there is faith in the level of our ambition and the capability we have to deliver on our plans. However, the Enterprise Zone is not the limit: it is only the beginning of what we hope to achieve. If we are successful there will be many more developments around the fringe, particularly in the supply chain and related industries, and the effect on our economy will be transformative.”

The Humber LEP has already started the job of recruiting its own staff team and are seeking individuals in the following areas:

• PA/secretarial/administrative
• PR/marketing
• Policy/research

Local website links:

Graham Stuart MP

Humber LEP

HU12 Comment: One of the concerns held by local people, is that the jobs created will be taken by people who already have the skills and will move into the area from other parts of the country - those already in work will look at opportunities for promotion and local unemployed people will not reap the benefits.

One of the perceptions of success - or failure - of the Enterprise Zone will be judged on the extent to which opportunities for training, re-training and employment can be targeted at the local population. We can not just expect these new opportunities to automatically ripple-down and benefit local people: Measures must be but in place to ensure that this happens!

Read more...

MP backs bid to bring Minister to celebrate progress of Burstwick Flood Defence scheme

2007 Floods

GRAHAM STUART, MP for Beverley and Holderness, has backed the Burstwick United Flood Action Group’s invitation to the Floods Minister officially to open the new flood defence scheme in the village.

Ron Smith, Burstwick United’s Chairman, wrote to Richard Benyon MP to ask him to visit the village to help spread the message that Burstwick is a desirable and dry place to live.

The invitation was sent following the construction of new earth embankments in Burstwick, which reduced Burstwick’s flood risk from around 1 in 7 to better than 1 in 200.

The work at Burstwick was part of a £3 million package which also included improvements to defences at Hedon. The Environment Agency said the work will reduce the chance of flooding in Burstwick and Hedon from Burstwick Drain to 0.5 per cent in any one year, comparable to the flooding in summer 2007

Graham said “Ron Smith and Burstwick United have done an amazing job of promoting the needs of the village and getting everyone together to make Burstwick safe from flooding. 

When Ron told me he’d written to the Minister to ask him to visit I agreed with him that this would be a great way to celebrate the progress made and send out a message about Burstwick. I’m also grateful to the staff at the Environment Agency who have listened to residents and acted to deliver the improvements. It would be good to tell the Minister about that as well.

“I’ve written separately to the Minister and hope that he will come and help signal the changes that have been made that make Burstwick somewhere safe, dry and desirable to live.”

Sources: Graham Stuart MP and the Environment Agency.

Read more...

Pea pong - odour misery!

YORKSHIRE WATER has written to customers in the vacinity of their Waste Water Treatment Works in Saltend to explain the background to the recent increase in odours from the site and to apologise for this.

Yorkshire Water spokesman and Community Engagement Manager Richard Sears explains that the increase in odours has resulted from the concentrated effluent produced from the seasonal pea harvest. The recent dry weather has further increased the concentration of the effluent and smells. 114 complaints from residents have been logged since 27th June 2011.

The company is investing £3.5 million in a new odour control unit which will be more capable of dealing with odorous material, however, Mr Sears says: "In the short term we are chemically dosing various parts of the treatment process and have stopped any non-essential operational activities on the site in order to lessen odours."

The politicians meanwhile have been attempting to address the recent problems. East Riding Councillor John Dennis states on the Hedon Blog that both he and Graham Stuart MP have been in touch with key officials from Yorkshire Water and the East Riding Council to explain and tackle the current incidents.

Councillor Dennis suggests that people continue to report odours: "My suggestion is that, when the smell arises again – particularly when it can effects your homes, can as many people as possible complain to Yorkshire Water telephone 0845 1 24 24 24 and East Riding Council on 01482 396301. The more complaints they have logged, the higher a priority it becomes."

A useful guide to reporting the smells has been published on the Hedon Blog.

Read more...

Government's scrapping of EMA criticised by MP

Students protest the scrapping of EMA

GRAHAM STUART MP is in the national spotlight once again after the House of Commons Education Select Committee - which he chairs - strongly criticised the way that the Government scrapped the Educational Maintenance Allowance.

