Press Releases
January - June 1998
Press Releases
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Mr Steinberg has written to the Magistrates to urge that the application be turned down once again, as nothing has changed to merit the granting of such a licence.
In his approach to the Court he said:
"I wish to make it absolutely clear that I continue to totally oppose the granting of such a licence on exactly the same grounds as those cited previously. I firmly believe that the approval of a licence for this establishment would be a retrograde step for Durham and will do absolutely nothing whatsoever to enhance the City and its facilities.
"The only reason further applications for public houses are being submitted is because Durham is now acquiring a reputation as a "boozing centre of the north". I do not simply oppose all applications for such developments and would support applications that I felt would bring a beneficial facility to Durham.
"I do hope that the concerns expressed about this application will be fully and carefully considered and that, as a result, the application will be turned down again, as nothing has changed.
He added that he felt that the actions of the Brewery only demonstrated the company's contempt for both the court and the residents in the area, who had vociferously opposed the application.
He said "It is quite clear that the company is hell-bent on pursuing the application to add to its huge profits at the expense of the quality of life of the residents of Durham. Absolutely no consideration has been given to the suffering and nuisance caused to inhabitants of the City. This part of Durham is already amply supplied with public houses and I cannot see the justification for yet another.
"Durham City is an attractive tourist area, but the continued growth of public houses and the inevitable problems accompanying excessive drinking, is creating the wrong climate and is ruining its image.
"It is about time that the interests of the City, its residents and visitors were placed before company profits and I hope that this application will consequently be turned down."
23 June 1998
Following approaches from several concerned constituents, he has written to the City Council to record his opposition to the planning application for an extension which would involve the creation of a beer garden at the public house.
Gerry Steinberg said, "I know from the personal experiences conveyed to me that residents in this area of Durham have had to endure problems resulting from unacceptable behaviour for some time. In fact, recent modernisation and redevelopment work undertaken at the New Inn has already had a detrimental effect on the area in terms of increasing noisy, unsociable behaviour and nuisance.
"Quite frankly, I was astounded at the decision last year to allow this public house to be enlarged at the expense of the already limited parking facilities. It seemed an incredible decision at the time and I am afraid that the reports and experiences of constituents in this area only serve to strengthen my view that it should not have been permitted.
"To approve an application for a beer garden would be to add insult and further injury to the inhabitants who already have to endure the noise and loutish behaviour of a number of patrons.
"I have urged the planning department to place the concerns and interests of the long-suffering residents in the area first. The proposal for a beer garden at the New Inn would not be for the benefit of the City or its residents, but would only serve to increase the profits of one company."
17 June 1998
The MP was responding to the Government's Consultation Paper, published in February, setting out options for a voluntary or statutory approach. The consultation ends on 5 June.
Speaking from Westminster, Gerry Steinberg said: "The Government has made it crystal clear it wants public access to mountain, moorland, heath, down and registered common land. The proposals, of course, exclude cultivated and developed land. There is no question of strangers trampling through back gardens!"
The MP continued: "The Government has not ruled out the voluntary approach to achieving greater access, but we make clear this is not the easy option. There would have to be firm assurances that the countryside would be opened up to the public. However, I doubt the voluntary approach can work. Without statutory backing there is nothing to prevent a bloody minded landowner keeping people out."
Note:
The Early Day Motion tabled in February reads: "That this House believes there should be a legal right of access to open countryside which would allow people to walk freely over uncultivated land, subject always to restrictions safeguarding wildlife and flora and the legitimate economic interests of those working the land; believes that ownership by itself is not a sufficient reason to deny access; and recognises that there is a widespread expectation that the Government intends to legislate to give the many this right denied to them by the few.
2 June 1998
Commenting on the launch of Britain's first ever national childcare strategy, Gerry Steinberg, Member of Parliament for the City of Durham said:
"This is great news for all families with children in the City of Durham. For too long the needs of parents have been either sidelined or ignored. I am sure it will be welcomed by ail local parents and employers as a major step forward.
