Harry Cohen
LIVING SPACES
What do you think about the place you live? Does it lift your spirits or make your heart sink? Is your environment scruffy, neglected, overgrown, dirty, dangerous or just plain boring? Do you have an idea that will help improve your surroundings?
It has long been recognised that good quality open spaces play an important role in people’s quality of life which is why government has worked closely for many years with local councils to improve the quality of their local areas. It is also true to say that communities have a vital role to play in improving their local environments which is why I am lending my support to a new initiative called ‘Living Spaces’.
‘Living Spaces’ is about providing community groups in England with money, advice and practical support to improve their local open spaces. The scheme is worth £30 million over the next three years and is being funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Well established organisations such as Groundwork and Green Space are involved and grants from £1,000 to £100,000 are available to improve a wide range of spaces including community gardens, play areas, local parks, village greens, nature areas, ponds, courts and squares, kick-about areas and skate parks. Grants are available to any existing neighbourhood groups as long as the space to be developed is open to the public and near (within 2 miles) where people live. The group does not have to be a registered charity.
The initiative is designed to give people the chance to change their environment for the better and to create valuable places for the whole community to enjoy. A lot of people have good ideas which, with help, can spectacularly take root. A network of trained Living Space Enablers will be on hand to assess applications and help turn them into reality.
I am encouraging groups to apply and help to create a decent liveable environment for everyone in their community. Anyone interested can obtain further information by phoning 0845 600 3190; e-mailing info@living-spaces.org.uk; or by accessing the website – www.living-spaces.org.uk
You may have recently read on the Warrington Worldwide news pages that I instigated a Commons debate on school meals. I asked for the debate because the diets of many of our youngsters, processed foods high in fat and salt together with fizzy drinks loaded with sugar, are likely to cause them problems in later life. Most youngsters don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables although many of the primary school children I spoke to say they enjoy baked potatoes, pasta and fruit. It may not be as difficult as some people think to get our children to eat a more balanced healthy diet!
This is important because current diets may well put our youngsters at risk from heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Government can influence what children eat directly via school meals which is why I am calling for better nutritional standards, a greater use of fresh food and school meals which offer a wider, healthier choice at affordable prices. In many schools the cheaper options are the least healthy and the use of vending machines, often dispensing high sugar drinks, have become a money making exercise.
There is a financial cost to my proposals but I think the cost of investing in the health of our children is worth it.
I would like you to let me know what you think either via Warrington Worldwide or directly:
- by writing to Gilbert Wakefield House, 67 Bewsey Street, Warrington, WA2 7JQ;
- by telephoning 01925 232 480;
- by faxing 01925 232 239;
- or by e-mail to jonesh@parliament.uk
