Subject: News

Bulletin from Greg Hands M.P. #304 Date: Friday, 8 July 2011 16:19:06 United Kingdom Time From: To: Greg Hands M.P. [email protected]

In this edition:

Issue 304 Friday 8 th July 2011

Greg Hands M.P.s Diary Website of the Week: TfL consultation on the future of the District Line Greg Hands submission to the NHS review on the future of the Royal Brompton Hospital Photo news: H&F Borough Youth Forum PM announces public inquiries following hacking scandal Last chance to have your say on the future of the District Line Photo news: US House of Representatives Majority Chief Whip Hon Kevin McCarthy Thames Tunnel Public Meeting in K&C H&F and K&C Councils set Panel to review River Thames super-sewer plan Fulham Library revamp Summer in the City 2011 Fulham crack house closed The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelseas Childrens Forum wins PMs Big Society Award Hands in the papers: M.P.s Column Hands in the papers: The riddle of the missing US Ambassador as London toasts Reagan Centenary How to contact Greg Hands M.P.

Since the last edition, Greg:

Campaigned intensively for better District Line services on the Wimbledon branch of the District Line, at Fulham Broadway, Parsons Green and Putney Bridge tube stations. For more, see article on the TfL consultation below. Made a submission to the NHSs review of childrens heart surgery in support of the Royal Brompton Hospital, Chelsea. To read Gregs submission, see below. Welcomed the trustees of the Brunswick Club for Young People to Parliament for a trustees meeting. Greg has been a trustee of the vital Fulham youth club since 2003. Was guest speaker at an event hosted by the Reform think tank to discuss the role of financial services in promoting the Big Society. Attended the ceremonial unveiling of the new Ronald Reagan statue in Grosvenor Square. Met with Mayor Boris Johnsons housing adviser to discuss issues facing private and social housing in London. Attended the Ronald Reagan centennial banquet at the Guildhall, London. Attended and addressed the Summer meeting of the Harbledown Road Area Residents Association (HRRA), in Fulham. Joined the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon George Osborne, in taking a senior congressional delegation from the United States on a tour of Downing Street. For photo, see below. Greg is PPS (Parliamentary Private Secretary) to the Chancellor. Was taken on a tour of Fullers brewery, Chiswick, and met with senior management to discuss issues facing breweries and pubs. Attended a reception in the Victoria & Albert Museum to mark the start of the Polish Presidency of the European Union. Met representatives of Intellect UK, the body representing the UKs IT industry, to discuss issues facing the industry. Attended a reception of the John Smith Memorial Trust in number 11, Downing Street. Greg is a patron of the charity. Attended a reception of Conservative Way Forward following the Ronald Reagan statue unveiling. Welcomed representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland to Parliament to discuss issues facing the bank and the industry. Addressed a meeting of the Young Britons Foundation about the historical importance of Ronald Reagan, as part of the 100 anniversary celebrations.

Website of the Week:

www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/ projectsandschemes/20357.aspx
The Transport for London consultation on the future of the District Line

