Good news for Harlow Welfare Centre and the Citizens Advice Bureau

The future of Harlow Welfare Advice Centre has been a vexed issue in recent weeks and unfortunately some have used the difficult situation to try and exploit it politically.

I have received a number of letters and emails on this issue and I am glad that as of tonight it looks like Harlow Welfare Advice Centre and the Council have reached an Accommodation. From what I have been told by Council Leader Andrew Johnson, it is good news for the Citizens Advice Bureau too.

Despite the dire financial situation of Harlow Council, millions in debt by the previous Labour- and Liberal Administration, despite Harlow Council not getting its fair share of Government grants and losing £13 million of rent money to Gordon Brown each year, it was always important that vulnerable people in Harlow did not suffer.

For this reason, I am delighted that Harlow Welfare Advice centre will remain open and that an agreement has been reached with the Council as to funding.

It is also good news that the excellent Citizens Advice Bureau will get increased support and a grant of £50k a year.

I hope that the politics will now be taken out of this issue, so that the Welfare service can get on doing what it does best - helping the vulnerable in Harlow.

Pubs and Watches

Its been a busy but enjoyable few days and I have had loads to do.

On Thursday night, I was invited to open the new White Horse Pub in Old Harlow. The new landlord, Graham Northcott and a number of committed partners, has taken over the pub, and in the space of three weeks - has entirely rebuilt the whole Pub. It really looks amazing and I am sure it will be a great success.

Graham said to me that it had always been his dream to open a Pub, so it was good to see a dream coming reality. Many Pubs in Harlow are having a tough time given the Recession and the Government's handling of the economy and a number have closed in recent weeks. I am sure that the White Horse will buck the trend.

I had to rush off to Roydon for a Parish Council meeting as I am a local Councillor and I arrived 30 mins late (although I had told the Chairman beforehand). As I sat down I dropped my Blackberry on the floor and it then started ringing, so my late entrance was slightly embarrassing!! At the meeting we discussed giving money to the local Citizens Advice Bureau and I am glad that a grant was given. CAB does a great job and should be supported.

On Friday I was invited to visit Rotary Watches in Westcliff-on-Sea. This is an amazing place. It is where they make and service all their watches. We should be proud that this company, which started in 1895 in Switzerland, uses the best of English craftsmanship and is based in Essex (see picture).

Then it was back to Harlow, in time to attend the Council Chairman's charity night at Harlow F.C. in aid of child Victims of Crime. The cold weather meant that attendance was low, but it was good to chat to the Simon Morgan, Harlow F.C. Chairman whilst I was there.

Saturday morning meant catching up with constituency correspondence and making telephone calls.

The afternoon and evening were pure treats. I was invited to watch Chelsea and met my childhood hero, Kerry Dixon. Even though we were rubbish against Hull, meeting Kerry helped to soothe the pain!

After I went to see the new film Benjamin Button with my girlfriend Vanda. She was really keen to watch it, before she goes back to Brazil on Thursday.

It is really weird and stars Brad Pitt who is born old and grows younger every day - and falls in love with Cate Blanchett! I suppose the moral of the film is that you can never take time for granted. I certainly didn't as the film was over 3 hours long! But we enjoyed it anyway.

Anyway, I hope to have a peaceful Sunday, as I have a big work week ahead. I hope you enjoy yours.