| Gerry Steinberg MP | Press Releases 2000 - 2002 |
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He said:
"Residents and the police raised genuine concerns about the development of yet another night-club-type establishment in a part of Durham which already suffers from the negative effects of anti-social behaviour, as a result of revellers using the existing facilities in North Road."I am aware of several examples of the dreadful experiences of people living in the area, who already have to tolerate disruptive, inconsiderate and downright destructive behaviour. The granting of this licence will only serve to further exacerbate a difficult situation and intensify the nuisance being experienced.
"It is particularly frustrating when demand for late night entertainment can already be fully met by establishments presently operating in the City.
"Clearly this is a further example where the views and concerns of local people are simply being ignored.
"It would be interesting to know how much the barrister was paid to fight the case for the brewery, as it does seem that some companies, with apparently endless resources, have a greater chance of enforcing their wishes, at the expense of the locals who are left to deal with the consequences.
"It is cases such as this which make me welcome reform of the licensing laws, including proposals to transfer licensing powers away from the courts to local authorities. I believe this is more appropriate, as local authorities know the area better than the courts and can strategically implement plans for a particular area as a result."
15 Nov 2002
Mr Steinberg said:
"I have considered the application carefully, in view of the opportunity to provide a renewable energy source within the area."However, I have deep concerns about the negative impact of the turbines on the area and its residents and believe that, if permitted, the erection of wind turbines on the site in question would completely dominate the largely rural landscape and irrevocably damage the appearance and character of the village of Old Quarrington.
"In principle, I support measures to introduce wind turbines in appropriate locations. However, the erection of two 78m high turbines (with the additional impact of the 40m blades), on a site less than four hundred metres from residents' homes, is not just unacceptable it is intolerable. The mere physical presence of such structures in this location would be devastating, representing a visually invasive and intrusive influence on the landscape.
"The noise and visual disturbance generated by their operation would detrimentally affect the peaceful existence of residents in the area, and would prove detrimental to the immediate environment. The damaging effects, which invariably accompany continuous excessive noise, cannot be tolerated in what is presently a pleasant, peaceful village.
"There is certainly a place for renewable energy and the erection of wind turbines in appropriate locations that offer a wide and open landscape. However, this location is totally inappropriate and the negative impact the proposal would have on the character and appearance of the area, the quality of life of residents and the open, peaceful rural environment are significant. Whilst the site may satisfy the requirements for land and wind, it is simply not an acceptable location for the erection of such structures.
"I have therefore urged the City Council to refuse the application."
21 Oct 2002
His views follow the submission of details by the Eco Energy Group on a proposed mixed-use development, and further information relating to the opencast coal development, in response to a request from the Planning Inspector.
Mr Steinberg said:
"My opposition is based entirely on the dreadful situation that residents will be forced to tolerate and the devastation that inevitably accompanies opencast coal extraction."Anyone who has experienced the effects of opencast mining is aware of the terrible impact this development poses. If allowed, the proposal would negatively affect every aspect of the area, significantly spoiling the environment, the quality of life of residents and irreparably damaging the fabric and morale of the local community.
"Furthermore, I believe that the proposed mixed-use development, which is not part of the restoration scheme, offers no attractions that might compensate for the damage that would inevitably accompany opencast mining at this site. In fact, the mixed-use development is unacceptable in its own right, as it would significantly and detrimentally change the character of the area, if permitted.
"Any supposed rewards do not counterbalance the hugely detrimental effect of the proposal, which will merely blight the area for many years to come. I have therefore urged that the appeal to the Planning Inspector should be dismissed."
4 October 2002
He has joined with residents in opposing the construction of 308 dwellings by Wimpey and Bryant Homes, together with a traffic lights scheme, following the rejection of a previous housing application by the City Council last year.
