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25 January 2013 17:08

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In this edition:
Greg Hands M.P.s Diary Website of the Week: The Manuka Kitchen Hands in the papers: Constituency Matters column Photo news: Kensington & Chelsea Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lunch Europe: you decide Low Tax Borough Delights H&F Residents K&C is top of the class for GCSEs Agreement signed to include local estates in plans for Earls Court Policing and Crime Local Consultation Events News from Greg Handss Weekly Surgery How to contact Greg Hands M.P.

Issue 359 Friday 25th January 2013

Since the last edition, Greg:

Welcomed further falls in local unemployment in Chelsea & Fulham. Unemployment is down 8% in the last year, and fell further in December. Liaised with MOPAC (Mayors Office for Policing and Crime) to discuss details of forthcoming police consultation meetings in Hammersmith & Fulham and in Kensington & Chelsea. For more details on these meetings, see below. Welcomed the Slovak ambassador to the House of Commons to discuss forthcoming UK celebrations of the 20 years of Slovakia as an independent state. Had a full schedule of activity as a Government Whip in and around the chamber of the House of Commons, including ministerial meetings and organising votes and standing committees. Conducted a surgery for local Chelsea and Fulham residents at Fulham Methodist Church. Gregs surgeries are generally weekly, and held weekly, at either Fulham Methodist Church, Fulham Broadway, or Peter Jones, Sloane Square. To make an appointment, email mail@greghands.com or telephone 020 7219 5448.

Website of the Week:

www.manukakitchen.co.uk
The website of new Fulham restaurant, the Manuka Kitchen, on Fulham Road, opposite the Royal Mail delivery office. Last week, Greg attended their official opening party.

Hands in the papers:

Constituency Matters column

Greg Hands M.P., Hammersmith & Fulham Chronicle Friday 25th January 2013 Last week, I attended the opening of a new restaurant on Fulham Broadway, the Manuka Kitchen. After some years of restaurant and pub closures throughout both Fulham and Chelsea during the recession of 2008-2009, this was actually the second new restaurant opening I had been to in just a few weeks. The other one, the Lazy Fox, on Farm Lane, is also an excellent addition to the local scene. I think there is something bigger going on here, namely the slow but steady economic recovery from the years of spending excess under Gordon Brown and the last Labour Government. I have lived at the same address in Fulham the last 20 years, and I can see the local economy picking up. The estate agent magazines, pizza leaflets and taxi cards are coming back through the door. Not everyone likes this so-called junk mail, but I see it is a good indicator of local economic activity. Similarly, estate agent offices have customers in them again. Local bank branches are looking to lend again. The District Line is packed out again each and every rush hour. The economic recovery will remain choppy, but in Fulham and Chelsea I see many signs of significant improvement. Finally, official data shows local unemployment to be coming down, and that is one of the most important economic indicators of all.

Photo news:

Kensington & Chelsea Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lunch

Greg Hands M.P. addressing the Kensington and Chelsea Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lunch 2012.
Photo courtesy of Camilo Queipo of Studio 1 Park Royal (www.studio1parkroyal).

Europe: you decide

Greg Hands M.P. is backing the Prime Ministers commitment to change the basis of Britains EU membership, followed by an in-out referendum. The next Conservative Manifesto will commit the Government to negotiating a new settlement in Europe. With the ongoing Eurozone crisis, the European Union will need to change, and the UK is poised to take a leading role in the debate. David Cameron will argue for a new settlement in Europe, focused on competitiveness, fairness, respect for national democracies, and allowing powers to flow back to states. He stressed the importance of the single market, but also the need for fresh consent from the public after too many years in which their view has been ignored. A referendum will give people a clear choice: to stay in the EU on the new terms or to leave. The negotiation of the new settlement will take place within the first half of the next Parliament and the referendum will be held by 2018 at the latest. The Prime Minister said: People feel that the EU is heading in a direction that they never signed up to. They resent the interference in our national life by what they see as unnecessary rules and regulation. And they wonder what the point of it all is. It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time to settle this European question in British politics. With courage and conviction I believe we can achieve a new settlement in which Britain can be comfortable and all our countries can thrive. Commenting, Greg Hands M.P. said: This is great news. Already, weve passed a law that prevents more powers being handed over without a vote. This is the next step. The choice at the next election is now clear. Having given our powers away, Labour wont try to get them back, and they dont trust the public enough to have an in-out referendum. The LibDems are no better and UKIP cant win. Only the Conservatives will give you your say. Click here to read the Prime Minister's speech.

