Siôn Simon MP

Siôn Simon MP was getting into the festive mood on Friday when he visited residents who were attending the Irish Welfare Centre Outreach Christmas lunch.

The outreach programme runs in Erdington every week and is sponsored by the Irish Welfare Centre.  The club provides an opportunity to socialise and enjoy a hot meal, as well as advice on a range of services from benefit uptake to fire safety.

Speaking at the event Siôn said “This is a fantastic group and really important to people in Erdington.  I am very pleased to be able to spend some time with them at Christmas.  However there is a serious problem facing this group, with the council withdrawing funding from the Irish Welfare Centre, we need to make sure that groups like this can continue”.

Big Ben, the world famous clock tower in London celebrates its 150th birthday next year and local MP Siôn Simon is helping schools to join in by designing a Christmas card for 2009.

Schools are being asked to send their entries to Siôn, who will choose the best card for each category and enter them into the national competition in March next year.

Prizes include:

• Climbing to the top of Big Ben
• Meeting the keeper of the Great Clock
• Touring the House of Commons
• A Big Ben anniversary gift pack, limited edition badge and certificate.

“I hope that local schools will take this opportunity to enter this competition, Big Ben is a landmark we should all be proud of and is universally recognised.  It is also a great change to learn more about the historic clock and win a chance to come and see how government works at the House of Commons,” Siôn said.

Information packs about the competition have been sent to local schools, this week and entries should be returned by Mid February.

Siôn joined shoppers in Erdington High Street at the weekend for the ‘Snowing in Erdington’ event.  The High Street became a winter wonderland and home to lots of activities including street stalls manned by residents for local charities, entertainers, a dance troupe, a brass band and even a visit from Santa and one his friendly reindeer.

“Events like this do a great deal to promote Erdington as a shopping destination.  The range of entertainment on offer made it a great day out for the family, especially the community carol service which added to the festive atmosphere.  Santa and his reindeer were great for the youngsters and I was pleased he was able to take the time to come and switch on our christmas lights, after all it is a very busy time of year for him” Siôn commented at the event.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon brought Christmas cheer to Witton Lodge when he switched on their Christmas lights on Friday.  The evening’s entertainment, hosted by Perry Common Community Centre, started with a rendition of favourite carols by children from Perry Common Junior and Infant School.

Proceedings than moved outside where more carols were provided by the Ring of Sound, Perry Commons inter-generational choir.  Siôn then led an enthusiastic countdown before pressing the giant switch that brought the illuminations to life.

Speaking at the event Sion said: “Witton Lodge enjoys a great community spirit.  It takes lots of hard work by lots of people to make events like this work.  But it is all worthwhile.  Everyone has had a great time despite the cold weather.  The Ring at Witton Lodge is now a brighter and more welcoming place in these cold winter evenings.”

Local MP Siôn Simon joined parents and local Councillor Mick Finnegan on Friday collecting signatures against a proposed telephone mast to be sited less than 100 yards from Slade Road School in Stockland Green.

The Proposal from Orange for a 10m high mast to be erected on the junction of George Road and Slade Road has not yet been submitted to the planning department but Local MP Siôn Simon and Councillor Mick Finnegan have been made aware of the detailed proposals from Orange.

Siôn Commented: “Whilst clearly the majority of us use modern phone technology and the masts have to go somewhere, there is great concern when they are in very close proximity to a school.  I see no reason why the mast has to go to here, local parents, Councillor Finnegan and I have been collecting signatures on a petittion which we will send to Orange and the Consultants so that they are in no doubt this proposal is far to close to the school.”

Councillor Finnegan added: “Lots of local parents and residents are concerned about this proposal and it is our job to support them and ensure the company get the message we don’t want the mast here and the voices of local people should be listened to.”

“Everyone involved in signing and collecting the signatures is clear that if a planning application is submitted we will fight the proposal all the way.”

The Queens Speech today set out the plans and ambitions of the Labour Government over the coming months.

Steering us through the economic difficulties is the number one Priority with a focus on Fairness.  Fair Chances, Fair Rules, a Fair Future and a Fair Say were all reflected in the Queens Comments and the Governments plans.

Subjects due for consideration over coming months include

• Strengthening the UK’s Financial Framework and Banks
• Child Poverty
• Policing and Crime
• Education, Training and Apprenticeship Reform
• NHS
• Welfare Reform Community Empowerment
• Immigration

Following the horrific mugging recently of Diana Hoye in Stockland Green, Siôn Simon MP joined local residents and police to campaign for better security to help ensure the same thing can’t happen again.

Speaking after the meeting Siôn Said: “I know the residents, the scheme manager and local police have been working together to ensure residents are reassured and feel as safe as possible.  But it is important that we make the council deal with its responsibilities.  Although the scheme is managed by Anchor housing the land is owned by the council, essential maintenance needs to be done such as cutting back bushes and trees, we also need to be looking at lighting to secure the car parks.  I know Councillor Finnegan has agreed to take up these issues with the council and I will be doing everything I can to help support the process.”