Tenbury MP calls for action from Tesco

Tenbury MP Harriett Baldwin has called on Tesco to work with Tenbury if they want to build support for a new store.

Harriett Baldwin confirmed she has agreed to meet representatives from the company who are keen to work with the town to help fund significant improvements as well as building a new ‘eco-store’.

Harriett said: “I met with the Tesco Corporate Social Responsibility team and asked if the company could work with local residents to improve the town’s amenities.

“Of particular interest to me were proposals to help win extra funding for flood defences for the town, which are badly needed.

Harriett added: “Tesco representatives are keeping me informed of their plans and are answering my questions. The company is keen to hear local views on how it can best make a contribution to the community.

“I have actively suggested that they speak to the Environment Agency about the town’s need for investment in flood defences.”

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www.harriettbaldwin.com/content/mp-calls-action-tesco

BBC Profile

A magnificent display of oleaginous toadying.

This is how the Guardian political sketch writer Simon Hoggart described Tenbury MP Harriett Baldwin's contribution to today's Prime Ministers Question Time.

If like me the meaning of the word Oleaginous didn't immediately spring to mind it transpires that it was the “word of the day” from Dictionary.Com, earlier in the month, so Simon Hoggart has probably been trying to find an excuse to use it.

Oleaginous \oh-lee-AJ-uh-nuhs\, adjective

1. Having the nature or qualities of oil
2. Containing oil
3. Producing oil
4. Unctuous, fawning, smarmy

Full article

On Monday The Speaker of the House, John Bercow said "May I congratulate Harriett Baldwin on her ingenuity? I mean that genuinely. "

Whatever your thoughts she does appear to be actively engaged in the Houses of Parliament!

Tenbury MP makes maiden speech

Harriett Baldwin, the recently elected MP for West Worcestershire which includes Tenbury Wells made her maiden speech in the House of Commons yesterday.

Although the subject of the debate was about Tackling Poverty in the UK, she was able to promote the area (including Tenbury) as a food and drink producing area, and to clear up the confusion as to whether she was related to the late 3 times PM Stanley Baldwin.

Click here for the full speech.

MP Prompts Government about Flood Defences for Tenbury

Local MP Harriett Baldwin has prompted the Government to keep flood defences on the agenda.

She wrote to ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

(1) whether she plans to maintain agreed levels of funding for flood defence schemes in Upton-upon-Severn, Uckinghall, Kempsey, Pershore and Powick; and if she will make a statement;

(2) if she will visit Tenbury Wells to discuss the provision of flood defences; if she will review the Government's formula for funding flood defences to assist the town to meet the criteria for funding; and if she will make a statement.

The following reply was received:-

Richard Benyon Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Natural Environment and Fisheries), Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Newbury, Conservative)

We are currently working through the detail of the policies set out in the coalition agreement and other issues in DEFRA's portfolio, which include flooding risk management. We will keep DEFRA's website updated as work progresses.

In my role as Minister I hope to have the opportunity to visit many parts of the country, including inland areas which have faced, or may in the future face, flooding problems.

Biomass Blight Lifted?

Harriett Baldwin, the Conservative prosective parliamentry candidate for West Worcestershire has issued a press release tonight welcoming the news that state subsidy of Tenbury biomass project at the business park has been dropped.

It appears that one of the main sponsors of the project, Advantage West Midlands, have reveiwed all their funding commitments and have said that they will no longer support the project.

Advantage West Midlands have said

"Advantage West Midlands has completed a detailed update of its Corporate Plan for the Government and confirmed £1.1 billion worth of funding for projects that will balance support for businesses and communities during the recession with longer term plans to ensure the region is prepared for the economic upturn"

Although there is no detail on their website about which projects have been dropped, this is likely to be in the full text of their updated Corporate Plan which is not yet available online.

Hopefully this news when confirmed will allow Worcester County Council to go ahead with their delayed plan to resurface Teme Street. I would also hope that Malvern Hills District Council can now find a suitable partner to develop the Tenbury Business Park, now that the blight of the threatened Biomass Plant has been lifted.

