August 2009
Harriett Baldwin welcomes news that local councils have called for a delay in mass housing plans
Harriett Baldwin has welcomed news that the three South Worcestershire councils have asked the Government Office of the West Midlands for permission to extend the SWJCS process by six months.
Harriett Baldwin said, “I welcome this delay request, which I understand in necessary as the councils do not yet have all the technical information they need.
A Conservative government will abolish the whole top-down imposition of excessive housing numbers by ending the Regional Spatial Strategy. Therefore I also welcome this extension because it will take the process past the last possible date for a General Election. In this way, South Worcestershire’s voters will be able to express their opinion about how to approach housing provision. We need a General Election as soon as possible.”
"In my meetings with councillors in Malvern Hills and Wychavon, I have urged them to explore all legal means to stall and resist pressure from the government who want to impose at least 24,500 homes on South Worcestershire. Peter Luff MP and I have been conveying the message about Conservative housing plans to our council leaders. I invited Party Chairman Eric Pickles and Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps to Worcestershire to emphasise the message that a Conservative government would abolish the regional spatial strategy."
Calls for Honest Food Labelling at the Tenbury Show
 The Conservative Rural Action team took a stand in favour of Honest Food Labelling at Saturday’s Tenbury Agricultural Show.
When you buy a 'British' pork pie, you probably assume that the pork comes from Britain. In fact, meat from abroad can be imported into Britain to be processed into bacon, sausages and pies which can then be labelled to suggest they are British.
Harriett Baldwin, who helped on the stand said, “I think this is dishonest. People have a right to know where their food comes from. Meat labelled 'British' should be born and bred in Britain, raised to our high welfare standards. Judging by the response to our campaign at the Tenbury Show, local people feel the same as I do about Honest Food Labelling.”
Consumers should be free to choose food from any country, but real choice requires real information. So the Conservative Rural Action Group is demanding honest 'country of origin' labelling to restore trust and allow people to choose British food with confidence.
Conservative's Honest Food Labelling Campaign | click here
Futurecountryside | click here
Worcestershire County Council pledges to support Kempsey Flood Defence Scheme
 Worcestershire County Council has given an initial indication of financial support for the Kempsey Flood Defence Scheme which will be considered for a second time by the Regional Flood Defence Committee in September.
In a meeting at County Hall with Croome Division Cllr Bob Bullock; Cllr John Smith (who has represented Worcestershire, Shropshire, Telford and the Wrekin on the Regional Flood Defence Committee) and Cllr Adrian Hardman, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Cathy Garner, co-chair of Kempsey FLAG asked for at least £100,000 of financial support from the County Council.
The request to the County Council for funding was based on the strategic importance of the A38 within the County. The main road passes through Kempsey and is not only an important route for traffic in its own right, but is also an alternative route when the M5 is closed. The Fire Authority and the Police Authority have both written in support of the scheme, stating the importance of keeping the A road open as an emergency access route.
Harriett Baldwin, who organised the meeting said, “Kempsey FLAG has done an exemplary job in involving the community in Kempsey in fund-raising and gaining support from a wide range of organisations. I am delighted that the County Council is also willing to contribute to the scheme. I have also written to the Chief Executive of Severn Trent who has also indicated a willingness to help because of the location of the sewage treatment plant in Kempsey. I have also had discussions with Malvern Hills District Council who are providing support in kind.”
Best wishes,
Harriett Baldwin
Harriett Baldwin on the web
www.harriettbaldwin.com
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