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Alex Norris MP's Weekly Newsletter

Member of Parliament for Nottingham North
9th November 2018
Issue #70

Welcome to the latest issue of my weekly newsletter. 

Parliament has had a mini recess this week, so I’ve been at home since Tuesday evening, affording me more time around Nottingham North than usual, so I’ve been busy here, and of course this weekend it is Remembrance Sunday, so this newsletter will cover that too. 

Some news too – I have secured a Westminster Hall Debate on the Impact of the Universal Credit Rollout in Nottingham, which will take place next Wednesday morning. If you have been affected by this, please get in touch and let me know. 

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

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. 

Remembrance

As you probably know, this Sunday marks 100 years since the end of the First World War. This is an opportunity for us all to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice that brought an end to over 4 years of tragic conflict and to pay tribute to those who fought and died during the First World War.  The War cost the lives of 10 million soldiers worldwide, and almost 7 million civilians. We remember and are grateful for the hard work, service, and sacrifice that the UK Armed Forces Community have given since, and continue to give today. On this centenary, the Royal British Legion, who I met with recently, is asking us to thank the entire First World War generation, commemorating not just those who fought and died on the battlefield but all of those who played their part on the home front and those that returned to build a better future for generations to come.  

The centenary of the signing of the armistice will be marked on 11 November 2018 by a series of events across the country. Of course, the traditional national service of remembrance at the Cenotaph will take place, as well as the Royal British Legion’s veteran dispersal and march past the Cenotaph. The veterans’ parade will then be followed by a ‘people’s procession’ made up of 10,000 members of the public. I am also delighted to hear that the Heritage Lottery Fund have distributed over £97 million pounds to over 2,200 centenary projects in communities across the UK. 26,000 volunteers have offered their time to help, and over 10 million people have engaged with the centenary heritage projects.  

Closer to home, I know that Nottingham City Council has been working with a range of local groups and partners to create a variety of events across the city to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War on 11 November 1918. 

This range of events and commemorations includes Games of Remembrance football matches which took place yesterday, through to the official commemorative ceremony at 11am on 11 November.  

On Sunday, Victoria Embankment will once again be the city’s focal point for commemoration. The traditional two-minute silence and wreath laying will take place at 11am, with a larger and enhanced viewing area created to ensure that more people can be accommodated at the ceremony. Further Armistice Day parades and services are held across the city, including the South Notts Hussars who march from St Mary’s Church to the Council House. 

I will personally be attending the service in Bulwell, where I will be joining local veterans to commemorate this important anniversary.

In Nottingham

As I mentioned, due to this mini-recess I have had three full days at home this week, so have been able to fit in a lot more than usual, including dedicating half a day to one thing, which is almost unheard of with my busy schedule. Here is what I have been up to: 

  • After a team meeting on Wednesday, I had meetings in my constituency office with Malcolm Sharp, the Chair of Nottingham City Homes, to discuss the service they provide locally, and Darren Clark & Richard Stone of Medilink Midlands, a regional Life Sciences support organisation, to discuss how I am able to support their Medical Technologies Innovation Accelerator (MTIA) initiative, which aims to improve medical services through a focus on technological pioneering. 
  • Later, I headed outside of the Constituency to the Radford Care Group, which is a day care centre. While in Radford, it welcomes visitors from all over the city and beyond, so is important to us locally. They’re currently trying to raise funds for a brand-new larger building to improve the service they are able to offer, so I discussed what I can do to support that. If you’d like to donate personally, please click here. 
  • I followed that up by heading to the City Council for a meeting to discuss road markings on Queensbury/Waterford Street. 
  • After a visit to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Primary School on Thursday morning, I spent the afternoon with the local police. I had a really interesting afternoon out and about in Bestwood with the Operation Reacher team, including Marcus, seen here. It was great to experience first-hand the critical community policing which is carried out in order to keep us safe. 
  • This morning I’ve been talking Cyclical Poverty at Public Health England’s East Midlands Summit, which focused around co-designing for Health, Work & inclusive Growth. Improving health outcomes is an important way that we can help people step out of poverty, and this summit allowed regional health leaders a chance to discuss the challenges and opportunities in doing this. I gave the welcome address with Meng Khaw, Centre Director of PHE East Midlands, before we heard from a number of other great speakers, as well as having a Q&A and some workshops to finish. 
  • And this afternoon I have also met with Karla and Steph from Small Steps Big Changes to discuss the programme of  activities they are providing to babies and toddlers in the constituency to help improve their outcomes, before meeting a group of MBA students who are working alongside my Rebalancing charity as part of their studies. 

