Archive for November 29th, 2012
Thursday, November 29th, 2012
The Mayor of Tamworth, Conservative Party Cllr Tina Clements, has thanked everybody involved in helping local residents during the horrific floods that hit Tamworth last weekend.
Cllr Clements said, “I would like to thank all the emergency services who have been working round the clock to ensure we are all kept safe in this week of the worst flooding most of us have ever seen. The Environment Agency who have also been working 24hrs monitoring the river levels, helping with evacuations and keeping us up to date with road closures.
“Also all staff from Tamworth Borough Council who have been called out to assist and the media department, who have kept the websites, twitter and Facebook accounts up to date with all info. To Alex Farrell and the team from TCRFM who have kept everyone locally informed of bridge closures road closures and all flood warnings.
“And finally, to the residents who have headed those warnings and have also phoned in to let us know where there have been problems.”
Anyone who requires info please contact the Environment Agency or check Tamworth Borough Council’s website.
Thursday, November 29th, 2012
Trevor Soult, Christine Still, Colin Still, Christopher Pincher MP
Tamworth’s Conservative Association hosted a successful Olympic dinner on Friday evening, 23 November, at Drayton Manor with guests from the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Christine Still, BBC Olympic Games commentator, talked about how she started as a gymnastics coach and some of the Olympic Games she has worked at for the BBC, Los Angeles 1984, Atlanta 1994, Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Her husband, Colin Still (Team GB Gymnastics Head Coach) then talked about life for the athletes at London 2012 and gave a slide show, with photos taken in the Olympic Village.
Cllr Jeremy Oates introduced the guests, The Mayor of Tamworth, Cllr Tina Clements, gave the loyal toast, Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, then gave the vote of thanks and Tamworth’s Conservative Chairman, Mr Trevor Soult, gave a speech thanking all for attending.
Over 60 local members and friends attended the event, which included a meal followed by a disco.
Thursday, November 29th, 2012
Christopher Pincher MP & Dan Byles MP
Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, together with Dan Byles, North Warwickshire MP, met with Simon Burns MP, Minister of State for Transport, to discuss their concerns relating to HS2.
On the agenda was the latest compensation package announced earlier this month and the on-going battle for the best mitigation measures for local villages in Staffordshire and North Warwickshire.
Mr Pincher said afterwards, “It was a good opportunity to meet Simon Burns to discuss the impact of HS2 on local communities in Tamworth. I want villagers in Hints, Drayton Bassett, Knox Grave Lane, Swinfen and Packington in Lichfield District to receive the best mitigation and compensation package available. The new Long Term Hardship Scheme includes improvements on the current Exceptional Hardship Scheme but I remain concerned that it is too inflexible and still difficult to get.
“The Minister promised to look at this issues we raised and particularly the mitigation proposals submitted by local communities. HS2 is causing unasked for blight to businesses, families and communities. It is only fair that they receive a decent compensation and mitigation package.”
Mr Pincher is shortly to take more representatives of local villages in Tamworth constituency to see Professor Andrew McNaughton, Chief Engineer to HS2, to raise their concerns about mitigation measures.
Dan Byles MP commented, “All local MPs are working together to try to do the right thing for our communities. We both argued that compensation should be more freely available and flexible. It is far too rigid at the moment and not delivering compensation where it is clearly needed.
“I also raised concerns about the “safeguarding” approach which, around Gilson for example, leaves several homes effectively stranded and without any compensation.”
Specific issues, which were raised, included:
- The exact measurement of the proposed Voluntary Purchase Zone in North Warwickshire and Staffordshire. Mr Burns has committed to providing this information to both MPs
- The approach to safeguarding
- The definition of “long term” in the new Long Term Hardship Scheme (officials admit that “long term” only extends to a three year time horizon)
- HS2’s engagement in local Consultation Forums
- HS2’s lack of provision of adequate maps and briefing materials
- The lack of available and affordable alternative housing for those families and businesses that will be uprooted by the development of the railway