Tuesday, September 20, 2005
is there life on Mars?
The last week has been particularly memorable. It began with news that a former Tooting resident who now works for NASA (Planetary Scientist, Dr Pete Mouginis-Mark) and lived in Tooting in the past, has named a crater on Mars – Tooting crater. This is getting a lot of attention, not only because of its twinning to our fantastic area, but also because this is probably the youngest large meteorite crater on Mars. For those of us who live in Tooting, it is confirmation of what we have always known, which is that Tooting is the centre of the universe! I am looking forward to the end of recess, so I can compare notes with my 644 parliamentary colleagues and ask them how many of their constituencies have been linked to a crater in space.
As a school governor, one of the important tasks is to be an active member of a sub committee. As governor of Fircroft Primary School, my role is to sit on the personnel sub committee. At the most recent meeting last Friday, we discussed the review of the school staffing structure which all schools are now going through. This involves changing the way teachers are paid additional amounts for undertaking extra responsibilities.
I also had the pleasure on Friday of visiting the Cancer Resource Centre on York Road. Their website is here.
The Cancer Resource Centre does some amazing work and I met the senior team as well as a patient living with cancer who runs the ‘Naya Rasta’ project at the Centre. The Resource Centre is facing a very difficult year due to the Tory Council withdrawing a grant of £38,000, without justification. In addition to trying to raise replacement funds, the Centre is extremely busy continuing its excellent work. Examples of the services offered include: therapy sessions (counselling, massage, healing, reflexology, meditation, relaxation); a support service; home visits; outreach; and wider activities. I am hoping to play a larger role in the work of the Resource Centre over the coming months and years.
On Saturday, after my very busy surgery at Tooting Library, I spent the afternoon at Prison Awareness Day, organised jointly by Brixton and Wandsworth Prisons at Tooting Islamic Centre. The theme of the day was to raise awareness for what goes on in our local prisons, to promote recruitment for the Prison Service, aiming to engage the local community to participate in prison related voluntary work, encouraging volunteering for chaplaincy and involving the local community in the rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners and ex-prisoners. There is a particular problem around a lack of Muslim volunteers, and the Awareness Day was targeted towards the local Muslim community.
As well as speaking on the role local communities can play in the strategy prepared by the Government (in partnership with key stakeholders), I took part in the question and answer session, and the rest of the day’s programme.
My Sunday was spent canvassing with the local team in the heart of Tooting.
After my surgery at Balham Community Centre, on Monday, I had the pleasure of having lunch with Tooting Rotary Club. They have bestowed upon me the enormous privilege of being made an honorary member. I was also reminded by the Rotarians that this is the centenary year of the Rotary Club. Rotary was founded in 1905 and is a worldwide association of local clubs of men and women in business or other professions who provide humanitarian service to the community at local, national and international level. They also encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and work for good will and peace in the world.
Sadiq
As a school governor, one of the important tasks is to be an active member of a sub committee. As governor of Fircroft Primary School, my role is to sit on the personnel sub committee. At the most recent meeting last Friday, we discussed the review of the school staffing structure which all schools are now going through. This involves changing the way teachers are paid additional amounts for undertaking extra responsibilities.
I also had the pleasure on Friday of visiting the Cancer Resource Centre on York Road. Their website is here.
The Cancer Resource Centre does some amazing work and I met the senior team as well as a patient living with cancer who runs the ‘Naya Rasta’ project at the Centre. The Resource Centre is facing a very difficult year due to the Tory Council withdrawing a grant of £38,000, without justification. In addition to trying to raise replacement funds, the Centre is extremely busy continuing its excellent work. Examples of the services offered include: therapy sessions (counselling, massage, healing, reflexology, meditation, relaxation); a support service; home visits; outreach; and wider activities. I am hoping to play a larger role in the work of the Resource Centre over the coming months and years.
On Saturday, after my very busy surgery at Tooting Library, I spent the afternoon at Prison Awareness Day, organised jointly by Brixton and Wandsworth Prisons at Tooting Islamic Centre. The theme of the day was to raise awareness for what goes on in our local prisons, to promote recruitment for the Prison Service, aiming to engage the local community to participate in prison related voluntary work, encouraging volunteering for chaplaincy and involving the local community in the rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners and ex-prisoners. There is a particular problem around a lack of Muslim volunteers, and the Awareness Day was targeted towards the local Muslim community.
As well as speaking on the role local communities can play in the strategy prepared by the Government (in partnership with key stakeholders), I took part in the question and answer session, and the rest of the day’s programme.
My Sunday was spent canvassing with the local team in the heart of Tooting.
After my surgery at Balham Community Centre, on Monday, I had the pleasure of having lunch with Tooting Rotary Club. They have bestowed upon me the enormous privilege of being made an honorary member. I was also reminded by the Rotarians that this is the centenary year of the Rotary Club. Rotary was founded in 1905 and is a worldwide association of local clubs of men and women in business or other professions who provide humanitarian service to the community at local, national and international level. They also encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and work for good will and peace in the world.
