Your July update from Gareth Thomas
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[Update]

 

Good morning John,

 

I hope that despite the record temperatures you were able to get out
and enjoy some of the sunshine over July. Hot temperatures are
expected again in Harrow this August, and I hope everyone enjoys
what’s left of the summer with family and friends while keeping
safe. Parliament is now in recess and so, alongside my weekly surgery,
I have been organising more road visits across Harrow. Working with
local Councillors and stakeholders; we are helping to address ongoing
concerns that Residents Associations might have with managing groups,
raising crime issues with Safer Neighbourhood Teams, and even issues
of sewage and flooding, that we have taken up with water companies and
the council.

[Residents on Harrow View West]

[Made in Harrow]

There may sometimes be issues impacting your neighbourhood
collectively and I am always happy to join and help facilitate wider
discussions on these matters in person. If you feel I could be of help
with an issue, ping me an e-mail on [email protected]

As we get into Summer in Harrow, I’m looking forward to more road
visits. it has been a pleasure to join a few of the big summer fetes
across town, as well as the always fun, ‘ MADE IN HARROW:
SUMMERFEST'. Below is my newsletter covering some of my work in
Parliament and locally in Harrow too – through out the month, you
can find regular updates from me on FACEBOOK
[[link removed]], TWITTER
[[link removed]] and INSTAGRAM
[[link removed]].

 

FINALLY, BEST OF LUCK TO THE LIONESSES TONIGHT IN THE EURO FINAL
AGAINST GERMANY! HARROW AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WILL BE CHEERING
ON LOUDLY.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[Good Luck England]

PARLIAMENT ROUND-UP

[Nower Hill students]

Above, students from Nower Hill joined me for a week of work
experience – this included debates in the House of Commons, resident
Safer Neighbourhood Team meetings, as well as some time volunteering
in London’s Community Kitchen.

 

Over the last month I have taken the opportunity to speak in
Parliament on a variety of issues related to local, national and
international issues.

 

I have questioned Education Ministers on the pressures experienced by
many schools across Harrow for whom the cost-of-living crisis is
forcing families to regularly move. This movement of students is
having a knock-on effect on school staff and budgets. I have called on
the Department for Education to look at whether there needs to be more
focus on mobility as part of the funding formula. I have also pushed
education Ministers to look at the problem of teacher retention and
called for Harrow Schools to receive the same funding as inner London
schools. YOU CAN WATCH HERE: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

 

On the cost-of-living issue more widely I have asked Ministers to look
at the impact of profit gouging by businesses in key parts of our
economy and at how that profiteering is could be curbed to reduce the
inflationary pressures seen across the UK.

 

Following the concerning scenes of food shortages, human rights abuses
and corruption under Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa Government I have asked
that the UK government do not in any way aid Mr Rajapaksa if he seeks
evade justice and to do all they can to ensure Mr Rajapaksa faces
trial for any part he has played in the abuse, corruption and poor
governance. YOU CAN WATCH HERE: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

 

Other issues on which I have quizzed Ministers include the
considerable disruption FACED BY MANY PASSENGERS AT HEATHROW
[[link removed]]; the historic injustice of the 37
Cammell Laird shipworkers who, in 1984, were unjustly imprisoned at a
maximum-security prison; and their handling inept handling of the
Horizon scandal. YOU CAN WATCH HERE:
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

 

I have delivered a speech to the House highlighting the Government’s
appalling record and its short-sighted approach to International
Development. As one of the richest nations in the world, I believe it
is not only our moral responsibility to help the very poorest in the
world, but also that there are strong domestic reasons for rethinking
this government’s approach to international development. The soft
power of development aid has the positive side effect of enhancing our
security, business links and trade. YOU CAN WATCH HERE:
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

 

In my role as Shadow Trade Minister, I have pushed the government on
measures to improve their poor deal with the EU which is reducing
exports to our closest neighbours. The unnecessary barriers inherent
to their dismal deal are causing businesses across the UK added costs,
bureaucracy and delays and are only further holding back the, much
needed, growth our economy now needs after 12 years of incompetent
Tory governance. 

