Brian Binley backs campaign to save local businesses

Brian Binley MP for Northampton South was visited by NFRN (National Federation of Retail Newsagents) President Parminder Singh and Northamptonshire County Councillor and Local Business Owner Suresh Patel yesterday to discuss the major concerns facing shopkeepers.

Highlighted issues included crime, planning, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the vital role retailers will play in the regeneration of the UK economy and local communities.

In support of the industry and a return to common sense policy making, Mr Binley cited the impending tobacco display ban as a priority piece of legislation that must be repealed. The ban, which was introduced by the previous administration under opposition from both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, will cost retailers on average £1,000 each to become compliant. With a dwindling sector of 70,000 SMEs that sell tobacco, the new coalition government is asking them to collectively pay a staggering £70m to implement the proposals that will have no public health gain.

Northampton Sotuh MP, Mr Binley, commented:

“The tobacco display ban will be to independent retailers, what the tobacco ban was to local pubs and clubs: a final nail in the coffin heralding a death knell of our local high streets. Once the pubs, clubs and small shops shut down, it will be nigh on impossible to recover them and our nation of shop keepers, will be gone for good. This loss, at the ‘heart’ of our communities, has a direct correlation with the decline in the sense, identity and cohesion of our local area.”

NFRN president, Parminder Singh, said:

“We had a very encouraging meeting with Mr Binley, and the NFRN welcomes his refreshing and sensible approach to government. There is no evidence that a tobacco ban has reduced levels of adolescent or adult smoking in any country where it has been implemented. Britain’s once-famous high streets are clearly an endangered species and yet the coalition government has not fulfilled its pre-election commitments to repeal the ban. This is clearly a ludicrous situation, with all the positive rhetoric of the Great Repeal Bill and the Big Society, not been taken into account. SMEs want to work with the government and the NFRN remains hopeful that the coalition government will be the defenders of this vital sector. Most importantly, retailers are calling on the government to repeal this legislation expeditiously, as they seek certainty and reassurance now more than ever. The NFRN is delighted that Mr Binley is both willing and eager to work with us, and we look forward to working with, and tapping into, his wealth of political experience to protect our small shops.”

Northampton County Councillor and Local Business Owner, Suresh Patel, added:

“As a local retailer, I am on the front line of ensuring that children in my local community do not buy tobacco from my shop, and I am certainly not atypical of the vast majority of responsible retailers across the countries who have long been taking part in proactive schemes to restrict access to adolescents, such as NoIDNoSale and Citizencard. Retailers do not need more legislation penalising them – retailers need government support on the ground to tackle the issues of youth smoking through measures, including cracking down on smugglers and counterfeiters, and those who purchase tobacco for minors.”

MP welcomes partnership proposal

Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has welcomed the announcement that the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) and Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited (NEL) are to establish a joint-Member steering group to identify ways of working together.

Brian said: “It is well know that the WNDC will cease to exist in its present form within the next 36 months and that local planning decisions will be returned to District and Borough Councils.”

“This still leaves a massive hole in strategic planning and I believe that role should be taken up by a body at County level, which has the flexibility to work with other Counties on a ‘needs’ basis.”

Brian continued: “If the present Government is to achieve its budgetary aims, the major element of that success will be dependant upon growth in the private sector and especially with small and medium sized businesses.”

“It therefore seems eminently sensible that the concept of economic growth and strategic planning should proceed hand in hand at county level.”

It is also hoped that the closer working partnership between the WNDC and NEL could symbolise a break from the current planning culture and lead to a more creative and less bureaucratic planning system which offers better value for money.

Brian said: “I hope that this will put an end to some of the crazy proposals for Northamptonshire. John Prescott’s plans to build 18,000 new homes on greenfield sites to the south of Northampton are now clearly dead and the Ransome Road development which will create upto 2,000 new homes on a brownfield site clearly shows the way forward.”

“It should also mean the end of the JPU who were the architects of the foolish plan to build a community the size of Daventry on a greenfield site when all of our local housing needs can be satisfied by building on brownfields within the Borough.”

It is hoped that Bob Neill MP, Minister in the Department of Communities and Local Government, will echo many of these sentiments when he visits Northampton at the end of August/ beginning of September.

Brian said: “A number of planning issues remain in our County and it is important that Minister’s are kept up to speed with the County’s issues so that they make the best decisions for Northampton.”

“Bob promised to re-visit Northampton after the election to discuss the future of the WNDC and I hope that he will take as favourable view as I have done with the announcement of the new working partnership between the two organisations.”

“I believe it would be foolish to completely throw away the considerable experience that both organisations have gained over recent years.”

MP calls for fair play bingo

Brian Binley MP for Northampton South visited Beacon Bingo last Friday (6th August) to investigate further how the industry is being damaged by excessive and unfair taxation.

It is widely recognised that bingo clubs play an important role within their communities, bringing people together and aiding social inclusion. Despite this, bingo clubs remain subject to a higher rate of taxation (20% Gross Profit Tax) than other forms of gambling, including online bingo (15%) and high street bookmakers (15%).

During the visit, Brian signed the Bingo Bond which promises to: “Continue to fight for a fair bingo tax and to do all within my power to help and support the industry.” This shows his commitment to help reduce the burden of taxation on the bingo industry.

Steve Young from Beacon Bingo said he was delighted that Brian had visited his local club. Steve said: “We appreciate Brian taking time out of his busy schedule to visit his local club and talk to staff about the social importance of bingo and its place in the local community.”

“Hopefully by seeing the positive effect the bingo club has, he will be a keen supporter of bingo in the future, and his signing of the Bingo Bond is a great starting point for this.”

