Letter from Parliament - Paul Rowen MP

Date published: 16/04/2008

Parliament has been in recess for the last couple of weeks which has given me an opportunity to get out and see various projects and people around Rochdale.

Last Monday I met up with Dennis Skelton and staff from Petrus to look at the various projects they are running. I was also able to present certificates to two Petrus residents who had participated in the film about Petrus that was launched at the Odeon last year. The film is a very moving account of people’s experiences of homelessness. I’m very proud that we have locally-based organisations like Petrus able to help people in crisis.

On Tuesday, Jim Dobbin and I attended a briefing by Chief Superintendent Peter Mason and his team at Rochdale Police Station. He gave a run down on the new community beat structure which puts Constables and PCSOs permanently in different areas. This is a vast improvement in my opinion. However, perhaps the most startling fact they told us was that outside of the City Centre - Rochdale was the busiest division in GMP.

Police numbers are currently allocated on population not crime statistics which gives Bolton for example 114 officers more than Rochdale. I will certainly be taking this up with the Home Secretary when Parliament returns. I know that the police are impressed with the fact the Council are supporting them and finding the money to put extra police on our streets – it’s clear though that more are needed.

It is difficult when a company announces that it intends to close and relocate particularly when staff have worked there for many years. A visit to the Boots Warehouse on Dane Street however showed me that at least some companies have a social conscience. I met staff from the company at Hopwood Hall, they are providing training opportunities for workers that face redundancy next year. Taking to some of the workers I was able to reassure them that there would be jobs available on Kingsway next year.

My office has also been talking to a journalist from GMTV who is doing a piece on Falinge. After the national notoriety given by some sections of the media, I wanted them to meet people who genuinely wanted to work. After 11 years of a Labour government, with eight of them with a Labour MP it is not acceptable in my view for Labour Government spokespersons to run our town down when they have done very little to help.

On Friday, I attended the memorial service for Michael Todd at Manchester Cathedral which was a very moving occasion.

Afterwards I had a meeting with Robin Lonsdale, the Headteacher of Falinge High. This was to discuss the school forming a link with a school in Sylhet, Bangladesh. I was delighted to hear about the schools very successful Ofsted. Well done to al the staff and students.

On Saturday I attended the AGM of the Friends of Smithybridge Library with Councillors Peter Evans and Rosemary Jones. The library goes from strength to strength and is now talking about expansion. A far cry from a few years ago when the then Labour Council threatened to close it!

This week, I’ve been involved in interviews for a new Headteacher for St. Cuthberts as well as attending the finale of the Festival of Music and Speech at the Gracie Fields Theatre. Our young people are a credit to their schools and families and it is a real joy to be able to see them perform.

I’m delighted also that our Football Club look like they are certain to make the play-offs in their Centenary Year. What a credit to Keith Hill and the all players and staff at the club. I am proud to have sponsored the club with an advertising hoarding for the last 3 years. I fully back the campaign to get more supporters attending. I do hope the Tory Councillor who scoffed that they were famous for nothing but their meat pies now eats them (or his words!).

Parliament is back on Monday and I’m involved in the remaining stages of the Pensions Bill – my fourth bill in twelve months!