"Already, every four year old in Durham will have a nursery place from next September.
"The Government's national childcare strategy will revolutionise the way parents access new childcare facilities in the City of Durham. It represents a more coherent approach. For the first time ever, childcare will be brought within the reach of every family household budget.
"From next year, all working families in the City of Durham will be able to claim the new Childcare Tax Credit. This will provide up to £105 per week (e.g. for a family with two children) to help with the costs of childcare.
"it will mean a number of real benefits for local people - new study support centres so that children have a quiet place to learn after school; more childcare workers and better quality training all round.
"Above all, it will mean better local access to the kind of childcare denied by previous governments. It is truly a revolution. No family will be excluded from taking part.
"A share of f300 million nationally will now ensure that there is affordable childcare for every family, in every neighbourhood, for children up to the age of fourteen.
"These new opportunities will help parents better balance work and family life. And it will help the local economy by enabling more people to enter work or improve their employability through education and training.
"Overall, it means that local families will be able to plan the future with confidence that the childcare places and support will be there".
Key facts about childcare
Gerry Steinberg MP said, "Labour is committed to tackling the specific transport problems of people who live in the countryside. I know that in many rural areas people are worried about traffic tearing through their villages. We want to find ways of calming traffic in the countryside, without ruining the environment with ugly humps, bumps and signs. These first six projects will provide useful information for us in City of Durham on what works best, and will lead the way in producing better rural traffic management."
Gerry Steinberg MP said that as part of the Government's commitment to better rural transport it was participating in the Countryside Commissions' Countryside Traffic Measures Group, which aims to develop good practice guidance on rural traffic management and to be sensitive to the countryside environment.
2 April 1998
Gerry Steinberg MP said, "We are determined to ensure that the privatised companies will not be able to put private profit before public safety. Railways have a good safety record. But the Health and Safety Executive railway inspectorate's last: annual report revealed that some train operators have tried to reduce safety levels to the minimum allowed, saying that maintaining or improving on the status quo is too costly."
Gerry Steinberg MP said, "This week the Government's independent safety advisers, the Health and Safety Commission, have agreed to begin immediately their review of railway safety standards. This is good news for passengers in City of Durham.
27 March 1998
Today's announcement of more NHS cash for County Durham is part of the Government's overall announcement of individual health authority allocation of extra funds from the Budget announcement of an extra £500 million for the NHS.
Welcoming the £3,760,000 extra for County Durham Health Authority, Gerry Steinberg MP, Member of Parliament for the City of Durham, said -
"This is a real tonic for patients in Durham, City of. £3,760,000 of new NHS money to tackle the first priority of local people - getting the NHS waiting lists down.
"Patients in County Durham Health Authority area can be assured that this money will be ear-marked and targeted to deliver what they want most - shorter waiting lists.
"The Government has said that they will be closely monitoring the performance of County Durham Health Authority. I'11 be monitoring their performance as well and letting local people know just how this extra £3,760,000 is being spent.
"The extra £500 million announced in the last Budget takes to £2 billion the extra money the Government has put into the Health Service in our first year we have been in power. £2 billion extra in one year. Close to £5 million extra for the Health Service every single day during the coming year.
"That's £2 billion more than the Tories we planning to spend on the NHS. And it's more than three times as much as the Liberals promised the Health Service at the General Election."
28 April 1998
In the Commons on 11 February 1998, the Prime Minister said: "The Conservatives say that people having the right to roam or walk on moorlands on which they wish to walk will somehow put the countryside at risk. It will do no such thing. We are in discussion now as to the best way to proceed, and I believe that we can reach proper agreements on this matter. If not, the legislation is there and we intend to carry through our manifesto commitment. As for the Conservative Party threatening civil disobedience, it only shows what has happened to the Party of law and order.