Greg Hands submission to the NHS review on the future of the Royal Brompton Hospital
Safe and Sustainable NHS Specialised Services 2nd floor, Southside 105 Victoria Street London SW1E 6QT 1 July 2011 Response to the Safe and Sustainable review Last week, I spoke in the House of Commons during the debate on the Safe and Sustainable review. I would like to repeat some of the points I made on behalf of the Royal Brompton Hospital in my constituency to ensure that they are properly noted within the consultation. The Royal Brompton meets the reviews criteria on both quality and size. In fact, it is one of only two hospitals in the country to have four surgeons handling more than 500 congenital cardiac cases a year. The consultation, however, places an arbitrary cap of two centres on London, which means whichever of the current three London centres are chosen, one of the top four units in the country is to be axed. That flies in the face of the starting point of the reviewthat the emphasis should be on clinical outcomes, not geography. The consultation document itself states that London requires at least 2 centres on page 84, which makes a cap of at most two centres even harder to understand. And when the Royal Brompton meets all the reviews criteria, the failure to include it as part of any of the consultation options seems perverse. The impact of any ending children's cardiac surgery at the Brompton on the other services it provides should also be considered. Here is a link to my speech in full. I am also concerned at what appears to be deliberate misrepresentation on the part of the JCPCT. It has repeatedly claimed that its preferred configuration for London mirrors or is consistent with the Royal Bromptons 2009 proposal for a joint national centre for childrens heart and lung services. That is very different proposition to stripping out childrens cardiac surgery from the Royal Brompton in isolation. The Hospital says it stands by its position that the 2009 proposal would result in a better service, but that proposal is not even considered within the review. In its online response to the House of Commons debate, the JCPCT also claims that: The Royal Brompton Hospital did not provide any detailed evidence of the potential knock-on impact to other services during before [sic] the start of formal consultation. Again, this appears to be deliberately misleading. The Hospital informs me that it made a clear submission to that effect, but that no further information was ever requested by the review during the first and second stages, forcing it to reiterate its concerns. It is difficult to reconcile assurances that the JCPCT is keeping an open mind with its conduct in issuing such statements. Claims of this kind have strengthened my belief that the consultation process to date has been fundamentally flawed. I hope that my concerns will be taken into account, and that child cardiac services at the Brompton will be saved. Yours faithfully,

Greg Hands M.P. Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham

Photo news:

H&F Borough Youth Forum

Greg Hands M.P. with members of the Hammersmith & Fulham Borough Youth Forum.

PM announces public inquiries following hacking scandal

The Prime Minister has initiated two inquiries following this weeks revelations over phone hacking by the News of the World. A judge will lead a public inquiry into the failure of the initial police investigation and the conduct of individual newspapers. There will also be a broader inquiry into the self-regulation of the press. Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Mr Cameron said: I cannot think what was going through the minds of the people who did this. That they could hack into anyones phone is disgraceful. But to hack into the phone of Milly Dowler, a young girl missing from her parents, who was later found to be murdered, is truly despicable. The News of the World has announced that it will cease publication this Sunday. However, the review of press ethics and regulation is also likely to cause the demise of the Press Complaints Commission. In answer to questions, the Prime Minister said that the body had failed and said he wanted to see an entirely new system that is "truly independent of government and press.

Last chance to have your say on the future of the District Line
MOREMORNINGPEAKTIMETRAINS London Underground has announced plans for a new District Line timetable, after a review of demand on the relatively underused Olympia branch. The proposed timetable change will enable London Underground to re-route more trains via the Wimbledon Branch. If the plans get the go ahead, locally passengers would see five extra morning peak time trains on our stretch of the line from December 2011. The proposals will increase frequency on the Wimbledon Branch of the District Line and improve reliability for passengers. Like other regular commuters, I know a better District Line service is vital to residents and the proposed five extra trains on our stretch of the District Line will really help ease overcrowding and improve reliability for passengers. Its crucial we support Transport for Londons (TfLs) proposal to get a better District Line service. YOURHELPISVITALTOGETTHEEXTRATRAINS TfL is currently consulting on this proposal and its really important residents write to TfL to support the changes before Friday 15 th July 2011. You can respond to the consultation online at www.tfl.gov.uk/districtlineconsultation or you can email TfL directly at [email protected] - and feel free to copy me in as well on [email protected]. You can also call TfLs customer services department on 0845 330 9880 (8am-8pm, every day). It is really important that residents have their say and tell TfL just how crucial getting this extra capacity is for our stretch of the line. We need to show TfL how much local commuters support having more morning peak time trains to really enable TfL implement these changes on our stretch of the line, so please do respond to the consultation.

Greg Hands M.P.

Photo news:

US House of Representatives Majority Chief Whip Hon Kevin McCarthy

Greg Hands M.P. with US House of Representatives Majority Chief Whip Hon Kevin McCarthy in Downing Street.