Gerry Steinberg said:
"I have not changed my view on the development and feel that the proposal is even more unacceptable. The large increase in the number of houses will have a significant impact on the village and traffic levels. The proposal will extend the boundary of West Rainton and drastically alter the character of the village for ever."The land in question is agricultural land that would have been included in Durham's greenbelt, but for outline planning permission granted by a Planning Inspector in 1991. If the development proceeds, there will be no defensible barrier along the edge of the village, paving the way for the further development of hundreds of houses. "When the Planning Inspector found in favour of plans to build 150 houses more than 10 years ago, he stipulated the developer must build a grade-separated junction, i.e. flyover or underpass, on the nearby A690 road for traffic access to and from the enlarged village. If a flyover or underpass was essential in 1991, the volume of traffic makes it absolutely crucial today. Traffic lights may be cheaper for the developer, but are not an acceptable alternative to those who will have to live with the consequences of the proposal.
"I am also genuinely concerned that a significant amount of traffic will divert through the village to avoid the traffic lights, providing an additional negative impact on the village and its residents.
"I have therefore expressed my opposition to the application and urged that there should be no relaxation of the conditions imposed by the Planning Inspector."
19 Jun 2002
Following a decision by the House of Lords, ancillary workers with an ongoing contract of employment, who are not entitled to benefits, including Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support, during term-time because of the hours they work, are also not entitled to such benefits during school holidays. This is despite the fact that they receive no wage during such holidays.
Mr Steinberg has lobbied for the situation to be addressed, following the introduction of Jobseeker's Allowance in 1996. Since that time a series of Independent Commissioners' decisions provided different interpretations of the law, allowing some ancillary workers to be paid during relevant holidays. However, a Court of Appeal decision in October 1999 restored the original position, which was upheld by the Law Lords in June 2001.
Mr Steinberg said
"I know that the Law Lords' judgement was very disappointing for many term-time workers, who are being disadvantaged because of the present regulations. I will therefore continue to press the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to re-look at the situation."As the legislation presently stands, term-time workers are not eligible for benefits when they are not receiving a wage, for example when a school or college is closed during a period that is not a customary holiday. This is causing genuine financial hardship to those affected.
"There is an argument that employers should make provision for such periods of holiday, and I do not disagree with this. The fact is, however, that many term-time employees would dearly love to secure employment offering a wage during holiday periods, but are being disadvantaged because they are unable to do so.
"Furthermore, if claimants were to refuse term-time employment, then they would lose their entitlement to benefits. It is therefore unlikely that many employers will change their position, when they are able to fill vacancies by employing workers who would otherwise risk losing benefits.
"It is absolutely ludicrous and results in many term-time workers being caught in a poverty trap.
"I have therefore urged the Government to carefully consider the implications of the Judgement and address the predicament being faced by term-time workers, many of whom are low-paid and barely able to make ends meet."
20 Feb 2002
Gerry, whose City of Durham constituency contains three major prisons, has tabled an Early Day Motion before the House of Commons condemning the Government's action in serving an injunction on the Prison Officers' Association and all prison officers against industrial action.
Early Day Motions are a device used by MPs to draw attention to issues and to gauge support in the House for that issue.
The full text of the EDM reads:
"That this House is shocked that the Government has served a judicial injunction against the Prison Officers' Association and every single prison officer that prevents them from advising, authorising or supporting any form of industrial action that includes even the withdrawal of goodwill and working to the security manual with the threat of imprisonment, fine and seizure of personal assets; and calls upon the Government to immediately enter into constructive dialogue with the Prison Officers' Association to end this Draconian measure."
18 Feb 2002
Gerry is delighted with the excellent facilities, which will allow residents of the City of Durham to access a number of community services in one place.
He said
"I am absolutely thrilled that, having supported the City Council's development of such magnificent facilities, I am the first to take up offices in the new building."The facilities are very user-friendly and I am sure that constituents will find the services on offer to the community extremely easy and convenient to access."
16 Feb 2002
NB Phone and fax numbers are unchanged, and mail sent to the Claypath address is being forwarded.
He took up the issue with the Environment Agency and the Coal Authority, to urge that the situation be remedied, following the presence of ochre stained water, flowing down the river banks and across an adjacent footpath.
