Letter from Parliament

Last week I returned from election monitoring in Serbia and took part in a very important debate about policing in Greater Manchester. The debate had been initiated by my Greater Manchester colleague John Leech MP. We had met Derek Osbalston, Chairman of Greater Manchester Police just before Christmas as he was concerned at future funding for GMP. There are now 216 less Police in Greater Manchester than this time last year. Rochdale has lost 30 in two years and he told us that the police face a shortfall of over £26m over the next two years. That can only mean one thing, fewer police on the beat, police stations shut and longer ringing times when you try and get in touch with the police. I was disappointed that though all four Lib Dem Greater Manchester MPs attended the debate, only one Labour MP thought this important enough to attend.

Last Friday I was due to visit Kingsway to look at how the work there is developing. However, the Passenger Transport Authority organised a meeting to discuss road user pricing. My view is quite clear, we need substantial investment from the Government in public transport – not just Metrolink before such a scheme can be introduced. 

Last Saturday I had advice surgeries at Spotland Community Centre and Smithybridge Library. Both were busy but I was delighted at how busy Smithybridge Library was with library users. It is a real community effort, congratulations to the staff, Jennifer Harris and Elaine Bradbury, and to the Littleborough Councillors including Councillor Rosemary Jones who fought to keep the library open. I also visited Brian Ashworth who is now home from his heart operation and was delighted to see him in fine form despite England’s continuing cricketing failure.

Sunday saw the opening of Wardleworth Community Centre after its refurbishment. Andrew Ovens and his staff are to be congratulated on what they have achieved in a short space of time. I then went onto a meeting at the Town Hall where I shared a platform with former MP nbsp;Tony Benn. Though we are of different political parties, I admire his consistency and unwillingness to change the message to suit the audience. He seems a long way from New Labour!

On Monday, I met Roy Jennings and other residents on Ashfield Lane, Milnrow who are concerned about plans to put a 16 foot mound of soil right in front of their houses. Rob Green, an officer from the Council was present who agreed to go away and look at residents concerns with the developer of Kingsway.  I’ve know Roy Jennings for many years and though Milnrow and Newhey is not currently part of the Rochdale Constituency it will be at the next General Election. I’ve agreed with Phil Woolas that either of us will see constituents from Milnrow and Newhey rather than the usual convention not to deal with people not in your constituency.  

On Tuesday I was taking Transport questions for the Lib Dems. I raised the issue of train overcrowding which I know is a major problem on the Leeds-Manchester line. It is virtually impossible after Littleborough for example to get a seat and the train is dangerously overcrowded during the rush hour. With or without road user pricing you will not get more people on the train without extra carriages and parking at the station. The government has introduced legislation preventing overcrowding of animals on trains but seems reluctant to do the same for people! I also met Derek Wiggett, Headteacher of Balderstone High School for lunch. We discussed the Building Schools for the Future programme for the Borough. I  am delighted that the Liberal Democrat Cabinet have agreed to undertake an independent evaluation of both the Kingsway and Balderstone sites before deciding which site the new school should be on.

On Wednesday I chaired a meeting of MPs with the Turner and Newall Pension Action Group. This is a group that has been campaigning for the 37,000 pensioners who used to work for Turners. The group is concerned about proposals for the Turner pension scheme to go into PPF (Pension Protection Fund). The group feels that alternatives are on offer and should be looked at. David Mellalieu from Littleborough was at the meeting and spoke very well. I am helping to arrange a meeting with the Independent Trustee for the group.  To see more details of my job visit: www.paulrowen.co.uk