Archive for September, 2008

Residents’ concerns in Gillingham and Rainham have taken centre stage at the Labour Party’s annual conference in Manchester from 20th – 24th September.

Local MP Paul Clark went out on the streets of Gillingham last week and asked residents what they would like to see Labour improve in the town. The participants’ responses were recorded and with permission they were uploaded to the YouTube website.

The videos have been replayed to a national audience of thousands in the Labour Party’s Conference Centre, and Ministers from across the Government have watched locals’ responses.

Speaking today, Paul Clark MP said:

“With more and more people using the internet, I thought using YouTube to ask people how they would like to improve Gillingham and Rainham was a great idea, and the response was fantastic. Almost everyone we stopped had a suggestion, even if some were a little camera shy!

The fact that we’ve been able to put their views on a national stage at Labour Party Conference is really the most satisfying part of it all. Local concerns, no matter how small, can be as big, if not bigger priorities than many national issues.

I’m very grateful for everyone for taking part and I’ll be looking to get some good responses from Cabinet Ministers as the Conference continues”

Tory London Mayor Boris Johnson has struck fear into the heart of North Kent communities.

Men and women, boys and girls throughout Gillingham and Rainham will have woken up to screaming headlines that Cameron’s Tory Mayor, Boris Johnson, wants to build a 24 hour international airport in the Thames Estuary.

Johnson’s proposal would see a four runway airport built on an artificial island in the Estuary. The favoured spot is just off the coast at Sheppey.

Paul Clark MP for Gillingham and Rainham has condemned the plan.

“Proper and thought through consideration was given to an international airport in the Thames Gateway a few years ago. We argued and showed that such a scheme was unworkable on a number of fronts – financially, unrealistic transport links and environmental damage, said Mr Clark.

“But it looks as if the Tories have learnt nothing. Johnson’s scheme would be even more costly than that proposed before. Links to the airport to and from Kent and Essex would bring serious issues; transport capacity bottlenecks would be extreme and environmentally the birds migrating to and from the internationally renowned north Kent estuary have not got away.

“This sort of Tory proposal to dump chaos on North Kent without a care towards local people reminds me of the years when the towns in Medway were neglected, under funded and left to flounder when the Tories ran national and local government.

“This harebrained Tory airport proposal stinks and is just characteristic of the Tories in the 1980s and 90s when they showed they did not care about the people of North Kent and the quality of their life,”
added Mr. Clark

PRESS RELEASE

The Secretary of State for Children, Schools, and Families, Ed Balls MP, has recorded a unique message for students starting high school in Gillingham and Rainham.

The Secretary of State has released the message on the website of local MP Paul Clark. As well as being the MP for Gillingham and Rainham, Mr Clark is Parliamentary Private Secretary to Ed Balls MP and supports the Government on education policy.

The unique message has not been repeated anywhere else in the country, and is designed to kick-start local MP Paul Clark’s Year 7 challenge. As part of the challenge, Year 7s at all schools in the constituency will be asked to send a text message to the local MP to tell him how they think the local area can be improved. The text message number is: 07531 844587

They are also being encouraged to take part in a survey on the MPs website, www.paulclarkmp.com.

Mr Clark has also recorded a video message for the pupils, which was filmed around Westminster, including on the steps of 10 Downing Street.

Speaking in the video, Ed Balls MP said:

“I know the schools in Gillingham and Rainham are good schools, and there are great teachers who will give you all the backing and support that you need. The most important thing is take advantage, ask the questions, stay late, work hard, have a great time. It will be the most important few years of your life. Enjoy it”.

In his video, local MP Paul Clark said to students:

“School is hard work, but above all it should be fun as well. And who knows, I’ve become the local Member of Parliament, you might be the next Prime Minister. Good luck!”

Paul Clark, MP for Gillingham and Rainham, yesterday joined with Tesco to present the supermarket’s annual ‘Computers for Schools’ giveaway to schools right across the constituency.

Paul was at Rainham Mark Grammar School to join pupils from Twydall Infants School, Twydall Junior School, Danecourt School and St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary (pictured below) to celebrate the awarding of new computer equipment.

Paul said:

“Although education spending is up considerably, and the budgets for providing IT equipment are higher than at any time in the past, schools have to run to catch up with the ever-expanding computer industry. Pupils also have higher expectations than ever, with many seeing computers as an integral part of their lives for learning and fun.

