Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

My thoughts as I write this article prior to returning to Parliament are with the people of Gaza. I do not argue who is to blame for the tragic loss of innocent life including whole families and young children.

I have just reviewed the letter from Councillor Sharif on behalf of the Council’s community-cohesion committee to the Prime Minister. He requests the Prime Minister does everything in his power to help bring a ceasefire. I have already signed a letter from a number of MPs who support the Palestinian cause to help negotiate a peaceful solution and avoid more bloodshed.

I agree with Councillor Sharif; the Israeli bomb attacks are disproportionate and should cease immediately. The USA, the UK, the European Union and Russia need to unite in support of a United Nations endeavour to bring both sides to the negotiating table.

Let’s hope and pray that 2009 is going to be a peaceful year around the world. I will convey the message from Councillor Sharif to the Prime Minister’s office at the earliest opportunity.

Councils around the country will soon be preparing to set their Council Tax Levels. It is my understanding that Rochdale Council is sitting on around £20 million surplus, which should provide a comfort zone for local council tax payers thanks to generous government grants received in recent years. It surprises me therefore that council energy bills for elderly and disabled people are to rise by up to 35% and Council rents are due to rise by 6% at the same time as the Bank of England has cut interest rates to 1.5%, the lowest rate in history. This of course is meant to help and support vulnerable people except here in Rochdale.

Despite Council claims that sufficient publicity has been given to advise households about the revised data for collection of waste, there was considerable confusion across the borough which was evident by the large numbers of bins put out on the wrong dates. My office phone received many complaints about uncollected rubbish. The council should reintroduce the sticker which was placed on each bin in previous years with information about collection dates.

It is good to see the new Middleton Arena is now open to the public. It is a fantastic facility for all sections of society. I held my first surgery there recently and enjoyed the experience. The Town centre development should move on apace now with further benefits for the people of Middleton, including a new health facility similar to the new provision on Alkrington.

The Phoenix health facility in Heywood should also open in 2009, followed by the start of the art New Sports village for the town. I have raised the need for regeneration in Castleton and understand various projects are being considered. Although the needs of Norden and Bamford are different, never the less I shall keep focussed on possible improvements that might benefit the local community in that part of my constituency.

Now that the congestion charge has been emphatically buried I shall be discussing with my other Greater Manchester colleagues a united approach to the Transport Secretary to provide resources for Transport improvements to rain and bus routes. The defeat of the congestion charge in Greater Manchester in my opinion will make it a non-starter in other city regions.

On 4 January, the mayor, Councillor Robin Parker and the Mayoress, Pat, and myself attended a carol service at Buckley Hall Prison. After the service we had mince pies and coffee with some of the inmates. It was an interesting experience and we had some fascinating conversation. We then moved on to Our Lady of the Assumption Langley for a civic service requested by the mayor. It was good to see the mixed congregation enjoy it, led by Father Tighe Mullin, Rev.Fr Philip Miller and Reverend Janet Sutton.

The Mayor, Councillor Parker, gave a splendid address, in which he compared the constant bad news stories in the national press with his mayoral year’s experiences, meeting good people who contribute selflessly to others without reward throughout the year. He described the many helpful contributions from children ad young people that go unrecognised. His message was one of optimism and hope for the future. Councillor Parker hit the right note and relayed a positive message. The congregation all commented afterwards at the social event that followed what a welcome talk he gave.

I intend to change one or two of my advice surgery dates, times and places but I shall publicise these changes when I have rearranged them.