Following investigations, the Coal Authority discovered a blocked pipe, which was preventing minewater discharge into the River Wear. As a result, the water was being forced to the surface, running down the riverbanks and across the adjacent footpath.
Mr Steinberg said:
"I am pleased that the situation has been rectified, as there was an obvious problem with water being discharged in this area.
"Although I understand that the discharge did not constitute a pollution risk, I have been advised that engineering works have been carried out and a new pipe system has been installed.
"The footpath and surrounding area have also been reinstated in full, and can once again be enjoyed by residents and visitors."
25 Oct 2001
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Mr Steinberg said:
"My opposition is not based on any ideological reasons, but purely on practical arguments, recognising the dreadful situation that residents will be forced to tolerate and the horror that inevitably accompanies opencast coal extraction."Opencast has already had a dreadful impact on the environment in Durham and no more so than in the Bowburn area, the location for this application. If the application is approved, residents can expect a number of dreadful consequences.
"The last time there was an opencast in Bowburn residents, in many cases living as little as half a mile from the site, had significant dust deposits in their gardens and many more cases of asthma, particularly among children, were reported.
"The proposed site would constitute an unjustifiable and harsh intrusion into open and highly visible countryside which will be ravaged, as dust and debris from the operation will threaten the local flora and fauna.
"The increase in heavy lorries, thundering through the streets and local communities from the early hours of the morning, making up to one hundred trips a day, will be intolerable.
"People in the area will continually have to suffer dust and diesel pollution, noise nuisance and disturbance to local amenities.
"Opencast is detrimental to the quality of life of residents. It affects both the environment and the general morale of the community and the application will offer no benefits, but will merely blight the area.
"Former mining villages are only now recovering from the scars left by the industry and it would be dreadful if this application were approved.
"I firmly believe that the establishment of a new opencast site in this location would be a terrible retrograde step. I also strongly believe that the application contravenes County Durham Minerals Local Plan and County Durham Structure Plan and I have therefore urged that the application be firmly rejected."
03 Oct 2001
He has written to Durham City Council to oppose the application for a public entertainment licence and to County Durham Magistrates to urge that the application for a justices on-licence be refused.
He said:
"I strongly believe that the approval of such licences could strike a blow at the heart of the safety and enjoyment of residents of, and visitors to, this beautiful City and would contribute to what is already at times an unacceptable situation."There is presently a great deal of anti-social behaviour evident in this vicinity, as a result of revellers using the existing establishments in North Road. I am aware of several examples of the dreadful experiences of residents, who already have to tolerate disruptive, inconsiderate and downright destructive behaviour.
"The approval of such licences, in what is yet another nightclub-type establishment, catering for approximately 700 people, would only serve to intensify the nuisance being experienced. Such an influx of people, in what is already a heavily populated area on an evening, especially in the early hours, could be the end of the road for efforts to revitalise the area.
"Demand for late night entertainment can already be fully met by establishments presently operating in the City.
"I am extremely concerned that Durham City will become nothing more than a focal point for revellers, intent on a wild night out, regardless of any anti-social activities which may result. This is totally at odds with the great efforts being made to ensure that the City is able to meet the demands of both residents and visitors, whilst respecting its beauty and historical significance.
"I am aware that the police are concerned about the prospect of licences being granted to this establishment and I would certainly support this stance, as I have genuine fears for both public safety and the inevitable damaging effect that will be experienced by neighbouring residential areas.
"I have therefore urged that the City Council and the Magistrates refuse to grant licences at this location."
19 September 2001
After contacting the Environment Agency to urge that the situation be investigated, he has been advised that the quantity of water, and the presence of ochre staining, suggest that the water may be discharging from old mine-workings in the locality.
Mr Steinberg has now taken up his concerns with the Coal Authority, which is the body responsible for discharges of water from abandoned coal mines.
Mr Steinberg said:
"I am most concerned about the situation and am keen to ensure that the matter is addressed as a matter of urgency.
