Category: Wokingham and West Berkshire Issues

            This morning I spoke to the Maiden Erlegh Sixth Form as part of their General Studies. I was assured that Labour and Lib Dem representatives have been invited in to speak at later dates to provide balance.

            I spoke to them about the changing landscape of work, where more jobs will have to come from self employment and small companies, as the total number of  new jobs available in the public sector and UK based large companies declines. I talked of the huge opportunities the internet and other new technology offers, where a student in his bedsit in Harvard University can set up a business which makes him a multi billionaire in his twenties. I reminded them as an example that the pharmaceutical industry, traditionally a big employer of UK scientists, is now wanting the early research work to be carried out by small sub contracting companies.

            There were two main sets of questions. The first were criticisms of Dr Cable’s tuition fee and loan scheme, and the second were questions hostile to Middle Eastern wars.

             I explained the government approach to universities. The aim of the government  scheme is ensure anyone can afford to go to a university, and n o-one has to repay any of the money borrowed unless they have a job with a reasonable salary. It is still a good idea for students keen to use the university experience for their betterment to go, borrowing the money on these sensible terms to do so. The repayment terms have been made easier for people on lower incomes.

            I agreed with the general thrust of the criticisms of too much western military intervention in the Middle East, and explained that I have been arguing for early exit from Afghanistan and no military action in Iran.

          For all too many years I have been trying to persuade people to build a new railway station for Wokingham, and to sort out the traffic chaos at the station roundabout and level crossing.  The Council has been supportive. Many constituents have agreed. First Railtrack, then Network Rail damned my proposals with faint praise. They never ruled  them out, but they never got round to finalising plans themselves. As the main landowner and the station owner, that was something of an impediment to progress.

            I have  held various informal and formal meetings with Ministers and Shadow Ministers over the years, with the Council and with the rail industry to try to find a way through. I sketched plans which were self financing in the good days for property development and private finance. Still there were delays and obstacles.

            I was therefore delighted this week to hear from the Network Rail management that they are going to let contracts to build a new station this month. They aim to complete the works by March 2013. The plans look good, and the new station will represent a huge improvement on what we have today. I am now concentrating my attention on the road links and railway crossings, as we need to sort them out as well.

Today I spoke to a well attended Thames Valley business lunch in Reading. I explained the good prospects for business in Asian and Latin American markets, and the opportunities that the internet presents to establish new businesses and to remodel older ones.

I also took them briefly through the growing tragedy of the Euro and recommended they turn to www.johnredwood.com for the full story. I would like to thank the Chairman of the lunch, Donald Macdonald, for the arrangements.

Over fish pie, beef pasta,pork with rice and a vegetarian flan, Wokingham Conservatives talked of how we can restore our democracy as it falls within the growing grasp of the EU.

Hilary Pollock produced a great menu with choices for the hungry campaigners on Saturday evening. As we got to gips with apple and blackberry crumble, or apricot pie or chocolate roulade, there was general agreement that we need a new relationship with the EU.

Now France and Germany are pressing so hard to complete a policical union, members supported the Prime Minister in saying “No” to the UK being governed from Brussels in the same way, and in saying the institutions of the EU should not be used to achieve the closer union of the 17 members of the Euro.

There was general support for Andrea Leadsom MP’s call for an incoming new government after a General Election to be able to repeal EU legislation in the UK which that government does not think is good for our country. There was general agreement that we need powers back, and a new relationship that restores democratic freedoms lost through the past government’s signature on the Nice, Amsterdam and Lisbon Treaties.

On Monday after surgery I went to Tesco to visit the Giving Tree, and to provide a gift. Once again this initiative has been successful, with many local people buying gifts to put near the tree to make sure children will all have something to open this Christmas. I would like to thank all involved with setting it up and carrying it through to success.

On Monday morning I called in at the Brodd Street office to meet the postal staff sorting the mail ready for their morning rounds. I thanked them on behalf of the local community for handling all the mail, and wished them all a Happy Christmas.

The trend to more packets continues, with more and more people making purchases via the internet. The Royal Mail is responding by using more vans to take out the deliveries, to help handle the extra weight and bulk.

Wokingham is in good voice this festive season.

Last weekend I went to the Loddon Valley concert, given by the Maestros youth orchestra and the massed primary schools choirs. James Baker led it well, getting a strong sound from the singers, and a great performance from the instrumentalists. One of the highlights of Christmas is always the Maestros Sleigh Ride, with especially energetic percussion to carry us on that great imaginary journey through the snow. Dressed in dinner jackets and evening wear with plenty of tinsel and flashing lights, the Maestros know how to put on a show. A group of recorder players had their own solo which gave some live concert experience to younger musicians. It was a magic evening, with an attendance of around 1000 people.

On friday I joined the Mayor and Councillors at the Shute End Christmas event. The Maestros were on good form again, dressed down in their logo sweat shirts. This afternoon I heard the Trinity band deliver their Christmas matinee for children, as part of the celebrations of their tenth year. They catered well for the very young ones in the audience, letting them join in at the end with bells and tambourines. The sweet distribution was also popular. They performed a great medley of Christmas music, with help from Caversham Park Juniors choir.

I would like to say a big thank you to all the local choirs, bands and orchestras who do so much to entertain us and keep the seasonal traditions going.

I also fitted in a trip to Magdalen College Oxford to hear their superb professional choir. Their trained voices lifted spirits and filled the chapel and antechapel. The descants soared and the high notes thrilled. It was reminder of what excellence sounds like, a tribute to hard work and high standards, in the evocative setting of a medieval chapel by candlelight.

The Autumn Statement confirmed that the Reading Station improvements will be completed a year early by 2015. By the following year there will electric train services to Oxford, Newbury and Bristol.

The Coalition government has announced a plan to expand capacity on the M3 in Surrey which serves people to the south of the Wokingham district, through a “managed motorway” scheme which includes hard shoulder running.

I have been pressing for more road and rail capacity into and out of the Thames Valley area, as overcrowding and congestion is a problem.

    I met representatives of the local NHS management today to hear how they are getting on with the changes planned for the local NHS. They reported that all was going well.

I asked that as the service is reorganised, could they put the interests of patients first? There have been disturbing national stories of poor treatment, especially for elderly patients. It is important that local NHS hospitals continue to  deliver  and maintain high standards of care. Patients should feel welcome on arrival, be dealt with promptly, and once in hospital have food, drink and comfort taken care of.

I was told there may need to be some changes to what is offered where. There are no plans for changes to the Royal Berks, but they are consulting concerning Heatherwood. There are as yet no firm plans for change.

I attended the Wokingham Councillors’ surgery on Saturday morning in the Town Hall.

I stayed with the 7 Councillors for two hours. Very few people came to meet us.

I find it is best to have surgery appointments arranged through the Wokingham office on 01189 629501 at a time  convenient for the constituent. It can also speed things up if a constituent with a query sends an email with the details or drops the papers off at 30 Rose Street.

You can also get in touch with  your Councillors through the Council websites and contact details shown there.