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Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, slams Stevenage Borough Council for launching a planning framework, which could destroy any future town centre regeneration.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "I am shocked and disgusted at these ridiculous proposals, which have wasted time and a fortune in local taxpayers money. This nonsense could destroy any future town centre regeneration once and for all by further restricting a Developers flexibility to bring forward a truly radical scheme. Adding Network Rail into the mix is adding twenty years of negotiations that no developer will agree to take part in.

"The framework is not a regeneration plan, it is not an investment vehicle, it has not been costed, it has no access to funding and does not have my support. In fact, it is a barrier to any future regeneration of the town centre and will need to be torn up before we can get any developers or banks to take us seriously as a project.

"It is clear to local people that for over thirty years Stevenage Borough Council have launched several regeneration plans and failed to deliver any of them. I called on the Government last year to step in and establish a new Stevenage Development Corporation to undertake the radical regeneration our town centre needs. This has to be established under energetic and independent leadership.

“It would have its own planning powers and ability to compulsory purchase the property needed. Many people will have positive memories of the old development corporation and some will not, but this is the only way we will get our town centre regenerated.

"The offer is there, if Stevenage Borough Council can give up their addiction to over £3.5 million in car parking charges, which acts as another barrier to any future regeneration.

"Backed by hundreds of millions of pounds of Government and Investors funds, a new Stevenage Development Corporation would launch an international architects competition to design and deliver a completely new town centre to take us into the 21st century."

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Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, is a big supporter of Mencap's Hear My Voice campaign. He spoke earlier this year at an event organised by a local group for adults with learning disabilities and answered questions on government and the voting system. Stephen had the opportunity to continue that support in Westminster with an event hosted by Mencap, as part of Learning Disability Week, and met local resident Harry Roche.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "I was impressed by the local Hear My Voice event which was developed and led by the members of the group and enjoyed the question and answer session. People with a learning disability and their families are an integral part of our local community, and I will continue to help make sure their voices are heard."

The Hear My Voice event in Stevenage was held at North Hertfordshire College's Stevenage campus as part of a monthly programme of activities for adults with learning disabilities. They are led by Hayley Goodwin, who works locally as an Occupational Therapist. Hear My Voice is a national campaign by Mencap to seek greater accessibility to government and involvement in the issues that matter to people with a learning disability. Approximately 1.4m people with a learning disability are living in the UK.

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Residents at Hanover Close celebrated 50 years since their homes were built, along with Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage. They were joined by residents from other Stevenage Hanover estates, Mozart Court and Pollard Gardens.

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, said, "It was a pleasure to meet the residents and see the wonderful homes provided by Hanover on the 50th Birthday of this facility. It is clear both the Housing Association and the residents have a great pride in where they live and it makes all the difference."

Nick Sedgwick, Retirement and Property Director for Hanover, was also at the event and commented, "Fifty years after completing Hanover Close in Stevenage we now manage over 19,000 properties throughout the country, including the pioneering Extra Care housing and Downsizer Homes concepts. It is great to see how the first Hanover estate has withstood the test of time and continues to offer generations of older people the high quality properties and services they need, value and desire."

Built in 1965, Hanover Close, in Turpin’s Rise in Stevenage, consists of 18 one-bedroom flats and three bungalows, and is managed by housing provider Hanover Housing who aim to build innovative housing developments which enable older people to lead healthy and independent lifestyles.

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Stevenage Member of Parliament, Stephen McPartland came to meet the team at Elecro who manufacture heating equipment and a range of other products for swimming pools. Stephen is nominating Elecro for the UKTI's Exported by Britain campaign, which celebrates the best of British manufacturing and export.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "I was very impressed by the products, staff, ambition and enthusiasm of the team at Elecro. They are an incredibly innovative company and already export all over the world. Elecro are a fantastic example of a Great British company that is the leading the world in their industry and I am proud their home is here in Stevenage."