The EMA was a £560m fund aimed at helping poorer 16 - 19 year olds stay in education by providing a means-tested grant of up to £30 a week. Its abrupt scrapping left many young people unable to work out exactly what funding would be available to them.

The Select Education Committee said in a report published today that the "sudden decision" to drop the EMA and replace it with a bursary scheme was made "far too late" to allow Year 11 students to make fully informed decisions on what they will do the following year. The report states: "That delay was regrettable and should not have been allowed to happen." and "The Government should have done more to acknowledge the combined impact on students' participation, attainment and retention, particularly amongst disadvantaged sub-groups, before determining how to restructure financial support."

Graham Stuart MP, is quoted on Parliament's House of Commons website:

“Young people taking life defining decisions at 16 need clear information on the support they may receive and deserve better than rushed and ill thought through reforms. We accept that changes and savings need to be made but the organisation of the change has been far from smooth. Decisions on how much will be available for distribution by each school or college have been taken far too late, and it is 16 year olds who have suffered uncertainty as a result. That should not have been allowed to happen.”

The Report is available to read online at the Parliament House of Commons website: Participation by 16-19 year olds in education and training.

Read more...

Graham Stuart MP: "You are far too excitable!" says The Speaker in remarkable scenes in Parliament

"DO NOT SHAKE YOUR HEAD AT ME!"

IN A REMARKABLE EXCHANGE in the House of Commons yesterday, then local MP Graham Stuart was told in no uncertain terms by The Speaker John Bercow to "Be quiet and calm down..." and told to leave the chamber if he could not.

Graham Stuart was attempting to quiz the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown who was making a speech on the Phone Hacking scandal and the bid by News International to acquire BSkyB.

The Beverley and Holderness MP had been trying to intervene in Gordon Brown's speech through the Parliamentary tradition of asking the person to 'give way'. On his second attempt the following exchange took place (reported by Hansard):

Mr Graham Stuart rose —
Mr Brown: I will set out my case and then I will answer questions.
This is the only way—[ Interruption. ]
Mr Speaker: Order. I apologise for interrupting the right hon. Gentleman. Mr Stuart, I am going to say it to you once and once only: you are far too excitable. Be quiet and calm down—[ Interruption. ] Order. If you cannot — do not shake your head at me —then leave the Chamber.

Then later:

Mr Graham Stuart: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. May I ask whether there is any time limit in this debate, and—
Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Gentleman will resume his seat. If there were a time limit it would be announced;

And later still:

Mr Speaker: Order. I apologise for having to interrupt the right hon. Gentleman...
There will be interventions when the Member who has the floor takes them, and not before. Members will observe basic courtesies and listen quietly and with respect to speakers. That is the end of it. Mr Stuart, if you are not prepared to do so, leave the Chamber. We can manage without you

Alex Stevenson who is a Lobby journalist for politics.co.uk had this to say about the exchange (see: Politics.co.uk - commentary)

As usual, the official record presents a soberer version than the reality. While the above was being said Labour backbenchers were shouting away, roaring "sit down!" at Stuart. At one point an opposition MP went further, venturing: "Sit down, stupid!" Hansard did not record these remarks. Nor did it convey the full extent of Bercow's bile. I would propose they amend their version with this: 'DON'T SHAKE YOUR HEAD AT ME! Stuart gaped, shrugging with his left hand sprawled along the back of the wooden bench. He waited just a few seconds, his eyes never leaving Bercow's - before shaking his head defiantly once more.'

The Telegraph captures some of the exchange on a video posted at its article: Order? How Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow fails to keep control of 'the children'

Unfortunately this kind of pantomime-type behaviour in Parliament grabs all the attention and headlines - and we tend to overlook the important issues being discussed.

Although perhaps - just perhaps - the "Punch & Judy" Parliamentary approach will attract and appall a new audience that will want to investigate our decision-making processes a bit more thoughtfully....?

Read more...

Save our Buses says National Campaigning Charity

SAVE OUR BUSES is a campaign aiming to highlight the threat to local bus services across the country. Bus users are facing service cuts and rising fares says the Campaign for Better Transport  (CBT) who have organised the Save our Buses campaign to protest at Government plans to cut the funding it gives to local authorities for public transport, putting many local buses in jeopardy.