Thames Tunnel Public Meeting in K&C

Last night at a meeting at Chelsea Academy local residents were able to listen to representatives of Thames Water talk about their plans for the Thames Tunnel. There has been an ongoing campaign led by Cremorne ward councillors - Councillors Gerard Hargreaves, Maighread CondonSimmonds and Matthew Neal - and residents groups to prevent Cremorne Gardens being used by Thames Water during the work on the tunnel. Residents at last nights meeting heard that Thames Tunnel and the Royal Borough agree that, subject to further consideration and approval, the Thames Tunnel Works can be facilitated without using Cremorne Gardens. The Royal Borough and Thames Tunnel are currently having productive discussions regarding the detailed design of the scheme which would locate any Thames Tunnel works within the existing waste transfer station. These proposals will be presented at the Phase 2 consultation which will commence in the autumn. Councillor Hargreaves said: I am delighted that local residents had the opportunity to listen to Thames Water tonight. The ward councillors and the residents have been working hard to save Cremorne Gardens and the Council and Thames Water have been in discussions for some time. It is good news that we now seem to have progress on this issue and I look forward to a positive result. I encourage everyone to have their say in the next phase of the Thames Water consultation.

H&F and K&C Councils set Panel to review River Thames super-sewer plan
A panel of experts is to review plans to build a 3.6bn "super-sewer" across London. Thames Water wants to build the sewer from west to east London to stop millions of tonnes of sewage leaking into the River Thames every year. The Thames Tunnel Commission, sponsored by Hammersmith and Fulham Council, will examine whether the 20-mile (32km) tunnel is the best solution. A second phase of consultation on the plan is due to start in the autumn. A 14-week consultation on the proposal ended in January. On Monday, Environment Minister Richard Benyon met Thames Water bosses and representatives from the 14 London councils that would be affected by the sewer. Opponents to the scheme have raised concerns over the impact of construction works on parks and house prices as well as the cost to Londoners. But Thames Water maintains the tunnel is vital to cut pollution which kills fish, damages wildlife and poses a health hazard. Hybrid scheme Lord Selborne, who will lead the team scrutinising the plans, said: "I welcome the opportunity to pose the questions that millions of water bill payers are starting to ask. "The key question is whether this multi-billion pound project is the best solution to making the Thames cleaner or whether there are sensible alternatives that are cheaper, greener and less disruptive." Hammersmith and Fulham Council leader, Stephen Greenhalgh, said: "Doing nothing is not an option, but we need to consider the possibility that there are better alternatives. "It remains my view that an alternative hybrid scheme, involving a shorter tunnel, diversion of run-off rainwater and sustainable drainage as well as improved river water treatment should be revisited as a matter of urgency." Thames Water said alternative options would cost more, be more disruptive and not achieve the required environmental standards. A spokesman said: "We agree that the unacceptable level of sewage discharges to the river must be resolved at minimum cost. "So we welcome the appointment of this commission and we look forward to providing whatever information and assistance Lord Selborne and his colleagues may require." The firm said an updated estimate of the cost of the scheme would be given when the second phase of the public consultation begins in the autumn. If approved, construction on the tunnel would begin in 2013 and be completed by 2020.

Fulham Library revamp

An 80,000 revamp for Fulham Library starts on Monday (July 11)! The new library at Shepherds Bush has proved to be so popular with residents that the council has decided to use that model as a blueprint for improvements at Fulham Library. The Shepherds Bush service is branded as More than a Library because it offers residents a variety of services under one roof. The improvements made at Fulham will include: Buying new books and other stock Introducing comfortable seating areas for reading or study access to e-books Self-service machines to reduce queues and customer waiting time. This will release staff to floor walk around the library, offering more help to customers. Changing the locations of the Childrens and Teenage areas so that services to these two groups of library customers can be developed and enhanced, Introducing uniforms so that staff can be easily identified.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council is also investigating introducing refreshment facilities, Wi-Fi and an X-Box. Shepherds Bush Library opened at Westfield in September 2009 and has been an unparalleled success in a time when across the country library usage is falling. The number of new members registering has soared by 300 per cent and books have flown off the shelves so quickly that the council had to take the unprecedented step of placing an emergency order for 20,000 new titles! Cllr Greg Smith, Cabinet Member for Residents Services, said: Local authorities pumping money into their libraries during these tough financial times is almost unheard of. Many of our counterparts are closing branches but we are increasing spending at Fulham because we realise the importance of reading and libraries in any modern society. The unprecedented success of the new Shepherds Bush Library goes to show just what can be achieved by modernising library services. We are incredibly excited at the prospect of replicating that More than a Library model at Fulham. In order for the improvement work to take place, the council will be closing the existing childrens area for improvement works from Monday July 11 to Friday July 22. Childrens books will be moved to other parts of the library and weekly childrens activities will also continue as normal. Completing the works to this area now will enable the area to reopen in time for the summer holidays. It is likely that the ground floor area of the library will close for at least a week in September to enable the installation of self service, a new customer service desk, new shelving and furniture. The Council recently signed a groundbreaking deal that will see it combine its library services with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council. The agreement will save taxpayers more than 1million a year and ensure all of their 21 public libraries remain safe from closure.