 

The implementation of Veterinary Agreement, part of the Labour
Party’s 5-point plan to fix the Brexit, would help UK food producers
compete again with E.U. producers and would improve our declining
balance of trade.

PLANS FOR 265 THE RIDGEWAY DISMISSED

[Ridgeway protestors]

 

Early this month, I was delighted to hear that we won the inquiry on
265, The Ridgeway and that the Planning Inspector has rejected the
plans for a huge development. A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE LOCALLY WHO
HAS CAMPAIGNED AGAINST THESE PLANS.

 

The Plymouth Brethren’s proposals for the site at 265 The Ridgeway
were rejected last year by the council after a tireless two-year
campaign from local campaigners; from groups such as West Harrow
Allotment and Gardens Association, to Harrow in LEAF and the Harrow
Beekeepers. As I mentioned last month, I joined local residents again
to make our arguments to the Planning Inspectorate following the
Brethren’s expensive appeal. 

 

I understand that the inquiry agreed with many of my points, that this
controversial planning application (to put 178 flats and 900 square
metres of so called D1 use on the 265 The Ridgeway site) would have
had a significant negative impact on the character and appearance of a
fundamental part of our community; and would too have had a sustained
and negative ecological impact.

 

Over 20 years ago, when I was a young Councillor, I remember opposing
the sale of this land to the Plymouth Brethren. I understand the
strong feeling of betrayal felt by many residents, as the Trust have
continued to let us down over the past few years. In good faith,
residents supported the Harrow Gospel Hall Trust to build on the land
with no expectation that they would sell it and leave only some years
later. I and I’m sure many other residents locally will be watching
the Brethren’s next moves closely.

 

STOP THE PRIVATISATION OF HARROW TENNIS COURTS

[Tennis Courts]

Many residents have been in contact with me about Harrow Council’s
plans to introduce charges on the borough’s council-run tennis
courts. VIDEO HERE: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

I and my colleagues in Harrow Labour believe that access to council
courts should remain free for everyone, much like access to our
parks and playgrounds. The introduction of charges in the midst of a
cost of living crisis will disproportionately affect the poorest in
our borough, who are already more likely to have limited outdoor and
play space of their own.

 

Before the local elections, the then Labour-run Harrow Council applied
successfully to the LTA for funding to renovate all of the tennis
courts in Harrow‘s parks. These changes follow earlier investment
into Rayners Mead and West Harrow Park to repair tennis courts. It
also followed an investment of over £1.1 million into Harrow’s
parks to tackle flooding issues and to upgrade children’s play
equipment in all the parks too.

 

The Tory Councillors in charge of Harrow Council want to take the
money from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), and then hire a private
company to charge local residents up to £8 an hour to use the tennis
courts. We believe our parks and the facilities within them should be
available free, shouldn’t be privatised and be available for local
people to turn up and use whenever they want to.

 

SIGN MY OPEN LETTER CALLING ON HARROW COUNCIL TO KEEP OUR TENNIS
COURTS FREE FOR ALL:
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

OLD LYONIAN’S SITE

[Old Lyonians]

LOCAL HEADSTONE COUNCILLORS AND I ARE DOING ALL WE CAN TO OPPOSE
DEVELOPMENT ON THE OLD LYONIAN’S SITE. We have now attended
engagement meetings with the developer, we have listened to ZEDHomes
and local residents and have come to the conclusion that ZEDHOMES
PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT ON THE OLD LYONIAN’S SITE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

 

