TGS


08 February 2008

Last week I attended the launch in London ...
seen at 22:59, 8 February in Commission for Rural Communities (Our copy).

Last week I attended the launch in London  of the Commission for Rural Communities Report “Strengthening the Role of Local Councillors“.

I have to say that, as a Rural Parish Councillor...

Realising Britain's full potential - PM
seen at 18:15, 8 February in Number 10 » News Stories (Our copy).
Gordon Brown has spoken of "the opportunity revolution" offered to Britain by globalisation.
Former mps detention officer jailed for six months following ipcc managed investigation
seen at 17:31, 8 February in Independent Police Complaints Commission News - national (Our copy).
The conviction of a Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) detention officer for misconduct in public office follows an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) managed investigation of the death in police custody...
Mca goes green and wins award
seen at 17:28, 8 February in Maritime And Coastguard Agency News - national (Our copy).
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are celebrating today after being presented with the 'Best Multi-site Carbon Saving Campaign' award as part of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE...
'...Convert the existing single lane A421 from M1 J13 to Bedford, into a Dual Carriageway.' -- Peter Franklin
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
Currently, the A421 from M1 J13 to Bedford is extremely congested and a...
'...Increase State pension from basic rate proportionally to Income Tax and National Insurance contributions paid over working life.' -- D Hayes
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
Persons having reasonably good salaries can pay more in income tax and...
'...instruct the relavant Government department to release the appropriate funds to Palmers College Grays Thurrock to enable them to re open their swimming pool for the benefit of the local community' -- Councillor Rob Gledhill
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
This pool was used by the college and the community for a number of years....
'...Save West Sussex Post Offices from closure' -- Alicia Denny
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
We are urging residents of the Observer newspaper circulation area to sign...
'...Force councils to immediately repair any public road that has sufficent degradation or damage that is likely to cause injury to any road user.' -- Nick Glover
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
Many councils leave reported pot holes and other serious degradation of...
'...talk with the US about the american visa, and request that from now on, British nationals needn't have a Visa.' -- Laura McGee
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
America and England are in the war together. There helping each other our as...
'...Stop insurance companies demanding information on expired driving convistions' -- Rob Mathieson
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
If you have had a speeding fine 4 years ago and this expired after 3 years,...
'...Stop the oil/petrol prices from rising further with windfull tax' -- Adam Yates
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
In a time where energy prices have risen sharpley, shell have recored record...
'...Publish itemized accounts of the income and spending of taxpayers money on their website' -- IAN FARISH
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
The income of the Treasury should be fully itemized and accounted for, With...
'...call on the Arts Council to delay the implementation of their investment strategy for a period of six weeks to ensure that there is sufficient time for organisations that are having their funding withdrawn or reduced to be properly consulted on the de
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
The Arts Council England announced on 1 February 2008 that 212 of its...
'...allow us to continue to combine private and NHS medical care' -- Jane Cox
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
Health secretary Alan Johnson has ruled that patients can no longer combine...
'...Maintain accountability for Police Stop and Search, and avoid a return to the Sus law' -- Jonathan Doyle
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
Accountability is a key facet in any fair and free democracy, and removing...
'...ban all harmful toxins and chemicals from cigarettes and all other tobacco products in this country.' -- Peter Thurgood
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
We are told by the Government that it is not the tobacco itself, but the...
'...award film director Ken Russell a Knighthood' -- Barry Clarke
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
He may have only been nominated for one Oscar but is still one of the...
'...Show the full amount of tax included in the price of a litre of fuel at petrol station price signs' -- Neil Alan Walker
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
The prime minister should introduce legislation to make it mandatory for...
'...Keep Middlesbrough,Stockton and all of Teesside free from Road Tolls and congestion charging schemes' -- Neil Alan Walker
seen at 17:04, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
Keep Middlesbrough, Stockton and all the Tees area free. No road pricing...
Rural Proofing Review: Inviting your views
seen at 16:58, 8 February in Commission for Rural Communities (Our copy).

This document is available as a download only

We've launched a review of rural proofing - not the principle but the practice and process. We want to understand:

how the practice and quality...
Reviewing Rural Proofing: Tell us your views
seen at 16:58, 8 February in Commission for Rural Communities (Our copy).

We've launched a review of rural proofing and want your views and opinions on how it should develop or change for the better. We want to understand how:

the practice and quality of rural proofing...
Realising Britain's full potential - PM
seen at 16:14, 8 February in Number 10 » News Stories (Our copy).
Gordon Brown today has spoken of "the opportunity revolution" offered to Britain by globalisation.
Strategy unit sets out the challenges that lie ahead
seen at 16:13, 8 February in Cabinet Office News - national (Our copy).
A comprehensive assessment of the key long-term strategic challenges facing the people of Britain is published today by the Strategy Unit in the Cabinet Office. The report is the most in-depth analysis of future...
New major projects director appointed for highways agency
seen at 16:05, 8 February in Highways Agency News - national (Our copy).
Nirmal Kotecha, currently Alliance Director & Head of Supply Chain Management at Anglian Water Services (AWS) and a Non-Executive Director of Achilles Group Limited, has been appointed as the Major Projects Director...
Giving evidence to the BERR Parliamentary Committee on the Post Office closure programme
seen at 15:00, 8 February in Commission for Rural Communities (Our copy).

