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I have been the Labour Member of Parliament for North East Derbyshire since May 2005. I hope you find this website useful and that you will use it to keep yourself updated on my activities, but also to keep in touch with me on any issues that matter to you. I would be grateful for any feedback on the content and the structure of the website.
Campaigns and Consultations
Campaigns Dronfield Station
Dronfield Station Action Group was set up in August 2006 after a letter writing campaign in the Dronfield Eye. As a result, Natascha called a public meeting in Gosforth Lodge in Cliffe Park in Dronfield.
The Dronfield Station Action Group was formed, comprising representatives of all local councils, community groups and local residents.
Please visit www.dsag.org.uk for more information or write to the Secretary of the Group, Roy Hunt, Dronfield Station Action Group, Dronfield Civic Hall, Civic Centre, Dronfield S18 1PD
or email him roy.hunt@dronfield.gov.uk
Middlecroft Leisure Centre
Staveley looked set to lose its swimming pool in May 2006.
Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP, Minister for Sport, came to receive a petition from worried residents in Middlecroft – highlighting how serious the loss of a swimming facility is.
Instead of a pool, Chesterfield Borough Council had decided to build a gym on the site where the Barlow Raod flats in Staveley used to be.
The Queen’s Park pool in Chesterfield is already heavily used, so campaigners were concerned about the health and safety implications with a huge influx from Staveley.
Elderly and disabled swimmers were deeply worried too – in particular members of the Spire Oaks Swimming Club.
Medical Examination Centres
Medical Examination Centres in Chesterfield and Derby were threatened with closure. Derbyshire’s Labour MPs worked together with local voluntary organisations and trade unions to save both centres.
The Chesterfield and Derby centres, which assess people claiming incapacity and invalidity benefit, were threatened with closure.
This would have left the whole of Derbyshire without a single centre.
After the intervention of Derbyshire’s Labour MPs before the summer, Government Ministers told centre managers Atos to go back to the drawing board.
MPs and local organisations worked closely together to provide evidence of sick and disabled people having to travel for hours by public transport to claim their entitlement.
Natascha Engel MP for North East Derbyshire said: “This proves that negotiation with a listening Labour government gets results.
“We have a strong group of Labour MPs in the County and effective community organisations that combined to make sure our voice was heard on behalf of vulnerable people.
“We could not have done it without the help of the Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centre, the Public Services Union PCS, Welfare Rights, the Public Transport Unit and Citizen’s Advice Bureau. We owe a special thank you to Colin Hampton and Gill Whittaker.”
Solar Pyramid The Solar Pyramid, to be built in Poolsbrook Country Park, North East Derbyshire, will put Staveley firmly on the map in the same way that the Angel of the North sculpture has made Gateshead famous. It’s also exciting because it will contribute to the regeneration of Staveley and Northern Derbyshire.
As well as the Markham Employment Zone at Skinner’s Junction, the Solar Pyramid will bring employers and jobs.
The pyramid has brought together local engineering, environmental and design experts.
In every way, this work of art marks the regeneration of an area once famed for mining and steel.
Three 58-metre (190ft) blades made of polished Sheffield steel will rise up on the ground where once Ireland colliery used to be.
The vast steel blades will be covered in highly reflective green-coloured mirror polish. It will look amazing.
The Solar Pyramid will be the centrepiece of Poolsbrook Country Park and be visible from the M1 between junctions 29 and 30.
Some more funding is needed and a 1001 Club is being launched. Anyone, any business, any organisation, can give £1001 to the project and in return will have their name etched on the base of the pyramid for all eternity.
Consultations Racial and Religious Hatred
Churches Together in Dronfield and District organised a public meeting in January 2006 to discuss the government’s proposals set out in the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill.
Introduction
The members and congregations of Churches Together in Dronfield and District asked their MP, Natascha Engel, to take part in a consultation event on the Race and Religious Hatred Bill, which was due to be voted on 24 January 2006.
The event was attended by about 150 people from churches all around the constituency. Concerns about the Race and Religious Hatred Bill centred primarily on the fear that the legislation had the potential to curb freedom of speech.
The following is a very brief summary of points made during the meeting.
For more information click here
Untitled Page
Thanks!
Many thanks to everyone
who has sent cards, gifts
and good wishes following
the birth of baby Lukas on
Sunday, January 13th.
I am particularly looking
forward to taking him around
the constituency with me
and introducing him to
everyone who has enquired
about him.
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Medical Examination Centres in Chesterfield and Derby were threatened with closure. Derbyshire’s Labour MPs worked together with local voluntary organisations and trade unions to save both centres.