Headstone Councillors, Simon Brown, Natasha Proctor and Sasi Suresh
have placed a watching brief on the site and will be fighting this
application if it is presented to the Planning Committee. The Land is
designated open space, which means it shouldn’t be used for housing
development. AT THIS TIME, THE DEVELOPER HAS NOT INVOLVED HARROW
COUNCIL’S PLANNING DEPARTMENT. It will be hugely important that
residents raise concerns about this development once an application
has been lodged. FILL IN THE FORM ON MY SITE TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON
WHEN IT IS TIME TO LOG YOUR VIEWS ABOUT THIS INTRUSIVE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING PROPOSAL.
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

HAWTHORN AVENUE FIRES

[Hawthorn Ave Fires]

I am hugely grateful to the Council’s Emergency Planning & Response
and Emergency Duty Teams, London Fire Brigade and the Met Police for
their attendance to Hawthorn Avenue fires two weeks ago.

Four Emergency Response Officers (EROs) and a Structural Engineer and
Housing Officer were deployed on the night of the fires.  There were
100 displaced residents from Hawthorn Ave. I understand residents were
given immediate support at a temporary rest centre that was set up at
the Beefeater on Kenton Road. Following meetings between the council,
the Police and Fire Brigade residents were able to leave the rest
centre.

 

The council’s Emergency Planning & Response Team with the Emergency
Duty Team found alternate accommodation for residents that were either
unable to return home or find accommodation.

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE GCSES

[Community language]

 

As I mentioned in the House of Commons last month,
[[link removed]]
there has been a steep decline in the numbers taking GCSE Gujarati, in
the last 10 years. To support trade with India and help young
people’s wider learning, Ministers ought to offer support to the
Saturday schools & teachers supporting the teaching of languages such
as Gujarati.

 

Since 2015, there has been a 22% decline in students studying Gujarati
at GCSE Level and a 30% decline in those studying Urdu. The figures
also show even more dramatic reductions in students obtaining Punjabi
and Bengali GCSES with an over 39% and 51% decline respectively. These
four languages combined are spoken by approximately 480 million people
worldwide.

 

Qualifications in Community languages are falling sharply.
Minister’s failure to invest in these languages is leading to a
marked decline in the number of students taking exams. The Government
needs to provide proper financial support to help local communities
and schools.

 

YOU CAN SIGN MY SIGN MY PETITION CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO PUT
VITAL INVESTMENT INTO COMMUNITY LANGUAGES HERE.
[[link removed]]

 

TOWN CENTRE POLICE CAMPAIGN

[PC Thomas]

[Harrow v London stats]

 

Hundreds of residents have now signed my petition calling on the Met
Commissioner for our own Town Centre Police Team. As many will know, I
welcome the announcement of a dedicated team for Uxbridge and Wembley
but given that Harrow is both a significant commercial district, has
an increasing nightlife and is an important transport hub
with Harrow Bus Station and Harrow on the Hill Station both within
the town centre, I struggle to understand why it hasn’t been
prioritised for its own dedicated team of police officers.

 

Please help apply pressure on the Met Commissioner and sign my
petition calling for a dedicated town centre police team:
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

SURGERY AND PARLIAMENTARY TOURS

 

As I return to in-person surgeries, I plan to continue my roving
surgeries across Harrow West. In recent months, this has been held at
local churches, temples and community centres across the borough. As
I return to in-person surgeries, I plan to continue my roving
surgeries across Harrow West. In recent months, this has been held at
local churches, temples and community centres across the borough.
I’m always open to suggestions of location, so please do let me know
if you have a local in mind.

 

I have now returned to my regular advice surgery, taking on casework
at my constituency office at 132-134 Blenheim Road, the surgery is
usually appointment-based and appointments can be made by calling my
parliamentary office on 020 7219 4243.

[Parliament tour]

 

After two long years - Following the restrictions put in place during
the Covid-19 pandemic, I am now resuming my own tours for residents of
Harrow West, while paid tours can also be arranged through the Houses
of Parliament. 
[[link removed]]

 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN AN UPCOMING TOUR OF PARLIAMENT PLEASE FILL
OUT THE FORM USING MY WEBSITE HERE.
[[link removed]]

 

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[link removed]