"It is appalling that we have what appears to be minewater pollution streaming down the beautiful riverbanks of the City, opposite the magnificent Cathedral. It is a charming part of the City, but I am concerned about the effect this emission is having on the area.
"I have therefore contacted the Coal Authority to urge that the discharge be investigated and that appropriate action be taken to address the problem swiftly."
11 Sept 2001
The truth is that Gerry Steinberg firmly believes in democracy and supports the Labour Party policy of allowing the people to have their vote on this issue crucial to Britain's future. The "Democracy Movement " make no such democratic commitment. (Have you noticed that those who give themselves the title Democracy are usually the least democratic, like the German Democratic Republic - East Germany - and are in fact the most autocratic?)
Gerry Steinberg supports putting the issue of the Euro to the British people in a referendum when the time comes.
Now THAT'S democracy!
11 May 2001
Gerry Steinberg, Member of Parliament for the City of Durham, has expressed concerns to Durham City Council about the planning application for the change of use and conversion of the former Palladium Cinema in Claypath, Durham.
Mr Steinberg said:
"The proposal is scarcely, if at all, different to previous planning applications at this location, which have been rejected as being inappropriate.
"The last thing the City needs is a nightclub on Claypath, open until the early hours of the morning.
"In a mixed area, which already has a number of established licensed premises and restaurants, together with residential properties, I think that the proposal would severely affect the quality of life of residents in the area, who already have to tolerate a certain degree of noise and disruption during normal licensing hours.
"The proposal would mean a further influx of revellers and extended opening hours, prolonging the period during which City residents have to endure the consequences of such activities.
"I have therefore opposed the planning application and hope that the local authority rejects this inappropriate development."
4 April 2001
The University of Durham yesterday agreed proposals to increase rents for students in University accommodation by inflation plus £200 per annum next year. The intention is to follow this pattern for the next five years, which will raise charges by £1,000 in real terms over the period.
Mr Steinberg met with representatives of the University, including the Vice-Chancellor, to press his concerns that such increases would prevent access to the University for many students and was almost the equivalent of a top-up fee, which he is also totally opposed to.
Mr Steinberg said:
"Clearly, there appears to be a need to modernise the ageing halls of residence, but the past failures of University management should not fall so heavily on present and prospective students.
"I am concerned that the proposals will lead to students from less affluent backgrounds being unable to attend Durham University. Access to higher education could be reduced in Durham, as accommodation will only be available to those lucky enough to be able to afford it.
"This is in complete contrast to Government policies aimed at encouraging access to higher education for all students, not just those who are fortunate in having the means to pay for it.
"I oppose any measure which makes Durham University accessible only to an elite band of students."
21March 2001
The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill is part of Labour's strategy to reduce the 120,000 lives that are lost each year from illnesses directly related to smoking.
In less than 4 years Labour has done more than the Tories did in 18 years. Under Labour:
"Banning tobacco advertising was a key manifesto commitment of the Labour Party and I'm proud to be backing the bill as it passes through parliament. A ban on tobacco advertising and promotion should reduce smoking consumption by around 2.5%, saving some 3,000 lives a year.Once passed, the Bill will mean:"Research shows that brands that are most heavily advertised are the ones that children are most likely to smoke. The Tories have opposed this Bill at every stage. When it comes to a fundamental choice between safeguarding children's health and backing the tobacco industry the Tories have shown which side they are on."
24 Jan 2001
Durham City MP Gerry Steinberg formally started work on the site of the £4 million scheme for a new Mental Health Unit for Older People in North Durham, which will provide up to date facilities for older people with mental health problems.
The new Unit, which is due to open in the autumn, is situated on the Earl's House site. The Unit will include:
"The new Unit will replace the outdated Roseberry and Picktree Wards on the Chester-re-Street Community Hospital site, arid also significantly improve on the day hospital currently on the Highfield Hospital site.Gerry Steinberg MP said:
"I am delighted that building work is beginning on this project. This new Unit will benefit a great many local people over the coming years, and I look forward to seeing the finished product before the end of the year.
