Siôn Simon MP

Yesterday afternoon, Siôn Simon MP and Jerry Blackett, Chief Executive of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce visited Fairbridge West Midlands to discuss worklessness and wider youth issues with hard to reach young people.

Siôn Simon and Jerry Blackett heard about the Active Citizenship project the young people had been taking part in which aims to improve their communications skills and help them to contribute to decisions affecting them and their community.

The young people also put forward their views on unemployment in Birmingham and talked candidly about their experiences.

Sam, 23, said:

“I left school without any qualifications or any hope.”

When asked by Jerry Blackett what she does now Sam said:

“I come to Fairbridge. I know now that I’m going to make something of myself and at the moment my goal is to work to help young offenders.”

Many of the young people talked openly about issues in their communities like lack of adequate housing and were given honest and open responses from both Sion Simon and Jerry Blackett. Ariella, 17, was impressed, saying:

“I respected their honestly and it was really great to have things explained clearly to us.”

Jacob Foster, Development Tutor said about the day:

“It’s great to see these young people have their views listened to and I’ve seen the positive effect this has had on their ability to communicate.”

Claire Rigby, Fairbridge West Midlands Manager said:

“Thank you to both Siôn and Jerry for their support at yesterday’s debate, it was both enlightening and insightful, and a really good opportunity for young people to voice their opinions. The discussion was direct and hard hitting and it was useful for all to share very different opinions on issues of common interest. The visit has certainly left all parties with a great deal to think about.”

Fairbridge West Midlands is based in Digbeth, each year they work with more than 260 young people aged 13 – 25 from the West Midlands area who are outside of education, employment or training. Their aim is to equip young people with the motivation, confidence and skills they need to raise their aspirations and make positive choices.

Siôn Simon MP, along with Doug Ellis and Chief Executive Alan Fraser were today checking out the progress on the multi-million pound redevelopment of Erdington YMCA.

The Centre which will provide accommodation alongside work opportunities and support services for those who have been homeless and are ready to move on with their lives, as well as first class community provision for local residents.

Funding has been secured for the accommodation from the Housing Corporation, whilst fund raising for the community provision is still under way. Working towards securing the 1.5 million pounds that need to be raised for the community provision are Siôn, Doug Ellis, Steve Dyson (Editor of the Birmingham Mail) and a dedicated YMCA team. £1.5 million has already been secured but needs to be matched by a further £1.5 million.

Speaking during the site visit Siôn said:

“It is great to have Doug on board; he has been instrumental in helping us raise funds and move the project towards completion. It is really exciting to see that after all the hard work by the YMCA and those of us who have been fundraising for the community provision, that this fantastic project is on track to play a major role in Erdington.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon could be found with his nose in a good book this week at the opening of Erdington Library’s new community room on Saturday. The new facility, opened by Tyburn Councillor Mike Sharpe has benefited from substantial funding form the Big Lottery Fund.

Siôn said:

“The library here in the heart of Erdington is home to a wide range of community organisations, including reading and creative writing groups. Until now they have had to meet in the main body of the library during opening hours. Now, thanks to funding by the Big Lottery Fund that has benefited a number of libraries across the city, local groups can now pursue their interests more effectively and get more involved in the benefits the library has to offer.”

Siôn Simon MP for Erdington joined Vernon Coaker MP. Minister for Schools for the opening celebration at the North Birmingham Academy. The academy is based at the former College High School on College Road and was officially opened by Schools Minister Vernon Coaker. It is sponsored by the Edutrust Academies Charitable Trust.

Speaking after the event Siôn said:

“The new North Birmingham Academy is now well placed to build on its improving exam success. Students will; by the end of 2012, also have a brand new purpose built school. Academy status will ensure that students will not only enjoy the benefits of a state of the art learning environment but that the local community will also benefit as the school’s facilities will be available to local groups and organisations as well. The students I’ve spoken to on Friday are very enthusiastic about the future of their school and what they will be able to achieve.”

Siôn Simon, Erdington’s Member of Parliament was delighted to be involved with the opening of the New Heights community facility at Christ the King Church on Friday. The New Heights Community Project was set up around six years ago. It is a valuable resource for all members of the community including the elderly, the young and the unemployed.

Now, with the help of Lottery funding of over £250,000, they have a thoroughly modern and environmentally sustainable facility that will be a great benefit to the local community.

Although the New Heights Community Project has been helping to serve the needs of Kingstanding for a number of years, they now they have a facility that will allow them to extend the range of services on offer.

Siôn said:

“This is a fine example of the vision and commitment of local people and what they can accomplish. It is also a fine example of Lottery money doing what it is supposed to do, and doing it where it is most needed. As Erdington’s Member of Parliament I have worked extensively to see our that our constituency gets it’s fair share of Lottery funding. The grant that has supported the building of this community facility is a massive step in the right direction.”

Local Erdington MP Siôn Simon went back to the classroom on Friday to take a class at Kingsbury School and Sports College. Siôn’s day in the classroom, talking about citizenship, was part of an initiative by an organisation called Teach First. During Teach First week high profile personalities are encouraged to take to the classroom to help promote its aims.

Teach First is a charity that works to place excellent teachers in the schools that need them the most in an effort to fight educational disadvantage. They aim to place and support 800 teachers per year by 2012.

Siôn talked to students about Parliament, democracy and legislation. He said:

“I was pleased to find the students were inquisitive about the law making process and about democracy. They displayed an excellent knowledge of current affairs. The school also has a school council which has the benefit of encouraging participation and discussion about how the students would like to see their school improve.”

After nine years in Parliament (and a Minister in two departments), it has become clear to me that the answers to Birmingham’s problems do not lie in Westminster and Whitehall. We need to take back control of our own city.

We cannot leave our future to London. They have not looked after our past.

We need strong, dynamic leadership with streamlined decision-making powers. The current 19th century arrangements give us neither. The City Council, as an institution, is not fit for purpose in the 21st century.

I am convinced that elected Mayors should and will be introduced for our major cities in the next Parliament, whoever is in government. When they are I will put myself forward for consideration as the Labour candidate.

As a result, I will not be seeking re-election as MP for Birmingham Erdington this year. I hope that Birmingham people will see this as my badge of commitment to the city.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon welcomed moves to improve warnings to home owners in danger of flooding.

Previously residents had to register to receive warnings if there was a high risk of floods; however now all residents in risk of flooding area will automatically receive warnings.

All residents in flood warning area’s will be contacted shortly after March 1st with details of the improved scheme.

Siôn said:

“It is important that residents get as much warning as possible when there is a risk of flooding. Whilst the majority of residents in Erdington are lucky and don’t suffer high risk of flooding, there are still a few area’s that have experienced flooding over recent years, and the cost is not just financial but also emotional and can have a huge toll on families.”