Telent boss to review plans to close site (From Chorley Citizen)

Telent boss to review plans to close site

1:02pm Wednesday 28th November 2007 in

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I was disappointed to hear that Telent was planning to close its site in Carr Lane with 160 jobs leaving the area.

Plans are set to move operations to Haydock with minimum compulsory redundancies.

I met Paul Harris, director of facilities at Telent, to discuss the plans for the site and what can be done to keep the jobs in Chorley.

Mr Harris did promise to review the decision and look to see if there is any way of keeping work in Chorley.

I will be in discussions with him and the unions to see what, if anything, can be done.

On the theme of jobs, the Trade and Industry Select Committee, of which I am a member, is currently investigating the state of the UK manufacturing sector.

We have looked at companies such as Rolls Royce and will be looking closely at the construction industry.

I believe it is extremely important we do all we can to promote the interests of our manufacturing sector and to look at ways that government can support and ensure the quality jobs they produce, many based in the North West of England, have a sustainable future.

I was kindly invited to present the awards at Chorley Tennis Club at its annual prize-giving.

The club have made great strides in attracting people to participate in the sport.

It is always encouraging to see young people engaging in sporting activity and, more importantly, having the necessary facilities and coaching available.

The role of police community support officers has come under some scrutiny.

I believe our PCSOs do an important and invaluable job.

While they are not police officers and do not have the same powers as the police they are successful in curbing anti-social behaviour and help to provide a visible uniformed presence on our streets.

I raised this matter with the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, and she added her support to our PCSOs.