Sadiq
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
a busy Tootingite
Last Wednesday, I attended the Wandsworth Business Forum meeting. These are always enjoyable meetings as there are always excellent refreshments provided! This time was no different as the event took place at Lahore Dreams restaurant in the ward I represent as a Councillor and my constituency (Tooting obviously has much better cuisine than either Battersea or Putney!).
At the meeting, the Town Centre Manager and local businesses discussed a wide range of issues including a review of the Town Centre Partnership, how to fight crime towards local businesses, the launchpad project (which is an initiative aimed at young people in Wandsworth utilising their entrepreneurship skills). There was also an excellent presentation on how the 2012 Olympics can help local businesses.
As a Councillor, I served on the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee which allowed me to scrutinise our local health providers. As a Member of Parliament, I have regular opportunities to meet with key personnel from the local healthcare community along with other local parliamentarians. At the most recent meeting, last Friday, a number of issues were discussed with the senior management at St George’s Hospital. These included the plans to turn around the finances of St George’s, the Key Worker accommodation scheme, a general discussion on the Trust’s performance, waiting times and an update on the position in relation to the Bollingbroke Hospital.
On Saturday evening, I was able to relive my previous life as a lawyer by watching ‘A Few Good Men’ at the theatre, starring Rob Lowe. One of my regrets is never being able to cross examine a witness the way Lt. Daniel Kaffee in the play does in the final scene to win the case for his clients. However, I live in hope that I’ll be able to break down a recalcitrant witness on the Public Accounts Committee at some point in the near future!
As a committed trade unionist, I believe it is important to keep in touch with issues that concern ordinary trade union members. On Monday, I attended the London Regional Political Committee of the Communication Workers Union to discuss various matters of interest to the CWU, as well as constituents.
One of the greatest achievements of the Third Term Labour Government has been the successful bid for the 2012 Olympics. As a lifelong Tootingite and Londoner I am passionate that we try and maximise the benefits of the Games for all of our citizens. I had the first of what will be an ongoing dialogue with the Mayor’s advisors on the 2012 Games about procurement of contracts (to ensure that local businesses benefit), the role of volunteers, the way the cultural years which preceed the Games will develop and other benefits to Tooting and London.
As an ex Governor of South Thames FE College, I was pleased to have a meeting with the Principal of South Thames, Sue Rimmer, to discuss how South Thames is doing. The college serves Tooting residents fantastically and enables students of all ages to learn skills and obtain knowledge that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to receive. Some of the work the college does around our adult population and those in our community for whom English is not a first language is phenomenal. The college does have concerns about future funding and I have promised to take this up with the Higher Education Minister, Bill Rammell MP.
For the second year in a row, I attended the St George’s Hospital AGM. This is also the second year that the new senior management team have been running things. I would like to pay tribute to all the staff at St George’s who do such a fantastic job often in difficult circumstances. The staff achievement awards that were presented is one small way of recognising the excellence of individual staff and teams. Further details of our local hospital’s performance can be obtained from their website www.stgeorges.nhs.uk. Some amazing facts that demonstrate the reason why we should take pride in St George’s are:
At the meeting, the Town Centre Manager and local businesses discussed a wide range of issues including a review of the Town Centre Partnership, how to fight crime towards local businesses, the launchpad project (which is an initiative aimed at young people in Wandsworth utilising their entrepreneurship skills). There was also an excellent presentation on how the 2012 Olympics can help local businesses.
As a Councillor, I served on the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee which allowed me to scrutinise our local health providers. As a Member of Parliament, I have regular opportunities to meet with key personnel from the local healthcare community along with other local parliamentarians. At the most recent meeting, last Friday, a number of issues were discussed with the senior management at St George’s Hospital. These included the plans to turn around the finances of St George’s, the Key Worker accommodation scheme, a general discussion on the Trust’s performance, waiting times and an update on the position in relation to the Bollingbroke Hospital.
On Saturday evening, I was able to relive my previous life as a lawyer by watching ‘A Few Good Men’ at the theatre, starring Rob Lowe. One of my regrets is never being able to cross examine a witness the way Lt. Daniel Kaffee in the play does in the final scene to win the case for his clients. However, I live in hope that I’ll be able to break down a recalcitrant witness on the Public Accounts Committee at some point in the near future!
As a committed trade unionist, I believe it is important to keep in touch with issues that concern ordinary trade union members. On Monday, I attended the London Regional Political Committee of the Communication Workers Union to discuss various matters of interest to the CWU, as well as constituents.