Summer in the City 2011

Summer in the City 2011 offers fantastic and wonderful activities to children and young people. This year Kensington & Chelsea Council have joined up with Hammersmith & Fulham and City of Westminster to bring a wider selection of activities from wherever you live. For more information, pick up a Summer in the City brochure from your schools, local library or leisure centre. It's time for you to get involved, get creative and have fun! So make a date and book your places, its Summer in the City 2011! This years programme covers all sorts of activities encompassing: sports, visual arts, fashion design, survival courses, performing arts, trips, music, and other fun things to do!

A number of these activities provide children and young people the opportunity to obtain nationally recognised awards. All events and activities will be listed on KCcentral. You will also be able to download the brochure and a map of where the activities are taking place around the borough, as well as a booking/consent form.

Fulham crack house closed

A crack house that has been blighting Fulham has been closed following a police raid. Residents had complained to the police and council about antisocial behaviour coming from the council property on Lilyville Road and when the home was raided Class A drug paraphernalia was found. The raid, which took place on June 2, was carried out by officers from the Fulham Town Safer Neighbourhood Team, which is partially funded by the council. A Closure Order was obtained from West London Magistrates Court on July 1 and will be valid for three months. During this time, legal action will be taken by the council to obtain possession of the property. Cllr Greg Smith, Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "This positive result is an example of exactly why we are one of the only councils in the country to pay for extra police officers to patrol our town centres. Drugs ruin lives and we will continue to hound dealers into submission. We will now do everything in our power to take possession of the property and let this be a message that this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable in Hammersmith & Fulham." Sergeant Sean McMahon of Fulham Town Ward SNT said: "After recently joining Fulham Town Safer Neighbourhoods Team it was brought to my immediate attention. I was made aware of the issues surrounding this property, which has caused considerable distress to local residents for a number of years so I'm relieved we have been granted a closure order. Now the property is vacant I'm hoping the local residents will notice a considerable difference. This is yet another example of what can be achieved when agencies work in partnership and are supported by local residents."

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelseas Childrens Forum wins PMs Big Society Award

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelseas Childrens Forum, which offers children the chance to play an active role in developing and improving local services for young people, is the latest winner of the Prime Ministers Big Society Award. It is also the first time a local authority has won a Big Society Award. The Forum currently has 13 young members who have been encouraged to get involved in a number of initiatives from being entrusted with 1000 worth of funding to buy books for the library, helping senior Council officers to develop a new adventure playground in Little Wormwood Scrubs Park, and contributing to the Councils Children and Youth Plan. The childrens input has been a huge success, with young members now being asked to help develop two new play areas for the Borough and representatives from other councils coming to see the results for themselves. The library book purchasing idea will also be replicated in other libraries in the borough. The Prime Minister said: One of the key elements of the Big Society is empowering people to take control of how things are done in their area and shape the world around them. By encouraging their younger residents to get involved in their community, offer up their ideas, take on responsibility and help make real decisions, the Childrens Forum is a great example of a local authority doing just that. Their success is testament to the benefits of doing this. Congratulations to Kensington and Chelsea and all the young people at the Forum who have helped make a real difference to the borough. Councillor Baroness Ritchie, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelseas Cabinet Member for Family and Childrens Services, said: I am delighted the part played by our Childrens Forum in the life of the borough has been recognised by 10 Downing Street. These children have taken the time to get involved in issues ranging from helping library staff select which books we stock, to cleaning up canal towpaths to make them more inviting for people to enjoy. Even at such a young age they are showing that they can make a difference in their community.

