Phil Hope MP - News archive Jan

News Archive January - February 2008

February 2008

The Corby Train Comes One Stop Closer

Cutting the first sod for Corby Railway station
On Friday the 29th of February Phil Hope cut the first sod on the construction site of the new Corby Railway Station.
The station will be built in Cottingham Road and will include a taxi rank and bus interchange.
CORBY is to be the first town in the country to get a groundbreaking new fast assembly modular railway station. It is the first of a kit-style station introduced by Network Rail in a bid to speed up construction.
It is also being promoted as being greener as it is partly made of recycled materials and because the ease of building cuts down on lorries travelling to and from the site.
There are also plans for a suspension bridge which will link with a new boulevard created to connect to the town centre. The hope is that trains will be running from London to Corby by December.
Phil Hope said:
"This is the first tangible step in the construction of the Corby Railway Station, and the most pleasurable. The rail link to London will attract new business investment and prosperity to our town.
I look forward to the first time I travel to Westminster from the Corby Station.
I have campaigned for ten years for this moment, and on behalf of the people of Corby I’d like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make it finally happen."
29/02/08

Phil Hope MP welcomes New Ten Year Drugs Strategy

Yesterday the government set out the new ten year drug strategy, 'Drugs: protecting families and communities'.
The strategy sets out a 10-year vision, with a raft of new measures in an action plan for the three years 2008-11. This year, Labour will invest almost £1 billion in the strategy, which builds on the current ten year strategy.
New initiatives are:

Extending powers to seize drug dealers' assets to demonstrate that crime does not pay;
Placing a greater responsibility on drug users on benefits to get treatment and back into work;
Embedding action to tackle drugs through the neighbourhood policing approach, gathering intelligence from communities;
Strengthening and extending international agreements to intercept drugs supplied to the UK;
Focusing on families where parents use drugs and prioritising treatment for parents who have children;
Piloting new approaches that allow more flexible and effective use of resources including personalised treatment;
Increasing the use of community sentences with a drug rehabilitation requirement; and,
Developing support for drug treatment so that those who quit drugs are offered training and support in getting work and re-establishing their lives.

The strategy will also use opportunities presented by the benefits system to provide a more personalised approach so that drug users receive tailored support, such as training, and in return are required to attend drug treatment sessions.
The aim is to strike the right balance of responsibility and support so that drug users stay off illegal substances for the benefit of them, their families and their communities. So as a first step, if you are a known drug user receiving benefits, you will be required to attend an assessment by a specialist treatment provider.
Phil Hope MP said:
"Drugs are a scourge on our society. We can and will succeed in tackling the damage they cause. We know that we can succeed in tackling drugs, because we have seen the percentage of people, who use illegal drugs fall over the last ten years.
This new strategy puts in place systems which will help police tackle criminals involved in the supply of drugs, help drug users and their families in their struggle to get off drugs and begin to ensure that the benefits system gives people the support they need while making sure taxpayers money is well spent".
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
"Illegal drug use is unacceptable. It wastes lives, destroys families and damages communities. While drug use is at an 11 year low and drug-related crime has fallen by a fifth in the last five years, I am well aware we are dealing with a formidable social problem.
"Labour's ambition is clear. We want to see fewer people start using drugs and for our society to be free from the problems caused by drugs. We want those who do use drugs, to enter and finish treatment and move on to lead healthy, drug-free lives. We want communities to be free of drug-related crime and we want see tough enforcement of the law.
"We'll continue to send a clear message that drug use is unacceptable; that we are on the side of communities; that we demand respect for the law and will not tolerate illegal or anti-social behaviour; but that we will provide help for those who are trying to turn their lives around, to get off drugs and into work, to ensure drug problems are not handed on to the next generation; and that we expect drug users themselves to take responsibility, and will help them to do so."
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said:
"Over the past ten years we have substantially expanded drug treatment - more people than ever are entering treatment, they are waiting less time to get into programmes and staying in treatment for longer. This new strategy builds on that success.
"Every drug user is different, this strategy will ensure that treatment is more personalised and tailored to suit individual needs. A key element is an innovative new pilot scheme which will help drug users who are on benefits get into treatment, get a job and live a drug-free life."
Children Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls said:
"We know that a small minority of parents are themselves drug-users. That can put children at risk - so we are announcing that parents with dependent children will get better and faster access to specialist drug treatment.
"At the heart of the new drugs strategy is recognising the influence of families in tackling the problem. So we will help parents by providing more information and support to help them talk to their children about drugs.
"We are also launching our new Parents' Partnership, which brings together big-name children's charities and parents' groups, to help parents who don't know what to say to their children about drugs, or what to do if they think their children might have a problem."
28/02/08

Have a Real Say

New plans to give people a real say and influence over how their streets are policed were outlined this week by the Prime Minister and Home Secretary.
Wherever you live in Corby and East Northamptonshire you are now served by a Safer Community Team, dedicated to providing community based policing in your area. A Safer Community Team includes Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers, Special Constables and Partner Agencies.
Neighbourhood policing is already proving successful in reducing anti-social behaviour and building public confidence in policing. Community policing is not only making neighbourhoods feel safer – it is making them genuinely safer.
The Prime Minister and Home Secretary announced further details about how people would be able contact and hold their local policing team to account including:
A new Name in Every Neighbourhood campaign to be run by the police over the coming weeks to highlight how people can contact their own local team.
Locally, neighbourhood policing teams will also be making house-to-house calls and running street surgeries in community centres and shopping centres.
A new national website will go live in March, enabling the public to get the names and numbers of their local neighbourhood policing team.
Plans to work with the police and the public to take forward the best in neighbourhood policing practice - including setting priorities, communicating with the public and developing 'local contracts' between the police and the public. Phil Hope MP said:
"Safer Community Teams have made real progress in Northamptonshire in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, people's perception of crime has improved.
I welcome these plans which will make it easier for people to contact, and get to know their Safer Community Team. It is important that local people are able to voice their main concerns, and have a say in their local team's priorities."