We've given written evidence to the BERR Committee as part of its inquiry into the early experiences of the current Post Office ‘Network Change Programme’ for restructuring...

Misc
seen at 12:44, 8 February in Downing Street Says (Our copy).
Asked if the police had contacted the Prime Minister over the donations investigation, the PMS said that he would answer the question of whether the Prime Minister had been interviewed by the police.Asked if the...
Armed Forces Pay
seen at 12:44, 8 February in Downing Street Says (Our copy).
Asked what the justification was for the pay rise of more than 1.9% and the fact that it wasn't staged, the PMS said this was a different public sector pay round. The Government continued to believe that there needed...
Casino Regeneration
seen at 12:44, 8 February in Downing Street Says (Our copy).
Asked if Hazel Blears had given her report on alternatives to Casino regeneration to the Prime Minister, the PMS said that this was another story that also led to a slight collective scratching of heads. It was ...
EU Presidency
seen at 12:44, 8 February in Downing Street Says (Our copy).
Asked if the Prime Minister had spoken to Tony Blair about the EU Presidency, the PMS said that the Prime Minister spoke to Tony Blair on a regular basis, as people would expect. The PMS added that there was a collective...
Northern Rock
seen at 12:44, 8 February in Downing Street Says (Our copy).
Asked to respond to the Office of National Statistics decision to include Northern Rock on public sector net debt, the Prime Minister's Spokesman told the assembled press that the Treasury had responded, saying ...
Tony Blair
seen at 12:44, 8 February in Downing Street Says (Our copy).
Asked when the Prime Minister was likely to endorse Tony Blair's bid for the European Presidency, the PMS replied that Downing Street did not recognise this story and that it was very premature. The Prime Minister...
Northern Rock
seen at 12:43, 8 February in Downing Street Says (Our copy).
Asked if the Government was surprised about the decision by the Office of National Statistics to keep Northern Rock on the public balance sheet, the PMS said no. As the Treasury and Chancellor had already said, ...
Sharia Law
seen at 12:43, 8 February in Downing Street Says (Our copy).
Asked if the Prime Minister welcomed the suggestion from the Archbishop of Canterbury that there were certain parts of the country that were being run by Sharia law, the PMS replied that in relation to Sharia law...
Wendy Alexander
seen at 12:43, 8 February in Downing Street Says (Our copy).
Asked if the Prime Minister had any words of congratulations to Wendy Alexander regarding not being prosecuted by police, the Prime Minister's Spokesman (PMS) said that this was a Labour Party matter. original ...
Afternoon press briefing from 7 February 2008
seen at 12:43, 8 February in Number 10 » News Stories (Our copy).
Briefing from the Prime Minister's Spokesman on: Wendy Alexander, Sharia Law, Northern Rock and Tony Blair
PM focuses on future challenges
seen at 12:43, 8 February in Number 10 » News Stories (Our copy).
Gordon Brown will be taking part in a question and answer session at a conference in London today on the future governance of Britain.
Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics 2006-07
seen at 12:26, 8 February in The Scottish Government Publications - Latest (Our copy).
Information on Scottish local authority income and expenditure, outstanding debt and local taxes.
Group Work: Transition into Secondary
seen at 12:26, 8 February in The Scottish Government Publications - Latest (Our copy).
This report presents the findings of a study consisting of 2 projects concerning primary to secondary transitions and the use of group work.
Expenditure on School Education in Scotland, 2006-07
seen at 12:26, 8 February in The Scottish Government Publications - Latest (Our copy).
Information from local government financial returns on their expenditure on school education
Thank you all for these comments - and taking...
seen at 12:01, 8 February in Commission for Rural Communities (Our copy).
Thank you all for these comments - and taking these in turn."Parrkinson's Law" by Cecil Northcote Parkinson is not one I have read - but thank you for the direction.  I will acquire ...
While our report does not acknowledge - directly...
seen at 12:01, 8 February in Commission for Rural Communities (Our copy).

While our report does not acknowledge - directly - the voices from BME communities we do take very seriously the observations you have brought to our attention.  As an organisation we try to...

There is very compelling evidence that parish...
seen at 12:01, 8 February in Commission for Rural Communities (Our copy).

There is very compelling evidence that parish liaision officers and parish planning are already improving the effectiveness and efficiency of local government service and policy delivery.  Certainly...

