Home Secretary visits Berecroft Estate in Harlow - some pictures of yesterday's visit

Home Secretary meets Tony, welder who rebuilt vandalised Berecroft Shelter free of  charge

Rob and Theresa May walking around Berecroft

Harlow Conservative Council Leader, Andrew Johnson meets Home Secretary in Berecroft

Home Secretary, Rob and Cheema at Berecroft Community area which was vandalised a few weeks ago and is being rebuilt 

Rob, Cheema and Theresa May in Berecroft Office

Rob, Home Secretary in Berecroft Office with local residents

Home secretary Theresa May with Staple Tye Caseworker and Council Candidate Stevie Souter in Berecroft Community area

by Robert Halfon - Working Hard for Harlow.

Home Secretary Theresa May praises community spirit during visit to Harlow’s Berecroft estate

Home Secretary Theresa May praised the community spirit on the Berecroft estate in Harlow after going on a tour of the area which has been targeted by vandals.

I accompanied the Home Secretary and members of the estate’s residents association as she saw the youth shelter which had been vandalised, but which has been repaired thanks to the efforts of local people, including Tony Perry, who saw an article about the vandalism in the Harlow Star and offered his welding services to help repair the damage.

The Home Secretary later had tea with residents’ association members, including vice-chairman Zulgar Cheema, and spoke to local people – representatives from South Anglia housing association, local councillors, and police community support officers Nigel Day and Karen Rogers.

During a question and answer session residents’ questions covered various issues but it was the community spirit being shown on the estate, which has seen several arson incidents and vandalism in recent years, that shone through.

The Home Secretary said: “I wanted to come down and see a real example of how the community has come together for the benefit of the local community.

“What is so disappointing and depressing is when you see something has been vandalised, something that has been put together for the benefit of others, but it is great to see how the community is coming back together again with volunteers like Tony (Perry) coming down to do the welding and the support of the business community and the housing association coming together to make sure the facility can be maintained for the future.”
Berecroft represents the very best of community spirit in Harlow. Despite having gone through some tough times the community has rallied and come together.

I was very pleased to help launch the appeal to pay for the repairs to the damaged shelter and also work with local businesses like Pitney Bowes to get it rebuilt.

Pledging my support to vandalised estate

PLEASE DONATE to the repairs, through the Berecroft Residents' Association website HERE.

In the last few days vandals have wrecked and burnt out the youth shelter at Berecroft, Harlow.

Broken glass and evidence of drugs is everywhere, as well as smashed floodlights, and dumped rubbish.

I am deeply shocked at what has happened on the estate. The scene is like a warzone. I have spoken several times in the last few days with Zulgar Cheema, the chairman of the residents’ association, and have also contacted Harlow Council and Nigel Day, the local PCSO, to see what action can be taken.

I will be visiting the estate again next week to meet with residents as I intend to raise this in Parliament.

Vandalism like this must not be swept under the carpet. The thugs behind it must be caught, and asked to pay for repairs. In the meantime, I would appeal to anyone who has any information that might help catch the criminals to discuss this immediately with Harlow Police.

Jointly with the Berecroft Residents Association, I am today launching an appeal, asking for donations to help them raise the £3,000 necessary to get the youth club back on its feet. Please click HERE to donate funds, through the Residents' website.

I have pledged the first £100 to get this going, and will help them to raise more funds in the future.

Harlow Council candidate and local mother Stephanie Souter said: "I was extremely disappointed to hear the news of vandalism and will do everything that I can to give the youth club, the residents association, and Cheema my support.

“As soon as I heard the news, I telephoned the council and pressed them to get Keir Harlow on the case. They are now on-site, cleaning up the rubbish, and making the area safe for children again.

"These things must be dealt with immediately. We can't let a few bad people destroy the character of our estate.

