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- Bus fares meeting
Media Release, For immediate release February 25, 2009 JIM KNIGHT AND COUNCIL OFFICIALS MEET MINISTER OVER CONCESSIONARY BUS SCHEME DORSET councils should work together to plug a funding gap in the concessionary bus scheme for the over 60s. That was the message from Transport Minister Paul Clark when he met South Dorset MP Jim Knight and a delegation from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in Whitehall. Central funding for the scheme is currently given to each borough and district council using a national formula. As a result, Weymouth and Portland says it faces a funding shortfall...
- Weymouth and Portland Borough Council denying residents chance to swim for free
Media release February 11, 2009 For immediate release More information from office of Jim Knight MP on 01305 759401 Weymouth and Portland Borough Council denying residents chance to swim for free Jim Knight, MP for South Dorset, and Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, have joined forces to urge Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to offer for free swimming for under 16s and over 60s. The Tory-led council were eligible to apply for Labour's Swimming Challenge Fund, but chose to opt out of the scheme - meaning that they will not be offering free swimming...
- School Sport funding boost
Media Release from Office of Jim Knight MP - February 11, 2009 For immediate release Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families Ed Balls has today announced that 75 sports colleges across the country will share over £21 million in extra funding - with a specific focus on ensuring that sports pitches can be used in the evening and through the winter to improve their facilities with flood lights, artificial turf and new tented style sports halls. In South Dorset, Wey Valley Sports College will receive £350,000 of this Government cash which will go towards an artificial turf pitch....
- Fire Cover in Weymouth
Media Release, for immediate release February 9, 2009 Jim Knight MP urges Fire Authority to see sense over service in Weymouth JIM Knight MP has again urged members of the Dorset Fire Authority to reconsider proposals to cut frontline fire services in Weymouth. Among the plans being proposed by the Authority are: Removing the third pump based at Weymouth Fire Station Reducing the availability of the aerial ladder-platform Cutting a number of full-time firefighter posts in Weymouth While supportive of the Authority's proposals to carry out more community safety work, the South Dorset MP says this should not be...
- Purbeck Schools Review
Media Release - January 20, 2009 Purbeck Schools Review My views on Dorset County Council’s proposed schools reorganisation As Minister for Schools, it is important for me to point out that the issue of school reorganisation is, by law, a local decision. Dorset County Council will ultimately take the final decision, not central government. What is happening? The Council’s consultation is about a change in the pattern of school provision from the current three tier system to a two tier one. The aim is to improve the life chances for children and...
- Pre Budget Report
MEDIA RELEASE NOVEMBER 24, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REAL HELP FOR DORSET South Dorset MP Jim Knight today welcomed the Pre-Budget Report as ‘real help for people and business in Dorset’ through the tough economic times. The 2008 PBR set out action to help families and businesses through the tough times caused by the global credit crunch by helping people, and putting money into the economy now so we come out of this sooner and stronger and; once the economy is growing again, tackling the public finance problems caused by the credit crunch, in...
- Statement on Weymouth Fire Station
October 2008 Statement from Jim Knight MP on the Dorset Fire proposals and reorganisation in the Weymouth area. Jim Knight MP believe proposals by Dorset Fire and Rescue to scrap 16 full-time firefighter posts in Weymouth is a ‘misguided step’. In a formal response to the service’s proposals for a new Community Fire Station for the town, the South Dorset MP said: “I am supportive of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and its work throughout the county keeping local people safe. “The duty the service has towards developing community safety, in addition to the traditional preventative role of a fire...
- The future of Buxton Road Post Office
Media Release, November 18, 2008 For more information call the office of Jim Knight MP on 01305 759401 The future of Buxton Road Post Office Responding to the Post Office’s announcement that the Post Office at Buxton Road in Weymouth is to close following a review, South Dorset MP Jim Knight MP today made the following statement. “The decision by the Post Office not to grant the Buxton Road branch a permanent reprieve is extremely disappointing. I especially feel for Roger Hayre, the franchisee who runs the post office and Costcutter store,” he said. “Since the initial announcement...
- Submission to Post Office consultation
Jim Knight MP submission to Post Office Ltd National Consultation Team August 29, 2008 Dear Mr. Tim Nickolls Thank you for allowing me the opportunity for commenting on the proposals and process for the branch offices that have been earmarked for closure under the network change programme. In my constituency of South Dorset, four post offices are assigned for closure. One, Owermoigne, is already closed. Very few customers use Worth Matravers. The other two, Broadwey and Buxton Road, are in Weymouth. I appreciate that people’s shopping habits are changing...
- Purbeck 'bedroom tax' update
Media release For immediate release November 17, 2008 For more information call the office of Jim Knight MP on 01305 759401 SOUTH DORSET MP JIM KNIGHT CHALLENGES TORY LEADER ON PURBECK BEDROOM TAX SOUTH Dorset MP Jim Knight has challenged Conservative leader David Cameron over Tory-led Purbeck District Council’s ‘bedroom tax’. Urging councillors to scrap the controversial £1,000 charge per extra bedroom on extensions when they meet tomorrow (Tuesday Nov 18), Mr Knight has written to Mr Cameron asking whether the issue was discussed on the Tory leader’s visit to Swanage last Friday. New Government policy...