Gordon Brown said:
"We know people want more say about their community and a visible and accessible police service that deals with local problems and anti-social behaviour. Whilst crime is falling, too many people have a real fear about their communities and feel detached from their police service.
"That is why we have been working with the police on a new style of policing to address local priorities, improve public confidence and make neighbourhoods safer.
"Neighbourhood policing is about giving local people power over how their streets are policed. It is a major step towards a new kind of policing - one in which in the citizen has real influence."
Jacqui Smith said:
"I congratulate the police on their progress in making neighbourhood policing a reality for every area of England and Wales. April will mark the start of a new kind of relationship between the police service and the public. Every household will hear from, be able to contact and be able to influence their local team.
"We want everyone to have the opportunity to shape their team's priorities, and the use of local contracts between the police and the public can help us to deliver this important change."
28/02/08

Phil Hope takes the Pledge

Phil Hope signs the Fairtrade pledge Phil attended a Co-operative Fairtrade Tea-tasting in Westminster and pledged to drink at least one Fairtrade hot beverage a day.
Phil Hope said:
"As one of the 30 MPs who represent both the Labour Party and the Co-operative Party in Parliament and who work together to promote co-operative values, I want to encourage everyone to make a pledge to drink Fairtrade Tea or Coffee.
I wholeheartedly support the Fairtrade ethic, it is a great way to support growers world wide."
All Co-operative hot beverages are Fairtrade. They were the first major retailer to take Fairtrade seriously ten years ago and remain as committed to it today as they were then. They already have more shops selling Fairtrade products than any other retailer and they also have the broadest range of Fairtrade products.
The tea-tasting event came on the eve of Fairtrade Fortnight. To show their commitment to Fairtrade Fortnight the Co-op will be holding hundreds of Mad Hatter's Tea Parties across the UK, bringing together store staff, customers and Co-op members, to celebrate the tea conversion and encourage people to drink Fairtrade hot beverages.
Consumers in the UK drink more than 8 million cups of Fairtrade coffee, tea and hot chocolate every day, but The Co-operative is hoping that the pledge will help double that figure.
In the largest consumer poll on food ethics recently undertaken by the Co-operative Party 100,000 respondents cited Fairtrade as their biggest concern. And because of their members' interests the Co-op have converted their most recognised and iconic brand Co-operative 99 Tea to Fairtrade.
27/02/08

Phil Hope campaigns for the right to free local travel

bus East Northamptonshire Council is asking some local people to choose between a bus pass which entitles them to free local bus travel anywhere in England or bus token which entitles them to only a limited amount of free travel.
The concessionary Bus Travel Bill will from April 11 mean that everyone aged 60 and over, and disabled people will get free local off-peak travel on all buses anywhere in England, this will benefit up to 11 million people.
East Northamptonshire is forcing people to make a choice between receiving a bus pass or receiving bus tokens to be used for taxis or voluntary bus schemes within their local area. This 'choice' takes away people's right to free travel when they are in other parts of the country.
Phil Hope is encouraging local elderly, and people with disabilities in East Northants to campaign for the right to receive a bus pass and bus tokens.
He has written to 279 older constituents asking them to sign a petition asking for East Northamptonshire Council to provide a bus pass to those entitled, and bus tokens to those who need them.
Phil Hope said:
"The Bill promotes social inclusion for older and disabled people in allowing them greater freedom to travel, for free, by local bus anywhere in England. This is a key part of the Government's wider recognition of the importance of public transport for older and disabled people and the role that access to transport plays in improving social inclusion and maintaining well-being.
I believe it is wrong for East Northamptonshire Council to take away the right of pensioners and disabled people to a free bus pass. The 'choice' on offer between a bus pass and local bus token is no choice at all as the bus pass gives people the right to free local bus travel anywhere in England. The token has only limited value and can only be used locally."
If you'd like to sign the petition or show your support, please telephone Phil's office on 01536 443325 or email Phil. You can download a petition sheet (pdf 40k) to collect signatures. This should be returned to the constituency office when completed.
25/02/08

Phil Hope pounds the pavement with our PCSO

Phil with PCSO Lisa Dickenson Phil joined PCSO Lisa Dickenson for a 'walk about' in Raunds on Friday the evening of 22nd of February.
Lisa is part of the East Northants Central, Safer Community Team. The team is made up of police officers, police community support office and special constables they work closely with partners from East Northants District Council and other agencies to tackle local problems and help improve the quality of life for local residents.
The Safer Community Team for East Northants Central is led by Sergeant Ali Rae. The team covers the areas of Thrapston, Ringstead, Woodford, Raunds Windmill, Raunds Saxon, Irthlingborough and Stanwick wards.
The team was launched on the 2nd of April 2007 local feed so far has been encouraging.
Phil Hope said:
"I was really interested to see how a community support officer tackles the local issues Raunds. The feedback about PCSOs from communities across North Northamptonshire has been overwhelmingly positive, they are a great resource in our work toward reducing low level crime and anti-social behaviour.
Having a Safer Community team working so closely within the town means that they are aware of where exactly the problems lie and can react quickly to local resident needs."
Sergeant Ali Rae said:
"We are currently working with local people to find out what matter most to you in the area where you live. We will work with you and our partners to agree the main priorities for your area and how we can all work together to tackle them.
We need your help. If you have any concerns our any information about crime or anti-social behaviour in your neighbourhood, please talk to us. We can't do it without you."
If you need information or advice, have details about crime or criminals you would like to share with us, or if you would like to talk to us about any local issue, please get in touch. You can contact us by email or telephone (08453 700700), visit one of our surgeries, or talk to us when we're out on patrol."
22/02/07

Hope for President

Phil with Help the Aged group
Phil Hope was made Honorary Life President of the Corby Branch of Help the Aged.
John Clark the Chairman of Corby Age Concern presented Phil Hope MP with a plaque and a gold commemorative badge. Phil was asked to accept the honorary position because of his consistent support for the group over the last ten years.
Age concern came about when in 1940 a group of individuals, as well as governmental and voluntary organisations came together to discuss how life for older people could be improved. As a result the Old People's Welfare Committee, was born. This later became the National Old People's Welfare Committee; in 1971 it became completely independent of government and adopted the new name of 'Age Concern'.
The Corby Age Concern Branch started in the late 1950's and has been meeting monthly since then. The Corby branch which is financially independent relies on contributions from grateful clients, one off payments from local organisations and a small regular payment from Corus workers.
The fifteen volunteers who make up the Corby Branch have an average age of late 70s themselves. They help older people to access car and travel insurance with a 'no age limit policy'; give advice on benefits and problems with disability. The branch also provides disabled equipment on loan to older people who need it. Phil Hope MP said:
"I am honoured to be asked to accept the role of Honorary President. The essential work that Age Concern carries out locally has my full support.
The mutual help and advise provided by agencies such as 'Age Concern' to older people is a vital way to ensure that not only is there the physical regeneration of our town, but that the strong community spirit of Corby continues to grow and flourish.
As the proportion of older people in our population grows we must all work towards ensuring that older people are given every opportunity to remain equal stakeholders in society."
John Forshaw, Treasurer of Corby Age Concern said:
"We rely on donations from grateful clients, and I would like to thank the Corby Phoenix Rotary Club who recently presented us with a cheque of £400."
The mission of Age Concern now is to promote the well-being of all older people and to help make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. The organisations priorities at a time when the aging population is growing more quickly than every before are: to prevent poverty and maximize income in retirement, promote age equality and enable older people to make full contributions to our economy, society and neighbourhoods, maximize healthy life expectancy and promote health, independence and wellbeing for all older people and achieve greater social inclusion of the most disadvantaged older people and challenge the causes of exclusion.
22/02/08