The Bus Service Operators Grant gives funding to local bus operators which lets them operate more services at lower fares than would otherwise be the case. This will be reduced by at least 20%  - 28% says the CBT - by 2012-13. The cuts are aimed at reducing the national budget deficit.

The CBT argues that this action by central Government will damage the local bus network affecting the thousands of people who rely on buses every day to travel to work, schools and shops. Without this network we would all live in a less economically active and less fair society.

According to the CBT, in the East Riding, transport funding was cut by nearly £3 million in 2010/11 and free early morning travel for bus pass holders scrapped in July 2010. They have set a target of £1m cuts over the next 4 years and they plan to make savings of £7,000 in the transport budget in 2011/12.

The CBT is asking people to write to their Member of Parliament to make the case for local bus services to be protected:

"MPs are there to represent their constituents, and as the bus cuts start to bite it's time to turn up the pressure. Please write to your MP and ask them to support a Parliamentary motion (Early Day motion 1986) urging the Government to recognise the value of buses."

Those wishing to contact our local MP Graham Stuart about supporting the Early Day Motion can contact him via his website www.grahamstuart.com

Jasmine Chahal of the CBT has submitted a series of Freedom of Information requests asking the East Riding Council to clarify its position regarding bus and public transport provision in the East Riding in 2011. Progress with these requests can be followed at WhatDoTheyKnow.com - East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Additional Sources: Department for Transport

Read more...

Graham Stuart - Following our local MP's news

GRAHAM STUART MP has released his latest online newsletter covering the last two months of his activities in the Beverley and Holderness constituency. Included was this list of events that have taken place - or are taking place - in July. We've highlighted those of Holderness interest.

• Visit Ottringham Computer Club to see the great work they do to educate the public in the use of digital technology
• Meeting the RNLI Spurn Lifeboat crew to talk about the problem of brown-tail moth caterpillars (see article on Hedon Blog)
• Poetry reading at the Beverley Armed Forces Day celebrations
• Street surgery in Beverley on Saturday 9th July
• Participating in the television programme, BBC Rip-Off-Britain, highlighting the issues surrounding unregulated will-writing
• Attending the SSAFA Fun Day in Swinemoor
• Attending the Paté and Pimms party - a family afternoon fund raiser in Withernwick
• Hosting a trip to Westminster by constituents.

Graham is certainly one of the most communication-savvy MP's and can be followed through his website, on Facebook and on Twitter.

E-Mail: graham@grahamstuart.com

Or by 'snail mail' (it's slower! - Ed) you can write to him at:

Constituency Office: 9 Cross Street, Beverley, HU17 9AX

Read more...

Public Sector and Teachers' Unions Strike

THURSDAY 30th JUNE 2011 will see hundreds of thousands of civil and public servants and teachers on strike.

Whilst the main purpose of strike action is to protest at the government's plans to cut public sector pensions, it is expected to involve thousands of others who will be showing their opposition to the feared impact of public sector spending cuts and job losses.

The main focus of local protests will be in Hull where the PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union) will be staging a Strike Day Rally at the Quality Hotel (formerly Royal Station Hotel) at 10:00am.

The effects and impacts of the strike locally are difficult to predict but local Conservative MP Graham Stuart has listed school closures on his website which at the time of writing indicated that Burstwick Primary School, South Holderness School and Withernsea High School are CLOSED. The strikes may affect classes in other schools so it would be best to check with your school if you do not know already.

Also of interest to those following the events will be the debate that took place on Channel 4 News on Monday 27th June between Graham Stuart, who is also the Chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee and Kevin Courtney the Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers:

Read more...

Graham Stuart MP: National Citizen Service roll-out costs "hard to justify"

IN A REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY, Thursday 23 June 2011, the House of Commons Education Select Committee warns that extending the National Citizen Service (NCS) to all 600,000 16-year olds could have a price tag in excess of £350 million each year - even if only 50% of young people take part. This would make it more costly than the entirety of youth services currently provided by local authorities.