I really congratulate Tesco for the work they put into this scheme. I believe the Computers for Schools scheme is now heading towards its 20th year, and what a fantastic success it has been. I’m sure the pupils agree!”

PRESS RELEASE

MP Paul Clark will be joined by the Chief Executive of Southeastern Rail and the Route Director of Network Rail in a public ‘Q&A’ session.

The event will take place from 8.00am on Tuesday 9th September at Gillingham Rail Station.

Commuters travelling that morning are encouraged to put any questions or concerns to the MP and rail bosses. Rail passengers can submit questions in advance by visiting the MP’s website, www.paulclarkmp.com

Speaking about the event, Paul Clark said:
“Rail passengers pay their fares and whilst the service on the whole is very good, with more improvements on the way, sometimes things do go wrong. It’s important passengers can have the opportunity to put their questions and concerns to those running the rail service. I’ll be there to keep a close eye on things and make sure that everyone gets straight answers!”

Gillingham and Rainham MP Paul Clark has written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, in response to concerns by local residents about a possible ‘Medway gap’ in digital TV coverage.

Local residents have complained to Paul that parts of Medway will be unable to receive digital Freeview TV even after analogue TV is switched off in Medway in 2012. This could leave many people having to pay out for expensive subscription satellite and cable TV services.

The MP has written to Andy Burnham MP to ask how big the gap is in Medway’s digital coverage, and what can be done to protect those likely to suffer.

Speaking today, Paul said:

“If you’re a Licence Fee payer already, it’s unfair if, in a few year’s time, you were told you had to fork out hundreds of pounds a year just to keep watching TV on Sky or cable.

For people who might have bought a Freeview box on the high street for a one-off payment of £30 or less, they could be faced having to pay even more than that every month.

Many people might have two or even three TV sets in their homes. For them, this could turn out to be a serious financial burden. It’s because of these reasons that I’ve raised this with the Secretary of State and I’m looking forward to his reply.”

My letter to Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham MP
Secretary of States
DCMS
2–4 Cockspur Street
London, SW1Y 5DH

03/09/2008
COOK06001/06080456/TD
Please quote this reference on all correspondence

Dear Andy,

DIGITAL TV COVERAGE ‘GAPS’

I am writing to you in response to concerns raised with me about the provision of free digital television in my constituency, Gillingham and Rainham. A number of constituents have contacted me to advise that they are concerned that certain areas, particularly in Rainham, will not be properly catered for after the ‘analogue switch-off’. One constituent wrote to me to say that upon entering their postcode on the Freeview website they were greeted with the following message:

“Unfortunately, you won’t be able to receive any Freeview channels now,
or after your region has switched to digital TV.”

The alternative option for these constituents, who are already paying the licence fee, is that they must invest in Sky or Cable television, which of course carries a fee. Whilst I am aware of ‘FreeSat’ and its non-subscription option, the initial outlay for this can be considerably higher than simply buying a Freeview box on the high street.

I would like an assurance from you that all areas of my constituency will be properly covered by Freeview. It would be a very concerning situation if, come the switch-off, there are areas having to pay over the odds for access to television services, particularly bearing in mind that these residents will already be paying a Licence Fee. In addition, I would be grateful if you could advise me as to how many residents will be unable to receive Freeview in my area. I am keen to know if this is likely to involve a considerable number of constituents or just an unlucky few.

I look forward to your response.

Yours Sincerely

Paul Clark
Labour MP for Gillingham and Rainham

PRESS RELEASE

Gillingham and Rainham MP Paul Clark has written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, in response to concerns by local residents about a possible ‘Medway gap’ in digital TV coverage.

Local residents have complained to Paul that parts of Medway will be unable to receive digital Freeview TV even after analogue TV is switched off in Medway in 2012. This could leave many people having to pay out for expensive subscription satellite and cable TV services.

The MP has written to Andy Burnham MP to ask how big the gap is in Medway’s digital coverage, and what can be done to protect those likely to suffer.

Speaking today, Paul said:

“If you’re a Licence Fee payer already, it’s unfair if, in a few year’s time, you were told you had to fork out hundreds of pounds a year just to keep watching TV on Sky or cable.

For people who might have bought a Freeview box on the high street for a one-off payment of £30 or less, they could be faced having to pay even more than that every month.

Many people might have two or even three TV sets in their homes. For them, this could turn out to be a serious financial burden. It’s because of these reasons that I’ve raised this with the Secretary of State and I’m looking forward to his reply.”