Hands in the papers:

M.P.s Column

Greg Hands M.P., Hammersmith & Fulham Chronicle Friday 8 th July 2011 Two important consultations are taking place at the moment, one effecting public services in Fulham, the other in Chelsea. In Fulham, Transport for London is consulting on adding more District Line trains to the Wimbledon Branch. TfL wants to add 5 extra trains a day to Wimbledon. This would come as some relief to long-suffering users of the line, especially at Fulham stations like Parsons Green, Fulham Broadway, Putney Bridge and West Brompton, where trains at rush hour arrive already packed full. For this change to happen, TfL needs to hear from you. You can respond to the consultation online at www.tfl.gov.uk/districtlineconsultation or you can email TfL directly at [email protected], and feel free to copy me in as well on [email protected] You can also call TfLs customer services department on 0845 330 9880 (8am-8pm, every day). In Chelsea, we are just ending an internal consultation on the future of the Royal Brompton Hospital. I spoke about this two weeks ago in the House of Commons. The NHS proposals would end childrens cardiac services at the Brompton, even though the service meets all NHS criteria and is actually independently rated as one of the very best in the UK. I hope that common sense prevails on this one.

Hands in the papers:

The riddle of the missing US Ambassador as London toasts Reagan Centenary

The Evening Standard Tuesday 5 th July 2011 It was one of the most glittering events of the year, attracting some of the greatest names in American and British politics. But as the British roasted lamb and the sunny Californian chardonnay were cleared away, one notable absence was the hottest topic among guests at the Guildhall dinner in honour of Ronald Reagan's centenary. Where was the American ambassador to London, Louis B Susman? He had, it soon transpired, been invited. But despite a guest list that boasted four British Cabinet ministers, ex-Prime Minister, nine US congressmen and a senator and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, there was no sign of President Obama's representative in London. And in a warm atmosphere evoking the closest days of the special Anglo-US relationship of the Eighties, the surprise at Mr Susman's absence turned to annoyance. "Our ambassador should be here," said Lynn de Rothschild, the American entrepreneur who is married to Sir Evelyn de Rothschild and was one of Hillary Clinton's key fundraisers in 2008 as well as a supporter of several Republican presidential candidates. "This was an historic dinner to mark Reagan's centenary and to celebrate him as the man who ended the Cold War. What could not be more important? "Why is our ambassador not here on Independence Day? No excuse. How is it that America is not represented in this room by our ambassador? It is appalling that no representative of our government is in this room. This has the feel of petty partisanship." Where indeed? Mr Susman had been at the unveiling of a statue of Reagan in Grosvenor Square earlier in the day, and had hosted a generous breakfast for the entire VIP visiting party and the military band, so he had certainly not snubbed the grand centenary events. According to the US embassy spokesman: "Ambassador Susman was pleased to be invited to the dinner but was unable to attend." Mr Susman missed some sparkling speeches and anecdotes, announced by trumpet blasts, including Foreign Secretary William Hague recounting a gem from the Royal Wedding: "I told an Arab Ambassador, 'look, a million people are heading for the palace - and we're totally relaxed'." London MP Greg Hands said: "It was a nonpartisan occasion to celebrate a great American and President's 100th birthday." Among the VIPs were John Major, Defence Secretary Liam Fox, who sat next to Ms Rice, Home Secretary Theresa May, Commons leader Sir George Young, former ambassador Robert Tuttle, exCalifornia governor Pete Wilson and the company heads of BP and Visa.

5 ways to contact Greg Hands M.P.:

By Phone: By email: By post: In person: 020 7219 5448 [email protected] Greg Hands M.P. House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Click here for details of how to book an appointment at Greg Hands M.P.s weekly surgery

www.greghands.com

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