More fair trade for Corby and East Northamptonshire" says Phil Hope

Fair trade mark Phil Hope is encouraging residents of Corby and East Northamptonshire
to buy fair trade products during this Fairtrade Fortnight (25th February to 9th March).
Phil welcomed the Government's announcement of further support to the Fair Trade movement and urged his Corby and East Northamptonshire constituents to match this commitment and buy more Fair Trade products.
Phil Hope said:
"Fair Trade helps support 7 million people in the developing world.
"Our shopping habits can make a real difference to the World's poorest people. By buying food and presents from developing countries we will help grow their economies and reduce poverty.
"Already the UK's demand for African fruit and vegetables benefits a million farmers and their families. By consumers and retailers acting together to promote and buy goods from developing countries we can make a real difference to the lives of some of the world's poorest people."
For more information about fair trade, visit the Fair Trade website.
20/02/08

Phil Hope encourages schools to bid for 250,000 free chest sets

chess pieces The British Chess Federation has negotiated with manufacturers to provide 250,000 free chess sets to schools. Ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England on a first come first served basis.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I would encourage all local schools to apply for these Free Chess sets.
"Chess is a wonderful game for children to learn. Not only is it enjoyable and fun, it teaches them strategic skills and concentration.
This is a great opportunity for schools to encourage interest in chess".
Gerry Walsh President of the English Chess Federation said:
"My dream is that half a million more children will be playing chess in school in the near future."
18/02/08

Phil Hope welcomes the Home Secretary's strong enforcement message on underage drinking

bottles in street Home Secretary Jacqui Smith last week set out the case for tougher police powers to deal with underage drinking, and called for parents and industry to play their part in preventing the harm caused to individuals and communities by alcohol misuse. Phil Hope said:
"I very much welcome the news that Jacqui Smith has announced a £875,000 national crackdown by police to tackle underage drinking.
"I have worked closely with a group of young people who have highlighted the problems associated with binge drinking through their 'Student Action' newsletter.
"I am pleased to see the government taking action.
"We must do all we can to support the police in their efforts, as binge drinking often causes unacceptable anti social behaviour in our communities."
In a speech to police and local authority licensing officers, representatives from the drinks and retail industries, community pressure groups and other frontline practitioners, the Home Secretary announced a package of measures to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder.

These include:

a major new £875,000 national crackdown by police, involving 175 Basic Command Units, during the February half-term holiday to confiscate alcohol from under-18 year olds drinking in public;
extra powers for police, where necessary, to make it clear that it is unacceptable for children to drink in public;
wider use of Parenting Contracts where poor parenting is identified as an issue when alcohol is confiscated from underage drinkers;
a new multi-million pound Government public information campaign to launch this summer setting out the dangers associated with binge drinking, and raising awareness on recommended units of intake and the dangers of regularly exceeding those levels;
an independent review of how well industry standards on responsible sales are being met across the alcohol retail industry.

The Home Secretary is also writing to all Chief Constables and local authority Chief Executives with a new toolkit document that which sets out the full range of powers now available to enforcement and licensing authorities.
Jacqui Smith said:
"There is a lot of good work being done to tackle the damage that alcohol misuse can do to individuals, to the people around them, and to the communities they live in. But I want to go further.
"Government must lead the way and I am determined to use all the powers at my disposal to bring about change. To do this we also need the support of industry, enforcement authorities and communities. We all need to meet our responsibilities to make a difference."
14/02/08

Phil Hope to open the Family Support Link

Phil Hope will be opening the Family Support Link at the Corby Voluntary and Community Services Centre, T A Building, Elizabeth Street on Friday the 15th of February.
Family Support Link is a county-wide charity which preserves and protects the good mental, physical and emotional health of families of persons who suffer from addiction. They also work to remove the stigma and discrimination suffered by these families and carers, both in the community and the workplace.
Phil Hope MP says:
"Family Support Link will be a wonderful support to families in our local community in their time of greatest need. It is important we let people know that there is help available to them. I'm very pleased to be associated with such a worthy cause, which will be a valuable addition to community services in Corby."
Founded in January 2003 by a local mum who was herself struggling to cope with an addiction in the family, FSL aims to help families manage everyday problems, and steers them towards a greater understanding of addiction and ultimately ends their feelings of isolation.
Sadly there is an ever-increasing demand for these services. Family Support Link have many plans and ideas to further develop the services they offer, both to existing clients, and also to reach wider groups who need their support
Sandra McDermott Chief Executive Officer Family Support Link says:
"We believe passionately in the benefits of our service, and our client feedback is testimony to our success. There is an ever-increasing demand for our services and our aim is to continue to expand. "
12/02/08

Phil Hope welcomes boost in funding for Northamptonshire over the next three years

coins Councils in England will receive an £8.91bn boost in funding over the next three years, including £2.7bn next year (2008/09) as Local Government Minister John Healey published Government grant figures for 2008/11.
The figures confirm 13 years of inflation busting increases in grant which by 2011 will be 45% more in real terms than in 1997.
Local authorities will receive £70.4bn in 2008-09, £73.5bn in 2009-10, and £76.7bn in 2010-11. These are increases of 4.0%, 4.3% and 4.3% respectively.
Phil Hope said:
"I am delighted that the government has responded so positively to the case that was made locally. As a result of my intervention local agencies are now making positive progress with the Office of National Statistics to find further ways that central government can better reflect the needs and population growth."
The first ever three year settlement alongside a radically slimmed down performance framework means that councils now have greater flexibility to budget and plan ahead, and make their own decisions about spending priorities. New more up to date ONS population projections issued in September that improve the way that migrants are counted have been used as the basis for individual authority allocations. They provide the best available projections of population and, as supported by most local authorities, will be used for the next three years.
11/02/08

Phil Hope welcomes an announcement of £14m per annum to tackle dental decay.

teeth As part of the Prime Minister's commitment to transform the NHS into a service that focuses on reducing health inequalities and on prevention as much as cure, Alan Johnson has announced a package of measures to enable fluoride to be added to water supply where local communities want it. Phil Hope MP said:
"I very much welcome this approach of reducing health problems through the use of preventative measures.
Not only might it benefit everyone's dental health, it would free up funding for other vital areas of health care. The recurring annual cost of fluoridating areas is 60p - 80p per person; £40 per head of population is spent annually on NHS dental treatment.
Consultation with the local community is essential before introducing fluoridation of water supplies."
There is clear evidence that fluoridated tap water offers significant benefits to dental health. Fluoride has been added to Birmingham's tap water for over forty years and children living there have half the instances of tooth decay than children living in non-fluoridated Manchester.
No fluoridation scheme would go ahead unless there had been wide ranging consultations, and it was clearly evident that the local community was in favour.

