2003 - reporting for the year 2002

Tim Loughton M.P.

East Worthing and Shoreham



HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON SW1AA 0AA

Year 2002

Dear Constituent,

There is a great deal of cynicism in the Press these days about politicians but do not believe everything you read. As someone who works in Westminster I find the majority of members approach their duties and responsibilities very seriously indeed.

1 am proud to be your MP and I see it as a privilege to represent the 72,000 people in the constituency of East Worthing and Shoreham, whatever their political persuasion.

This requires a two way process. I need your feedback so as to make sure I can do the best job possible on your behalf. If you are suffering an injustice or feel 1 am not doing my job properly do not hesitate to tell me directly. This report gives details of how to get hold of me.

On my part, I will continue to arrange public meetings, hold confidential fortnightly surgeries and regular 'street surgeries' in places such as shopping centres where anyone can approach me with a question or for a chat. For those who have embraced IT there is also my web site www.timloughton.com where I publish much up to date information.



The year 2002 was busy for many of us. However, what made it a special year was the celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. I was proud to be part of the festivities across the constituency and we partied with the best of them. What a tremendous achievement it would be if we could continue into 2003 with that Jubilee spirit which brought so many people closer together in a common purpose for the good of the community.

I am sorry there isn't more space in this report, which is funded out of my Parliamentary budget, to mention every individual, group or local organisation that I have met during 2002. I know you wiII understand that I can give but a flavour of my activities as your MP. May I say that I am tremendously grateful for all the goodwill and co-operation that so many people have shown to me.

With Best wishes

Tim had a busy year at Westminster, in the constituency and representing Parliament overseas in 2002.

In his role as Shadow Health Minister he regularly visited hospitals, mental health facilities and children's homes across the country and on the Continent to see how the National Health Service could learn from best practice.

In February he joined an all party delegation to Washington to discuss global warming with American and Canadian politicians.

The delegation pointed out to US senators the need for America to live up to international responsibilities concerning the reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

In September Tim joined a group of MPs in Gibraltar for Gibraltar Day celebrations and to show solidarity with the people of the Rock who overwhelmingly wish to remain British.

In December he visited Ethiopia with five other MPs to meet ministers and aid agencies.

Tim also continued his work at treasurer of the All Party Animal Welfare Group; as vice chairman of the All Party Regeneration Group; as vice chairman of the All Party Autism Group; as treasurer of the Parliamentary Maritime Group; and as treasurer of the All Party Archaeology Group.

Here is a list of some of the many other

parliamentary activities in which Tim was involved in 2002:

• Shadow Health Minister with specific responsibility for social services, children's issues, mental health and long term chronic conditions.
• Led in the House for the Opposition on the Adoption & Children Bill, a crucial piece of legislation to combat the scandal of 58,000 children left in care. The Conservative Opposition supported this Bill.
• Worked with the NSPCC and other children's charities on measures to improve protection for vulnerable children.
• Worked with the RNID on campaign to make digital hearing aids universally available through the NHS.
• Spoke up for local GPs who have some of the heaviest and most stressful workloads in England.
• Worked with care home organisations to persuade the Government to relax some of the overly proscriptive new regulations on elderly residential homes and reverse the decline in much needed beds.
• Appointed a trustee of the national charity to promote and assist volunteers - Community Service Volunteers.

Tim has travelled at home and abroad on parliamentary duties in 2002 but the most memorable visit of all was to Ethiopia shortly before Christmas.

A portfolio of dramatic photographs taken by Tim with his digital camera vividly illustrates how this troubled corner of Africa has been devastated by drought which now threatens up to 14 million people with the return of famine.

The photograph below shows Tim handing out notebooks and pens to schoolchildren with on the most basic of facilities.

Tim visited Ethiopia with five other MPs to meet ministers and aid agencies and to see at first hand the work that is being done with British aid. The delegation reported back favourably on this work to International Development Secretary Clare Short.

Britain is the second largest donor to Ethiopia supplying not only emergency food aid but supporting sustainable agriculture, water projects, education and schemes to combat HIV through the British Council.

Having been born and brought up in Sussex, Tim knows how we value our Downs.

He joined protestors campaigning to stopfurther building on green fieldsbehind Beeches Avenue in Worthingand is continuing to putpressure on John Prescott and the HighwaysAgency to respect localdecisions and quash excessive development here.

He continues to lobby against inappropriate mobile phone mast installations with mixed success.

On East Worthing sea front he has been working with residents to make the beach more accessible to elderly and disabled people especially across the high shingle defences and has secured an extra refuge to make crossing the difficult coast road easier.

In Lancing he chaired meetings with residents, Environment Agency officials and the Friends of Widewater Lagoon to make sure that flood protection work protected homes and the integrity of Widewater's valuable wildlife.

The East Worthing & Shoreham constituency is made richer by the many groups of volunteers running invaluable community services.

Tim worked in Shoreham's Cancer Research UK shop and Broadwater's Guild Care shop during the year and some of the groups he met included Worthing Carers, St John Ambulance Brigade,Worthing Breathe Easy, Adur Stroke Club, Adur Advocacy Service, SAMM, Safety Houses Project and all three local Citizens' Advice Bureaux.

Shoreham Harbour is an important feature of the Adur economy yet the Shoreham Maritime Vision appears to have stalled.

Local people are concerned about the lack of accountability of the Shoreham Port Authority Board who run our trust port. Tim has raised questions in Parliament and in the media and lobbied ministers.

He has called on the Port Authority to work fully and openly with the local community to regenerate the area.

He will continue to raise local concerns over traffic levels, shingle movements, use of Southwick Beach and security and to make the Board properly accountable to the needs of local residents.

Anti-social behaviour by a few can blight whole estates. Tim has consistently campaigned for the return of proper bobbies on the beat across the constituency.

In East Worthing around Angola Road, Tim has been working with the new East Worthing Residents' Action Group formed by Mick Smith to help local people fight back.

He organised a public meeting at St. Stephen's church and brought police and Worthing Homes in to work with the community. Police presence has been increased, trouble-makers are being evicted and facilities for young people are being improved.

Similarly on the Guinness Estate in Lancing a new residents' association is transforming quality of life for tenants on a previously troubled estate, with the help of Tim, local police, schools and Brighton University.

Tim opened a new activity area this year, (right) and has also accompanied new Police Inspector Paul Amoo on one of the police 'blitz days' in Sompting.

He is pictured here at the inaugural meeting of the new school council at Shoreham First School in November.

Earlier in the year he opened the new computer suite at Boundstone Community College, Lancing, following significant new investment from the West Sussex County Council. He addressed a special Jubilee assembly at Davison School, Worthing and opened the new science block at Glebe School in Southwick.

He has also been working with parent groups concerned at proposed changes to special needs education at Heronsdale and Highdown schools.