Harlow Community Update

A very busy Friday, as the morning started off with a meeting for local residents about the Waste Transfer Station.
We were there to meet Essex Council Leader Peter Martin and Cllr Kevin Bentley to raise objections to the proposed Waste Transfer Station in Templefields. Some progress was made in that the Councillors agreed to examine other sites for the WTS. The strength of feeling against the site as proposed was also made clear.
After, I went to Harlow College for a meeting about the proposed University Technical School (Apprentice School). Harlow is in the second round, and the bid is being backed by Harlow College, Anglia Ruskin University and local businesses. The UTC bid is focused around healthcare and we hope to involve the local NHS and other Healthcare providers.
Then to Latton Bush Centre to speak to Harlow Homestart AGM. I am proud to be a patron of Homestart - as it is an amazing organisation. Through volunteers, Homestart provides support and mentoring to parents facing difficulties. The enthusiasm of the volunteers is immense and the transformational effect on the parents profound. I heard an inspirational speech from a parent, Lizzie, who described what the charity had done for her. I felt really pleased to be there.
Every few months I have a meeting with Harlow church leaders. This afternoon we discussed the Freedom Bill and how it affects Christians. We also talked about other issues and a new organisation called Faith Matters.
Then to Berecroft to celebrate the finishing of the roofing of all the Houses by Circle Anglia and Kia Harlow. A great party event at the Community Centre, crowded with local residents. After a huge amount of anxiety after the fire last April, the community has been brought closer together. Well done to Circle Anglia for finishing on time, to the Berecroft Residents Association and local for the community work they have done.
Finally, the evening was spent in the company of Harlow Conservative Ladies Annual Churchillian dinner (Churchill was the MP for Epping (including Harlow) between 1924 and 1945). The guest speaker was Graham Brady MP, Chairman of the 1922 Committee, which is the Backbench Cttee of the Conservative Party. He spoke about enduring Conservative values and the need to renegotiate our relationship with the European Union. It was a wonderful evening at Canons Brook Golf Club, packed with Harlow, Epping and Saffron Walden Conservative members.

P.S. the pictures show me at the Homestart AGM and with Berecroft residents.

Berecroft Paintings

I thought you might like to see some amazing pictures painted by Berecroft kids in a community project with local PCSOs and the Berecroft Residents Association.

The paintings are great and show real optimism from the children, particularly after the terrible fires in recent years. You can see them on display in the Harvey Centre.

Rebuilding trust at Berecroft as new roofs begin to be installed

Given the difficulties faced by Berecroft residents, following the recent fires, I was pleased to meet again with residents, police and Circle/South Anglia Staff last Friday at St James School.   The meeting was to discuss progress on the re-roofing of the Berecroft Houses.  After initial delays and a few problems, it was good to see that the re-roofing has gathered apace.  The Residents Association, and the Steering Group seemed to be happy with the progress that Circle/South Anglia had made.  After, I went to see the contractors site, met with some more residents and knocked on a few doors.  All the Berecroft residents I spoke to were pleased at how things were going - even with the inconvenience of all the roofing replacements and building works.

I left feeling heartened both with the efforts the contractors were making in communicating with residents, (including talking to residents daily - door to door), and a feeling that Circle/South Anglia - despite a problematic start and some delays - were doing what they could to rebuild trust with Berecroft residents.    Much of this is also due to the excellent work and commitment of the Berecroft Residents Association, led by Z. Cheema,  alongside the support of local Councillors.

Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Sunday Update

Well, you have seen what I have been up to in Parliament this week, so I thought I would give you a brief update as to my Harlow activities over the past few days.

Overseas Aid: Following my speech in the House of Commons on World Poverty, it was good to meet with local representatives from RESULTS (the overseas development charity group), to discuss supporting the disabled in the developing world.

Harlow College: I visited a catering course for special needs pupils. It was great to be in the kitchen, chatting to all the students. My only regret was not being able to be able to be there at lunchtime, when I could have tasted all the delicious burgers that everyone was making. I also gave out a second round of award certificates to students who had completed the B.A. Hons with journalism.

