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Alex Norris MP's Weekly Newsletter

Member of Parliament for Nottingham North
19th October 2018
Issue #67

Welcome to the latest issue of my weekly newsletter. 

Moving on from my Ten-minute Rule Bill, this week I’ve had three very busy days in Parliament followed by a packed schedule today and yesterday in Nottingham, which hasn’t quite finished yet!

Before that, we're soon coming up to Remembrance Day, and St Mary the Virgin and All Saints Church in Bulwell will be running a special service to commemorate the End of World War I at 4pm on Sunday October 28th, with Bulwell Churches Together, the Royal British Legion (Bulwell Branch) and the Riverside Community Choir.

Refreshments will follow, and after the service the Names of the Fallen will be read from the Bulwell War Memorial, and a bell tolled. You can find a poster with all the information further down.

Read on to find out what I’ve been up to this week… 

As I’ve said before, I will strive to send you a newsletter like this each Friday to keep you updated on the work I’m doing in Parliament as well as in our community, and to inform you of any interesting events taking place in our area. To help me with the latter, if you are running or know of anything that you think may be of interest to others, feel free to drop me an email at alex.norris.mp@parliament.uk and I will include it in future issues. Please also forward it onto anyone you think may be interested. 

 

'Still No Place for Hate' Schools Report

I was drawn for another question to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, and asked Theresa May during Prime Minister’s Questions whether she would meet with me and a delegation of young people from Nottingham to discuss how to improve hate crime awareness. 

This follows the launch of Nottingham Citizens latest report, which I hosted in Parliament on Tuesday. The ‘Still No Place for Hate Schools Report’ was an inquiry on the voices and experiences of children and young people – to capture their perceptions and experiences of hate crimes, but primarily to enable young people to comment on how schools and others might improve their understanding of, and responses to, hate crime. 

Nottingham Citizens is a local chapter of Citizens UK, a non-partisan community organising group that aims to promote social justice in their cities. 'Alongside tackling hate crime, Nottingham Citizens diverse member communities are currently running listening campaigns across the county to arrive at new justice issues to tackle into 2019 and beyond. 

The report showed how different types of act – such as verbal vs. physical or racially motivated vs. sexually motivated – have very different perceptions amongst young people, as well as asking students for their views on how they can seek advice, guidance, support and education on these issues. 

Despite these figures, the report also offered three key recommendations to accompany those that were made in their ‘Still No Place for Hate’ report from earlier this year. These new recommendations include schools and other educational settings reviewing their training on hate crime, their procedures for reporting incidents and the Office of the Children’s Commissioner prioritising hate crime against children and young people. 

I was very proud to welcome them to Parliament to launch this important piece of research, which highlighted the degree to which hate crime is a growing issue, and I was particularly struck by the surveyed children’s lack of awareness of what actually constitutes a hate crime.  

It’s our fault, not theirs, and we have failed them by not yet properly arming them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in this world. This is why I requested the Prime Minister meet with me and a group of our local young people to hear their recommendations for improving this situation first hand. She responded with a suggestion to meet with the Home Secretary, which is now being pursued. You can watch the question and her response here. 

Committee Work

As you’ll know by now, I sit on the Home Affairs Select Committee, which allows me to hold the Government to account in a different way to my other roles. This week the Committee met twice, on Tuesday and Wednesday, to receive evidence on serious violence and to consider amendments to our forthcoming report on Domestic Abuse respectively. Both of these are incredibly important, but unfortunately, I was only able to make the former meeting due to being placed on another Committee. However, I did submit my personal amendments to the Committee ahead of time, which were considered in my absence. 

The Committee that drew me away from Wednesday’s meeting was the Bill Committee of Glyn Davies MP’s Overseas Electors Bill, which seeks to allow British Citizens to vote in UK Parliamentary Elections for life, rather than just the 15-year period which is currently standard. 

The Labour Party is committed to building a truly global Britain and champion our core values of equality, social justice and opportunity for all, and we acknowledge that globalisation has led to a broad section of British citizens now living around the world. And despite settling in all corners of the globe, overseas electors do make a contribution to British society. 

However, we believe the current 15-year rule strikes the right balance between allowing expats to maintain strong links with the UK whilst ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. Furthermore, the existing provision of registering overseas electors within the 15-year rule is already an extremely challenging and resource-intensive process for Electoral Registration Officers. 

Colleagues and I therefore tabled several amendments to try to improve the Bill and temper our concerns, which we discussed at length on Wednesday. If the Conservatives were serious about improving democratic engagement, they would give electoral administrators the resources they need to run elections effectively. The Government should also extend the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds as well as concentrating efforts on registering the millions of adults in this country not currently on the electoral roll, and these amendments reflected this. 