Full text of Harriett Baldwin's Press Release

Harriett Baldwin welcomes news that state subsidy of Tenbury biomass project at the business park has been dropped

Harriett Baldwin, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire today welcomed news that Advantage West Midlands has withdrawn funding from the plan to build a biomass project at Tenbury Business Park.

Advantage West Midlands had previously indicated that they would subsidise a biomass application from CJDay Associates with a subsidy of £965,000

Harriett Baldwin said, “I am delighted to learn that the current economic climate has led to a review of this project by the government's regional development agency. I have always maintained that the Tenbury Business Park was the wrong site for this facility.

I am supportive of small scale biomass projects like the 700 kilowatt wood fuel burner at Worcestershire County Hall, but I have always argued that the Tenbury business park location was ill-advised, as it is far from the grid and requires additional lorry movements through Tenbury.

Finally, Advantage West Midlands should give a higher priority to flood defences for Tenbury, as the economic heart of this wonderful market town lies on the flood plain.”

Shropshire Star
Berrows Journal

Birmingham Post

Flood Meeting : No further forward

Left to right: Philip Bradbourn - Member of the European Parliament; Harriett Baldwin - Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, West Worcs; Adrian Hardman - Cabinet Member for finance WCC; Paul Tullett - Area Manager, Environment Agency; Anthony Perry - Environment Agency's Area Flood Risk Manager

Also on panel (not in pictured): Phil Grove and Tony Penn

Present in audience:
Richard Burt - LibDem Parliamentary Candidate
Cliff Slade - LibDem County Council Candidate
Bob Martin - Ex-Mayor

About 100 people attended this well run and good natured meeting. Noticeable absences were the retail community which found it impossible to attend due to the late notice and timing of the meeting.

The news is still that there is no news. The two staff from the Environment Agency stressed that if it was up to them Tenbury would have its scheme, but at this time no money is available.

It was raised that some of the flooding was caused by flash flooding, it appeared to be agreed that this was at least partly due to WCC's failure to fix the Bog Lane problem.

Worcester News

Biomass Plans Withdrawn

The Tenbury Wells Biomass Plan has been withdrawn by the Developer CJ Day Associates, but only temporarily, pending further Government legislation.

Although local opposition remains strong, Worcester County Council in partnership with Malvern Hills District Council and Advantage West Midlands are still pursuing the building of this Power Station in a totally unsuitable site.

The main reason for this policy is not because of it's green credentials, but as a box ticking exercise. Worcester County want to appear to be carbon neutral and by placing a Biomass Power Station on this site they can go a long way towards this claim, and because unlike almost any other site in the county they can do it virtually cost free due to grant aid.

Although financially this makes sense to the Council and helps Malvern Hills District Council diverse themselves of yet another Tenbury Wells asset, the final cost may be a political one. The Tenbury area has in recent times voted for Conservative representatives on both the District and County Councils and returned a Conservative MP. With the majority of the towns population against the Biomass Plan, then the likely benefactors will be the Liberal Democrats.

Harriett Baldwin & George Lord at the proposed Biomass Power Station site, Tenbury Wells. Both potential losers in the political fallout if the project goes ahead.

For full details see Shropshire Star

Biomass Visit

Harriett Baldwin, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire, met with Dr George Lord the leader of Worcestershire County Council, today at the proposed site of WCC sponsored Biomass Incineration plant.

The meeting was also attended by Cllr Bob Martin, Mayor of Tenbury & Cllr Reg Farmer, County Councillor.

Local opposition and general opinion has branded this site as inappropriate since the scheme was proposed earlier this year.

The project was initiated by WCC with sponsorship from AWM as a way to off-set their carbon emissions.

After the meeting, held at one of the premises where jobs are likely to be lost due to relocation if the scheme goes ahead, the group went on to visit a possible alternative site.