04/02/2010

Sir Thomas Legg’s report today states:

‘In default of evidence to support payments for mortgage interest of £11,750.35 for

2008-09, I must regard these payments as having been invalid. Accordingly my

recommendation is that Mr Clark should repay the whole of this sum.’

Mr.Clark said today,

“This is the result of a simple oversight. Sir Thomas Legg’s letter was delivered on 8 December 2009. In the run up to Christmas I failed to realise that Sir Thomas was requesting new supporting information for the first time, about the 2008/09 claim for mortgage interest payments.

“By the time I realised this, the deadline for submitting this supporting information had passed.

“Therefore, as I understand the guidance, Legg had to report as he did.

“I am advised that I have to lodge a technical appeal, which I have done.

“As soon as I became aware of this omission I submitted all the relevant documentation to the review body and they received it last week prior to today’s report going to the printers”.

“I am sure that all my claims are in order for the year in question, as they have been for every year before”.

ENDS

The most comprehensive can be found here:

http://keepwarmkeepwell.direct.gov.uk/index.html

And if you want to speak to someone in person, you can call the Home Heat Helpline:
0800 33 66 99

I know there’s been a lot of questions about why some people in Medway haven’t been able to claim ‘cold weather payments’. I’m looking into this. Given that we’ve been on the receiving end of some of the worst weather in the entire country, it seems strange that we wouldn’t be entitled. I’ll put up more information as and when it’s available.

Afraid there is no rest for the wicked, though. With that in mind, politicians have kicked off the general election campaign today… even though officially speaking an election doesn’t need to take place before June this year!

Probably the most interesting thing that has coe out today has been a document detailing that the Tory spending plans just aren’t adding up. If you want to read the document, it’s here:

If you want a short summary, here goes.

For the Tories to meet just the spending commitments they’ve set out already, they will need massive rises in tax and significant cuts in the frontline services you use everyday – that’s the Sure Start Centre, the after school classes, the walk-in GP surgery, the Healthy Living Centres… and on it goes.

All told, there is a £34 BILLION gap in Cameron and Osborne’s spending plan.

If that’s the “change” they want people to vote for, they must be taking the residents of Gillingham and Rainham for fools.

http://issuu.com/davistr/docs/edition2

Or by clicking on the picture file below. Note if you receive this update as the Lunchtime Update then you won’t be able to see the picture.

If you can help out with the campaign then make sure you give the office a call on 01634 379177

Alan’s comment is here: http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway_messenger/news/2009/tales_from_gun_wharf.aspx

As to what’s going on today – it’s the Thames Gateway Forum at the O2 all afternoon so i’m over there talking/listening/ and hopefully learning in the process. As the job spec now includes shipping, it’s pretty important.

Good news last week was that the Government is giving a cash boost to kickstart the development of homes on St Mary’s Island. This unfortunately stalled thanks to the recession but this money is tangible evidence of what Government intervention can actually do. David Cameron bangs on about ’small government’ ad nauseum, and credit to him that’s what appeals to the Tory hardcore and he knows that, but small government didn’t help in the last recession and it wouldn’t help with this one. I’m not in favour of an overarching giant government but I am in favour of a government that cares enough and is involved enough to put up the cash for projects like St Mary’s Island when the private sector runs a mile.

That’s the attitude that won us three general elections and that’s what will keep Gillingham and Rainham Labour. Even if St Mary’s Island isn’t in my patch next time around…

Interesting development on the ‘Poppy Poster’ that caught the attention of so many people last week, myself included. I see from today’s Medway Messenger that the ‘defacer’ (which apparently is a word) has apologised to the family featured in the poster, and rightly so. Perhaps time to draw a line under this incident and certainly his point has been well and truly made.

If you haven’t got enough reading material by now, another newsletter is available for you to read here:

I’m also in the process of putting together a lot of local updates showing the work that I’m doing in all areas across Gillingham and Rainham. If there’s an issue that you think needs covering, let me know in the comments box below and I’ll pick it up.

This afternoon, look out for my new ‘Day By Day’ publication that covers events that have taken place throughout the week in Westminster, Gillingham, and Rainham. Plenty to write about this week and some interesting photos to showcase too.

More later, including what is going on this weekend.