My Newsletter 16/03/18

Posted on March 16, 2018 by alexnorrismp Leave a comment

Welcome to the latest issue of my weekly newsletter.

Another busy week in Parliament means this issue will read like a game of Westminster bingo, with Questions, Debates and Committees all featuring. And of course there’s always lots of local news – I’ll start with the biggest one.

Read on to find out what I’ve been up to…

As I’ve said before, I will strive to send you a newsletter like this each Friday to keep you updated on the work I’m doing in Parliament as well as in our community, and to inform you of any interesting events taking place in our area. To help me with the latter, if you are running or know of anything that you think may be of interest to others, feel free to drop me an email atalex.norris.mp@parliament.uk and I will include it in future issues. Please also forward it onto anyone you think may be interested.

Nottingham North Jobs Fair

The Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill Committee

Once more, I’ve found myself on a Public Bill Committee, working to improve an important law passing through Parliament, that will affect local people. As I’ve mentioned previously, this is when a smaller group of representatives from Government and opposition get the opportunity to gather evidence and examine a Bill and proposed amendments in more detail than you’d get in the House during full readings.

The Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill has one central purpose – to institute an absolute cap on energy prices for domestic customers until at least 2020, with power to extend the cap until 2023. While the best way to save money on your energy bill is to switch regularly and avoid being left on the wrong tariff, the cap in this Bill is aimed particularly at those customers not switching and remaining on standard variable tariffs – the most expensive tariff available.

This has been a Labour policy since Ed Miliband was leader. It was written off originally but now all parties agree on it.

I support this Bill, but it has taken far too long to get to this stage and I worry that it’s too little too late for some people. This winter, and the week-before-last particularly, has been the coldest since records began. If the Conservatives had implemented their manifesto commitment in June instead of repeatedly dithering, rowing back and passing the buck to Ofgem consumers could have already been protected.

My position on this Committee has allowed me to fight to freeze energy bills – something that I know will make a massive difference to lots of you in Nottingham North, even now that the worst of the cold is over, as poor and more vulnerable people are those most likely to find themselves on the most expensive standard variable tariffs.

As I mentioned before, changing tariff is the simplest way to save money on your energy bills, so I recommend considering this if you haven’t done recently. The uSwitch website here can help. I spoke with Richard Neudegg from uSwitch this week, who briefed me on the Bill as well as discussing how to keep energy prices low.

Parliamentary Questions

While this week didn’t offer the same opportunities for questions in the House of Commons as last, I still had two opportunities to question the Government, once to hold them to account, and once to raise the success of the Jobs Fair (as shown above).

On Monday, I asked a follow-up question to the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government about the cap for financing the construction of affordable housing. This is an issue that has rightly been highlighted in the news lately, and indeed one I’ve been contacted on by constituents.

The Government defines affordable housing as homes offered for social rent (often known as council housing), or rented at no more than 80% of the local market rate. The term social housing is therefore often used interchangeably.

Since the 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar in 2018, there has been significantly increased scrutiny on the working conditions that workers there have to endure – both migrant (which make up the vast majority of the population) and Qatari. Issues which have been highlighted by Amnesty International include:

The kefala (sponsorship) system binding workers to an employer with full control over them, compared to slave ownership;
An exit permit system that allows employers to stop workers leaving the country;
A lack of protection of domestic workers under the Labour Law;
The practice of late or non-payment of wages to migrant workers;
Fees charged and false promises made to migrant workers by recruitment agencies;
Harsh and dangerous working conditions on construction sites;
Obstacles to access justice for victims of labour exploitation;
The denial of the right to form or join a trade union;
And the authorities’ failure to enforce existing labour standards.

In Nottingham

As well as the really successful Jobs Fair there has been lots going on:

We’ve got a perennial issue with the barriers at St Albans Road crossing breaking down. This has been happening for more than a year. I spoke with the Chief Executive of Network Rail – as it is their responsibility – to encourage him to resolve it. This was a positive conversation and I think we should see resolution shortly.
I have been working with the very much valued CBF Gym to help them secure their future.
I visited the National Videogame Arcade. You may know that I am a big lover of computer games – especially Football Manager – so I was glad to look round the NVA. Creative industries are a core part of our economic development in Nottingham and this is a real beacon of it.
Tonight, I will be addressing a Labour Party meeting in Bosworth
And tomorrow I’ll be campaigning in the local elections.

What’s On

I want these emails to be as interesting as possible. That means there’ll be some politics – it’s important that I am held accountable. But I also want to offer information about what’s on locally. So, if you have an event you’d like me to advertise, let me know.