The NCS launched in February this year and will be available to 11,000 people in 2011 and 30,000 in 2012. The Prime Minister David Cameron has expressed a wish to see all 16 year olds being offered the opportunity to take part. However the Education Select Committee says it "cannot support" the 6-week flagship programme in current form as costs may exceed the entire public spending on youth services.

Local MP Graham Stuart is Chair of the Education Select Committee and had this to say on the report:

"The Government's idea of using the National Citizen Service to inspire young people to engage with their communities, mix socially and build their skills is a good one. However, the pilots are proving to be expensive and full roll-out would be hard to justify when cuts, which the Government itself calls disproportionate, are impacting existing youth services provided by local authorities. The NCS should be adapted so that it accredits existing programmes while introducing a new focus and resources into the sector."

The cost of National Citizen Service in 2011 is around £1,182 per young person. By contrast, the German federal Government spends £1,228 per young person for a whole year's work-based volunteering programme. The Education Select Committee says it does not see how the Government can justify spending the same amount for only six weeks of National Citizen Service.

Read more...

Graham Stuart MP criticised after contractors surface private road to his home

BEVERLEY AND HOLDERNESS MP GRAHAM STUART has received lots of attention in the national and local media after council contractors resurfaced the road leading to the MP's house for free.

Articles in The Telegraph, The Mail and The Mirror and in the Hull Daily Mail have reported on criticisms of the MP after his wife, Anne, asked contractors working for East Riding Council to resurface part of the road leading to their home. The work, estimated at a cost of around £2,500, was completed using left over tarmac and waste materials which might otherwise have been given to a farm as waste products. 

On his website Graham Stuart has praised the initiative of his wife:

“My wife saw the road workers on Hengate and told a workman that if they had any spare tarmac they would be welcome to put it in the potholes of Seven Corners Lane. The workman said that they might, as it could cost the company money if they had to dump it."

“My wife cycled off and on returning home was delighted to see that they had laid a path of tarmac on the worst stretch of the lane. At no point did my wife identify herself to the workmen, give her name or mention who she was married to. I’m pleased my wife had the inspiration to ask and am glad it suited the company to dispose of its excess material in this environmentally friendly way. At no cost to anyone it will now help residents, walkers and members of the tennis club who all use Seven Corners Lane."

It would seem that the issue here, is not the actions of our local MP who happens to have a wife that uses her initiative, but it is ensuring that all the useable materials available to a public contractor are used carefully and economically for the public benefit.

Our definition of "waste products" - in this case the surplus tarmac, other materials and labour time of the workers - needs to be looked at more carefully and changed to suit the economically difficult times we are living through. The waste products from the Hengate roadworks may have been given to a local farmer to dispose off, used to fill potholes, or used productively in the area in which the workers were operating.

In this case it would seem that local area option - completed at the request of a conscientious good neighbour - was the right one.

Read more...

Vital pumps to prevent Burstwick flooding

Graham Stuart MP

LOCAL MP, GRAHAM STUART has helped secure two diesel pumps which will be used to prevent a repeat of the 2007 floods in Burstwick.

After bringing together local councillors, anti-flood campaigners and the Environment Agency, the Beverley and Holderness MP has said in a press release has that the vital pumps were being ordered:

“So much work has already been done to protect Burstwick from more flooding and the only thing which was missing was these two pumps. Local residents have volunteered to man the pumps and a farmer has agreed to store them so the only thing which had not happened was the pumps being bought. We are just days away from the fourth anniversary of the 2007 floods and so it is high time this situation was resolved.”

The Environment Agency will spend £10,000 on two six inch pumps. Local residents will be trained in how to operate them during times of extreme rainfall and farmer Andy Gray has offered to store the machines on his property.

Link: Graham Stuart MP

Read more...

Local MP teams up with Angela Rippon to support Carers Week

LOCAL MP GRAHAM STUART has teamed up with TV presenter Angela Rippon to support this year’s Carers Week (13-19 June) in recognition of the contribution made by those people in the Beverley and Holderness constituency and throughout the UK who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled.

