Re-elect Jacqui Smith

Diary 11 January 2010

The big news of the last week for all of us – nationally and locally - has been the weather!  On the plus side, it was good to see so many people making good use of their sledges.  As my children and their friends returned from hours of sledging on the Pitcheroak Golf Course, I was grateful for the campaigning of local people to save this piece of green (or white) space for fun rather than selling it off as the Council had proposed!

But I also know that the cold and icy weather is much less fun if you’re worrying about keeping warm or a bit unsteady on your feet.  Vulnerable people, particularly the elderly, must keep warm.  There are two ways that people are getting help this winter – with Winter Fuel payments of £250 or £400 for the over 80s, and many people in our area getting the increased Cold Weather Payments of £25.

The payments are automatic so everyone entitled will get them and should not worry about turning up their heating.

Lots of people have contacted me about clearing paths and gritting.  On the whole, I think the main roads have been kept pretty clear, but I was surprised to hear that Redditch Borough Council were telling people not to clear paths in local centres even where they volunteered to do so.  As businesses or as individuals, if we have the ability and willingness to clear paths, I think we should be encouraged to do it.  It’s part of being in a community and it’s at times like this that we need the community to work together.  Whether it’s checking up on an older neighbour or getting out with a spade or broom to clear a path, well done to those who’ve done their bit!