Alan Johnson said:
"I want the NHS to do much more to prevent rather than just treat disease. Fluoridation is an effective and relatively easy way to help address inequalities in oral health - giving children from poorer backgrounds a dental health boost that can last a lifetime, reducing tooth decay and thereby cutting down on the amount of dental work they need in the future. We have a duty to help the areas with the worst record on tooth decay to discuss this issue and take steps to improve their dental health."
"Fluoridation is scientifically supported, it is legal, and it is our policy, but only two large areas of population currently have it and we need to go much further in areas where dental health needs to be improved. It is an effective and relatively easy way to help address health inequalities - giving children from poorer backgrounds a dental health boost that can last a lifetime, reducing tooth decay and thereby cutting down on the amount of dental work they need in the future.
But there are people who hold strong views on this subject, so it is important that any proposed schemes are fully and widely consulted on." 08/02/08

Students to learn 'lessons from Auschwitz

Two students from every school in Corby and East Northamptonshire will be able to go on educational visits to Auschwitz to learn about the horrors of the Holocaust, thanks to Government funding announced this week.
Local MP Phil Hope welcomed the £4.65 million of funding, which will allow the Holocaust Educational Trust to continue its visits for the next three years.
Each visit takes up to 200 students from across the country to Auschwitz in Poland, where expert guides and educators from the UK show pupils around the site and let them see first hand where the horrendous atrocities occurred.
Phil Hope said:
"The Holocaust was one of the most horrific events in world history and it's important that every young person has an understanding of it. Teaching of the Holocaust is compulsory in all secondary schools, but sometimes getting out of the classroom and actually visiting the places where historic events happened can be the best way to truly grasp the enormity of what occurred.
"That's why I'm pleased that the Government will continue to fund the Holocaust Educational Trust's visits to Auschwitz and every school in Corby and East Northamptonshire will take part. Not only do young people visit the site of one of history's greatest atrocities, but they come back inspired to make a difference today and teach others about the dangers of prejudice and discrimination."

The visits, combined with an orientation seminar beforehand where students hear testimony from an Auschwitz survivor and a follow up seminar after the visit, provide a unique opportunity for students to learn about the Holocaust and its vital lessons which remain relevant today. On returning to their schools and local communities, students are required to disseminate what they have learned to their peers through a wide variety of activities and programmes.
The Holocaust Educational Trust took 3000 students to Auschwitz in 2007 as part of their Lessons from Auschwitz project and will take up to 4000 in 2008.
08/02/08

Phil Hope calls for local students to 'Be The Best

The University of Northampton in collaboration with Aimhigher Northamptonshire and the East Midlands Excellence Hub have launched a new project to give local gifted and talented students a taster for higher education.
' Be The Best' will welcome up to 120 students from Years 10 – 11 across Northamptonshire who meet the entry criteria to a free programme of events from March – July 2008 at The University of Northampton.
The programme launches on 7th March with an introduction to higher education, the way we learn and revision techniques. This will be followed by advanced workshops in subjects such as Law, Psychology, Environmental Science and Mathematics throughout April and a residential summer school in July.
Phil Hope said:
"I am passionate about encouraging young people in my constituency to broaden their horizons and raise their aspirations.
I want to call upon the motivated students in my constituency to put themselves forward for this initiative."
The climax of the programme will be a Summer School at The University of Northampton to experience campus life first hand. The free activities aim to challenge, stimulate and motivate capable and talented students across the county.
06/02/08

B&Q 'One Planet Living' Awards 2008

Phil Hope MP is urging local environmental groups, community organisations, schools, charities and sports clubs to put themselves forward for the B&Q 'One Planet Living' Awards.
The awards offer organisations the chance to win between £1,000 - £10,000 of B&Q products for projects supporting the 'One Planet Living' principles.
In addition, B&Q is offering two awards of £5,000 combined cash and products to schools that submit innovative science-based proposals, showing a real understanding about the environment and the importance of tackling climate change.
Phil Hope MP said:
"This is a wonderful opportunity for motivated local groups to win support for their projects.
I would encourage all local environmental groups, community organisations, schools, charities and sports clubs to apply for these awards which could have a really positive impact on our local community."
Visit www.diy.com/awards for further information.
05/02/08

Phil welcomes the start of work on the St Peter's Community and Enterprise Centre

Lisa Costello, Rev Shena Bell, Peter Wathen, Dudley Hughes, Phil Hope MP and Peter Lane
The £350,000 project to reconstruct the Parish Rooms in Raunds started this week.
The roof is off and demolition has begun. The centre will have a hall, kitchen, offices and toilets.
The town centre facility will provide a focal point for of community agencies, providing a "one stop shop" for residents of all ages. Connexions will hold regular sessions for young people over sixteen who are not in full time education. It is hoped that the Playgroup will be able to expand its services.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted that this great example of social enterprise is finally going to become reality for the people of Raunds. It will provide excellent facilities which will benefit residents of all ages. The structure of the project will ensure that it is managed by local people; and that profits are reinvested into the centre."
04/02/08

Phil visits Corby scheme for homeless young people

Kevin Parker, Phil Hope MP, Caroline McGrath and Judith Cross
Kevin Parker, Phil Hope, Caroline McGrath and Judith Cross

Residents at a successful new housing scheme for homeless young people are hoping to secure a trip to the House of Commons thanks to Phil Hope's visit.
On Friday 1 February Phil dropped in on Sutherland House to chat to residents and staff and tour the facility, which was officially unveiled in December.
While he was on site, scheme manager Caroline McGrath arranged a future trip for Sutherland House residents to meet their local MP at the Houses of Parliament and tour the famous landmark.
Caroline said: "The official launch of Sutherland House, in December, was a real success and it was great to show off the facilities we have here to our local MP."
Housing and regeneration group Midland Heart runs Sutherland House, which is an eight-bed scheme that caters for homeless 16 to 24-year-olds. It offers accommodation and advises them how best to find education, accommodation of their own and move on with their lives.
There are also four additional 'move-on' flats, in nearby Sandby Road, for those who have developed the skills to live independently, but still require some support.
Phil Hope welcomed Midland Heart's invitation to visit the successful scheme.
"Sutherland House provides an essential service for my constituents in Corby and East Northamptonshire. The fact that it is at full capacity shows just how important schemes like this are, and it was good to meet the staff and residents to see the work it is doing."
Sutherland House is manned 24-hours a day and was taken over by Midland Heart on Monday 1 October. It was officially unveiled at a prestigious open day on 11 December.
01/02/08

