10 February, 2005

I have learnt of the recent allocation of Community Support Officers (CSOs) by the Home Office. West Mercia is very keen to increase the local complement of CSOs and applied for an additional 40. It is disappointing that they were only granted an additional 12 although this does take the overall CSO strength to 70. We are going to get four of the new ones in our area. I am sure they will contribute to the visible presence of the police on our streets.

I have received a reply to my letter about the closure of our two, well-loved church schools from the Bishop. Although he is sympathetic to the maintenance of the three tier system, and of small schools, he is quite clear that the decision to move to two tiers was a decision by the Local Education Authority and it is now up to the Schools Organisation Committee to make the final decision. He is not in a position to advise about any financial reasons or implications of the changes but reminds us that surplus school places cost money. 

I have recently written to Ministers about plastics re-cycling. Our local collectors of plastic materials require the figure 1 or 2 on the item for it to be eligible for collection. In other areas different criteria are used. I have asked for standardisation of criteria for collection and clearer labeling as so often it is a struggle to locate the labels on plastic items and even then to read them.

Obesity and measures to prevent it and treat it are very much at the forefront in Westminster. The Health Committee Report on Obesity published in May 2004 highlighted the increasing problems related to obesity particularly with heart disease and diabetes and the Government White Paper on Public Health focuses on this as well. A conflict of opinion has occurred because it is felt that raising the awareness of obesity may lead to stigmatisation of overweight people and thus be counter productive. 
Unless one is aware of a problem and its consequences, one is less likely to do anything about it. However there is a dearth of specialist advice and treatment centres for the overweight. 
It is up to each one of us to manage our lifestyle with sensible eating and adequate exercise but there are encouraging signs that the food industry is getting involved as well. A reduction in super sizing and promotion of low calorie drinks will make a difference and I think we will see changes in these directions soon. I hope that MPs will hold the Government to account to make sure the proposals in the White Paper are translated into action. For instance will walking or cycling to school really be made safer and easier as this is the most obvious and simplest way of increasing physical activity for our children? 

R.T.

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