MP Lyn looks back on a year full of highs and lows

21 December 2007

WEST Ham MP Lyn Brown this week looks back at 2007, in her exclusive column for the Recorder.

She writes: What a year it has been! It has been an interesting one, full of highs and lows.

I have thoroughly enjoyed most of it; loved meeting so many of you; and look forward to making contact with more of you next year.

There have been some successes - West Ham is getting a better deal in Westminster - but there have been disappointments too.

Earlier this month more Government cash was announced for Newham - which is great - more than £30 million. Great, but I think our borough, with its inner-London problems, needs inner-London status and the permanent higher cash settlement that goes with it. This is a key campaign that I am determined to carry into 2008 and beyond.

A multi-million pound health centre is being built in Vicarage Lane in West Ham due to my intervention with the then Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

With some of the worst health records in the country for heart disease, cancer, and general health problems in our area, I was delighted to have played my part in getting this centre back on track.

The centre will offer GP services, a pharmacy, community clinics and an ambulance base, and I was delighted to perform the topping out ceremony.

But we are still receiving less money than I think we should, a point I raised in Parliament in October, and again will continue to campaign on.

Housing, and having enough suitable, affordable homes in the borough for all, has been one of my central concerns. I was delighted when I saw that this was also one of Gordon Brown's key priorities highlighted in the Queen's Speech in September.

I have spoken three times this year about the needs we have for housing in Newham and how we must ensure that the developments in the Thames Gateway and Stratford fit the needs of our existing population. The new homes must be the right size, in the right place, at the right price, to buy or to rent.

Currently I am sitting on the committee that tracks and changes the Bills and I hope that means I will be able to bring the needs of Newham to the attention of ministers and get something done.

A personal highlight for me was dancing with my dad and other charming, fleet-footed veterans to a swing band at a celebration of their dedication held at West Ham United in November. Members of our Armed Forces picked up their Veterans' Badges, watched by family and friends. This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and I was honoured to have been able to organise this tribute to them.

Our community owes a debt to a number of people, including the selfless community-minded individuals who work in the voluntary sector who all too rarely get the recognition they deserve. That is being put right with the new Best of British Awards, and I am asking you to let me know anyone you meet who should be nominated for this award. I have met people working with local charities, community groups and children's clubs who all deserve a mention. Be sure the person you know is nominated by contacting me or my office directly.

I have managed to meet hundreds, possibly thousands of you this year. My regular coffee mornings, to which constituents from across West Ham are invited to chat with me about their concerns and issues, has proved a big success - hopefully with those who have attended but definitely with me.

The more we talk the greater understanding I have of your concerns and the clearer it is for me to work on putting them right. I am looking forward to meeting more of you next year, so look out for your invitation in the