Easter Sunday at St. Mary’s
Free breakfast for 5-11 year olds and their families at 9.30am. Followed by Easter Service at 10am, with an egg-citing Easter Egg hunt to follow for the children.
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell
Easter Sunday, April 1st, from 9.30am

Lost in Memories
A performance about dementia and caring, in partnership with Bulwell Arts Festival
Bulwell Academy, Squires Avenue, Bulwell, NG6 8HG
Saturday 7th April, 3pm for 3:30pm start
Free event, donations welcome to cover costs
For more info please contact Cllr Cheryl Barnard, 07946 467190

Erasmus+ funding
Work for a school in Nottingham North? Apply for some of the €170m Erasmus+ funding available this year for schools to exchange staff and pupils. The next deadline for school exchange partnerships is 21st March. Apply now here.

Funding is also available for youth organisations in Nottingham North. Next deadline for youth funding is 26th April. More information here.

Bilborough Arts Festival (BArts)
Apply now! BArts is gearing up for a second year in venues across Bilborough – involving community groups, schools and individual artists organising creative opportunities and showcasing their work. BArts will take place from Saturday 30 June – Fri 6th July 2018 and the organisers are looking for local artists and volunteers to apply to take part in exhibitions, performances or to run workshops. The deadline for online applications is 26th March 2018 – find out more here.

Bulwell Arts Festival Applications Open! Deadline 31st March 2018
Applications are open to artists, workshop leaders, performers and volunteers! Taking place from Sat 7th – Sat 14th July 2018, this eight-day festival celebrates the creativity of the people, history and landscape of Bulwell. You can apply to take part via their online application form here.

Joining Lines – Community Crochet Project for Bulwell Riverside
Local Designer and Maker April Towriess has launched an appeal to crocheters from far and wide to send her white crocheted doilies! These will form part of an installation and exhibition at Bulwell Riverside in the this summer. You can follow April’s Unity Doily pattern, which can be found here or use one of your own. Use any white yarn or thread weight you like. When submitting your doily or doilies, let April know your name, age, gender and briefly describe who taught you to crochet and why you do it now. Each doily and set of comments will be photographed and added to a blurb book which will be available to purchase. All proceeds will be donated to charity. The closing date for submissions is Saturday 26th April 2018.

Send your doilies to:
Chris Tilley Community Champion, C/O April Towriess Crochet
Joining Lines Project, Bulwell Tesco Extra Community Room, Jennison Street, Nottingham, NG6 8EQ

Three Doors Down
Over the next 6 months, Andy Barrett from Excavate Theatre Company is working with local people who live in and around Minver Crescent in Aspley, to uncover the stories of life in the area over the last 80 years. A series of events are being planned from theatre in living rooms and front gardens, to storytelling, filmmaking and photography to engage as many residents as possible. Contact Cathy Mahmood on 07808 165209 cathy.mahmood@rebalancingouterestates.com or Andy Barrett andy@excavate.org.ukfor further information. Dates for your diary include:

Sat 21st April, 11am-3pm, Film making Day
Sat 26th May, 6-8pm, The Minver Crescent Nosh Up.

Poems in the Pub
Open Mic Night, Free Admission, Local Talent, Full Bar
The William Peverel, Bulwell
Once a month, 7pm for 7:30pm start, next on 5th April

Drop in Café
All welcome for a free cuppa and biscuit, and a place to sit and have a chat
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish Community Centre, Brooklyn Rd, Bulwell NG6 9ES
Thursdays, 9:30am–12:30pm

Messy Church
All welcome – food, fun, arts & crafts, & God slot
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell
2nd Sunday every month, 3-5pm
The next Messy Church will be Sunday 8th April, tied in with a special 40th Anniversary Service & Rededication of the church’s West Room and Upper Hall. Children and their Mums/Dads/Carers are invited to join at 9.30am for a free breakfast. The special service starts at 10am, with fun games and arts & crafts to follow; all finished off with a lovely lunch.