Manor School filled with hope as they receive £335,574 football funding boost

Phil Hope presents cheque to Manor School
Footballers in East Northamptonshire were celebrating today following an award of £335,574 from the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity. This grant, combined with £110,000 from East Northamptonshire District Council will be used to provide the majority of the funding for the half million pound project.
Phil Hope presented a cheque to Manor School and Sports College, Raunds.
The cash bonanza will allow Manor School and Sports College to build a third generation artificial grass pitch of a similar style and standard to those used for training by many of the Premiership teams, including Chelsea Football Club. The increased capacity resulting from the new all-weather playing surface will open up access to sport for local people, enabling a 103% increase in the number of male users and a 37% increase in the number of female users at the site.
During the day time the pitch will not only be used by the students of Manor School but also those across the district. Matt Sturgess, School Sports Competition Manager for Northamptonshire, is aiming to utilise the facility to ensure that an increased number of boys and girls from across Wellingborough and East Northants have the opportunity to compete on it, while Northants FA are planning on using the facility as a base for the development of football in the County. On evenings and weekends the pitch will be available for bookings from local football teams and community groups.
The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country. Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association, Sport England and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation's largest sports charity with a £45m budget going straight into the heart of football.
Phil Hope, MP for Corby and East Northants, said:
"I am delighted that Manor School and Sports College has been awarded this grant of £335,574 to construct a floodlit artificial pitch. I am sure that the pitch will be an invaluable resource for students and the local community".
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said:
"We warmly congratulate Manor School and Sports College and the Northamptonshire FA on their hard work and dedication in securing this award. Since July 2000, the Football Foundation has funded 63 projects worth £7.3m across Northants and we welcome more applications from the region."
Rob Alexander, Sports Centre Manager, was overjoyed at the prospects for the local community:
"The facility will allow literally thousands of local people to increase their levels of participation and performance. We already have bookings secured from groups representing peopled literally from six to sixty years of age, and from recreational to semi-professional level."
The Building of the project will be undertaken by Bernhards Sports Surfaces Limited and coincidently managed by former Manor student Len Morris, who said:
"The opportunity to give something back to the school that I attended makes this project very special to me and it will be a great asset to all members of the local community."
Building of the facility will start at the end of January and it is expected to be open by the beginning of June. A series of launch events supported by footballcv.com and the Easter and Spring Festivals of Football are currently being planned, it is hoped that these will included a range of tournaments. Applications for the events and details on how to book the facility are available from Rob Alexander on 01933 623921
01/02/08

100th Birthday Celebration

Phil with Elsie Turner
Phil Hope congratulated Elsie Turner on her 100th Birthday on the 1st February.
Elsie received a 100th birthday card and photograph from the Queen. Phil, who visited her on the day, presented her with flowers and read her the special message from the Queen.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I was honoured to meet Elsie to celebrate her 100th Birthday, Elsie was in great spirits and proudly showed me her birthday card from the Queen."
01/02/08

Phil Hope launches "Message in a Bottle"

Phil Hope was at the Autumn Day Centre in Counts Road Corby to launch the "Message in a Bottle" initiative with Corby Lions Club on Monday the 28th of January.
Phil with Corby Lions
Message in a Bottle is not solely a Lions initiative, however it is an initiative that very many Lions Clubs across the country are involved with. This scheme is free to the user. Whilst it is focused on the more vulnerable people in our community, anyone can fall downstairs, so this scheme can benefit anyone. As a minimum it will save the Emergency Services valuable time identifying emergency contacts. By telling whether the user has special medication or allergies or not, it is a potential lifesaver and provides peace of mind to users and their friends and families.
message in a bottle label The "bottle" is kept in the fridge, where the Emergency Services will know to look for it, in the event of being called to your home. They will be alerted to participation in the scheme, by the use of two special stickers. One is placed on the inside of the front door, or the main door used for the home, by the door handle. The other is stuck on the fridge door.
Bottles, which are free of charge, can usually be found in your local Chemist or Doctors' Surgeries. Thanks to a number of other organisations, bottles can be obtained Neighbourhood Watch groups, Age Concern, Council Offices, Housing Associations and many other places including Police stations.
Phil Hope said:
"This is a wonderful initiative which will help vulnerable and older constituents in Corby and East Northamptonshire. I'm delighted to be launching the project at the Autumn Day Centre with Corby Lions, and I would encourage older people in my constituency to take advantage of this free scheme."
01/02/08

January 2008

Phil wants local people to have their say on Blue Badge scheme

Phil Hope has welcomed the launch of a public consultation on the Disabled Person's Parking Badge Scheme ("the Blue Badge Scheme").
The consultation, launched by the Government, will look at how the Scheme can better reflect the needs of the Blue Badge holder and also beef up its security to prevent abuse.
Phil Hope MP welcomed the consultation saying;
"I believe that the Blue Badge Scheme should be fit for purpose. It must help those that need the Badge to improve their mobility and independence, but also be robust enough to prevent abuse of the scheme.
"I want those in Corby and East Northamptonshire with experience of the Blue Badge Scheme to get involved in the consultation, tell us what you think and feed in any ideas and experiences you have had, to help us make the Blue Badge Scheme the best that it can possibly be."

The document can be found on the Department for Transport website, and includes a response form to the consultation:
29/01/08

Phil Hope to champion East Midlands

Phil in front of Big Ben The Prime Minister has appointed Cabinet Office Minister Phil Hope as the new Minister for the East Midlands. He will champion the region, make sure its interests are heard at the heart of government and work to join up policy and services to deliver the best possible outcomes for the people of the East Midlands.
Phil Hope is also the minister responsible for the Third Sector, which includes charities, voluntary groups, social enterprises and other organisations. This role already sees him working across government departments to ensure that they work together to achieve the Government's aims.
Phil Hope, Minister for the East Midlands, said:
"I am delighted to have been appointed Minister for the East Midlands a region that has so much to be proud of. I intend to be a strong voice and advocate for the region, building on the excellent work of my predecessor Gillian Merron. We have some of UK's best known businesses, most innovative scientists and most creative artists. Our towns and cities boast many individual strengths and qualities but have also forged a powerful collective bond which puts us in a unique position to prosper. I want to help build on this success and am ambitious for what we can achieve together.
"We have made enormous strides in the last ten years in creating new jobs, attracting inward investment and raising living standards and the quality of life for people in the region. However, more remains to be done if we are to stay competitive and meet the social, economic and environmental challenges that lie ahead. We can best achieve this if we resolve to work together. And that is where I come in. I can be the link between government and the region, ensuring that East Midland's specific needs are taken into account in policy making and helping each part of government work together with the people, giving them the support and services they need.
"My message to the people of the East Midlands is that I am here to take on your causes and I will do so with relish."
Phil Hope takes over from previous minister Gillian Merron who has moved to a post in the Department for International Development.
25/01/08