In Nottingham

My schedule has been very tight the last couple of days in Nottingham North, and it’s not over yet. Here is what I’ve been up to around the constituency: 

  • I met with Anne Darby, Chair of Nottingham Disability Involvement Group, to discuss changes to Public Transport concessions. 
  • Last night I addressed representatives from Nottinghamshire-based businesses at a Business Engagement Event on Modern Slavery hosted by the University of Nottingham on Anti-Slavery Day. As well as me, representatives heard from several other speakers, including Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping, Jim Lee from Nottingham Citizens, Dr Akilah Jardine from the University’s Rights Lab and leaders of organisations related to the cause. It is very important that we encourage our businesses to do their bit in the fight against Modern Slavery, and this event was a great way to show the importance of this. 
  • This morning, I joined fellow Nottinghamshire Labour MPs Lilian Greenwood, Chris Leslie and Vernon Coaker at Citizens Advice Nottingham to meet with a number of their clients from across the Advice Nottingham group, who are suffering due to the Government’s handling of the welfare system. 
  • I then followed Chris into his Nottingham East constituency to attend Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Black History Month 2018 Celebration at Duncan Macmillan House, where a number of great speakers honoured the incredible contribution made to the NHS’s 70 years, with particular reference to the Windrush Generation. 
  • This afternoon I have caught up with Cllr Ginny Klein, and spoken to Nick Lee, the Council’s Director of Education Services about Primary Schools in the Constituency. 
  • And just now, I’ve met with a number of constituents at my latest surgery to discuss what I can support them with directly. As always, just get in touch with my office if there’s anything we can help you with. No issue is too small, and we’ll see what we can do! 

This evening I’m heading to Unite’s East Midlands Political School in Queen before a morning tomorow of campaigning and a visit to one of Contact’s Child Contact Centres. More on that next week! 

In Parliament

My Committee engagements and question to the Prime Minister kept me busy this week, but still had some time around Westminster to meet with other groups. Here’s what I got up to: 

  • I had a quick chat with Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, to discuss ways to use my role as Chair of the Baseball APPG to promote next year’s Major League Baseball game in London and thereby promote Baseball as a whole. 
  • In line with Anti-Slavery Day being this week, the Speaker of the House hosted an Anti-Slavery focussed Media Awards event, which I was pleased to attend. 
  • I attended a meeting of the APPG on Domestic Violence, where we were remarkably joined by a New Zealand Member of Parliament, skyping in at the late evening, to discuss victim and survivor support with us. 
  • I met with Jo McGowan from Cancer Research UK to discuss how I can support their ongoing campaigns. 
  • And I met with Scott Eastwood from the Big Lottery Fund, who I will be helping with an event in Parliament and while it’s still a very long way away, welcoming to the Funder’s Fair next year! 

Looking ahead to next week

Next week I have been drawn to question Defence Ministers on Monday, so look out for that, meeting with Prison Minister Rory Stewart MP, and there’s an important GMB event taking place in Nottingham that I’ll be attending. 

Read next week for those and more!

What's On

I want these emails to be as interesting as possible. That means there’ll be some politics – it’s important that I am held accountable. But I also want to offer information about what’s on locally. So, if you have an event you’d like me to advertise, let me know.

If you would like your events advertised here, or further information on those advertised, please email me at alex.norris.mp@parliament.uk.

That’s all for now! Details of how to get in touch or to have a look at the things I’m doing are below…

All the best,

Alex

Bulwell Forest Recreation Ground Cycle Centre is running EVERY SATURDAY in October, thanks to extra funding from Nottingham City Homes

Come down to Bulwell Forest Recreation Ground (meet near to the ‘pirate park’) each Saturday to boost your cycling skills. Best of all, it’s FREE to City residents
  • 9am for Learn to cycle and beginners
  • 10:15am for on road cycle training
  • 11:30am for a led cycle ride
Give RideWise a call on 0115 955 2288 to book a place, or simply turn up. We also have bikes that you can borrow for the session.
 
AND
 
Bulwell Build a Bike Course
By taking part in this course you will gain the skills to strip down and rebuild a preloved bike, and then get to keep it too!

Crabtree community Centre, Bulwell
Thursdays:
25th October & 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd Nov, 6-8pm.
All sessions to be attended.

The courses are FREE to Nottingham City Residents and suitable for people who are over 14 (children to be accompanied by an adult).

To book onto one of our courses, please send your full name, address, email address and phone number to flo@ridewise.org.uk. Places are limited, so be quick!

GOSPEL STREET is a powerful mix of theatre, comedy and spoken word – a breath-taking ride through all the important issues of life, death… and miraculous street food. Good news with wisdom, laughter, energy and insight.

At Bulwell United Reformed Church:
Saturday 17th November
7:00pm

Tickets: £5
Box Office: 01904 613000 or book online

A Service to Commemorate the End of World War I
With Bulwell Churches Together, the Royal British Legion (Bulwell Branch) and the Riverside Community Choir 
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Church, Highbury Rd, Bulwell
Sunday October 28th, 4pm

New Wellbeing/Self-Help Group
An opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and help you build up confidence and self-esteem.
Identify areas of your own wellbeing - physically & mentally.
Referral support to other services & support.
Friendly & comfortable environment, with no pressure to talk.
Hosted in the West Room, St Mary’s the Virgin & All Souls Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell, NG6 9AD.
For further info: fay.goodhand@icloud.com

Poems in the Pub
Open Mic Night, Free Admission, Local Talent, Full Bar
The William Peverel, Bulwell
First Thursday in the month, 7 for 7:30pm start.

