Siôn Simon MP

Siôn Simon, MP for Erdington, was this week treated to a guided tour of Mercian Housing’s new City Gate development at Gravelly Hill Erdington. The development is conveniently located within walking distance of Erdington High Street and within quick and easy commuting distance of the city centre.

Mr. Simon said;

“The specification of these ‘city style’ apartments is fantastic; the stylish and open plan two bed roomed apartments are incredibly well located. Mercian does an excellent job of providing affordable quality housing.”

“Mercian Housing’s innovative part buy, part let scheme provides an opportunity for those on modest incomes to own their own homes, an opportunity that might not have existed before this scheme. The new developments in Erdington will substantially increase the amount of good quality, affordable housing available to local residents. The effect is that a two bed maisonette with a market value of £145,000 can now be purchased for £80,000, including rent.”

Siôn Simon, MP for Erdington, this week made a plea on behalf of the parents of Erdington soldiers in Afghanistan, in a Commons exchange with the Defence Secretary John Reid.

Mr. Siôn Simon (Birmingham, Erdington) (Lab): In my constituency, the parents of soldiers are enormously proud of what their children have achieved in Afghanistan over the course of the Bonn agreement. However, they will have heard what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has said today about the likely expansion this year of ISAF’s role in Afghanistan, and about the larger role that British forces will play in less stable parts of the country. That is bound to cause those parents worry and concern, so will my right hon. Friend take this opportunity to say a few words on the subject?

John Reid: I understand the concerns of people in our armed forces, and their relatives, parents and loved ones. However, we would all do well to recall why we are in Afghanistan. We are there because, under cover of the terrible Taliban regime, it was used to launch a terrorist attack—without our intervention it would have become a series of attacks—that resulted in the massacre of thousands of people in the US. The country would have been used as a base against the west in general, and I have no doubt that it would have been used for attacks against this country in due course. We are in Afghanistan with the UN—the united world authority—to prevent terrorists from using that country used as a base against us. I do not pretend that the south of Afghanistan is in any way more benign than those areas where we already have a presence, but the dangers and risks associated with handing that country back to the Taliban and the terrorists are greater than any others that we face. We have no intention of handing Afghanistan back to the Taliban or the terrorists—or to both.

After the exchange, Mr. Simon said:

“A number of my constituents have sons and daughters on active service in Afghanistan, and they are rightly proud of what their children have achieved. As their elected representative, its my job to ensure their interests are represented, and with that in mind I asked the Defence Secretary about the Government’s view on the role of British forces in Afghanistan, and implored him to consider carefully the impact any future decisions on Afghanistan will have on both my constituents and the rest of the armed forces.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon has called for more people to take part in the Government funded Warm Front initiative, a scheme aimed at providing pensioners and those on certain benefits with help to heat their homes. In Erdington more than 123 have had a benefit entitlement check in the last five years leading to a Warm Front Grant.

In his Pre-Budget Report, the Chancellor, Gordon Brown announced a further £250 million would be allocated for Warm Front schemes. This extra money will offer pensioner households on Pension Credit free installation of Central heating and £300 towards the cost of installing central heating for all pensioner households in private rented and owner occupied housing.

Mr. Simon said:

“Too often, low income families face a choice between paying their heating bills or buying food. That’s why I am thrilled delighted that 3108 households in Erdington have benefited from the Warm Front initiative. However, it is clear however that there are many more people who are entitled to some help and don’t know how to go about getting it. That’s why I’m urging all those who think they might be eligible to call 0800 316 6014 and get an assessment. Warm Front’s Benefit Entitlement Checks have helped a large number of my constituents to gain access to their rightful benefits, and I want to make sure this number continues to rise.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon has called for the Government to provide city centre workers in Birmingham with a walk-in health centre after it was announced such centers would be established London, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon has called for the Government to provide city centre workers in Birmingham with a walk-in health centre after it was announced such centers would be established London, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle. The first two surgeries, in London’s Liverpool Street station and Manchester Piccadilly station, opened to the public a few weeks ago and have already treated many patients. The centres will offer a range of services, including treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, prescriptions and healthcare advice.

Formally launching the scheme, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said:

“The public has told us that they want faster, more convenient NHS services. Many banks and supermarkets are now open round the clock – the NHS needs to move to match people’s expectations for extended opening hours. New commuter centres, like those in London and Manchester, are a step towards meeting the needs of today’s patients, as they will offer advice and treatment outside of GPs’ traditional opening times, right on the doorstep of many people’s workplace.”

Mr Simon said:

“Whilst it is fantastic that busy people can now drop in to see a health professional without disrupting their working day, I want to ensure that Birmingham based commuters don’t miss out on this scheme. Tens of thousands of people flock into the city centre every day; I want to make sure these people have the same access to fast and hassle free healthcare as Londoners.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon has sent his personal congratulations to two Erdington primary schools who were recently awarded the prestigious Primary Quality Mark by the National Development Agency for Basic Skills.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon has sent his personal congratulations to two Erdington primary schools who were recently awarded the prestigious Primary Quality Mark by the National Development Agency for Basic Skills. Marsh Hill Primary School and Paget Primary School both achieved the award after meeting ten targets set by the agency, including having a whole school strategy, assessing and reviewing pupil performance, having a target for improvement of the school’s performance and involving parents in developing their children’s basic skills.