One of the greatest achievements of the Third Term Labour Government has been the successful bid for the 2012 Olympics. As a lifelong Tootingite and Londoner I am passionate that we try and maximise the benefits of the Games for all of our citizens. I had the first of what will be an ongoing dialogue with the Mayor’s advisors on the 2012 Games about procurement of contracts (to ensure that local businesses benefit), the role of volunteers, the way the cultural years which preceed the Games will develop and other benefits to Tooting and London.
As an ex Governor of South Thames FE College, I was pleased to have a meeting with the Principal of South Thames, Sue Rimmer, to discuss how South Thames is doing. The college serves Tooting residents fantastically and enables students of all ages to learn skills and obtain knowledge that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to receive. Some of the work the college does around our adult population and those in our community for whom English is not a first language is phenomenal. The college does have concerns about future funding and I have promised to take this up with the Higher Education Minister, Bill Rammell MP.
For the second year in a row, I attended the St George’s Hospital AGM. This is also the second year that the new senior management team have been running things. I would like to pay tribute to all the staff at St George’s who do such a fantastic job often in difficult circumstances. The staff achievement awards that were presented is one small way of recognising the excellence of individual staff and teams. Further details of our local hospital’s performance can be obtained from their website www.stgeorges.nhs.uk. Some amazing facts that demonstrate the reason why we should take pride in St George’s are:
- MRSA infections are down from 115 (in 2001/02) to 63 (in 2004/05)
- 4300 babies were delivered last year
- 2800 women were screened for breast cancer
- 49000 operations
- 87300 GP referrals
- 96300 patients treated in A&E
- 181600 x rays, ultrasound, MRI and CT scans
- 393000 outpatient appointments
- More than 5500 staff work for St George’s which is the largest employer in Tooting
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
school, meetings and curry...
This week has been an exciting one for many parents, carers and children in Tooting as they go back to school. Although Anisah (my eldest daughter) was excited about going back to school, her parents were even more ecstatic!
The Bishop of Kingston, Dr Richard Cheetham, and I first met at an event in Tooting a month ago. The Bishop of Kingston’s responsibility includes Tooting constituency as well as a number of parishes across South West London. I was very pleased to receive an invitation from him to come and speak to his Area Deans to discuss community cohesion and to begin a working relationship between us.
I was quite excited to go to this meeting as aside from meeting such distinguished Archdeacons and church leaders I also got the opportunity to see the recently opened St Cecilia’s (Church of England) School in Putney.
Over the last week, two patients have absconded from Springfield Hospital, and you will have probably read the reports in the local press. This is very worrying for the local community, but the escapes also have to be put into context. There are thousands of success stories from Springfield every year, and at any one time the Hospital are treating 13,000 patients in the Hospital and in the community. I very much hope that these incidents are isolated occurrences, and do not become the norm. I was in regular contact with the Chief Executive of Springfield, Nigel Fisher’s office during the period when these patients had absconded. I have now written to him asking for a speedy, full and transparent investigation into what happened, and stressed the importance of reassuring local residents that the matter is being treated with utmost priority.
This week, I have launched a Curry Competition in Tooting! I am inviting local residents to nominate their favourite South Asian restaurant. The most popular one will be submitted to the Tiffin Cup national competition, and shortlisted restaurants will be invited to participate in a cook in to win the prestigious Tiffin Cup. More details are available here.
I have held two Advice Surgeries this week, and both were very well attended. The full details of surgeries are here.
Sadiq
The Bishop of Kingston, Dr Richard Cheetham, and I first met at an event in Tooting a month ago. The Bishop of Kingston’s responsibility includes Tooting constituency as well as a number of parishes across South West London. I was very pleased to receive an invitation from him to come and speak to his Area Deans to discuss community cohesion and to begin a working relationship between us.
I was quite excited to go to this meeting as aside from meeting such distinguished Archdeacons and church leaders I also got the opportunity to see the recently opened St Cecilia’s (Church of England) School in Putney.
Over the last week, two patients have absconded from Springfield Hospital, and you will have probably read the reports in the local press. This is very worrying for the local community, but the escapes also have to be put into context. There are thousands of success stories from Springfield every year, and at any one time the Hospital are treating 13,000 patients in the Hospital and in the community. I very much hope that these incidents are isolated occurrences, and do not become the norm. I was in regular contact with the Chief Executive of Springfield, Nigel Fisher’s office during the period when these patients had absconded. I have now written to him asking for a speedy, full and transparent investigation into what happened, and stressed the importance of reassuring local residents that the matter is being treated with utmost priority.
This week, I have launched a Curry Competition in Tooting! I am inviting local residents to nominate their favourite South Asian restaurant. The most popular one will be submitted to the Tiffin Cup national competition, and shortlisted restaurants will be invited to participate in a cook in to win the prestigious Tiffin Cup. More details are available here.
I have held two Advice Surgeries this week, and both were very well attended. The full details of surgeries are here.
Sadiq