Essex Police: In Chelmsford I had an important meeting with the Chief Constable of Essex. I wanted to discuss a range of issues including police resources, high crime rates in Harlow, Special Constables and Government plans for elected police commissioners. It was a productive conversation.

Patient-line: An interview with Heart FM, also in Chelmsford to discuss and push forward my campaign against the high cost of patient lines.

PACT: Travelling back to Harlow, I was really pleased to meet with PACT, to talk about their plans to increase educational provision in Harlow. I hope to work with the parents to help on their ideas of setting up a local school for autistic children.

Berecroft: A meeting with the Berecroft Steering Group, to discuss implementation of the new roofs - to be built by Circle Anglia. There are some difficult issues here, although there is some progress. I will be contacting residents over the next few days to set out details.

Essex Council Transport Team: In my campaign for an extra junction on the M11, I met with a senior officer from Essex Council and Councillor Norman Hume - in advance of my Adjournment Debate on this subject later.

Michael Roberts Charitable Trust: Attended this remarkable charity's AGM and gave a speech. It was good to be at Harefield Church for the event, with so many of the charity's supporters, clients and volunteers.

Harlow Civic Service: This was the third year of a very special service, based on the theme of thanksgiving. I was pleased to have the chance to give an Address, alongside Council Leader Andrew Johnson, Chief Executive Malcolm Morley and Industrial Chaplain, Reverend Robert Findlay. I will post my address on a later blog.

Harlowbury School: This was really great fun. Vanda and I were invited to open their music festival in the school grounds. Surrounded by parents, children, picnics, barbecues, a beer tent, tea stands, and superb bands (all performing free of charge) , it was a superb way to spend an afternoon. I was so touched as I received a wonderful picture from some of the children, which will go proudly on my office wall in the House of Commons.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Progress at Berecroft

After a year of waiting and a third fire, some progress was made this evening at a public meeting held for Berecroft residents. Organised by local Councillors and the Berecroft Residents Association, South Anglia set out a definitive set of pledges.

I have held a number of meetings with Anglia, the Police and Fire Officers in recent weeks in order to get a fuller picture, and also to help expedite measures. I was glad that I was able to bring Grant Shapps, Housing Minister, to Berecroft, just after the latest fire.

Tonight we heard the following from Anglia:

• Better Communication between residents and the Housing Association;
• An open consultation to begin and published for all residents to see;
• Work to begin replacing the roofs from July 2010;
• All the roofs to be replaced by the Summer of 2010;
• The guttering problems to be fixed.
  

Although the building works will take up to ten months - after a year of delays - at least something is now happening. As I said to residents at the meeting, I and the Steering Group will be watching like hawks to ensure that South Anglia deliver on their promises.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Constituency Day

My Constituency Day as MP for Harlow, started with meeting John Tennison, Manager of Smiths Industries in the Pinnacles, and ended with my first surgery as MP, in the Berecroft Estate.

I was visiting Smiths, as I wanted to talk to John about Apprentices. He started off as an Apprentice over 30 years ago, and ended up becoming Managing Director of the company. I was able to seek John's advice as how we can help apprentice schemes in Harlow.

After, I met with South Anglia, regarding the Berecroft Fire and also had a meeting with Malcolm Morley, Chief Executive of Harlow Council.

The evening surgery at Berecroft was also attended by local Councillor Lee Dangerfield, Fire Officers and the Chairman of the Residents Association. I hope to have regular surgeries across Harlow and the villages, in order to make it easier for constituents to be assisted with their problems.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Great Speech makers at St Marks

To the Jack Petchey Young Speaker awards this evening to help judge a young speaker's tournament. Some of the best student speech makers in West Essex were assembled in St Marks school giving speeches that electrified those present.

The standard was high and there were exceptional speeches from students from St Marks and Passmores. A young girl from a school in Romford - who won on the night - spoke movingly about 'fear'.

I have never been a judge before and felt really involved with the contest. It was particularly enjoyable, as this was my very first engagement as MP for Harlow. I have promised to take the winner to tea in the House of Commons. She thoroughly deserved it.