'Dating Agency' for business launched to help companies compete for London 2012 contracts

Phil Hope is encouraging local businesses to register with the newly launched web site www.london2012.com/business, designed to help them compete for the opportunity to win contracts in the delivery of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and London Organising Committee (LOCOG) expect to allocate over £6bn of work as part of an estimated 75,000 future business opportunities covering direct contractors and their supply chains over the coming years.
Even in these early stages, when only a small proportion of contracts have been issued, 24 companies based in the East Midlands have supplied the ODA.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I encourage businesses in Corby and East Northamptonshire to take advantage of the £6 billion worth of contracts that will be up for grabs thanks to the 2012 Olympic Games. Almost all the contracts so far have gone to British companies with a real impact right across the UK."
24/01/08

Phil joins Environment Agency experts to discuss managing flood risk

Phil Andy Baxendale, Area Manager for Anglian Region
Phil with Andy Baxendale, Area Manager for Anglian Region
Following the floods that swept across the country last summer, Phil Hope is encouraging residents to act now to protect themselves from the threat of flooding.
However, it is not just those who live in the floodplain that need to be prepared. Two-thirds of the properties that flooded last year were damaged because drains and sewers were overwhelmed.
Phil met with experts from the Environment Agency at the House of Commons on Tuesday 22 January to outline plans to manage flood risk now and in the future, as well as giving practical tips on how to help their constituents protect their homes.
As well as useful information on the free Floodline Warnings Direct service, the Environment Agency recommends residents have a flood plan, including:

Check your insurance cover
Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies
Prepare a flood kit of essential items (including a torch, a wind-up/battery radio, first aid kit)
Know who to contact and how
Think about what you can move now -Don't wait for a flood to move personal items of value to safety
Think about what you would move to safety during a flood

Phil Hope MP said:
"Flooding can be a real threat to people living in my constituency, particularly East Northamptonshire and it is vital that they listen to the Environment Agency's advice on protecting themselves and their home. Signing up to Floodline is a great service that will give you the best possible warning of a flood.
"Making a flood plan and getting a flood kit together takes a few moments, but can make an enormous difference if there is a flood."

Making Space for Water

The Environment Agency also took the opportunity to discuss current projects to manage flood risk, while improving the environment for both people and wildlife.

This approach is part of a cross-government programme called Making Space for Water, setting the policy direction for the next 20 years. The aim of this new strategy is:

To reduce the threat to people and their property
To deliver the greatest environmental, social and economic benefit
To secure efficient and reliable funding mechanisms that deliver the levels of investment required to achieve the vision of this strategy.

Regional director Harvey Bradshaw said:
"The support of Phil Hope MP is vital in managing flood risk now and in tackling the increased challenges in the future, especially with the impacts of climate change.
"Our MPs can help encourage residents to sign-up to Floodline and support policy particularly in the planning stages of new development. We need to balance the need for new homes against the risk of building in the floodplain. Where possible we need to allow the natural floodplain to do what it does naturally. This will allow us to create safe new communities without increasing the flood risk to established developments.”
"I urge everyone to check if they are at risk by calling Floodline, or visiting our website, but with the risks of surface water flooding made so apparent last summer, everyone should take a moment to consider making a flood plan."

Further information

For flood warnings and information about how to prepare for a flood, visit: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwarnings. Updated every 15 mins.

Floodline: 0845 9881188
23/01/08

District nurses are 'kitted out' to help stop the spread of infections

Phil welcomed news that district nurses working in Corby and East Northamptonshire are being armed with hand-washing kits as part of Northamptonshire Teaching PCT's latest drive to tackle infections in the community.
The kits come in a carry-bag and include soap, alcohol gel, and hand cream, and mean that the busy nurses, who spend the majority of their time out and about in the community, are able to ensure they can protect themselves and others against infections at all times, no matter where they are. In addition, all community hospitals are undergoing a ‘deep-clean’.
Phil Hope said:
"I welcome this move taken by Northamptonshire Teaching PCT to tackling infection in the community. This is another example of how Northamptonshire PCT is working towards controlling infections. The award of a £385,000 to the NHS in Northamptonshire from the government has made this possible."
Louise Proctor, Managing Director of Provider Services for the PCT, who is overall in charge of the district nurses, said:
"The PCT takes infection control very seriously and we are very pleased to be able to distribute these kits to all of our district nurses. This will ensure they have the equipment they need to keep clean and also provides reassurance to the public that we are taking this seriously.
"Often people see infections such as MRSA and C-Difficile as only being acquired in hospitals, but it is important that people are aware these infections can also occur in the community."

More information on infection control can be found at www.infectioncontrol.nhs.uk
23/01/08

MP Welcomes £12M Road Construction Project

digger Phil Hope MP has welcomed news that the first phase of the £12m Corby Northern Orbital Road has started this week.
Northamptonshire County Council in partnership with Corby Developments Limited and Bela Developments Limited has awarded Costain Limited the contract to carry out the works which are aimed at supporting the sustainable expansion of Corby.
With contracts now signed, work will begin on site for the first phase of next week with completion due in May 2008. The second phase of work is still going through planning and legal processes and will commence once these have been finished. Overall the entire scheme is expected to take one year.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I welcome the news that work has now started on this £12m Orbital road which will directly benefit my constituents in Corby and East Northamptonshire but is creating better transport links for local business. The government's Community Infrastructure Fund award of £6.1M to the project has been vital to it's launch and will create improved transport links for local business people."
Bob Lane chief executive of North Northants Development Company said:
"This road will be a major boost for new and existing employment opportunities in Corby and will facilitate the sustainable housing growth planned for Priors Hall and Weldon.
"The project is a great example of the work that is being done to ensure the timely delivery of major infrastructure to support the growth ambitions for the area. The award of £6.1m from the government’s Community Infrastructure Fund confirmed in April 2006 has been crucial to such progress and NNDC and its partners continue to lobby for further infrastructure improvements across the North Northants area."
22/01/08

Phil praises work of Kingswood School's Alternative Education Project.