The theme for Carers Week 2011 is The True Face of Carers. It calls for greater recognition for the diverse range of people who have caring responsibilities. The work they carry out is vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.

Graham and Angela have joined together to pay tribute to carers, and to urge that they receive more support in their caring roles. Graham said: “Thousands of people in Beverley and Holderness sacrifice not only their time, but also their money and their health in order to care for a loved one. I am taking part in Carers Week to show my respect and appreciation for our carers. I also want to let them know that there are services out there to help them. Caring can be so incredibly demanding. It’s important that carers know that they don’t have to struggle on alone.”

Angela Rippon has personal experience of being a carer. She said: "For a number of years now I’ve become aware of the extraordinary job that carers do throughout this country. I feel that it’s important that anybody who has any knowledge at all stands up and be counted for them and make the job that they do public, because they should not be invisible, they should be out there and being seen as the heroes and heroines that they are.”

Carers Week is organised by a partnership of 9 national charities: Age UK, Carers UK, Counsel & Care, Crossroads Care, Dementia UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

Read more...

MP pledges support for 'fuel duty stabiliser'

GRAHAM STUART MP has joined over 130 other MPs in urging the Government to implement a fuel duty stabiliser in the forthcoming budget.

Graham Stuart said: “Motorists find themselves paying ever higher prices at the pump. It is especially serious for those of us living in rural areas, where cars are essential, either for getting to work, doing the weekly shop, or even enjoying a weekend out with the family.”

And the MP added: “Small businesses are also exceptionally vulnerable to wildly unstable oil prices. I hope this Government, unlike the previous one, realises assaulting the motorist with unfair fuel duty increases is not the way to keep the wheels of the economy turning. That is why I have signed up to the FairFuelUK petition, calling for a fuel duty stabiliser and a decrease in the present level of duty. A solution must be found so already squeezed motorists are given a sorely needed break.”

FairFuelUK claim hundreds of thousands of people are behind its campaign to see any Fuel Duty hike scrapped and to see measures introduced to stabilise the cost of petrol and diesel at an affordable level. In addition to the 20,000 road freight companies that make up the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association, the 7 Million members of the RAC and the 140,000 supporters from the general public the campaign now have 136 MPs formally pledging support.

George Osborne is due to deliver his budget on 23 March when the campaigners hope a fuel duty stabiliser will be announced.

Read more...

MP delight at Sure Start funding

GRAHAM STUART, MP for Beverley and Holderness, has expressed his delight that Sure Start Centres will continue to be funded in the East Riding. HU12 had previously approached the MP with concerns put forward by the Daycare Trust that up to 250 centres might close within a year.

Graham Stuart, MP said:

“As soon as I was made aware of the Daycare Trust research by HU12.net I wrote to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council to find out if the Sure Start Centre in Hedon, and those across the rest of the council area, would continue to be funded. I am delighted they will be. Too many children don’t get the right start in life and turn up at school unable to learn and, in some cases, unable to say their own names. Sure Start centres are an important initiative to help support parents and give children the attention, stimulus and comprehension skills they need to thrive."

On the cuts taking place elsewhere, the MP said:

“I hope that all our centres continue but, nationwide, they need to become more effective and ensure that they reach the most vulnerable children and make a difference to them. Given the vandalised state of the public finances no service is sacred if it can’t prove its worth. The government has given enough money to councils to keep all Sure Starts open but the centres need to show that they are worth it or councils will rightly consider moving the spending elsewhere."

See: No cuts to Holderness Sure Start Centres

Read more...

Graham Stuart attends Keyingham meeting on controversial Gypsy site

GRAHAM STUART MP has stepped into the middle of a row over a retrospective planning application to continue to use land North of Mill Road, Keyingham as a residential Gypsy/Traveller site for four caravans.

The MP has been invited to a meeting tonight organised by the Keyingham Parish Council to listen to residents' views about the planning application. The planning application would retrospectively give permission for the siting of the caravans including hardstanding, erection of amenity block and installation of sewage treatment plant. The Gypsy/Traveller applicants have already bought the plot of land under discussion.