Note to Editors: The Early Day Motion reads: This House believes there should be a legal right of access to open countryside which would allow people to walk freely over uncultivated land subject always to restrictions safeguarding wildlife and flora and the legitimate economic interests of those working the land; believes that ownership by itself is not a sufficient reason to deny access and recognises that there is a widespread expectation that the Government intends to legislate to give the many this right denied to them by the few.
Wednesday 25 February 1998
Gerry Steinberg said:
"The National Lottery is now part of our lives. Most of us in Durham have a regular go at becoming a millionaire. Most of us, sadly, are unsuccessful! But the Letter/ must retain the confidence of the people in the way it is operated and regulated. That is why the Labour Government is committed to a People's Lottery, and will seek an efficient not-for-profit operator to maximise returns for good causes when the current licence to run it expires.
"I am delighted that Lottery reforms will soon be discussed in the House of Commons, where we will have a chance to support other changes to help small local organisations.
"These include an end to a back-to-front distribution mechanism which encourages the best-connected to apply for Lottery cash. The Labour Government's reforms will also allow good cause money to be distributed on the basis of need. So I will work hard to get new Lottery money into the City of Durham.
"Lottery money will go to the people's priorities, £1bn of Lottery money will also be allocated to out-of-hours school clubs, healthy living centres, training in new technology for teachers and librarians, as well as to the new National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts - Britain's first national bank for talent.
"These changes will make the Lottery a truly People's Lottery. One that I and people in the City of Durham will welcome."
13 February 1998
Gerry Steinberg, Labour MP for the City of Durham, has indicated support for the Government's pledge to introduce new powers for local authorities to introduce 20mph zones for children and pedestrian's safety.
Gerry Steinberg said:
"The Government wants to make our streets safer for children. I warmly welcome the news that the Government will be introducing powers to enable local authorities to introduce 20mph zones. We know they dramatically reduce the number of accidents involving children and pedestrians.
"At present, a local authority has to apply to the Secretary of State if it wants to reduce the speed limit below 30mph. In the 300 places across the country where 20mph zones have been introduced along with traffic calming measures, pedestrian casualties have been reduced by 61% and child pedestrian and child cyclist casualties by 67%. These are dramatic reductions.
Gerry Steinberg concluded by saying, 'Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world, but the safety of child pedestrians is one area where our record is not so good. For too long residential roads have been designed with traffic flow in mind, rather than the safety of people who live in them. The Government is taking action to redress the balance in favour of safety. This news will be warmly welcomed by children, pedestrians and cyclists in Durham.
10 February 1998
City of Durham MP, Gerry Steinberg, has given his backing to Durham County Council's recently published proposed modifications to the County Durham Structure Plan. One of the proposals is for a Green Belt fully encircling Durham City and extending up to Chester-le-Street to link with the existing Tyne and Wear Green Belt. Mr Steinberg said:
"If this proposal receives public support and is accepted, it would mean that for the first time the setting and special character of our historic City would receive the highest level of national protection, which it so richly deserves.
"The County Council has clearly listened to the many views and ideas put forward during the earlier stages of plan preparation and I welcome this positive response. The current proposals will safeguard the unique setting of Durham City for future generations and protect the open land between Chester-le-Street and the City from development. At the same time, the general extent of the proposed Green Belt will allow the long-standing strategy to continue of catering for most of the District's new housing and employment needs in the larger villages readily accessible to the City, thus promoting the regeneration of these communities.
It is for the Structure Plan to establish the principle and general extent of the Green Belt. Detailed boundaries are then for the City Council to define in its Local Plan, when the public will have another chance to comment.
Mr Steinberg urged people who feel the City needs a Green Belt to join with him in welcoming the proposals. He said, "Support for this proposed Green Belt is vital. Objections to the Green Belt, either to the principle or to its general extent, could result in a further round of delays and even to the possible loss of this one opportunity to establish a Green Belt."
To register support, written representations should be made to the Director of Economic Development and Planning, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham before the consultation period ends on 16 February 1998.
12 January 1998