Member of Parliament for South Shields
Shields Gazette
2008 Review
It only seems five minutes ago that I was sending Christmas cards and writing my final Gazette column of the year - and here we are again already. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
2008 has been a very busy year, and I would like to reflect on some of the year. The South Shields Lecture has gone from strength to strength since I launched it 2001. I was delighted that Patrick Stewart accepted my invitation to visit the town to deliver the 2008 lecture. The applause at the end of Patrick's lecture proved that he was well received. Who would you like to see deliver the 2009 lecture, email me with your idea to milibandd@parliament.uk
Regular readers of this column will know that I am passionate about education, and when I was School Standards Minister I worked hard on developing the Building Schools for the Future programme. 2008 has seen work progress on Mortimer Community School, I have no doubt that the refurbishment will bring about even better results. 2009 will see work start on St Wilfrid's School and Harton Technology College. It is important that our young people are taught in modern, fit for purpose buildings, which offer the very best facilities and resources - the Building Schools for the Future programme will deliver this.
2008 also saw the Children's Secretary Ed Balls, announce that South Tyneside Council would benefit from the Primary School rebuild programme. The council submitted exciting and ambitious plans, which will redevelop our primary education. The local council has already stated that the first two schools to benefit will be Harton and Stanhope - this is an exciting time for education in South Shields. Investment in our schools continues, exam results are up.
The regeneration of the Cleadon Park estate continues to impress me. I have been a regular visitor to the estate and have met with those behind the initiative and those who are now living on the estate (Patrick Stewart even visited the estate). The estate has a growing sense of pride and residents have told me that they are proud of their new homes. The £90 million investment partnership between South Tyneside Council and NomadE5 has proved that partnership working can make a difference to the local community.
As MP for the town, I am committed to supporting local businesses and those who are providing jobs for South Shields residents. Many local businesses are working hard through these difficult times. The staff at East Coast Fibreglass who are based on the Rekendyke industrial estate, or Ben Cottam and his team at Cottam Brushes are striving for success and determined to make a difference to South Tyneside. In 2009, I will continue to support local businesses in any way I can.
Meeting my constituents is the best way for me to find out what you are thinking, and for you to tell me what you think the Government is doing well, and not so well. During the year I meet members of the voluntary sector, business sector, school pupils and users of the Citizens Advice Bureau and Hospital staff to hear their concerns. Topics that were raised included the price of petrol to more help with childcare costs for those wishing to return to work. All concerns which were raised with me have been passed onto government ministers and in some cases, I have been able to use them as direct examples of what local residents are thinking at Cabinet meetings.
Of course we have had a number of problems to deal with, the main one being the global economic crisis. The Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer are doing all they can to bring our country through this time of economic uncertainty. I will continue to support their endeavours and work with them in Parliament to ensure that this government continues to help hard working families in South Shields.
My New Year's promise is the same as it always has been and that is to continue working for you to the very best of my ability. I am here to help, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you think I can assist you in 2009.