The planning application has prompted an angry reaction from local residents with over 300 letters of objection being submitted and an active campaign being fought by action group: Holderness RAID (Residents Against Inappropriate Development).

Graham Stuart said: “Residents don’t like the fact that people appear able to move on to land without planning permission, build hard standings and flout the laws that apply to everyone else. Having spoken to the East Riding Council I am reassured that this application is being treated like any other application. It is up to the Council to determine but, while I have no formal role in the planning process, I am happy to support residents and make sure that they know the most effective way to have their voices heard. This application is for retrospective planning permission which, rightly or wrongly, is a long established part of the planning system and covers anyone, anywhere who builds something without permission."

The MP says that the coalition government is planning a raft of measures to restore the trust and confidence of residents, like those in Keyingham, and ensure that local communities have more say over what happens in their areas, whilst also introducing measures to support travellers to address discrimination (see Graham Stuart, MP website).

The Keyingham Parish Council meeting will take place tonight in Keyingham Village Hall at 7.30pm (Friday, March 4).

-----------------------------

THE HOLDERNESS GAZETTE has contained a lively debate in its letters page over the last few weeks between the Chair of Holderness RAID, Neil Whitelam and Community Development Worker, Lindsey Jones of the Hidden Voices project which works with Gypsy / Travellers in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Neil Whitelam, Chair RAID

Lindsey Jones has warned of the possible "racially motivated undertone" of the RAID campaign and pointed to the fact that its Chair, Neil Whitelam, is a previous British National Party candidate. Neil Whitelam was the BNP candidate for the Beverley & Holderness constituency in the 2010 general election although he says in the current edition of the Gazette (March 3rd) that he is not affiliated to any political party at this present time.

Because of the alleged BNP connection it may be that 'traditional' politicians have been reluctant to get involved in the issue? The Parish Council meeting tonight, attended by Graham Stuart, should therefore be seen as a positive development.

Whatever the involvement of the politicians, it would seem to be prudent for Keyingham campaigners to ensure that their action is not seen as some racist backlash against a particular ethnic group, but is actually what it says on the tin; a concerned campaign against inappropriate environmental development.

Read more...

Councillors and local government - 'hyper about hyperlocal websites'

THE HEDON BLOG is an example of a 'hyperlocal' news-gathering website. Along with others in the area such as Beverley's HU17.net, hyperlocals try to bring together news and information about an area in one online place so that it can be found easily by local residents.

However, local councils are beginning to realise the benefits that hyperlocals might bring to them. A conference was held recently on the Government's localism agenda which prompted an article on Learning Pool by Breda Doherty that asked the question: Why local government should be hyper about hyperlocal websites.

The article comments on the rise of citizen-run websites and the role they could play in local democracy and suggests five key benefits for local government:

1. Elected members can more accurately shape their political promises by listening online to what residents actually see as important. They can use these websites to get to better know the people who make up their wards/districts.
2. Councils can use them as a free research tool to find out how the public rate their services, what their concerns are and better determine where restricted budgets should be spent.
3. Councils can also increase the distribution of their traditional communications such as press releases by providing hyperlocal websites with this information to publish.
4. Show that they are not scared of public criticism by taking part in open, online coversations.
5. Look to hyperlocal websites for ideas on how to improve their own websites. Hyperlocal websites are popular as their content is interactive rather than static and discussion is encouraged rather than directed to a minefield of contact us sections or FAQ’s pages only to find out a generic response to their individual community issues.

The Hedon Blog has welcome participation from Hedon Town Councillors and occasionally runs press releases for that body. The East Riding Council and local MP Graham Stuart regularly send news releases to hyperlocals (and in the MP's case actually includes links to three of them on his website). However, the East Riding Councillors for the South West Holderness area currently have no relationship with their constituent hyperlocals.

Both the Hedon Blog and HU12 have a desire to work more closely with the formal democratic process - whilst maintaining a healthy independence from that process - and is keen to hear from local councillors about their ideas on how hyperlocals just might be able to help them.

Respond to comments below or at e-mail hu12@gmx.com

Note: Image from wordle

Read more...