Drop in Café
All welcome for a free cuppa and biscuit, and a place to sit and have a chat
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish Community Centre, Brooklyn Rd, Bulwell NG6 9ES
Thursdays, 9:30am–12:30pm

Messy Church
Drinks, crafts, activities, bible stories and a meal for all ages and interests
Bulwell United Reformed Church, Broomhill Road/Brooklyn Road, Bulwell
Usually first Saturday of every month, 10:30am-12:30pm

Bestwood Park Church’s Bestop Kitchen
Social Eating Event, Donations Welcome
Bestwood Park Church, Beckhampton Road, NG5 5NG
Every Tuesday, 12-2pm

Whiz Kids Junior Church
Free breakfast, arts & crafts for children aged 5ish – 11ish
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell
Every Sunday, 9:30am

Crafty Ladies
Bring along a project, or learn to do something new.
St Martins Church, St Martin’s Rd, Off Strelley Rd, Bilborough, NG8 3BH
Every Wednesday, 11am – 2pm
50p, for further info: www.stmartinsbilborough.org.uk, info@stmartinsbilborough.uk

Athlete Accelerator
Khian Mility is helping young athletes reach their potential, with the goal of obtaining US College Sports Scholarships. For further information please visit his website.
https://www.theathleteaccelerator.com

Messy Church
All welcome – food, fun, arts & crafts, & God slot
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell
2nd Sunday every month, 3-5pm

Whiz Kids
Special breakfast, followed by stories, games, crafts & fun!
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell
Sundays, 9.30-11.15am
For more info contact Kerry Palmer - 0115 953 1780 or by email.

Messy Church Bestwood/Bulwell Forest
Bestwood Park Church, Beckhampton Rd, Bestwood Park
Various Thursdays, 4:30-6pm
Church on Rise Park, Revelstoke Way, Rise Park
Various Thursdays, 5-6:30pm

Free Community Cinema
Free screenings of films, everyone welcome!
St John’s Church, Key’s Close, Bulwell
2nd Friday every month, 7pm

Bulwell Connectors
Free monthly group developing opportunities for more art in public places in Bulwell. With trips to galleries and hands-on creative workshops, this group is for local people who want to be arts champions for Bulwell. Facilitated by Nottingham Contemporary associate artist Gillian Brent
Bulwell Riverside, Community Room 2 
2nd Tuesday every month, 6-8pm
For further info: www.creativenottinghamnorth.com, @CreativeNNorth, cathy.mahmood@rebalancingouterestates.com

Crochet Clinic
Community Room at Tesco Bulwell, Jennison St, NG6 8EQ (upstairs near the cafe)
First Wednesday of every month, 6:30pm–8:30pm
£5 (covers refreshments and materials)
For further info: www.apriltowriess.co.uk, hello@apriltowriess.co.uk

 
How to contact me

If you would like to contact me, please email alex.norris.mp@parliament.uk or give my Nottingham North constituency office a ring on 0115 975 2377.

If you are a constituent from Nottingham North e-mailing me regarding a casework issue you are my priority, so please ensure your message includes:
  • your full name
  • your full postal address, including postcode
  • a contact telephone number and
  • any helpful details relevant to your case such as date of birth, reference numbers etc.
Strict parliamentary protocol means I can only deal with issues on behalf of my own constituents. If you aren’t sure whether you live in Nottingham North, you can check who your local MP is by entering your postcode online here: findyourmp.parliament.uk.

You may also wish to write to me with your concerns. If so please send your correspondence to Alex Norris MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A OAA. All constituents who take the time and trouble to write a personal letter will receive a reply as a matter of priority.
 
Other useful links
LABOUR PARTY
  • If you’d like to learn more about the Labour party their website is here.
  • To join the Labour Party click here.
LOCAL NEWS
LOCAL INFORMATION
  • Benefits Information: Here’s an excellent site that allows you to find out exactly what benefits you are eligible to claim: EntitledTo
  • Housing: please contact your City Council
  • Problems with benefits or the Child Support Agency? The Citizens Advice Bureau and the Nottingham Welfare Rights Service can give advice. Remember to have your National Insurance number handy if you make an inquiry.
  • Local schools / education matters: please contact your City Council.
  • Employment rights: see Citizens Advice Bureau or the Trades Union Congress for info.
  • Social services, environmental health, noise nuisance, parking, and Council Tax should all be addressed to the City Council.
  • Another useful website on public services is Direct.gov.
NATIONAL LINKS
  • For the main Parliamentary website click here and to explore the Parliamentary education site click here.
Copyright © 2018 Alex Norris MP, All rights reserved.


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