Tuesday, July 05, 2005
out and about...
This week has seen me get onto my first committee. I was appointed to go to be on the Standing Committee on the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill. In total we had 4 sessions on the committee and now the Bill will go to the House of Commons Chamber for its Report stage before going to the House of Lords. You can find details of what was discussed in the Committee here.
As a result of going on the Standing Committee, I missed the launch of the Ronald McDonald House at St George’s Hospital in Tooting. The Ronald McDonald Children’s Charity will be joining with the hospital to build accommodation for the families of children receiving treatment. The new house will offer parents the chance to stay near their children at a time when parental support is needed most.
On Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the Citizenship day at Chestnut Grove Secondary School. Mrs Peacock is one of our longest serving head teachers at our secondary schools and it was clear that she is very proud of the excellent work her school is doing. I know a little bit about the school as my sister was a teacher there! After a tour of the school, I had the joy of meeting the children in the various classes who were learning about the Make Poverty History campaign. You can find out more about my visit here.
I also attended the General Purposes Council Committee meeting at Wandsworth Town Hall, where I spoke out against the Tory Council's policy of allowing contractors to continue with a 2 tier workforce. Some employees have terms and conditions of their employment that are much worse then fellow colleagues. Unfortunately, the only 2 councillors who spoke and voted against this were Cllr Del Hossain (also a Labour councillor) and myself.
On Friday, I had the joy of watching (and Participating!) in a special "Make Poverty History" assembly at Fircroft Primary school. The children did a concert in "Live 8" fashion. We had a young Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Avril Lavaigne, U2 and much more. I spoke for a few minutes at the end and was inspired by the enthusiasm and solidarity the children had towards their African peers who didn't have the good fortune to be able to have a free Primary education.
I also attended the AGM/User event of Mushkil Ahsan. This local group provide community care for families in Wandsworth and further afield. The meeting also provided users with Health Service information and carried out a consultation on changes in community care in Wandsworth. The proposed changes by the Tory Council are quite worrying as they are considering a change in the rules to be used by the Council when deciding on who will be able to get community care help for adults funded by the Social Services dept. The Council report can be read here.
Astonishingly, the Council had not prepared any of their documents in any languages other then English which will limit the involvement those who do not have English as a first language have to respond. I have asked the council to investigate this failure and to rectify matters.
I also attended on Friday night the South London Swimming Club gala at the Tooting Lido on Tooting Bec common. The Club provides coaching for swimmers, young and old and also manages the Lido. It has been a number of years since I have visited this amazing outdoor and UNHEATED pool but it was great to see so many young, as well as older, users and supporters of the Lido. The swimming, live band, BBQ and socialising was followed by me giving out the medals and cups to the various winners.
On Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the Annual cultural evening "Anandha Bhairavi", organised by the Tamil Welfare Association of Wandsworth. The TWAW meet on Sundays at Derinton Road Community Centre during term time to teach Fine Arts subjects to its younger members. The Tamil language, vocal singing, violin, Miruthangam (a Tamil drum) and Saraswati Veena (a Tamil guitar/violin), tabla are taught. There are also sports events and outdoor trips.The evening was also attended by the Labour Deputy Mayor, Cllr Del Hossain and Labour Group leader, Cllr Stuart King and Councillors Gibbons and Tatlow (Graveney ward Councillors). The annual event allows the youngsters to show off their skills to a hall of packed and appreciative locals like me!
On Sunday morning I showed my solidarity to the Olympic Bid by running in the British 10 K run. I am afraid I have not trained or run for some time now so my time was not great, but, I am pleased and relieved that I did not stop during the run! More then 20,000 of us ran the race which was won by Haile Gebrselassie in a time of 28 minutes and 12 seconds. I hope the IOC in Singapore took note of how well organised the race was and how scenic the route.
Sadiq
As a result of going on the Standing Committee, I missed the launch of the Ronald McDonald House at St George’s Hospital in Tooting. The Ronald McDonald Children’s Charity will be joining with the hospital to build accommodation for the families of children receiving treatment. The new house will offer parents the chance to stay near their children at a time when parental support is needed most.
On Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the Citizenship day at Chestnut Grove Secondary School. Mrs Peacock is one of our longest serving head teachers at our secondary schools and it was clear that she is very proud of the excellent work her school is doing. I know a little bit about the school as my sister was a teacher there! After a tour of the school, I had the joy of meeting the children in the various classes who were learning about the Make Poverty History campaign. You can find out more about my visit here.
I also attended the General Purposes Council Committee meeting at Wandsworth Town Hall, where I spoke out against the Tory Council's policy of allowing contractors to continue with a 2 tier workforce. Some employees have terms and conditions of their employment that are much worse then fellow colleagues. Unfortunately, the only 2 councillors who spoke and voted against this were Cllr Del Hossain (also a Labour councillor) and myself.
On Friday, I had the joy of watching (and Participating!) in a special "Make Poverty History" assembly at Fircroft Primary school. The children did a concert in "Live 8" fashion. We had a young Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Avril Lavaigne, U2 and much more. I spoke for a few minutes at the end and was inspired by the enthusiasm and solidarity the children had towards their African peers who didn't have the good fortune to be able to have a free Primary education.
I also attended the AGM/User event of Mushkil Ahsan. This local group provide community care for families in Wandsworth and further afield. The meeting also provided users with Health Service information and carried out a consultation on changes in community care in Wandsworth. The proposed changes by the Tory Council are quite worrying as they are considering a change in the rules to be used by the Council when deciding on who will be able to get community care help for adults funded by the Social Services dept. The Council report can be read here.
Astonishingly, the Council had not prepared any of their documents in any languages other then English which will limit the involvement those who do not have English as a first language have to respond. I have asked the council to investigate this failure and to rectify matters.
I also attended on Friday night the South London Swimming Club gala at the Tooting Lido on Tooting Bec common. The Club provides coaching for swimmers, young and old and also manages the Lido. It has been a number of years since I have visited this amazing outdoor and UNHEATED pool but it was great to see so many young, as well as older, users and supporters of the Lido. The swimming, live band, BBQ and socialising was followed by me giving out the medals and cups to the various winners.
On Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the Annual cultural evening "Anandha Bhairavi", organised by the Tamil Welfare Association of Wandsworth. The TWAW meet on Sundays at Derinton Road Community Centre during term time to teach Fine Arts subjects to its younger members. The Tamil language, vocal singing, violin, Miruthangam (a Tamil drum) and Saraswati Veena (a Tamil guitar/violin), tabla are taught. There are also sports events and outdoor trips.The evening was also attended by the Labour Deputy Mayor, Cllr Del Hossain and Labour Group leader, Cllr Stuart King and Councillors Gibbons and Tatlow (Graveney ward Councillors). The annual event allows the youngsters to show off their skills to a hall of packed and appreciative locals like me!
On Sunday morning I showed my solidarity to the Olympic Bid by running in the British 10 K run. I am afraid I have not trained or run for some time now so my time was not great, but, I am pleased and relieved that I did not stop during the run! More then 20,000 of us ran the race which was won by Haile Gebrselassie in a time of 28 minutes and 12 seconds. I hope the IOC in Singapore took note of how well organised the race was and how scenic the route.
Sadiq