Apart from this event, it was an active day in Harlow. I went to see a debt counselling service in the morning (based in Old Harlow), which helps hundreds of people with financial difficulties. Later, I had an important and constructive meeting with Harlow Fire Officers to discuss the Berecroft fire. This was in advance of my surgery at Berecroft tomorrow evening.

A further visit to Berecroft with Conservative Housing Spokesman Grant Shapps

Given that Berecroft residents have endured their third fire in recent times, I thought it important to bring the Conservative Housing Spokesman Grant Shapps today to meet local residents

Mr Shapps was accompanied by prospective Harlow Conservative MP Robert Halfon, Harlow Conservative local councillor and housing committee chairman Lee Dangerfield and Berecroft Residents Association chairman Zulqar Cheema when he visited the estate this morning

The second major fire in the terraced properties in ten months has led to renewed calls for South Anglia - the housing association which owns the properties - to carry out major work to make the homes safer.

Viewing the fire-damaged properties, Mr Shapps observed:

"This is a shocking fire and it must be very frightening for the residents. The construction of these properties is obviously a real worry. I've seen a range of different problems here and concerns too because the housing association involved, South Anglia, has issued a statement saying they are actively working on the estate which turns out not to be true when you come here. I will be writing to the managing director today to find out what they really intend to do. It's quite clear there's not much going on at the moment.\What people want to know is what is going to happen about it."There's a small political point here, I don't think the regulation of the housing associations is anything near right.What should happen is the local authority should get to look after those housing associations and ask them to take action when the construction is as it is here.

At the moment there is some very bureaucratic process involving quangos and the rest of it . I think if we brought that control down to a local level we can help get these problems fixed and faster and that's one of the things we will do if we win on Thursday."

I'm glad that Grant Shapps came to Berecroft. I wanted him to see the terrible fire that took place a couple of days ago. It's wrong that the residents have suffered in this way. I'm going to be seeking an urgent meeting with South Anglia because something needs to be done to make sure this never happens again.

Harlow Conservative councillor and Housing Committee Chairman Lee Dangerfield said:

"I've called for an urgent meeting with local residents and South Anglia Housing. We must make sure these works are done as soon as possible."

Berecroft Residents Association chairman Zulqar Cheema stated : "We need to move a little bit quicker. With these organisations you have this sort of treacle-type movement whereas local residents and people want it done the following day and there should be something that gets it done fairly quickly. We need to push it and get it done."

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Vera the Brave - walking around Berecroft

I met a wonderful elderly Lady today. In fact I have written about her before on this blog. Her name is Vera and she lives in Berecroft - directly opposite the House burnt in the recent fire. Despite having been close to the fire, and incredibly close to danger, Vera was brave, and has taken all the difficulties on the chin. Vera had the same community spirit as many Berecroft residents.

As I knocked on Berecroft doors - with Staple Tye Cllr. Lee Dangerfield today - to hear residents' concerns, I was struck by how few complained, despite suffering enormous aggravation and inconvenience because of the fire. It was also good to see the respect in which Lee Dangerfield is held. He is a true example of a Councillor who really is there for his ward constituents -when they need him.

Most residents are anxiously awaiting the Fire Report. Some who have bought their homes, are concerned about the safety of their roofs, in the event of another fire taking place. I can only hope that the Report assuages their concerns and I look forward to attending the next residents meeting when the Report is discussed.

A number of 'Berecrofters', also showed me all the gutterage problems on the parts of the Estate. I was astonished to see raised paving stones, cracked paths, which are clearly a danger, particularly to the infirm. I even saw a raised-shed apparently caused by the drainage issue. Although there is apparently some kind of plan in the offing to deal with this, it has gone on for far too long. I will be writing to the Housing Association to find out exactly what the plans are, and when they are to be implemented. Residents should have not have had to suffer this unnecessary inconvenience for so many months.

P.S. The photos show the fire at Berecroft, Vera and I, and results caused by the gutterage problem.

