Charlotte MacKenzie

Posts Tagged ‘children’s centres’

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Labour makes the difference for Cornwall

In news on October 11, 2009 at 4:00 pm

Labour’s prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth, Charlotte MacKenzie, spoke in the children, families, and schools debate at the Labour Party conference.

Here’s what Charlotte said:

‘When I went into my Twitter account this morning there was a tweet from someone in Cornwall saying:
“Hmm, I like Gordon’s new policies… Maybe I should actually vote Labour.”

All of us campaigning for Labour to win have our track record of achievements backing us. Where I live before the minimum wage was introduced four out of ten jobs were advertised at below the level at which it was first introduced. I’m delighted to be speaking to you conference the day before this year’s increase to the minimum wage, which has made a difference for thousands of people in my home constituency.

I am going to talk about education – because we all know there is a connection between low wages, lower expectations, and the Tories’ educational failures which meant many children left school with few or no qualifications.

Labour’s investment in education in Truro and Falmouth means we now have 11 children’s centres, mostly purpose built. In Truro, where I’m a councillor, this helped to support the development of three new community centres.

There are new primary school buildings, a new secondary school, new college buildings, a new university – which means that the number of 18-24 year olds in Falmouth has increased by 80 per cent since 2003 – a new medical school based partly at Cornwall’s main hospital site in Truro, alongside which a new dental school is being constructed to provide the NHS dentists Cornwall needs.

None of this would have happened without Labour thinking big, investing in our future, and supporting Cornwall’s case for the European funding which helped to build the new university.

All of this happened despite rather than because of the local authority – whose Liberal Democrat leadership until 4 June presided over deteriorating reports on children’s services which still have some serious issues to address. One of the first acts of the incoming Tory majority executive on 4 June was to place Cornwall Council’s schools for the future bid on hold – they have since decided to proceed with the bid.

Locally and nationally, let’s say clearly to people “if you want change, choose Labour’s continued investment in public services”.’

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Minister visits Malabar Centre

In Uncategorized on August 18, 2008 at 11:03 am

On Thursday 31 July local government Minister John Healey MP visited Malabar Children’s and Community Centre in Truro.

Malabar is one of three new community centres opening in Truro thanks to the hard work of local residents and Labour’s investment in family and children’s services.

The Malabar Community Centre is run by New Beginnings residents’ association.

During the visit John Healey MP was shown round the Children’s Centre by manager Lisa Sherlock, and met children and parents enjoying the centre’s activities.

He met representatives of New Beginnings residents’ association, and Community Development worker Trudy Swann who works with residents’ groups on Trelander, Malpas, and Malabar. Truro City Council employs Trudy Swann and John Healey MP also met Deputy Mayor Ros Cox.

He was accompanied by Charlotte Mackenzie, Labour’s prospective MP for Truro, who is a local councillor for Trehaverne ward which includes Malabar.

Charlotte MacKenzie said: “It is fantastic to have three new community centres in Truro at Malpas Road, Malabar, and Trelander. These Centres show the difference that local residents can make for their communities.

“The Malabar Centre is coming into its own during the school holidays with play and other activities. Refurbishing the old school certainly wasn’t straightforward and this is a great achievement for New Beginnings and all the partner organisations working with them.

“I know that John Healey MP found the visit interesting and enjoyed meeting everybody. These centres would not exist without Labour’s investment – Tory plans show that they would cut spending on much-needed services like this by £200 million.”

There are eleven children’s centres  in the new constituency area of Truro and Falmouth, which includes almost all of Carrick.

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Sure start for Cornish children

In Uncategorized on March 24, 2008 at 7:38 pm

Charlotte MacKenzie today welcomed an independent evaluation report which shows Sure Start has a positive impact on the lives of children and families, and the announcement of more funding for children’s centres and services.

The report found children behave better and are more independent if they live in areas with Sure Start Children’s Centres. Other findings show that parents have more positive parenting skills and provide a better home learning environment for their children, helping prepare children to do well at school and make the most of their talents. The government is on track to meet its pledge of having 3,500 children’s centres by 2010, one for every community.

Charlotte MacKenzie, who wants to be the first MP for the new constituency of Truro and Falmouth, said: “Many children are already being given a better start because The Lighthouse in Falmouth and Penryn Children’s Centre are supporting local families.”

“The Children’s Centres funding will mean new buildings and additional support for parents and children at many local schools and community centres. In Truro this includes Tregolls, Archbishop Benson, and Bosvigo schools, Truro Nursery School, and the community centres at Malabar, Malpas, and Trelander.”

“The latest funding will also mean more community outreach workers in the most disadvantaged areas. Outreach workers will provide home visiting and other support that will make a real difference to families who find it difficult to access services.”

“Together with the Chancellor’s budget announcement of increases in Child Tax Credit, these developments will make a real difference for local children.”