St Philip’s/St Matthew’s Knit & Natter groups
St Philip’s Church, Knights Close, Top Valley
1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month, 10am-12pm
Bestwood Community Centre, Gainsford Crescent, Bestwood Estate
2nd Monday every month, 10am-12pm

Messy Church Bestwood/Bulwell Forest
Bestwood Community Centre, Gainsford Crescent, Bestwood Estate
Various Tuesdays, 4:30-6pm
Bestwood Park Church, Beckhampton Rd, Bestwood Park
Various Thursdays, 4:30-6pm
Church on Rise Park, Revelstoke Way, Rise Park
Various Thursdays, 5-6:30pm

Messy Church
Drinks, crafts, activities, bible stories and a meal for all ages and interests
Bulwell United Reformed Church, Broomhill Road/Brooklyn Road, Bulwell
Usually first Saturday of every month, 10:30am-12:30pm

Bestwood Park Church’s Bestop Kitchen
Social Eating Event, Donations Welcome
Bestwood Park Church, Beckhampton Road, NG5 5NG
Every Tuesday, 12-2pm

Free Community Cinema
Free screenings of films, everyone welcome!
St John’s Church, Key’s Close, Bulwell
2nd Friday every month, 7pm

Bulwell Connectors
Free monthly group developing opportunities for more art in public places in Bulwell. With trips to galleries and hands-on creative workshops, this group is for local people who want to be arts champions for Bulwell. Facilitated by Nottingham Contemporary associate artist Gillian Brent
Bulwell Riverside, Community Room 2
2nd Tuesday every month, 6-8pm
For further info: www.creativenottinghamnorth.com, @CreativeNNorth, cathy.mahmood@rebalancingouterestates.com

Crafty Ladies
Bring along a project, or learn to do something new.
St Martins Church, St Martin’s Rd, Off Strelley Rd, Bilborough, NG8 3BH
Every Wednesday, 11am – 2pm
50p, for further info: www.stmartinsbilborough.org.uk, info@stmartinsbilborough.uk

Crochet Clinic
Community Room at Tesco Bulwell, Jennison St, NG6 8EQ (upstairs near the cafe)
First Wednesday of every month, 6:30pm–8:30pm
£5 (covers refreshments and materials)
For further info: www.apriltowriess.co.uk, hello@apriltowriess.co.uk

Sound as a Pound have asked me to advertise their 2-day finance ‘Money Talks’ courses in Nottingham. Transport and lunch are both provided, attendees will receive a £10 gift voucher for each day and there are plenty of other freebies on offer, as well as some sound money-saving advice! For further information you can call 0115 844 3745, email soundasapound@ncha.org.uk or visit their website at www.soundasapound.org.

If you would like your events advertised here, or further information on those advertised, please email me at alex.norris.mp@parliament.uk.

That’s all for now! Details of how to get in touch or to have a look at the things I’m doing are below…

All the best,

Alex

How to contact me

If you would like to contact me, please email alex.norris.mp@parliament.uk or give my Nottingham North constituency office a ring on 0115 975 2377.

If you are a constituent from Nottingham North e-mailing me regarding a casework issue you are my priority, so please ensure your message includes:

your full name
your full postal address, including postcode
a contact telephone number and
any helpful details relevant to your case such as date of birth, reference numbers etc.

Strict parliamentary protocol means I can only deal with issues on behalf of my own constituents. If you aren’t sure whether you live in Nottingham North, you can check who your local MP is by entering your postcode online here: findyourmp.parliament.uk.

You may also wish to write to me with your concerns. If so please send your correspondence to Alex Norris MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A OAA. All constituents who take the time and trouble to write a personal letter will receive a reply as a matter of priority.

Other useful links

Alex’s Website: click here.
Alex’s Twitter: click here.
Nottingham City Council: click here.
Find your MP: click here.
Register to vote: click here.
School term dates in Nottingham: click here.

LABOUR PARTY

If you’d like to learn more about the Labour party their website is here.
To join the Labour Party click here.

LOCAL NEWS

Nottingham BBC news: click here.
East Midlands BBC news: click here.
Nottingham Post: click here.
Notts TV: click here.

LOCAL INFORMATION

Benefits Information: Here’s an excellent site that allows you to find out exactly what benefits you are eligible to claim: EntitledTo
Housing: please contact your City Council
Problems with benefits or the Child Support Agency? The Citizens Advice Bureau and the Nottingham Welfare Rights Service can give advice. Remember to have your National Insurance number handy if you make an inquiry.
Local schools / education matters: please contact your City Council.
Employment rights: see Citizens Advice Bureau or the Trades Union Congress for info.
Social services, environmental health, noise nuisance, parking, and Council Tax should all be addressed to the City Council.
Another useful website on public services is Direct.gov.

NATIONAL LINKS

For the main Parliamentary website click here and to explore the Parliamentary education site click here.

Alex Norris MP

Member of Parliament for Nottingham North

My Newsletter 16/03/18

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My Newsletter 16/03/18

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