Please excuse the video being lop-sided. I have a new Samsung Camcorder and haven't yet worked out how to rotate recordings. Any suggestions, welcome!

Coming back to bad news: The Berecroft fire

I haven't blogged for a week, as I have been taking a short break having just returned, somewhat exhausted, but fulfilled, from teaching in Rwanda. My regular postings will resume shortly and I hope to add all the Rwanda pictures to the blog articles

I was horrified to come back to Harlow and learn of the tragic news of the Berecroft fire. I know that Staple Tye Councillor Lee Dangerfield (and Berecroft resident) has been working over-time to help local residents. Lee's commitment to Berecroft and Staple Tye is virtually unsurpassed and he cares deeply about his local community. Visiting the site with him, I am all too aware of the need for more CCTV on the Estate - something which Lee and residents have been urging for some time. Thank goodness for the emergency services - the Council response, and the actions of the fire and the police.

I feel deeply for local residents affected by fire and hope that they have new suitable accommodation as soon as possible. I hope to be meeting Berecroft inhabitants with Lee Dangerfield,to discuss the fire and related issues, over the next few days.


-- by Robert Halfon Post From My iPhone

Meeting Berecroft residents

One of the best things about being a Prospective MP, is that I am able to visit community organisations across the Constituency. As you know from my earlier post, we had a VIP visit in Harlow today. Alistair Burt, a senior Conservative, who is passionate about social justice and community activity, came to visit Berecroft Residents Association, Chaired by Zulgar Cheema, in Staple Tye. Alistair was here to listen and learn and go back to Westminster to report what residents were saying.

Berecroft Residents is a remarkable group. Cheema is someone who is passionate about making Berecroft better for local residents and he, and members of the Residents group, have worked day and night to try and improve things.

Together with Cllr. Lee Dangerfield, who lives on the Estate, Berecroft has seen a number of improvements, including better street lighting and a fabulous community office, which is used for events, a youth club and computer training. Despite a recent arson attack on the community office, the BRA ensured that it was re-opened as soon as possible.

Today Alistair sat with residents to discuss local issues, including education, anti-social behaviour, youth matters and regeneration. It was a good meeting and a delicious lunch was provided. BRA is a model residents association - those who live on the Estate are lucky to be represented by a team, who will stop at nothing to make Berecroft an even better place to live.

After Berecroft, we rushed over to the Maybury Centre, which I will write about in a separate blog.....I shall also add some more photos later.

Another V.I.P.comes to Harlow

In political terms, Harlow is regarded as one of the most important Constituencies in the Country as it represents an important weather vane of public opinion, and also because of its narrow majority (readers will know, I lost to Labour in 2005 by literally, 97 votes). For this reason, I am proud that so many senior Conservatives come to visit Harlow. They usually come to visit local commmunity organisations and to talk with Councillors and Party Workers. In recent weeks, Eric Pickles (Party Chairman), Theresa Villiers, (Shadow Transport Secretary) & Caroline Spelman (Shadow Local Government Minister) have made wide ranging visits. Their purpose is to take some best practice in Harlow, back to Westminster.

Today, we have another important visit, with Alistair Burt MP, who has a fantastic programme around Harlow, including going to Berecroft Residents and the Maybury Centre.

Alistair's full programme, as sent to the Press, is below:

ASSISTANT Chief Whip and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Alistair Burt MP will be visiting Harlow today(Monday, April 6). He will be meeting with Berecroft Residents Association at 1pm.

At 2.15pm Mr Burt, accompanied by prospective Conservative MP Robert Halfon, will be visiting the Maybury Centre - Harefield Church, Burgoyne Hatch, Momples Road, Harlow, CM20 3EH - which looks after people with special needs and provides a weekly club with painting reading, etc. They are also starting a Food Bank.

At 3.30pm Mr Burt will join local Conservatives canvassing in Staple Tye for the by-election. He will be available for photographs. His visit is due to end at 4.45pm.