MP adds his support to the Fish Fight Campaign

LOCAL MP GRAHAM STUART, has pledged his support for the Fish Fight campaign by signing an Early Day Motion.

Early Day Motions are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. They are an effective way for publicising the views of individual MPs, drawing attention to specific events or campaigns, and demonstrating the extent of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view.

Graham Stuart has backed the campaign, led by Chef Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, which raises awareness that around half of the fish caught in the North Sea, despite dying in the trawling process, are unnecessarily thrown back.

The Fish Fight Campaign claims this behaviour is unsustainable.

Graham Stuart said: “We need to find ways to make use of all the fish we catch and avoid the current system’s failings where vast quantities are senselessly being thrown back into the sea. People like Hugh are making great strides to bring about a change in attitude that will work to benefit consumers, fishermen and fish alike”

The Campaign also calls for strong reform of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy and the creation of a regionalised, eco-systems-based framework for fishing quotas.

Read more...

Wind turbine manufacturing plant will bring local benefits

HULL HAS BEEN CHOSEN by Siemens as the location for a new wind turbine manufacturing plant, which could bring local benefits to Holderness.

Siemens and Associated British Ports (ABP) have announced that they have signed up to the idea of the proposed Green Port Hull development at Alexandra Dock, Hull and will work to develop plans for a new the construction of a new offshore and wind turbine manufacturing plant.

Green Port Hull, a partnership formed by ABP, Hull City Council, East Riding Council and the University of Hull, was set up in December 2010 to attract turbine manufacturers to locate in the city. It is believed that up to 10,000 new jobs could be created with the further development of land owned by ABP if the vision of Green Port Hull is realised.

Local MP Graham Stuart has welcomed the announcement: 

“This is fantastic news and shows just how well placed Hull and the East Riding is to become the heart of the green energy revolution in this country. I am sure that when Siemens does come to the docks it will be the start of a rapid expansion of businesses in the area which could well see important Associated British Ports land in the Beverley and Holderness constituency developed with many new jobs being created.”

The news of new jobs and investment will be generally welcomed in the HU12 area, although people will want to see more details of what the proposals will mean in terms of increased local traffic and inconvenience. Also, following the scrapping last year of plans by DONG Energy to build a new bio-mass power station at Hull docks, local people will want to see more firm plans in place before making their voices heard.

Claims  of thousands of new jobs being created will also be taken with a large pinch of salt. It was clear from the discussion with DONG Energy that claims of a 'jobs bonanza' were a media invention - while some local jobs would have been created, the actual effect would have be an import of people into Hull and Holderness from other areas of the country and from Scandavian countries were the essential job skills needed already existed.

However, the final words of encouragement for this initiative come again from Graham Stuart:

“This is both an ambitious plan and one which could really put the area on the map as a centre of excellence for renewable energy.”

Read more...

PCSOs hailed by Beverley and Holderness MP

GRAHAM STUART, MP for Beverley and Holderness, has written to the Chief Constable of Humberside Police asking him to do all he can to maintain the role of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) even in the current financial circumstances.

His call comes as the Chief Constable, Tim Hollis, looks to make efficiency savings across the force. A recruitment freeze has already been introduced.

The Beverley and Holderness MP said:

“I fully understand the need to make savings in order to tackle the vast deficit but wanted to let the Chief Constable know that PCSOs are valued by local communities and make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing. When the allocation for Humberside Police is announced in the coming weeks I hope the force will retain PCSOs as an important part of the police service.”

The Chairman of the Humberside Police Authority, East Riding Councillor Christopher Matthews, has also recognised the value of PCSOs. He said during a recent online consultation exercise, that: 

"Policing is one of my priorities and is also the priority for the Home Secretary. PCSOs are the very front of the frontline policing. Whilst I cannot guarantee that the PCSOs will not be cut, they will definitely not be the first thing to go." 

The Humberside Police Authority has asked Town and Parish Councils to consider the option of funding PCSOs and has pointed to examples where councils have helped fund neighbourhood policing teams with bicycles.

Link: Graham Stuart MP and Humberside Police Authority

Read more...