Mr Simon said:

“I am extremely proud to have two such fantastic schools in my constituency. To earn this prestigious accolade is a reflection on the high standards maintained by both schools, and I extent my warmest congratulations to the teachers and pupils at both Marsh Hill and Paget Primary Schools. “

Siôn Simon this week met Father Michael White at Christ the King Church, Kingstanding, to discuss plans for a new community facility.

Siôn Simon, Member of Parliament for Erdington, this week met Father Michael White at Christ the King Church, Kingstanding, to discuss plans for a new community facility. Father White has been the parish priest there for very nearly three years.

The Erdington MP, along with local councillor Peter Kane, also discussed possible sources of funding for the project.

Mr Simon said:

“Through his hard work and dedication, Father White has made the church an integral part of the local community. The church already benefits many in the Kingstanding area, regardless of their faith.

“The Church has already forged strong links with the community, and hosts a range of activities and clubs, including a lunch club for the elderly, a bereavement club, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and a Youth Group. Currently these groups are housed in a small annexe of the Church. I believe building a community hall would have an extremely beneficial effect on the entire community, and allow the Church to extend its fantastic work in our community.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon has welcomed a new scheme launched by the Government aimed at simplifying the car tax renewal process.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon has welcomed a new scheme launched by the Government aimed at simplifying the car tax renewal process. The new system does away with the need for drivers to show their insurance and MoT certificates when getting a new tax disc as this information is now stored electronically. Instead motorists can do the renewal process online or by telephone and then receive the tax disc by post within three to five working days.

At the launch in London, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said:

“This is good news for drivers and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to using technology to make life a little less hectic. Drivers will now have a fast and efficient alternative way to renew their car tax.”

Mr Simon said:

“This change to the car change registration service is great news for busy people, who often find it difficult to get to the post office during the week to update their tax disc. Being able to renew tax disc whenever and wherever you are will certainly be a help to motorists up and down the country, as will the news that as all the information is stored electronically, there will be no more searching for documents!”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon this week met Gunter School head teacher Mathew Poyser and deputy head Malcolm Sanders, in order to discuss the recent improvements in the school’s facilities.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon this week met Gunter School head teacher Mathew Poyser and deputy head Malcolm Sanders, in order to discuss the recent improvements in the school’s facilities. Last year the school was able to replace a an old wooden hut with two brand new classrooms, and every classroom now houses a high tech interactive whiteboard.

Mr Simon said:

“The landscape of the school has been much enhanced during the years I have been visiting it, and results are also steadily improving. However, Mr Poyser and the senior management at the school are not resting on their laurels. I applaud their commitment to further progress in facilities and academic standards, and their plan to make the school a “Centre of Excellence” for netball is to be welcomed.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon met members of Stockland Green’s Muslim community last weekend. He hosted a small celebration for Eid at the Noorani restaurant on Slade road.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon met members of Stockland Green’s Muslim community last weekend. He hosted a small celebration for Eid at the Noorani restaurant on Slade road.

Mr Simon said:

“The Muslim community in Stockland Green is both vibrant and well-integrated. The community, in maintaining and upholding its culture and values, adds greatly to the diversity of the area in which we live. It was a pleasure to be able to share some time with members of this community on Saturday afternoon.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon today welcomed a further Labour drive to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour in the home, classroom and local community, and to build a culture of respect in society.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon today welcomed a further Labour drive to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour in the home, classroom and local community, and to build a culture of respect in society.

Mr. Simon said:

“The Labour Government yesterday revealed new measures to address problem families, reduce school truancy and dramatically increase numbers of police community support officers on our streets. New police powers to deal with those individuals who fail to respect the rules and who disrupt the lives of hardworking local people have also announced. These measures will help everyone in Erdington live in a safe area and in a community where those who play by the rules are respected.”

The Respect Action Plan outlines measures for:

Preventing and challenging anti-social behaviour through schools and youth services by ensuring that young people are given consistent messages about what is and is not acceptable behaviour. The government will work with sport and culture bodies on new programmes of activities to inspire and engage young people.

Giving young people things to do – diverting them away from unacceptable behaviour. This will include work with regional arts and sports bodies, support for mentoring programme it’s first youth volunteering service and piloting youth opportunity cards.

Tackling the problem of ‘off the school roll’ kids through measures to address persistent truancy and ensure excluded children receive appropriate provision.

Tackling the causes of anti-social behaviour through a parenting drive and a national programme to address and support the most challenging families. As well as preventing anti social behaviour, this will also reinforce government action to improve life chances for the most in need and tackle the cycle of inter-generational disadvantage.

Empowering local communities to challenge and tackle anti-social behaviour through greater awareness of the powers available to them. This will include neighbourhood charters – setting out what they can expect from services. This will be accompanied by a new power for local communities to ‘trigger’ a response within a set timescale where they believe that a problem of anti-social behaviour is not being dealt with. There will also be an increase in the local accountability of CDRPs who will hold regular face-the-public sessions open to the media.

Rolling out neighbourhood policing nationwide – increasing the number of PCSOs on our streets from 6,000 to 24,000 revolutionising the public’s relationship with the police.

A renewed drive on enforcement to tackle anti-social behaviour by building a 21st Century criminal justice system equipped to tackle 21st Century crime. This includes the introduction of a House Closure Power to close properties associated with persistent anti-social behaviour, reforming anti-social behaviour injunctions, increasing to £100 the fines for serious PND offences and a review of whether further summary powers are necessary.