I have a few more short meetings this afternoon, but that’s all before canvassing tomorrow and Sunday’s commemorations. 

In Westminster

Last week the Budget meant I had four days in Westminster, but this week’s recess meant I only had one – but I made the most of it with two important events: 

  • I was drawn for a topical question to the Treasury, which I used to challenge the Chancellor on local investment. Of over 9000 words in his Budget, Nottingham wasn’t mentioned once, as we continue to be given a second-class status to London and the South-East, while excellent investment opportunities are missed. I was pointed to his speech at the Conservative Party conference, but this  isn’t enough.  The Government is missing chances all over the country by ignoring cities like ours, and we suffer because of it. You can watch the question here. 
 
  • And in the afternoon, I sat on the Home Affairs Select Committee, as we heard very personal tales directly from two victims and two family members of victims of Modern Slavery. While we often talk in numbers, and the numbers are harrowing in themselves, it is very important that we don’t forget what those who are involved have had to suffer through. By making positive change we can make it so less people have these horrible experiences to share. We then welcomed expert witnesses from The Salvation Army, the Snowdrop Project, the Medaille Trust, and Barnardo’s National Counter Trafficking Service, to provide evidence on how we can make a real difference. I am very proud of the work that we’re doing with this inquiry and look forward to the change that our report will lead to. It can’t come soon enough. 

Looking ahead to next week

As I mentioned before, the highlight of my week next week will be the Universal Credit debate, but I have a very busy calendar even by usual standards, so expect that and a lot more in next week’s newsletter.

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

Inaugural Lecture of Professor Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey

‘Are My Hands Clean?: Understanding Modern Slavery’

The Inaugural lecture of Baroness Young will take place on Monday 12th November 2018 from 2:30pm - 3:30pm in the Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts Centre.

My Co-Chair on the All Party Parliamentary Group on Sport, Modern Slavery and Human Rights, Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey also founded and Co-Chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion and has previously served on several Select Committees, most recently on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Her professional biography before her appointment as an independent Crossbench member of the House of Lords entails an extensive acting career, a professorship of Cultural Studies and the Head of Culture at the Greater London Authority.

For her inaugural lecture as an Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham, Lola has chosen an interactive and open format with questions and debate on why she chose Modern Slavery as the focus of her parliamentary work, how to campaign effectively as a crossbencher in the House of Lords, the role and responsibilities of business in society, the challenges of maintaining work-life balance, and how she combines her passion for Premier League football with her parliamentary work.

Lola is often referred to as ‘not your usual Baroness’ and she is very keen on interaction with people from all kinds of backgrounds. We therefore want to encourage you to ask questions and engage in debate during the event. If you would like to ask a question but prefer to have the question read out at the event instead of asking directly, please email your question to hannah.jeffery@nottingham.ac.uk

Organised by the Rights Lab. The Rights Lab is a University of Nottingham Beacon of Excellence that focuses on research to help end contemporary global slavery by 2030.

The lecture is free. You can register here.

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:
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

Remembrance at St. Mary's
Sunday, 11th November
9.30am - Parish Mass
10.50am - Remembrance Day Service
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell

Joint Christmas Fayre and Open Day
Bric-a-brac stall, a candle, Christmas decoration and a stall selling paintings as well as a tombola, raffle, refreshments and lots of games to play; as well as an opportunity to talk about moving into retirement housing
Saturday, 24th November, 10.30am-2.30pm
Lilian Hind Court, Cheviot Drive, NG6 7FX  

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

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

An Evening of 'Bogger' Talk
An event celebrating our local dialect 
There will be poetry, storytelling and a quiz (for a small donation)
The Malt Cross, 16 St James's St, Nottingham, NG1 6FG
Friday November 30th, 7.30pm
This is a charity event raising funds for the Stroke Association. Just £2!

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, this Sunday 11th November

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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