Maria said, “Too many residents and local businesses have expressed concern about being sued for negligence if they cleared snow from pavements during the recent periods of severe weather. The new Good Neighbour Bill would help make the situation clearer. Whilst it would not prevent people who act irresponsibly from being held to account, it would tilt the balance in favour of people who undertake helpful, community minded activities that we all want to support.

“The 2006 Compensation Act has been widely criticised for making the situation unclear and the Government is under considerable pressure to make changes.  Whilst the number of compensation claims has not increased since 2000 the fear of litigation has. The problems that we faced in Basingstoke during the recent bout of bad weather has demonstrated the need for more clarity in the law. Working with my colleagues we have been able to act swiftly to bring to the House of Commons a piece of law that addresses a real concern amongst residents. The Good Neighbour Bill brings clarity and I hope that the Government will support it in full.”

The number of compensation claims has increased from 250 000 to 700 000 in the past 30 years.

Maria said, "Almost one year on from this issue being raised it is extraordinary that the developers are still to provide a solution to this problem. The approved plans for this development clearly show a three metre wide cycle track and a two metre wide pre-existing Public Footpath running alongside each other on the eastern perimeter of the estate. A mistake has been made either when the plans were drawn up or as the builders have built the houses. Either way, the builders concerned have to deliver on the promises they made when planning consent was given on appeal by the Government's inspector, against the wishes of the Borough Council. Public Rights of way are protected by law and house builders cannot disregard them and the undertakings they have given the local planning authorities." 

Maria is liaising with Councillors Robert Taylor and Stephen Reid who are discussing the matter with the directors of the company concerned.

Maria said, “Residents are right to be concerned about the impact that this scale of development would have on their community. The site is green field farmland, has been rejected for house building before because of poor access, it is not included in land designated for house building in the next 5 years and includes a Conservation area. Any scheme to build on this scale is flawed. With house building targets set by central government there is always the fear that sensible and reasoned arguments against developing a site could be overturned on appeal as happened in Bramley. I will therefore be doing all that I can to support local residents in the work they are doing to show how unsuitable this site is for house building. All of this underlines the importance of getting a change in the law so that decisions on the number of houses to be built and the location of those sites is determined locally not by central government dictat.”

Maria said, “The Guides offer girls of all ages from across North Hampshire the opportunity to get together in a unique environment, to learn and have fun. Guiding has never been stronger in Basingstoke and I am proud to be an ambassador the Guides Basingstoke Park Division. The presentation of long service awards that were an important part of today’s event serve to underline the enduring commitment of so many people to make Guiding the success it is today in Hampshire.”  

New research shows that 76% of households in the South East are putting themselves at risk of poisoning by not having an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm.  Carbon Monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no colour taste and smell, making it impossible to detect without an alarm.

Maria is supporting the ‘Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed!’ campaign which encourages people to ensure they have an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm and that they have all fuel burning appliances serviced annually by a registered and qualified engineer.

Maria said; MP, “Carbon Monoxide is a deadly gas that you can’t see, smell or taste.  I urge every householder in Basingstoke to make sure that they have an alarm and that they have their fuel-burning appliances serviced each year by a professional.”

“I would like to see a requirement for all new homes to be fitted with an alarm and for landlords to provide an alarm before they can receive their annual gas safety certificate.”

Christine McGourty, Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! campaign spokesperson, said:

“We regularly hear about members of the general public whose lives have been saved by a Carbon Monoxide alarm – it’s the only way to detect this killer. You can buy an alarm from around £15 at DIY stores, supermarkets, high street shops or directly from energy suppliers. A number of retailers will also be offering special discounts in support of our campaign this January and we’re delighted that Maria has added her weight to the campaign.”

The Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! campaign recommends four simple steps to keep your household safe:

Fit an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm which should be marked with the ‘EN50291′ safety standard

Have fuel-burning appliances serviced annually by a registered professional

Don’t block ventilation and get chimneys swept at least once a year

Learn about the danger signs and symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning at www.co-bealarmed.co.uk

Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer. Of the 100 people diagnosed with bowel cancer every day, almost half will die from the condition. Yet over 90% of cases can be treated successfully if diagnosed early enough. Ensuring that people take part in the NHS bowel cancer screening programme is therefore essential in improving outcomes for bowel cancer patients.

All people aged 60-69 in England are invited for screening every two years through the NHS bowel cancer screening programme. Yet, in Basingstoke only 57% of people have taken part in screening since it was made available. Beating Bowel Cancer is calling for those people eligible to take part in the screening programme, with the goal of screening one million additional people in the UK over the next two years, and ultimately saving over 2,000 lives through early diagnosis of bowel cancer.

Maria Miller MP said: ‘I was pleased to learn today that 574,662 people in the southern screening hub have taken part in bowel cancer screening to date. However, too many people are still dying from this curable disease. If 77% of people in the southern screening hub took part in bowel cancer screening, in the next two years, 1633 cancers could be detected. That is why I am being LOUD about the importance of screening to ensure that people in Basingstoke stay CLEAR of bowel cancer.’

Hilary Whittaker, Chief Executive of Beating Bowel cancer said: ‘We are delighted that Maria Miller MP is supporting Beating Bowel Cancer’s call to action on screening. Whilst significant improvements have been made since the start of the programme, we know more lives could be saved if participation in screening increased. That is why Beating Bowel Cancer is calling for policymakers and the NHS to commit to ensuring one million additional people are screened by 2012 and urges the government to extend the age range for screening in England to those in their fifties so that more people at risk of bowel cancer have the opportunity to be screened for, and beat the disease.’

Maria was invited in by years 5 and 6 to answer questions as part of the geography curriculum work being done.