From the Conservative Association, and Andrew MacKay
In Touch Online - your online access to local news in
Bracknell. Find out what's happening in your area. Social events what's happening the rest of the
year.
Bracknell's
Rt Hon. Andrew MacKay writes a regular column which you can read first in the
Bracknell News. Below you can find a selection of the articles and a number
of Press releases from Bracknell Forest Conservative Councillors.
Job Seekers Project gets Boost 27 JuL 2009
The Grow Our Own initiative will receive £218,884 from section 106 payments.
New facilities have been created by Reading Borough Council,
Councillor Paul Bettison, leader of the council, said: "It is vital
at this moment in time, in Bracknell Forest, to keep people's opportunities for employment as high as possible."
See also: www.growourown.co.uk
Waste Management Park 7 JuL 2009
The local Tip/Dump.
New facilities have been created by Reading Borough Council,
Bracknell Forest Borough Council and Wokingham District Council
to ensure they meet their landfill targets.
Bracknell dump has been transformed, and the layout has been changed to improve the flow of traffic.
More
See also: 610 million PFI contract
More Changes at Heatherwood Hospital 30 Jun 2009
Councillor Ian Leake, panel chairman, said:
"We here are most anxious to see Heatherwood being developed to what we feel ought to be its full potential."
"The provision of health services will change. What concerns
us is what we've said before, is that the full range of
facilities of health services are available to people in Bracknell."
See also: Saving More Lives consultation
Armed Forces Day 27 Jun 2009
An event for all ages: displays and a parade, with presentation of badges to local veterans.
See also: BBC Berkshire
Public art 24 Jun 2009
Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture and chairman of the public art advisory committee, said:
"There is more public art in Bracknell Forest than most people probably realise
- just looking up while in Charles Square can reveal artworks you may never have noticed before."
"Please help us catalogue our history and heritage,
the information you supply will mean we have proper records of our public art so people can continue to enjoy them for years to come."
In a statement, Mr MacKay said:
Following a conversation with David Cameron this morning I have decided to step
down as candidate for Bracknell at the next General Election.
I believe I could be a distraction at a time when all right-thinking people will
want to elect him as Prime Minister with the good working majority necessary to take the tough decisions to turn this country around.
I would never forgive myself if my candidature distracted voters from the key
issues and particularly David's rousing call for change.
It has been both a privilege and huge fun to represent the people of
Bracknell for 26 years. My decision is not as a result of last night's
meeting - at which I was grateful for the robust support of my local
party and many constituents, and I would urge my colleagues to hold
their own public meetings.
I understand why people are angry. I hope my decision to step down goes some way
to showing my constituents how sorry I am about my own situation. More
Bracknell Forest told to build 13,000 new houses 19 May 2009
Cllr Ballin said: "We are fighting to keep the quality of life in Bracknell Forest and not to be swamped."
" It's a real battle. I understand the maths but what I am elected
to do is to preserve the quality of life and make sure we can
provide proper communities and I am determined to keep doing that."
Celebrate the town's 60th anniversary. 15 May 2009
Bracknell Town Council wants to hear from you.
Councillors Denise Whitbread, Isabel Mattick and Chris Turrell have been working
on plans to mark the anniversary for the last year.
Cllr Whitbread said: "We want residents to think about what they can contribute to
this."
[Town
Council]
Bracknell
HealthSpace launch 8 May 2009
Demands for a new health facility in the centre of Bracknell offering an extended
range of health services was one of the key themes to emerge from the local public
consultation process known as Right Care, Right Place which finished last
year.
Councillor Dale Birch, who took part in the evaluation process , said: "This is a
very positive step forward for the residents of Bracknell Forest and I welcome the
Board's decision. I think they have listened very carefully to residents and key
stakeholders.
"The Council and residents have long been vocal in their support for our own
healthspace in the town centre with a range of locally relevant services including
urgent care and GP services so that people won't have to travel long distances for
care." More
Government holding DNA profiles of innocent people 7 May 2009
Andrew Mackay said "feelings were running very high" on the issue of DNA being
stored.
Alan Duncan said the proposals had been "another example of this government having
little regard for civil liberty and justice".
Making it easier for people to choose where they want to live 20
Apr 2009
Choice Based Lettings will be introduced following a consultation on how homes
will be allocated.
Councillor Dale Birch, the council's executive member for adult services, health
and housing, said: "It's important we understand this is being done to make it
easier for people to choose where they want to live."
Firms remain optimistic 17 Apr 2009
Small businesses across Bracknell Forest remain bullish despite the recession,
according to an expert.
Councillor Bob Wade (deputy mayor and small business champion) said "In the last
recession Bracknell Forest Council noticed Bracknell Forest was about six months
behind the rest of the country,"
Staff College inquiry 21 Feb 2009
Chris Turrell, a Bracknell Forest councillor and SCRAM campaigner, gives
getbracknell a daily update of the inquiry.
SOS: Save our Sorting Office 13 Feb 2009
Union representatives, councillors and Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay will gather
outside Somerfield in the village's High Street from 9am to sign a petition.