Low Tax Borough Delights H&F Residents

Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council has been inundated with words of praise from residents after it announced plans to once again cut council tax. The comments come as H&F has declared itself Britain's low tax borough after revealing last week that it intends to cut tax for the sixth year out of seven. This years proposed 3% reduction will mean that, if approved at a budget meeting next month, residents will have saved a cumulative total of 667 on their council tax bills since 2007. In comparison, during the same period, the cumulative, year-on-year cost of gas, electricity, petrol and food has risen by almost 5,000. This latest cut equates to a 17% reduction in council tax in H&F since 2007. It will see H&F taxpayers paying the third lowest council tax in Britain, while resident satisfaction with services is close to being at an all-time high. The council has received numerous messages of appreciation. Commenting on the councils website, Andrew said: The council is to be commended on having the drive and discipline to deliver this for the residents. I have noticed how well maintained the parks are and how the refuse collectors go that extra yard. Paintersball1980, said: Freezes and cuts are so very appreciated when I've had no pay rise and everything else seems to keep going up! Good work H&F! Thank you. Will M added: This continued year-on-year reduction in council tax is to be highly commended, and thanks should go to what must be an efficient and well managed council structure. The borough remains safe, clean and the envy of many other London boroughs. Cllr Nicholas Botterill, H&F Council Leader, said: I am delighted that residents have reacted in such a positive fashion to our proposals to cut tax again. As the low tax borough we are determined to ease the burden on our residents during these tough economic times. While other councils around the country are increasing council tax and reducing services, we are showing that by pursuing a relentless private sector ethos, it is possible to have the best of both worlds. Residents are supporting our tax-cutting exploits in their droves and noticing the extra cash in their pockets. Greg Hands M.P. said: I am delighted to represent the two Boroughs with the 3rd lowest Council tax in Britain (Hammersmith & Fulham) and the 4th lowest Council tax in Britain (Kensington & Chelsea). Thanks to their Conservative Councils, local residents are getting high quality services at a very reasonable price. From April 2013, the average band D council tax bill in H&F is set to fall by 23.44 - from 781.34 to 757.90. You can have your say on the councils budget proposals for 2013/14 at a series of select committee meeting or by visiting www.lbhf.gov.uk/budget2013. Read how the latest council tax cut was made possible here.

K&C is top of the class for GCSEs

Pupils at schools in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea are top in the country when it comes to their performance in GCSE exams according to the Key Stage 4 performance tables released by the Department for Education yesterday (Thursday 24 January). In total 80 per cent of pupils in the borough's schools achieved five or more A* to C (including English and mathematics) GCSEs. The national average for maintained schools is 59 per cent. Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, Cabinet Member for Family and Children's Services, said: "I am very proud of the standard of education the borough's schools provide. Our position in these national tables reflects a tremendous amount of hard work by teachers and pupils."

Agreement signed to include local estates in plans for Earls Court

An agreement which paves the way for 1billion worth of community benefits in North Fulham and Earls Court has been signed, potentially bringing thousands of new jobs and homes to the area. Hammersmith & Fulham Council (H&F) and developer EC Properties on Wednesday 23rd January 2013 signed a Conditional Land Sale Agreement to include West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates in the wider development of the area. H&F Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea have already approved a proposal for outline planning consent to redevelop the area around the Earls Court Exhibition Centres to build 7,583 new homes, including 760 replacement council homes available to people living on the estates. The redevelopment is based on a master-plan by world renowned architect Sir Terry Farrell to create four villages connected by a high street, with new transport links, shops, a school, a health hub, community centre, parkland and leisure facilities. The Earls Court landowners, H&F Council and Capco, are committed to the regeneration of the Earls Court Opportunity Area in line with the master-plan. It is the firm intention of the two landowners to proceed with this landmark regeneration, creating 9,500 permanent new jobs and around 36,000 temporary construction jobs. Neither of the two landowners believes that the inclusion of a football stadium in the scheme would offer the regeneration benefits of the existing master plan. Cllr Nicholas Botterill, Leader of H&F Council, said: We believe that the residents living on the estates have negotiated the best deal of any regeneration scheme in the country. They will only have to move when their new home is ready to be occupied. That new home will be the same area as they are already living in. People will be compensated and we will keep support groups and neighbours together. Residents, their current and future children will be living in an even better, safer neighbourhood environment with access to new leisure and community facilities. Most of all local people will benefit from the thousands of new job opportunities that will be created. London needs economic growth and that growth will provide fresh opportunity for people living in North Fulham, their children and future generations of people. A detailed planning application to build 808 homes at Seagrave Road has already been approved by H&F Council. Approximately 200 of these homes are due to be used in the first phasing plan. People would be moved in defined blocks designed to minimise disruption, keep neighbours together and ensure that people only have to move once. Residents living on the estates have created their own steering group and have drawn up their own legally binding contracts to protect their interests. These promise that council tenants and resident owners will be offered compensation and a brand new replacement home in the redevelopment. Residents would only have to move once when their new home is ready, while neighbours would be moved with neighbours. The size of new homes would be comparable to existing properties on the estate, while the one in ten households who are currently overcrowded would have bigger homes. All council tenants who need to downsize would be given a property with one additional bedroom more than they need. The signing of a Conditional Land Sale Agreement (CLSA) follows an extensive consultation on the estate and wider area which revealed that the majority of the people in the wider area are in favour, while amongst council tenants themselves, 18% supported the scheme; 35% opposed but 45% failed to offer an opinion, and 2% were undecided. The terms of the CLSA state: All homes on the estate would be replaced within the redevelopment area. People would only have to move when their new home is ready to be occupied. People who are currently overcrowded on the estate would be offered a home with more bedrooms. People who are underoccupying would be offered a new home with one additional bedroom above their need. Secure council tenants would remain secure tenants, with rents remaining in line with the rest of the councils housing stock, and receive 4,700 compensation per household, plus new white goods, carpets and curtains. All reasonable fees will be paid and a dedicated re-housing officer will help every step of the way. Resident leaseholders and freeholders would receive the market value of their home, to be independently assessed, and an extra 10% of that amount in compensation up to a cap of 47,000. They would be offered a 10% early purchase discount on the value of a new home should they wish to buy-back into the redevelopment. They would not be expected to increase their mortgage costs to do this. Leaseholder service charges would be capped for five years and then controlled by the council after that point. Tenant service charges will remain in the control of the council and only cover the services actually received.

