12 August 2022
Weekly Message to Constituents 122 - Active Summer

Goodbye Commonwealth Games, Hello Community Games

If you’re already missing the excitement of the Commonwealth Games, fear not! The Sutton Coldfield Community Games is about to start at Wyndley Leisure Centre, promising plenty of fun and action for all.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Community Games aims to bring families together with nearby sports clubs in a safe, fun and friendly environment, to promote positive connections and activity among the younger generation.

Over the next 2 days children and families from the local community will be able to try over 50 different activities from local clubs and providers, such as: dance, rugby, cricket, football, netball, stand up paddle boarding and athletics. 

Many congratulations to Dennis Kennedy, founder of the Games, for his excellent work over the years building up and nurturing this annual summer highlight. We have seen first-hand in Birmingham how important sport can be and people like Dennis and his brilliant team of volunteers, show us the power of communities to promote the many health and wellbeing benefits sport can bring.

The Sutton Coldfield Games will take place over 13 & 14 August. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.community-games.uk

 

Picture: It was wonderful to see our own local four oaks councillor and Birmingham Lord Mayor Maureen Cornish playing a leading role on behalf of all of us in the West Midlands and indeed across the Commonwealth and around the world in the closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games  

Boosting Care for MS patients in the Royal Town

Earlier this week I met with Novartis pharmaceuticals to discuss the opportunities that exist for improving the quality of care and outcomes for those living with multiple sclerosis (MS) across the West Midlands.

There are currently more than 2,000 MS patients in the Birmingham area including the Royal Town where I’ve met sufferers over the years to discuss their challenges and in particular the considerable costs they face as a result of the disease’s early onset and the significant impact on employment and daily activities.

It is essential that MS patients are able to access the right care and support. Unfortunately, the availability of neurology services across the NHS has declined, and hospitals like the University Hospital Birmingham - one of the main MS hubs treating patients from around the country - are currently working through an astonishing backlog.

I have written to the Lead Integrated Care System (ICS) Commissioner to urge them to publish their strategic planning documents, so that we can see what action is being taken to support local populations affected by MS and other neurological conditions.

 

Last Chance to Vote!

Only a few days to left #VoteBrum to bring Great British Railways to Birmingham. As I wrote last week, Birmingham was shortlisted by the Department for Transport to become the new national headquarters for Great British railways – a most natural choice as Birmingham is at the heart of the country’s rail network. With a young and diverse population the move would support the government’s levelling up agenda, and be a great boost for the region.

Voting closes on 15th August. For more information on how to #VoteBrum, please visit www.wmca.org.uk/gbr

There are also a few days left to vote for Sutton Park which has been nominated for the Fields in Trust UK’s Favourite Parks award.

Sutton Park is a special space for all of us and deserves to be celebrated not least following the triumphant triathlon events held there!

Voting closes at midday on 18th August so please follow the link to ensure Sutton Park wins the crown.

Voting is open at www.fieldsintrust.org/favourite-parks/nominations

 


Parliament

You may recall the government recently announced a massive £50million boost for the Safer Streets Fund, to ensure that local communities and particularly vulnerable women can feel safe on their local streets.

I have written to Minister for Crime and Policing, Tom Pursglove MP, to ask whether the Royal Town might benefit from this support in the wake of our Police Station closures:

“I’d be grateful if you could advise whether a portion of this funding might be allocated to my constituency, the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield.

The Royal Town benefits from competent policing but is struggling to serve the needs of the 100,000 residents following the egregious closure of our local Police Station. We need to shore up our security infrastructure – particularly in the Town Centre – to improve safety and reassure the community.”  

 

Trafficked Britons in Syria

On Thursday I spoke on Radio 4’s World at One about the plight of British women and children stranded in Syria.  My view, as I have always made clear, is that irrespective of the abhorrence of their actions, these people ultimately are a British responsibility and they should be brought back to face British justice.

As a country that prides itself on global leadership and rule of law, the UK should lead by example.

Allowing citizens to languish in a dangerous, ungoverned space, or stripping them of their citizenship is dangerous and wrong. It could lead to more radicalisation and less security for the UK.