Morning press briefing from 7 February 2008
seen at 11:26, 8 February in Number 10 » News Stories (Our copy).
Briefing from the Prime Minister's Spokesman on: Northern Rock, EU Presidency, Casino Regeneration, Armed Forces Pay and Misc
Diocese of Sodor and Man
seen at 11:26, 8 February in Number 10 » News Stories (Our copy).
The Queen has approved the nomination of the Reverend Canon Robert Mar Erskine Paterson, MA, Archbishop of York's Chaplain and Researcher, as Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man.
National Museum of Science and Industry
seen at 11:26, 8 February in Number 10 » News Stories (Our copy).
The Prime Minister has re-appointed Michael Wilson OBE to the Board of the National Museum of Science and Industry for a period of four years.
'...not add extra fluoride to water supplies' -- John Hintze
seen at 11:12, 8 February in Number 10 E-Petitions - New Petitions (Our copy).
The Gov. is planning to add extra fluoride [Fl] the water supplies. On the...
Oft exposes scammers 'tricks of the trade'
seen at 11:12, 8 February in Office of Fair Trading News - national (Our copy).
As part of Scams Awareness Month, the OFT is highlighting the top five 'tricks of the trade' used by scammers to con the UK public out of an estimated £3.5 billion a year.
Statistics on mortgage and landlord possession actions in the county courts - fourth quarter 2007
seen at 11:08, 8 February in Ministry of Justice News - national (Our copy).
CONTENTS
Homes and Communities Agency (London) (Caroline Flint, Minister of State (Housing), Department for Communities and Local Government)
seen at 11:08, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

The Housing and Regeneration Bill, currently before Parliament, establishes the Homes and Communities Agency, bringing together, for the first time, land and money to deliver decent, affordable housing and regenerate...

Planning Delivery Grant (Iain Wright, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Communities and Local Government)
seen at 11:08, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

I am today announcing the final allocations of the second tranche of £90 million of planning delivery grant (PDG) for 2007-08. The grant is paid to local authorities to support improvement in the delivery...

Burton Review (MOD Data Loss) (Des Browne, Secretary of State, Scotland Office)
seen at 11:08, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

On 21 January 2008 I informed the House about the theft of laptop computers from Ministry of Defence vehicles and premises and announced that, following consultation with the Information Commissioner, I had invited...

Armed Forces Pay Review Body Report (Des Browne, Secretary of State, Scotland Office)
seen at 11:08, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

The 2008 report of the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body (AFPRB) has now been published. I wish to express my thanks to the chairman and members of the review body for their report. I am pleased to confirm that the...

Future Water (Water Strategy for England) (Hilary Benn, Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
seen at 11:07, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

I am today publishing the Government's new water strategy "Future Water", together with consultation documents on social and environmental guidance to Ofwat, on surface water drainage and on controls on phosphates...

Absence Management (Civil Service) (Tom Watson, Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)
seen at 11:07, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

Managing sickness absence continues to be a key priority for the Civil Service.

The latest figures for 2006-07, now available at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/statistics/sickness.asp show...

Justice and Home Affairs Informal Council - 25 and 26 January 2008 - Correction to Written Ministerial Statement of 4 February (Meg Hillier, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Identity), Home Office)
seen at 11:07, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

Due to an administrative error the text of my written ministerial statement of the 4 February on the Justice and Home Affairs Informal Council was not issued in its entirety. The full statement is as follows:

Topical Debates (Harriet Harman, Minister of State, Government Equalities Office)
seen at 11:06, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

The House agreed on 25 October to the introduction of topical debates on an experimental basis for the 2007-08 Session, following the recommendations of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons...

Education (Student Support) Regulations (John Denham, Secretary of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills)
seen at 11:06, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

I have today laid amended Education (Student Support) Regulations, making changes in the way we support prisoners undertaking full-time higher education courses.

The education of offenders is an integral...

General Commissioners (Amalgamation of Divisions) (Bridget Prentice, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Justice)
seen at 11:06, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

I have made an Order under Section 2(6) of the Taxes Management Act 1970 amalgamating a number of Divisions as follows:

with effect from 11 February 2008,

the Maidstone Division, the Sevenoaks Division...

Prison Service Pay Review Body Report (England and Wales) (Jack Straw, Lord Chancellor, Ministry of Justice)
seen at 11:06, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

I have today laid before Parliament the seventh report of the independent Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) on the pay of governing governors and other operational managers, prison officers and related support...

Dartford Crossing (Rosie Winterton, Minister of State, Department for Transport)
seen at 11:05, 8 February in Written Ministerial Statements (Our copy).

In December 2006, the Department consulted on proposals to revise the charges for use of the Dartford—Thurrock River Crossing. The consultation noted that: without any charges traffic levels would be substantially...

Thank you all for these comments - and taking...
seen at 11:03, 8 February in Commission for Rural Communities (Our copy).

Thank you all for these comments - and taking these in turn.

"Parrkinson's Law" by Cecil Northcote Parkinson is not one I have read - but thank you for the direction.  I will...

Dear Simon - Thanks for flagging up the experts...
seen at 11:03, 8 February in Commission for Rural Communities (Our copy).

Dear Simon - Thanks for flagging up the experts online web-site. I couldn't agree more - this a fantastic resource!!

Ofwat fines southern water £20.3 million
seen at 10:51, 8 February in Water Services Regulation Authority News - national (Our copy).
Ofwat today confirmed that it has fined Southern Water a total of £20.3 million for deliberately misreporting information and delivering poor service to customers.