On Saturday night I attended an exciting concert given by the Beenham Wind Orchestra.
They gave a spirited performance of a delighfully varied programme, including Ravel’s Pavanne pour une infant defunte and Rossini’s Tarantella.
One of the highlights of the evening was a virtuoso solo performance on saxophone by Victoria Benjamin of Pequena Czarda.
The Orchestra filled the Church with wonderful sound, making it a memorable evening. I would like to thank all involved.
I visited the Henry Street Garden Centre today to see the exhibition of possible routes for the Arborfield bypass.
This is an issue which will be decided by Wokingham Borough Council, thought numerous constituents have written to me about it. I urge all those who have not done so to complete the Consultation document and put it in the freepost or leave it at Henry Street with their view. The Council will evaluate all the replies before making a decision.
Many in the village agree with the Council that a bypass would be a good idea. The village street is now heavily used by traffic, including large vehicles that do not wish to stop and are intrusive to those who live and shop in the centre.
The Council is consulting on four different routes. Their preferred route, Route A, is the cheapest and shortest.It would take traffic close to village properties, and is the least popular with the constituents who have written to me about the proposals.
Both Option B and D, sensibly priced proposals, take the traffic further away from the village and have their supporters.
Option C is considerably dearer, requires the construction of the Nine Mile Ride extension as well, and does not score highly for diverting traffic onto it. It seems unlikely to be adopted.
The Council’s own provisional evaluation rates Option B higher than Option D on diverting traffic, and better environmentally. If the replies I have received are representative this is likely to be preferred by people responding, in preference to the Council’s Option A. Although the Council scores Option A more highly overall, it does affect more properties adversely which does not seem to be taken into account sufficiently in the Council’s evaluation so far.
I am passing on the overall response I have received to the Council to help them with their judgement as part of their consultation.
John Redwood visited the EADS (The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) stand at the Conservative conference to discuss aviation policy developments. They provided his mock up photo of the visit.
Today I visited the College. I held discussions with the Principal and his Deputy responsible for teaching and quality.
I wanted to see how the College could help educate local young people to take advantage of the many jobs in construction likely to materialise as the Wokingham Town Centre redevelopment takes place, and as the rate of new housebuilding picks up.
I also saw students training to be plumbers, carpenters and car mechanics, and talked to them about their courses and aspirations.
Mr Redwood participating in the game against Lashings All Stars in Maidenhead on Sunday 1 September 2013.
John Redwood, the winning Captain, receives the trophy for the annual Wokingham verses Reading East Conservatives cricket challenge 2013.
On Sunday 4th August I attended a very enjoyable drinks and buffet lunch party organised by the Wokingham, Lunch Club. I was asked questions about fracking, the UK’s relationship with the EU, energy prices and immigration. I gave answers that would be familiar to readers of this blog. I would like top thank the organisers for laying on such a delightful event, which could be outside thanks to the continuing good weather.
On Saturday 3 August I went to the Battle Proms at Highclere, with a group of local Consevatives. It was good to see so many people there, with many wanting to contribute to the Combat Stress charity.
The afternoon and evening passed quickly. The Blades aerobatic display team amazed us with their daring passes against a strongly sunlit sky. The Spitfire pulled heart strings as it looped overhead. The Napoleonic cavalary and infantry revived a long ago era, whilst the stirring 1812 overture accompanied by guns was memorable and dramatic. The music programme was well judged, with plenty to sing along to.
Well done to all who performed and organised such a big event. It was also a pleasure that the rain held off.
The Taxpayers Alliance has published an interesting study of Stamp Duty on homes. It brought more than £4,000 million to the Treasury last year. More than one quarter of all homebuyers now have to pay £7500 or more in tax just to buy a home. There was good reporting of this tax on moving and the impact it is having, especially in London and the south east.
The figures they published are most interesting. Almost half of the Stamp Duty collected comes from the London boroughs. As you might expect, people in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and Wandsworth are the dominant payers.
Wokingham and West Berkshire accounts for almost 1% of the total. More and more of my constituents have to pay the 3% or even 4% given the level of home prices. I think at the very least the government should only charge the higher rate on the sum above the threshold for that rate, not on the whole transaction price.
The other places which pay substantial Stamp Duty include Guildford, Windsor, Cornwall, Oxford, New Forest and St Albans.
I signed a letter to the Prime Minister before the recess seeking reassurance that the UK is not about to arm the rebels in Syria. I know some constituents share my concern about this.
The PM has now replied :
“We are committed to achieiving a political solution and acting to save lives in Syria. I can assure you no decision has been taken by the UK government on arming the oppositon. As the Foreign Secretary outlines in his statement to the House on 10 July, if such a decison is taken, it would be put to the House on a substantive motion.”