Elecro invited Mr McPartland to get a better understanding of their export achievements. All departments were involved in order to give the Elecro experience from start to finish.

Elecro has grown from a small family-run business to now occupy larger premises in Stevenage, while the export side of the business has risen over 170% in the last 5 years, and now boasts 84% of turnover. The firm is utilising efficient manufacturing techniques and is expanding its product range with some exciting developments and innovations in the pipeline.

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Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, is working with Royal Mail to encourage dogs owners to play their part in reducing the number of attacks on their staff.

Stephen McPartland MP said, “With 19 attacks recorded across the Stevenage constituency from April 2014 to April 2015 on postmen and women I am pleased to support Royal Mail’s Dog Awareness Week. Dog attacks are a significant issue faced by postmen and women, members of the public and indeed by myself and my volunteers when out leafleting. Royal Mail, CWU, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and the police are doing a fantastic job promoting responsible dog ownership and I fully support this important campaign.”

Dog Awareness Week forms part of Royal Mail’s wider campaign to reduce the number of dog attacks on postal workers and others carrying out their jobs and to encourage responsible dog ownership and is also supported by the Communication Workers Union and a wide range of organisations and animal charities including Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the National Dog Wardens Association, Dogs Trust, PDSA, Blue Cross, and National Police Chief’s Council.

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Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, attended the Chancellor's Budget today in Parliament and said, "The atmosphere was electric with the opposition parties very downcast, as they absorbed the Chancellor's shock announcement of a new living wage.

"This is an incredible step forward in attempting to tackle centuries of low pay and end the poverty trap of a welfare system that encouraged people not to work. Britain is home to 1% of the world’s population; generates 4% of the world’s income; and yet pays out 7% of all the welfare spending, which traps people instead of supporting them. We need a welfare system that works and supports the most vulnerable, not trap them into poverty.

"Ending Labour's war on the motorist with the establishment of a new Roads fund and freezing Fuel Duty, with freezes in VAT, National Insurance and Income Tax will be a boost to family finances. Increasing the threshold to £11,000 next year before income tax is paid will mean 29 million families will be paying less tax and be almost a £1,000 a year better off since 2010.

"The introduction of 30 hours free childcare for all 3 and 4 year olds in September 2017, coupled with the changes to take the family home out of Inheritance Tax and the new consultation on making Pension incomes tax-free will help families at every stage of life."

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Aston St Mary held its annual Village Fete on Sunday, opened by Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, who also judged the "Aston Bake-Off" competition now in its second year and set to be a firm annual favourite.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "Judging the baking competition was great fun but difficult as all the entries looked good and tasted delicious so I am glad there were several categories. The volunteers who made the Fete happen all deserve our congratulations for creating such a wonderful community event. It is always great to see so many families and other local people coming together to have some fun and raise funds for our community groups."

The Aston St Mary's Village Fete and Dog Show was organised by Graham Ellis and his team. Hundreds of people attended and were able to enjoy a variety of traditional stalls as well as rubbing shoulders with Star Wars and other famous characters.

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Teenagers from Stevenage aged 15-17 are being given a chance to sign up to the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme this summer which promises 20 days of adventure, friendship and skills-development during the summer holidays.

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, wants to encourage young people to get involved, saying, “NCS is an incredible opportunity for teenagers from Stevenage and I would urge every young person to give it a go.

“I get involved with NCS year on year as I see the good it does for local young people. It is a really varied and worthwhile programme and helps young people to prepare for their futures by increasing their confidence and equipping them with vital skills."

Those taking part in NCS will spend four weeks taking on new challenges and learning new skills giving a summer with a purpose that enhance their job and university applications. The summer programme includes an all-inclusive, five-day trip to an outdoors adventure centre; five days of skills-building workshops; and an exciting team project within the local area. The cost is £50 to take part because the government invests heavily into each place.

For more information and to sign up, visit www.ncseast.co.uk or call the NCS Team on 0845 460 7410.

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