Phil with Kingswood students
Phil is photographed with students [L to R] Rachel Moy, Ben Atkin, Natalie Gaziano, Thomas Sheldon and Stuart Brooks
Phil Hope met students from Kingswood School's New Alternative Education Project on Friday the 18th of January to learn about the project's work. Phil also took part in a question and answer session with the students as part of their citizenship studies.
The Kingswood School's Alternative Education Project started in September 2007, it is designed to engage year ten students who have opted out of the mainstream system.
The project offers students the opportunity to gain GCSE equivalent qualifications as well as attending classes in life skills.
Phil Hope MP said:
"It was a great opportunity to meet the young people who have taken full advantage of this opportunity to develop their skills and gain national qualifications. The staff working at Kingswood School show passion and dedication that is second to none."
21/01/08

Corby, Oundle & Thrapston pupils to benefit from funding

children playing football Phil Hope has welcomed news that pupils in Corby, Oundle and Thrapston will benefit from £8,973 Football Foundation funding.
The Football Foundation is the biggest sports charity in the UK transforming the landscape of grass roots sport across the country. With the Premier League, The Football Association, Sport England and the Government each giving £15m every year, there is an annual budget of £45m available.
This can go towards building new changing rooms or all-weather pitches, starting community schemes, or even providing a brand new football strip and equipment for junior teams.
This funding will enable the schools involved with the Corby, Oundle and Thrapston School Sports Partnership to provide football development for years 3 and 4.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted that pupils in Corby, Oundle and Thrapston will benefit from this funding. I am urging all schools, sports clubs, youth clubs, football teams and local authorities in my area to visit the Football Foundation website and take advantage of the unprecedented funding opportunity on offer:
18/01/08

Phil Hope meets Victim Support Volunteers

Phil Hope met with volunteers from the local Victim Support branch for Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough to learn about their work within the community. Phil is calling upon his constituents in Corby and East Northamptonshire who have been victims of crime to access their services.
The local member charities that are part of Victim Support across England and Wales have merged to form a single national charity. The local Victim Support Branch now consists of the Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough members.
The local victim support branch offers free services available to everyone, whether or not the crime has been reported and regardless of when it happened. These include someone to talk to in confidence, information on procedures, help in dealing with other organisations, and information about compensation and insurance.
Phil Hope MP said:
"It was very interesting to learn about the invaluable work carried out by these local volunteers. I want to congratulate and thank all of the staff and volunteers for the tremendous work they do to provide high quality advice and support to people in Corby and East Northamptonshire.
"The service that the volunteers give makes a real difference to people who have been victims of crime. I would encourage my constituents to use their services either by visiting the branch offices, by telephone or email.
"As Minister for the Third Sector and as MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire I believe that volunteers and voluntary organisations play an essential part in helping to create strong and healthy communities."

Contact information for victim support:

The local victim support branch is at:

4 London Road
Kettering
NN15 7PP
Tel: 01536 417119: 01933 226665
Fax: 01536 520691
Email: kettering@vsnorthants.co.uk; wellingborough@vsnorthants.co.uk
Website: www.vsnorthants.co.uk/

National contact information
Tel: 0845 30 30 900
Open:

9am - 9pm Mondays to Fridays
9am - 7pm weekends
9am - 5pm bank holidays

If you have hearing difficulties, please call using our TextDirect access number: 18001 0845 30 30 90, or you can call our minicom (or text telephone) number on 020 7896 3776.
Email: supportline@victimsupport.org.uk
18/01/08

Workers young and old benefit from record employment growth

Phil Hope has welcomed news that employment continue to rise.
Figures out now show the highest quarterly growth in the number of people in work since 1997. In the last three months 175,000 more people found a job, swelling the total to a record 29.36 million.
At the same time the independent figures from the Office for National Statistics show the numbers claiming unemployment benefit fell for the 15th consecutive month to 807,700, the lowest it has been for over 30 years.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I'm pleased to see these figures showing growth in employment for younger and older workers alike. There are now 60,000 more young people and 95,000 more people over 50 in work than in the last quarter. With record numbers of vacancies in the economy the opportunities exist for people to make the most of their skills and talents.
These are another set of positive figures on the labour market. But we are determined to do more through our comprehensive welfare reform programme and the roll out of local employment partnerships to help ensure everyone gets the chance they deserve."
17/01/08

Phil Hope says "Keep Warm this Winter in Corby"

Phil Hope with Warm Front banner
Phil Hope MP is celebrating the work the Warm Front scheme does in Corby to help the most vulnerable in the community to keep warm and stay healthy.
Warm Front, which combats fuel poverty by installing central heating and heat saving insulation work into the homes of vulnerable people, has so far assisted 677 households in Corby - a total spend of £928,997.77 in the area.
Phil Hope MP said:
“The Warm Front scheme provides heating and insulation to the homes of some of my most vulnerable constituents, and it has my total support. Affordable heat is a basic need that all should be able to benefit from, as a warm home is a healthy, happy home.”
The scheme manager, eaga plc, has reported that 322 households have benefited from a brand new central heating system or repair to their current central heating system in Corby and 229 have benefited from energy saving insulation measures since they have operated the scheme (1 June 2005 to 29 Sept 2007).
Householders applying for the Warm Front scheme also have the opportunity to undergo a comprehensive check to see if they are in receipt of all the benefits they are entitled to. Benefit Entitlement Checks (BEC) have been operating as part of Warm Front since June 2003, with the average weekly increase per constituent with new/increased benefits in Corby being found as £26.35.
In terms of vulnerable groups of people who have been helped by Warm Front grants, eaga has reported that 47 households with children under the age of four, 301 households on DLA, and 400 households over the age of 60 in Corby have benefited from improvements to their homes.
To qualify, householders need to own their own home or rent from a private landlord, and they also need to be in receipt of an income or disability related benefit. Local residents can contact the Warm Front team on 0800 316 6014 to apply for a grant.
17/01/08