Gerry Steinberg MP for the City of Durham today welcomed the announcement of big increases in health spending for local hospitals and family doctors.
The Health Secretary is to substantially increase the cash for the local health service in County Durham next year. County Durham Health Authority will receive £491,142 million for 2001/02 - a rise of £38,898 million - up 8.6% on last year.
The extra resources announced for County Durham Health Authority are a result of the largest-ever sustained rise in NHS spending announced in the Budget. After years of under investment, the NHS is now set to grow by over one third in real terms by 2004.
The allocations include £450 million to help tackle our country's biggest killers - cancer and coronary heart disease. The extra resources will mean more drugs and operations for local patients.
By December 2001 there will be a new maximum one month wait from urgent GP referral to treatment for men with testicular cancer, for children with cancer and for patients of all ages with leukaemia.
The maximum waiting time for all inpatients is currently eighteen months. By Spring 2002 the NHS will have reduced the numbers waiting over 12 months and the maximum waiting time will have been reduced from 18 to 15 months for all patients.
But the Secretary of State for Health warned that Conservative plans would mean NHS cuts of at least £9 million in County Durham Health Authority.
The Conservatives health spending plans exclude £400 million of tobacco tax revenues going direct to the NHS. They include at least £500 million worth of subsidies to the private medical insurance industry. This amounts to almost £1 billion cut in NHS investment shared across the 99 health authorities in England - equivalent to a cut of £9 million in every health authority.
Gerry Steinberg MP said:
"Tough decisions Labour took when we came to office are now paying off for the health service in Durham.
"This extra investment will improve services for patients, especially in tackling our top priorities of cancer and coronary heart disease. This big investment now has to mean big improvements for patients living in Durham.
"This is investment put at risk by the Conservative's £9 million local NHS cuts."
15 Nov 2000
"This scheme shows that Labour is backing our pensioners, backing disabled people, and backing public transport," said Gerry Steinberg. "It extends the scheme that Durham City Council has been running for many years.'The Transport Bill, including these provisions, is at present in the House of Lords. The changes are expected to come into force next year."Most pensioners and disabled people do not have cars," continued Mr Steinberg, "so access to affordable and accessible public transport is very important for shopping, visiting friends, social activities and, for the disabled, getting to work. I am delighted by these plans."
1st September 2000
The problem, Gerry Steinberg explained, is that the Castle is owned by Durham University. The Lottery Fund has said it can not give grants to conserve educational buildings. But now the fabric of the Castle has become so bad that English Heritage has put it on its "Buildings at Risk" register.
"It's nonsense to say that the Heritage Fund can not help save Durham Castle," said Mr Steinberg. "The Castle is not just a building of national importance; it has international significance. Hundreds of much less important heritage sites have received millions of pounds in grants.""It's obvious," continued Mr Steinberg, "that the University cannot bear the total cost of the upkeep of the Castle without damaging its fundamental educational aims. To allow the Castle to crumble would be 'vandalism by inaction.' "
17 July 2000
Local MP, Gerry Steinberg, welcomed the figures saying :
"The Labour Government has been waging war on youth unemployment and the New Deal has been at the heart of that crusade. The number of people aged 18-24 who have been out of work and claiming benefit for 6 months or more has fallen by nearly 70% both nationally and in Durham."Nationally, 210.000 young people have moved off welfare into work through New Deal. Labour is well on the way towards eradicating long-term youth unemployment. The Tories would scrap New Deal and, with it, the hopes of thousands of young people.
"The commitment of employers and young people in Durham to New Deal has been outstanding. The fact that 457 18-24 year olds have already moved into work is a real credit to the area."
"Young people no longer need to feel that there is no future for them or that the Government doesn't care about them," said Mr Steinberg.
8 June 2000
In 1991 Durham City Council refused planning permission for 150 houses at West Rainton. Wimpey appealed against this decision and the Planning Inspector found in favour of Wimpey. However, he said that before any development started, Wimpey must build, at its own expense, a flyover or underpass on the nearby A690 road to give access for traffic to and from the enlarged village.
