Keep up to date with the latest news from around Denton & Reddish

This week in Denton & Reddish
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** Dear Constituent,
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After a few weeks' break, here's your latest edition of Denton and Reddish Weekly News.

As most of you will know, Tameside remains in a local lockdown, whilst Stockport has had restrictions lifted. You can read my statement on this from last week here ([link removed]) , and read the full guidance on North West lockdowns here:
Full Government Guidance ([link removed])
Take care and stay safe.
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Headlines


** Back to normal?
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The start of September is often a time of change. It marks the end of the summer holidays and the start of the new school year, but this year is a bit different. As schools across the country go back, many pupils aren’t returning after a six-week break but rather a break of almost six months.

At the same time, many people are starting to return to their workplaces from furlough and home working. The Government is keen for even more people to return to offices and something more like normal – the “new normal” as many are calling it.

As regular readers will know, I’ve been suffering from what’s become known as “Long Covid” – a post-viral fatigue that can be absolutely debilitating. Since the start of lockdown, I have been working from home, asking questions remotely and participating in lots of Zoom meetings. Despite Long Covid, this week I too will be returning to the office, having travelled down to London to take part in parliamentary proceedings in person again.

As Parliament returns, there is a lot to discuss – not least the Government’s shambolic handling of this year’s exam results and the concerns that I and many other colleagues have about the possibility of an impending jobs crisis if the Chancellor doesn’t take a hold of the situation and reconsider his plans on furlough and other schemes.

As much as we may seem to be returning to something like normal this week, I think it’s absolutely essential that we don’t forget that we are still in the midst of a global pandemic. It’s easier for us here in Tameside to remember than elsewhere as we have the local lockdown (which I’m glad to see is having the desired effect of reducing rates of infection within our borough), but as we start to leave our homes more and have contact with more and more people we need to keep safety in mind.

What this means in practice is staying vigilant, keeping a distance of 2 metres from others if possible, regularly washing our hands and wearing face masks in crowded places such as on public transport or buses. As the months of lockdown have gone on, I realise that many have found some of these measures irritating, but these are the main ways that we can keep the virus under control and ultimately to save lives. I think that this is a fair trade-off.


** MPs slam developer’s Greenbelt claim as ‘insulting’
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Andrew Gwynne, the Labour MP for Denton and Reddish and William Wragg, the Conservative MP for Hazel Grove have both reacted angrily to the latest claims to Stockport Council from the prospective developers of the Bredbury Industrial Estate that plans would lead to a “net gain in biodiversity”.

Developer, Quorum, was asked by the Council to provide more supporting information for their proposal to convert several acres of Greenbelt in the Tame Valley into industrial sheds. Their analysis has now been submitted to Stockport Council for assessment and public consultation.

One of the ‘mitigation’ proposals leading to the outrageous ‘net gain’ claim is for the developers to plant a hedge around the Reddish Vale Country Park car park at Tiviot Dale in Portwood, 3 miles away from the development site.

Because the land is currently protected, the proposed development can only be granted planning permission if the developer can demonstrate ‘very special circumstances’.

There is considerable opposition to the proposals from people living in Denton, Haughton Green, Woodley and Bredbury. The proposals would see industrial units built right up to the River Tame in the v of the valley, creating a terracing effect. It is also feared it would damage the ambience of both the Hulme’s Wood and Haughton Dale Local Nature Reserves on the opposite side of the River Tame in Tameside.

Tameside Council has also formally objected to the plans.

William Wragg MP said:

“To talk of a ‘net gain’ to the environment by massively building over green belt land is barmy. We are being treated as fools and I trust this proposal will be rejected.”

Andrew Gwynne MP said:

“I’m incredulous. The developer could at least have the decency to say, we screw the environment but are trying to create jobs. That would be an honest appraisal and it then hangs in the balance which of the two is more important.

“But to dress this up as an environmentally-friendly proposal and to even go as far as saying there’ll be a net biodiversity gain from sheds, concrete, noise and air pollution insults my intelligence and that of my constituents.”

Both MPs’ added:

“When will these chancers learn that our precious Tame Valley is NOT for sale?”


The public can comment to Stockport Council on the latest information submitted by the developer, which can be read online: [link removed] ([link removed]) (using reference number DC/074399).


** Gwynne takes action to combat retail violence and protect retail staff
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Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has signed up to support the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Shopworkers’ Protection Pledge, vowing to stand with retail staff and support legislation to better protect shopworkers from violence and abuse.

