Tony Colman MP writes to Putney & Wandsworth

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4th October 2004

Labour Party Conference

My diary is late this week I am afraid because I have just returned from the Labour Party Conference. I didn�t stay in Brighton but commuted each day from London � and I was very glad that for once the rail network worked perfectly all week!

Roehampton University

I know that Roehampton University is now back and the new academic year is in full swing � I wish everyone there a very successful year and I look forward to maintaining and increasing my involvement in the University, with staff and students.

Robin Hood Gate

I am appalled at the cavalier attitude of the Royal Parks Agency in the way they are dealing with the re-opening of Robin Hood Gate. I have written again to Lord McIntosh the DCMS Minister responsible for RPA to protest at the RPA�s attitude. I pointed out two years ago that Peter Bretts Associates was a small one-person organisation but RPA persisted with the use of this organisation.

Incidentally I was disappointed that no Wandsworth Councillor opposed the opening of Chohole Gate for a major Golf Centre to be built by the Royal Parks Agency next to the Alton Estate when this came to the London Borough of Wandsworth Planning Committee in August. The Royal Parks Agency appears to have different attitudes to access when the RPA can make money. And the London Borough of Wandsworth needs to be consistent in respecting the views of residents who do not want the new Golf Centre.

Booktrust

Friday 8 October is National Bookstart Day and I will be attending an event at the Children�s museum in East London. I think this is a wonderful initiative and I am very pleased that Gordon Brown extended funding for the scheme in his Comprehensive Spending Review earlier in the year. Bookstart is the national books for babies scheme run by the Booktrust (www.booktrust.org.uk). Bookstart currently provides a bag of baby books to every new baby born in the UK. It has been running for 11 years and Bookstart has been proved to be of long-term developmental benefit. New parents are given a canvas bag containing two top quality baby books, a booklet explaining how and why to share books with young children, a
booklist and an invitation to join the local library by their Health Visitor at the eight month health check. In addition a Bookstart Plus bag for children at 18 months is currently available, and a new My Bookstart Treasure Box for three year olds, is being piloted with great success in SureStart areas. This scheme is available to all children and I hope it continues for many years to come.


Tony Colman MP

For more information about what I've been up to and how to contact me go to my web site www.tonycolman.org.uk

Tony Colman