Nothing has happened since 1991 though that planning permission is still valid. Now an application has been made to build 193 houses on the same site and permission is being sought to install traffic lights rather than the flyover or underpass specified by the Planning Inspector.
Gerry Steinberg has warned the County Council
"If a flyover or underpass was deemed essential in 1991, today's greatly increased traffic volumes make it absolutely crucial. There should be no relaxation of the conditions imposed by the Planning Inspector. Traffic lights may be a lot cheaper for the developer but they are not an acceptable alternative."He told the County Council that he was sure they would not accept offers from the developer of cash for other projects simply in return for agreeing to traffic lights.
"People's lives and safety must not be sacrificed at the West Rainton junction merely to gain cash for other schemes," Gerry Steinberg said.
The Parish Council has recently discovered that the developers - Wimpey and Bryant Homes - are applying to extend the scheme to 1100 houses.
Gerry Steinberg has written to the City Council to lodge his strong objections to this. He said, "150 new houses may pose some real problems for this village. 193 houses would bring more problems. 1,100 new homes is a ridiculous proposal." Mr Steinberg has urged the City Council to reject any increase in the original 150 house scheme.
26 May 2000
Durham Health Authority recorded a drop of 10%, since March 1998.
Across England, waiting lists are now 121,000 below the figure Labour inherited in 1997. The end of March in-patient waiting list figures show a fall of 51,000 (4.7%) compared with the February figures.
The number of out-patients waiting over 13 weeks has fallen for the second quarter in succession; down by 94,000 (19%) this quarter. The number of waiting list operations carried out by the NHS is up 12% this year, compared with 1997. The NHS now provides 70% of patients with their operation within 3 months, 80% within 6 months.
For the first time ever, in-patient and out-patient waiting figures have both fallen over a full year. The in-patients waiting figure is down by over 35,000 and out-patients by over 50,000. By contrast, in the last year of the Conservatives, in-patient figure rose by 110,000 and out-patients by 31,000.
Welcoming the figures, Gerry Steinberg said,
"Labour's long term reforms are beginning to deliver tangible results for patients. These improvements are the result of hard work by doctors and nurses across the country, together with the reforms we have put in place."Health Secretary, Alan Milburn, said,"As a result of the extra resources and reforms for hospitals in Durham and across the country, there are now more operations completed, more people being treated and fewer people waiting," said Mr Steinberg.
"We have done a lot to reform the NHS. In Durham and right the way across the country, there is still much to do. The pace of NHS reform has to increase and intensify. As a result of the extra resources included in the Budget, over these five years, the NHS will grow in real terms by over one third. We have to match these additional resources with further radical reform to create the 21st Century NHS our nation needs."
20 May 2000
Residents are concerned that further building on the riverside location in the City Centre would be detrimental to the area, and have an adverse impact on environmental aspects of one of the very few remaining open sites in the City Centre.
Gerry Steinberg said:
"I fully support the concerns which have been expressed by residents about the effect of the erection of another building in this part of the City. I have urged that these be carefully examined in the consideration of this application."I do not think it is appropriate for any further building to take place on this particular site, and I am quite confident that the University could find an alternative location in a less sensitive area for such a project."
19 May 2000
Speaking from Westminster the City of Durham MP said:
"I am totally opposed to killing for fun and that is what fox hunting is all about."The Commons has already voted once since the General Election to ban hunting with hounds. In November 1998 the Commons gave a second reading to Michael Foster's Private Member's Bill by 411 votes to 157, but arcane Parliamentary procedures torpedoed the Bill.
The Labour backbencher continued:
"Clearly we need a Government Bill to be the vehicle for getting this measure on to the Statute Book. There is little point willing the end without willing the means."Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice added:
"The support we are getting from Gerry and a huge number of other Labour MPs is great news. But we have got to ban this barbaric blood sport before the next General Election, otherwise our credibility will be shot to pieces. The Prime Minister's personal commitment to a ban is spot on."
16 May 2000