Phil continues to fight to keep Barnwell Post Office open

PO box Phil Hope has continued his fight to keep Barnwell Post Office open after Barnwell Post Office Committee's (SBPO) formal submission for the consultation was accepted by the Post Office Network Change Team.
Phil continues to campaign and support the Save Barnwell Post Office Committee (SBPO) to ensure that Barnwell Post Office remains open and remains firmly at the centre of the community.
Phil and his representative Les Rolfe have met with the SBPO many times to offer advice and support. SBPO recently met with the Post Office Network Team, who are reviewing the case, and hope that Phil's letter will help with Barnwell's case.
In Phil Hope MP's most recent letter to Mark Partington, Network Development Manager Post Office Ltd and Adam Crozier, Chief Executive Royal Mail he writes:
"I know that representatives from the Post Office team have met with the Save Barnwell Post Office Committee (SBPOC) who took the opportunity to both present a draft summary of the case to keep Barnwell Post Office open and to correct some misconceptions that the Network Team had about the availability of a public bus service from the village (there is none). Indeed Barnwell is essentially a village 'hub' that serves a large number of villages hemmed in by the busy (and dangerous) A605 'red route' and the A1 and A14 main trunk roads.
"I note that SBPOC also pointed out to the Network Team that the last figures they may have relied on to measure business use only went up to summer 2007 in which there is a trough because of holidays and the real figures are substantially higher. Indeed a survey done of custom through Barnwell Post Office demonstrated a considerable business use that would be lost to other operators if this office closed, not least because of the longer, flexible opening hours.
"It was apparent also that the Network Team appear pedantic in measuring how Barnwell fits within the 3 mile of another Post Office criteria (Oundle), despite accessibility problems for elderly and vulnerable people and the fact that many Barnwell residents would actually be beyond that limit because it appears that Barnwell Post Office may be the point at which the 3 miles are measured from.
"SBPOC have now e-mailed their formal submission to you both and you will see that this is a well-researched easy to read document that makes a compelling economic and social case for the retention of Barnwell Post Office. I fully commend this valuable document to you which puts the case so clearly and strongly that anything less than the continuance of Barnwell Post Office in its current form would clearly be a travesty so detrimental to residents and businesses in Barnwell and surrounding villages both as Post Office customers and vulnerable people with a genuine need to access a local service.
I would be grateful if you would give this matter your full consideration and review your original proposal in favour of retaining Barnwell Post Office."

16/01/08

Corby Cube given the go ahead

Artist's impression of Corby Cube
Phil Hope has welcomed the news that work will commence on the Corby Cube Project.
The brand new £27.1m Corby Cube is now ready to go after the construction contract was officially signed on Friday 11th January by Warwickshire-based Galliford Try plc.
The six-floor civic building has a concrete structure and four glass sides and is set in high quality open space forming a new town square.
Facilities will include:

445-seat walnut-clad theatre with curved retractable seating system providing the opportunity for flexible flat floor auditorium.
Additional arts and studio space
Library
Ground floor Bistro
Council one-stop-shop and offices
Council chamber and marriage room
Terraced roof garden

Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted that work is about to start on the Corby Cube project. The people in Corby deserve the very best and will I know greatly appreciate this exciting development including a new library and theatre facilities."
Cllr Pat Fawcett, Leader of Corby Borough Council, said:
"This is great news. We can't wait for Galliford Try to get on site and build our fantastic new Corby Cube which with the brand new theatre and library will be a wonderful facility for the people of Corby who deserve the best. It's a stunning building and will give the Borough a civic heart to be proud of."Bob Lane, Chief Executive of North Northants Development Company, said: "The start of work on the Corby Cube is a milestone in the development of the Parkland Gateway project and the on-going transformation of Corby town centre. With work underway on the Corby-East Midlands International Pool and attractive landscaping plans in train, we are beginning to see the vision of this key regeneration project become reality. Coupled with the exciting new plans for the further development of the shopping centre, this announcement will leave no one in doubt that Corby is heading in the right direction."
15/01/08

Phil welcomes disabled facilities grant

Extra funding for home adaptations

Phil Hope has welcomed news that older and disabled people in the constituency will benefit from an extra £11.5 million national funding for home adaptations that will help them to live independently in their homes.Ê Corby Borough Council has been awarded £15,000 and East Northamptonshire Council has been awarded £14,000. The funding will help these councils ramp up their Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme until the end of March. Phil said:
"The £29,000 Disabled Facilities Grant awarded to my constituency will help to provide domestic adaptations and will make a huge difference to the quality of life of older and disabled people in Corby and East Northamptonshire. Every year the Grant helps thousands of people live comfortably and safely in their own homes."

For further information about Disabled Facilities Grants visit the Directgov website.
15/01/08

Phil Hope MP celebrates the start of school building work

Phil with pupils from Exeter Infants Phil Hope took part in a sod-cutting ceremony at Exeter Infants and Junior School to mark the start of a £3.6 million construction project.
The existing Exeter Infant and Junior Schools in Corby are being merged to form one single Primary School. There will also be a new Children's Centre, while the old Junior School building will be demolished. New facilities will include a Key Stage One block incorporating six classrooms and a small hall. This adjoins the west side of the existing Infant School building. The new entrance features a secure lobby.
Plans include additional games courts and hard and soft play areas. Additional trees and planting are to be provided at the school entrance and along boundaries to reduce the impact of the work on surrounding homes. The project, which is being constructed by Marriotts, who have offices in Rushden, is due to be completed in January 2009.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am honoured to be given the opportunity to take part in today's sod cutting ceremony which marks the beginning of the £3.6 million extension to Exeter school. The plans for the finished school and new children's centre are very exciting.
cutting the first sod
Pictured with some of Exeter Schools young pupils are (l-r) architect Tom Lyons and Jon Hunter of GSS, Marriott Director Peter Hawes, Phil Hope MP, Geoff Collier of Marriott and Deputy Head and Teacher Ash Scott

The children of the Exeter estate deserve this level of investment and really will value the whole development. We have seen a lot of investment in our secondary schools recently so it's great to see our primaries benefiting too.
I look forward with great anticipation to the Grand Opening when the children and staff of Exeter school will have two wonderful faculties to compliment all their hard work."
GSS partner and architect Will Assheton said:
"We have carefully designed the project so that it will have all the appearance of a new school. All new buildings have been designed to link to the existing Infants building, while gently sloping roofs will enable an appropriate human scale to be achieved at the facades. We believe the project really maximizes the potential of the site, which has very strict constraints."
15/01/08

Abbey Charitable Trust Funding

Phil is encouraging community groups and charities in Corby and East Northamptonshire to apply for Abbey Charitable Trust funding which offers grants of up to £20,000.
Abbey Charitable Trust offers grants of up to £20,000 for tangible items that are appropriate for one-off funding to help disadvantaged people through education or training, financial advice which helps them manage their money and cross community regeneration projects.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I would encourage community groups in Corby and East Northamptonshire to apply to Abbey Charitable Trust for funding. This funding can be used for things like education and training projects or community regeneration projects."

Applying is easy – there are no deadlines and no application form. Just write to Abbey Charitable Trust , 201 Grafton Gate East, Milton Keynes MK9 1AN on your charity's headed notepaper saying:
How much your are asking for and what this will specifically fund
Explain how this meets one or more of the Trust's charitable priorities
What long term difference will this funding make
You do not need to send your annual report and accounts but you are welcome to send brochures or flyers if these illustrate what will be funded.
If you would like further details then visit the website at www.aboutabbey.com
09/01/08