Tina McKenzie Boyle, chairwoman of Crowthorne Parish Council, and councillor
Pauline Helliar-Simmons, mayor of Wokingham, will also be there
Andrew MacKay - David Cameron's "Mine Sweeper" 05 Feb 2009
Speaking for the first time about his role as the Tory leader's senior
parliamentary and political adviser, MacKay says: "I pick the mines out of the
water before they explode."
MP
will monitor PCT 2 Dec 2008
Andrew MacKay has pledged to keep an eye on how much funding Bracknell gets for
health services. Mr MacKay, MP for Bracknell, says he will be watching how much
money comes Bracknell's way in future funding
Improving
bridleways 15 Nov 2008
Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure, Corporate Services and Public
Protection, said: "We are extremely fortunate to have some wonderful countryside
here in Bracknell Forest and the help and advice of our local access forum helps
us make sure residents can fully enjoy it." More - "Types of Rights of Way "
[here]
Care for children in the
Bracknell Forest borough rated good 12 Nov 2008
Officers say this is not the time to be complacent.
Chairman of the panel Cllr Gill Birch concluded the discussion by adding that she
thought the Children's Services department deserved praise for putting the report
together. More - "Report (PDF)"
[here]
We need new housing based on evidence, not on figures plucked out of the
air 28 Oct 2008
Cllr. Mary Ballin said: "We need to make plans for a number, not just a minimum.
We cannot plan that way. We put in the number of houses we felt we needed and
could accommodate, based on evidence, not just plucked out of the air. There is no
evidence to increase it." More - "Healthy society is at risk from loss of gaps"
[here]
Recycled bags bench donated by Waitrose 8 Oct 2008
Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay was on hand to unveil the seat at Meadow Vale Primary
in Moordale Avenue, Bracknell.
Parking fine battle 6 Oct 2008
A firm refused to budge on the fine at first, however Mr MacKay, whose Bracknell
Forest constituency covers Finchampstead, stepped in to help.
Andrew MacKay - Telgraph Top 100 30 Sep 2008
Margaret Thatcher once said that 'every Prime Minister needs a Willie', referring
to her trusted deputy Willie Whitelaw. Mackay performs a similar 'wise old owl'
role for David Cameron. He stays very much in the background but those 'in the
know' say he exerts considerable influence.
A
Big Tidy Up 1 Sep 2008
The council is supporting the Keep Britain Tidy campaign as part of its aim to
keep the borough clean and green. Litter picks which are registered at www.thebigtidyup.org will be sent tabard bibs,
refuse sacks, a guide, posters to promote your clean up, badges, and stickers.
Bracknell Forest Council has been supporting this work by investing an extra
£100,000 in environmental improvements which include deep cleansing of the
borough's neighbourhood shopping areas. More [here]
Virtualisation
to slash costs and boost flexibility 8 Aug 2008
The council estimates it will save around £75,000 per year in terms of
hardware refresh and reduce power and cooling costs by 20 per cent.
The IT department secured funding for the virtualisation project from the
council's Invest to Save initiative, which funds projects to deliver longer term
savings.
Richard Dawson also talks of green IT [here]
Andrew bats at Crown Wood Cricket Club 26 Jul 2008
Cricket lover and Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay came with his wife and son.
He said: "Julie, Angus and I very much enjoyed it with Julie and Angus competing
on separate teams in a game that, fortunately for me, ended in a draw."
Bracknell's
MP decision to vote against reforms in MPs' expenses. 22 Jul 2008
"Part of the proposal is a 'daily clocking on fee' that would be demeaning to
Parliament and MPs. That was why I voted against it."
"I think it is wrong for MPs to set their own expenses and I think it should be
done by an outside body."
Andrew
MacKay - 25 years as MP 26 Jun 2008
The Bracknell Standard says Andrew has always had the support of
constituents, something which could be attributed to his dedication, tireless
visits to local groups and helping people.
“When I first started the hours were horrendous,” he adds. “I
used to work until two or three in the morning but thankfully I don’t do
that anymore."
“For the positives, I think for me it has been meeting and helping so many
ordinary people."
“It is frustrating if you can’t help someone, but when you can it is
very satisfying."
Disabled
access to Bracknell train station 10 Jun 2008
Andrew Mackay said: “This is totally good news as I really did not want
longer delays because disabled passengers will so benefit from this work and they
were very shocked and disappointed when work appeared to grind to a
halt.”
Tom
Ainscough 5 Jun 2008
Tom Ainscough, who served as the chairman of Bracknell District Council from 1983
to 1986, has died aged 88.
Councillor Bob Edger, mayor of Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Tom
represented all that is good in public life.
Carbon
footprint 25 May 2008
Bracknell Forest Borough Council is joining more than 70 other local councils by
signing up to a Carbon Trust scheme. Carbon Trust
Response to the Right Care Right Place consultation 23 May 2008
Lise Llewellyn, PCT chief executive, said after the board meeting in Eton:
“I am really pleased now we can start to deliver some real changes for
patients. "We can’t sustain a full hospital in Bracknell. We are getting a
whole new building with a lot of care in Bracknell." Cancer CareConsultation Document
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