H&F Council will eventually receive approximately 105million, an estimated 54million of which, after compensation and costs, would be available to be reinvested back in the borough. The council will also receive 760 replacement homes for people currently living on the estates. Taken together independent financial advice received by the council says the CLSA is worth 222million to 291million as a whole before costs. The potential redevelopment area includes the Lillie Bridge transport depot which is owned by Transport for London, which also owns the freehold to Earls Court Exhibition Centres. Gary Yardley, Investment Director at EC Properties, said: "The Earls Court project now has great momentum. Following the receipt of planning consent from RBKC on the 20 November, we are pleased to have entered into the CLSA with LBHF marking another important step in the ongoing process to create Sir Terry Farrell's vision for the Opportunity Area. We look forward to working with the local community and delivering the Earls Court Masterplan which will create 7,500 new homes and thousands of new jobs in the area." What happens next? Hammersmith & Fulham Council will make an application to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for consent for the transfer of the estates to EC Properties. This is likely to be considered in March. When the Section 106 agreement with the developer is firmed up, the Planning Authority will refer the planning application to the Mayor of London, while the Secretary of State also has the discretion to call it in.

Policing and Crime Local Consultation Events

The Mayors Officer for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) will be leading a consultation events on 31st January in Kensington and Chelsea and 5th February in Hammersmith & Fulham to talk about the Mayor's plans for policing in London. Your views will be used to help shape the Mayor's Police and Crime Plan, due to be published in April 2013, which will set out how we aim to reduce crime in the capital over the next four years and what the Met Police and other agencies are doing to tackle crime. The Kensington & Chelsea event is on 31st January 2013 at 8pm, at Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Road, Kensington and Chelsea, London, SW3 5EE. The Hammersmith & Fulham event is on 5th February 2013 at 6pm at Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, London W6 9JU. Greg Hands M.P. said I am hoping to attend the event in Kensington & Chelsea to hear feedback from the public on Boriss proposals to get more police out of police stations and out on to the street. I wont be able to attend the event in Hammersmith & Fulham, due to a vote in the House of Commons taking place at the same time.

News from Greg Handss Weekly Surgery

On Monday Greg Hands met with ten constituents at his weekly constituency surgery, held at Fulham Methodist Church. Various issues were discussed from difficulties with HM Revenue & Customs to maintenance in social housing. One constituent pressed Greg to ensure that red tape was cut and that companies could export more easily with emerging economies in the Far East. Greg has written to the relevant minister and urged him to assess whether export licences were being delivered quickly and efficiently enough, to aid British companies in their bid for foreign market share. A regular complaint at surgeries and in Gregs postbag is the number of night flights over the constituency. This week the Government has launched its consultation on its new policy and Greg encourages all residents to voice their opinion. To take part in the Department of Transports consultation follow this link: Night Flights Consultation. If constituents believe their Member of Parliament can assist with their problem Greg is keen to hear from them. Greg said: I hold my surgeries almost every week of the year and I aim to solve the problem, or at least get my constituents an answer. To make an appointment contact me on mail@greghands.com or call 0207 219 5448.

5 ways to contact Greg Hands M.P.:

By Phone: By email: By post: In person: 020 7219 5448 mail@greghands.com 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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