- Post Office public meetings
JIM Knight MP has arranged two public meetings next week on proposals to close post offices at Broadwey and Buxton Road. The events – taking place on Thursday July 31 – will discuss the campaigns against the planned closures by Post Office Limited. A representative from the Post Office is expected to attend each of the meeting to take questions from the public. Mr Knight said: “In terms of the national post office network, I believe it is right that some post offices should close in order make those that remain more viable, particularly as more of us shop and...
- Post Offices in South Dorset
Media release, embargo for publication until 00.01 Tuesday July 15, 2008 From the office of Jim Knight MP Contact details: Matt Pitman 01305 759401 On today’s announcement from the Post Office regarding the future of the Post Office network in the county, South Dorset MP Jim Knight today made the following statement. He said, “People’s shopping habits are changing with more and more of us shopping and paying bills on-line. This has had an impact on post offices which are important centres in our community. In order to sustain a viable network of post offices it is therefore right that...
- SCHOOL TRANSPORT LATEST
LEADERS from the Catholic Church today joined South Dorset MP Jim Knight in criticising Dorset County Council for failing to discuss with parents plans to introduce charges for school transport to faith schools. Until now, free transport has been provided if a child aged between 11 and 15 attends a faith school and lives between three and ten miles from the school. But from September 1 2008, the county council has introduced a charge of £203 a year for school transport to faith schools, payable in two instalments. Among the schools affected by the plans in South Dorset are All...
- Axe the tax
AXE THE TAX OR SUPPORT RURAL BUS SERVICES, MP TELLS COUNCIL MONEY raised from a controversial ‘bedroom’ tax should be used to reinstate rural bus services, South Dorset MP Jim Knight said today. Purbeck District Council currently charges £1,000 for homeowners to add an extension to the property. Developers already pay towards local infrastructure – typically £5,000 for a one-bedroom house. The Tory-led authority estimates an extra bedroom adds an extra car journey per day and claims the money raised helps improve transport links in the area. Mr Knight condemned the ‘bedroom tax’ as unfair having been contacted...
- Denominational transport in South Dorset
MEDIA
RELEASE MAY 28, 2008
DENOMINATIONAL TRANSPORT IN SOUTH
DORSET
JIM Knight MP today
criticised Dorset County Council for paying ‘scant regard’ for
Government policy over plans to charge for school transport to
faith schools.
Currently free transport
is provided if a child aged between 11 and 15 attends a faith
school and lives between three and ten miles of the
school.
But from September 1 2008,
the county council want to charge parents £203 a year for school
transport to faith schools, payable in two instalments.
The only exceptions will
be families in receipt of Maximum Working Tax Credit or are
entitled to free school meals.
Mr Knight wrote to Dorset
County Council asking for the...
- Increased funding to Dorset councils
MEDIA RELEASE
December 6, 2007
JIM Knight MP today welcomed the increased Government funding to Dorset councils over the next three years.
Dorset has been awarded an increased grant of 11.8 per cent, 7.5 per cent and 7.1 per cent over the next three years, according to
local government minister John Healey. The first ever three year settlement means councils now have greater flexibility to budget and plan ahead, and make their own decisions about spending priorities.
In 2008-09 Dorset will receive a grant of £4.69m, an increase of 11.8 per cent, the third highest in the country.
Only Rutland...
- National Tory schools policy to cut school rebuilding in Dorset
Secondary schools in Dorset may no longer be rebuilt or refurbished if Conservative spending plans unveiled last week go ahead.
The Government has pledged to rebuild or refurbish every secondary school across Dorset as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme. But the Conservatives have proposed cutting £4.55 billion from the programme, with the cuts targeted at 76 local authorities including Dorset.
Jim Knight has pledged to fight the proposed Conservative cuts which will mean one in seven school building projects in Dorset will not go ahead. He has challenged local Tories to join him in...
- STATEMENT REGARDING SWANAGE MINOR INJURY UNIT
I know that some of you recently signed a petition against Dorset Primary Care Trust’s proposed reduction in opening hours at the Swanage Hospital Minor Injury Unit. I first raised concerns about this in May. Since then I have met with senior staff at the Primary Care Trust on a number of occasions to discuss concerns raised by my constituents. Campaigners across the town have sent a very strong message; not just opposing the reduction in opening hours at the Minor Injury Unit but also expressing concerns about a general downgrading in out-of-hours health services. Residents are rightly...
- MP ANNOUNCES £100,000 FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS
South Dorset MP and Schools Minister Jim Knight today announced a £100,000
funding boost to support the amalgamation of computer facilities at St George’s Primary School and the Grove Infant School. The investment is an important step in getting the schools
ready to move into new accommodation as one school.
Jim Knight MP said:
“This extra funding will help the schools share ideas for teaching methods, management best practice and resources. The money itself will provide hardware, software and IT support for both schools. I am delighted that St George’s will be getting this extra money.
“I know that many parents at...
- JIM KNIGHT VISITS NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING
South Dorset MP Jim Knight will this Friday be taking a guided tour of the new affordable housing units at Purbeck Gate. The local MP will be at the development at 10am.
Purbeck Gate, which has been developed by Barratt Homes, contains 51 affordable housing units.
Jim Knight MP said:
“In recent weeks I have been lobbying Gordon Brown and Housing Minister Yvette Cooper on the desperate need for more affordable housing across South Dorset. I am pleased that the new Prime Minister has pledged to make affordable housing one of his top priorities.
“I will be visiting the...
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