Violence and abuse of shopworkers remains a serious concern in Denton and Reddish. Recognising the serious impact that such crimes has on staff, their colleagues, and their families, Gwynne is committed to finding ways to end this scourge on local communities.

Gwynne has signed his support to:

Pledge to champion shopworkers in my constituency and:
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+ Recognise the serious impact that violence and abuse has on shopworkers and the local communities they serve.
+ Stand with retail workers to support legislation to better protect them.

The retail industry spends over £1.2 billion per year on crime prevention, yet, every day, there are over 400 incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff. Common triggers include challenging shoplifters, enforcing age restricted sales and implementing social distancing and other coronavirus safety measures. The pledge calls for tougher penalties for attacks on shopworkers through the creation of a specific criminal offence.

Andrew Gwynne said:

“Everyone should be free from violence or abuse in their workplace, so I am incredibly concerned about the level of violence and abuse towards shopworkers.


“Those working in retail have been on the frontline during the pandemic and I believe that it is vital that everything possible is done to keep these key workers safe in their workplaces.


“The current penalties for attacks on shopworkers are clearly not tough enough and that’s why I support the creation of a specific criminal offence.”

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:

“Every day, hundreds of hardworking retail staff are subjected to violence or abuse in their place of work. These incidents leave physical and emotional scars, and affect not only the victim, but also their families, colleagues, and communities. Sadly, existing law, meant to protect these workers, is not fit for purpose, and many of these heinous crimes continue to go unpunished.


“We are calling on MPs from all parties to come together and sign the Shopworkers Protection Pledge. On behalf of the three million people who work in retail; their families and their communities, there is one simple message: doing nothing is not an option.”

Read More of This Week's Stories ([link removed])
Andrew in the constituency

A big thank you to Clare Simpson of Worker Bee Markets for inviting me to the fantastic Reddish Artisan Market at Broadstone Mill last week. Loads of great stalls selling food, crafts and homemade goods.

🏆 CITIZEN’S AWARD 🏆

Well done Connor McMillan, a security guard at Crownpoint shopping park in Denton. On 7 July he attended a stabbing just outside the park in Wilton Street and performed lifesaving first aid until the paramedics arrived at the scene.

Today was National Fish and Chip Day - thanks to the Dolphin in Reddish for amazing fish and chips this lunchtime!

🏆 CITIZEN’S AWARD 🏆

Last week, I headed to Audenshaw to say ‘Thank You’ to Vicky Lambert, a dental nurse who moved onto COVID care at the MRI. She also supported those in her community who were sheltering or self isolating, ensuring they had shopping and other necessities.

It was great to join the zoom meeting of Walk Ride Heatons.

I’m a huge supporter of better walking and cycling infrastructure across the Denton and Reddish constituency and will work with this group, TfGM and Stockport Council to help make their vision for the Heatons a reality.
Andrew in Parliament

After working remotely for the past few months as a result of lockdown and Long Covid, it was great to be back in my Parliamentary office doing some of my work in person rather than virtually.

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📺 WATCH: I asked the Secretary of State about the need to retain public confidence in local lockdown measures.

He says he’s guided by the data and local leaders. That clearly wasn’t the case with Trafford and Bolton... and no answer about how lifting these high Covid risk areas might actually have prevented the rest of Greater Manchester from being eased from these measures.
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📺 WATCH: The Home Affairs Select Committee is starting a new (and timely) inquiry into channel crossings, migration and asylum-seeking routes through the EU.

This week we are questioning Home Office officials on the issue. Questions are divided up between committee members before the public evidence session. I ask questions about the Operations at the border.
Andrew in the media

The Tameside Reporter has picked up on the issue of crime in Dane Bank, and the swift and positive response I got from the Police promising action in the area.

You can read the full article here. ([link removed])

A few weeks ago the Mirror asked me to document my Long Covid experience by keeping a week's diary. I think it's important to keep raising awareness of this condition, which is affecting thousands across the country.

You can read the full article here. ([link removed])

The Manchester Evening News reported on my question to Health Secretary Matt Hancock on local lockdowns in Greater Manchester. As the MEN points out, the Health Secretary completely dodged the issue of rising infection rates in Bolton and Trafford, a day before lockdowns in those areas were due to be lifted (we then got yet another u-turn!).

You can read the full article here. ([link removed])
Community Board

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