STOP PRESS

Good news for Parklands

Good news on the campaign to keep the school playing fields in Parklands. The local residents group ran a wonderful campaign. I supported them and in particular got them a high level meeting in Westminster to make the case for keeping the sports pitches. We have just heard that we won! So it shows that you can win against bureaucracy, and is a real triumph for community activism!

Consulting and working with local people

Northampton is going through a period of rapid change with more and more people wanting to come and live in the community. This inevitably puts a strain on our schools, roads and hospitals consequently development plans are often met with scepticism and hostility. This is particularly the case when development agencies and contractors do not consult properly with local people about the plans they have in the area.

Buckton Fields in Kingsthorpe is a prime example of this. Recently I conducted my own survey with the help of the Buckton Fields Residents Association. The aim was to find out what people were concerned about and how strongly this was felt. The results highlighted the fact that people did not think the developer had consulted them properly and were worried that the plans would damage their quality of life. I have now arranged a meeting with Ensign to discuss my findings and communicate the strength of feeling in and around the proposed development site.

I believe that local peoples’ priorities need to come first and developers should not be able to force unwanted and poorly thought through plans on existing communities.

Law and Order

Time and time again local people tell me how important it is to have a high visibility Police presence patrolling their streets. This not only deters crime but it means that people get to know their local Police officers and PCSOs.

Recently the Police Minister Tony McNulty came to Northampton to see the work of our officers and learn about how they are tackling crime particularly on the Goldings Estate. In addition I have had frequent meetings with the Chief Superintendent of Northamptonshire Police Paul Phillips who keeps me up to date with any law enforcement issues in Northampton North. In my constituency a lot of small shop owners, for example, have complained about the level of anti-social behaviour in and around local shopping areas, thats why I have asked Paul Phillips to come and talk to shop owners and small businesses to discuss a way to tackle the problem together.

In addition I am introducing a 10 minute rule bill to combat binge drinking, and will be working on this issue locally and nationally in the coming months.

 PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR MORE INFORMATION

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