Brian said: “This is the second time I have visited Beacon bingo following up on my visit during the election. I have consistently campaigned for a fairer taxation system for bingo players.”

Brian continued: “The rise in bingo tax is simply unacceptable. Most of the people who play bingo use it as an opportunity for social interaction.”

“Bingo is one of the least damaging forms of gambling and yet it pays one of the highest rates of taxes. The previous Government created 24 hour casinos and wanted to place more of them in many of our large cities and towns even though all the evidence suggested they were one of the most damaging forms of gambling. Yet they placed a granny tax on bingo enthusiasts.”

“It seems to me that the previous Government did not understand which forms of gambling causes our society the most problems but it certainly isn’t bingo. Our taxation system needs to recognise that.”

Councils can benefit from Community Foundation

Brian Binley MP for Northampton South paid a visit to the Northamptonshire Community Foundation on Wednesday 4th August 2010 to gain an understanding of how Councils can benefit from their work.

The Foundation founded in 2002 is headed by Chairman David Laing and is a registered charity which channels funds for 58 foundations to over 120 named charity organisations including work on behalf of Northamptonshire County Council, WNDC, philanthropists and charities.

Brian said: “I believe that Local Councils can benefit hugely from using the foundation to distribute local grant money.”

“I have written to the Acting Chief Executive at Northamptonshire County Council, Paul Blantern, urging him to pursue even closer working relations with this organisation.”

The Foundation distributes money from anyone to anyone but more importantly they monitor where the money is going through proper parameters and administration procedures.

Brian said: “I was particularly impressed with the Foundations ability to monitor where the money was going and how it is being spent and I believe this could be of particular value to the local councils.”

“Local Government would do well to remember at a time when we need to get more for our money what a fantastic option this could for them.”

To date the Foundation has distributed £4.5 million pounds, with the smallest grant handled at £400 pounds and the largest up to £20,000 pounds with the average being around £3,500 pounds.

Brian said: “I was extremely impressed with the operation at the Foundation. And I would urge local authorities to use this foundation to distribute Local Government money to charities and projects.”

“The Foundation ensures that the money sent to charities at local level is being used effectively and properly and therefore ensures that both charities and local authorities are getting value for money and spending wisely.”

MP’s Delight at Government approval

Brian Binley MP for Northampton South is delighted that the Government has approved funding for vital junction improvements between Northampton’s London Road and Ransome Road. The work will boost capacity and improve safety at the junction, while kick-starting new development at a key town centre site.

The news comes following visits from Housing Minister, Grant Schapps MP and Bob Neill MP, Minister in the Department for Communities and Local Government, to Northampton over the election period and it is the first project of its kind to receive grant funding from the new Government.

Brian said: “I am delighted that the funding for this project has been secured. I have fought hard for this outcome and believe the town will benefit immensely.”

Brian continued: “I have been in discussions with Grant Schapps for some time and when we met before and after the election I stressed to him just how vitally important this project was for Northampton and that really helped influence his decision.”

“Northampton has been in the background for too long and it is about time the town started getting the investment it badly needs and deserves from government.”

The redevelopment of Ransome Road is crucial to the future development of Northampton and as a brownfield site its redevelopment helps to protect the greenfields surrounding Northampton.

Brian said: “We promised during the election we would favour browfield developments over greenfields and that is exactly what we have done.”

“A number of planning issues still remain and I am working hard to ensure Bob Neill visits Northampton again to further underline the situation Northampton faces.”

“I am hopeful that this announcement will be the first of many for the people of Northampton.”

Northampton is in desperate need of decent housing and with the junction improvements to Ransome Road this opens up the potential for 400 new homes to be built in the area.

Brian said: “I know from my own surgeries how important housing is to many people in Northampton. This infrastructure money will help pave the way.”

MP backs calls for Pubs Minister

Brian Binley MP for Northampton South and the Vice Chairman of the All Party Save the Pub Group has backed the groups call for a Pubs Minister.

Both Brian and the Group’s Chairman, Greg Mulholland MP have written to the Prime Minister to ask him to consider appointing a Minister because of the pressure the sector faces.

Pubs and clubs are coming under increasing pressure due to strained relations with pubcos, the economic downturn and the impacts of the smoking ban.

Brian said: “The Government has to recognise the importance of pubs and clubs to the nation’s social life and community well being.”

“The previous Government appointed a Minister and I see no reason as to why this Government should abolish that post.”

“Appointing a Minister for pubs and clubs would show that the Government is committed to enhancing the role pubs and clubs play in our communities.”

“7 pubs a day are going out of business and over 2,000 clubs have closed in the last two or three years and the industry is certainly in need of a helping hand from the Government.”

Save the Pub Group Backs Smoking Ban Review

Brian Binley MP for Northampton South is delighted that the “save the pub” All Party Parliamentary Group has backed his Early Day Motion calling for “a thorough review of the smoking ban”.

Brian said: “The EDM has now collected around 30 signatures and this shows a sizeable amount of support for the campaign within Parliament.”

In the meeting on Tuesday 27th July, the Group questioned why the number of pub closures was so high and considered how a number of issues including the impact of below cost price selling of alcohol from supermarkets, the impact of the smoking ban and the Government’s alcohol taxation policy were affecting the pub trade.

Brian said: “Pubs are vital to the nation’s social life and community well being and they are really suffering at the moment for a number of reasons and we need to do everything we can to help them.”

“I am delighted to see the group have backed my EDM calling for a thorough review into the smoking ban, which will allow pubs and private members clubs to have segregated areas or smoking rooms provided that effective smoke extraction systems are installed.

“This too could really help the trade, but it also gives landlords the freedom of choice.”