Siôn Simon MP

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.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon joined members of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign last week; a group who are campaigning for an investment of £1.26Million from local Primary Care Trusts in the West Midlands.

The investment call comes following an NHS report which highlighted services for sufferers of Muscular Dystrophy were in desperate need of improved specialised services in the region.

Currently the bill for emergency services and treatment for patients with Muscular Dystrophy is over £6Million per year. Studies in areas who already offer specialist services have shown that by using tailored preventative care, not only does in vastly improve the quality of life for patients but also saves a significant amount of money by preventing episodes requiring emergency treatment.

Speaking at the meeting Siôn commented:

“I am not going to pretend to be an expert in Muscular Dystrophy, but anyone can see that specialist care, improved services and a better quality of life is not something that should be a privilege based on where you live, but a right. The NHS’s own recommendations indicate that funding and better services are a priority for the treatment of Muscular Dystrophy. I will do everything I can to support the campaign.”

Local Primary Care Trusts were due to make a decision on funding this week.

Siôn Simon MP has joined calls to keep the Staffordshire Hoard; the largest collection of Anglo–Saxon artefacts ever found on UK soil in the West Midlands.

The Art Fund has launched a campaign to raise the £3 Million needed to keep the hoard on display in the West Midlands, and most likely at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

Donations have already been made by the Art Fund, Birmingham City Council and Stoke–on–Trent local authority, totaling £500 000 but the race is on to find the rest of the money by the 17th April.

Siôn said:

“This is a really important find, both historically and socially. It should stay in Birmingham where it can be enjoyed by millions from across the West Midlands and bring in visitors both nationally and internationally, which can only help the economy of the region.”

Siôn Simon MP, this week lent his support to proposals for safety improvements to the Gravelly Hill Interchange in Erdington.

Public consultation on proposals including new road markings, extending the central reservation, new and relocated sign-age closed recently.

Speaking about the plans Siôn commented:

“This is a notoriously dangerous stretch of road, and lots of residents have contacted me over the years with concerns. I am pleased that improvements are planned, but fear that they do not go far enough to ensure significantly improved safety for this area of Erdington. I am happy to support the plans, but will wait and see the full impact of the improvements.”

Improvements are still in the planning stage and may be subject to some changes as part of the consultation.

Good news for small businesses was announced recently; with the introduction of the Business Rates Hardship Relief Fund.

Businesses in Erdington and surrounding area’s are eligible to apply to the fund if they can demonstrate they are experiencing ‘extreme hardship’.

The scheme, launched by Be Birmingham, the body with responsibility for city wide improvement, is funded with the Government allocated working neighbourhoods funding.

Siôn said:

“I would urge any small business that thinks it might be eligible to apply for funding.
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This is one example of how the Government is constantly working to make money available to communities to help the economic recovery. I know things are still hard for many people, but step by step we are doing everything we can to ensure we are well placed for the best recovery possible.”

Siôn Simon MP today told vulnerable people in Erdington and Kingstanding not to worry about turning up the heating as the Government pays out millions in Cold Weather Payments.

Around £200 million in payments have been racked up so far this winter, with just over £70 million of this over the cold New Year’s weekend.

Siôn said:

“As the cold weather continues, I don’t want vulnerable people to feel left out in the cold. I especially want the elderly to know that extra help is on the way.

There are two ways we are helping this winter – with Winter Fuel payments of £250, or £400 for the over 80s, and thousands of people in our area getting the increased Cold Weather Payments of £25.

These payments are automatic so everyone entitled will get them and should not worry about turning up their heating.”

As well as the Cold Weather payments, over 12.3 million older people will benefit from Winter Fuel payments, totalling about £2.7bn

The freezing conditions sweeping Erdington are having a deep impact on households that are concerned about keeping warm, with a significant increase in calls to the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) for assistance over the festive period.

The Home Heat Helpline has already received a record number of calls over November – December 2009, an increase of 23 per cent from 2008.

Siôn is urging residents across Birmingham Erdington to call the free Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) after recent the ‘Missing Millions’ research from the Home Heat Helpline revealed that around 6200 households (15%) across Birmingham Erdington are missing out on savings of up to £250 each year on their energy bills.

The research shows that households across Birmingham Erdington could save around £150 a year on their heating bills by insulating their lofts and a further £115 a year with cavity wall insulation.

Siôn added:

“I am joining the Home Heat Helpline in urging households across Birmingham Erdington to call the free service to find out how they can keep warm and save money on their energy bills. Helpline advisors can give people who are worried about the cost of heating their homes help on making their home more energy efficient, and information on reduced or ’social tariffs’ and free insulation available.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon this week slammed plans by the city council to introduce a ‘dangerous and unwanted’ foot tunnel through the railway bridge at Station Road, Erdington.

Residents of Wesley Road along with Siôn have condemned plans as plain stupid.

Siôn said:

“It is clear speaking to the residents that no one wants this foot tunnel; it is likely to attract anti-social behaviour and probably crime, being a prime spot in the dark for muggings and attacks. Over recent years most councils have been taking out subways and foot tunnels where possible, it beggars belief that Birmingham are thinking of putting one in.

We all know of the problems associated with Station Road and pedestrians, but this is not a solution it is just swapping one problem for another.”

A popular Arts Project and venue for community artists got a boost this week when local MP Siôn Simon visited and brought a piece of original art from up and coming local artist Stephanie Phillips, of Grange Road.

The Project operating out of the Cube in Central Square Arts Co-operative, Erdington, aims to bring together local artists to provide a communal space for working and also a community of other artists who can bring guidance, support and encouragement to each other.

The project which started with local artists working with children to create panels for display at St. Barnabas Church, has gone from strength to strength; now being permanently based in Central Square with over 25 regular artists using the space and creating a wide range of art.

The piece purchased by Siôn was created and displayed by Stephanie earlier in the year in the Cube when Siôn had visited.

“It depicts and explores ideas of self image and how others view us.” Said Stephanie.

Siôn said:

“It is fantastic that projects like this bring so much to Erdington. I always like to support local projects like this, and the range of talents displayed are amazing. There was just something about the picture that appealed to me, not only is it technically brilliant but it is also a really interesting subject about self image and how we are viewed by others.”

Graham Kay, Chief Executive of Erdington Town Centre Partnership who was also at the presentation added:

“The Rapid emergence of the ‘The Cube in the Square’, facility for local artists, has done much to engage with and support the Town Centre Parthership’s Business Improvement District (BID) activities and clearly demonstrates that Erdington is still a vibrant innovative local centre and great place to shop, live, work learn and invest.”

Celebrating a year of working together to improve their community, residents of Highcroft Village got together for a little festive cheer on Saturday.

The Christmas fair held at Highcroft Community Centre, Slade Road was organised by residents and members of ‘Highcroft in Partnership Community’ and was officially opened by Siôn Simon MP, with local Councillors in attendance.

Speaking at the event Sion said:

“Community is one of those words used all the time, but what it really means in the modern world is often hard to define. The reality is very simple; community is about people like you who make an effort and care about where they come from. I know you have some ambitious plans and will support you in every way I can. You’ve achieved a huge amount already and I know will go on to achieve even more in the future.”

Whilst visiting Osborne School on Friday, pupils had the opportunity to put their burning questions to local Erdington MP Siôn Simon.

During the session Siôn asked a few questions of his own, and discovered one of the things the children liked most about living in Erdington was the High Street.

“It is great to see kids being part of where they live, and whilst all expect them to have a view on parks and football pitches it was great to see they also have views on things like the High Street, which all too often we only ask adults what their view is.”

Siôn commented after the event.